Comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum) is the comfrey we commonly have in New Zealand.  It is a cross between wild comfrey S. officinale from Europe and S. asperum from Russia. Also known as Knitbone, Boneset, Bruisewort, Slippery root and others it is a must have in the garden in my mind. It is a perennial plant […] Read more

In downtown Tauranga between the carpark and main street I saw this spreading plant known as  small-leaved wireweed Polygonum arenastrum.  Tourists were taking photos of art items and I was taking photos of weeds!  I marvelled at how it was nicely covering quite a patch, quietly and invisibly doing it’s healing work to cover the […] Read more

 Brrrr it was a frost last night and there’ll be another tonight.  Just what we need to knock back populations of flies and other insects that built up numbers in summer.  It also kills kikuyu which I am pleased about! However, there are many greens and wild weeds that are still growing and flourishing in […] Read more

One of the things I do is talk to groups on edible weeds. I’ve spoken to quite a number of gardening groups all over the Bay of Plenty and to other groups like the North Rotorua Probus group, who invited me to speak Monday April 23rd.  I gave a power-point presentation and had wild edible […] Read more

This wild edible receives the most comment on my blog from absolute delight to abject hate. I  can understand both sides of the issue, although I happen to love it.  My Dad however, would take the opposite stand calling it ‘Marching soldier’ derived from ‘gallant soldier’ derived from galinsoga parviflora  It’s spreading nature earned it […] Read more

February’s been hot and sunny as well as soggy and wet, but I’ve been grateful for the rain, as I haven’t had to water so much, and my water tanks are full for watering the potted plants when they dry out.  I keep saucers under them to help keep them moist. The hay I used […] Read more

Elder, Sambucus nigra is flowering now, although it is not common north of the Volcanic Plateau in New Zealand.  But it is very common south of the Plateau and in the South Island.  I wanted an elder bush because all parts of it are so healing.   When I saw plants in Northland, I took cuttings […] Read more

Every year the Great Barrier Island Community Art Gallery runs a winter lecture series.  I had the good fortune to be invited to run workshops last year and again this year September 2nd and 3rd.  I love going to Aotea (Great Barrier). I flew directly from Tauranga with Sunair, known for tiny planes and changing […] Read more

 I’m into my fifth week at my new home in Greerton.  I moved July 20th and it is starting to feel more familiar. It does take a while to transition from one place to another.  I do miss the farm hugely.  Luckily this section is large at 840 Square metres, sunny, north facing and flat. […] Read more

I recently attended a Tree Croppers field trip to Puketoki Reserve on Whakamarama Road, Bay of Plenty.  We were treated to a wonderful talk by Colin Hewens who is the spokesman for the team of volunteers who have done an epic job of controlling the rats, stoats and possoms.  We were then further treated to […] Read more