Know Your Nasties! - Quick info on regional pests
Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera) is a pretty, unassuming plant that can quickly replace the native species that are growing around it. Originally from South Africa it now threatens coastal areas where it can suppress the growth of native species.
Producing up to 50,000 seeds a year boneseed can quickly get out of control which is why our pest plants team try and contain it and in some coastal areas they control it. This sometimes means using unorthodox methods to remove the plants.
In Ngawi our team do annual work to remove the little yellow nasties either by hand pulling or cutting and treating via helicopter. They’ve been doing it since 2013 and it takes two helicopters to get the job done! Talk about cool work stories.
So, if you think you’ve seen boneseed, particularly in a coastal area of the Wairarapa, let the handy pest plants team know and they’ll come and have a look. Email them at pest.plants@gw.govt.nz
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.
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.
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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84.7% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below