The Palliser Bay Experimental Garden
This experimental garden is situated at Whatarangi in Palliser
Bay to the east of Wellington on the northern shores of
Cook Strait, on the property of Bob Buckley. Palliser Bay
has been the subject of considerable archaeological investigations
and it is known that kumara horticulture was practiced extensively
in this region by pre-European Maori. Stone walls are the obvious signs
of horticultural field systems in this and other areas of New Zealand.
This was the reason why the area was chosen for this experiment.
An area of 5 x 5 m was laid out and steel waretas used for a fence,
with wire netting to keep out stock and possums. Wind cloth was
fastened to this to reduce wind damage. The
garden was planted with seed
tubers in a quincunx pattern.
So far we have planted and harvested kumara for only one season,
but the experiment will continue for some years to come.
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