Tag Archives: Bay of Plenty
From IT to Orchard: A Journey of Passion, Perseverance, and Poultry at Bay Tropics
Our team at Troppo has always been inspired by people who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty and forge a new path. So, when the opportunity arose for the Troppo/Vector Group Charitable Trust to visit Bay Tropics, an innovative orchard in Oropi, we jumped at the chance. It was a day of productive...
Rain Can’t Dampen Spirits at Sirens and Services: Koha Ice Cream Day!
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...
From Kiwifruit to Jackfruit: A Tropical Paradise Blooms at French’s Farm
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...
Nurturing Tomorrow’s Green Thumbs: A Te Puke Community Collaboration
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...
Ditch the Screens, Discover the Wild: Introducing ‘Kids Unplugged’ – A Kiwi Web Series Inspiring Tamariki to Thrive Outdoors
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...
CROP SWAP TE PUKE – Sunday June 29th
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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’...
A Green Encounter: When Green and Wild Visited Troppo’s Urban Tropical Food Forest
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...
🌿 Giggles Garden Glow-Up: Growing, Learning & Digging in Together! 🌱
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 ...
Our Mission: Cultivating a Thriving, Regenerative Future
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...
Banana ‘Musa Acuminata var. Zebrina’ – The Striking Blood Banana
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...
Creating a Thriving Food Forest with Tropicals in Te Puke
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...
Colocasia esculenta ‘Pharaoh’s Mask’ – A Statement Plant for Your Garden
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...
Action Items for the Month of February Vege Planting in Bay of Plenty, NZ
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...
Brett’s Omanawa Food Forest Tour in the Bay of Plenty
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 ...
Get Growing in the New Year! Your January Veggie Planting Guide for Bay of Plenty, NZ
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...
Cultivate Your Tropical Urban Paradise!
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...
Misi Luki Banana – A Hardy, Prolific, and Versatile Tropical Fruit for New Zealand Gardens
Musa 'Misi Luki' is a beloved banana variety known for its resilience, sweet fruit, and ability to thrive in various growing conditions. Originating from the Pacific Islands, this cultivar has gained popularity among New Zealand growers for its adaptability and reliable fruiting. With its creamy, de...
Experience the Bay of Plenty, NZ Like a Local
Explore the Beaches
Mount Maunganui (The Mount): A local favorite for its stunning beach and hiking trails. Climb to the summit for panoramic views.
Papamoa Beach: Quieter than The Mount, great for a relaxing day by the sea.
Visit Local Markets
Tauranga Farmers Market: Held every Saturday morn...
Cultivating Community: A Report on Establishing a Food Crop Swap in Te Puke
Introduction: Sowing the Seeds of Community – Discovering Food Crop Swaps in Te Puke
A community food crop swap is a local, recurring gathering where individuals exchange surplus homegrown produce, homemade food items, and gardening resources directly with one another, without the exchange of mon...
