NZ Lifestyle Block

Lavender enthusiast and landscape designer Karen Rhind has crafted a wild and beautiful garden in one of the country’s most inhospitable environments.

Some of us will still be cold, but for others, spring is stirring.

You can never have too many sheds, but if your budget doesn’t spring to something that requires a council permit, it is possible to build a garden shed under 10m², the typical size of a shed before you need one.

It’s still officially winter, but there’s plenty to do before the days get longer and warmer.

If you are missing summer’s salad greens, this is the plant for you.

Winter is a good time to start an espaliered fruit tree. However, some trees adapt better to espalier than others.

During one very bad winter, award-winning sheep farmers Lynley and Matt Wyeth lost 1000 lambs in one night. They've since implemented a ground-breaking indoor lamb-raising programme. It drastically increased lamb survival rates, but also production and profitability.

Beeswax is thought to help heal bruises, inflammation and burns, which make this oil an excellent ingredient in homemade salves and cosmetics.

Love dahlias? Don’t like the ridiculous prices you can pay for tubers? Here’s how you can increase your stock by forcing tubers to produce early shoots.

A new book from a permaculture expert helps beginners conquer their fear of fruit tree  pruning.

The chicken is a fighter, not a lover, a born percher and bather, but not that bright when it comes to knowing who their friends are.

Gourmet delights wander round this lifestyle block south of Gisborne, and its owners can’t get enough of what is turning into a delectable little bird business.

Profitability depends on the purchase price of the calves, the input costs of calf milk replacer and meal, and the price that can be realised for a 12-week old, 100kg calf.

It is impossible to prevent windthrow, but it is possible to reduce the risk to trees, property and life. Some of it comes down to tree choice and some of it comes down to smart planning.

The days are short, but it’s an important time to make plans for spring.

A giant sterile hybrid grass that grows to 4m and looks a bit like bamboo could be the answer to a lot of problems on farms

As an ingredient in cosmetics, beeswax acts as both an emollient, soothing and softening skin, and a humectant, attracting water and helping to absorb it in the skin.

When Karen Rhind left behind her carefully-maintained Garden of National Significance for bare, dry pasture and a new challenge, she also opened the door to a sweetly-scented business.

Death is a natural part of life and you need to make plans on what to do to ensure a bird is humanely culled.

If power is a problem, gravity may be your best bet for a reliable water supply.

Start planning, planting and prepping your garden now for spring.

If you’re interested in eating more plant protein, a little fermentation can go a long way.

This backyard herb has a colourful history, it was prized by Roman soldiers for its medicinal qualities and used in the 16th Century as a wine additive.

This award-winning organic farmer near Kaipara coast may have hundreds of sheep and cattle, but what she’s really farming is millions and millions of invisible helpers.

Ducks have different physiology to chickens and require different care.

Unlike sugar, stevia doesn't add calories or carbs. So you can afford to have an extra slice or two of this chocolate cake delight.

Calving time can come any time of the year on a small farm so it pays to be prepared.

Lamb survival rates can vary dramatically from farm to farm, and your management plays a big part.

New Zealand's first commercial coffee growers share the secrets to growing coffee plants in our temperate climate.

It doesn’t bear fruit, but this little tree will vastly improve your orchard’s productivity.

From garden to posie to plate, scented geraniums are a delight to the senses and fabulous fodder for the experimental gardener/cook.

Rather than burning your seasoned firewood, with a tight budget and some time, you can use it to build a home.

Posh, Sporty and Scary have nothing on Ginger spice. Brush up on your planting and harvesting skills for this winter.

One of the most aggravating pests in any hen house is red mites. They’re also one of the hardest to spot until they’re a real problem.