Gardens at Awhi farm
The free draining soils in the shadow of the mountain Pihanga and next to Lake Toupo are an incredible site for the development of a beautiful bountiful community growing project. Arriving at Awhi farm is a wonderful opportunity to sample some delicious home grown organic fruit and vegetables (I don't think strawberries and wine berries have ever tasted so divine!)
In the last year and a half at Awhi farm a huge range of fruit and nut trees have been planted, to ultimately provide food and education. The project is designed to establish a sustainable model for spin off local food growing projects around the area based on 'local food from local people'. We are working with local marae, schools and community development projects to include them in their own food production rather than relying on expensive chemical based cropping.
Currently we are hard at work creating a local organic food source for the convergence in April. Later the infrastructure created for the convergence is designed to develop into a more locally based operation to bring some well needed funds back to the farm to continue the work with local people and develop the site to become a welcoming example of sustainable community development. The raised vegetable and cutting beds have been established and designed around permaculture organic growing.
To create this we have observed the resources that are available locally and have used these to their maximum potential. The local gardeners are all actively encouraged to bring their green waste to us to be turned into compost for the gardens and hot water for the shower thus bypassing the fees incurred at the refuse station and bringing a valuable resource onto the property. This is mixed with the local worm infused lake weed and wood chip and used as an excellent compost and soil conditioner for our raised beds.
Using a system of raised beds has meant that the plants are receiving a wonderful boost of nutrients, the soil is benefiting by increasing the organic content as well as reducing the soil disturbance thus protecting and assisting the soil microbes and mycorrhizae so they are free to enter the raised beds and assist the plants as well as the soil. We are also bypassing the direct complications of free draining soil and complications with mineral content and feeding the plants the best of what they need to flourish.
Currently we are looking towards winter planting. Our cooler season crops ie broad beans, carrots, beetroot, garlic, and the brocolli family are popping in with a few leeks and onions as companions. As well as a binge of leafy greens and edible flowers for late summer and convergence salads. These are all fed with a fertilizer mix including home grown honey and EM (effective microorganisms) to maintain healthy plants and if disaster strikes raw milk for the pests and bad fungi. Together this mix will hopefully see us having a fantastic crop for the convergence and beyond.
The 'cut and come again' beds project is one way the infrastructure created for convergence will later develop in to a funding opportunity for the farm. Selling fresh organic salad and baby vegetables to restaurants and public for a reasonable price will allow us further opportunities to develop food awareness in schools and local communities and show how easy it is to grow and eat delicious and organic without needing expensive imported out of season food.
We are in NZ and we can do this! This will feed your brain, your body, your community and your earth.
If you would like to come and see organic permaculture gardening techniques in practice, we accept wwoofers especially in the runup to the convergence, where we will need a lot of help but year round people are welcome.
