Taking my first steps into the horticulture world

Out of the COVID rāhui in Aotearoa our government created an opportunity for many trade and apprentice courses to open up fees free for the country - TTAF funded courses.

I found a course that sung to my heart - New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture.

My first step before commencing this online study was to complete the orientation checklist and create a learning journal. To save on our trees and resources from the list of suggested platforms Blogger was chosen.

Horticulture and growing a functional māra has been in the back of my mind since I completed the Tikanga Whakaaro course through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in 2019. There was a module based around your māra (garden), having your māra work for you and learning to live in tune with the māramataka. 
This really sparked a desire within me to learn more of how I can look after our whenua and in return our whenua will look after us as a whānau and hopefully our wider community.
I enjoy getting in to the garden but my knowledge is basic and I would love to grow this knowledge. And as mentioned before it definitely also helped that the government announced this new funding which was the push I needed to walking down this path. 

A little introduction to myself:

I am a stay at home mum to a busy BUSY toddler who keeps me on my toes; since becoming a mum I have completed a number of self directed qualifications from Te Reo Māori to Personal Finance. 

In my previous (before mum) life I was an Executive Assistant where I completed a Diploma in Human Resources on the side. Before an office job I was a hospitality legend working from Wales to Aotearoa.

I loved to travel with my husband ticking off many countries across the globe including Europe, UAE and Malaysia to name a couple. I am hoping that down the track we will be free to discover new places once again as a family unit.

I love to learn about the world around me and hope that our toddler continues this passion alongside me. 

I love watching plants grow and thrive and learning about the benefits that each and every bug we come across offers the māra. I really enjoy watching roots grow from cuttings especially from something as little as a succulent 'leaf'.

I don't love coriander though... So there is that...


Comments

  1. Marina18 July 2020 at 14:56

    Coriander is an acquired taste and so not everyone likes it. I will look forward to following your journey. Mauri Ora

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dominique19 July 2020 at 20:47

      Definitely an acquired taste, I am a little allergic to it though, the fun part is when it feels like I'm having an asthma attack. I can ignore the fact if it is in small doses in mexican food. My sister on the other hand has that thing where coriander tastes like soap! It is crazy how many people on the planet have this sensation!

      Delete
  2. JC18 July 2020 at 22:01

    Love this new journey you're on and I will follow with keen interest. Eventually I would love to live semi-rural and live more off the land and give the children the gift of connecting to, living off and respecting our earth. Until then, we're working out how to get a healthy garden set up where we live and learn as we go. P.s. this is Justina ftom Playcentre :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dominique19 July 2020 at 20:52

      That would be the dream! Live off the land and create that cycle of caring for Papatūānuku and she will care for us. How amazing would our lives be if more of us could do this?!
      My dream would be to have fruit trees, herb gardens and vegetable patches on every berm in every neighbourhood across the country; all available for whoever needs it.
      Every little step is a step towards our dreams.

      Delete

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