Our Land

Two great options for fodder, shelter, shade and firewood can be as simple as a stick in the ground

Prepare beauties like anenomes and ranunculus this month for a spring filled with gorgeous flowers.

The park ranger reflects on the past, present and future protection of Auckland’s Waitākere Regional Park.

Planning ahead in March can make all the difference for autumn and winter harvests.

Graham and Tess Smith prove that it’s the size of your attitude that counts, not the size of your block.

It’s not fertiliser, and the cause is probably looking at you.

Make the most of a late summer peach glut with three quick (and tasty) recipes.

If you love salads, there are some great leafy options to sow and enjoy this autumn, and one has a sweet little bonus.

Going free-range can improve the health of your hens, but there are some factors to consider when letting your hens loose.

A wild orchard in the heart of Dunedin is planted with more than 60 fruit trees.

The vast majority of Kāpiti Island is a nature reserve. But 20 hectares of the iconic island is privately owned by a whānau dedicated to preserving their whakapapa — including the land and everything upon it — and sharing it with the world.

How to save time by sorting your seed garlic during the harvesting process.

Kale is a trendy healthy option but it can be tough and chewy if not handled with care. Jenny Somervell shares her tips on when to plant and harvest kale and how to cook it properly.

Make sure ewes, pigs and poultry have plenty of shade and keep water troughs clean to encourage drinking.

Quad bikes are popular vehicles on farms and lifestyle blocks, yet one of the trickiest to use.

The world wants our freshwater crayfish. Now there’s a practical guide on how you can farm them and get a bite of the juicy price tag.

During the week Jason Price is a management consultant and efficiency expert. At the weekend he has an odd fascination with doing things by hand, like baling hay.

Installing a rainwater-collection system makes the most of this natural resource and cuts down on water bills.

If you’re a romantic at heart, turning your land into a wedding venue might be an opportunity to earn some extra cash.

Most people avoid getting into hot water, but the creator of a Coromandel resort spent two decades, and many millions of dollars, drilling for it.

These are tasty foods you typically can’t get in supermarkets but are easy to grow on your property.

They’re the alternative grape of the garden, can be sweet or sour, and have nothing to do with geese, but gooseberries are one traditional kitchen garden berry that will liven up your cooking.

Moisture and sunlight have a good and bad effect, depending on what you’re growing.

One man’s vision for protecting an unspoiled Coromandel Peninsula is shared by family and friends who count themselves lucky to holiday there.

The January guide to livestock and pasture care.

Rangitoto, Auckland’s most familiar landmark, harbours unexpected reminders of less-complicated times.

Meet the scuba diver on a mission to clean up Wellington’s ocean floor.

What does an official-sounding word like biosecurity have to do with your small flock of chickens or ducks?

The only human residents of a thriving Great Barrier Island wildlife sanctuary are fiercely protective of their native neighbours.

We need a break beyond our boundaries sometimes, and that means making sure animals, gardens and your home are safe and secure without you.

Japanese moss balls- kokedama- are an art form that’s easy and cheap to make, but there are a few secrets to their success.

Burning is an ancient, organic way to clear land of undesirable plants, turning them into fertiliser. But a good burn takes planning and timing, so think about the following before you strike a match.

It takes a village to create a thriving business for one Southland couple. Or in this case, several very small villages, a railway, and a real church.

New Zealand cranberries can be planted any time of year and are best eaten fresh and fully ripe.