NZ Lifestyle Block

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.

Converting a barn into a home can create a distinctive living space, but it involves a unique set of building challenges.

The cabbage tree is the gift that keeps on giving, if you know its secrets.

Raspberries are a great option for the lifestyle block. Ben Gaia looks at how to get the best production.

The onion family make a pretty and tasty addition to your garden.

There are the super-efficient commercial hens, or the heritage birds with colour and longevity, but how do you know which bird best suits you?

There's no need for any part of an apple to go to waste.

For more than 25 years, the locals of a small rural Southland community have co-operated to provide themselves with mostly locally-grown, organic food.

Norwegian rounds are a space-saving wood stacking technique that will keep your wood dry

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?

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

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

This salad is a dreamy companion to any showstopping dish, with earthy beetroot flavour enhanced with soft pear.

If you only think pesto when you think of basil, Jenny has some recipes to tickle your tastebuds.

When you’re knee-deep in cucumbers and zucchini, it’s time to make a mouth-watering preserve that has stood the test of generations.

If you like the benefits of keeping chickens, you’re going to love having ducks.

A chicken doesn’t appear to be a complicated bird, but the social structure of a flock is complex.

NZ Lifestyle Block editor Nadene Hall has a confession: she is a bad ride-on mower owner.

There aren’t many mouth-watering veggies that can also be a bath sponge and a dishcloth.

Planting asparagus crowns all comes down to technique.

Under the cover of the right plants lurk good guys who are weapons of mass destruction.

If you need cucumber but don’t have any, this leafy herb is here to help.

As temperatures tumble, the process of composting slows down, but it doesn’t stop altogether.

The secret to good ginger beer is in the bug, says Sheryn Dean.

Elderflower can be used to make vinegar, jelly and wine.

Long-time tomato growers share their secrets to getting a bumper crop.

Take any plain cake recipe and finely grind 1-2 tbsp of coriander seed and add to the mix, or use this upside- down apple cake.

This cake is gluten and dairy-free - and delicious. It’s a beautiful saffron-gold colour, and has a delicious orange flavour and moist texture, plus it’s easy to make.

You can use lights to extend your hen’s working year. We look at how to design a lighting programme that can give you more eggs without harming your hens.

If you are struggling to eat up your cauliflower, Kristina Jensen can get you into a pickle.

If you have a wet or swampy area, fence it off, plant something that thrives on wet soils, and turn it into a thing of beauty.

Our make your own Cream of Watercress Soup from this easy to grow green.

The softer and squishier persimmons get, the better they are.

Winter is coming. Prepare to fill the fireplace with wood from the best-suited firewood trees in your neck of woods.

Mustards are the most feared of leafy greens, but they’re now essential in Jenny Somervell's kitchen.

The most fatal disease in turkeys is passed on by chickens, which can make the hen house a deadly place for your gobblers

An elegant yet simple dessert, perfect for autumn evenings.

There is one particularly nasty parasite that can cause symptoms which are often confused with a respiratory infection.

Grapes are easy to grow and nothing has to go to waste.

Kristina reluctantly shares one of her best-ever chutneys.

You can use duck eggs for any recipe that uses chicken eggs if you take a few things into account.

Autumn is a season of plenty. Here’s how to store any leftover crop safely and mitigate against a spring shortage.

This award-winning Geraldine home may be 10 years old, but it's still way ahead of the average NZ house.

Stay cool as a cucumber by pairing this simple salad with any main dish.

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.

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

Why the right feed is the difference between life and death for your chickens.

Add metabolic syndrome to the long list of medical maladies that can be avoided by living well.

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.

More hot, dry weather is forecast and that’s going to have ongoing implications for your livestock, especially if you are relying on supplements.

What about swarming? Will I get stung? Will there be bees in the house?

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

You don’t need a lot of capers, but they can give a dish a real flavour punch.

If you’re noticing your sheep or cattle just don’t look as good as they should, but you can’t put your finger on quite why that would be, it’s highly likely to be these key factors, jointly known as ‘ill-thrift’.

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

Tomatoes won't ripen? This green tomato jam might be the solution to the green tomato glut.

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.

The chicken has a unique way of moving air through its body.

The little caterpillar that creates silk is also an unusual and hungry pet.

A few principles of flower arranging will help to create lovely bouquets from your garden this summer.

Why facial eczema is a year-round problem

Each summer we remind you to get extra zinc into your livestock to help prevent the liver damage caused by facial eczema, but FE is actually a problem you need to be thinking about all year round.

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.

French architect Julie Villard has built a quiet, airy, compact smart home above a noisy  port.

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

The price of feed can be high, but Sheryn Dean has perfected ways of growing the tastiest pork at very little cost.

A new, free website will work out how smart your home is, and offer suggestions on how to make it smarter.

The smooth, creamy texture of avocados makes them a great ally in baking. Give these delicious recipes a try.

A simple nasal spray using antibodies produced by llamas could give humans protection from the flu.

Whether you like to dress up or dress down, there is an analogy here for salad creators.

There are many different interpretations of what ‘free range’ means, and it’s hard work to create and maintain one that works well all year round.

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

Grow healthy calves and yearlings this summer with these helpful tips.

Lavender goes beautifully in dessert recipes. Just add to any liquids in a recipe that require gentle heat, then strain the flowers out.

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

Potatoes, s'mores and sausages: Campfire cooking is caveman stuff but even burnt the food tastes better.

The January guide to livestock and pasture care.

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

Valais Blacknose must be the cutest sheep in the world. We meet Sally and Lindsay Strathdee on their piece of paradise in Motueka, and meet their friendly flock in an exclusive video.

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

Don't end up with a dried out bird on Christmas Day.  Here's 12 tips to ensure your turkey is cooked to perfection.

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

There are rescue groups around NZ with dogs that need homes, from puppies to pensioners. Here's what you should think about when saying hello to your potential pet dog.

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.

While her knowledge of soap-making was limited, she had already studied essential oils through a correspondence course which proved useful for what has turned out to be Clean Earth Soap.

If you like the long green cucumbers, you're going to love these extraordinary orbs.

Why native trees and shrubs, pasture plants and weeds are especially important for bees when pollen is scarce.

Most goats have a tendency to nibble first, check the toxicity of a plant later kind of strategy to life, and that can be deadly.

When you’re a long-time traditional sheep farmer, it’s a big step to growing one of the most glamorous flowers in the business.

When Bill ‘Grandpa’ Kirkham came up with a good idea for a chicken feeder, he had no idea it would turn into a family-run multi-national business.

A genetics company is working to reduce the impact of facial eczema in sheep using some old-fashioned breeding strategies.

If a hen doesn’t have any other symptoms of a respiratory problem, then it is likely to be suffering from gapeworm.

Permaculture is a fancy name for all the things many of us are already doing in our orchards. Ben Gaia shares tips to get you growing more food using fewer chemicals.

Bringing a new breed into NZ is expensive, and you can only import certain species of farm animals from approved countries.

Loquat seedlings will grow in most areas of New Zealand, although they're becoming a pest in northern areas. The tropical fruit is delicious and the tree produces a fine hardwood.

You might hear ‘book book book’ but your flock has a lot to say, and they can be pretty sophisticated gossips.

Jenny shares her tips for a year-round lettuce supply and how to get more flavour into your greens.

Combine plums and apricots and you get the best of both fruit.

It’s not luck, it is hard work and the right skill set that makes holistic living on the land the ultimate lifestyle.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a Chick Inn Coop Sign, as seen on the cover the Summer bumper issue of NZ Lifestyle Block.

If you love a beautiful vase of fresh flowers, here are 10 great options for a cutting garden.

A smart home is one designed and built to a standard that few NZ houses meet. We talk to three design specialists about building small, efficient, warm, smart homes.

Having animals without trees means you have only half an ecosystem. Trees provide shelter, food, and medicine, capture and recycle waste, and provide habitat for beneficial companions.

This busy lifestyle block owner is a music teacher, hoof practitioner and lavender grower which is why she went for the easiest sheep of all.

You support local business when you buy plants and seeds in NZ, but what happens when something you want to grow isn’t here?

If you want to emulate the soft, frothy hues of a cottage garden, these six flowers are a good start.

Spring is a great time for sowing new pasture, but what do you choose if your stock are a bit out of the ordinary?

Is having your own hive of bees a good idea? Environmentally or economically? If that is the question, the answer may be surprising.

Do not take unexplained chicken deaths for granted, especially when it involves more than 2-3 birds. Acting quickly, through a vet if possible, could perhaps avert an exotic disease outbreak too.

This tropical plant is a great survivor in more places than you’d think.

The plants really want to hurt you, the harvest is carried out by digger, then chainsaw, you cook the heart out of it for three days, but the end result is worth toasting.

Spring brings all kinds of new projects. Here are some tips on how to win the pest war against possums.

September means warming soil temperatures, and for most lifestyle blocks that means pasture will be growing markedly faster than it has in the last few months. If it’s not, it’s telling you one of three things.

A Taranaki gardener has found there are some growing opportunities in the $1.5 billion pet health business.

If you are lucky enough to have access to beeswax, or have a good stock from your own beehives, then you can use beeswax to make useful household and cosmetic products.

Once you’ve got the hang of fermenting tempeh in plastic bags, you can move onto the real deal by producing it in leaves, with a Kiwi twist.

Feathers are a feature of all birds, whether they can fly, swim or just live on the ground, and there’s a lot they can tell us.

A small herd of tiny goats are NZ's newest breed and it has been a long journey for them and their determined owner.

From a water-powered hen gate to a repurposed trampoline - ten inventive New Zealand chicken lovers share their best DIY  coop designs.

Unless your pets are cockatoos and turtles, you are probably going to outlive them, which means sooner or later you need to deal with death.

September is time to plant early potatoes, sow parsnips and peas and your last chance to plant strawberries in time for Christmas.

Coriander can be a little bit fussy to grow, but with the right care you can prolong leaf growth.

Reader story: There’s nowhere else in the world Michelle Holmes would rather be than on her slice of paradise.

A researcher at Christchurch’s Biological Husbandry Unit found mesh covers led to a 40,250% reduction in the levels of tomato potato psyllid on potato crops - and a huge increase in yield.

Looking for a satisfying craft project, therapeutic activity and a better way to recycle all in one?  Paula Lang in Whangarei suggests trying to make paper.

Studies have shown that high lycopene intake is associated with decreased risk of heart disease and cancer, especially prostate cancer. But it’s not the red tomatoes that score the highest for tetra-cis-lycopene.

Strong winds bring down trees in forests, on farms, in parks and gardens every year and leave a big mess behind them, but there are tricks to minimise damage and save you money.

If your budget doesn’t stretch to a new machine, a second-hand tractor can be a great option, if you know the tricks to spotting a good one.

A breathing problem in chickens is difficult to diagnose, and not to be sneezed at.

Mustards are an easy-to-grow, cool season crop — follow these quick tips to grow them in your garden.

It's and ugly veggie with a fruit flavour and perfect for winter. Here's how to grow yacons in your backyard.

Pick your beekeeper carefully, and you will be totally in the clover.

You can go for a rainbow of different coloured carrot varieties if orange isn’t your thing, but the trick to making any of them sweet and succulent is optimal growing conditions.

For the best tea, pick flowers first thing in the morning, after any dew has evaporated – the fresher the flower, the better the flavour.

You can cook with lavender in sweet and savoury dishes, but there is an art to it.

Lavender enthusiast and landscape designer Karen Rhind has crafted a wild and beautiful garden in one of the country’s most inhospitable environments.

Some of us will still be cold, but for others, spring is stirring.

You can never have too many sheds, but if your budget doesn’t spring to something that requires a council permit, it is possible to build a garden shed under 10m², the typical size of a shed before you need one.

It’s still officially winter, but there’s plenty to do before the days get longer and warmer.

If you are missing summer’s salad greens, this is the plant for you.

Winter is a good time to start an espaliered fruit tree. However, some trees adapt better to espalier than others.

During one very bad winter, award-winning sheep farmers Lynley and Matt Wyeth lost 1000 lambs in one night. They've since implemented a ground-breaking indoor lamb-raising programme. It drastically increased lamb survival rates, but also production and profitability.

Beeswax is thought to help heal bruises, inflammation and burns, which make this oil an excellent ingredient in homemade salves and cosmetics.

Love dahlias? Don’t like the ridiculous prices you can pay for tubers? Here’s how you can increase your stock by forcing tubers to produce early shoots.

A new book from a permaculture expert helps beginners conquer their fear of fruit tree  pruning.

The chicken is a fighter, not a lover, a born percher and bather, but not that bright when it comes to knowing who their friends are.

Gourmet delights wander round this lifestyle block south of Gisborne, and its owners can’t get enough of what is turning into a delectable little bird business.

Profitability depends on the purchase price of the calves, the input costs of calf milk replacer and meal, and the price that can be realised for a 12-week old, 100kg calf.

It is impossible to prevent windthrow, but it is possible to reduce the risk to trees, property and life. Some of it comes down to tree choice and some of it comes down to smart planning.

The days are short, but it’s an important time to make plans for spring.

A giant sterile hybrid grass that grows to 4m and looks a bit like bamboo could be the answer to a lot of problems on farms

As an ingredient in cosmetics, beeswax acts as both an emollient, soothing and softening skin, and a humectant, attracting water and helping to absorb it in the skin.

When Karen Rhind left behind her carefully-maintained Garden of National Significance for bare, dry pasture and a new challenge, she also opened the door to a sweetly-scented business.

Death is a natural part of life and you need to make plans on what to do to ensure a bird is humanely culled.

If power is a problem, gravity may be your best bet for a reliable water supply.

Start planning, planting and prepping your garden now for spring.

If you’re interested in eating more plant protein, a little fermentation can go a long way.

This backyard herb has a colourful history, it was prized by Roman soldiers for its medicinal qualities and used in the 16th Century as a wine additive.

This award-winning organic farmer near Kaipara coast may have hundreds of sheep and cattle, but what she’s really farming is millions and millions of invisible helpers.

Ducks have different physiology to chickens and require different care.

Unlike sugar, stevia doesn't add calories or carbs. So you can afford to have an extra slice or two of this chocolate cake delight.

Calving time can come any time of the year on a small farm so it pays to be prepared.

Lamb survival rates can vary dramatically from farm to farm, and your management plays a big part.

New Zealand's first commercial coffee growers share the secrets to growing coffee plants in our temperate climate.

It doesn’t bear fruit, but this little tree will vastly improve your orchard’s productivity.

From garden to posie to plate, scented geraniums are a delight to the senses and fabulous fodder for the experimental gardener/cook.

Rather than burning your seasoned firewood, with a tight budget and some time, you can use it to build a home.

Posh, Sporty and Scary have nothing on Ginger spice. Brush up on your planting and harvesting skills for this winter.

One of the most aggravating pests in any hen house is red mites. They’re also one of the hardest to spot until they’re a real problem.

Good shelterbelt trees are practical, but they can be so much more. Experts from the NZ Tree Crops Association give us their recommendations.

Heating your home using a wood burner is cheaper than ever in New Zealand, if you know how to get the best out of it.

You definitely won’t have eaten as many varieties of apple as a couple who have made it their personal crusade to save the heritage apple trees.

One of the first commercially-produced cosmetic products in Europe was the ‘Queen of Hungary’s Water’, a simple but versatile cleanser that you can make at home.

Take good care of lemon verbena in your garden and its herbal tea will take care of you.

Nothing prepares you for the special challenge of caring for these pigs.

If you have a limping chicken, you need to turn detective and work through the clues.

This chive is not meant to be eaten raw, but cook it properly and your dishes will dance.

Turn your wool into a nice cosy hat for winter.

Five of the rarest sheep breeds are living reminders of New Zealand’s colonial history, but may also hold the genes to future farming success and much more.

These five feral sheep breeds are vastly different to romney breed which make up approximately 68% of this country's sheep population.  They are extremely rare and are part of New Zealand's colonial history.

A simple oat cookie that dogs can eat as an alternative to manufactured treats.

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.

Serve up stevia instead of sugar in your autumn baking for a diabetic-friendly dessert.

Sometimes you may need to help an injured bird, and sometimes its best to leave it alone.

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.

Chickens with breathing problems can wreak havoc with your flock and are difficult to identify, but here are some signs to look out for.

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

Discover "real New Zealand like it was 100 years ago" on Otago's cavalcade, the high country horse ride of a lifetime.

How to substitute stevia in baking and preserves

If you take sugar out of baking and use stevia as the  sweetener, you need to replace the 'bulk.' Test out these stevia baking tips with a hazelnut shortbread recipe.

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.

Try something different for a weekend brunch with these two flipping good buckwheat recipes.

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.

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

Inside the life of a sustainable family who only need to work part-time and eat from a permaculture pantry that grows right up to their back door.

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

From cluster flies to feral cats, we’ve got tips and products to help you beat the pests on your block.

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.

A simple turnip recipe that makes a great addition to a weekend roast.

Calves and rising yearlings are the main priority in autumn.

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 a great decision time for sheep farmers as it’s time to tidy up the flock before the rams go out to start the next breeding season.

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

They’re small but pack a piquant punch to a dish, and it is possible to grow them in NZ, if you know what they like.

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

The Inch family farm red deer with a velvet hand and a soft touch, but it has been a learning curve for his city-born-and-bred wife.

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

This step-by-step guide shows just how easy it is to build a basic chicken run without breaking the bank.

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.

We look at the insects that can have population explosions in your hen house over summer.

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.

Three experts share their wisdom on how to create a profitable food product.

For this recipe, the peaches don’t have to be super-ripe. In fact, the jam turns out nice and chunky if you choose slightly harder fruit.

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.

Get a better understanding of your hens by learning about their South East Asian ancestors.

As summer stumbles along we’re heading into winter crop planting time and leeks are one crop that are best planted sooner rather than later.

We visit a sanctuary for unloved animals and injured birds on a unique lifestyle block set up just for them.

If you’ve ever grown gourds you’ll know just how prolific these cucurbits can be, but do you know how to turn them into an art form?

Blackboy peach fan Kristina Jensen shares her overflow method for bottling with her favourite peach.

It’s an underground treasure whose production is unpredictable, but a delight chefs will pay $3500 per kilogram to shave over a dish.

Havelock North's Margie Chambers understands the importance of knowing your market when pitching preserves nationwide.

We take a guided tour through three very different food forests at different stages in their lifecycle.

Here’s how to profit from bees without becoming a beekeeper.

Watercress is the most nutritious plant you can grow in your garden.

How to protect your livestock from facial eczema and why it pays to have good shade.

If you’re a dab hand at making jams and preserves, you could consider selling your homemade goods.

Summer is the perfect time to clean out your hen house when there’s enough daylight hours and warmth to let it thoroughly dry out.

There are tomatoes, and then there is this great-tasting heritage variety with a very special secret.

The founder of Forage & Ferment demonstrates gives a lesson in fermenting 101, demonstrating how to make her wild sauerkraut with turmeric, ginger and marigold.

Kelli Walker felt a business was brewing inside her, and found one that can’t stop bubbling, burbling and babbling about itself.

Watercress can be grown in pots, is surprisingly hardy and tolerates being frozen.

These birds look crazy, sound crazy and can act crazy too, but no person, insect pest or predator can get past them.

Sometimes the nest box holds a little egg of horrors.

The gooseberry is one of those plants which only gets better and better with age.

A dish isn’t complete without a little petal power.

The nursery supporting its local habitat, local gardeners and its owners.

A Wairarapa couple have transformed a derelict wee barn and rundown lifestyle block into a successful fruit and berry business.

Peony-growing basics, what you need to know about commercial production, and tips for aspiring planters.

Traditional domestic duck breeds are rare in New Zealand so you will have to hunt around to find breeders in your area, or a supplier of fertile eggs.

Jared Gulian had always lived in the city, but these days there’s nowhere else in the world he’d rather be than on a small block in Martinborough in the dappled shade of his olive grove.

Follow these five tips to avoid a bad fencing job and learn how to spot a good fencer from the pack.

Artist John McLean was driven by need to become self-sufficient 30 years ago, but today he and wife Chris couldn't live any other way.

There are four golden rules to building a fence - and this one breaks them all.

The description of a hen being ‘egg bound’ is often mentioned but is it really egg bound? Here’s how to find out, and how you can get hands-on and help out.

Soil and herbage testing is a great way to improve the productivity of your land.

A Southland couple have turned their block into an internationally-recognised wetland of importance, and a safe haven for one of NZ's rare birds.

The secret ingredient of an award-winning skincare range has turned out to be the holy grail of lifestyle block business.

Spring can be a confusing season for the flock owner who wants eggs, and equally confusing for hens who want to be mothers.

Planting out alongside waterways has important long-term benefits, but scientists would love your help to find out more.

This October plant potatoes, peas and carrots and there's time for one last sowing of broccoli before the onslaught of white butterfly.

Your garden is full of opportunities for you to make and use natural dyes.

Ten years ago, a project began to improve the water quality of the Sherry River near Nelson, and there are a lot of practical lessons to learn from their hard work

If you want your hens to lay eggs in the right place, the most basic requirement is a nest they'll like over all others. But hens have some odd views on what they prefer.

Alpine strawberries are quite easy to grow, and very hardy in marginal lands, like shady forests and snowy alpine hillsides.

If you love to grow flowers and foliage, there may be some profit waiting for you.

When the owner-builders of one of New Zealand’s first hemp homes decided they also wanted to their toilet to have green credentials, they had to battle to get the loo of their dreams.

Kristina is trying to break her addiction to sugar and she's found there's a veggie on her side.

8 facts you need to know about soil

We summarise the results of 200 studies about soil so you can improve your soil biology.

Jenny Somervell selects the best lettuces to grow this summer (and the rest of the year).

If there’s no good spring flush, then find out why - there are always plenty of reasons.

It’s estimated that more than 40,000 of the 270,000 or so on-site domestic wastewater systems in NZ are at risk of failing.

12 tips for sheep in spring

Getting ready for lambing is the main priority, and this means being prepared for surprises like early lambs which weren’t planned and which often die.

If you’ve got a big, messy pile of tangled pigtails, here’s a simple solution you can build to keep them neat and tidy.

It can be expensive to plant manuka as a crop, up over $1000 per hectare so it’s not for everyone.

Sometimes a chicken bites off more than it can chew. Well, technically, more than it can grind.Sometimes a chicken bites off more than it can chew. Well, technically, more than it can grind.

Lemon balm is easy to grow and requires little maintenance, apart from keeping it constrained.  Its relaxing properties make the tea useful as an evening drink to promote sleep, and it can also be used to treat colic, nausea, poor digestion, nervous headaches and to help prevent colds and flu.

Some animals in an orchard are your friends and some are a definite no-no

Climate change research predicts that Canterbury and other rural areas in NZ will be hotter, drier places in the next few decades. Vegetation to prevent the spread of fire will become an important factor for many country properties.

It is a matter of the tragedy of the commons that we as small land-holders are individually powerless to make any difference in the declining state of the water quality of our local streams, rivers and lakes.

A fruity breakfast treat for when you want to impress.

The roadside stalls that dot the rural landscape, suddenly appearing on a windy road when you least expect it, so I was trying not to let on just how desperate I was for one of my own.

There are regular sandpits, and then there are the best kind: epic.

Take your cheese board to the next level with this onion marmalade recipe.

A leading Japanese businessman who has chosen New Zealand as his home, wields art to encourage society to reuse what exists rather than waste resources. he shares his vision for bringing contemporary art into the natural landscape.

Just the mention of Marek’s disease arouses dread in many poultry keepers, but there is a lot of misinformation around which only serves to enhance those fears.

Our native trees are some of the most unique in the world, and so is the man who has dedicated his life to studying them and telling their stories, including his latest on the king of them all.

Buying a bush block, building a cob house, and starting a natural soap business takes huge amounts of energy, enthusiasm and commitment, but this family are thriving on the challenge of being as clean and green as possible in everything they do.

A little detective work reveals a common issue for anyone with bore-supplied drinking water.

One simple injection can be a life-saver for cold or weak lambs.

Whether home-made or custom-designed, having a large covered area in our climate enables us to extend our range of growing times and species.

Composting toilets are a sustainable waste disposal for the 21st century. Home owners share their experiences with the next generation of fuss-free, low-odour, environmentally-friendly waste systems.

Garry Wycherley and Robyn Ansell are putting tiny Awakino on the map, one building at a time

Californian thistle is one of the most common weeds on NZ farms, and one of the hardest to kill off, but it is possible to do it without the use of chemicals.

A food forest can take up half a lifestyle block or be as small as an urban backyard and can create a resilient, self-sufficient garden that will feed you and your family all year-round.

This is one of the most under-rated greens and a great staple vege to get you through winter.

Things may go a little dull in winter, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy leafy greens.

The health and performance of your adult cattle throughout their lives all comes down to the very first feed they receive in the hours after their birth.

A little experiment with a superfood has turned into a win-win business for a young farming couple.

This Korean fermented cabbage dish has many health benefits.

Try fermenting beetroot to add to your next burger or salad rather than opening a can of the sliced stuff.

From kombucha to kimchi, sauerkraut to sourdough, kefir to kashk, the fermentation bug is catching because it’s tasty, easy and good for you.

One of the enduring myths about commercial poultry is that poultry producers worldwide use growth hormones to make broilers grow faster and produce more meat.

The last thing Cathy Dickison thought she would be doing is turning her gardening skills into a dried herb business.

Red hot pokers (Kniphofia) are a welcome sight on a dull day in winter, or on any day at any time really.

Baerbel and Thomas Hack were so determined to set up a dream seaside location for horse lovers, they built a road.

Winter may appear as the dull period at the end of the farming year, but there’s much to do and learn about management for spring.

The discussion around the state of NZ’s fresh water isn’t short of an opinion or two, but science is speaking out more loudly.

This llama farmer is so dedicated to her quest to find and save the real llamas of New Zealand, she is making a life-changing move to a new home on a new island.

How to make the classic North American dessert using New Zealand produce.

Apples were among the first plants that people planted on purpose.

How to preserve pears and two pear chutney recipes to try.

If you like chocolate, you’re going to love chocolate flowers. Not the edible type, but real, chocolate-scented blooms.

The versatile and  subtle French herb that’s well worth adding to your garden.

Data gathered will be used to identify fire-prone ecosystems and the best plants to use as 'green' firebreaks to reduce the spread of destructive wildfires.

The 2017 National Poultry Show is a celebration of NZ’s oldest poultry club, and its members are all stars of a chick flick with a difference.

Whanganui based green house gardener Shane McCulloch has created a niche market for the hugely popular unusual Asian vegetable market.

Lifestyle block owners and city dwellers can breed a healthy profit by introducing Japanese Quail as an option for quick profit 'turn around', by becoming a supplier of fancy eggs.

The rarest pig breed in the world is teetering on the brink of extinction, and the few people working to save it would love some help from anyone who enjoys the company of pigs, and a good slice or three of the tastiest bacon around.

Hedgehogs present a prickly problem, being both garden friend and foe.

There are purebreds, heritage breeds, hybrids, strains, crossbreeds and ‘barnyard specials’ which can make it hard to work out exactly what kind of bird you have.

This easy-to-make quinoa tart is a tasty and filling dish to serve to guests on a gluten-free diet.

This old craft is still immensely popular, and encourages a true community spirit on a Golden Bay lifestyle block.

Bottle that scent by way of distillation, tincture or enfleurage  and you could find yourself in the perfume business.

A well-designed orchard means you can be self-sufficient in fruit all year-round.

5 tips to drying firewood

The art of firewood isn't cut and dry. Here's how to make your wood dry thoroughly to burn well.

WWOOF host Diana Noonan offers some vital tips on how to attract and manage reliable, happy willing workers in a digital age.

David and Heather Bridson love their alpaca, but there are good reasons why they're not David's favourite animal to farm.

May 6 is National Alpaca Day, prepare for a cuteness overload when meeting Rosebud the premature cria, and learn 7 things about alpaca.

Gathering water is a top priority if trapped in the New Zealand bush, but dining on native edible plants can provide additional  energy and sustenance to survive.

Everything you need to know to thoroughly clean your coop and chicken run to help keep it smelling sweet and healthy.

During the week Jason Price is a management consultant and efficiency expert. At the weekend he becomes a chainsaw-wielding, firewood-stacking ninja who also likes efficiency.

There is a whole new world of natural products you can use to increase the fertility of your farm, but how do you know which one is the best one?

The new popular, affordable alternative to pasture for fattening lambs and improving the condition of livestock.

Creating your own human nest? Landscape architect Sara Gerard has some tips on how to survive the renovation process, plus some tree house inspiration.

Two proven methods for helping frost-tender trees get through a big drop in temperature.

A family of 10-15 rabbits is the equivalent of an adult sheep grazing - here's five ways to to keep them under control.

Renowned architect Graeme North  discusses the benefits of natural homes with Nadene Hall.

If water is contaminated after a disaster, there are several ways to purify it.

Food in a refrigerator won’t last long without power so plan your food usage carefully to avoid contamination.

How to keep animals calm after a disaster and how to plan for animal evacuation.

Launching a natural product comes with unique compliance and marketing challenges. The women behind Dove River Peonies share their tips for starting a natural product business in New Zealand.

The softer light of autumn is shining. It’s the best time of year for making sure your garden is looking the best it can. Here are some of Jane Bellerby's tips for achieving the best autumn garden.

When you have four cats, two dogs, a horse and 13 goats, vet bills are inevitable, but there is a way to save a lot of money.

Cattle on small blocks need a lot of feed going into autumn and winter. Here are some tips to keep them happy and healthy in the cooler months.

Some hens aren’t fussed on humans, while others think they rule the roost and don’t understand why they can’t live with you in the house. Research by a NZ-based animal behaviour expert is now available to show farmers how to make a hen’s life happier.

We’ve all heard of ‘man caves’, but there are so many inspiring garden buildings, including the ‘she shed’. Check out these beautiful projects from NZ and around the world, most made on a small budget and out of recycled materials.

These vinegars look fantastic, taste great, and are very easy to make.

Some businesses are disguising their employees  as volunteers, so are you breaking the law when you host a wwoofer from another volunteer scheme?

Mexican photographer Carla Danieli had never spent time on a farm before her stay on a remote station in the Waihopai Valley.

Rats are incredibly smart, and it can be difficult to reduce their numbers if they’ve learnt to avoid bait and traps. But science has discovered the one thing a rat can’t resist, and Sheryn Dean has successfully put it to the test.

It's time to make some tough decisions to make sure you make it through autumn. Here are some tips to ensure your pastures stay in prime condition.

If you love flour and want to be self-sufficient, go nuts.

Nadene Hall samples New Zealand's top artisan cheese and comes away smiling.

Everyone has seen poultry dumped on roadsides and around parks , but it's a cruel practice that those who love poultry are trying to stop.

The sweet juicy strawberries of summer might be a faint memory now but you need to start planning now for next year’s bounty.

Sheltering your orchard is critical but that doesn't mean they can't be creative.

The award-winning owners of Lonely Goat say the costs of compliance are nothing to yodel about, and explain why they are working for love, not money.

The ultimate guide to the do's and don'ts of fruit leather.

It’s the start of a new sheep year and the breeding season, so start with tidying up the ewe flock before the rams go out.

What the Animal Welfare codes say you need to do to give your hen the best environment to keep her happy, healthy and productive.

Kristina Jensen shares two fab fig recipes and the secrets for ensuring they always taste delicious.

When Loveday Why discovered she had chronic fatigue syndrome, she found the answer to good health was in her garden.

You probably shouldn't try growing mangoes if you live in the South Island but don't give up on dreams of citrus, tamarilloes and nashi pears.

The carrot might seem like one of those boring but reliable veges, but they have a colourful past and a much brighter future in terms of health and organic growing.

Meg and John Christie are living their self-sufficient dream on a half acre block, but they haven’t had to leave the city to do it.

At the first sign of an unusual egg – one without a shell, or those with ridges, pimples or strange markings – the popular advice seems to come from everywhere, but most of it is wrong, and worse, could cause more problems. This is why you need to understand the role of calcium.

Many of our current pharmaceutical products stem from the beneficial properties first identified in wild plants.

A small obsession with old barns played a big part in the design of this award-winning home. Follow Tane's tips to get the look.

We're quick to see their faults, but these seven weeds deserve a place at the table.

Peacherines and nectarines are peach-plum crosses, but there's some debate as to whether they are the same thing.

Getting the best windows to frame farm views is a crucial part of the design of a country home.

Which mulch is your best ally in the war against weeds?

Turn a bean overload into three fantastic summer dishes.

Deadhead flowers, and sow late summer peas and beans this month.

A multi-tasking Kiwi with a passion for saving animals has set up a special sanctuary on her lifestyle block just outside Melbourne.

It's bright, bold, very red and packs a powerhouse of nutrients. Beetroot's distinguished, rich, purple-crimson colour alone should be a clue to its natural potency.

Many people have a dream to become artisan cheesemakers. It was 20 years in the making for Adrian and Jill Walcroft of Cartwheel Creamery, but they’re maturing nicely.

This is a garden of no soil that supplies the award-winning Riverstone Kitchen with its fresh vegetables and fruit all year-round, and it's a work of art.

If you are looking for the next perfect edition to your backyard, then tagasaste is the one you've been searching for.

The Hart family might run a commercial beef and sheep station, but their goal is to create paradise on earth for their community, and they've been inspired by one of the most famous farmers in the world.

This family of five lives in a 20m², off-grid and smart phone-free home with a composting toilet and a shower they share with the sky.

Get a handle on Facial Eczema this season by following these 12 tips.

Less than 100km away from the 1.4 million people who make up Auckland is an island of the self-sufficient. Great Barrier Island resident and author Lindsay Wright checks out some of his industrious neighbours.

With more commercial farms turning free-range, there are going to be exciting, more natural, scientifically-proven ways to fight diseases for all of us.

He blew up his first methane tank, built a boat in the shape of a saucer, and helped to design a super-efficient water blaster, but Coll Bell’s favourite inventions involve manure, and the more, the better.

There’s a lot to think about when it’s a normal summer, but an abnormal one makes things even more critical. Try out these tips for surviving summer on the block.

Today’s needs, tomorrow’s changes and even resale appeal need to be taken into account when designing the rooms in your home.

Pumpkins are frost tender and need a long, warm growing season (at least 14 weeks) in a sunny sheltered site.

Out her kitchen window, Barb Davies watches a battle for life as her nikau palm trees brave the weather.

Don't reserve strawberries just for  pavlova - liven up your salads with a few colourful berries.

Ensure your sheep are the happiest and healthiest they possible can be this summer with these helpful tips.

As temperatures and humidity rise, so do the creepy crawlies in and around your hen house. Listed below are some ways to be rid pests the natural way.

You’ll never know the joy of a truly magical-tasting pear until you grow your own.

Running out of present ideas for the practical person in your life? NZ Lifestyle Block editor Nadene Hall's gift list might provide inspiration.

Find a sunny spot and curl up with one of our picks for great Christmas reads this season.

Spring might be over, but there is plenty of pollen still in the air. Listed below are a few of the potential culprits, and it's probably not what you might think.

This December plant annuals, de-head flowers and try growing soy beans.

There is always an easy way and a hard way to do something, and Christmas cake is no different.

They may be on your property right now and they come in peace.

Starting a backyard herbal enterprise can be a viable means of earning extra cash. Donna Lee of Cottage Hill Herbs spills her secrets to success.

As the weather starts to warm up, it is prime time to start sprouting flowers, fruit, vegetables, and herbs in your home garden.

E. coli is generally thought of as baddie in your water that makes you sick, but it’s actually doing you a favour.

Featuring New Zealand's largest earthbag buildings, tipis, a permaculture garden and solar energy, Raglan's Solscape eco-camp is leading the way in sustainable tourism.

When you’re considering security options for your farm, you’re probably considering the obvious: alarm system, gate alarm, dog, automatic lights, security cameras, but have you considered the humble goose?

Regional councils around NZ are introducing new rules around farming, and you need to know how they may affect what and how you do things on your block.

A carpet of soft green grass does put the finishing touch to any landscape. Here, we look at 10 common problems standing in the way of the perfect turf.

Making the switch to organic gardening can take some adjustment, but follow this cheat sheet to avoid common hurdles.

A warm summer makes bean-growing a snap.

You can save yourself a lot of money growing your own plants from seed, but getting them to transplant size can be frustrating.

There’s nothing more disappointing than having an ugly gap where little will grow because of clay soil.

Try these gluten-free alternatives to a standard wheat-based pizza crust.

A West Virginian farmer has some handy ideas for creating chicken homes from an old desk.

Gorse is one of New Zealand's worst weeds, and your best ally in tackling it will be diligence.

Organic farms make up just a fraction of New Zealand's total farmland, but there's big potential.

If you’ve never vaccinated your livestock before and not lost any, you’ve been lucky. Vaccination is an easy, cheap and important way of keeping your livestock healthy, and alive.

This enterprising couple don’t just want to create a green future for their family – they want to create a sustainable lifestyle for their whole community.

Anyone can build a fence, but it's a science and an art to build a good quality fence.

A gravity driven watering system is just one of the innovations in use at an organic watercress farm in Raglan.

An orchard of organic heritage apples, plums and pears is proving an educational experience for its owners and their community.

To be truly self-sufficient, especially in colder climates, you may think you have to give up sugar, but that’s not the case.

Going organic was a pragmatic decision for the owners of Bellbird Winery.

Try planting baby turnips and some bee-friendly plants this month.

You may think of all natives as friendly plants, but two common ones have a deadly secret.

Pigs are smart, engaging livestock, and they taste great too, but it pays to prepared for their specialist requirements before you take delivery.

Two of the best additions for your soil are byproducts of everyday activities, and one of them you can make in your sleep.

Elsie Hall's patented plant creations are the celebrities of the lavender world

It might seem an easy way to make money, but setting up a successful calf-rearing business is harder than it looks.

A bubbly soapmaker has turned her favourite hobby into a cottage industry on her Otago small block.

There’s a common theme running through Southland block of Margaret Cockeram.

One of the most economic ways to get a new breed in your coop is to get someone to post fertile eggs.

The last thing you need is for your orchard to look neat and tidy, at least not ground level anyway.

Part of the fun of owning a small flock is hatching eggs, whether by natural means or with a little mechanical intervention.

Leeks are a vegetable that Kristina loves and hates, and then she gets baking.

The fabulous walnut is a tasty treat for the home orchard owner, or a potential future crop with New Zealand’s climate meaning we can produce high quality nuts.

The wind-up to spring planting is starting, and one big decision is going to have year-long repercussions.

If you’re tired of pushing yourself to do the lawns get our tips on how to buy possibly the biggest investment in a single product you’ll make when you live on a lifestyle block.

The secret to Diane Coleman’s successful tree nursery business is in the way she’s grown it.

You need to keep your best friend safe from dangers around your home, but some of the most toxic things are sitting on your dinner plate.

The after-effects of a dry summer will still be with you this spring.

This shipping container uses every square inch to nurture the future of country kids, and the adults too.

It used to be that when you wanted to buy a wheelbarrow, there was only one choice. Now there’s wheels for every occasion.

If you’re planning to renovate pasture and you're in an area that gets dry or drought conditions, consider something tougher than ryegrass.

You may think there’s a wee way to go before tick season starts but in warmers areas tick nymphs, just 2mm long, will already be creeping through the pasture and up the legs of your horses, cattle, goats and deer as early as this month.

In 2005, a city-living couple from Canada decided to try eating only food grown locally within a 100 mile radius of their home.

It’s almost time to get the vege garden ready and for that, you’ll need to make the earth move.

Are your ewes due to lamb? Are you ready? Here are some things to consider.

One of the hardest things to deal with after the death of large animal is disposing of the carcass.

You may think you know a good soil, but have you had a good sniff of it lately?

Marie Mullins is known as the pickle lady, and the secrets to her success lie on the beautiful lifestyle block she calls home.

Spring is just around the corner, get ready by planting tomato seedlings and aubergines.

Looking for a new hobby? Weaving and spinning your own wool is an easy and really addictive.

Mulching is an easy way to protect your soil until you’re ready to use it in spring.

The late Japanese farmer and philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka created a revolutionary way of farming that has no plowing, no fertiliser, no weeding and no pesticides.

When you live on a little island in the middle of a big ocean, you have to make your block of land pay its own way in the most self-sufficient manner possible.

Winter feed can really blow your farm budget. Here are some ways to cut down on your feed costs during the colder months.

Pests are tricky, secretive creatures and it can be difficult to know if you have a small problem, or a really big one.

If you've ever wondered how people win pumpkin-growing competitions, get ready for some seriously strange gardening.

Goats and chooks live in harmony in this funky recycled coop in Portland, Oregon.

Winter is a great time to plant your future fruiting trees, but do you know how to do it so you give a tree the optimal start?

Raising calves can be profitable if you keep in mind these 10 key principles.

The enterprising students of Hukerenui School are making a profit from growing maize, lavender and keeping bees.

If you’re buying power equipment then you need to budget in the cost of safety gear.

Winter can be a very itchy and scratchy time  for your livestock.

12 tips for good tree pruning

Don't overlook this gourmet low calorie vegetable. Jenny Somervell shares three tasty parsnip recipes.

Grazing stock on a small farm in winter, can be a challenge but good pasture management  can get you through.

A West Auckland pig breeder reveals it's easy to train a piglet to follow commands.

Prune your berry bushes, prepare for early spring veggies and harvest chervil amd miner's lettuce.

Doing some fencing now the ground is softer? Here’s 19 tips you might find useful.

No-one likes mud, and it's something you need to manage carefully or the damage to soil can be devastating.

Is your bore water brown? Are your glasses streaky? Sometimes bore water can have as many chemicals as town supply.

Kombucha. Kimchi. Kefir. Fermenting food is all the rage for humans, and now it turns out it can be of great nutritional benefit to your flock too.

When she began she thought $100 was a good day's takings, now Brownwyn Lowe is helping hundreds of people cure the symptoms of stress.

Chainsaws are an essential backyard tool, but it pays to do your research before you buy and learn how to maintain them.

What happens to your body when you eat chilli and how do you put out a chilli fire in your mouth? Jenny Somervell answers these burning questions.

Riding an ATV is a learned skill and if you don’t do it properly you can easily be badly hurt.

The colder months are a good opportunity to cut back the jungle in your backyard.

Aquatic weeds can be a major problem in lowland farming areas, but there are a few ways to tackle these pesky and persistent plants.

Winter is an ideal time to clean  your water tank.

New Zealand has a good climate for growing tea. Here's our guide to making the perfect cuppa from garden to table.

This simple no-knead baguette is perfect for beginners.

This 30cm dog might be the ultimate Kiwi canine.

Now is a great time to create something pretty and functional for this spring.

Avoid ruffling feathers when buying your first flock with our simple guide.

Do your raised garden beds dry out? Why not create a hugelkultur garden bed instead?

Gather rosehips and rhubarb to make this yummy winter jam.

Brush up on your plucking skills for duck shooting season.

A worm farmer shares his secrets of making money from worms and manure.

You can get rid of weeds using everything from a rabbit to a steam gun (but not together).

Coop of the month: Hönshus-1

There's no reason your hens shouldn't live in style. Introducing our coop of the month, the Hönshus-1.

How to give a chicken a bath

When it comes to preparing birds for the annual poultry show season, every one gets a wash, dry and blow wave.

How to make sure your firewood is working at its best and tips for staying warmer than ever this winter.

It's time to apply some love to your soil and prepare for spring.

5 tips for keeping your fences in good condition

A fence is essential on any property with livestock, but not all fences are created equal.

Easy to grow and delicious, beetroot are a versatile vegetable in the kitchen.

Signs of a healthy hen

Our top tips for buying a healthy egg-laying hen.

Great firewood trees (and what you might want to avoid)

Here’s what will keep you warm and cozy when you fire up your wood burner this winter.

Caring for sheep during the colder months

The unseasonably hot summer means farmers should keep a close eye on ewes this winter.

Winter is coming – so look after your cattle

Poor grass growth this summer will mean lifestyle block owners will need to take particular care of cows this winter.

Peony flower power: the secret beneath the soil

The peony is one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, but it’s what it grows beneath the soil that has turned into a unique business for one Nelson couple.

There isn’t anything else you could grow this easily that tastes this good.

How to cook with a tagine

The accidental inheritance of a tagine has meant more food experiments for Jenny Somervell and Chef Ken.

DIY: Make your own soap

Making your own soap is easy, affordable, doesn’t require any special equipment and is quite addictive.

A beginner’s guide to chainsaw safety

This is one tool that deserves your full respect and a good training regime.

4 things you must consider before buying a lifestyle block

Green grass, blue skies, peace and quiet, cows, sheep, chickens, a pony, an elegant garden or a food forest full of heritage fruit trees. But there's important questions to ask yourself before you commit to moving to a block.

Things to do in the garden in May

The weather outside is frightful, but there's plenty of delightful things to plant in the garden in May.

Everyone knows if you eat rhubarb you need to add a little sugar, but there is another way to sweeten the deal.

Why we need to start eating alpaca

Alpaca numbers are rising, reaching over 25,000 in the last few years, which is why this dedicated breeder believes we need to eat them.

Create a refreshing rosemary hydrosol

Learn how to make  a refreshing distillation of this aromatic herb.