My first call is Rose who is just lovely and very keen to learn as much as I can show her. They have a huge section and have been there almost 60 years!
Lots of invasive weed issues from neighbouring properties. I was able to identify most of these and we talked about handling ones like moth plant with care and diligence.
They had experimented with two garden beds already and while largely untended, they are grateful to have harvested large amounts of silverbeet and cherry tomatoes that have self seeded mostly. Hubby tried growing riwai and kumara and I found the kumara leaves, but suspect being left to its own device the tubers of both may have rotted. I think there is lots of potential here, so excited to help her.
They have a friend working in a tyre shop so hopefully we’ll get some riwai started at the same time as her bed. Ideally we help people see this is not rocket science and even beds left to their own devices can produce something. We just need to remember where it is and to harvest…
Next stop and Maraea was also lovely. Told me her husband had passed away. She lives with a son and though the place was tidy she said she has struggled to keep on top of lawn mowing. She has a perfect spot for her bed in her small backyard and has been gifted rongoa seeds by a whanau member. She’s very keen to learn how to raise these and learn more, so I will help her with that. She’ll be so proud to get these growing.
Also I was able to talk to them about what they like to eat and tailor the seedlings to their tastes. Rose has heaps of silverbeet already. She loves Bok Choi and coriander but isn’t fussed on peas and beans. Maraea is happy with anything really but I’ll take some spare pots through to start her seeds.
Great start!
Rākau Tautoko 