Troppo Articles

Beetroot Growing Guide for New Zealand: From Seed to Sweet Success! 🌱🌟

5 Steps to Beetroot Planting Success Choose a spot in full sun and prepare your soil with organic matter like sheep pellets and compost.  Add a layer of vegetable mix to plant into. Beetroot can be planted year round in New Zealand.  Plant beetroot in rows about 50cm apart.  Feed beetroot with vegetable food throughout the growing season.  Water regularly and keep the soil moist.  Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown beetroot.
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Delicious Recipes

Black Sapote Ice Cream Recipe

Black Sapote Ice Cream Recipe: A Tropical Delight The Black Sapote, often referred to as the "chocolate pudding fruit," is a tropical fruit that has captivated the taste buds of many. Its unique flavor and creamy texture make it an ideal ingredient for various desserts, including the delightful B...
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Troppo Articles

Pear Growing Guide for New Zealand: Juicy Delights from Your Garden! 🍐🌿

5 Steps to Pear Planting Success Choose an open, sunny position sheltered from strong winds for your pear tree. Pears are partially self-fertile. Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets.  Add a layer of citrus and fruit mix to plant into. In New Zealand winter is the optimum time to plant pear trees. Feed your pears in spring and summer to encourage maximum flowering and fruiting. Mulch and water well, particularly over the warmer months. Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown pears.
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Troppo Articles

Dahlia Growing Guide for New Zealand: Your Path to Stunning Blooms 🌸🌟

5 Steps to Dahlia Success Choose a sunny spot with plenty of room for dahlias to flourish. Spring, after frosts have passed, is the best time to plant dahlias in New Zealand.  Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets. Add a layer of rose and shrub mix to plant into.  Feed in spring and autumn for optimum flowering. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, and deadhead to prolong the flowering season. Follow our full guide below to vibrant beautiful dahlias.
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Troppo Articles

Should You Be Deadheading Hydrangeas? Here’s What an Expert Recommends

Deadheading hydrangeas can be a beneficial practice, enhancing the plant's appearance and encouraging more blooms. By understanding the specific needs of your hydrangea variety and following expert guidelines, you can keep your garden looking vibrant and healthy. As Dr. Greene advises, "A little care and attention go a long way in maintaining the beauty of your hydrangeas. Happy gardening!"
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Troppo Articles

The Perfect Potting Mix for Hibiscus: A Comprehensive Guide

Creating the perfect potting mix for your hibiscus is essential for ensuring healthy growth and abundant blooms. By understanding the specific needs of hibiscus plants and using the right mix of ingredients, you can provide an ideal growing environment. Remember to water, fertilize, and prune your hibiscus regularly to keep it thriving. With these tips, your hibiscus will be a stunning addition to your garden or home.
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Troppo Articles

Camellia Growing Guide for New Zealand: Blooming Beauties in Your Garden! 🌸🌿

5 Steps to Camellia Success Choose a sheltered spot, protected from harsh midday sun, strong winds and frosts. Spring is the best time to plant camellias in New Zealand. Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets. Add a layer of rose & shrub mix to plant into.  Feed after flowering and once again during its growing season. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, and mulch around the plants to protect its shallow roots. Follow our full guide below for quintessential camellias.
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Events and Community Engagement, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Byron’s Vision: Cultivating a Thriving Food Forest in Aotearoa

From Soil to Sustenance: A Journey of Regenerative Growing Tucked away in the lush landscapes of New Zealand, Byron is weaving a vision of food sovereignty, biodiversity, and resilience through his food forest. His journey is not just about growing food—it’s about reconnecting with nature, restorin...
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Delicious Recipes

Gluten-Free Banana Waffles

Start your morning with these delicious and fluffy gluten-free banana waffles. Perfectly sweetened with ripe bananas, these waffles are easy to make and a great way to enjoy a gluten-free breakfast. Serve them with your favorite toppings for a delightful meal that everyone will love! Ingredients ...
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A Green Grass with White Clouds on the Blue Sky
Troppo Articles

How can I rejuvenate my patchy lawn?

Question. My lawn is not growing very well. It is patchy. What can i do to rejuvenate the lawn and when? Answer. Having a lush, green lawn is a dream for many homeowners, but sometimes, despite our best efforts, the grass just doesn't grow as well as we'd like. If your lawn is patchy and struggli...
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Troppo Articles

Eggplant Growing Guide for New Zealand: From Seedling to Scrumptious! 🍆🌿

5 Steps to Eggplant Planting Success Choose a sunny, sheltered spot in your garden. Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets. Add a layer of vegetable mix to plant into. Eggplants need a long, hot summer to produce and are best grown from spring after frosts. Feed every four weeks with vegetable food. Add a layer of mulch and keep your eggplants well watered. Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of eggplants.
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Troppo Articles

Papamoa Hills Park Forests (PAPM)

This plant list has been compiled by the stated observer(s) and been provided to NZPCN for public use in good faith. NZPCN cannot guarantee that data contained in these lists are up to date or accurate. Most species lists are not corroborated with herbarium specimens. Note, species lists are not typ...
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Delicious Recipes

Turmeric Scrambled Eggs Recipe

Give your scrambled eggs a healthy and flavorful twist with the addition of turmeric. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric adds a vibrant color and a subtle, earthy flavor to this classic breakfast dish. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a nutritious start to your day. Ingre...
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Troppo Articles

Blueberry Growing Guide for New Zealand: Sweet Berries, Happy Plants! 🌿🍇

5 Steps to Blueberry Success Plant a combination of blueberry varieties of the same type to ensure good cross pollination. Choose a sheltered, well drained position in full sun and prepare your soil with organic matter like compost or sheep pellets. Add a layer of strawberry mix to plant into. Blueberries can be planted year-round in New Zealand.  Feed blueberries in spring and summer with citrus food, and prune dead or diseased wood and branches in winter. Water to keep moist throughout the growing season. Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown blueberries.
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Troppo Articles

Feijoa Bambina: Can This Little Fruit Handle the Heat?

Feijoa Bambina is a resilient, drought-tolerant plant that can thrive even in challenging conditions. Its deep root system, combined with appropriate soil and water management, makes it an excellent choice for gardens aiming to conserve water while still enjoying the beauty and bounty of a productive fruiting plant. Whether you’re in a Mediterranean climate or facing periodic droughts, Feijoa Bambina can be a valuable addition to your garden, offering both aesthetic appeal and delicious rewards.
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Troppo Articles

Going troppo with bananas

Banana Dreams: Cultivating Tropical Beauty in Winter You might be wondering why I have bananas on my mind in the midst of winter. Well, after five days of relentless rain, I’m yearning for something to lift my spirits and make me feel a bit more tropical. 🌴 Bananas have always fascinated me, alt...
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