Our Land

Annika Streefland’s dreams of being a botanist stalled when a formidable headmistress gave her a lecture on the value of independence. How thankful she is now.

Cordwood masonry is an old building technique using short logs and mortar. Cordwood homes are cheap to build and provide excellent insulation, writes Nadene Hall.

When you take on an island heaving with rats, you learn some tricks.

Here’s how to create a future-proof plan for your lifestyle block or farm to make sure you do it once, and do it right.

Getting to grips with the grassroots of growing, and of a community, Lloyd Rooney and Michael Fraser found contentment by leaving the glamour of London for the quiet backwaters of the Waikato.

Plant salsify and scorzonera soon and they'll be ready in time for all your winter soup and steamed veggie needs.

It takes 125,000-150,000 flowers to produce just one kilogram of saffron which can sell for $30,000. So harvesting the stigmas is a delicate process at Wynyard Estate in Central Otago’s Teviot Valley.

When NZ Life & Leisure editor Kate Coughlan left behind her vast veggie beds at the Rocket Ranch for city life, she called in the experts to create a 100% edible courtyard garden.

We raise a glass, and a tasty morsel or two, to the winners of this year’s Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.

If you're never sure what to do with the ash from your fireplace, don’t be too quick to dump it, give these helpful tips a try instead.

As a cash crop, stevia ticks all the boxes: it's easy to grow; doesn't take up  much space; and doesn't need your full-time commitment.

Growing your own nuts is a long-term plan, but these trees don’t need a lot of attention and having your own fresh, free nut supply is definitely worth a few years of waiting.

If you’re interested in grain-free eating, buckwheat is a great option and you can grow it in your own garden.

Dr Doug Edmeades busts pH balancing myths and explains why you should try adding lime to your soil.

We’re on the road into winter, but there’s still plenty to produce for your kitchen.

On the hills above Doubtless Bay in the Far North live New Zealand's first commercial coffee growers. Establishing the world's southernmost coffee farm has had its challenges - luckily its owners are full of beans.

Like all the guavas, these ones like a constant heavy mulch to feed the roots, and a good supply of moisture.

In Your Backyard: Urban Harvest, is a guide to growing fruit and vegetables in small gardens. We've compiled extra materials and videos here to help further your understanding of this exciting topic.

Architects are collaborating on innovative solutions for food production in increasingly urbanised areas.

Bob has good news if you have sweated your way through double digging your garden for the first time.

How to stop pastures going to seed and tips to take note of for autumn.

The gardeners of Barewood tell their secrets to recreating a beautiful feature of their landscape.

Apple picking, branch cutting and the secret to sweet peaches. Add Ben Gaia's seven tips to March your to-do list.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.