by Julia | Jul 11, 2018 | General
In downtown Tauranga between the carpark and main street I saw this spreading plant known as small-leaved wireweed Polygonum arenastrum. Tourists were taking photos of art items and I was taking photos of weeds! I marvelled at how it was nicely covering quite a...
by Julia | Jul 1, 2018 | General
Brrrr it was a frost last night and there’ll be another tonight. Just what we need to knock back populations of flies and other insects that built up numbers in summer. It also kills kikuyu which I am pleased about! However, there are many greens and wild weeds...
by Julia | May 2, 2018 | General
One of the things I do is talk to groups on edible weeds. I’ve spoken to quite a number of gardening groups all over the Bay of Plenty and to other groups like the North Rotorua Probus group, who invited me to speak Monday April 23rd. I gave a power-point...
by Julia | Apr 15, 2018 | General
This wild edible receives the most comment on my blog from absolute delight to abject hate. I can understand both sides of the issue, although I happen to love it. My Dad however, would take the opposite stand calling it ‘Marching soldier’ derived from ‘gallant...
by Julia | Feb 28, 2018 | General
February’s been hot and sunny as well as soggy and wet, but I’ve been grateful for the rain, as I haven’t had to water so much, and my water tanks are full for watering the potted plants when they dry out. I keep saucers under them to help keep them moist. The hay I...
by Julia | Nov 23, 2017 | General
Elder, Sambucus nigra is flowering now, although it is not common north of the Volcanic Plateau in New Zealand. But it is very common south of the Plateau and in the South Island. I wanted an elder bush because all parts of it are so healing. When I saw plants in...
by Julia | Sep 30, 2017 | General
Every year the Great Barrier Island Community Art Gallery runs a winter lecture series. I had the good fortune to be invited to run workshops last year and again this year September 2nd and 3rd. I love going to Aotea (Great Barrier). I flew directly from Tauranga...
by Julia | Aug 24, 2017 | General
I’m into my fifth week at my new home in Greerton. I moved July 20th and it is starting to feel more familiar. It does take a while to transition from one place to another. I do miss the farm hugely. Luckily this section is large at 840 Square metres, sunny, north...
by Julia | Jul 4, 2017 | General
I recently attended a Tree Croppers field trip to Puketoki Reserve on Whakamarama Road, Bay of Plenty. We were treated to a wonderful talk by Colin Hewens who is the spokesman for the team of volunteers who have done an epic job of controlling the rats, stoats and...
by Julia | May 21, 2017 | General
Cudweed – Gamochaeta coarctata (formaly Gamochaetata spicata) I’ve seen and known about Cudweed in my foraging for some time, but this is the first time I’ve ever written about it. Cudweed’s unusual feature is the dual colour of the leaves which are bright green and...
