Our traditional gardening practices -
Our traditional gardening practices on the island were born from necessity and isolation. For generations, the Norfolk Island community mastered the art of self-sufficiency, adapting to the island's distinctive and often changing climate and seasons with limited resources.
Our geographical isolation fostered innovative farming methods with a deep connection between our way of life and the land cultivated.
The necessity of self-sufficiency stemmed from supply ships arriving ad-hoc. Families couldn't rely on imported foods, making home gardens essential for survival. The single general store's inventory on the island was often depleted within days of a ship's arrival, and preserved foods like tinned meat and flour were rationed carefully between shipments.
Every Norfolk Island family maintained their own garden plot, working the land daily before and after their regular jobs. Children learned to plant and harvest from an early age, ensuring these vital skills passed through generations. Most families dedicated specific larger paddocks and areas for staple crops like kumera (sweet potatoes), irish potatoes, corn, bananas and beans, while maintaining smaller plots for seasonal vegetables and herbs.
The islanders traditionally relied entirely on their collective farming knowledge and seed-saving practices to sustain the community. Families worked with crop rotation systems and shared successful growing techniques through informal community networks.
This tradition of self-sufficiency has shaped not only Norfolk Island's agricultural practices but also its social fabric, creating a resilient community where knowledge of growing and preserving food is considered as valuable as any formal education. Even today, with modern shipping and air freight available, many islanders maintain these traditional practices, recognizing their importance for both cultural preservation, health and food security.
Sharing produce was a fundamental aspect of life on Norfolk Island. This practice strengthened community bonds, ensured no food went to waste, and helped everyone benefit from the island's collective harvest.
When families had surplus crops or a particularly good harvest, it was customary to distribute the extra produce amongst each other. This system of informal exchange meant that if someone had an abundance of sweet potatoes, they might share with someone who, in turn, would later share their excess citrus fruits or fresh fish.
The sharing tradition went beyond just food distribution. Knowledge about growing techniques, seed saving, and preservation methods was freely shared between families and across generations.
Today, despite modern conveniences and improved access to imported goods, this culture of sharing remains deeply ingrained in our Norfolk Island community.
Encouraging the consumption of locally grown produce helps maintain the island's agricultural traditions and supports local farmers. Community markets, farm-to-table initiatives, and local food festivals celebrate and promote traditional crops and farming methods. The island's restaurants and hotels incorporate locally sourced ingredients supporting our local farmers.
It is with much appreciation to you as a visitor for your support on your holiday of conscious choices, active participation and respect to help ensure that Norfolk Island's agricultural practices and environmental heritage continue to thrive for generations to come.
Thanks so much for joining me this week!
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Our geographical isolation and traditional gardening practices
Welcome to Episode 10 of the Untold Norfolk Island travel podcast series.
My name is Jodie Williams and as a Norfolk Islander & Churchill Fellow, I am your ‘on island’ podcast host.
Peter Kukura - ‘Living on Norfolk Island’ song
Many artists have been inspired by and respected our Norfolk way of life. Peter Kukura is one such musician and you’ve just heard a snippet of his song dedicated to the island and our community.
Traditional Gardening Practices on the Island
Our traditional gardening practices on the island were born from necessity and isolation. For generations, the Norfolk Island community mastered the art of self-sufficiency, adapting to the island's distinctive and often changing climate and seasons with limited resources.
Our geographical isolation fostered innovative farming methods with a deep connection between our way of life and the land cultivated.
The necessity of self-sufficiency stemmed from supply ships arriving ad-hoc. Families couldn't rely on imported foods, making home gardens essential for survival. The single general store's inventory on the island was often depleted within days of a ship's arrival, and preserved foods like tinned meat and flour were rationed carefully between shipments.
Every Norfolk Island family maintained their own garden plot, working the land daily before and after their regular jobs. Children learned to plant and harvest from an early age, ensuring these vital skills passed through generations. Most families dedicated specific larger paddocks and areas for staple crops like kumera (sweet potatoes), irish potatoes, corn, bananas and beans, while maintaining smaller plots for seasonal vegetables and herbs.
The islanders traditionally relied entirely on their collective farming knowledge and seed-saving practices to sustain the community. Families worked with crop rotation systems and shared successful growing techniques through informal community networks.
This tradition of self-sufficiency has shaped not only Norfolk Island's agricultural practices but also its social fabric, creating a resilient community where knowledge of growing and preserving food is considered as valuable as any formal education. Even today, with modern shipping and air freight available, many islanders maintain these traditional practices, recognizing their importance for both cultural preservation, health and food security.
Kumera
A sweet potato variety that has been crucial to the islanders' diet for generations. Known for its rich flesh and sweet flavor, kumera was traditionally planted according to lunar cycles. Families would dedicate large portions of their gardens to this nutritious crop, which could be stored for months in cool, dry conditions.
Beans
A reliable protein source that played a vital role in the island's food security. Multiple varieties were grown, from climbing beans to bush beans, providing both fresh vegetables and dried legumes for long-term storage. Beans were often intercropped with other plants, enriching the soil through nitrogen fixation while maximizing garden space.
Banana
The banana has been central to island cuisine and culture. Every part of the banana plant was utilized - the fruit eaten fresh or cooked, leaves used for wrapping food, and the banana bark segments used in the traditional craft of plaiting. Families would maintain several varieties, from cooking bananas to sweet dessert types, ensuring year-round availability.
The late Puss Anderson shares that growing up on Norfolk Island as boy in the 1940s meant eating what came from our own hands and the land around us. There was something special about harvesting from the soil that our parents and grandparents had carefully tended.
As he looked back, he explained that this simple diet wasn't just about filling our stomachs - it was a daily lesson in self-reliance and community. Every meal was a connection to our island's traditions, our family's hard work, and respect of the land and sea.
The following is in his words - a conversation that intermixes English with the Norf’k language:
Audio by George E. (Puss) Anderson
As Puss explains, kumera was a favourite staple grown, and it was customary of some farmers to plant extra rows specifically for others to harvest. This practice highlighted the communal spirit and generosity inherent in Norfolk Island's culture. The sharing of kumera became a symbol of community bonds, with families often exchanging different varieties they had cultivated. During harvest seasons, it was common to see sacks of freshly dug kumera being delivered to our elders or those who couldn't maintain their own gardens. This tradition of sharing created an informal support network that strengthened social ties right across the island.
Kumera was typically planted on the new moon in August, showcasing the islanders' adherence to lunar planting traditions. This method was believed to yield the best harvests, with specific techniques passed down through generations. Farmers would prepare raised mounds to ensure good drainage, spacing them precisely to allow the vines to spread. The soil preparation was crucial. Throughout the growing season, families would tend their kumera patches with dedicated care, weeding by hand and monitoring for pests. This attention to detail, combined with the island's fertile soil, produced sweet potatoes that were renowned for their flavour and size.
>> Sweet Taytie by George 'Toofie' Christian
>>> You have just heard a snippet of the song “Sweet Taytie” as composed and sung by Norfolk Islander, guitarist and singer/songwriter, George ‘Toofie’ Christian. This song is one from his album Pilli Lornga NI which means 'sticking to' in the Norf’k language.
On Norfolk Island, livestock played a crucial role in sustaining families and maintaining the delicate balance of island life. Beyond providing food, these animals were integral to the island's agricultural ecosystem and social fabric.
Chickens
Chickens were essential to every Norfolk Island homestead, providing daily eggs and traditionally occasional meat. These versatile birds played a vital role in garden maintenance by controlling insects and grubs. Their manure was highly valued for vegetable gardens.
Pigs
Many families owned at least one pig, which served multiple purposes in the household economy. Families would often share piglets with each other strengthening community bonds and supporting self-sufficiency.
Grazing Animals
Cattle played a complementary role in the island's livestock system with cows having the right of way on all roads at all times. They often provided milk and meat for families, their free grazing maintained paddocks and their manure also enriched pastures.
Livestock formed a backbone of Norfolk Island's sustainable farming practices converting animal waste into rich fertilizer, as a way to maintain soil fertility without external inputs. The integration of animals and crops created a resilient, self-sustaining agricultural model.
Throughout Norfolk Island's history, the community was reliant upon land management that reflected their deep understanding of sustainability and necessity for food security when living on an island.
With an agricultural focus, family acreage was primarily used for its farming potential with land areas shared with others for their agricultural suitability to grow specific crops or to run cattle for pasturage.
This land-use strategy reflected Norfolk Island's commitment to the careful balance between immediate needs and long-term preservation and created a resilient system that supported the community through changing times. Many families still hold onto their ancestral plots, maintaining the traditional practices that have proven effective for many generations.
Planting by Seasons and Moon
Islanders relied on lunar cycles and seasonal changes for planting guidance, passing down through the generations observations of weather patterns, tidal movements, and moon phases to determine optimal planting times. This system helped to maximize crop yields and maintain sustainable farming practices.
New Moon
Considered an ideal time for planting, especially for crops like kumera, beans, and corn. The darkness of this phase was believed to encourage strong root development as seeds naturally draw downward into the soil. Gardeners would prepare their soil during the waning phase and plant during the new moon to ensure optimal growth.
Full Moon
Another significant phase for agricultural activities and planning, particularly for above-ground crops like leafy greens and fruits. The bright moonlight was thought to provide extra energy for initial growth.
The Fisherman's Wisdom
Puss shared that it was in June (the first month of winter) that islanders would pull out their boats and plant beans. This local saying illustrates the deep connection between fishing and farming seasons on Norfolk Island. Local fishermen understood that winter's rough seas made fishing dangerous, using this downtime to prepare their gardens for spring harvests.
The advice marks the transition from the fishing season to a focus on land-based agriculture, showcasing the islanders' attunement to natural cycles and their environment.
Traditionally local fishermen had a deep understanding of weather patterns which influenced farming decisions, by reading cloud formations, wind directions, and ocean currents - skills that proved invaluable for both maritime activities and agricultural planning.
The Art of Sharing
Sharing produce was a fundamental aspect of life on Norfolk Island. This practice strengthened community bonds, ensured no food went to waste, and helped everyone benefit from the island's collective harvest.
When families had surplus crops or a particularly good harvest, it was customary to distribute the extra produce amongst each other. This system of informal exchange meant that if someone had an abundance of sweet potatoes, they might share with someone who, in turn, would later share their excess citrus fruits or fresh fish.
The sharing tradition went beyond just food distribution. Knowledge about growing techniques, seed saving, and preservation methods was freely shared between families and across generations. Traditionally, community events often centered around harvests, with families coming together to help each other during busy planting or harvesting seasons. The recent book publication by the late Albert Buffett shares the John Buffett family diaries, highlights this way of life on the island.
Today, despite modern conveniences and improved access to imported goods, this culture of sharing remains deeply ingrained in our Norfolk Island community. Many still maintain large gardens specifically to have enough to share, and it's common to see boxes of fresh produce left on kitchen benches of our elders or contributed at community gatherings.
Our traditional practices offer valuable insights for today's sustainability challenges. And excerpt from Merv Buffett’s ‘Homegrown’ book shares:
Beans can be grown all year round with the care of the gardener.
My mother planted three bean seeds every week in her flower garden under the roof overhang that had no guttering. The moisture dripping off the roof each night was enough watering to keep them going. This system kept her and my Dad in fresh green beans all year round in days when there was no electricity for pumps and no running water lines. Ingenious!
When the bean pod turns yellow that is a good time to harvest them, “pod” the beans, boil them up with a little salt and when soft, eat hot or cold as a vegetable with meat dishes.
Dried seed can also be cooked in this way, they can also be soaked in water until the “red” outer cover softens and can be removed by squeezing between the fingers. Then boil up the white interior that resembles mashed potatoes when cooked. Can be eaten in the same way as mashed spuds.
When you visit the island, you can experience first hand. This may inspire you to start your own small garden to grow your own produce when you return home. Even a few pots on a balcony can yield fresh herbs and vegetables and learning basic food preservation techniques can extend your harvest.
Blending Old and New
Combining traditional wisdom with modern sustainable technologies that have been developed helps to preserve the Norfolk Island’s agricultural heritage while adapting to contemporary challenges. This approach integrates our farming practices with innovative irrigation systems, natural pest management, and sustainable energy solutions. Farmers are implementing solar-power whilst maintaining traditional rainfall harvesting methods, and using modern composting and mulching techniques alongside ancestral soil enrichment practices. This harmonious blend ensures the survival of traditional methods while enhancing productivity and sustainability.
Encouraging the consumption of locally grown produce helps maintain the island's agricultural traditions and supports local farmers. Community markets, farm-to-table initiatives, and local food festivals celebrate and promote traditional crops and farming methods. The island's restaurants and hotels incorporate locally sourced ingredients supporting our local farmers.
It is with much appreciation to you as a visitor for your support on your holiday of conscious choices, active participation and respect to help ensure that Norfolk Island's agricultural practices and environmental heritage continue to thrive for generations to come.
Thanks so much for joining me this week!
