Our Land

Meet the caretakers of a historic DOC farm in remote Northland

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.

One big reason not to touch your pōhutukawa this summer

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.

A couple's horse and mountain-biking trail oasis in Rotorua

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

Is this the super berry of the future?

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.

6 summer gardening tasks: Feed tomatoes, keep celery hydrated

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

The lowdown on loquats (hint: they're great in cobbler)

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

Recipe: Elderflower vinegar

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

20 expert tips to growing great tomatoes

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

Dr Compost's secret to a healthy, efficient compost pile

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

10 late-spring gardening tasks: Sow carrots, transplant tomatoes

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

10 most nutrient-rich leafy greens you can grow

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

3 common trees to get for free with propagation

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

This organic grower hasn't had aphids in two years

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.

How to use vertical planting to maximise a small space

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

Forging ahead at the Iron Ridge Sculpture Park

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

6 mistakes to avoid when buying a ride-on lawn mower

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.

DIY project: Make a vertical growing frame for climbing veggies

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

How to control and prevent pests in the garden the natural way

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.

7+ flowers to brighten the best days of the year

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

Spring gardening tasks to tick off this October

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

The best ways to mow your lawn and create lawn stripes

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.

Seed raising 101: How to raise plants from seeds

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

This garden design can grow food during droughts

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

How to be a very small dairy farmer (no cows required)

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

Goodnature's self-resetting traps are changing pest control in NZ

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

How to spot this aggressive new bramble

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

Grow these plants to tap into the booming pet health industry

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

Sally Brown's tips for displaying cut flowers

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

Why you should give heritage corn a go

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

September gardening: it's time to sow

It's time to sow peas and carrots, plant tomato seeds, dig out weeds, avoid codling moths

Sally Brown's must-dos for a year-round cutting garden

A vase of fresh flowers is a simple way to bring joy into your home. Expert gardener Sally Brown shares her tips on how to grow cutting blooms all year-round.

3 reasons why there’s no spring flush

Look for these signs if your pasture isn't plentiful this spring.

Guest Blog: 'How my veggie patch has helped me grow'

Our guest blogger Poppy Vink shares what she’s learned starting a veggie patch from scratch and how her budding garden has helped with her mental health.

The Kiwi connection at Wardington Manor

Designing duo Bridget Elworthy and Henrietta Courtauld are the pick of the bunch with their design and cut-flower company the Land Gardeners.

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