Our summer meetings will continue as usual on the 1st and 3rd Sunday at 2pm. For reference this is the 1st and 15th December, the 5th and 19th of January, and the 2nd and 16th of February. We meet outside the Taupiri School. We will run it rain or shine, there is an awning in case of rain. Come to set up at 2pm or a little after. Be sure to arrive by 2:30pm when swapping starts! We are usually wrapped up by 3pm.

Bring anything related to the kitchen or garden to share. See ideas for what to bring at the bottom-- you have more than you think. Whether you have an abundance to bring, or just at little at the moment, we'd love to have you come. It is all about the joy of sharing and meeting your like-minded neighbours.

Here is a rundown of how a typical meeting works, so you know what to expect.

How it all works:

• 2-2:30pm time to set up and check out everyone's offerings and catch up.

  • Everyone displays what they brought to share on the table for admiring.
  • A good time to ask others about their gardens and meet your neighbours

• 2:30 pm announcements, then we pick out new goodies to take home!

  • We'll go around and introduce ourselves and what we brought.
  • It is not direct swapping, potentially everyone can get a little bit of everything.
  • If you can, bring large things like pumpkins or bread cut up to share.

• Usually all is done by 3pm.

Ideas for what to bring:

• FROM THE GARDEN:

  • Whatever you have heaps of!
  • Little plants that have come up from seed. Bung them in some damp newspaper and bring them along.
  • Seeds, cuttings, cut flowers, excess plants.
  • Compost, manure, worm castings, comfrey leaves, compost amendments etc.
  • Be creative-- others may not have little things you take for granted like: lemons, little bunches of herbs, bay leaves, etc.

• FROM THE KITCHEN:

  • Preserves, pickles, chutney, sourdough starter, kombucha, sauerkraut, cordials.
  • Baking! Muffins, crackers, bread, cake, cookies.
  • Sprouted seeds.
  • A box of tea you weren't keen on.
  • Extra jars, empty egg cartons.

Get picking and come to share, love to see you there.

(See Crop Swap Aotearoa for more about the values of crop swaps meeting all around New Zealand.)