Tag Archives: Bay of Plenty

Rain Can’t Dampen Spirits at Sirens and Services: Koha Ice Cream Day!

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

What an incredible afternoon we had today at the Welcome Bay Community Hall for the Sirens and Services: Koha Ice Cream Day! Despite the steady drizzle outside, the hall was absolutely buzzing with keen families, creating a truly heartwarming atmosphere. It was a testament to the incredible spirit o...

10 Jun

Events and Community Engagement, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Region Food Co-op

From Kiwifruit to Jackfruit: A Tropical Paradise Blooms at French’s Farm

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

French's Farm: A Slice of Tropical Paradise Flourishing in Te Puke Just a stone's throw from Waitangi, on the verdant fringes of Te Puke, you'll discover a true local treasure: French's Farm. While the Bay of Plenty is globally celebrated for its vibrant green kiwifruit, a visit to Michae...

03 Jun

Events and Community Engagement, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Nurturing Tomorrow’s Green Thumbs: A Te Puke Community Collaboration

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

Here in our vibrant Te Puke community, something truly special is taking root. We're witnessing a remarkable surge of enthusiasm among our rangatahi, our young people, for self-sustainability and the incredible potential of epic gardening. This isn't just about planting seeds; it's about nurturing a...

28 May

Ditch the Screens, Discover the Wild: Introducing ‘Kids Unplugged’ – A Kiwi Web Series Inspiring Tamariki to Thrive Outdoors

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

Okay, I've integrated the bio information for Anton and Kylie Steel into the blog post. Here's the revised version: Ditch the Screens, Discover the Wild: Introducing 'Kids Unplugged' – A Kiwi Web Series Inspiring Tamariki to Thrive Outdoors In an age where digital devices seem permanently attach...

14 May

Crop Swap Te Puke region

CROP SWAP TE PUKE – Sunday June 29th

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

Te Puke gardeners, get ready to swap and share! Join us for Crop Swap Te Puke, a gathering for our community's garden lovers. Bring along your extra treasures from the garden – think seeds, baby plants, delicious produce, homemade preserves, tasty baking, inspiring gardening books, and even your cra...

25 Apr

More Than Just a Day Off: Pausing to Remember Anzac Day in Te Puke

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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...

22 Apr

The Ultimate Guide to Growing Bananas in Your Bay of Plenty Garden

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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...

19 Apr

Understanding Te Puke’s Rainfall Patterns for Efficient Irrigation

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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

Crop Swap Te Puke region, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Community Garden, Te Puke Region Food Co-op, Troppo Articles, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Identifying and Managing Common Pests and Diseases in Te Puke Gardens

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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...

14 Apr

A Community Building Toolkit for Bay of Plenty, New Zealand: Cultivating Edible Landscapes Together

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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...

12 Apr

Permaculture Principles for a Thriving Home Garden in Bay of Plenty

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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...

10 Apr

Designing a Low-Maintenance Food Forest: Tips for Te Puke’s Climate

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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...

07 Apr

How to Build a Vertical Food Forest for Limited Space in Te Puke

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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...

05 Apr

Rainwater Harvesting for Sustainable Food Forests in Bay of Plenty: Including the Smart Use of Recycled IBCs

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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...

01 Apr

Protecting Your Tropical Plants from Frost in Bay of Plenty: Practical Tips

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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

Te Whare o Tīmata: A Whānau-Centered Journey of Learning, Connection, and Māori Identity

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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...

26 Mar

Crop Swap Te Puke region, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Community Garden, Te Puke Region Food Co-op, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Wetlands restoration in Te Puke with FRUITION’s Hei Whanake

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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

Delicious Recipes

Fermenting Fun: Kefir, Salted Butternut Ferment & Feijoa Fizz!

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

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’...

21 Mar

Events and Community Engagement, Green & Wild, Troppo Articles, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

A Green Encounter: When Green and Wild Visited Troppo’s Urban Tropical Food Forest

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

It's not every day that your passion project catches the attention of someone who shares your vision for a greener, more sustainable world. That's exactly what happened when Bahareh from Green and Wild visited our Troppo urban tropical food forest and nursery in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty. The excitemen...

02 Mar

Events and Community Engagement, Te Puke Community Garden

🌿 Giggles Garden Glow-Up: Growing, Learning & Digging in Together! 🌱

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

Exciting things are happening at Giggles Te Puke Early Learning Centre! Their amazing food forest is about to get a fresh burst of life, and guess what? The whole community is invited to join in the fun! A Garden That Gives Back! At Giggles, the garden isn’t just about growing plants—it’s about ...

20 Feb

Our Mission: Cultivating a Thriving, Regenerative Future

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

Our Mission: Cultivating a Thriving, Regenerative Future We are committed to creating a thriving, sustainable food forest that not only nourishes our local community but also serves as a model for regenerative agriculture in the Bay of Plenty and beyond. By fostering deep connections between people...

16 Feb

Banana ‘Musa Acuminata var. Zebrina’ – The Striking Blood Banana

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

Grown in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, NZ, the Banana Musa Acuminata var. Zebrina, popularly known as the Striking Blood Banana, has captivated plant enthusiasts with its vibrant foliage and unique appearance. Its striking red and green speckled leaves add a dramatic flair to any garden or indoor space, m...

16 Feb

Creating a Thriving Food Forest with Tropicals in Te Puke

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

In Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, we are bringing together a diverse selection of plants to create a thriving food forest, incorporating a mix of tropical and subtropical species suited to our unique climate. By carefully selecting and layering plants—ranging from hardy bananas and taro to rare exotic frui...

16 Feb

Colocasia esculenta ‘Pharaoh’s Mask’ – A Statement Plant for Your Garden

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

Few plants command attention quite like Colocasia esculenta 'Pharaoh’s Mask'. This striking elephant ear variety boasts deep green, heavily veined leaves with dark, almost black ridges that create a dramatic, sculptural effect. The veins protrude outward, making the foliage appear almost three-dimen...

01 Feb

Troppo Articles

Action Items for the Month of February Vege Planting in Bay of Plenty, NZ

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

Welcome back to the Tropo blog! February in the Bay of Plenty is a fantastic time to get your hands dirty and plant some delicious veggies. The heat of summer is starting to ease, and the soil is still warm, creating perfect growing conditions for a variety of crops. Whether you're a seasoned garden...

20 Jan

Events and Community Engagement, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Brett’s Omanawa Food Forest Tour in the Bay of Plenty

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

Brett’s down-to-earth, true blue Kiwi approach to cultivating a thriving food forest in the Bay of Plenty is nothing short of inspiring. His philosophy revolves around keeping things simple, practical, and genuinely accessible, ensuring that anyone—whether a seasoned grower or a complete newbie—can ...

01 Jan

Troppo Articles

Get Growing in the New Year! Your January Veggie Planting Guide for Bay of Plenty, NZ

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

Welcome to the start of a new year, and for us green thumbs here in the sunny Bay of Plenty, that means it's prime time to get some delicious veggies in the ground! January offers a fantastic window for planting a variety of crops that will thrive in our warm, humid climate. This guide will walk you...

22 Jan

Edible Landscapes NZ (ediblelandscapes.nz)

Cultivate Your Tropical Urban Paradise!

Posted by Troppo

August 23, 2025

EdibleLandscapes.nz is an initiative of the Vector Group Charitable Trust. We're proud to be the driving force behind Troppo, our exemplary tropical urban food forest here in Te Puke. This means we're doers, not just talkers, actively demonstrating what's possible in creating lush, productive, and s...

05 Jan