Gardening

Gardening Articles

Illustration of tractor spraying pesticides in a paddock, with people, animals, bush, stream and wildlife next to it

Parable of the paddock edge

29 Jun 26

We are the ones who live beside the paddock. No one asked us whether the new substance belonged here. The question is: who is made to carry the cost? A parable for our times, by David McNeill

Kiwifruit: Treasures in red, gold and green

29 Jun 26

Kiwifruit has become so woven into our national identity that it’s easy to forget it isn’t actually native here at all, and its journey from a fuzzy Chinese curiosity to a backyard favourite is a story worth knowing, as Paula Sharp finds out.

Moon Calendar July-August 2026

23 Jun 26

As we pass through the natural ‘new year’ in the southern hemisphere, now is the perfect time to witness the tohu (signs) of the coming seasons. As the stars reappear on the horizon at dawn, take note...

Moon Calendar May-June 2026

28 Apr 26

As we descend into the cooler months, the time has come to start to envisage our gardens for the following seasons. I remind people when they are starting out growing their own food, to plant what you love to eat.

Monique Macfarlane - planting by the moon in NZ.

Moon Calendar March-April 2026

25 Feb 26

Successful food and flower growing starts well before seedlings or seeds are planted in the ground. Planning, preparation, soil care, and nutrition are all endeavours undertaken in the seasons before.

Soil & Health Auckland – Meeting Announcement

07 Feb 26

Come and hear Savannah Carter-Green talk to the Auckland branch of Soil & Health

Loving soil, but also learning soil

19 Dec 25

Jenny Lux, market gardener and former Soil & Health chair, tells her story of growing vegetables and continuing a path of lifelong learning.

Peace lilies

18 Dec 25

The peace lily is a favourite among indoor plant enthusiasts. In this excerpt from The Plant Book, author Tammy Huynh offers tips for care of your peace lilies: watering, light, fertilising, dividing them and more.

Moon Calendar January-February 2026

17 Dec 25

Seed saving is one of the most beautiful acts of resilience and nourishment we can do for ourselves, our communities, our future, and the ecosystems we find ourselves in.

Homegrown Fruit: Pests and disease-reducing strategies

28 Nov 25

Here are some organic strategies to reduce pests and disease in the home orchard, from the book "Homegrown Fruit: A practical guide", by Kath Irvine and Jason Ross.

2026 Calendars For Sale!

31 Oct 25

Our Calendars are back by popular demand. We have the sought-after ‘N*de Gardening’ calendar, and the ‘Beautiful Gardens’ calendar (for those who prefer to hang a calendar that doesn’t get so much attention!). Both calendars include the moon phases.

Strawberries - planting by the moon in NZ.

Moon Calendar November-December 2025

29 Oct 25

Records are one of the most fundamental parts of being in active conversation with the land. I encourage you to take photographs on the summer solstice, autumn equinox, winter solstice, and the spring equinox. These are beautiful reminders of the ebb and flow of nature, and of the nature of us.

The Floral Dream

29 Oct 25

Want to grow cut flowers? This extract from "The Floral Dream" by Olivia McCord looks at how to source plants - from seed, seedlings, cuttings, bulbs and more.

Asparagus in season: From garden to table

24 Sep 25

Few vegetables announce spring quite like asparagus. With its tender green spears and delicate flavour, asparagus is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated seasonal treasures. Paula Sharp introduces this spring star, including gardening tips, recipes and nutritional benefits.

Organic Gardening

29 Aug 25

Organic Gardening is a guide published by the Soil & Health…

Worm Farming Tips

27 Aug 25

Home gardener Michelle Coenradi has four worm farms on the go. Here she outlines the benefits, and offers some tips from her experience.

Broccoli: A Winter Hero

27 Aug 25

Nutritional therapist Paula Sharp introduces broccoli, a winter hero, including gardening tips, recipes and nutritional benefits.

Monique Macfarlane with tomato seedlings - planting by the moon in NZ.

Moon Calendar September-October 2025

20 Aug 25

All the prep work in the garden now really pays off for feasting on and preserving the abundance in the coming months. It can feel overwhelming with everything there is to get done, so I pick particular things to focus on, and let the rest fall behind in the flow.

Love leeks!

29 Jul 25

Nutritional therapist Paula Sharp loves leeks. Here she introduces this often unsung hero, including gardening tips, recipes and nutritional benefits.

Moon Calendar July-August 2025

18 Jun 25

July and August is a great time in the garden, as we have just passed the new year, the shortest day, and the preparation and groundwork for the summer abundance is underway. Now is the perfect time to change arrangements, be it infrastructure such as trellising, pathways, irrigation, or even move around existing garden beds and create new ones.