Your Garden Coach

01/06/2026

New episode now live!

This month, we are catching up with the Early Winter garden schedule.

Listen here: www.yourgardencoach.nz/podcast

28/05/2026

Have you heard about the benefits of Biochar? If you are in the Hawea/Wanaka district and you'd like to see how it's made, and charged. Email [email protected] for more details

06/05/2026

New Episode Now Live!

Maura is riding solo for this one so don't be too harsh 😝

What to do in the garden in Late Autumn, all things Pumpkins and Foraging in May.

Listen Here: www.yourgardencoach.nz/podcast

21/04/2026

Bit of a shock to see today’s soil temperature!! It’s dropped 4.5 degrees in 2 weeks. Time to get the cloches out 🥶🌡️

21/04/2026

Mother’s Day - bring the family along for games, entertainment and local produce stalls.

21/04/2026

The first of two wonderful Harvest events in our Upper Clutha district. Pumpkins galore and loads of fun to be had. If you can’t make this weekend - Saturday 2nd May at the Hawea Food Forest - there’s another opportunity on Mother’s Day at Alpine Blooms farm on Camphill Rd. If you’re really into Harvest Festivals come to both events.

🎃 Pumpkin Festival – Next Weekend! 🎃
Looking for something fun to do the weekend after next? Head along to the Pumpkin Festival at Hāwea Food Forest. This is going to be a relaxed, community friendly day out for all ages.
Dr Compost Wanakafest Community Festival Grow Wanaka Wanaka Wastebusters Hawea Food Forest Your Garden Coach Wao Aotearoa
🌱 Hands-on workshops throughout the day
🎃 Bring your pumpkins for a chance to win a prize
🎨 Face painting, plus food and drinks available
💛 $5 per workshop donation supporting Hāwea Food Forest
📅 Saturday 2 May | 9am–2pm
📍 Hāwea Food Forest, 130 Domain Road, Hāwea Flat

Whether you’re keen to learn something new, enjoy a great local event, or just soak up the atmosphere, this is a lovely way to spend a Saturday.
Bring the whānau and make a day of it or just come along for a short while!

18/04/2026

New Bonus Episode Now Live!

Maura and I jumped in the car and headed over to Kurow, into the Waitaki Valley, to visit Awakino Station - a third-generation family farm run by Jaz Mathisen and her family.

And I have to say… this really is a homestead in the truest sense of the word.

From the kitchen garden and orchard, right through to the meat raised on the farm, everything comes together to feed not just the family, but the wider farm team - with everyone gathering around the table each day.

We spent time walking through the most beautiful kitchen garden, surrounded by these incredible shoulder-high stone walls, and just soaking in what felt like a very grounded, very real way of living.

Jaz speaks so thoughtfully about generational farming - the history, the stability, and what it means to carry that forward - and she also shares some lovely stories about the women who’ve helped shape this place over time.

And something else really special - Jaz has written a beautiful book, A Year at Awakino Station, which follows the rhythm of the four seasons and includes recipes from the farm kitchen. It’s now available in bookstores, and it’s one we’d really encourage you to get your hands on.

It was one of those days that will stay in our memories

Listen via www.yourgardencoach.nz/podcast or on your usual streaming platform 🎧

15/04/2026

The last of our tomatoes inside to ripen. We’re going to make some yummy green tomato chutney with what’s left in the tunnel house 🍅

10/04/2026

Maura’s homemade sourdough - with expert guidance from Dishes with Del - if you’ve ever wanted to make your own starter from scratch - sign up for this online course. You’ll get so pleased you did. It’s absolutely delicious. Well done Maura, and thanks Del