Organic Principles

How we started

Nikau Gardens was established using permaculture and organic principles as much as reasonably possible. The use of the land was initially determined by Chris attending a “Permaculture Design Course” in Christchurch and using this property as the subject of his project. Both Silvia and Chris have had a long involvement in Organic growing and permaculture concepts and relished the opportunity to put it into practice on a larger than garden scale.

As vegetarians, the decision was made early on to NOT have any chickens or other animals on the property. We wanted to have a year round supply of fruit, nuts and vegetables and with the amazing climate of eastern Golden Bay, this has been achieved. The permaculture design for the property was a big step in the initial formulation of ideas as to how to utilise the many areas of the property and how to modify the landscape to create the right microclimates for the various producing plants and trees.

Main principles

• The shelter belts were planted with mixed native trees that are not expected to grow too high and also allow some air movement through them.

• Compost is made twice a year using the layer method. Horse manure is traded and brought in from neighbours.

• Mains power was already on-site and underground. Solar water heating was added to the timber framed house, which was designed using passive solar heating principles. Both grey and black water pass through a septic tank and soak into an avocado field – you can see the difference that a regular supply of moisture and nutrients has on them.

• Wherever possible we use items from the property – for example, there is an abundance of marble rocks and they are used around the base of the house and for many walls and features on the property. Branches of trees are chipped for mulch and used in veggie beds and around trees. Firewood is plentiful from the many trees planted before we came.

• Soil testing is done occasionally and the pH and micro nutrients are adjusted accordingly. Boron is important for our avocados and is applied as a foliar spray.

• Bees are an integral part of the property and provide pollination and an excellent honey. They are managed by a friend who also keeps some hives here.

• There were large patches of gorse and other pest plants on the property. These were cleared and some chemicals used on the stumps. Our cliff has also been cleared and does require some chemical cut and paste work. We keep this to a minimum and as the property has evolved, the amounts being used is very low now and well away from the growing zones. Chris is involved in a pest vine project to help the area around us to get on top of the pest vines – Banana passion vine, Old man’s beard and other.

• The top 2/3rds of our property was cleared of sheep and feral goats and has rapidly regenerated with Kanuka and Totara on the dryer slope and mixed natives in the gorge, which is also in a Queen Elizabeth II trust covenant. There is a great track going through it.

Read more about permaculture – “Earth user’s guide to permaculture” by Rosemary Morrow

  • Gallery

    Mulching peach trees Compost making Tui feeding

  • Golden Bay Weather

    Rainfall average

    1800mm per year

    Sunshine hours

    2400 per year

    Winter average temp (min/max)

    6°C / 15°C

    Summer average temp (min/max)

    12°C / 23-28°C

    Golden Bay enjoys a natural north facing aspect which creates a special microclimate. With the mountains of 2 National Parks to the south west and south east, we are largely protected from the colder storms and winds. It is warm and mild, with a good rainfall. In Clifton we average about 1800mm of rain per year. Because of the north facing slope we are on, there are only a few very mild frosts per year. We are able to grow many plants that are sensitive to frost. Sunshine hours are good. Our maximum temperature is limited by the sea breezes to 28-31° C.