NZ Lifestyle Block

Calves and rising yearlings are the main priority in autumn.

There’s a great way to grow olive trees even when your place gets really cold.

When you live on a lifestyle block you face a higher risk from fire than people who live in a town or city.

It’s a great decision time for sheep farmers as it’s time to tidy up the flock before the rams go out to start the next breeding season.

It’s the start of autumn and time to get ready for winter, but still room for a touch of summer.

They’re small but pack a piquant punch to a dish, and it is possible to grow them in NZ, if you know what they like.

The range of turnips available today, especially the mini ones, are a very quick and easy plant to grow and  sweet-tasting

The Inch family farm red deer with a velvet hand and a soft touch, but it has been a learning curve for his city-born-and-bred wife.

Food forests can seem like the most complicated of garden designs, but here's how to do it yourself, step-by-step.

This step-by-step guide shows just how easy it is to build a basic chicken run without breaking the bank.

Five years after planting her herb garden, Jenny Somervell’s plants have forgotten who is boss.

Dr Doug Edmeades' key tips on using fertiliser and assessing the health of your pasture.

We look at the insects that can have population explosions in your hen house over summer.

When a block has a design fault it can seriously affect the practical aspects of growing plants and livestock.

How you can help hungry bees and add value to your property at the same time.

Three experts share their wisdom on how to create a profitable food product.

For this recipe, the peaches don’t have to be super-ripe. In fact, the jam turns out nice and chunky if you choose slightly harder fruit.

Moving to a new block is an exciting time, but it’s easy to get carried away. Before you get started, take a little time to think strategy.

Keep an eye on soil moisture and keep picking and pruning cherry tomatoes for a continuous crop.

Get a better understanding of your hens by learning about their South East Asian ancestors.

As summer stumbles along we’re heading into winter crop planting time and leeks are one crop that are best planted sooner rather than later.

We visit a sanctuary for unloved animals and injured birds on a unique lifestyle block set up just for them.

If you’ve ever grown gourds you’ll know just how prolific these cucurbits can be, but do you know how to turn them into an art form?

Blackboy peach fan Kristina Jensen shares her overflow method for bottling with her favourite peach.

It’s an underground treasure whose production is unpredictable, but a delight chefs will pay $3500 per kilogram to shave over a dish.

Havelock North's Margie Chambers understands the importance of knowing your market when pitching preserves nationwide.

We take a guided tour through three very different food forests at different stages in their lifecycle.

Here’s how to profit from bees without becoming a beekeeper.

Watercress is the most nutritious plant you can grow in your garden.

How to protect your livestock from facial eczema and why it pays to have good shade.

If you’re a dab hand at making jams and preserves, you could consider selling your homemade goods.

Summer is the perfect time to clean out your hen house when there’s enough daylight hours and warmth to let it thoroughly dry out.

There are tomatoes, and then there is this great-tasting heritage variety with a very special secret.

The founder of Forage & Ferment demonstrates gives a lesson in fermenting 101, demonstrating how to make her wild sauerkraut with turmeric, ginger and marigold.