901 days ago

Growing Your Own Linen

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean (The Curtain Store)

Linen has been used for thousands of years for clothes, beding 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.

See the whole method here: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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9 minutes

2025 Mahi Aroha Youth Award

Olivia from Volunteer Wellington

The Youth Award celebrates a young volunteer (under 25) who is making a significant impact in their community. Their passion, energy and dedication are driving positive change, and they deserve to be recognized for their mahi.

Nominations are open! Know an inspiring young volunteer? Nominate them today.

A special shoutout to the Youth Impact leaders for being the faces of this video!

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5 days ago

Poll: Is your nearest emergency department up to scratch?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Concerns have been raised about Nelson Hospital with complaints of lack of staffing and excessive wait times. Do you have confidence in your local emergency department?

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Is your nearest emergency department up to scratch?
  • 37.1% Yes, it serves us well
    37.1% Complete
  • 62.1% No, I have concerns
    62.1% Complete
  • 0.8% Other - I'll share below
    0.8% Complete
1451 votes
14 days ago

What's one highway or road that needs attention?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We've all been on a summer roadie and experienced first-hand the state of our roads.

If you've ever been stuck in a summer traffic jam, had near-misses on dangerous turns or feared for your life on clifftops (while the car behind you is tail-gating!) - you may have an opinion on this one.

Tell us what main road or highway you think needs some serious attention across the country, and why!

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