Our Land

Chef Michael Van de Elzen is creating a block where everything is grown and cooked from scratch.

Research shows a small dock population can do animals good.

One foodie describes it as the spice an angel would sprinkle from its wings.

Keep the garden cool and moist is just the beginning this summer.

Are wild deer and cats pests? A new report says getting people to agree on what biodiversity is, and how to control pests is going to be critical if NZ is to be predator-free.

A family which counts itself lucky to be the keepers of a DOC farm in an unspoiled coastal wilderness shares it every summer with holiday campers.

Some of New Zealand’s most famous trees are at enormous risk but there’s one simple thing you can do to help them this summer.

He’s into his bikes; she’s into her horses. This Rotorua couple makes a living out of their hobbies.

They’re the colour of a blueberry, have the sweetest name, and some of NZ’s most experienced croppers are hoping they’ll be an exciting new superfood for NZ gardeners and growers.

Water, liquid fertiliser and sun are the key ingredients to a fruitful late summer harvest.

Often unappreciated, loquats are pure gold and make delicious jam.

Elderflower can be used to make vinegar, jelly and wine.

Long-time tomato growers share their secrets to getting a bumper crop.

Ben Elms (aka Dr Compost) says creating an effective compost pile shouldn’t involve back-breaking labour.

The warmer days are practically begging you to get out the spade for late spring gardening.

If you’re going to grow your salads, here are the 10 greens that make every bite as nutrient-rich as possible.

There's no need to pay when a simple propagation will do the trick.

A garden doesn't get much trickier than a steep slope by the sea, but this one produces enough to feed a family, a community, the birds, and the bees.

Vertical planting can substantially increase the growing area in a small garden or roof terrace.

Canterbury sculptor Raymond Herber has carved out a true niche for his life and work in an abandoned quarry.

Buying a ride-on mower is a big investment, and it can be difficult if you’re new to a block. Here are six mistakes you want to avoid.

This easy-to-make A-frame gives veggies in the gourd family a place to grow up.

It’s easy to malign pests, but they’re not malicious. Think before spraying them and adopt an attitude of gratitude to the many beneficial insects that feed on the nasties that attack the garden.

Late summer and early autumn can lack flowers, but a little planning now will see it bright and blooming.

Grab your gloves and a spade to kick off our favourite gardening season of the year.

It is always a challenge to work out the most efficient way to mow a lawn. Clockwise? Anti-clockwise? Rows? Spirals? The answer is, it depends.

Raising plants from seed is a cost-effective way of planting out a garden.

Rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns have made gardening difficult in countries in Africa and the Pacific. Keyhole gardens may offer a solution.

Their small farm and its small livestock are the perfect size for a Northland dairy farming couple.

A Wellington company is delivering a lethal blow to the world’s pests.

A bramble that can smother native trees is found in NZ for the first time.

A Taranaki gardener has found there are some growing opportunities in the $1.5 billion pet health business.

Don’t be myopic about what can be arranged in a vase to create beauty, says Sally.

Heirloom varieties are under threat around the world. The more people who grow them, the better.