Blog
Weekly tales from The Outpost.
The lost fence post
The post was abandoned, but the fencing project was not.
Pruning fruit trees
Everything you need to know about pruning stone and pip fruit trees: equipment, technique, tree shapes, and the golden rules.
Green banana flour
An experiment in making a prodigious banana harvest last longer. More useful than expected, with some caveats
Surprise cows
We weren’t expecting them, but surprise! We have a new herd of cows.
Four reasons to dig up your compost bin
When was the last time you lifted up your compost bin to see what it’s been up to? What will you find if you do?
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
Are green caterpillars destroying your brassicas? Here’s every trick from organic to toxic to rid yourself of white cabbage butterfly.
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
Years in the making. Literally, because growing the cauliflower took that long. Gran Shirley’s pickle was worth the wait.
July in the garden
Winter might be upon us, but there’s still plenty to do in the garden.
Canning lemonade syrup
When life gives you too many lemons, can the lemonade for a sunnier day. Preserves a citrus glut for months.
Improving soils organically
What is healthy soil? And what is organic matter? Learn the basics of soil and how to improve yours using the resources you have at hand.
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.