Bee Friendly Gardens
If you are heading to a garden centre this summer, don't forget the bees.
Bees prefer flat open flowers or small clusters rather than large frilly double flowers, as it is easier for them to get into them to feed.
Bee friendly plants include:
ANNUALS -
Marigold, sunflower, poppies, nasturtiums, calendular, cosmos, etc
PERENNIALS -
Dahlias, geraniums, gladiolus, echinacea, comfrey, lavender, aquilegia, etc.
CLIMBERS-
Honeysuckle, clematis, NZ Jasmine, wisteria, etc.
FRUIT AND VEGETABLES -
Blackberry, cucumber, pumpkin, corgettes, all brassicas, pip and stone fruit, etc.
HERBS -
Borage, thyme, coriander, basil, mint, rosemary, all salvias, etc.
If you want to encourage bees, put similar plants in a group, this will provide a billboard for bees proclaiming "Lots of food here!"
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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85.5% Yes
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13.3% No
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1.1% 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.
The Hikoi on Tuesday 19th
I copied this from a Facebook page: The expected route of the hīkoi on Tuesday is from Takapuwahia Maree in Esldon towards Porirua and along Kenepuru Drive to Tawa, then up Middleton Road to Johnsonville, down Ngaraunga George and along the old Hutt Road to Wellington. They are anticipating significant congestion on the roads between 06.00am and 12.30pm.