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Linen has been used for thousands of years for clothes, bedding and furnishings. It is loved for its soft and cool feel. It is a very strong and durable material which will last much longer than other alternatives, like cotton. Growing your own linen may see overwhelming, but it helps to break it … View moreLinen has been used for thousands of years for clothes, bedding and furnishings. It is loved for its soft and cool feel. It is a very strong and durable material which will last much longer than other alternatives, like cotton. Growing your own linen may see overwhelming, but it helps to break it down into manageable steps.
Plant 1 kg. fibre flax seed in a 6m x 6m plot - One plot will give you enough fibre to make a shirt from line (long linen fibres) and tow to weave a couple of towels. Your actual yield will depend on growing conditions, how well you weed the plot and how perfect your retting and hackling techniques are.
Broadcast the seed thickly, over well tilled ground and then walk on it to firm the seed in.
Weed it well about 4 weeks after planting - Your flax will take about 2 weeks to germinate in a cool, wet spring. When it reaches just over 5cm in height you should walk into the plot and weed it well. You can step on the plants without damaging them when they are between 5cm and 30cm tall.
Admire the blue flax flowers as the linen grows - Once the bed has been weeded well, you can just admire it as it grows. About 60 days from planting the flowers start to open. It is very beautiful watching the blue flowers swaying in the breeze. Each flower is open for only one day. Each stock produces several flowers and each flower turns into a seed boll with 6 to 8 seeds.
100 days after planting, harvest the flax - The stocks of flax will be 2/3rds yellow and 1/3rd still green when it is ready to harvest. The flowering will be finished and each slender flax plant will have 4 to 6 seed bolls. You harvest the flax by hand, by pulling each plant out by the roots. Toss the weeds and place the stems of flax in order. Tie into bundles (shooks) about 30cm across, using strong twine.
Shook the flax and wait -Take the shooks of flax and put them, standing upright, under cover to finish maturing the seed and drying the fibre. The whole stock will turn brown as it dries. This takes a month in dry weather, a bit longer in wet weather.
Ripple the flax - Open each bundle of flax, take the flax by the root end and draw the seed end through wide toothed combs or a board with nails acting as teeth. This removes the seed heads. You can begin the retting process now or retie the bundles and wait till Spring.
The seed is edible and has a good oil content. You can crush the seed bolls and separate the seeds from the chaff by winnowing. Save about 1 kg. of seed to replant the field next year. If you don’t want to clean the seed by winnowing, you can feed it to your back yard chickens. They will take care of the seed bolls for you.
See our website for the full tutorial with pictures: www.curtainclean.co.nz...
Country Herbals Cottage Shop Ngongotaha
Locally made natural products for the whole family
Open by appointment - Text a time 021 144 1113
* Skin Care
* Body Products
* Products for Pain
* Natural First Aid
* Sanitizers and other essential toiletry items… View moreCountry Herbals Cottage Shop Ngongotaha
Locally made natural products for the whole family
Open by appointment - Text a time 021 144 1113
* Skin Care
* Body Products
* Products for Pain
* Natural First Aid
* Sanitizers and other essential toiletry items
* Soaps and Shampoo Bars
* Essential Oils
* Natural Pet and Household products
Website: countryherbals.co.nz - (here you can also browse in our online store, click the "shop online" tab) Even if you are local, you can choose the courier option, or arrange a contactless pick up.
Phone 073572006 (No answer machine, if you can't get me send me a text.) Mobile: 021 144 1113
Hi neighbours,
Rotorua MP Todd McClay has called on the Government to make Covid-19 tests available for everyone in the tourist town.
McClay made the call in the wake of news two members from a South Auckland family who tested positive for Covid-19 visited Rotorua last weekend.
The person … View moreHi neighbours,
Rotorua MP Todd McClay has called on the Government to make Covid-19 tests available for everyone in the tourist town.
McClay made the call in the wake of news two members from a South Auckland family who tested positive for Covid-19 visited Rotorua last weekend.
The person visited a number a tourist facilities in Rotorua. The Ministry of Health is tracing these movements and working on locations visited by this person.
Covid-19 testing is currently available in Rotorua at the former Holmes Packaging site on Vaughan Road. It will operate as a drive-through facility and is open until 4pm on Wedneday for anyone with symptoms of Covid-19.
For more information on contact tracing and where to get tested in Rotorua, click here.
Hi neighbours,
On Tuesday night, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced there were four new Covid-19 cases in the community.
Auckland moved into level 3 at midday on Wednesday, and the rest of the country into level 2.
Kiwis outside of Auckland can still continue to go to work and school, with… View moreHi neighbours,
On Tuesday night, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced there were four new Covid-19 cases in the community.
Auckland moved into level 3 at midday on Wednesday, and the rest of the country into level 2.
Kiwis outside of Auckland can still continue to go to work and school, with physical distancing, and are advised to wear masks in public.
Businesses can open to the public if they are following public health guidance, which includes physical distancing and record keeping.
In terms of gatherings, New Zealanders must not travel to events with more than 100 people. This includes weddings, birthdays, funerals and tangihanga.
The Government advises all Kiwis to practise good hygiene and stay home if sick.
For more information on what the different alert levels mean for you, click here.
All regions in New Zealand, except for the Auckland region, will move to Alert Level 2 at 12 noon on Wednesday 12 August 2020.
Key information:
• Keep your distance from other people in public.
• Wash your hands.
• Sneeze and cough into your elbow.
• Keep a track of where you’ve … View moreAll regions in New Zealand, except for the Auckland region, will move to Alert Level 2 at 12 noon on Wednesday 12 August 2020.
Key information:
• Keep your distance from other people in public.
• Wash your hands.
• Sneeze and cough into your elbow.
• Keep a track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen
wear a mask if you can.
• If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to work or school. Don’t socialise.
• If you have symptoms of cold or flu call your doctor or Healthline and get advice about being tested.
• If you have been told to self-isolate you must do so immediately.
• All aged care facilities will close their doors to everyone but staff from noon today.
• For real time news updates visit Stuff
We will be closing our New Zealand care centres to all visitors from 10am on Wednesday August 12 following the re-emergence of COVID-19 in the community in Auckland, and Level 2 Alert level in the remainder of New Zealand.
Cambridge is so much more than just a town you drive through. Click the link below for a few reasons to consider sticking around a bit. #backyourbackyard
Totara is a beautiful family-run residential care home for people with intellectual and physical disabilities, located in Tauranga. We have more than 10 years’ experience in providing care to people with disabilities, as well as providing support to their families/whanau.
We currently have one… View moreTotara is a beautiful family-run residential care home for people with intellectual and physical disabilities, located in Tauranga. We have more than 10 years’ experience in providing care to people with disabilities, as well as providing support to their families/whanau.
We currently have one space available in our boutique care home.
To access our service you will need to be referred by a local Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC). Our service is funded by the Ministry of Health.
Please contact Chris on 0275303090 if you have any questions or would like to meet with us.
The Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC) is running a free seminar in Rotorua on Wednesday, August 26, about the financial implications of moving into a retirement village.
CFFC's Retirement Villages Lead, Troy Churton, will discuss types of retirement villages, the costs of moving into… View moreThe Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC) is running a free seminar in Rotorua on Wednesday, August 26, about the financial implications of moving into a retirement village.
CFFC's Retirement Villages Lead, Troy Churton, will discuss types of retirement villages, the costs of moving into and living in them, and how they operate. The seminar will also explain some important residents' rights and where you can find out more information.
The seminar is 90 minutes long and will include question and answer time.
Tea, coffee and light refreshments are provided.
Places are limited and while attendance is free, please register to reserve a seat.
Register by clicking the link below:
Check out NumberWorks’nWords for a gallery of fun games for practicing and consolidating Maths and English skills. The games help to reinforce the concepts taught in our tutoring sessions and make learning fun!
As the Cancer Society’s 30th Daffodil Day approaches you can choose to give in many more ways than ever before.
This year especially, we wanted to make it easier to donate to our street appeal for those that won’t be out and about or aren’t carrying cash. Every dollar makes a difference … View moreAs the Cancer Society’s 30th Daffodil Day approaches you can choose to give in many more ways than ever before.
This year especially, we wanted to make it easier to donate to our street appeal for those that won’t be out and about or aren’t carrying cash. Every dollar makes a difference in helping provide free support for people with cancer and their whānau.”
The newest way to donate is with the Cancer Society’s digital experience called ‘My Daffodil’. This can be found at www.daffodilday.org.nz. You can also donate via a QR code that will be displayed on daffodils during the street appeal on Friday 28 August.
Thank you for your support, we appreciate it!
As we all known that Linen is a natural fibre. linen is one of the earliest natural plant fibres that have been used for more than 10,000 years.
Flax fibre is a rare natural fibre, accounting for only 1.5% of the total fibre. Due to its natural and ancient nobility and high quality, it is … View moreAs we all known that Linen is a natural fibre. linen is one of the earliest natural plant fibres that have been used for more than 10,000 years.
Flax fibre is a rare natural fibre, accounting for only 1.5% of the total fibre. Due to its natural and ancient nobility and high quality, it is known as the fibre queen. It comes from the stems of the flax plant. linen fabric or weave is produced of fibre of the flax plant.
Why do people love linen fabric so much? Let's look at his benefits.
1. Its cultivation requires less pesticides and fertilisers
Flax, the source material for linen, is undemanding when not vulnerable to pests (compared to cotton). Useful animals like insects are not eradicated and cultivation is more environmentally friendly. Yay.
2. Linen does not require artificial watering
Flax is very adaptable. It simply takes what is there and normally does not require further artificial irrigation.
3. It can be cultivated locally
That means the linen is not shipped through half of the world to get processed in the factories. Rather, ways are short and direct.
4. It has a high yield
Flax has a high yield. That means, that in a specific area many plants can grow and be harvested.
5. Flax can be used in a crop rotation system
In contrast to monocultures, a crop rotation system is healthy and nutritional for the soil where it is planted and does also help insects to be able to feed from different plants.
6. Linen is diverse
Flax can not only be used for clothing. That means, that a high share of the whole plant can be used to produce a variety of goods. This prevents waste and helps different industries.
7. Linen is durable
The final fabric is durable and easy to take care of. When not too dirty, you can simply hang it outside and it will lose its smell quickly, just like wool does.
8. It has super nice properties on your skin
Linen has a special cooling effect and is therefore ideal for warm days. Also, it is strong, lightweight, and most importantly, durable, so you can use it for a long time!
9. Linen has history
The Egyptians used linen thousands of years ago (rich and poor Egyptians alike) and there is evidence that as long as 34,000 BC, people were using linen-like clothing.
10. Linen is biodegradable
Linen is compostable and will therefore not lie on landfills years and years after being disposed. It will either be composted or recycled if you dispose of it correctly.
If you own linen curtains - we can clean them! We take extra measures to prevent shrinking and they are pressed after cleaning so they stay hanging beautifully. See our website to book your curtains in. www.curtainclean.co.nz...
Hi Neighbours!
Our August SuperSeniors Newsletter is out now, and it's filled with lots of handy information and opportunities for seniors.
This issue includes a story about the benefits of volunteering and how to get involved, as well as an update on the changes to NZ Super and … View moreHi Neighbours!
Our August SuperSeniors Newsletter is out now, and it's filled with lots of handy information and opportunities for seniors.
This issue includes a story about the benefits of volunteering and how to get involved, as well as an update on the changes to NZ Super and Veteran's Pension.
Even if you aren't over 65 yourself, check it out and share it with the older people in your life.
Click here to read our August newsletter: bit.ly...
Or to subscribe to the newsletter follow this link: bit.ly...
Our guide gives you a glimpse into the lifestyle that a Ryman village offers. As well as guiding you through the retirement living and care options available.
Receive your free Experience the Difference guide.
Hi everyone,
We'd be keen to hear about your discoveries on your recent travels around New Zealand. Were there any small towns, activities or attractions that surprised you, for better or for worse? Did you come across any lesser-know spots you think more Kiwis should check out? Which small … View moreHi everyone,
We'd be keen to hear about your discoveries on your recent travels around New Zealand. Were there any small towns, activities or attractions that surprised you, for better or for worse? Did you come across any lesser-know spots you think more Kiwis should check out? Which small towns do you think deserve more visitors than they get? Please remember your comment may be included in an article unless you state that you don't want it to be. Cheers.
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