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Our Pick of Books about Gardening & Living off the Land.
There are a vast number of books available on gardening and self sufficiency. Unfortunately many of them are based around a Northern Hemisphere calendar and environment or are a bit lightweight on what you need to know.
We've put together our pick of really good relevant books to help New Zealand gardeners and small holders in their endeavours. Heaps of inspiration and practical know how in this lot. |
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| Organic Vegetable Gardening - Xanthe White |
From backyard bombsite to organic Garden of Eden in one year. Author Xanthe White, New Zealand landscape-design star, documents a year in the garden she built from scratch in a rundown inner-city backyard.
We love the fact it's arranged with a chapter for each month, making it a great companion to your gardening efforts throughout the year. Guides to sowing, planting, pests and diseases, making compost, mulching also make it easy for beginners to follow.
There's plenty for experienced gardeners here, too. Xanthe's tips and techniques will get even the most seasoned gardeners wanting to try some new ideas.
Most of all, she demystifies organics and makes it easy. Studded with great informational photographs, this book is an inspirational and practical guide. 343 pages |
| Code GE047 |
$55.00 |
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| Growing Mushrooms - Tim Thornewell |
This little book is packed with information by one of New Zealands leading mushroom and fungal experts. Tim has many years experience identifying and propagating mushrooms of all varieties in New Zealand.
The book contains methods of growing Oyster, Field, Shiitake and Giant Burgundy Mushrooms using straw, logs, sawdust, paper, mulch or compost.
A 60 page book of easy 'how to grow' information, recipes, interesting facts, and ways to maintain cultures for home growers, schools, hobbyists, beginner or experienced, young or old. |
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| Code: HH020 |
$19.50 |
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| Grasp the Nettle - Biodynamic Gardening & Farming. |
Biodynamics is a well known self supporting farming system which has no adverse environmental effects. It promotes soil enrichment and conservation.
If you're interested in understanding a bit more about the practical application of Biodynamic principles to farming and gardening then this is the book for you.
This is a revised and updated edition which includes practical observations and techniques on how to recognise healthy soil and pasture and how to make biodynamic preparations. |
| Code: GE086 |
$39.50 |
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| Designing Your Orchard - Kay Baxter" |
If you want to do a good job of planting your home orchard, this is the book you need.
Written for New Zealand conditions it covers everything you need to know - from the theory of Permaculture design to all the details, practical decisions and questions.
Includes chapters on pruning, plant selection, varieties of fruit trees, shelter, ground covers and planting.
This new revised edition is 174 pages long and includes up-to-date information about soil in particular. |
| Code: PS006KB $36.00 |
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| Managing Pests & Diseases - A Handbook for NZ Gardeners |
This sounds like a bit of a boring book but believe me if the parasites are preying on your persimmons or worse you will want to find out how to get rid of them.
At a whopping 380 pages you'll be hard pressed not to identify the culprit with this book. It includes chapters on pests, diseases, beneficial and biological controls, integrated pest management and a quick check bug guide.
A really good reference book for gardeners to have at hand when beasties strike. |
| Code: GE59 |
$45.50 |
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| Ginnys Herb Handbook - Ginny Clayton |
Ginny has a great herb nursery in Maungakaramea and has been growing and using herbs for many years. This brand new little book distills all her experience into a very friendly and useful guide to homegrown herbs.
From culinary herbs such as Thai basil and French tarragon to herbs for healing, including comfrey and chamomile, Ginny describes how to propagate, raise and maintain over 60 herbs using organic growing methods.
There are tips on how to plan your kitchen herb garden, companion planting, which herbs to plant to attract bees, and which ones repel insect pests.
Also included are delicious recipes using fresh culinary herbs that boost flavour and your health, and how to make herb oils, butters and vinegars and relaxing and refreshing herbal teas. Love it. |
| Code: OTO 34 $25.00 |
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| Lifestyle Farming in NZ - Paul Martin |
Paul started life as a townie and moved to a lifestyle block in his teens going on to become a vet in Northland servicing many lifestyle blocks.
His experiences led to the publication of this great book which is essential reading for anyone with a block of land and a lot of ideas.
200 pages covering raising sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, poultry and alpacas. Paul writes about common livestock procedures, handling and moving stock, animal health, machinery, pasture, feed and water management, fencing and tree farming.
There is also a chapter on orcharding, vineyards, cropping and leasing and patterns for building a small chook house. |
| Code: GE 058 |
$45.00 |
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| Companion Planting in New Zealand - Brenda Little |
We love this book, first published in the early 80's it was well ahead of it's time. Now reprinted for a new audience it goes through the wisdom and logic of companion planting.
It's organised alphabetically so if you've got an ailing plant or a problem pest you can go straight to it. It's also full of advice on the properties of different plants - like Fennel in the kennel deters fleas or Bay Leaves in your grains deter weevils.
Even if you are a bit of sceptic about companion planting this book will win you over and we guarantee you'll learn something. Like did you know Derris Dust is made from the ground up root of Derris Eliptica? Maybe you did. |
| Code: GE047 $26.50 |
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| Gardening with Worms |
This comprehensive manual about how to farm and use worms in your garden is written for New Zealand gardeners.
John Stemmer pioneered commercial worm farming in New Zealand in the mid 70's and we're lucky enough to have him living here in Motueka.
This little book has 100 pages about how to raise worms, what to do with worm castings and how to get worms in different areas of your garden. |
| Code: GE 064 |
$22.00 |
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