The Great Juniper Hunt: have you seen this plant?
Dear gardeners and citizen scientists, you are being recruited to track down wild juniper berries because, well, that's what gives gin its distinctive flavour and aroma. Look for a conifer with needle-like leaves with sharp tips up to 25mm long. The needles will point up and out rather than down the stem, and are green with a white band down the centre. The all-important berries are 5-6mm wide and blue-black when ripe. Robyn Abernethy from Dunedin Botanic Garden says if you are unsure if a conifer is a juniper, stick your hand into it. Junipers are prickly on the inside. When you've found it, post it to the link below. Happy hunting!
(Pix courtesy of Dunedin Botanic Garden.)
It’s Riddle Time – You Might Need an Extra Cup of Coffee!
Nobody has ever walked this way. Which way is it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
The tiger who came to tea
Trays are such a useful item to have in the home – they are obviously great for serving food and drinks, particularly breakfast in bed! Find out how to create your own with Resene wallpaper and Resene Colorwood wood stain with these easy step by step instructions.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.