Matchmaking for monarch butterflies!
Are you looking for monarch caterpillars or is it more food for starving monarch caterpillars that you’re looking for?
This year, thanks to the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust, monarch butterflies have their very own matchmaking agency.
“There are always pockets around the country where there are healthy swan plants which female monarchs haven’t found,” said Jacqui Knight from the MBNZT. “And there are other people who find their swan plants are stripped by the hungry caterpillars. Now, thanks to web-based technology, there’s a site where people can list their details and hopefully be introduced to someone who can come to their aid.”
The site has only been created but already there are people from all corners of the country networking to lift monarch numbers before the end of the summer.
“As well as other predators, over recent years we’ve seen a huge increase in the numbers of paper wasps. Many people now raise their caterpillars under cover to protect them,” said Jacqui. So it can be disappointing if you run out of food… or you have plenty of food and no monarchs laying.”
You can use either one of these sites to get help:
www.facebook.com... or www.monarch.org.nz...
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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85.2% Yes
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13.5% No
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1.2% Other - I'll share below
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.
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.
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