COVID-19 Update: Kelmarna Gardens at Alert Level 4

​Due to the heightened alert level in place in Auckland, our gardens are closed during the planned restriction period, at least until 11:59pm Tuesday 21 September 2021, or otherwise in accordance with forthcoming official announcements. This means:
Our site and shop are closed to visitors and volunteers.

Only essential staff will be present in managed shifts to keep our gardens healthy, thriving, and a reliable source of nutritious, organic food for our community.
​We are currently selling produce by contactless delivery. This is available to local residents in postcodes 1011, 1021, and 1022 only.

Orders are managed through our online shop on Open Food Network here. Orders are open from 11am on Tuesdays, until 10pm on Wednesdays, for delivery on Friday.

Please sign up below to our mailing list to be notified when sales open each week.
​​All of our essential staff will continue to sign in to our site to help with contact tracing using our unique QR Code with the NZ COVID Tracer app, and everyone will be sure to follow all relevant guidelines, including maintaining appropriate physical distancing, following good hygiene measures, wearing face-coverings, and staying home if at all unwell or having any signs of illness.
Thank you for your understanding, your support, and your cooperation to help keep us safe and stop the spread!

Kia kaha
Edible Aotearoa, with Mamakan (Afternoon)
​
Spring Selection - Tarata, Mamaku & Kānuka
Mamakan (Mamakan Studio / Arcuna)
Do you see food when you stroll through the NZ bush? Join botanical artist and 'gastrogeographer' Mamakan for this introductory foraging course, designed to bring you closer to the seasonal flora of New Zealand, including a bush walk and tastings, to help uncover the amazing edible environment unique to Aotearoa.
​
Every 'Edible Aotearoa' session focuses on a seasonal selection of plant species that are at their best for the current time of year. This September workshop features Tarata, Mamaku & Kānuka. Click 'More Info & Tickets' to learn more!
Sunday 17 October 2021

​12.30pm - 2pm
​​
​$55 + Humanitix fee

Community Services Card
concession rate available​
Edible Aotearoa, with Mamakan (Morning)
​
Spring Selection - Tarata, Mamaku & Kānuka
Mamakan (Mamakan Studio / Arcuna)
Do you see food when you stroll through the NZ bush? Join botanical artist and 'gastrogeographer' Mamakan for this introductory foraging course, designed to bring you closer to the seasonal flora of New Zealand, including a bush walk and tastings, to help uncover the amazing edible environment unique to Aotearoa.
​
Every 'Edible Aotearoa' session focuses on a seasonal selection of plant species that are at their best for the current time of year. This September workshop features Tarata, Mamaku & Kānuka. Click 'More Info & Tickets' to learn more!
Sunday 17 October 2021

​10am - 11.30am
​​
​$55 + Humanitix fee

Community Services Card
concession rate available​
Intro to Beekeeping & Planting for Bees
Carol Downer (Auckland Beekeepers Club)
Have you ever thought about working with bees? Are you curious about what it means to keep bees or what other ways there are to support these precious pollinators? Join Kelmarna's own veteran beekeeper, Carol Downer, for this comprehensive introduction to beekeeping designed to give you everything you need to understand the trade and connect with the tools to transform your relationship with bees.
Sunday 12 September 2021​

10.30am - 12.00pm
​​
Pay What You Want

​Virtual Event, Hosted via Zoom
COVID-19: Kelmarna Gardens at Alert Level 1
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​​​
​All staff, volunteers, and visitors are asked to be mindful of reasonable physical distancing, that everyone wash hands as frequently as needed, to feel free to wear a mask or face-covering, and importantly to stay home if unwell or having any signs of illness.

​​​All staff, volunteers, and visitors are asked to sign in to our site to help with contact tracing. Our unique QR Code is posted onsite for you to check in using the NZ COVID Tracer app.
Organic Gardening Basics
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Part 2 of 6 - Propagation & Planting
Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens)
This workshop is all about getting new plants in the ground. Learn how to grow plants from seed, division, and cuttings. This session will also cover transplanting your seedlings into the garden, and how to make your own seed-raising mix.

This 6 part Organic Gardening Basics course with Judy Keats will teach you all the basics to successfully grow organic food at home. Perfect for newbie gardeners or anyone wanting to improve their knowledge and skills in the garden with an expert tutor in organics. 
Saturday 7 August 2021

​10am - 12pm
​​
Whole Course
​$200 + Humanitix fee
( SOLD OUT )

Single Session
$40 + Humanitix fee
​( SOLD OUT )

Community Services Card
concession rate available​
July 2021
Mushrooms in Containers 101
Ellen Schindler (Tiny Footprint)
Join us at Kelmarna Gardens for this crash course in growing NZ native oyster mushrooms. This three-hour session with Ellen Schindler (Tiny Footprint) includes the materials and instruction to guide you step-by-step through the process of setting up a container with NZ native oyster mushrooms and allows you to come away not only with a finished container but also the skills and confidence to keep up the good work at home on your own!
Saturday 31 July 2021

​9.30am - 12.30pm
​​
​$68 + Eventbrite fee

Community Services Card
​concession rate available
Organic Gardening Basics
​
Part 1 of 6 - Healthy Soil
Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens)
Soil is the foundation of organic gardening. We start with soil testing practices, compost making, and additives to boost soil fertility. Find out what healthy soil looks like, what you are working with at home, and how to improve the condition of your soil.

This 6 part Organic Gardening Basics course with Judy Keats will teach you all the basics to successfully grow organic food at home. Perfect for newbie gardeners or anyone wanting to improve their knowledge and skills in the garden with an expert tutor in organics. 
Saturday 24 July 2021

​10am - 12pm
​​
Whole Course
​$200 + Humanitix fee
( SOLD OUT )

Single Session
$40 + Humanitix fee
​( SOLD OUT )

Community Services Card
concession rate available​
Harvest Helpers (Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 9am - 11am - or flexible timings)

We're looking for a few awesome people to lend a hand with our harvesting in the middle of the week, ideally on a fairly regular basis (e.g. every Wednesday morning).

Harvesting is a big part of the work on a small vegetable farm, and you'll be helping us to gather produce for restaurant orders and our farm shop. Both of these generate valuable income to support the running of the gardens.

Timings on this role are pretty flexible - if you could help out later in the day on a Wednesday or Thursday, for anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, please get in touch. If you help out around lunchtime then lunch will be included too.
Administrative helper (anytime Mondays - Fridays, 8.30 - 4.30pm)

We are looking for a reliable volunteer to help us keep on top of small amounts of regular administration. The role will start with data entry and other basic admin tasks, for an hour or two per week, with potential to grow to include more advanced office-based tasks if this suits the volunteer.

The right volunteer for this role needs to have basic computer skills and a good eye for detail. After initial training in our systems, most of this could be done from home if desired.
Permaculture Gardening for Beginners (4-Part Series)
Adrian Roche (Kelmarna Gardens)
PART 4 - Harvesting, Seed Saving & Food Forest Basics

This fourth and final part of our permaculture series will focus on sustainable harvesting practises, closing the loop by saving seeds, and some basics considerations for keeping a food forest. You will practice basic techniques for getting the most from your crops and how to get started with seed saving. You will then have a chance to wander the food forest and discuss what kinds of species are well-suited to our local climate.

We will revisit for the last time the three fundamental process that you started in Part 1 to take away important lessons that you can apply in your garden, and you will learn how to prick out your seedlings, pot them up, and take some with you to start your own processes at home!

​This is the final of a 4-part beginner permaculture gardening series.
Sunday 27 June 2021

​9am - 12pm
​​
Full 4-Part Series
​$160 + Humanitix fee
( available now )

Part 4 Single Session
$45 + Humanitix fee
​( available from 10 May 2021 )
Permaculture Gardening for Beginners (4-Part Series)
Adrian Roche (Kelmarna Gardens)
PART 3 - Garden Maintenance & Weed Management

This third part will focus on maintaining the health of the garden and controlling unwanted or non-beneficial elements. You will wander the gardens and practice 'diagnosing' different plots to help understand what goes on and what can be done. You will identify weeds, practice basic tools and methods for managing them, and learn about the impacts of annual weeds and systems for controlling more tenacious pest plants. 

​We will also revisit the three fundamental process started in Part 1 to check for any changes, reflect on their progress, and get hands on to address any issues you discover.

​This is the third of a 4-part beginner permaculture gardening series.
Sunday 20 June 2021

​9am - 12pm
​​
Full 4-Part Series
​$160 + Humanitix fee
( available now )

Part 3 Single Session
$45 + Humanitix fee
​( available from 10 May 2021 )
Permaculture Gardening for Beginners (4-Part Series)
Adrian Roche (Kelmarna Gardens)
PART 2 - Soil Health & Fertility

This second session will focus on the importance of soil and maintaining the health of our soil as the cornerstone of organic and permaculture gardening. You will get you hands in the dirt covering green manure, rotating crops, nitrogen fixing, will consider the impacts of disturbing and compacting the soil, and how to generate fertilisers through composting, worm farming, and bokashi.

We will also revisit the three fundamental process started in Part 1 to check for any changes, reflect on their progress, and get hands on to address any issues you discover.

​This is the second of a 4-part beginner permaculture gardening series.
Sunday 13 June 2021

​9am - 12pm
​​
Full 4-Part Series
​$160 + Humanitix fee
( available now )

Part 2 Single Session
$45 + Humanitix fee
​( available from 10 May 2021 )
Permaculture Gardening for Beginners (4-Part Series)
Adrian Roche (Kelmarna Gardens)
PART 1 - Propagation, Planting & Composting

This first session will introduce the principles of permaculture and invite you to share about your experience, your site, and your objectives in the garden. You will then start to learn how to put into practice a whole systems thinking approach for planning a garden, from crop species and seasonality to spacing and plant pairings.

Your group will start three fundamental, practical process that you will continue to monitor over the 4-part series, including planting seedlings, sowing seeds, and making compost. 

This is the first of a 4-part beginner permaculture gardening series.
Sunday 6 June 2021

​9am - 12pm
​​
Full 4-Part Series
​$160 + Humanitix fee
( available now )

Part 1 Single Session
$45 + Humanitix fee
​( available from 10 May 2021 )
Part 3: Cooking with Ferments, with Tracy & Soane
Dr Tracy Berno (AUT) & Soane Pasi (Pacific Food Lab)
Get creative in the kitchen with local chefs Tracy and Soane to explore how ferments can be used to enhance your home cooking. French-trained chef Soane Pasi will lead you in learning useful techniques you can use and combine in your own kitchen. 

This session includes a group meal at the end featuring a full lunch spread incorporating each of the ferments. There will be lots to learn and plenty of food to go around! So bring all of your questions plus a keen appetite!

​This is the final of a 3-part fermentation series.
Sunday 16 May 2021

​10am - 1pm
​​
​Full 3-Part Course
$160 + Eventbrite fee

Part 3 Single Session
​$70 + Eventbrite fee
Mushrooms on Logs - Grain Spawn Method
Ellen Schindler (Distinct)
Join us for this 3-hour skills-focused workshop to learn all about growing mushrooms, how to prepare grain spawn, then work step-by-step through creating your own inoculated log to take home at the end!

This workshop focuses on the ‘grain spawn method’ of growing native NZ oyster mushrooms on logs. Find out how this method can be considerably cheaper than using wooden dowels, and get to know the distinct technique which requires a bit more preparation and hands-on experience. 
Saturday 15 May 2021

​9.30am - 12.30pm
​​
​$65 + Humanitix fee

Community Services Card concession rate available
Part 2: Advanced Fermenting, with Tracy & Soane
Dr Tracy Berno (AUT) & Soane Pasi (Pacific Food Lab)
Join local chefs Tracy and Soane to explore more deeply the art and science of fermenting for extending the longevity of food, boosting nutrition, and enhancing flavour! 

Learn how to utilise everyday home-kitchen equipment and get chopping, mixing, soaking, grinding, and baking to discover creative ways to transform simple ingredients into delicious ferments. Get ready to go beyond vegetables, and try fermenting so much more!

​This is the second of a 3-part fermentation series.
Sunday 2 May 2021

​10am - 12pm
​​
​Full 3-Part Course
$160 + Eventbrite fee

Part 2 Single Session
​$60 + Eventbrite fee
Part 1: Fundamental Fermenting, with Tracy & Soane
Dr Tracy Berno (AUT) & Soane Pasi (Pacific Food Lab)
Local chefs Tracy and Soane will guide you to gain the confidence and know-how to make a variety of nutritious and delicious ferments at home on your own!

Start with the basics for making simple ferments and get hands-on to make your own sauerkraut from scratch! Check out how to cultivate your own whey active starter, then learn how to put it to good use to ferment seasonal fruits and vegetables.

​This is the first of a 3-part fermentation series.
Sunday 18 April 2021

​10am - 12pm
​​
​Full 3-Part Course
$160 + Eventbrite fee

Part 1 Single Session
​$50 + Eventbrite fee
Fruit Trees - Pruning, Planting & Guilds
Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens)
This workshop with Judy Keats is your seasonal crash course for fruit tree care. Our food forest will be your outdoor laboratory to learn and practise how to make the most of this time of year so that your trees are in the best shape to continue thriving for seasons to come!

Get hands-on and ask all of your questions while examining tree shape and condition, inspecting new versus old wood, discussing pest and disease management, considering companion understory plants, and more!
Saturday 17 April 2021

​9.30am - 12.30pm
​​
​$50 + Humanitix fee

Community Services Card concession rate available
Mushrooms in Containers 101 (PM)
Ellen Schindler (Distinct)
Added to meet popular demand, this extra afternoon session will let you join Ellen Schindler (Distinct) for a crash course in growing NZ native oyster mushrooms in containers!

This three-hour skills-focused workshop is perfect for anyone keen to try their hand at growing mushrooms in a controlled environment at home, including the materials and instruction to get set up and walk away with a container of your own!
Sunday 11 April 2021

​1.30pm - 4.30pm
​​
​$60 + Eventbrite fee

Community Services Card concession rate available
Mushrooms in Containers 101 (AM)
Ellen Schindler (Distinct)
Join us at Kelmarna Gardens for a crash course in growing NZ native oyster mushrooms with Ellen Schindler (Distinct). This workshop is perfect for anyone keen to try their hand at growing mushrooms in a controlled environment at home, , including the materials and instruction to get set up and walk away with a container of your own!
Sunday 11 April 2021

​9.30am - 12.30pm
​​
​$60 + Eventbrite fee

Community Services Card concession rate available
Banana Growing & Cooking 101
Ellen Schindler (Distinct) & Sue Rajaguru (Dignan Street)
Join us at Kelmarna Gardens for a crash course with Ellen Schindler and Sue Rajaguru on how to establish a banana circle and make the most of banana plants in the kitchen. You will come away knowing how to grow them, how to care for them, and how to savour every last bit of the plant! Come ready to take notes, ask questions, and share in a group tasting of each banana dish.

To help get started with your banana project, you can preorder a certified organic banana pup with your ticket, ready to take home after the workshop. So be sure to register with a ‘+ Banana Pup’ ticket option to secure one of your own!
Saturday 10 April 2021

​10am - 2pm
​​
$70 + Eventbrite fee

Ticket + banana pup
​$86 + Eventbrite fee

Community Services Card concession rate available
Ways with Weeds
Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens)
Join Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens) to explore beneficial weeds, noxious weeds, methods of management, and how weeds can contribute positively to regenerative systems.

Reimagine certain pesky plants as veritable super foods, try a shot of Judy’s ‘wild weed' smoothie, and feel free to bring photos or controlled samples of your weeds to get them identified and discuss how best to deal with them!
Saturday 27 March 2021

​10am - 12.30pm
​​
​$35 + Eventbrite fee

Community Services Card concession rate available
Beginner Home Gardening
Yotam Kay (Pakaraka Permaculture)
Come and learn everything you need to know to start growing nutritious food for you, your family, and community.

​In this comprehensive workshop, Yotam Kay (Pakaraka Permaculture) will cover essential topics and answer your project specific questions to help you succeed in growing a productive vegetable garden. No prior knowledge or experience is needed!
Saturday 13 March 2021

​9am - 4.30pm
​​
​$165 + Eventbrite fee
COVID-19 Update: Kelmarna Gardens at Alert Level 2

​Our site and shop are open to visitors and volunteers with appropriate measures in place, including maintaining physical distancing of at least 1 metre, and to not exceed 10 people in spaces where distancing is not possible (such as indoors).

​​​Everyone is asked to bring a face-covering and to wear it when talking or working with others, indoors, or when
moving around the site.
​​
​Everyone is asked to practice good hygiene measures, including washing hands as frequently as needed, helping keep surfaces clean, managing coughs and sneezes into the elbow, and staying home if at all unwell or having any signs of illness.

​Everyone is asked to sign in to our site to help with contact tracing, either using the NZ COVID Tracer app with our unique QR Code, or using the alternative contact tracing system (pen-and-paper) available on-site as well.
Thank you for your understanding, your support, and your cooperation to help keep us safe and stop the spread!

Kia kaha
Example A:
​2 Hour One-Off Visit​

Opening Hui  |  10mins
-Arrival and gathering on the main lawn
-Welcome and introductions
-Overview of rules, behaviour expectations, and other housekeeping
-Introduce topics and divide into block groups

Block Activity 1  |  25mins
-Each group participates in one of the three block activities

Block Activity 2  |  25mins 
-Each group rotates to participate in a new block activity

Free Time  |  25mins
-Learners are free to take a break, enjoy the gardens, and explore on their own while maintaining a respect for the rules and behaviour expectations

Block Activity 3  |  25mins 
-Each group reconvenes to participate in their final block activity

Closing Hui  |  10mins
-Everyone gathers back at the main lawn to review, reflect on, and share their experiences in the garden
-Thanks and departure
​Example B:
​3 Hour One-Off Visit​ (with Lunchtime)

Opening Hui  |  10mins
-Arrival and gathering on the main lawn
-Welcome and introductions
-Overview of rules, behaviour expectations, and other housekeeping
-Introduce topics and divide into block groups

Block Activity 1  |  30mins
-Each group participates in one of the three block activities

Block Activity 2  |  30mins 
-Each group rotates to participate in a new block activity

Water Break  |  10mins
-Learners are free to take a quick break, rehydrate, and enjoy the gardens for a few minutes before diving into the final activity

Block Activity 3  |  30mins 
-Each group reconvenes to participate in their final block activity

Closing Hui  |  10mins
-Everyone gathers back at the main lawn to review, reflect on, and share their experiences in the garden
-Thanks and conclusion

Lunchtime  |  60mins
-Learners are free to enjoy their lunch on the village green, take a break, and explore the whole of the garden on their own while maintaining a respect for the rules and behaviour expectations
Example C:
​1 Hour Regular Visit​
​
Opening Hui  |  10mins
-Arrival and gathering on the main lawn
-Overview of rules and behaviour expectations
-Review previous concepts and experiences
-Introduce new topics and divide into activity groups

Warm Up Activity  |  15mins
-Each group participates in a warm up activity, rotating to do a different warm-up than their previous visit

Main Activity  |  25mins 
-Each group participates in their main activity

Closing Hui  |  10mins
-Everyone gathers back at the main lawn to review, reflect on, and share their experiences in the garden
-Thanks and departure
Charges

Delivering worthwhile educational experiences requires planning, coordination, and a dedicated Education Team to ensure that we can provide your learners with an awesome experience in a safe and inspiring environment. We use a tiered pricing system to help make opportunities as accessible as possible to groups of all sizes and learners of all ages and levels.

All funds generated by the our programme contribute directly to operational costs, including staff and volunteer time, maintaining and renewing resources, managing educational opportunities, and sustaining our community space. Charges and rates listed below are GST exclusive.​
Seed Saving for Beginners
Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens)
Join our very own Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens) to learn how to start collecting seeds so you can grow, share, and trade your unique local heirloom seed stock with friends and family now and in seasons to come!

Find out about which seeds are most reliable, how to determine ripeness, how to collect and process, and the best options for storing. ​No prior experience is needed!
Saturday 13 February 2021

​10am - 12.30pm
​​
​$35 + Eventbrite fee

​Community Services Card concession rate available
Visit Our Shop for Organic Produce!
Sign Up for Our eNewsletter!
Check Out our Schedule!
Volunteer with Us in the Garden!
Discover Nature-Based Learning!
Take a Virtual Tour of the place!
Thanks to all of our awesome supporters.

Waitemata Local Board
​Soar Print
Orphans Kitchen
Bread and Butter Cafe
Nature Baby
Ponsonby News
Organic Mechanic
Compost Collective
Gardens 4 Health
Little Bird Organics
​Millers Coffee
Green Is The Thing
Serious Popcorn
​Almighty Juices
​Sunday Best
White Refrigeration
Worksafe Services
​Humming Gardens
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