This month, we say goodbye to our beautiful garden and hello to life on the road in our housetruck. A big transition for us, mostly me – no garden… gulp! … I plan on finding many along the way.
Sending out books wont be do-able from the housetruck so I’m shutting my shop – Friday 9th Dec is your last chance to buy a signed copy of either Edible Backyard +/or Pruning Fruit Trees. Never fear, you can still buy them out in the world, just not through me.
- As of 12th December, Pruning Fruit Trees: A Beginners Guide, will be distributed by Nationwide Books. It will still be available in bookshops . If your local doesn’t stock it, after 12th December, they can order it through Nationwide (with whom they will be well acquainted).
- My Edible Backyard book will be available in book stores and garden centres, as per usual.
Life on the road
While we trip around and hunt out where to settle next, we’ll do a bit of woofing + exploring + not too much planning – lets see what unfolds! I’ve a workshop coming up in Baton Valley in March ’23 and hopefully will be down at the Wild Dunedin festival in April (looks amazing by the way).
As we go, I’d love to connect up with community gardens + other wonderful organic happenings, so in order for us to easily find each other, I’m wading back in to Instagram. I’ll give it a crack, anyway. After such a long break from it – it may or may not flow! We’re off on the 19th of December, so you’ll find me there sometime after that.
Our easily mobile world means that video consults can continue – they’re great, aye! Thanks for taking up the technological challenge, I’m enjoying them. As I do the newsletter – it too, shall carry on.
Fare thee well
To those of you who have tread these soils and shared the music, the workshops, bonfires and epic food – its been really special, aye. All your energy is embedded here, and I feel your fond farewell. Know that following on our heels is a beautiful young family. I’m stoked that this place will once again nourish a tribe and hum with fresh energy.
Best of luck for your new adventures!
Thankyou!
Dear Kath,
I love your newsletters. Being newly settled in New Zealand and also having limited gardening experience, I have found them wonderfully helpful and a pleasure to read.
You have new adventures ahead and I wish you and yours all the best.
Regards,
Colleen
I’m pleased to help Colleen – thanks for your kind wishes, K x
All the best Kath , will look forward to reading about your new experiences around New Zealand
Thankyou Lyn!
Happy travels – what a great way to look for a new home 🙂 I look forward to reading about your adventures in the newsletter 🙂
Its going to be fun for sure Lauren!
Ive really appreciated your monthly newsletters Kath and all your advice over the last few years. I wish you well in your new adventure and trust you will continue to find satisfaction and enjoyment in all you do. Blessings 🌈
Thankyou Claire, Kx
Dear Kath
I loved the opportunity to meet you when we lived in Otaki, to get advice and come to your lovely garden. It’s been such a pleasure and inspiration to get your monthly newsletter for all these years and I admit I was so upset to think of you leaving your beautiful garden when I read your latest one today, but hey who knows where you might end up…………………… maybe Golden Bay like us!!! And what an experience you’ll have on the way to where ever! Safe travels, god bless you
Julia xxx
Thanks Julia!
Your wealth of knowledge has been amazing. Wishing you guys all the best in your travels. x
Hi Kath , Ive been to your place a couple of times, and have the books.. All the best on your new adventure.. Maybe we will bump into each other ..
bye for now
Kerry
You just never know Kerry!!
Aww Kath I’m going to miss you! It’s been great gaining all you knowledge and having the joy of providing food. Enjoy your amazing adventure around NZ and finding another place to settle down and grow a garden.
I feel so lucky to have your book and often say ‘let’s see what Kath says about that” and sit down with the book.!!
Take care – you’re a lovely lady.
Sophie Campbell
Lovely Sophie – thanks for all your help too. We never got to knit socks together! Who knows where we end up though … the day may yet come, K xxx
Best wishes Kath, for your new adventures ahead! We’ve often pondered about hitting the road however I just wouldnt be able to leave my garden so I feel for you in that respect!
If you are ever in Pelorus Valley, halfway between Nelson and Marlborough, you are welcome to park up at our place if you need a stop! I have long admired your gardening prowess and am slowly working my way through/applying your very sensible advice 😀
Thankyou Ruth! Slowly is the way to go …. and you never know, we might be seeing you…
All the best Kath and Matt, I’ll be thinking of you, how exciting. You never know you mind still end up here 😉
Sending you all my love 💕💕💕
Haha – you never know, but really Kay, much as we love you and Taper and Steve and the crew – I dont think so. We’ll be seeing you though – at our new pad, wherever that is, for lovely holidays. K xxxxx
Hi Kath
Congratulations having the courage to sell up your beautiful place and going travelling around NZ I am very envious and I must admit to laughing when I read it very exciting for you both . Thank you for all the workshops we did really enjoyed coming up to them wet or fine in our gumboots great fun it well be interesting to see where you end up. Have fun kept a diary could me your next book great reading. Jenny
Thankyou Jenny – joy is the best, thanks for feeling it. You go well, much love x
Wow how exciting for you both – no more waiting at the crossroads – literally and no doubt figuratively 🙂 .Thanks for sharing your home with all of us eager learners, the fabulous property and your masterful use of it have created lasting memories and skills for me. The rest of the country will do well to learn your skills and I’m sure there will be plenty of things you can learn too. I look forward to the book of your adventures:)
You’re so welcome Andrea. Thankyou too for all your enthusiasm over the years, love Kath
Hey how about doing a TV show when you find your new home? A Kiwi Monty Don? NZ Gardeners world? That would be great.
I have loved listening to you on the radio!
All the best for your new adventures.
Funny! Radio is best – you can have kale in your teeth or have bed hair… no one knows :). Thanks for your wishes Marcia x
Great idea – there are heaps of comments online about the lack of local gardening content. Maybe a permie version of Nadia’s Farm…..
Wow Kath what a big change! Thanks for all the workshops and gardening advice over the years – very glad you’ll still be keeping things going online. Happy adventuring!
Thanks Alana – its been my pleasure friend
K x
Sad for no more workshops- I discovered you too late! Thank you for the two I came to! I will continue to be inspired by you- and perhaps you’ll be travelling through Wellington right when I need to plan a new garden. Wishing you the best travels and to find amazing gardens- those in need of your help and those not. Arohanui
Awesome Mel – everything comes as and when we need it, aint that the truth.
K x
oh wow! what an adventure! well done you both for trying something new, and broadening the comfort zone!! Thankyou for making your long harvested knowledge available…..it will always be my guide….and very best wishes to you both for the next part of your journey!!
Many thanks Denise for your excitement and kind wishes!!
Best wishes for your travels around this beautiful land we live in. If you travel to Wairoa we live 40 minutes inland. You are most welcome to come and park your bus up at our place. Our garden is so much the better for your input in our lives through your newsletters and books. Thank you!
Thank you Grace! I will tuck your email away and touch base when we rattle on through – love Wairoa, one of the friendliest towns out I reckon.
Be seeing you
K x
“Not all who wander are lost” – enjoy your wanderings around NZ and hope you have lots of lovely discoveries on the way! And that you find a beautiful place where you can create your next home. Thanks for sharing your invaluable advice and for continuing your newsletters and other support – so appreciated!
Love that saying too Maria, and I would take it further – is there such a place as lost? When surely in every moment we are exactly where we are supposed to be. Thanks so much for your kind wishes and hope – it makes a big difference not to be told how mad we are etc… much love K x
Have a wonderful adventure
We will Margaret!
Kia ora Kath
Any chance the Baton Valley course has openings? A local Nelson/Tasman Workshop with you would be a dream.
Thanks for continuing to share your adventures.
We havent advertised as yet – so keep your eye out Annabelle!
Thanks for all you have done to support me on the journey Kath – much love from Bianca
You are very welcome Bianca
K x
Wow! Kath, you don’t do things in half measure, do you.. I love the way you are embracing life,. Change is good for us but most of us would not have the courage to leave such a loved home and garden. I think you work on the big picture and understand that everything has a life, a beginning and an ending, and rather than just tailing off, trying to make a big garden small, hand it on…. and start another adventure, sharing the message of permaculture pleasures.
Kath, you have been inspirational for me, starting me on the journey with your plan of our garden in PN. We are now in Eastbourne, and still eating from our garden. Thanks for everything and blessings to you and your family
Thank you Sue. Another opportunity to rehearse the great let go we all face at some time in our future and so too, how much can we taste and see and enjoy while the light lasts! You guys are the same, I know … be alive is the key! I will never forget that epic quince tart you made, I’m sure I left your place with more than I gave, but great memories all round.
Wish you all the best, much love Kath
Best wishes for your new adventure Kath My husband and I and 2 little ones upped sticks 4 years ago and we landed on Stewart Island after 6 months of gypsy life. It’s a great way to do it! If you make it this far south, do get in touch. There’s a few keen and resourceful gardeners here who love to follow your work.
Good for you guys! Oh yes we hope to land in Rakiura for sure… I havent yet been but met a wonderful gardener from their in Christchurch some years ago that inspired me to come down.
Probably small enough I can ask for Bex when I land!
K x
I have been meaning to write to you for some time. You have been an inspiration to me! At a time when I felt very sad at the loss of my fabulous gardening mum, and when my young family of 4 moved from an inner city apartment to a large section, you gave me a lot of strength. And motivation. You have a very natural way with words – your blog is a must read – when I read your blog and books it make me feel like you are a coach (rather than a preacher)! All the best on your next adventure. You deserve all the fun and delight you can get from new experiences. Thank you from the bottom of my heart x Clare
Thanks Clare, for taking the time to write. I’m so glad to have been a stepping stone along your way. Its what we are all here for, in our own unique way, to help each other across the rough bits. Much love Kath x