Blog
Weekly tales from The Outpost.
April in the garden
Now autumn is in full swing, it’s time to start preparing your winter gardens and putting some care into your fruit trees.
The Vespex sting
Vespula wasp numbers have exploded at our place this year, so it was time to run a poison operation with Vespex.
Growing paprika
Paprika is made from specific varieties of capsicum, and this summer, I grew and processed my own.
Animal tales, part 4
Our lives are made richer by the creatures we share this place with. Sometimes I write short stories about them. This is the fourth post in that series.
Paper wasps in New Zealand
Polistes paper wasps are introduced pests in New Zealand gardens. Or are they?
October in the garden
It’s heating up this month and there’s plenty to get growing in the garden!
The fourth herd
After a winter without any cows, our fourth herd has arrived to fresh spring growth.
The best-laid plans
Find out what I’ve got planned for the 2024-25 growing season in my garden.
September in the garden
Heading into spring the garden jobs begin to build up. Find out what needs doing in September.
White Cabbage Butterfly
A deep dive into white butterfly – one of the most common and destructive pests in Kiwi gardens.
The second peanut harvest
Results from my second season growing peanuts.
Another year in the berry house
The annual task of tidying up the berry house is upon me!
August in the garden
We’re at the tail-end of winter rolling towards spring, and things are heating back up.
Kat’s Nip Fluffy Balls
A new product has joined the Kat’s Nip range.
Gran Shirley’s Cauliflower and Pineapple Pickle
It’s taken me years to grow the cauliflower I needed to make this one…
July in the garden
Winter might be upon us, but there’s still plenty to do in the garden.
Canning lemonade syrup
The lemon tree is heaving and I need to do something about all these lemons!
Improving soils organically
A deep dive into everything you need to know about your garden’s soils and improving them naturally.
We’re chicken people
Once again, it’s time to top up the chooks, which means baby chickens!
June in the garden
Winter doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do in the garden. Find out what needs doing, and what can be planted in June.
Sweating with Pride: The fences project
We’re out sweating on the paddocks, clearing off the grass and gorse.
Magical mushrooms
Mushrooms are popping up all over our paddock, and we are enjoying the hunt!