Desexing your cats
Hi all, just a quick heads-up to people who own or intend to own a cat. There have been a quite a few toms hanging around my property (I don't have a cat), and from the stink they leave it is clear they are not desexed - relatives and friends in other areas report similar. The cats I've seen have collars, so are domesticated not stray - my car stinks, my yard stinks, and one managed to spray inside my front door one morning when I was airing the house out and upstairs. There is also frequent fighting at night. Unless you have valid reasons for leaving them "whole" cats *should* be desexed - if they're not desexed they'll just go out and breed willy nilly as is their instinct. The number of stray or unwanted cats/kittens bought to vets or the SPCA is at an all time high, and continues to grow - sadly most of those are put to death. If that upsets you then please ensure your cat is not contributing to that by desexing it.
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.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.6% Yes
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13.2% No
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1.2% Other - I'll share below
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.