There’s not a gardener alive who hasn’t squashed too many trees into too small an area! Those little wee seedlings defy us to give them space, but give it, we must. There’s a goldilocks point were aiming for here – a balance between fitting as many fruiting trees/ shrubs in as possible without choking up […]
Listen to my Tree Pruning Interview on RNZ
By | LastUpdated April 1, 2023
Expert feature: Tree pruning with Kath Irvine From Afternoons, 2:30 pm on 2 May 2022. Pruning season is fast approaching (Mid-winter) but for many people it can be a daunting task. Today’s expert is organic gardener Kath Irvine, who runs pruning workshops from her Horowhenua garden. She’s also written a book to guide beginners through […]
An Autumn Compost is a Strong Start to a Spring Bed
By | LastUpdated June 28, 2024
Autumn is heaven for compost makers, there’s heaps of stuff begging to be composted. Make use of all of it – dont throw it away!, and prep for spring planting at the same time. My kind of compost piles are easily put together, followed by put your feet up and let nature do the work. […]
Our 1ha Paradise is Up for Sale
By | LastUpdated August 1, 2022
We’ve had 15 wonderful years in this beautiful little corner of the world, but now the kids have all gone and we’re ready for our next thing. Gosh, it’s going to be hard leaving our handmade house and all my gardens – my heart and soul are in this place, but at 51 – if […]
Better Than Pea Straw
By | LastUpdated May 1, 2022
Once you get your mulch eyes on you’ll see that you are surrounded by mulch – any crop that’s reached the dry stalk stage is straw… not just peas! Though pea straw is awesome, its not the gold plated, $22 a bale awesome the shops think it is. My garden is full of straw right […]
Make a No Dig, Perennial Garden
By | LastUpdated June 28, 2024
Densley planted perennials make the easiest care, best looking gardens of all. Herbs, picking flowers, nectar/ pollen rich flowers for bees and beneficials, fruit, natives – you name it!, jam them all in together for a garden that beats out weeds, flowers year round and provides food and medicine. Beautiful and useful – my kinda […]
