How many times have I written this post without publishing it? Several times; it’s like trying to pen a break up letter to someone you’re actually in love with but you know it’s just not going to work out… It’s not you, it’s me. Honest!
In actual fact, this will work as a nice in to what it is I want to write; what I need to write.
Stoney Ground Herbs has been running for eight years now. It has taken me on some terrific and unexpected journeys. For one, I did not imagine I would send plants all around New Zealand, I set up thinking I would just be servicing the Kāpiti region (we were living in Paekakariki at the time). I did not expect to be supplying dried herbs for set designers working at TV production companies (cracker year that one!). I did not realise that my articles on Maramataka Māori would be more popular than any herb article I’ve written.
I have had successes, I have had failures, I have loved sharing my knowledge, I have wished I received more feedback, I have put my heart and soul into growing my plants and I have been rewarded knowing that most were going to gardens/gardeners with the same energy.
But it’s time to tread another path my friends.
I have loved supplying you with plants (or entertainment!) – but now I want to supply people with my own take on fruit wines (more often than not herbs are involved in my brews). Bit of a jump I know, but this is where my heart is now. I’ve been making fruit wines for four years but it’s going to take another year before I will legally be able to sell my wines. I don’t have a website yet (not much point until I’m legit) but if you would be interested in when I’ll be up and running, contact me through the contact form and I’ll put you on my mailing list. I have an Instagram account here @catalystfruitwines.
I was going to wait until the end of the season but covid has sped things along with sending difficulties and cancelled markets. I think it’s only fair to everyone that I shut up shop now. If you are on my white sage email list I will still contact you if and when I have plants available. But please do support these other businesses that I’m sure have been dealing with their own setbacks… or not! Support them anyway…
- Kahikatea Farm permaculture, many herbs and trees, based in Hawkes Bay
- Puriri Lane perennial specialist, herbs and flowers, based in Drury, Auckland
- Marshwood Gardens Salvia and Artemisia growers plus more, based in Invercargill
- Heirloom Perennial Plant Nursery the name says it all, based in Nelson
- Meadowsweet, sells herbs from her gate in Waikuku, Canterbury, may sell seeds later
- Shaman’s Gardens, herb plants and herb products, based in Motueka
If I find I just can’t help but propagate more plants I will possibly sell on Trade Me, but we’ll see… I might actually focus on my own gardens… and Catalyst Fruit Wines!
So there we go, do I push the publish button? Golly…
Well, I’ve just had a natter to my plants and yep, they are in agreeance that it’s time, all a bit nerve wracking; am I doing the right thing? Will I regret this? Will I piss people off? ~ actually, don’t care! Will my fruit wines absolutely rock your fkn socks off? I bloody hope so!
Remember to check out my insta account Catalyst Fruit Wines and contact me to go on my mailing list (you can just write Catalyst in the message or Wine, whatever!).
OK folk, love ya, grow well, keep on growing, look up Mark Manson, use your herbs (it’s the best way to keep them shipshape), support small businesses, be vocal, speak up, yes protest, but also tell people that they’re doing a stellar job or you love their stuff, be effusive (but not, too like, scary full on eh!), trust your instinct, do what you love, accept that passions ebb and flow, acknowledge when the tide of passion is out and not coming back, grow old gracefully, plant a tree, feed others, unless you’re hurting others~ don’t buy into guilt, you’re doing a great job. You are enough. I am enough and it’s time to stop blabbering… so hard to say good bye!!!! 😥😂 See ya!!!!!
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