Whangarei Gardens
Below are the fabulous edible garden properties in the Whangarei area that are participating in the third Northland Edible Garden Trail in February 2024.
Whangarei Gardens are open between the 10th and 11th February (check opening days and times carefully).
Garden Name: Land of the Lotus Watergardens & Banana Park
Address: 304 Mangakahia Rd 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:
Sat 10th Feb 9 am-4pm
Sun 11th Feb 9 am-4pm
Garden Name: The McBuxton’s Patch
Address: 558 Crane Road, 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 and pine post peelings for mulch.
They are also establishing an orchard as well as a large multi-variety banana patch. The banana patch now produces a new year-round excess with small crops of fruit depending on the varieties.
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 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:
Sat 10th Feb 9 am-4pm
Sun 11th Feb 9 am-4pm
Parking:
There is a moderate amount of parking onsite. The adjacent roadside is not suitable for parking.
Garden Name: Blagrove Family
Address: 5 Waitaua Rd, 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:
Sat 10th Feb 9 am-4pm
Sun 11th Feb 1 pm-4pm
Parking:
Please park on the grassed area at the front of 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!
Garden Name: Thomas Lauterbach
Address: 773 Mt Tiger Road, Parua Bay, Whangarei
Property Description:
Thomas works as an artist on a beautiful rural 5 acre property surrounded by native bush in Parua Bay. Thomas has numerous fruit trees, vege gardens and abundant grapes which he makes into grape juice and also distills into grappa. There is also an active tad pole pond, where people can learn how to raise bel frogs in the garden!
Thomas spent many years in the mid-North and was good friends with Friedensreich Hundertwasser who passed his concept of a compostable/humus toilet onto Thomas who built this fantastic and functional structure on his property. Thomas will run a 'Build your own compostable/humus toilet workshop' as part of the trail.
See attached video of a simple humus toilet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zNFSIRH-Ls
Talks/Demonstrations:
How to build a Hundertwasser inspired humus/compostable toilet. 11am Sat 10th February
Opening Days and Times:
Sat 10th Feb 9 am - 4pm
Closed Sunday
Parking:
This property has limited on-site parking which is reserved for disabled parking or for drop-off only. Please park in the clearway opposite 664 Owhiwa Road beside the School Bus Turns sign and walk to the property.
Garden Name: Apocalypse Gardens
Address: 158 Corbett Road, Hikurangi, Whangarei
Property Description:
This six year old garden spans across 3.5 acres and returns to the trail this year to display significant hardscaping and rock formations which have been completed in the last twelve months. An oasis which is guaranteed to reveal plants you've never seen before. The property was previously grazing paddocks on clay soil and was then extensively mulched to create rich soil where plants thrive with little intervention. There are a huge number of species planted alongside subtropical landscaping in order to create their own piece of paradise. Both owners have a keen interest in plants, their passion and enthusiasm for growing is the foundation of their relationship. Food forests, banana plantations, pip and stone fruit, citrus, berry houses, mediterraneans, feijoa collection, banana, papayas and more.
If you have clay soils and want to see what can be achieved then this amazing property is the place for you.
This property is just off SH 1, visit this on the way to/from mid-North gardens.
Talks/Demonstrations:
Using mulch to transform clay into rich plant ready soil:
Sat 3rd Feb 10am & Sat 10th Feb 10am
Introduction and demonstration of a Hansa c7 chipper. Discussing the pros and cons of a small petrol chipper/shredder.
Sat 10th Feb 2pm
Opening Days and Times:
Sat 3rd Feb 9am - 4pm
Sun 4th Feb 9am - 4pm
Sat 10th Feb 9am - 4pm
Sun 11th Feb 9am - 4pm
*Note this property is just off SH 1 so is also open on 3/4th Feb for those travelling to the Mid North garens
Garden Name: Lisa’s Garden
Address: 10 Taha Road, Kauri
Property Description:
The property was purchased in 2016, with a goal to making an edible property, with a nod to homegrown fruit and vege.
It has been an ongoing journey over the last seven years, with every year seeing new additions to the property. Last years additions include, a blueberry house, bee hives, water chestnuts, and an
extension to the garden and cottage gardens.
With a large family to feed the property includes two orchards, with a small subtropical garden space, a semi-formal potager, and gardens, filled with herbs, flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees to give a cottage garden type feel.
Parking:
On site, park in the bottom paddock please. Signs will be out to guide you.
Also available disabled parking at the top carpark.
Please keep driveway and Taha Road clear.
Opening Days and Times:
Saturday 10th February 9am - 4pm
Closed Sunday 11th
Garden Name: Our Home Grown Journey
Address: 36 Taihoa Rd, Parua Bay, Whangarei
Property Description:
Our Home Grown Journey started as a facebook blog for Rebecca and her family of four to share her fruit and vege plantings and ducks with family and friends and has turned into an online community where inspiration, motivation and ideas are shared. They are 6 years into their journey and have extensive vege gardens, fruit trees, ducks, and pigs on a beautiful 1.5 acre property in Parua Bay.
Rebecca sells her surplus produce and eggs and is aiming for near self sufficiency with fruit, veges and meat from her ducks, pigs and meat chickens. This is a wonderful property and shows what can be achieved when you start on the edible journey.
Talks/Demonstrations: Tours of the property
Opening Hours:
Closed Saturday 10th Feb
Open Sun 11th Feb 9am - 4pm
Parking: Limited parking is available on-site. Additional car parking is available on the main road
Amenities: Toilet
Name: Willowywisp
Address: 43B Kauika Road West, Avenues, Whangarei
Property Description: With increasing home and land prices Vanessa settled on a 500sqm property in town where she has managed to be almost self-sufficient in fruit/veges as well as keep chickens. She tries to manage everything organically and has a rainwater tank with approx 25 different fruit trees and 7 different garden beds.
This property will also feature Ethnic, Contemporary and Fusion Dancing and will include food and refreshments. All proceeds will go towards supporting a young dancers dream to attend the Kairos Dance Convention later this year.
This is a wonderful edible garden property and if you like neat, tidy and orderly then this property is definitely for you!
Opening Hours:
Closed Saturday 10th Feb
Open Sun 11th Feb 9am - 4pm
Talks/Demonstrations: Vanessa is happy to share her garden and ideas in the hope that it will inspire others.
Parking: Please park on Kauika Road West and walk up the right of way.
Garden Name: The Onoke Oasis
Address: 119 Dip Road, Te Kamo, Whangarei
Property Description:
Ben and Emerald moved to their one acre Te Kamo property in 2019. The large section was a huge attraction to the couple who have enjoyed developing the garden into their own, with a focus on rare fruit, subtropicals and cut flowers.
Ben’s plant passions are diverse with a special interest in subtropicals and cacti. The garden showcases a wide range of rare and wonderful plants including many fruiting species such as atemoya, jaboticaba, casimiroa and pabachi to name a few.
In 2022 the couple developed a new cut flower garden which has formed the basis for Emerald’s small business Emerald Garden Flowers; offering seasonal cut flowers to florists and bouquets through various outlets.
The couple’s two young daughters love to help in the garden; helping to mulch, weed and plant. Spending time in the garden with the kids is important to the couple.
A build your own bouquet bar will be open across the weekend, visitors can purchase flowers by the stem. Kids are also welcome to make their own posy jars for $5. Fresh lemonade will be available for a gold coin donation. Mature trees provide lovely shady spots for a picnic should you feel that way inclined. We look forward to meeting you.
Opening Hours:
Open Sat 10th Feb 9am - 4pm
Open Sun 11th Feb 9am - 4pm
Parking: Parking is available on the road but may require a walk. Please be aware that the road has an 80km speed limit so please take care.
Garden Name: Wai Spot Farm, NCF
Address: 60 Old Parua Bay Rd, Parihaka, Whangarei
Property Description:
Our 22 acre property is a work in progress, ever evolving with various methods of growing. Currently, most of the land is in grazing paddocks. There is a 1/2 acre veggie garden near the house that is interspersed with fruit trees. The new addition of this garden is a pineapple bed. A small greenhouse is used for starting spring veg and growing veg year round. There is a one acre paddock that has recently been planted using Syntropic Agroforestry principles. This fall, we begin the long term project of converting a majority of our property into a native and edible forest.
We our trialling a variety of plants including water chestnut, sunchoke, mexican sunflower, mashua, yacon, tumeric, ginger, sugar cane, inga bean, pineapple, and tagaste. We compost using bins, worms, manure, and chickens in deep bedding. And, yes, most of our gardens have weeds. We'd rather not use sprays and manage weeds enough to grow some food.
Talks/Demonstrations:
Self-guided tour map provided. After viewing edible sections, we recommend walking along farm road that parallels the Waioneone stream.
Opening Hours:
Saturday 10 February 9 am - 4 pm
Sunday Closed
Parking:
Come down our drive, parking in paddock across from barn.
Garden Name: Grow Paparoa Community Garden and Passata Day
Address: 2070 Paparoa Valley Road
Opening Hours:
Saturday 10 February 10 am - 3 pm
Grow Paparoa Inc was originally set up 11 years ago on the grounds of Paparoa’s old bowling club. It has always been a volunteer organisation helping people to grow their skills firstly in arts and craft, then it progressed to an abundant food producing garden.
Grow Paparoa Inc runs one or two workshops each year, most recently a Tomato Growing Workshop.
Our gardens produce seasonal food all year round for two local foodbanks.
Volunteers work the gardens only 2 mornings per week – Thursday and Friday and harvest on Sunday.
A huge amount of fresh produce goes to those in need each year.
On Saturday 10th February Grow Paparoa Inc invite all to the gardens for their annual Passata Day where you can not only enjoy looking around the gardens but you can ALSO join in our passata making celebration.
Entry to the gardens during the Northland Edible Garden Trail on 10th Feb is $3 per person, and if you wish to enjoy a delicious Italian lunch made freshly before your eyes on the day by a local chef then we just ask for a small koha. All funds go back into the gardens.
Please read below to learn about our Passata Day. Simply for catering purposes, if you would like to join us for lunch (which will be around 1 – 1.30pm) we would greatly appreciate you letting us know. Our gates will be open from 10am until 3pm.
We start our passata making process at 10a.m. – we put batches of tomatoes through each half hour so if you ARE wanting to bring your own tomatoes to turn them into passata for yourself, you DO need to book in a time. Please have your tomatoes washed and ready to process, knives and boards are provided. Also bring jars or bottles with sealable lids (these need to have been steralised beforehand). You can sterilise in your dishwasher. Remove rubber seals and lids, place on the top rack and run on a hot wash. Only use hot water, do not put any cleaning solutions in your dishwasher. We will reheat them before placing the cooked Passata into them. We will boil your lids to sterilise them before you seal.
· Lunch is included. Once again we will have a retired chef onsite cooking up his favourite spaghetti bolognaise, we will have gluten free pasta available as well as ordinary. We have a vegetarian pasta dish as well. Salads will be made from our own gardens. Hopefully there will still be beans available to cook.
· Please bring your own refreshments and glasses plus a camp chair, we have a few but certainly not enough.
· There will be shade cover on the day.
· REMEMBER, we need to know how many to cater for so you do need to register, please register by emailing: janmareedallas@gmail.com
· Lastly, garden entry is $3.00 but we ask for a koha if you are staying for a meal. All funds go towards keeping the gardens growing and providing good fresh fruit and vegetables to those in need in our community.
Garden Name: Raw, Real and Rural
Address: 207a Doctors Hill Road, Maungataroto
(Note this is not Doctors Hill Road in Ruakaka, this is Doctors Hill Road in Maungatoroto)
Property Description:
We’ve been planting fruit/veges for 3 years and lived on The Land not for 1 half years. We are steadily converting 4 ½ acres of rolling grassland into a diverse landscape full of interesting and eclectic gardening experiments!
Take a wander through the veggie garden, the Chicken Jungle, the Red Row and the Feijoa Patch or wade through the ‘we’ll get around to it one day’ knee-high grass in the young orchard.
It’s a work in progress for sure but full of inspiration, experimentation and ideas. This is a great property to visit if you are starting from scratch so you can learn and see what is possible on the edible journey.
Wild Weeds Walk & Talk
A short workshop dipping into some of our more common edible & medicinal plants.
We spend time walking, chatting & looking at plants. Learn how to identify common plants that you can work with to create food & medicine to deeply nourish your body, your family & your garden.
This is a taster session for those interested in beginning their journey with plants.
For more visit: https://www.nurtureaotearoa.com/plant-medicine-journey
Open Day and Times:
Saturday 10 February, 9:30am - 4pm
Workshop:
Wild Weeds Walk and Talk: 2:30pm
Garden Name: Mikes Container Garden
Address: 16/2 Second Ave, Whangarei.
(Rear brick unit)
Property Description:
With increasing food prices I decided to 'grow my own' and to be as self-sufficient as possible. As a result I have a combined vegetable and orchard container garden that shows considerable promise.
The garden currently has 50-60, 7litre containers (plastic buckets), over 80 -42 litre containers (plastic tubs) and about 15-20 60 litre (plastic tubs). Each tub has an average of 4 plants. One of which is usually a perennial, (usually a fruit tree) while additional seasonal vegetables are grown around the edge of each tub. This means that each tub is a miniature garden and as central perennial (trees) grow, some will have to be replanted outdoors or into larger containers.
Using containers means I can move my fruit and veges and position then to receive the sun (or shade) throughout the year.
This is an excellent example of being able to grow your own fruit/veges if you are either renting, have poor soil, do not have adequate space to grow or are planning to move and want to take your crop with you!
Open Day and Times:
Closed Saturday
Open Sunday 11 February, 9:00am - 4pm
Garden Name: The Maunu Garden Project
Address: 29 Cemetery Road, Maunu, Whangarei
Property Description: A 1 acre maara (garden) cared for by volunteers with the purpose of growing people and growing produce.
This maara is special in a way that words could not describe. One has to visit to feel the spirit of the whenua. There is a gathering of people on this whenua as diverse as the practices that culminate in producing huawhenua, laughter, collaboration and "growth". Our produce is gifted at no cost back into local communities. Empowering human kind and kind human to tend, nurture, grow, harvest and share produce
For Sale: Plants and produce.
Open Day and Times:
Saturday 10 February, 9am until 8pm
Workshop: 7pm Saturday 10th February
Biodynamic Regenerative Agriculture presented by Rachel Pomeroy,
See post below for more details of the workshop.
Workshop - Biodynamic Regenerative Agriculture
Saturday 10th February 2024 7pm
Venue: The Maunu Garden Project, 29 Cemetery Road, Maunu, Whangarei
Presenter: Rachel Pomeroy, Hawke's Bay, NZ
7pm "Introduction to the Biodynamic preparations and how they can be used in practice on any garden or farm"
Cost: Koha
Rachel is a leading expert in this field and has run numerous workshops in NZ and around the world. She has just spent 1 month running Biodynamic Regenerative Agriculture workshops in India.
Check out more about Biodynamic Regenerative Agriculture:
www.youtube.com/watchv=yyO9SyeO4ww
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyO9SyeO4ww
