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Hutt Valley Herb Society

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Hutt Valley Herb Society

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18/10/2026

We have created a new page to replace this one.

Please note that this page will be deleted next month.

Look for a page with the same name but different picture

14/05/2026

Lavender is one of those plants that feels extra special when you grow it yourself 🌿 Taking cuttings is such a fun way to make new plants for free.

21/04/2026

Shrink your grocery bill and preserve your entire garden harvest for free using only the heat of the summer sun.

Having a big garden is great until everything gets ripe at the exact same time and starts to rot on your counter. Electric dehydrators take up a lot of space in your kitchen and make your house feel hot while they run for many hours. You end up paying for a lot of expensive electricity just to save the food you already spent time growing.

This wooden solar box uses the natural power of the sun to dry out your snacks without using a single plug. You can fit way more food in this outdoor cabinet than you can in a small plastic machine that sits on your counter. It keeps the sticky smells and heat out of your house while turning extra fruit into snacks that last all year. You get to enjoy the taste of summer even in the middle of a cold winter without adding a penny to your monthly bills.

Build a tall wooden cabinet using cedar boards and cut a steep angle on the front so it faces the bright sun. Screw sheets of clear plexiglass to the front and the sides to let the light inside while trapping the warm air. Cut large rectangular holes in the bottom and cover them with metal hardware cloth to let fresh air enter the box. Drill several small holes at the very top of the side walls to let the damp air escape. Attach a large wooden door to the back using metal hinges so you can easily reach all the drying trays. Drive several small screws or nails into the side walls to act as simple ledges for your wooden trays to sit on.

Use a specific food safe mesh for your trays so the wind can blow through the Gala apple slices and Roma tomatoes. Make sure your hardware cloth is a very fine mesh so that hungry flies cannot get inside to touch your food. Face the clear front of your box toward the south to catch the most heat during the middle of the day. You can also dry bunches of Italian basil or sprigs of Rosemary to make your own free spices for the pantry.

Wipe down the inside of the plexiglass with a soft cloth once a week to keep the dust off so the sun can shine through perfectly.

17/04/2026

Plant once, and let nature gift you for seasons beyond imagination.

Few things in life offer such perpetual reward as these evergreen heroes—herbs that promise not just survival but thriving abundance year after year.

Rosemary stands as a testament to resilience. Imagine a single plant flourishing over decades, enhancing your kitchen and home with its robust presence.

Thyme invites you to explore a world of diversity, each variety tougher and more appealing than the last, proving its place among the hardiest of herbs.

Chives don't ask for much. They simply return every year, bringing with them a burst of freshness that renews itself effortlessly.

Consider Oregano, a symbol of ease, spreading its vivacious spirit naturally, requiring little to no persuasion from you.

Sage carries with its leaves the weight of years, steadfast and vigorous, unfaltering through time's tests.

Mint, however, is a sprinter—fast-growing and spirited. It thrives best within boundaries, contained yet constantly invigorating.

Tarragon offers a unique challenge and triumph, flourishing not from seeds but from cuttings. It's a small adventure for your green thumb.

Lemon Balm sweeps through your garden with gentle tenacity, self-spreading but never overwhelming, a manageable delight.

And then there's Savory, always green, always ready, a constant companion that can be harvested at whim, the seasons' evergreen confidant.

No more buying herbs again and again. Plant once, and let your garden become a sanctuary of enduring flavor and endless possibilities.

Begin your herb garden today. Embrace a world where fresh flavors are but a step away, offering joy endlessly.

17/04/2026

Huge thank you to Louise who shared her knowledge and let us have a go at dyeing wool using nature to produce the colours.

Kowhai seeds, onion skins and lichen.

Our next gathering is on the 15th of May and the topic is herbs for pets.

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Upper Hutt

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