Compost solutions for urban renters
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Compost solutions for urban renters

How easy is it for urban renters to compost their food scraps? Meghan Read interviews two Aucklanders in contrasting living situations about the options they’ve chosen.   Michael Sewell, 22, living in University accommodation Michael’s in his fourth year of an engineering science degree at Auckland University. In 2020, he lived in the University’s largest self-catered student accommodation, Carlaw Park Student…

Keep your garden safe from killer compost
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Keep your garden safe from killer compost

When Minette Tonoli’s lifelong dream finally came true, moving into a beautiful homestead in May 2019, she was convinced it was going to be the ‘year of abundance’, harvest baskets overflowing with organic produce, and the pantry filled with preserved bounty. Instead it became the year this herb lady turned into ‘herbicide lady’.  This article was first published in…

How to grow olives
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How to grow olives

By Denise Cox  First published in Organic NZ May/June 2017   Olives (Olea europea) are evergreen trees native to Northern Africa. Cultivated since prehistoric times, olives are integral to the culture, diet and economies of the Mediterranean basin. Spain produces 45% of the world’s crop. Trees dating from biblical times still grow in the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem. …

Is your soil toxic?
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Is your soil toxic?

Organic NZ Magazine: September/October 2014 Section: Gardening Author: Tremane Barr Tremane Barr in his vege garden after the February 2011 earthquake. His copy of Organic NZ arrived in the mail a few hours before the quake. (Photo: Tremane Barr) The Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 have shaken the lives and properties of many that…

Growing seed for harvest 4: Carrots and brassicas
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Growing seed for harvest 4: Carrots and brassicas

Organic NZ Magazine: January/February 2006 Author: Annie Wilson and Colin Walker In the final of our series Annie Wilson and Colin Walker look at growing carrots and brassicas for seed. The Koanga Institute was established to develop a national network of growers to support the seed bank started by Kay Baxter and the team at…

Growing seed for harvest 3: Leeks, celery and cucurbits
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Growing seed for harvest 3: Leeks, celery and cucurbits

Organic NZ Magazine: Growing seed for harvest 3: Leeks, celery and cucurbits Section: Farming and Horticulture Author: Annie Wilson and Colin Walker In the third of our series, Colin Walker of the Koanga Institute talks to Annie Wilson about saving heritage seed. The Koanga Institute was established to develop a national network of growers to…

Growing seed for harvest 2: Beans, corn and tomatoes
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Growing seed for harvest 2: Beans, corn and tomatoes

Organic NZ Magazine: September/October 2005 Section: Farming and Horticulture Author: Annie Wilson and Colin Walker In the second of our series, Colin Walker of the Koanga Institute talks to Annie Wilson about saving heritage seed. Now is the time to be organising the planting of the main summer crops. Here we will discuss saving the…

Growing seed for harvest 1: Introduction & Lettuce
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Growing seed for harvest 1: Introduction & Lettuce

Organic NZ Magazine: July/August 2005 Section: Farming and Horticulture Author: Annie Wilson and Colin Walker In the first of a new series, Colin Walker of the Koanga Institute talks to Annie Wilson about saving heritage seed. Koanga has received such a multitude of New Zealand’s heritage seeds over the last twenty years from gardeners around…

Organic Asparagus: Yield way above conventional
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Organic Asparagus: Yield way above conventional

Organic NZ Magazine: May/June 2005 Author: Annie Wilson On the much lauded Heritage Farms, just out of Cambridge, manager Richard Prew has had a surprisingly large and successful crop of asparagus. It was enough to draw commercial grower Annie Wilson to check things out. The Waikato is the main asparagus growing area in the North…

Role and importance of nitrogen in your soil
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Role and importance of nitrogen in your soil

Organic NZ Magazine: September/October 2004 Author: Holger Kahl Nitrogen is an important building block of proteins, nucleic acids and other cellular constituents which are essential for all forms of life. Nitrogen is such an important key nutrient element for plants that it warrants careful management, and – if mismanaged – can lead to severe environmental…