Tag Archives: Organic Gardening

18 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Best Soil Amendments for Te Puke’s Soil Conditions: A Local Guide

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

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...

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17 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Identifying and Managing Common Pests and Diseases in Te Puke Gardens

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

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...

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14 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)

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

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

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 ...

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10 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

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

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

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...

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08 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

The Benefits of Guild Planting in a Small Urban Space

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

(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...

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04 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Composting Secrets for a Nutrient-Rich Food Forest in Your Backyard

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

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...

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05 Mar

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

Introducing TROPPO’s Kai and Canopy – Growing, Harvesting, and Feasting Together! 🌱🍽️

• April 27, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome to TROPPO's Food Forest Kai and Canopy, our YouTube channel where we take you on a journey from plant to plate! 🌿🥑🍍 Whether you’re a tropical grower, a food forest enthusiast, or just someone who loves the idea of harvesting your own kai, this channel is for you! What You Can Expect on TR...

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16 Feb

Troppo's Plant Collection

Creating a Thriving Food Forest with Tropicals in Te Puke

• February 22, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

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...

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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

• April 27, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

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 ...

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21 Jul

Troppo Articles

Discover the Wonders of Kotare Subtropicals in Northland

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Nestled in the heart of Northland, Kotare Subtropicals is a treasure trove for plant enthusiasts and adventurers alike. Since its inception, this remarkable garden has flourished into a paradise of subtropical plants, offering a unique blend of beauty and tranquility. Whether you're a seasoned garde...

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11 Jul

Troppo Articles

The Importance of Critique and Feedback in the Plant and Garden Community

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Critique and feedback play a crucial role in the plant and garden community. Whether you are a novice gardener or an experienced horticulturist, constructive feedback helps improve skills, fosters learning, and builds a supportive community. This is particularly important when dealing with tropical ...

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09 Jul

Troppo Articles

Planting different species together to enhance growth, repel pests, and improve soil health.

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 7 comments

Companion planting is a gardening technique where different plant species are grown together to benefit one another. This method can enhance growth, repel pests, and improve soil health. Here’s a guide on how to use companion planting to create a thriving and harmonious garden. Benefits of Companio...

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29 Jun

Events and Community Engagement

Tree Crops Annual Tree Sale Waikato, Saturday, July 6, 2024

• April 27, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

Tree Crops Annual Tree Sale Waikato 2024 Join us for the highly anticipated Tree Crops Annual Tree Sale in Waikato, 2024! This event is a fantastic opportunity for gardeners, fruit enthusiasts, and anyone interested in sustainable agriculture to purchase a wide variety of fruit trees, nut trees, an...

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27 Jun

Troppo Articles

Fruit Gardener’s Diary for the Year in New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 13 comments

New Zealand’s diverse climate allows for a wide range of fruiting plants to be grown throughout the year. Here is a month-by-month guide to help you plan your fruit garden, including planting, caring, and harvesting activities for the most common fruiting plants grown in New Zealand. January P...

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27 Jun

Troppo Articles

Flower Gardener’s Diary for the Year in New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

New Zealand’s diverse climate allows for a wide range of flowering plants to thrive throughout the year. Here is a month-by-month guide to help you plan your flower garden, including planting, caring, and enjoying the blooms of the most common flowering plants grown in New Zealand. January Pla...

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27 Jun

Troppo Articles

Vegetable Gardener’s Diary for the Year in New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

New Zealand’s temperate climate allows for a wide variety of vegetables to be grown throughout the year. Here is a month-by-month guide to help you plan your vegetable garden, including planting, caring, and harvesting activities for the most common vegetables grown in New Zealand. January Pla...

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27 Jun

Troppo Articles

Fruit Tree, Vegetable, and Gardening Planting Calendar – A Broad Brushstroke for our NZ climate

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

The Bay of Plenty region enjoys a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters, making it ideal for growing a wide range of fruit trees, vegetables, and other garden plants. Here is a comprehensive planting calendar to help you plan your garden activities throughout the year. Fruit Tree Pla...

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05 Jan

Troppo's Plant Collection

Misi Luki Banana – A Hardy, Prolific, and Versatile Tropical Fruit for New Zealand Gardens

• February 18, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

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...

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11 Sep

Troppo Articles

Growing Guide for Mini Black Heirloom Popping Corn in New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

Mini black heirloom popping corn is a unique and fun variety to grow in your garden. This type of corn is not only decorative but also produces delicious popcorn. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you successfully grow mini black heirloom popping corn in New Zealand. Choosing the Right Location ...

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01 Dec

Troppo Articles

December – Flower Gardener’s Diary for New New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

December is the height of summer in New Zealand, and your flower garden will be bursting with color and activity. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you manage your flower garden during this vibrant month. Planting Summer Annuals: Continue planting summer annuals such as marigolds, zinni...

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01 Nov

Troppo Articles

November – Flower Gardener’s Diary for New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

November is a busy and exciting month for flower gardeners in New Zealand. With the onset of warmer weather, it's the perfect time to get your garden ready for summer. This diary will guide you through essential tasks and tips to ensure your flower garden thrives this season. Early November 1. Soi...

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01 Aug

Troppo Articles

August – Flower Gardener’s Diary for New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

August marks the transition from winter to spring in New Zealand, making it an exciting time for flower gardeners. With the promise of warmer weather and longer days, there are plenty of tasks to prepare your garden for a vibrant spring bloom. This diary will guide you through essential tasks and ti...

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01 Jul

Troppo Articles

July – Flower Gardener’s Diary for New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

July is a mid-winter month in New Zealand, and while it may be cold, there are still plenty of tasks to keep flower gardeners busy. This diary will guide you through essential tasks and tips to ensure your flower garden is healthy and ready for the upcoming spring. Early July 1. Soil Preparation ...

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28 Apr

Troppo Articles

Bok Choi Growing Guide for New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Bursting with goodness, these hardy no fuss vegetables are brilliant crops to plant in the winter garden. Bok choi is a very quick growing Asian green that is sweet, tasty and exceptionally easy to cultivate and cook. It is sometimes referred to as pak choi or Chinese celery cabbage.

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