Seeds – Heirloom & Organic

In New Zealand you can purchase from an impressive collection that Koanga Institute offers on their website. Kings Seeds also offer a range of organic and also heirloom seeds. Another two smaller NZ based seed suppliers are Asian Seeds and Eco Seeds.

1. Toilet Paper Roll

If you have empty toilet paper rolls, you can easily transform them into seed raising containers.
Simply cut one end of the roll into approx. 1.5cm long strips. Then fold the strips into the center of the roll and push them inwards.
Be aware that some may unroll and need to be re-positioned. It’s best to have a group tucked together in a tray or dish.
Depending on the growing media, they might dry out quickly. This punnet is suitable to plant straight into the soil where it will break down.

2. DIY Paper Punnet

These bio-degradable DIY paper pots are easily made and a great opportunity to keep you busy during lockdown.
1. Cut and double fold a strip of paper.
2. Wrap it around a small jar, with about 1/4 jutting over the base of the jar.
3. Fold the paper around the bottom of the jar.
4. Carefully pull the paper tube off the jar.
5. Then fold over approx. 1cm of the upper part to stabilize the shape.
Some people prefer to avoid newspaper because of the ink.
In some conditions the paper can become mouldy. I didn’t have problems with it when using it in a hot house.
This paper punnet is also suitable to plant straight into the soil where it will break down.

3. Re-use Old Flower Pots

You might already have a few plastic punnets or pots from purchasing plants or seedlings before. You can also ask at the local flower shop or garden center if they have pots to give away (in my area it’s quite common).
These can be re-used many times.

4. Fair-Trade Coconut Coir Fibre Tabs

A big thank you to Jenny from fuchsteufelsgruen for the beautiful photos of her coconut coir tabs
Coconut coir is made from coconut husk. It usually comes in blocks or tabs which need to be hydrated prior to planting seeds. It is usually cheaper than seed raising mix but also doesn’t contain the nutrients. It also dries out a bit quicker.
The tabs are mostly suitable for one seedling each. They can dry out quickly, especially when exposed to direct sun.
Make sure to purchase fair-trade coconut fiber. Also, they usually are wrapped in plastic.

5. DIY Pallet Box

You can build your own seed raising box from pallet wood. Free pallets are available from many businesses. They are usually made from untreated wood.
In terms of size, you can adapt it to your own needs. They also work very well for growing your own micro-greens.

6. Peat-free Coconut Coir or Cardboard Punnets

These cute little punnets are made from bio-degradable coconut coir (made from coconut husk) or cardboard. They will break down if planted directly in the soil. But you can also reuse them for several seasons.
They might be wrapped in plastic packaging.

Do you have more Ideas?

I hope this article was helpful for you. If you have any additional ideas and suggestions, please let me know in the comments
You can also check out my Instagram account where I share pictures and stories from my gardening adventures

“And afterwards I wondered how many of these people that were protesting for a better future, actually take part in destroying our world by the choice of food on their plate.”

I chose this topic because New Zealand is still dominated by the meat and dairy industry. But it’s not a secret anymore that this industry is destroying our planet.
Besides the unethical aspects and the unhealthy side effects of consuming meat, dairy and other animal products, there are more concerning facts:

• The amazon fires are caused by the global demand for cheap meat and dairy.
  Raising livestock for meat, eggs and milk generates 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the second highest source of emissions and greater than all transportation combined. It also uses about 70% of agricultural land, and is one of the leading causes of deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water pollution. [1]
• Year after year New Zealand’s meat and dairy farmers import palm kernel. In recent years the annual import numbers were at a staggering 2.2 million tonnes, which makes up about a third of the world’s total! [2]
• Palm kernel is directly linked to the deforestation of rain forest in South East Asia. New Zealand meat & dairy farmers contribute to this deforestation. [3]
• Almost 50% of New Zealands Emissions are caused by animal farming [4]
• Climate change is real. [5] It’s time for us to take responsibility and demand change. We can still do this. But we have to wake up now and act on a global level. For our home, for our future.

If you have a look at these numbers, it simply can’t be denied that what we eat has an impact on climate changing carbon emissions. Therefore we seriously have to raise this very important question again and again:

“Can you call yourself an environmentalist while consuming animal products?”

The effects of consuming animal products on our global carbon emissions are undeniable. At the same time we are heading towards the point of no return. Once we have reached a global temperature warming of more than 1.5 °C there is most likely no turning back. The drastic consequences will be out of human control. [6]
Does this make you pick up your ears? Do you wonder what you can do to prevent the Earth from becoming a dead planet? We still have time to cut down on our carbon emissions to try and stop further temperature rises. But we have to act now!
We are all in this together. And we have to think of future generations to come who will be left with the mess that we are creating now. Again, I can’t emphasize enough how drastic the effect of climate change will be. Lets’ get together and make a change!
Here are a few ideas how you can cut down your carbon emissions:

1. Eat less meat, dairy and eggs – or go vegan (even better, not only for our planet, but also for the animals and your health)

2. Drive less by car and avoid plane traveling.

3. Plant more trees – New Zealand based people can have a look here

4. Grow your own food, get together with fellow gardening friends

5. Buy local and seasonal produce as much as you can

6. Buy less stuff and avoid plastic – refuse reuse and recycle is the motto

7. Engage in politics – big business and corporations also have to be made responsable since they contribute majorly

8. Last but not least: Spread the word, make a change!

Do you have any other ideas and suggestions? I’m keen to hear from you in the comments. Let’s support each other and make the world a better place
Lots of love
Jana

[1] The Guardian – Animal agriculture is choking the ​Earth and making us sick. We must act now
[2] IndexMundi – New Zealand Palm Kernel Meal Imports by Year
[3] Union of Concerned Scientist – Palm Oil
[4] New Zealand’s Environmental Reporting Series – Environmental Indicators Te taiao Aotearoa – New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions
[5] NASA – Global Climate Change
[6] Job One for Humanity – the 11 key global warming tipping points defined