Welcome gardeners, visitors and guests

Nestled in the stunning natural landscape of New Zealand, Blockhill is more than just a garden - it's a living, breathing testament to regenerative living and ecological harmony

 

Attractive, productive ecosystems

Attractive, productive ecosystems

Details   Whether you're here to deepen your knowledge, immerse yourself in nature, or be inspired to embark on your own ecological journey, Blockhill is a place where growth - both personal and environmental - thrives. Join us in celebrating and cultivating a sustainable future, one seed at a time.
Food forest gardens

Want to learn more or see things up close and personal?

Come visit, relax, learn and enjoy.

Grow your knowledge and skills

Grow your knowledge and skills

Learn more about sustainable living and organic gardening, energy efficiency and permaculture design. Explore, discuss and take part in practical, land based activities.
We offer a selection of informative and educational activities and workshops for individuals and small groups.
Day trip activities

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Arriving at blockhill

Arriving at blockhill

You have arrived at blockhill, 966 Leader Road East.

If the gate is shut please contact us before entering, unless you have an appointment. Otherwise you may wish to explore the website and learn more about our forest garden.
Contact Details
Participate and learn

Participate and learn

Since 2012 we have been sharing our knowledge, produce and lifestyle with motivated volunteers.

If you'd like to come and stay and help out with our day-to-day activities, we happily exchange some of your time and efforts throughout the day for education, inspiration and comfortable accommodation surrounded by the permaculture food forest garden.
Volunteer exchange

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Arriving at blockhill

Arriving at blockhill

You have arrived at blockhill, 966 Leader Road East.

If the gate is shut please contact us before entering, unless you have an appointment. Otherwise you may wish to explore the website and learn more about our forest garden.
Contact Details
Weekend Experience

Weekend Experience

An overview of forest gardening, water and land management,

A personalised experience that will inspire and feed your creativity.

$490 (includes 2 nights accommodation)
Weekend Experience

Where are we

Blockhill is located between Kaikoura, Cheviot and Hanmer Springs, about 2 hours scenic driving North of Christchurch.
You'll find us easily with mobile mapping and driving directions
View map How to get here Related info

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Arriving at blockhill

Arriving at blockhill

You have arrived at blockhill, 966 Leader Road East.

If the gate is shut please contact us before entering, unless you have an appointment. Otherwise you may wish to explore the website and learn more about our forest garden.
Contact Details

Want to see more?

Check out our photo gallery

Natural living

Seeking a better way to inhabit the earth

food forest - gardening the permaculture way

food forest - gardening the permaculture way

A food forest includes a diverse range of trees, shrubs, vegetables and vines to grow healthy, organic food in a multi dimensional, functional and interdependent biological system.
Arranging plants in natural, beneficial relationships creates a resilient, highly productive and attractive landscape.
Food forest gardens
Foodscaping - Edible Landscape Design

Foodscaping - Edible Landscape Design

Our consultancy specializes in foodscaping, an innovative approach to edible landscape design that transforms your outdoor spaces into productive and beautiful gardens.

Through our comprehensive garden design service, we empower you to create a sustainable, delicious landscape that nourishes both body and soul, bringing beauty and bounty to your outdoor space.
Foodscaping Service
Bunnies treats and chew snacks

Bunnies treats and chew snacks

Rabbits love to chew, and if you prefer they aren’t chewing your furniture, give them our amazing chew snacks to enjoy instead!

The chew sticks sold here are approved by Norman and Pickles, and are safe and nutritious for all healthy bunnies. Chinchilla and Guinea Pig customers are also welcome to enjoy our apple stick products.
bunnies.blockhill.co.nz
Related info
Buy fruit tree scion and bud wood for grafting

Buy fruit tree scion and bud wood for grafting

Check out our current selection and availability of scion and bud wood for grafting onto your own rootstocks and existing trees

We sell a selection of named and known varieties of fruit trees so you can add new flavours with multi grafting
Scion / bud wood for grafting Related info

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Spring grafting season for fruit and nut trees August - October

Spring grafting season for fruit and nut trees August - October

Wood is cut and graded in June for dispatch in July – August. On receipt, scion wood will need to be stored refrigerated until the appropriate local grafting time.

Length: 150 – 170mm with 3 - 4 buds

Diameter: 5 – 12mm


Grafting is the process of adding part of a known, desirable tree onto existing, growing roots of a similar species. This process offers many benefits such as having many types of apple on a single tree or influencing the characteristics of the tree such as size, soil requirements and disease resistance.
  May   June   July   August   September   October  
  graft  fruit  trees 
Scion / bud wood for graftingAll about Fruit Tree Grafting
Grafting After Care

Grafting After Care

In the weeks and months after completing the graft it is important to check back and follow up with basic care to ensure the graft stays healthy and has the best chance for success.
  • It is usually obvious after a couple of weeks if the graft has failed as it will have dried and shrunken. If the wood looks alive and the buds are full or opening then there is a good chance your graft will take.
  • Remove active growth and buds from below the graft point as this will take energy required by the healing graft.
  • If any of the buds on the freshly grafted wood are blossoms then these should be removed. Just pinch them off carefully with fingernails or clip with secateurs. This allows the branch to focus on healing the union and prevents any breakage caused by heavy fruit. This may be necessary on the following year also, depending on the style and state of the graft.
  • When the graft is part of a larger tree consider periodic pruning or bending down of old wood to encourage development of grafted part(s)
  • After several months check grafting tape / bindings are not strangling / girdling the healing graft. Some tapes are biodegradable and will split or peel after exposure to summer sun, others require manual splitting with a sharp blade to release the pressure.
  • Excessive sun and wind exposure can dessicate or dislodge grafts. If your rootstock is in a pot keep it in a sheltered location until the union is solid. A high humidity environment is ideal.
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