Learn to use a scythe This workshop covers the details of using and caring for a traditional Austrian scythe. These tools are ideal for keeping smaller areas of grass under control. You will learn about: Safety Correct setup for your body Posture, motion and technique for effective use Different blades for different jobs Sharpening and repairing 1 and a half hours scythe education $60.00
Create a simple flax basket Learn how to weave a traditional Maori square basket. Made from natural flax fibre grown at blockhill, this simple pattern can be used to create baskets of various sizes.Identify, harvest and prepare flax leaves before weaving a small basket to take away.1 hour education craft weaving $40.00 View 4 photos
Day trip to the 'farm' Come to Blockhill for the day! Bring a picnic and your gumboots. Explore our young food forest, meet the Kune Kune pigs, free-range chooks, and Muscovy ducks. A great place to enjoy the country with the birds and bees. Suitable for groups of 1 - 8 people.Adults $10 - Children $5 - (Children under 5 yrs - free)
Drought proofing with water wise land shaping and rain harvesting strategies Tour the numerous terraces, swales and water other catchment systems and learn how they intercept, redirect and retain water in the landscape Witness how swales and raised beds can be deployed in a food forest setting and how they benefit chickens, ducks and pigs Discuss and demonstrate various tools and techniques Rainwater harvesting, tanks, piping and pumps Utilising grey water and run-off with trees and gardens Digital presentation and discussion covering key concepts and strategies in bad weather 2 hours swale water education $80.00 View 4 photos
Foragescaping / Food forest gardening Explore the extensive, established forest garden Learn how to create and exploit niches Mixed and companion planted polycultures and guilds Plant succession for ecosystem transition and transformation Beneficial insects Working with chooks, ducks and pigs Overview of useful hand tools Digital presentation / slideshow in bad weather 2 hours food forest education gardening permaculture $80.00 View 4 photos
Learn to graft fruit trees Grow your knowledge of fruit tree cloning through the ancient art of grafting. Learn by seeing and doing with hands on examples and one on one tuition and explanation. We will cover: Collecting and storing grafting (scion) wood from desired trees Understanding and propagating rootstocks Grafting tools and techniques View many examples of grafted trees of various types, complexity and age 2 hours July August September grafting education trees propagation $80.00 Scion wood for grafting
Effective fire making Details Master the art of starting and utilising fire, essential for cooking, heating water and much more. Locate, identify and create suitable kindling Work safely with axe and saw Build and light different types of fires Duration 1 hourPrice $40.00
Where are we... Blockhill is located between Kaikoura, Cheviot and Hanmer Springs. Check out the map. How to get hereAbout our location
