Our Land

An easy guide to understanding the pollen value of plants.

Dreaming of living in a tiny home? From refurnished boats in Whanganui to views of the Auckland skyline, the space is small but the ideas are bigger than ever.

A willow might not be an obvious pick for your block, but it certainly could be the most ingenious.

It’s completely inedible when raw and dangerous to cut up, with a heady, perfumed scent that is completely at odds with its appearance. Sound like your kind of fruit?

Many plants, such as heirloom varieties, produce seeds that can be collected one year and sown the next, ensuring they are saved for future generations.

If you’re dealing with a paddock that’s a boggy mess in winter, it was probably once a wetland.

They’re fussy, but tamarillos are a tangy treat, and prolific if you know the secrets to high production.

This special type of charcoal made from waste wood will enrich your soil and help save the planet.

With the ground still warm from the hot months, autumn is the perfect time for planting.

If you love a plate full of colour, why not try planting some of the more bright winter vegetables?

Understanding rural etiquette can make for a more peaceful life on the block.

Nothing beats the melting succulence of a fresh, ripe, well-grown pear.

An expert grower explains why some fig trees just don't grow fruit.

Research is showing that the biodiversity of your land is more important than ever.

Whether it's for a dose of native foliage or to hide an unsightly fence, livings walls can be a fun (and surprisingly easy) way to flex your green fingers.

Getting along with your neighbours can make country life that bit more special.

After almost 30 years on their block, this Ohoka couple are brimming with wisdom for wannabe block owners.

Fresh flowers will make the transition into the colder seasons much more do-able.

Life's too short to be fussy over a lawn, it's time to let nature take its course.

Food writer Kristina Jensen celebrates a special couple and their favourite tomato.

No amount of heat can stop one's dedication to the garden.

Two management consultants have exchanged the corporate world for a country life dedicated to sharing the joy of mushrooms.

The newest 'room' of your house could be right outside your door. Here's what to think about when you're creating the ultimate outdoor space.

Start sowing and planting these crops before cooler weather sets in.

Learn from the mistakes of long-time block owners and use their lessons to your advantage.

Two of Valda Poletti’s ancestors arrived from England, settled on land near New Plymouth and burned the bush and forest to make way for pastures of ryegrass and clover. Valda has done precisely the opposite.

There's one key to growing a good leek crop, and Jenny finally feels the love.

Keep a watchful eye on the garden as the summer heat ramps up.

The summer sizzle is on its way, and these under-utilised plants love it.

If you want extra beds for summer guests, a simple sleepout may be the ideal solution.

A 2 billion year old organism is the hot new food trend, and a gourmet business opportunity.

Succulents are a beautiful business plan if you enjoy some simple DIY and a little creativity.

These common weeds compete for more desirable species such as ryegrass and clover.

There's nothing quite like biting into a homegrown tomato.