Going Native

Before harvesting

My neighbour turned up on my doorstep last weekend - stanley knives and gloves in hand - to "prune" my flax bushes for me. Well actually, it was WITH me because I happened to mention that I needed to tame the front garden and she offered to help me with the flaxes as she has taken up flax weaving and had been cutting some of the flax for her use. A quick change from my pyjamas and I reported for "pruning" duty.

She did say there was no hurry as it was going to be a big job - little did I really understand what that actually meant. Before we started you could not  walk around the front garden area because of the size of the flax bushes. Before we started I thought I had three flax bushes. Before we started I had no idea how exhausted I would be at the end of the day. But, what a thoroughly satisfying experience.

Cutting and harvesting method

We Pakehas would say that we pruned the flaxes. In truth, we harvested the flax. And it's not about hacking back what you don't want. There is a methodical approach to the harvesting and a technique that protects the plant and enhances healthy growth. Flax leaves  grow in fan shapes - check out the next flax bush you come across. To harvest the flax you keep the central leaf and the leaves either side (baby with mother and father). All the other leaves on either side of these three are then cut off in a diagonal direction which leaves the three central leaves a strong support base for further growth. You methodically work your way through every fan, eventually reaching the core of the plant and working your way through to the other side. It's easy to know when you have finished and it is surprising how the flax bush doesn't look denuded but does look more majestic. For someone who is mathematically minded the logic of this activity really appealed to me. What didn't appeal was the time it took. SEVEN hours later we finished the FOUR flax bushes in the front garden and I did another one I have growing down the pathway. There are still three more to go - trouble is that this time ignorance was bliss. Not going to be the case next time.

After harvesting

My neighbour didn't stop there - she gathered up what she wanted, tied into a traditional flax bundle and stored it for future use. Meanwhile another angel that helps with my lawns took away TWO van loads of dead and harvested flax. I was truly lucky to have such wonderful helpers. This is the same flax bush after harvesting.

We both sat back - admired our handy work and had a well deserved glass on wine on the front deck and, for the first time since I have been here, I ran a bath and soaked the aching and exhausted body.

The story doesn't end there - two days later my neighbour turned up with containers that she had woven. In true Maori tradition the containers came with something in them. Just blew me away. This is a sample of the kind of work she does. I use the large one for my eggs and I am the envy of everyone who sees it.

Flax by Robyn, weaving by Louise.

THE BEST.......Finishing!

THE WORST.......Cockroaches, cockroaches and more cockroaches hiding out in the dank overgrown core of the plants. Certainly overcame my fear that day!

I'M LEARNING......When someone turns up on your doorstep armed with lots of utensils to help you, put aside the rest of the day and right off the rest of the weekend for post-activity exhaustion!!!!