NZ Lifestyle Block

There are plenty of edible wild plant foods in the NZ countryside, if you know where to look and what to look for.

This has to be the most divine cordial ever. I can never make enough of it. You just need a small amount in a glass topped up with water and you'll be in heaven. This is how one writer describes it.

Sunflowers are not only pretty, but they are extremely useful - particularly if you own chickens.

A productive summer garden is at your fingertips via a whole lot of prepping, sowing and planting.

New Zealand plants didn't evolve for browsing ruminants, but there are a few that are beneficial fodder.

Food is the biggest household expense after accommodation, and the cost of it seems to be skyrocketing year after year, so what are the most high value things you can grow to save money?

Rocket can be grown year-round, although the cooler temperatures in spring and autumn produce the best crops.

The Horwell’s are surrounded by nuts — the fresher, the better.

Easy to grow and nutritious, microgreens are a winter garden goer.

Learn how to look after your citrus - and treat yourself with this yummy ice cream recipe.

Preserving lemons requires lots of lemon juice so do it when you have a surplus of lemons on your tree, or they are in season and on special at your local shops.

Broccoli is in short supply in supermarkets - so why not try growing your own?

It’s worth as much as gold per gram, but fortunately it’s easy to grow.

They’re often mistaken for stuffed toys, but Valais Blacknose sheep are real and spreading their cuteness around New Zealand.

Firewood should have less than 25 per cent moisture to burn at its most efficient. If you don’t have a moisture meter, here’s how to work out if your firewood is dry enough.

Gum as a tree divides a lot of people. One reason is different varieties do better in different parts of the country

If you pick and choose your varieties carefully, you can be munching on sweet mandarins from early winter until late summer or even all year round if you plan it well.

When you’re creating a bouquet, think about balance. If you put one type of flower on one side, it looks good to put the same thing on the other side.

Tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, beans and more are all ripe for the picking. But how and when you pick them can make all the difference between sweet and succulent, bland or bitter.

When plums go crazy, these recipes will help you use them all up in the most delicious ways possible.

It’s a funny-looking cousin of the plum, and it can tarten up your gin too.

Regenerative agriculture is a term thrown around more and more frequently, but what exactly is it and how can it be practised on a lifestyle block in New Zealand?

Ben Gaia visits two small sections that are big on production.

These simple steps will keep your cut flowers looking fresh for longer.

Bugs are a part of nature and I come in peace, but when they invade an entire apple crop, its time to declare war and this is the time to get started.

Jenny answers six common questions about what could be going wrong when it comes to growing lettuce.

Passionfruit is a warm-climate plant, but with protection from wind and cold, plants can be grown in cooler areas too.

A smart house isn’t filled with fancy electronic gadgets. It’s a design concept that keeps you warm and can save you money during building and after. But most NZ homeowners are missing out.

Cherry tomatoes are a good option for smaller gardens.

David Whyte's tree crops outgrew his 500m² section. Now he and his family live a sweet life growing organic citrus.

Top with smoked salmon, a touch of sour cream and little snips of garlic chives.

Turkeys are beautiful birds, work hard to keep your farm pest-free and make a great roast.

If you’re raising chicks this spring, here’s how to avoid some common mistakes and ensure yours get the very best start in life.

You might think hunting lodge, you might think it’s too much  wood for one home, but the modern log house is a strong statement in clean, green, renewable, hand-crafted building work.