Garden Name: Land of the Lotus Watergardens & Banana Park

Address: Maungatapere, Whangarei

Property Description: Land of the Lotus Watergardens & Banana Park is a 57 acre tropical oasis with bananas, pineapples, lotus and other tropical edible plants. The property has over 30 varieties of banana, a pineapple plantation, lotus pond and possibly the largest lotus collection in Northland. People are free to walk around the property which includes a 10 acre wetland. The property also includes a children's playground and accommodation is available on-site. A spectacular property that should not be missed. 

Opening Days and Times: 

Sun 19th Feb 9am - 4pm 

Garden Name: Phufar Orchard

Address: Maungatapere, Whangarei

Property Description:  

Phufar Orchards is a working farm and grow and produce mushrooms and avocados. The farm featured in episode 35 of Country Calendar 2022. Mushroom growing started as a hobby for Tann who used to grow and eat many different varieties of mushrooms in her home country of Thailand. This hobby has turned into a business with many different varieties of mushrooms grown. Being sustainable the old mushroom substrate is used as mulch on the avocado orchard. The Avocados are sold online via www.avostogo.co.nz 

Garden trail participants are welcome to view the mushroom setup and growing environment. Fresh mushrooms and avocados will also be able to be purchased on site. 

Talks/Demonstrations:  

Tann will show visitors her mushroom setup and growing environment and Greg will take participants on a tour of avocado orchard. Times: 30 minute intervals. 

Opening Days and Times: 

Sun 19th Feb 9am - 4pm 

Garden Name: Nadia’s Whole Garden

Address: Glenbervie, Whangarei

Property Description: Nadia started her organic garden in 2020 selling direct from the farm to customers  and providing nutrient dense and really great tasting food. This has grown to 1000 square meters of market gardens growing a complete range of vegetables that change with the seasons. There is also a 180 square meter greenhouse which has traditional italian heirloom tomatoes and eggplants. Every month the garden evolves and changes to perfectly fit it's very own microclimate. There are 40 chickens, 8 honey bee hives and a bumblebee hive as well. The aim of the farm is to work with nature rather than against it, that is true from the chickens, bees and no-dig market garden - everything plays a role.

Talks/Demonstrations:  

Nadia will hold a 45 minute 'No Dig' gardening talk. The cost is $4 per person.

Opening Days and Times: 

Sun 19th Feb 9am - 4pm 

Garden Name: The McBuxton’s Patch 

Address: Kauri, Whangarei 

Property Description:  

David and his family moved to their 2 acre property in Kauri in late 2020. The land surrounding their house was almost entirely in kikuyu. They established their vegetable patch without spray, and using no-dig methods. Weed mat strips are now used on the borders to contain kikuyu. Their garden is mostly organic using local and Fonterra sourced compost for the veges and fruit trees.   

They are also establishing an orchard as well as a large multi-variety banana patch which is coming into production this year. The young avocado trees will also produce their first crop this year.  

At any one time there are usually have some crops doing well, something doing less well, something still growing, and plants gone to seed. On most days of the week there is something to harvest from the garden.  

The children are also keen gardeners and each has their own vege patch. There is a selection of swings hanging under some poplar trees kids which kids are welcome to play on. Tea and coffee for a gold coin and a toilet will be available. 

This property is just off SH 1, visit this on the way to/from mid-North gardens. 

Opening Days and Times:  

Sun 19th Feb 1pm - 4pm 

Parking:  

There is a moderate amount of parking onsite. The adjacent roadside is not suitable for parking. 

Garden Name: Blagrove Family

Address: Tikipunga, Whangarei

Property Description: 

Donald and Phyllis have a wonderful one acre property that is a mixture of native bush and edibles. There is a huge range of fruiting edibles including bananas, sugar cane, citrus, plums, peaches, pears, vines, berry cages and countless herbs. Permaculture methods are on display here as herbs, edibles and flowers are all interspersed together to encourage beneficial insects and healthy plants.

Many of the herbs and plants are used as beneficial tonics and digestive supplements.  A worm farm is used as well as horse manure to fertilise the plants and fruit trees. A flock of hens also have their own area on the property and tui are regular visitors. A 'short drop' compostable toilet was purchased a year ago and is available for use on-site. A must-see for anyone interested in buying or building their own system.

Donald and Phyllis are both retired and spend their days creating and working in their beautiful gardens. They both have a great knowledge of gardening and are happy to share their knowledge. 

If you are heading North or South on SH 1, take the Vinegar Hill Road to see this wonderful edible property. 

Opening Days and Times: 

Sun 19th Feb 1pm - 4pm

Parking:

Please park on the grassed area at the front of the property.

Garden Name: Māra Kokotoha 

Address:  Maunu, Whangārei

Property Description: 

Come visit us at Māra Kokotoha to explore our efforts in reclaiming grazing areas with edible and native plants. You can see a banana garden, seedling bench, effective poison-free possum traps, a baby citrus orchard, and the beginnings of understory regrowth under tōtara. 

We'll also offer an all ages educational scavenger hunt. Trampoline and climbing dome available to distract little kids while you learn about composting.

Talks/Demonstrations: 

Throughout opening hours:

- Feel free to talk to us about paddock reclamation, possum control, starting seedlings in a slug zone, banana harvesting, chicken coop design, and native plant revegetation.

All ages scavenger hunt during the day.

Sunday 11am: EcoSolutions Whangarei will provide a workshop on the different composting systems that EcoSolutions offer: compost bins, wormfarms and bokashi bins. Full details can be found via this link:

https://www.ecosolutions.org.nz/pages/copy-of-check-out-our-free-composting-programme 

Opening Days and Times: 

Sun 19th Feb 10am - 4pm

Parking: 

Take the middle driveway just off SH 14, continue down the driveway and veer left when you see the 729 sign. The driveway is about 1 km long and park on-site in the paddock once you arrive at the property. 

Garden Name: Wai A Ariki Food Forest Onerahirahi 

Address: Corner of Church St and Whimp Ave, Onerahi,  Whangārei

Property Description: 

Wai A Ariki Food Forest Onerahirahi began 7  1/2 years ago by volunteers who have turned an unused messy corner of council land into a thriving edible garden. Hundreds of fruit trees, vines, bananas and vege gardens are now spread throughout this wonderful community garden. The property is classified as a drainage reserve and receives over half of the Whangarei airport surface water during rainfall. Dams have been created and the irrigation is setup to water the plants when needed.

The gardens are 100% donated, gifted, volunteered by the people for the people without government funding for 7 and a half years. The area is spray free and many groups of volunteers meet regularly to keep on top of the weeds and to help and learn in this wonderful setting. School groups also visit to learn about gardening. Produce is gifted to whanau, community and general public of all creeds and races all benefit from the fruits of our Combined time presence and energy 

Volunteers will be on site during the trail to answer any questions. 

Opening Days and Times: 

The community garden is open 24/7. 

Entry is free, however any weeding is appreciated!