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Persimmons

Written by Anna-Marie Barnes
This article was first published in Lifestyle Block

10 year old espaliered Fuyu persimmon at harvest, Nelson region. Photo: A & B Phillips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Persimmons

May is the peak season for fresh persimmons in New Zealand, with supermarket shelves and market stalls now laden with this increasingly-popular fruit, which looks somewhat like a squat miniature pumpkin-tomato hybrid.  As a home garden specimen tree, the persimmon offers not only a plentiful source of fruit heading in to the winter months, but also a brilliant display of colour as its foliage turns in the autumn. [Read more…] about Persimmons

Table Grapes

Written by Anna-Marie Barnes
This article was first published in Lifestyle Block

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Table Grapes

In a land where wine grape-producing vineyards are a dime a dozen, if you mention table grapes to the average New Zealander, their thoughts will likely settle on the large bunches of majestic-looking but rather tasteless imported fruit to be found in supermarket chillers year-round. But if we cast our memories back, many of us can probably remember a sprawling vine tucked in a corner of our grandparents’ section or running along the fence line of a childhood home. Nothing screams autumn like the musky-sweet scent of homegrown grapes, hiding in amongst their leafy surrounds and just waiting for the keen eyes of a backyard treasure-hunter.

I’ll be up-front and admit I am a huge fan of older, ‘heritage’ fruit varieties, so if you are looking for thin- skinned, largely seedless delights, avert your eyes…on the plus side, grape skins and seeds are packed with antioxidants, so no harm in chewing them up. This article is a walk through some heirloom delights, big on Wavour, character and hardiness. I believe they deserve a place in your garden and might just help Xll your fruit bowl before the cooler months hit. [Read more…] about Table Grapes

Waikato Branch Annual Tree and Plant Sale 2021

Saturday 3 July 2021 – 8 am to 12 pm
Venue: Hamilton Gardens, Governor’s Green

To get there; Enter Gate 2 from Cobham Drive, Governor’s Green is the grass area opposite the carpark.
 
Everyone welcome to sell and buy
 
Buyers – There will also be a good range of public stalls selling tree crops and plants, ornamentals, farm trees and natives, perennials, cuttings and produce.  
 
The Waikato Branch of NZTCA will have a stand with club information and a small assortment of fruiting plants suitable for the home garden. 

Sellers – Set up and sell, this is a great way to sell any trees, seedlings, herbs, garden plants, gardening-related equipment or any excess produce.

  • No pre-allocated sites
  • Please email and tell us what you will be selling waikato@treecrops.org.nz
  • Sellers must be set up by 8.00 am
  • Commission 10% of sales

CASH OUT service – AEGIS Private Security Ltd will be joining us this year to provide a ‘cash out’ service. Please note there is a $2 charge to withdraw cash.
 
Any queries, please contact: waikato@treecrops.org.nz

Dick Roberts Photo Competition Winners 2021

Winner: Michelle Derecourt, Canterbury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Finalists

Anne Dickinson, Nelson

 

David Wayne, Nelson

Michelle Derecourt, Canterbury

Mzia Khmaladze, Wellington-Horowhenua

Mzia Khmaladze, Wellington-Horowhenua

TreeCropper 105

 

Contents

2  From the editor
3  President’s report
4  Correspondence
5  Yerba Mate
7  Growing commercial peanuts in NZ
8  New Year’s honour for member
9  High Health Orchard
12 Linden trees
16 Nitrogen fixing in sugarcane
18 Sugarcane in Waikato
21 Conference 2021
23 Wish Trees
31 Farmable Orchard app
33 Apple acidity
35  Hot climate apples
36  Index
38 Kombucha
38  Tip to reduce myrtle rust
39  Pips & Pieces
40  Subscriptions

TreeCropper 104

Contents

2  From the editor
3  President’s report
4  Correspondence
6 Birds in the orchard
9 Honeyberry research update
11 Okinawa spinach
13 Ecosourcing plants
16 Ecosourcing nursery Q&A
19 Using glyphosphate
23 Measuring your carbon footprint
26  Auckland Conference 2021
27  Conference field trips
29  Growing jackfruit
30  Conference speakers
31  Making gorse rum & ice cream
33 Multi-grafted apple tree
35 The papaya project
39 Knowledge in a nutshell – Vicky Mee
41  Year round fruit on a 1/4 acre
42  Wassailing
43  Damson gin liquer
44  Palm honey
46  Genetic diversity and biocontrols
47  Pips & Pieces
48  Subscriptions

TreeCropper 103

Contents

2 From the editor
4 President’s report
6  Correspondence
7  Highly recommended plum varieties
10 Harlequin ladybird 14 Eating acorns
18  Acorn recipes
19  Cider
21  Hops
22  Saffron milk caps
26 Growing truffles
29 Creating an orchard using permaculture principles
33 Otto Muller, inventor
37 Japanese raisin tree
39  Pips & Pieces
40  Subscriptions

TreeCropper 102

Contents

2  From the editor
3  Best branch newsletter
4  President’s report
5  Check your envelopes
5 Correspondence
7  Auckland conference
8  Platycodon grandiflorus (doraji root)
10 Honeybees and salt
14 Lingonberry
21  How to be a successful plant hunter
22  Four thieves vinegar
24 Meadowsweet
26 Macadamias & bananas
30 Comfrey as a mineral accumulator 33 Edible roses
35 The story of Granny Smith
37  New Zealand’s oldest/most popular apple
38  Dick Roberts Photography Award photos
40 Cold plasma blasting
42 New chestnut processing techniques
44  Uses for apple skins
45  Dr Don McKenzie Award recipients
47  Pips & Pieces
48  Subscriptions