Still looking for the perfect gift for the lifestyle block owner in your life? Check out part two of our Christmas list.
6. Sledgehammer
$50
And while we’re thinking about hitting things, a good sledgehammer is one of those tools you won’t use very often, but when you do it will save you so much time and give you the extra power you need to knock over that old retaining wall or straighten a post.
7. Practical Smallfarming in NZ by Trisha Fisk
$35
There may be big, fancy new books on lifestyle farming but the classic, original guide that still holds true to this day is by Growing Today columnist Trisha Fisk. Her guide for the new farmer has all the information you need.
8. Walkie-talkies
$150+
Communication is essential on a small farm but sometimes, when the wind is blowing the wrong way and you’re trying to herd some wayward animals, communicating can be quite difficult. Small handheld, short-range walkies talkies are brilliant. It saves everyone having to shout at each other, and you don’t upset the animals (or your better half).
9. Weathervane
$120+
You may wonder why so many rural folk’s first question is “what’s the weather doing at your place?” but after living on a farm you’ll know it is the biggest unknown you’ll have to deal with on a daily basis. You’ll also know that just because the wind at ground level is a westerly doesn’t necessarily means it’s actually a westerly above your head. That’s where the classic weathervane helps out, plus they just look great up on your barn.
10 Weather station
$10-$1000+
And while on the subject of weather, a rain gauge, temperature gauge and a humidity level doesn’t go astray either. Knowing how much rain has fallen will warn you of the need to irrigate, especially if new plantings (like a shelterbelt or riparian strip) need a bit of help in their first year of establishment. Plus, it’s always interesting to tell people (townfolk) that it was 2°C in your kitchen on a winter morning! You can go for a basic rain gauge for under $10 or have a look at the whiz-bang wireless models that you can check on from the comfort of your own lounge for around $120 right up to semi-professional weather stations.
Nadene Hall
