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Past entries
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18May2020
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After hand milling macrocarpa tree with electric chainsaw I was looking for a project to utilise the rugged timber and decided to create a rugged arbour behind the house to improve the look and feel while usefully supporting some deciduous fruiting vines, the hardy kiwi berry.
This area had never really been well used, despite being so close to the house and easily accessible via the concrete pathway. Part of this project involves improving the productivity of garden.
After coming up with a suitable plan there was a decent amount of work clearing the existing plants and attempting to eradicate the twitch grass. I imagine this is going to take several passes. At this stage it has been sown in a cover crop for winter.
Concrete footings were cast with galvanized metal brackets to create a sturdy base, elevate the posts to keep them dry and make any future repairs reasonably easy.
Melisa helped assemble the heavy timber framework and metal piping.
Final phase is the planting of the vines (waiting patiently in pots) and training them up and over the arbour frame.
May 18, 2020
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17October2019
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CCSP Kaikoura 6 monthly tour of blockhill
Details Once again the students from Kaikoura CCSP visited for a tour and explanation for the method.
Date October 17, 2019
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01September2019
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20 times Super Host!
Thanks AirBnB but we're not impressed with the crappy key and excessive packaging. I can just imagine all the creative meetings and brainstorm session that produced this monstrosity... (shudder)
September 01, 2019
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25August2019
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A bespoke rain gauge
Our high tech, digital rain gauge device finally failed and rather than replace it with another complex 'solution' I decided to construct a more basic, traditional instrument, only on a larger scale. Essentially this is just a funnel that intercepts and collects a given area of rainfall and concentrates it in a narrow tube, magnifying the results for easy measuring.
I purchased a cheap stainless steel funnel with a diameter of 52mm connected to 2 meters of clear plastic tubing with a diameter of 12.5mm.
The ratio of cross-sectional area between the two diameters is 17 so each 1mm of rainfall gathered by the funnel displays as 17mm in the tubing.
The tap at the bottom is required to drain the gauge after each measuring period.
August 25, 2019
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15August2019
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A plague of rats
What with an abundance of edibles and great places to hide at blockhill there has been something of an epidemic of rats. While we are generally happy to share with all the creatures it gets a little concerning when they can be heard chewing on things in the ceiling. Fearing our water pipes and electric cabling might be damaged we decided to push back. With a little help from Victor we were soon dispatching rats (also named Victor) daily.
August 15, 2019
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08May2019
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Something I'd been planning to do for a while. Not a big project, just needed to sit down and work out the basic dimensions and materials then throw it together. The main features are a reciprocal roof consisting of 6 beams supported on 6 poles for the walls. Some metal sheeting on the rainy, windward side and chip limestone on the floor. Rubber roof membrane with ferocement to top it all off.
May 08, 2019
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02April2019
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Predatory insects
Since arriving at this location in 2009 and allowing it to revert to a more natural way while introducing lots of new biodiversity, we have noticed a continual increase in the numbers and types of insects and other small creatures. There is a whole world of barely noticed activity where spiders and flies, ladybugs and butterflies live out their tiny dramas...
Here a preying mantis devours a fly on a pear tree.
April 02, 2019
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23March2019
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Planting shelves
I grow a lot of plants and trees from seeds. One space saving way that I have come up with is to use the vertical wall space at the back of the house where my nursery is located. Adding these metal 'gutters' as plant growing shelves has given plenty more growing area situated at perfect working height.
March 23, 2019
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11September2018
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Natural woven flax weed mat
Details Here's a simple technique for reducing weeds in a small garden. Biodegradable woven flax mats with seeds or small plants added in the gaps.
Date September 11, 2018
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Monarch butterflies enjoying blossoms in the forest garden
Details We've had plenty of nice, sunny warm weather and the monarch and red admiral butterflies are getting into the stone fruit blossom, brassica flowers and tagasaste nectar.
Date September 11, 2018
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05August2018
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Ever since we got our first kune kune pigs we had imagined tethering them, or using them on a leash to 'mow' grass in various areas where free ranging pigs would be a disaster. Our most recent addition, Potamus, is proving to be very willing and trainable and quickly got the hang of the harness and the resulting reward of visiting fresh pasture.
August 05, 2018
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30March2018
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March 30, 2018
Feature article profiling blockhill in Canterbury's Latitude magazine.
Words by Lucinda Diack, Words and more
Photos by Jane Thompson, Pegasus Communications
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13March2018
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Round wood timber construction
Details A newly created 'roof' for grapes to climb and better weather protection for the firewood shed.
Date March 13, 2018
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19December2017
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First internship
Another first for blockhill, hosting an overseas intern / student for 3 months. Zach joined us in September for a deep immersion permaculture internship and learning experience as part of his agronomy studies. As anticipated he participated in a wide range of activities and events.
December 19, 2017
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04December2017
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Star tetrahedron rising in Kaikoura
Details Constructed from recycled 10mm steel rod as a gift for my mother-in-law.
Date December 04, 2017
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Visit from Tree Crops North Canterbury
Details We enjoyed a hot and sunny afternoon touring 11 people from the North Canterbury Tree Crops group. I think our alternative and rather unorthodox approach and philosophies were quite an eye opener for most of them...
Date November 04, 2017
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01November2017
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eco-cabin profiled in Good Magazine
Our much loved eco-cabin accommodation has just become a little bit more famous after featuring in a nice write up in the November - December issue of Good Magazine.
November 01, 2017
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Details Our yearly ritual of dressing in aged wedding attire and making a photo shoot to mark the passing of time. This year we had the assistance of intern, Zach, behind the camera to make things more creative.
Date November 01, 2017
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25October2017
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October 25, 2017
Earlier in the year we hosted Sam and Hilary as they made their way around the country, photographing and writing for a book about unique hideaways. Finally the book is ready and we made the cut.
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06October2017
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Details We've been working flat out with our Intern, Zac, and so it's been a while since our last horn tooting photo update. So here it is, bellbirds, blossoms, native nitrogen fixers and food forest progress. Enjoy and then get out there and invite nature into your bit of the world.
Date October 06, 2017
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09May2017
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Knowledge tours
Details Students from the Kaikoura Creation Care Study Program spent an afternoon at Blockhill touring and learning about forest gardening, water catchment and other aspects of sustainable land use.
Date May 09, 2017
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18March2017
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Details Another project that can finally be crossed off the to-do list. The earthquake in November 2016 caused cracking in the brick wall behind our fireplace. While it was still standing and looked ok we were not happy about having this unstable stack of bricks there waiting to come down. I decided to remove most of them before another quake brought them down and caused damage to the hot water pipes that passed through to the log burner. It also allowed for the insulation of these pipes which had foolishly never been done in the first place.
The project required carefully chiselling the bricks apart and reducing he height of the wall to a satisfactory level. Than a concrete bond beam was poured, encasing the top layer of bricks, locking it all together. Finally, after adding some additional timber framing the opening was covered by mini corrugated sheet metal.
Date March 18, 2017
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09March2017
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Banjo is her name
Details It seemed like a good idea (at the time) to get a puppy. Banjo is fox terrier / jack russell cross and bursting with energy and an insatiable need to chew on things.
Date March 09, 2017
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28February2017
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Details Ah summer, so hot and dry... Well it has been a good year for fruit, considering the ongoing drought. I spend a lot of time moving hoses around, delivering precious water to young trees, tending vegetables and propagating new plants from seed and cuttings. Several 'construction' projects are under way including an 'upgrade' to roof water distribution and shipping container bunk house. More about these in due course.
Date February 28, 2017
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31January2017
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Details It's been a hot, dry summer (again). Despite the ongoing drought things are looking fairly good. Most of the trees have a decent amount of fruit set with apricots already harvested and drying. There are lots of flowers buzzing madly with insects. Guest numbers have picked up again post earthquake and now all we could wish for is a drop of rain.
Date January 31, 2017
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14November2016
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Blockhill survives 7.8 earthquake with off-grid resilience
We were shaken violently awake around midnight on the 14th of November as a series of massive earthquakes rocked the region causing widespread damage. Fortunately we (and the guests who were staying) were not hurt and all buildings and infrastructure at blockhill came through virtually unscathed. Lots of broken plates, jars and bottles but with a freezer full of food and a functioning solar backup system and hot water heating array we are living comfortably. The garden is supplying more salad and beans than we can eat and the chooks are laying a steady stream of eggs.
Electricity was restored on the evening of the 15th but there is no indication of when water pumping will resume. Fortunately we have a big water tank and a couple of rainwater tanks just in case.
Aftershocks continue to roll in but things have quieted down considerably.
Despite the poor access over cracked and slipping road, we have had a number of locales pop in to make sure things are ok here. Since there is so much damage to the coastal Kaikoura road there is a focus on opening up the inland route, which connects to our road, so we are seeing a lot of heavy machinery heading through that way.
November 14, 2016
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01November2016
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8 Years Wedding Anniversary
Details So we made it eight years so far and the traditional gifts are either bronze or salt.
Date November 01, 2016
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17September2016
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Food Forests, Permaculture & Water Harvesting
Olmec will show you how he and his wife Melisa designed permaculture-style food systems by nurturing and enhancing the natural features of their land. Together they have created a diverse, beautiful and bountiful environment.
During a tour of the property, you'll learn about planning an integrated system that includes plants and animals, natural methods of fertilising and soil conservation. Olmec will also demonstrate how to drought-proof your property using swales; that is, earth-shaping to harvest water.
Contribution: 2 time-bank credits or $10 suggested fee
To register contact: Belinda Meares, 03 314 3406, tbhlearningexchange@gmail.com
(Car-pooling can be arranged).
September 17, 2016
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14August2016
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Garden working-bee
A group of us gathered to help install a new vegetable garden for Heidi and Nuk out at Gore Bay. Many hands made things progress quite quickly and we were able to create and plant an area directly beside the house for easy access as well as a new contour garden mound in what was lawn.
August 14, 2016
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07March2016
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Once again I will be presenting to students at the BHU organic training College in Lincoln. The 2 hour talk will cover rainwater collection via land shaping (swales, terraces and hugelkultur), soil conditioning for improved water holding capacity (PDF download) as well as forest gardening (PDF download).
March 07, 2016
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22January2016
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Details A quick new year tour in January. Things look a little dry after 18 months of drought.
Date January 22, 2016
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09October2015
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We recently had a visit from Cosmo Kentish-Barnes. He interviewed us and toured the property for his show 'Country Life' on Radio New Zealand. We chat about our lifestyle, water harvesting systems, pigs and more.
October 09, 2015
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19September2015
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Digging with a digger
There's always digging to be done and much as I love moving earth about it is hard, tiring work. Sometimes it pays to get a machine to help. A little bit of diesel goes a long way and having an efficient operator helps also.
This year we did some more terracing, created a large catchment pond, some additional swales and a flat area for a future natural building. All in a days work at blockhill.
September 19, 2015
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13September2015
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12September2015
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Drought proof edible landscaping - presentation
As part of the Cheviot Spring Festival, Olmec will be explaining how to create a water wise forest garden. Learn how to outsmart drought and develop lush landscapes full of edible plants.
The talk will be held at 10am and 3pm at the school community room
September 12, 2015
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24August2015
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Details Secret swale at west end of workshop. Planted with bulbs, tagasaste for nitrogen and quick frost canopy over lemon and climbing kiwifruit. Ground cover of oregano and alpine strawberries.
Date August 24, 2015
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31July2015
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Shed upgrade
Details Progress has been made on the upgrade of our chook and pig shed. The overall objective is to reconfigure the north facing side of the building as under cover growing space that we can rotate the chooks through.
Date July 31, 2015
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08March2015
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Food forest gardening site visit, tour and workshop
We enjoyed showing our garden and emerging food forest to a group of curious individual from the greater Hurunui district. About 20 people made the journey out to Blockhill to learn more about our version of food forest gardening. The event was organised as part of the Hurunui Time Bank Learning Exchange Program
March 08, 2015
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02March2015
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15January2015
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Details A short video exploring the emerging food forst in summer
Date January 15, 2015
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23December2014
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Greenhouse
Details A well designed, large greenhouse is great way to grow plants that otherwise would have a limited season or not be possible to grow at all. Here we are growing (from left to right) tomatoes, purple passion fruit, thai ginger (galangal) and babaco (mountain pawpaw)
Date December 23, 2014
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03December2014
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Freshly created swale
Details It's never too late to add another swale, it's just a matter of squeezing it in amongst the existing plantings, fences and other obstacles.
The swales not only do a fantastic job of capturing and infiltrating surface runoff during rainy times but also break up the land in interesting and attractive ways.
Date December 03, 2014
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27November2014
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Details Here is quite exposed to the wind but has water nearby and with the addition of some swales and several years of cover cropping things are starting to improve. Many young trees have been planted here including walnut, butternut, hazelnut, gevuina, soap nut, tagasaste, alder, acacia, cape broom, flax, persimmon, fejoa, apricot, bamboo, pear, peach, loquat, dogwood, pomegranate, gooseberry, raspberry, rhubarb, asparagus, green tea, kiwifruit and many more.
Date November 27, 2014
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Details Recently constructed wood filled mounds on contour with preliminary plantings of fruit, nuts and berries with some shelter trees.
Date November 27, 2014
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Details This photos shows a young area of planting where pigs and chickens roam free. Largest trees are tagasaste, alder and almond at around 3m. An assortment of fruit trees about 2-3 meters including peach, apricot, apple, cherry. Some black currants and an assortment of flowers and herbs. Additional wind protection and nitrogen fixation from acacia (tasmanian black wood) and cape broom.
Date November 27, 2014
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25November2014
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Details Five years ago this was short cut open grass with a scattering of apple, plum, pear and almond trees. Over the years we have been converting it into a multi functional zone with mixed under story of beneficial herbaceous plants, paths, clearings and swales. Some new shrubs and small trees such as cranberry, black current and citrus have been included also.
Date November 25, 2014
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18September2014
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Friendly kereru regularly visit the orchard
Details Seen sitting here in one of the older plum trees, one of the local wood pidgin helps thin blossoms before flying heavily to the next tree.
Date September 18, 2014
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12September2014
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Garden tours
Details As part of the local Cheviot Spring Festival we opened our garden to the public. Being so far out of town we didn't expect a lot of interest but were pleasantly surprised. Friday was a beautiful day and we showed a steady stream of interested people around the garden and food forest areas. Saturday was grey and a little damp but a few adventurous people made the journey and took the time to explore and learn. All up we must have shown 20 people through, many more than I had expected.
Date September 12, 2014
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25July2014
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Details We used the opportunity of having a small excavator on site recently to construct 5 wood filed raised growing mounds on contour.
This technique is often called hugelkultur and exploits the ability of rotten wood to absorb and hold amazing quantities of water which is later made available to plants growing nearby.
The end result was 5 mounds about 7 meters long and half a meter high, each packed with a full trailer load of rotten willow logs and a wheel barrow of pig manure.
An assortment of fruit trees and berry shrubs has been planted along side in various locations to capitalise on the moisture, slow release of minerals and micro-climate effects of wind, shelter, sun and shade.
Date July 25, 2014
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