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Initiatives and Collaboration
- Events and Community Engagement
- Crop Swap Te Puke
- Food Resilience School NZ
- Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)
- Nursery Map - Plant Suppliers of NZ Directory (www.nurserymap.nz)
- Te Puke Community Garden
- Te Puke Digital
- Te Puke Region Food Co-op
- TROPPO’s Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (wwwfoodforest.org.nz)
- TROPPO's Nursery Directory
- Troppo’s Plant Collection
- Vector Group Charitable Trust (Umbrella)
Frequently Asked Garden Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Garden Questions & Answers provides a comprehensive resource for gardening enthusiasts, offering expert advice on a variety of topics. Whether you're dealing with plant diseases, pest control, soil preparation, or choosing the right plants for your garden, this guide covers it all. With practical tips and step-by-step solutions, it's an essential tool for both novice and experienced gardeners looking to cultivate healthy and beautiful gardens.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Clydesburn Ave
Te Puke, 3119
Bay of Plenty
New Zealand
+64 27 4144280
info@troppo.nz
Do you have questions about how we can help you? Send us an email and we’ll get in touch shortly.
Garden Q&A Bonanza: Your Fun Guide to Green Thumb Success!
Welcome to Garden Q&A Bonanza: Your Fun Guide to Green Thumb Success! Dive into a world of vibrant blooms, lush greenery, and playful garden adventures. Whether you're a seasoned plant whisperer or just starting your botanical journey, our quirky and informative guide is here to make gardening a blast. Get ready to turn your garden into a paradise with tips, tricks, and answers to all your burning garden questions!
27
Apr
Te Puke Community Garden: Growing Together
A Green Heart in Te Puke
Established in 2011 by Jenny Utting, the Te Puke Community Garden has blossomed into a cherished community space where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect with nature, learn new skills, and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables!) of their labor. Jenny’s dedication to ...
26
Apr
Epic Te Puke’s Picture-Perfect Easter Trail: A Community Celebration and Economic Boost
Despite the weather, the Epic Te Puke event was a resounding success, bringing the community together for a day of fun and creativity. Held at Jubilee Park, the Picture Perfect Easter Trail showcased the talent of local photographers along the scenic Te Puke Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway. This free commu...
25
Apr
More Than Just a Day Off: Pausing to Remember Anzac Day in Te Puke
Anzac Day 2025: Te Puke Remembers | A Tribute from Troppo.nz
Today, April 25th, 2025, the familiar rhythms of life here in Te Puke take on a different cadence. The usual bustle associated with our orchards and the title of 'Kiwifruit Capital of the World' gives way to a quieter, more reflective atm...
23
Apr
Cultivating Passionfruit in Te Puke: Tips for Abundant Harvests (Including My Favourite!)
Welcome to the lush world of passionfruit growing right here in our beautiful Te Puke! At Troppo.nz, we're passionate about helping you bring the taste of the tropics to your own backyard. Passionfruit, with its vibrant flavour and exotic aroma, thrives in our Bay of Plenty climate, offering the pot...
22
Apr
The Ultimate Guide to Growing Bananas in Your Bay of Plenty Garden
Dreaming of harvesting your own sweet, creamy bananas right here in the Bay of Plenty? You might be surprised to learn that with a little know-how, this tropical delight can thrive in our beautiful corner of New Zealand! While we're not exactly the tropics, our warm summers and relatively mild winte...
21
Apr
Growing Avocados Successfully in Te Puke: A Comprehensive Guide
Welcome to the ultimate guide for growing luscious, creamy avocados right here in our beautiful Te Puke! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this comprehensive resource from Tropo.nz will walk you through everything you need to know to cultivate your own avocado bounty. Te Puke'...
20
Apr
How to Maximize Sunlight in Your Te Puke Garden for Tropical Fruit Production
Welcome, fellow fruit enthusiasts, to the Troppo.nz blog! Here in sunny Te Puke, we're blessed with a fantastic climate for growing all sorts of delicious tropical and subtropical fruits. But even with our abundant sunshine, understanding how to make the most of it is key to a truly thriving garden ...
19
Apr
Understanding Te Puke’s Rainfall Patterns for Efficient Irrigation
Welcome to the Troppo blog! Here in sunny Te Puke, the heart of kiwifruit country, water is life. Whether you're a seasoned orchardist or just starting out with your own patch, understanding our local rainfall patterns is key to using water wisely and keeping your plants happy and healthy. This post...
18
Apr
Best Soil Amendments for Te Puke’s Soil Conditions: A Local Guide
Welcome to Troppo.nz, your go-to source for all things growing in our beautiful corner of the world, Te Puke! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting to get your hands dirty, understanding your soil is the first step to a thriving garden or orchard. Here in the Bay of Plenty, we're bless...
17
Apr
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PHOTO COMPETITION! RRR – Rescue, Revive, Rehome
We know school holidays are all about creating wonderful memories, and who better to share them with than your beloved furry, scaly, or feathered family members?
RRR - Rescue, Revive, Rehome is searching for the BEST photo capturing a special moment between you and your animal during these holidays...
17
Apr
Cyclone Tam’s Fury Brushes Te Puke: Northern Communities in Our Thoughts
Well, Cyclone Tam has certainly made its presence felt here in Aotearoa! While we in Te Puke haven't borne the brunt of its full force like our whanau up in the Far North, let me tell you, that wind has been something else!
For the past day or so, a constant, howling gale has been whipping through ...
17
Apr
Identifying and Managing Common Pests and Diseases in Te Puke Gardens
Identifying and Managing Common Pests and Diseases in Te Puke Gardens
Welcome to all our fellow green thumbs in beautiful Te Puke! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting to dig in the fertile Bay of Plenty soil, you'll know that along with the joy of watching your plants thrive comes t...
16
Apr
Choosing the Right Aspect for Your Garden in Te Puke’s Unique Terrain
Choosing the Right Aspect for Your Garden in Te Puke's Unique Terrain
Welcome, fellow green thumbs, to the wonderful world of gardening in Te Puke! Known as the Kiwifruit Capital of the World, this region boasts a rich horticultural heritage and a climate that can support a fantastic array of plant...
15
Apr
Using Mulch to Regulate Soil Temperature in Te Puke’s Variable Climate
Welcome to the Troppo blog! Here in beautiful Te Puke, we know all about the ups and downs of our weather. From scorching summer days to chilly winter nights, our soil can experience quite a temperature rollercoaster. But there's a simple yet incredibly effective tool that can help your garden thriv...
14
Apr
A Community Building Toolkit for Bay of Plenty, New Zealand: Cultivating Edible Landscapes Together
1. Introduction: Sowing Seeds for Community Resilience
The Vision of Community Food Forests in the Bay of Plenty
Community food forests, also referred to as forest gardens, represent a holistic approach to land management that draws inspiration from natural forest ecosystems.1 Unlike conventional ...
14
Apr
Creating Windbreaks for Delicate Tropical Plants in the Bay of Plenty
Welcome to the Troppo.nz blog! If you're lucky enough to be growing beautiful, but often delicate, tropical plants here in the stunning Bay of Plenty, you'll know that while our climate is generally kind, the wind can sometimes be a real nuisance. These breezes, while often refreshing for us, can wr...
14
Apr
Cultivating the Future: Jared’s Food Forest Tour in Rural Te Puke – Inspiring Youth and Kai Resilience
Here at Troppo.nz, we're passionate about showcasing initiatives that build a more sustainable and resilient future for Aotearoa. Our recent collaboration with Jared on a visit to his burgeoning food forest in rural Te Puke was a truly inspiring experience. We witnessed firsthand his dedication to c...
13
Apr
Supercharging Your Te Puke Harvest: Advanced Techniques for an Extended Growing Season
We all love the bounty of a Te Puke garden, but what if you could push the boundaries and enjoy fresh produce even longer? Building on our previous tips, this post dives into more advanced techniques, including grow tents, heat mats, in-soil heating, and the crucial element of experimentation, to tr...
12
Apr
Growing Tropical Plants in NZ: 100 Fascinating Facts You Need to Know
Here are 100 unique and interesting facts about growing tropical plants in New Zealand:
New Zealand's Northland region boasts the warmest average temperatures, making it ideal for many tropical species.
The Kermadec Islands, despite being part of NZ, experience a truly tropical climate unlik...
12
Apr
Permaculture Principles for a Thriving Home Garden in Bay of Plenty
Welcome to the wonderful world of permaculture gardening! Here at Troppo.nz, we believe that creating a flourishing and productive home garden in our beautiful Bay of Plenty doesn't have to be complicated. Permaculture offers a simple, yet powerful, set of principles that work with nature, not again...
11
Apr
Creating Your Own Urban Food Forest in Te Puke, NZ: A Step-by-Step Guide
Imagine stepping out your back door and into a lush, edible paradise. A place where fruit trees, berry bushes, and useful herbs grow in harmony, providing fresh, nutritious food right at your fingertips. This isn't a far-off dream – it's the reality of an urban food forest, and you can create one ri...
10
Apr
Designing a Low-Maintenance Food Forest: Tips for Te Puke’s Climate
Welcome to the Troppo.nz blog! For those of us lucky enough to call the beautiful Bay of Plenty home, particularly the fertile lands around Te Puke, the idea of a thriving, edible garden is often top of mind. But who has endless hours to dedicate to weeding, watering, and pest control? The good news...
09
Apr
Integrating Native Plants into Your Urban Food Forest for Enhanced Biodiversity
Welcome to the Troppo.nz blog! Today, we're diving into a fantastic way to make your urban food forest even more vibrant and beneficial: by weaving in some of our amazing native New Zealand plants. You might be thinking, "Food forest? Native plants? Do they even go together?" The answer is a resound...
08
Apr
The Benefits of Guild Planting in a Small Urban Space
(Featured on www.troppo.nz)
Living in a town or city often means limited space for gardening. You might have a tiny backyard, a balcony, or just a few pots on a windowsill. But even with these small areas, you can create a thriving and productive mini-ecosystem using a clever technique called guild...
07
Apr
How to Build a Vertical Food Forest for Limited Space in Te Puke
Living in beautiful Te Puke often means enjoying the outdoors, but what if you have limited garden space and still dream of fresh, homegrown produce? The answer might just be a vertical food forest! This innovative gardening technique allows you to grow a surprising amount of food in a small footpri...
07
Apr
Join the Fun on the Kids Kai Trail at the Flavours of Plenty Festival!
This year, the Kids Kai Trail was a big hit at the Flavours of Plenty Festival in Te Puke! It was a day packed with fun, learning, and hands-on activities for kids. From exploring bees to planting in community gardens and even learning how to make their own pizza sauce, the day was full of exciting ...
06
Apr
Understanding Soil Health in a Permaculture Garden: Te Puke Edition
Welcome, fellow green thumbs and aspiring permaculturists! Here at Troppo.nz, we’re passionate about creating thriving, resilient gardens that work with nature, not against it. And at the heart of a successful permaculture system lies one crucial element: healthy soil.
Especially here in our beauti...
05
Apr
Te Puke Community Rallies Together for Mum’s Cancer Treatment: A Heartwarming Movie Night Fundraiser
In September 2023, 46-year-old Sarena Crane, a devoted mother from Tauranga, started noticing troubling symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, and discomfort. Initially, these symptoms were attributed to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or endometriosis, but further testing soon revealed a far more serio...
05
Apr
🌿 Bay of Plenty Orchid Show Blooms Bright in Rainy Te Puke
The Bay of Plenty Orchid Society hosted its annual orchid show over the weekend at the Te Puke Memorial Hall. The event took place on Friday and Saturday, running from 10am to 4pm each day.
Visitors enjoyed a stunning variety of orchid displays presented by both the Bay of Plenty Orchid Society and...
05
Apr
Rainwater Harvesting for Sustainable Food Forests in Bay of Plenty: Including the Smart Use of Recycled IBCs
Welcome to Troppo.nz! Here in the fertile Bay of Plenty, we’re often blessed with ample rainfall. But are we truly capitalizing on this natural gift, especially when it comes to nurturing our thriving food forests? Rainwater harvesting offers a clever and sustainable method to hydrate your edible la...
04
Apr
Composting Secrets for a Nutrient-Rich Food Forest in Your Backyard
Imagine stepping into your backyard and being greeted by a thriving food forest – lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and the promise of delicious, homegrown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. It sounds like a dream, right? Well, one of the biggest secrets to making this dream a reality lies right under you...
03
Apr
Attracting Pollinators to Your Urban Food Forest: Essential Plants and Techniques
Welcome, green thumbs and aspiring urban farmers! Here at Troppo.nz, we believe that even in the heart of our towns and cities, we can cultivate thriving food forests bursting with life. A crucial ingredient for a successful and productive urban food forest is a healthy population of pollinators. Th...
02
Apr
Understanding Te Puke’s Microclimates for Optimal Tropical Fruit Growth
Welcome to Troppo.nz! If you're passionate about growing delicious tropical fruits right here in Te Puke, you've come to the right place. While our region is famous for its kiwifruit, the diverse landscape also creates pockets of unique conditions – what we call microclimates – that can be perfect f...
01
Apr
Protecting Your Tropical Plants from Frost in Bay of Plenty: Practical Tips
Welcome fellow tropical plant lovers! Here in the beautiful Bay of Plenty, we're lucky to enjoy a generally mild climate that allows us to grow a fantastic array of lush, exotic plants. However, even in our little slice of paradise, the threat of frost can rear its icy head, potentially damaging or ...
28
Mar
Kids Kai Trial at Flavours of Plenty: A Fun, Hands-On Adventure for Youngsters to Explore Food Resilience
While most events at the Flavours of Plenty festival are designed with adults in mind, there's one exciting exception: the Kids Kai Trail, happening on April 5, hosted by the Te Puke Kai Resilience group and Colab.
Chris Johnstone, Colab coordinator, explained, “While Flavours of Plenty mainly targ...
28
Mar
Te Whare o Tīmata: A Whānau-Centered Journey of Learning, Connection, and Māori Identity
Nestled in the heart of Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, Te Whare o Tīmata is more than just an educational tool—it is a living, breathing expression of Mātauranga Māori, designed to inspire, teach, and connect. It is a place where whānau, tamariki, and communities can come together to explore ancestral heri...
27
Mar
“Hei Tiki” email response
Mauri, my plant family.
This morning, I received an email questioning my branding, expressing concerns that it might diminish the integrity of my mahi through misappropriation. It caught me off guard, but I acknowledge the importance of these kōrero. Conversations around culture, identity, and resp...
26
Mar
“Weeding for Wildlife: Help Restore Kotukutuku Gully!”
Join the Kotukutuku Gully Weeding Bee and Make a Difference
Nature needs a helping hand, and you can be part of the solution! The Maketū Wetland Society (MOWS), in collaboration with the Kotukutuku Gully group, invites you to a hands-on conservation event to tackle pesky pest plants and restore the...
26
Mar
Wetlands restoration in Te Puke with FRUITION’s Hei Whanake
As part of Vector Group Charitable Trust, Troppo is documenting the comprehensive wetlands restoration project in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty. Today marked the commencement of planting a significant number of native flora, a crucial step in rejuvenating our region's natural resources. In a few weeks, the...
25
Mar
Fermenting Fun: Kefir, Salted Butternut Ferment & Feijoa Fizz!
Last night, disaster struck—the hot water cylinder blew! So instead of showering, let's embrace the funk another way—with some ferments! Who needs warm water when you have bubbling jars of probiotic goodness to keep things exciting?
The stars of today's fermenting session come straight from Troppo’...
