Food Forests NZ

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Comment by Robyn Guyton on January 4, 2012 at 7:10am

Thanks Peter will try it and let you know.

We had the loan of a large plastic glaring sitting owl.  We placed it guarding a currant bush to no avail...the birds used it as a look out perch between raids!

Comment by Peter Riches on December 29, 2011 at 7:54am

@Robyn Guyton: My lovely wife gave me Dick & James Strawbridge's "Practical Self Sufficiency" for Christmas, and in it they recommend hanging up clear plastic drinks bottles with flaps cut out of the sides and extended to resemble wings. (I haven't had the opportunity to try it myself.)

Comment by Robyn Guyton on December 29, 2011 at 7:43am

Tough times when there is not rain for days, not for the plants as they are naturally shaded and well mulched, but the berries that we had hoped to be harvesting.  All that are un-netted this year are being gobbled up by birds probably because they need fluids.  Normally our black currents and raspberries are largely ignored and the red currants are the only ones we need to net in December.  Besides netting any other suggestions?  Tried hanging old data CD's , tin cans with strings that can be pulled from the house...any other suggestions?

Comment by Christy Ralphs on December 10, 2011 at 3:56pm

Hi folks, thought I'd share some photos from a recent 'chop and drop' that I did on a small part of my fledgling food forest - this is around some feijoas that have been planted on one edge as a wind break. See if you can 'spot the difference'!

View 1 - before

View 1 - after

View 2 - before

View 2 - after

And finally -  a harvest from the food forest yesterday, elderflowers and lemons to make some cordial, some of the last grapefruit, and bananas - our very first so extra special.

Comment by Robyn Guyton on December 5, 2011 at 5:45am

For those of you in Southern NZ we are holding a Food Forest tour and 3 hour workshop  in Riverton, Southland Saturday 10th December 1.30-4.30

Cost $25  Contact the Riverton Environment Centre office@sces,org,nz for bookings and details.

Comment by Robyn Guyton on November 22, 2011 at 9:15am

Hi John

We go to places like Wrightsons farmers stores and buy sacks of seeds-  works out amazingly cheap and you can share them around,

We got sacks of less common seeds from Stevens Seeds in Ashburton http://www.stevensseeds.co.nz/  even with freight they were really good value. 

I also go to my local nursery centre  and order bulk seeds and they can sell most seeds to you in 50g, 100g, 200g bulk packs-  usually have to wait a few days as they have to get them in. 

Those little pre made packets are so expensive for only a few seeds so not really economical for large areas- however if you buy a couple of packs and save seed from them you can build up your own stocks at no more expense.

cheers  Robyn

Comment by John Park on November 21, 2011 at 10:58am

Thanks  Kali,  we're currently on the lookout for bees to populate the 2 x topbar hives I've built,  so Tutu will have to join wattle on my  nice to but won't list.

A wonderful offer  of seeds,  thank you again but I do have a source of kakabeak local.  (offtopic) It  does amaze me  that some seed is fairly common down south  and  when I asked at local  regional seed suppliers they look at me  in "that funny way"

eg.  I'm after  kgs of  dandelion, yarrow, tansy etc (herbal lay/field mixes)

apart from kings seeds which are fairly expensive for amounts  I need...........where does one look??   any  ideas?

 

regards

John

 

 

Comment by Kali on November 21, 2011 at 1:47am

that piqued my interest so I did a little bit of research., so can add kakabeak to your list, I have some seeds If you would like them, lovely trees but prone to becoming snail tucker. I was interested to read that tutu is a nitrogen fixer also, not that that would be welcome if you keep bees for honey !

Comment by John Park on November 20, 2011 at 9:04pm

Food forests! my new obsession,  I'm so  excited  I  tend to be a rush in guy and want to plant, plant, plant!  I have to get into the long term picture,  already  dry here in Tutukaka (northland) &  am planning  to  build  huglekulture  mounds with swales  to increase soil water holding capacity. We've  got 150 to 250mm of reasonable soil then clay +  we have Kikuyu grass, wonderfully drought resistant but, swallows young trees whole.

Another useful list would be non-invasive N fixing plants. I'm  not too keen on some of the offerings like wattle etc. Anyone got a  more to add to the following that will prosper in Northland clay soils??

- Kowhai

- Tree lucerne

 

cheers

John

 

Comment by Robyn Guyton on November 16, 2011 at 11:02pm

Good they are around a metre high growing over flax stick tripod outdoors and looks like they will thrive

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