Tag Archives: New Zealand

26 Apr

Events and Community Engagement

Epic Te Puke’s Picture-Perfect Easter Trail: A Community Celebration and Economic Boost

• April 27, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Despite the weather, the Epic Te Puke event was a resounding success, bringing the community together for a day of fun and creativity. Held at Jubilee Park, the Picture Perfect Easter Trail showcased the talent of local photographers along the scenic Te Puke Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway. This free commu...

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25 Apr

Events and Community Engagement

More Than Just a Day Off: Pausing to Remember Anzac Day in Te Puke

• April 27, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Anzac Day 2025: Te Puke Remembers | A Tribute from Troppo.nz Today, April 25th, 2025, the familiar rhythms of life here in Te Puke take on a different cadence. The usual bustle associated with our orchards and the title of 'Kiwifruit Capital of the World' gives way to a quieter, more reflective atm...

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23 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Cultivating Passionfruit in Te Puke: Tips for Abundant Harvests (Including My Favourite!)

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome to the lush world of passionfruit growing right here in our beautiful Te Puke! At Troppo.nz, we're passionate about helping you bring the taste of the tropics to your own backyard. Passionfruit, with its vibrant flavour and exotic aroma, thrives in our Bay of Plenty climate, offering the pot...

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22 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

The Ultimate Guide to Growing Bananas in Your Bay of Plenty Garden

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Dreaming of harvesting your own sweet, creamy bananas right here in the Bay of Plenty? You might be surprised to learn that with a little know-how, this tropical delight can thrive in our beautiful corner of New Zealand! While we're not exactly the tropics, our warm summers and relatively mild winte...

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21 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Growing Avocados Successfully in Te Puke: A Comprehensive Guide

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome to the ultimate guide for growing luscious, creamy avocados right here in our beautiful Te Puke! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this comprehensive resource from Tropo.nz will walk you through everything you need to know to cultivate your own avocado bounty. Te Puke'...

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20 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

How to Maximize Sunlight in Your Te Puke Garden for Tropical Fruit Production

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome, fellow fruit enthusiasts, to the Troppo.nz blog! Here in sunny Te Puke, we're blessed with a fantastic climate for growing all sorts of delicious tropical and subtropical fruits. But even with our abundant sunshine, understanding how to make the most of it is key to a truly thriving garden ...

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19 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Understanding Te Puke’s Rainfall Patterns for Efficient Irrigation

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome to the Troppo blog! Here in sunny Te Puke, the heart of kiwifruit country, water is life. Whether you're a seasoned orchardist or just starting out with your own patch, understanding our local rainfall patterns is key to using water wisely and keeping your plants happy and healthy. This post...

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17 Apr

Troppo Articles, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Cyclone Tam’s Fury Brushes Te Puke: Northern Communities in Our Thoughts

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Well, Cyclone Tam has certainly made its presence felt here in Aotearoa! While we in Te Puke haven't borne the brunt of its full force like our whanau up in the Far North, let me tell you, that wind has been something else! For the past day or so, a constant, howling gale has been whipping through ...

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17 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Identifying and Managing Common Pests and Diseases in Te Puke Gardens

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Identifying and Managing Common Pests and Diseases in Te Puke Gardens Welcome to all our fellow green thumbs in beautiful Te Puke! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting to dig in the fertile Bay of Plenty soil, you'll know that along with the joy of watching your plants thrive comes t...

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16 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Choosing the Right Aspect for Your Garden in Te Puke’s Unique Terrain

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Choosing the Right Aspect for Your Garden in Te Puke's Unique Terrain Welcome, fellow green thumbs, to the wonderful world of gardening in Te Puke! Known as the Kiwifruit Capital of the World, this region boasts a rich horticultural heritage and a climate that can support a fantastic array of plant...

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15 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Using Mulch to Regulate Soil Temperature in Te Puke’s Variable Climate

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome to the Troppo blog! Here in beautiful Te Puke, we know all about the ups and downs of our weather. From scorching summer days to chilly winter nights, our soil can experience quite a temperature rollercoaster. But there's a simple yet incredibly effective tool that can help your garden thriv...

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14 Apr

Crop Swap Te Puke region, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Community Garden, Te Puke Region Food Co-op, Troppo Articles, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

A Community Building Toolkit for Bay of Plenty, New Zealand: Cultivating Edible Landscapes Together

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

1. Introduction: Sowing Seeds for Community Resilience The Vision of Community Food Forests in the Bay of Plenty Community food forests, also referred to as forest gardens, represent a holistic approach to land management that draws inspiration from natural forest ecosystems.1 Unlike conventional ...

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14 Apr

Events and Community Engagement, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Troppo Articles, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Cultivating the Future: Jared’s Food Forest Tour in Rural Te Puke – Inspiring Youth and Kai Resilience

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Here at Troppo.nz, we're passionate about showcasing initiatives that build a more sustainable and resilient future for Aotearoa. Our recent collaboration with Jared on a visit to his burgeoning food forest in rural Te Puke was a truly inspiring experience. We witnessed firsthand his dedication to c...

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12 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Permaculture Principles for a Thriving Home Garden in Bay of Plenty

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome to the wonderful world of permaculture gardening! Here at Troppo.nz, we believe that creating a flourishing and productive home garden in our beautiful Bay of Plenty doesn't have to be complicated. Permaculture offers a simple, yet powerful, set of principles that work with nature, not again...

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11 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Creating Your Own Urban Food Forest in Te Puke, NZ: A Step-by-Step Guide

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Imagine stepping out your back door and into a lush, edible paradise. A place where fruit trees, berry bushes, and useful herbs grow in harmony, providing fresh, nutritious food right at your fingertips. This isn't a far-off dream – it's the reality of an urban food forest, and you can create one ri...

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09 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Integrating Native Plants into Your Urban Food Forest for Enhanced Biodiversity

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome to the Troppo.nz blog! Today, we're diving into a fantastic way to make your urban food forest even more vibrant and beneficial: by weaving in some of our amazing native New Zealand plants. You might be thinking, "Food forest? Native plants? Do they even go together?" The answer is a resound...

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07 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

How to Build a Vertical Food Forest for Limited Space in Te Puke

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Living in beautiful Te Puke often means enjoying the outdoors, but what if you have limited garden space and still dream of fresh, homegrown produce? The answer might just be a vertical food forest! This innovative gardening technique allows you to grow a surprising amount of food in a small footpri...

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06 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Understanding Soil Health in a Permaculture Garden: Te Puke Edition

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome, fellow green thumbs and aspiring permaculturists! Here at Troppo.nz, we’re passionate about creating thriving, resilient gardens that work with nature, not against it. And at the heart of a successful permaculture system lies one crucial element: healthy soil. Especially here in our beauti...

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04 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Composting Secrets for a Nutrient-Rich Food Forest in Your Backyard

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Imagine stepping into your backyard and being greeted by a thriving food forest – lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and the promise of delicious, homegrown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. It sounds like a dream, right? Well, one of the biggest secrets to making this dream a reality lies right under you...

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02 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Understanding Te Puke’s Microclimates for Optimal Tropical Fruit Growth

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome to Troppo.nz! If you're passionate about growing delicious tropical fruits right here in Te Puke, you've come to the right place. While our region is famous for its kiwifruit, the diverse landscape also creates pockets of unique conditions – what we call microclimates – that can be perfect f...

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01 Apr

Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Protecting Your Tropical Plants from Frost in Bay of Plenty: Practical Tips

• April 14, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome fellow tropical plant lovers! Here in the beautiful Bay of Plenty, we're lucky to enjoy a generally mild climate that allows us to grow a fantastic array of lush, exotic plants. However, even in our little slice of paradise, the threat of frost can rear its icy head, potentially damaging or ...

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20 Feb

Crop Swap Te Puke region, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Community Garden, Te Puke Region Food Co-op, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Our Mission: Cultivating a Thriving, Regenerative Future

• April 27, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Our Mission: Cultivating a Thriving, Regenerative Future We are committed to creating a thriving, sustainable food forest that not only nourishes our local community but also serves as a model for regenerative agriculture in the Bay of Plenty and beyond. By fostering deep connections between people...

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16 Feb

Troppo's Plant Collection

Banana ‘Musa Acuminata var. Zebrina’ – The Striking Blood Banana

• February 18, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Grown in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, NZ, the Banana Musa Acuminata var. Zebrina, popularly known as the Striking Blood Banana, has captivated plant enthusiasts with its vibrant foliage and unique appearance. Its striking red and green speckled leaves add a dramatic flair to any garden or indoor space, m...

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01 Feb

Troppo Articles

Action Items for the Month of February Vege Planting in Bay of Plenty, NZ

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome back to the Tropo blog! February in the Bay of Plenty is a fantastic time to get your hands dirty and plant some delicious veggies. The heat of summer is starting to ease, and the soil is still warm, creating perfect growing conditions for a variety of crops. Whether you're a seasoned garden...

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20 Jan

Events and Community Engagement, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Brett’s Omanawa Food Forest Tour in the Bay of Plenty

• April 27, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Brett’s down-to-earth, true blue Kiwi approach to cultivating a thriving food forest in the Bay of Plenty is nothing short of inspiring. His philosophy revolves around keeping things simple, practical, and genuinely accessible, ensuring that anyone—whether a seasoned grower or a complete newbie—can ...

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01 Jan

Troppo Articles

Get Growing in the New Year! Your January Veggie Planting Guide for Bay of Plenty, NZ

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Welcome to the start of a new year, and for us green thumbs here in the sunny Bay of Plenty, that means it's prime time to get some delicious veggies in the ground! January offers a fantastic window for planting a variety of crops that will thrive in our warm, humid climate. This guide will walk you...

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24 Aug

Troppo Articles

Pawpaw in Invercargill? Tropical Fruit Thriving Down South!

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Growing pawpaw in Invercargill and bananas in the Waikato might have seemed unusual in the past, but not anymore, says Aaron McCloy, a tropical fruit tree grower. McCloy, who owns Far North Tropicals, has been shipping his warmth-loving plants across New Zealand, and demand has quadrupled each year ...

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08 Jul

Troppo Articles

Plants Biosecurity Index

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

The Plants Biosecurity Index (PBI) is a searchable database of over 30,000 plant species. It provides information on whether they can be imported into New Zealand as seeds or nursery stock. For a more in depth search please visit the MPI website.

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27 Jun

Troppo Articles

Fruit Gardener’s Diary for the Year in New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 13 comments

New Zealand’s diverse climate allows for a wide range of fruiting plants to be grown throughout the year. Here is a month-by-month guide to help you plan your fruit garden, including planting, caring, and harvesting activities for the most common fruiting plants grown in New Zealand. January P...

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27 Jun

Troppo Articles

Flower Gardener’s Diary for the Year in New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

New Zealand’s diverse climate allows for a wide range of flowering plants to thrive throughout the year. Here is a month-by-month guide to help you plan your flower garden, including planting, caring, and enjoying the blooms of the most common flowering plants grown in New Zealand. January Pla...

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27 Jun

Troppo Articles

Vegetable Gardener’s Diary for the Year in New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

New Zealand’s temperate climate allows for a wide variety of vegetables to be grown throughout the year. Here is a month-by-month guide to help you plan your vegetable garden, including planting, caring, and harvesting activities for the most common vegetables grown in New Zealand. January Pla...

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27 Jun

Troppo Articles

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

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

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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13 Feb

Troppo Articles

Holly Havoc: The Invasive Charm of Ilex aquifolium & Ilex cornuta in New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

Greetings, fellow garden enthusiasts and nature warriors! 🌿 Today, we’re uncovering the prickly truth about Holly – specifically, Ilex aquifolium (English Holly) and Ilex cornuta (Chinese Holly). These festive-looking plants may conjure up images of holiday cheer with their spiky leaves and bright r...

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20 Dec

Troppo Articles

Beware the Beauty: The Invasive Charm of Bear’s Breeches in New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

Hey there, nature protectors and plant aficionados! 🌿 Have you ever encountered the striking Bear's Breeches, or Acanthus mollis, in your garden or local wild spaces? This plant, with its bold foliage and towering flower spikes, might look like a garden superstar. But behind its stunning appearance ...

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04 Dec

Troppo Articles

The Tangled Tale of Old Man’s Beard: An Invasive Invader in New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

Hello, fellow nature lovers and weed warriors! 🌿 Today, we’re unraveling the story of one of New Zealand’s most notorious invasive plants: Old Man’s Beard, or Clematis vitalba. This fast-growing vine might look like a fairy tale with its fluffy, beard-like seeds, but don’t be fooled! It’s more like ...

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07 May

Troppo Articles

The Puzzling Problem of Contorta Pine: An Invader of New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

Hello, nature lovers and environmental champions! 🌲 Today, we’re focusing on a tree that’s causing quite a stir in New Zealand’s landscapes: the Contorta Pine. Known botanically as Pinus contorta and commonly referred to as Lodgepole Pine or P. murrayana, this tree is part of the Pinaceae family. Wh...

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25 Apr

Troppo Articles

The Fluffy Foe: Battling Woolly Mullein – Verbascum thapsus in New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 5 comments

Hello, fellow gardeners and nature defenders! 🌿 Today, we’re turning the spotlight on a plant that might look soft and innocent but is causing big problems across New Zealand: Woolly Mullein, or Verbascum thapsus. This tall, fuzzy invader with its bright yellow flowers is more than just an unusual s...

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22 Feb

Events and Community Engagement, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz)

Byron’s Vision: Cultivating a Thriving Food Forest in Aotearoa

• April 27, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

From Soil to Sustenance: A Journey of Regenerative Growing Tucked away in the lush landscapes of New Zealand, Byron is weaving a vision of food sovereignty, biodiversity, and resilience through his food forest. His journey is not just about growing food—it’s about reconnecting with nature, restorin...

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12 Mar

Troppo Articles

Experience the Bay of Plenty, NZ Like a Local

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Explore the Beaches Mount Maunganui (The Mount): A local favorite for its stunning beach and hiking trails. Climb to the summit for panoramic views. Papamoa Beach: Quieter than The Mount, great for a relaxing day by the sea. Visit Local Markets Tauranga Farmers Market: Held every Saturday morn...

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22 Feb

Troppo Articles

The Persistent Pest: Tackling Twin Cress – Lepidium didymum in New Zealand

• April 28, 2025
• By Troppo
• 0 comments

Hello, green thumbs and eco-warriors! 🌿 Today, we’re shedding light on a small but mighty invader that’s been creeping its way across New Zealand’s gardens and farmlands: Twin Cress, or Lepidium didymum. This tiny troublemaker may be easy to overlook, but its impact on our ecosystems is significant....

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