A Taste of the Tropics and a Treasure Trove of Plants: The Food Forest Plant Swap

What a truly wonderful day we shared yesterday at the food forest plant swap! The sun was out, the atmosphere was buzzing with friendly chatter, and we were surrounded by a community of passionate gardeners ready to share their green-thumbed treasures. It was more than just a swap; it was a gathering to share knowledge, stories, and the fruits of our labour.

A Garden of Discovery

The tables were a magnificent sight, overflowing with an incredible variety of plants. We spent time walking around and talking about the unique offerings, with everything from the familiar to the wonderfully rare. Attendees brought in all sorts of intriguing plants, including loquats, myoga ginger, luffa, and even cassava. We learned so much just by seeing what others are growing and hearing their experiences.

Among the standout treasures were some plants you rarely see, such as carob seedlings, white sapotes, and a few strawberry trees grown from seed. A truly special find was the rare bele spinach, a highly sought-after perennial green. It’s always so fascinating to see what turns up on the table and to hear how people grow and eat them.

A Taste of Te Puke

Our taste buds were in for a treat as well! As we browsed and swapped, we enjoyed the warm weather and snacked on some delectable tropical fruits. We were especially lucky to enjoy some tropical pawpaw and babaco, which were generously supplied for us to taste by the Vector Group Charitable Trust aka Troppo. What made it even more special is that these tropical delights were grown right here in Te Puke! The pawpaw was a major hit, with one person commenting it was “the tastiest pawpaw ever” and “must’ve been the 12-month process but 100% worth it!!”

More Than Just a Swap

This event is always about more than just the plants; it’s about the people. It was a beautiful get-together and a true “fair share swap.” One attendee mentioned they went home and “hid my little treats away to magically appear like a kinder surprise in our garden: pomelo, fig, tree dahlia, salvia.” It’s these small moments and personal connections that make it so special. We also want to give a special shoutout to Coralie, who celebrated her birthday with us!

Our deepest appreciation goes to Selena, whose enthusiasm and hard work are the heart of these events. Her commitment to bringing us all together is so very much appreciated, and we say ngā mihi nui kia koe (thank you very much) for everything she does.

Keep an eye on our pages, as the next event will be announced today and is planned for three weekends from now. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!