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
Want to learn more or see things up close and personal?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Browse our selection of organically grown vegetable, flower and tree seeds. Hand harvested in Autumn from healthy plants growing in the blockhill forest garden.
Our collection sometimes includes imported seeds from popular permaculture shrubs and trees that are difficult to source locally.
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.
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.
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.
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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Food is my Favourite is a little rhyming book about a lot of yummy food. Narrated by a very hungry pig who is passionate about eating, the story is full of fruits and veggies, and covers topics like meals, food preparation, and not wasting food. Simple rhyming text and soft colourful illustrations make this a fun book for food lovers.
For preschool and primary school aged children, as well as young readers.
I am CAT is narrated by a shamelessly proud feline who is happy to be unique from other animals. The story touches on concepts of self esteem and uses humour to reveal some of the ways in which Cat prefers being himself above all else. With it's simple rhyming text and soft colourful illustrations, the story will appeal to preschool and primary school aged children. The larger size (28cm x 21cm) with the larger font also makes it a great book for early readers.
Paperback
32 pages
Colour illustrations
Spine: perfect sewnbound
Width: 280mm
Height: 210mm
Click the 'view photos' button to see sample images of the story.
The 'sequel' to I am Cat. I am Cat and That is Kitten is perfect for children who have just become a big brother or big sister. It explores the topics of siblings and sibling rivalry, learning to share, learning how to get along, and becoming friends. Written in rhyme with humorous illustrations, it demonstrates the feelings an older sibling might go through when welcoming a younger sibling into the family.
For preschool and primary school aged children, as well as young readers.
