Pupa

The giant pupae of the Convolvulus Hawk Moth.

Found when digging our Kumara. Kumara belong to the same family as Convolvulus so share the same pests. This guy did not effect the Kumara harvest. I only wish I got to see the beautiful caterpillar.

Alligator weed

This is what large parts of our paddocks looked like before we started any alligator weed control.

Thanks to the great advice and hard work spent by the Regional Councils pest weed contractors we have found no plants on our property this season.

Yay!! Its taken hours that probably add up to a couple of weeks but it has paid off. I am now dreaming of re-planting my orchard and having more flexibility with the way I run things.

Not to mention no more poision!!

Moso

Our timber bamboo is growing. Every year we notice a difference. You can see this years growth as the new culms have a distinct white rings around each node. Moso turns a lovely yellow as it ages.

The stand is a lovely place to be when the wind is blowing the rustling leaves, when the sun is hot outside, when there are children running through it, when you want to imagine..............

This bamboo can grow up to 50cm a day in this location. I visit it regularly when it is first sprouting. It is such a powerful place to be.

Autumn harvest

Potatoes and popcorn.

It feels so good to put your food into a flax basket you have grown and woven yourself.