Stalwart stickler for tradition (almost)
It's perhaps no surprise that the woman who is one of the driving forces behind Waimate’s annual Strawberry Fare loves everything about the fruit the event celebrates.
Horticulture
Bird shooting raises safety concerns
Bird shooting raises safety concerns
Bird shooting on a Cromwell cherry orchard has ruffled the feathers of a neighbouring resident who believes the orchardist’s pest control measures are irresponsible.
Orchardists confident as cherry season begins
Orchardists confident as cherry season begins
Central Otago’s varied weather this has not hampered cherry orchardists as the season kicks into gear.
Blueberry picking looms
Blueberry picking looms
As leaves fall and berries begin to change from green to blue, Southland’s only blueberry farm is gearing up for another season of hand-picked fun.
Father and son find Central ideal for organic winemaking
Father and son find Central ideal for organic winemaking
Lindsay and Fraser McLachlan have several things in common - apart from being father and son.
Vineyard a labour of love
Vineyard a labour of love
Owning Ashburton's only vineyard has been a labour of love for Esma and Charlie Hill.
Wine success for Otago
Wine success for Otago
Central Otago's Simon Gourley has won the 2019 Young Horticulturist of the Year title.
Fortitude in face of loss bears fruit
Fortitude in face of loss bears fruit
A North Otago berry fruit business has grown to be the largest producer of strawberries in the South Island. Business and rural editor Sally Rae speaks to the remarkable driving force behind the...
Catch crops absorption of N studied
Catch crops absorption of N studied
The effectiveness of using catch crops to soak up nitrogen in winter-grazed paddocks prior to replanting is being studied on several farms in Canterbury and Southland.
Fields of colour
Fields of colour
Southlanders had an opportunity to view more than 30 varieties of vibrant and colourful tulips at Triflor NZ’s open day at Edendale on Monday.
Southland tulips in bloom for open day
Southland tulips in bloom for open day
If previous years are anything to go by, the tulip farm open day in Edendale on Monday is set to stun.
Planting plan paves way ahead
Planting plan paves way ahead
Fencing off waterways, native riparian planting and adding shelter and shade for their stock is all part of the plan for the Weir family, of Waipiata, in Central Otago.
Horticulture's contribution grows
Horticulture's contribution grows
The proverbial ''cash cow'' is shifting to ''cash cherries'' as primary sector confidence in New Zealand drains from dairy and into horticulture.
Cheap avocados: good for customers, bad for profits
Cheap avocados: good for customers, bad for profits
Remember the bad old days of the $11 avocado? That was back in May.
National kudos for Kurow venture
National kudos for Kurow venture
A family orchard near Kurow has earned a major national food award.
Plantings transform irrigation lake
Plantings transform irrigation lake
A North Canterbury irrigation lake has been transformed into an attractive recreational facility, with riparian planting increasing biodiversity and providing a habitat for native birds.
Vege prices could rise 60% by 2043: Horticulture NZ
Vege prices could rise 60% by 2043: Horticulture NZ
Horticulture New Zealand is warning vegetable prices could increase by nearly 60 percent by 2043, if central and local government policies that will stop new vegetable growing are accepted.
Seed spud shortage strikes
Seed spud shortage strikes
A recent shortage of Jersey benne seed potatoes in Dunedin means some home gardeners may struggle to grow their own supplies for the festive table this Christmas.
Pioneer of Central Otago winemaking still in the business
Pioneer of Central Otago winemaking still in the business
Reverend Samuel Marsden did not know it, but when he planted the first grapevines in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, on September 25, 1819, he was indirectly introducing an industry that is now earning...
HortNZ welcomes RSE increase
HortNZ welcomes RSE increase
Horticulture New Zealand says the Government is moving in the right direction with its 1550 increase in Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) workers, but more RSE workers are still needed to support...