Christchurch NZ self sufficent(ish)

This is the place to discuss not just allotments but all general gardening problems and queries which don't fit into the specific categories below.
(formerly allotments and tips, hints and problems)
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Mahy
margo - newbie
margo - newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:22 pm

Christchurch NZ self sufficent(ish)

Post: # 81340Post Mahy »

We moved to NZ 3 years ago with a dream of being more self sufficient. So far we live in suburbia. All around us are manicured lawns that are over watered and over pampered. Most people in our neighborhood don't have pets or if they do its a dog 3 inches high or a fluffy cat.

Then there is us, 2 adults, 3 kids, 3 chickens (we had 5, one went to the table and sadly the puppy took one), 2 dogs and a cat. We have enough lawn for the kids to have a swing etc on and then the rest we have given over to a vegetable plot and a berry plot. We also have 2 appple trees, a plum and apricot.

Its been a learning curve trying to grow (on completely infertile soil that has needed continual care to restore it), think backwards with the seasons but amazing to see the kids sitting in the garden eating stuff they wouldn't touch if I got it from the shop and offered it to them.

They are turning into food snobs, when my 6 year old is offered an apple she will ask if its organic, if the person replies no she sighs disapprovingly at them and asks for it to be washed and peeled and washed!

We also have a great butcher, ALL his meat is local free range, a lot is certified organic, all is hormone free.

We gathered elderflower from country lanes this year and we have a shelf full of fizzy pop. Would like to know more about foraging in NZ.

This year we are taking the plunge and looking for a place with more land (and neighbors who don't ask what type of birds my chickens are).

Any other people from Canterbury out there!?!?!?! :flower:
Trying to make our foundation in creation

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Milims
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 4390
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:06 pm
Location: North East

Post: # 81343Post Milims »

Hello and welcome to this fabby place! Hope you have lots of fun. We're not from Canterbury - but I do have a friend in Christchurch NZ - but sadly we have lost touch :cry: nonetheless - she is still my friend! I hope that you are very happy on this site and make lots of new interweb friends!
Let us be lovely
And let us be kind
Let us be silly and free
It won't make us famous
It won't make us rich
But damn it how happy we'll be!
Edward Monkton


Member of the Ish Weight Loss Club since 10/1/11 Started at 12st 8 and have lost 8lb so far!

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old tree man
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 1661
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2007 3:57 pm
latitude: 54.5619 N
longitude: 0.9874 W
Facebook Name: Don't have one
Location: North yorkshire

Post: # 81345Post old tree man »

Hi and welcome
nz always looks a wonderful country shame were to old to make the move
otherwise we would go in a flash.
hope you enjoy the site
all the best
Russ :flower:
Respect to all, be kind to all and you shall reap what you sow.
old tree man,
aka..... Russ

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red
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 6513
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:59 pm
Location: Devon UK
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Post: # 81359Post red »

hi and welcome :flower:
Red

I like like minded people... a bit like minded anyway.. well people with bits of their minds that are like the bits of my mind that I like...

my website: colour it green

etsy shop

blog

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Annpan
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 5464
Joined: Thu Dec 14, 2006 2:43 pm
Location: Lanarkshire, Scotland

Post: # 81366Post Annpan »

welcome to 'ish :wave:

sounds like you'll fit right in here :cheers:
Ann Pan

"Some days you're the dog,
some days you're the lamp-post"

My blog
My Tea Cosy Shop
Some photos
My eBay

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Millymollymandy
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 17637
Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 6:09 am
Location: Brittany, France

Post: # 81374Post Millymollymandy »

Hiya and welcome!
nz always looks a wonderful country shame were to old to make the move
I've just read in the paper about a British man who is 102 who is emigrating to NZ!!!

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old tree man
A selfsufficientish Regular
A selfsufficientish Regular
Posts: 1661
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2007 3:57 pm
latitude: 54.5619 N
longitude: 0.9874 W
Facebook Name: Don't have one
Location: North yorkshire

Post: # 81396Post old tree man »

Wow still hope for us yet :clock:
problem is i love this country but loath the cretins that run it :pukeleft:
Respect to all, be kind to all and you shall reap what you sow.
old tree man,
aka..... Russ

farmerdrea
Living the good life
Living the good life
Posts: 346
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:25 pm
Location: New Zealand
Contact:

Post: # 81491Post farmerdrea »

Hello, Mahy! We're in Canterbury, out between Sheffield and Oxford, off the main road between. You're welcome to call in - just PM me through the website. From where did you emigrate? We came to NZ 5 years ago, and love it here.

Andrea
NZ

Growing Mama
margo - newbie
margo - newbie
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:18 am
Location: New Plymouth, New Zealand
Contact:

Post: # 81492Post Growing Mama »

Hi there, I am in Taranaki (the naki) but I have family in christchurch and my little brother (25years little) is in Invercargil! NZ is a great place isn't it!
Mum to two gorgeous kids
Lily (3) the Princess & Jack (17mths) the non walking climber!

ina
A selfsufficientish Regular
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Posts: 8241
Joined: Sun May 22, 2005 9:16 pm
Location: Kincardineshire, Scotland

Post: # 81501Post ina »

Hiya Mahy - and weldome to the Ishers!

I'm impressed by your kid - she (or he) might do a lot to educate the adults into eating healthy food!
Ina
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)

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