Swan plant cuttings needed for poor starving Monarch caterpillars
Hello neighbours,I ,like many others,have been helping to get Monarch butterflies safely through their caterpillar and chrysalis stages each spring/summer.If not kept away from paper wasps and some other insects,hardly any actually become butterflies around here.This year there has strangely been no activity on my plants here in Stoke,but a friend in Hope has started doing it and due to some very proliferic breeders,her plants and my adopted ones are now stripped ,with dozens of caterpillars needing to reach chrysalis still,and more eggs laid.I used to be able to get extra greenery from the railway reserve,but the council in it' s stupid wisdom has seen to have all swan plants there pulled out,and possibly poisoned.Duh.Anyone out there who is willing to donate leafy shoots from their larger plant(s) please contact me,the butterflies would really appreciate it.Thanks Judy 5479143
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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84.6% Yes
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14% No
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1.4% 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.