About Troppo

Plants are like little superheroes for our well-being, injecting a burst of vitality into our lives! 🌿✨ As life speeds up, we crave that deep connection with nature more than ever. Enter plants, with their superpowers: they nourish us, calm us, add rich textures and vibrant colors to our surroundings, and even clean up the air we breathe. 🪴🌸 They're our bridge to the natural world, making our lives richer, happier, and healthier. So, let’s give a cheer for plants, the ultimate life enhancers! 🌼🌱

A little guidance on selecting plants for a specific purpose, such as privacy screening, erosion control, and attracting wildlife in New Zealand

Selecting the right plants for landscaping in New Zealand requires considering the specific purpose of the landscaping project. Here are some recommendations for different purposes: Privacy Screening Pittosporum tenuifolium (Kohuhu) Features: Dark green to purple-black leaves, small fragr...

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Plant Swaps and Community Gardens: Engaging with local plant enthusiasts through plant swaps and community gardening projects to share knowledge and resources.

Engaging with local plant enthusiasts through plant swaps and community gardening projects is a fantastic way to share knowledge, resources, and foster a sense of community. Here’s how you can get involved in plant swaps and community gardens to enrich your gardening experience and connect with fell...

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Quick Guide on Prioritizing Tasks Using the Eisenhower Matrix and ABCDE Method for Food Forests, Gardening, and Syntropic Agroforestry

Prioritizing tasks effectively is crucial for maximizing productivity and efficiency in your food forests, gardening projects, and syntropic agroforestry systems. Here’s how you can use the Eisenhower Matrix and the ABCDE method to organize your tasks. Eisenhower Matrix The Eisenhower Matrix, also...

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red and yellow flowers in the garden

Fruit Tree, Vegetable, and Gardening Planting Calendar – A Broad Brushstroke for our NZ climate

The Bay of Plenty region enjoys a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters, making it ideal for growing a wide range of fruit trees, vegetables, and other garden plants. Here is a comprehensive planting calendar to help you plan your garden activities throughout the year. Fruit Tree Pla...

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Feijoa Growing Guide for New Zealand: Sweet, Tangy, and Easy to Grow! 🌿🍈

5 Steps to Feijoa Success Autumn and spring are an ideal time to plant feijoas in most areas of New Zealand. Plant at least two different varieties. Even self-fertile varieties will produce a better crop if pollinated by other varieties.  Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets. Add a layer of citrus & fruit mix to plant into.  Feed fejioas regularly from spring to harvest. Water deeply and regularly from mid to late summer when the fruit is developing and ripening. Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown feijoas.

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Cucumber Growing Guide for New Zealand: Fresh and Crunchy Success! 🥒🌿

5 Steps to Cucumber Planting Success Create a support structure or frame for cucumbers to grow up. Choose a warm, sunny spot. Spring and summer are the best times to plant cucumbers in New Zealand.  Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets, then add a layer of vegetable mix to plant into. Water and feed your cucumbers regularly as they grow in spring and summer. Also ensure good ventilation around plants. Harvest cucumbers regularly to encourage flowering and fruiting. Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown cucumbers.

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Beetroot Growing Guide for New Zealand: From Seed to Sweet Success! 🌱🌟

5 Steps to Beetroot Planting Success Choose a spot in full sun and prepare your soil with organic matter like sheep pellets and compost.  Add a layer of vegetable mix to plant into. Beetroot can be planted year round in New Zealand.  Plant beetroot in rows about 50cm apart.  Feed beetroot with vegetable food throughout the growing season.  Water regularly and keep the soil moist.  Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown beetroot.

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Pear Growing Guide for New Zealand: Juicy Delights from Your Garden! 🍐🌿

5 Steps to Pear Planting Success Choose an open, sunny position sheltered from strong winds for your pear tree. Pears are partially self-fertile. Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets.  Add a layer of citrus and fruit mix to plant into. In New Zealand winter is the optimum time to plant pear trees. Feed your pears in spring and summer to encourage maximum flowering and fruiting. Mulch and water well, particularly over the warmer months. Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown pears.

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