Nettle me this! Know your regional pests
Although nettle can make a nice tea on occasion, the perennial nettle (Urtica diocia) that our pest plants team deal with can form dense patches that compete with other native species for space and light. Livestock also don’t like it which reduces the area available for grazing. Not to mention it stings! (Which is not a reason for controlling it of course but we are happy about that).
The upright herb can grow up to 1.5 metres tall and has leaves that are heart shaped and toothed, covered in hairs that may sting. It’s often found in older gardens, forest margins, pasture, streams and river banks.
Our pest plants team are mostly finding it around rivers and streams in the Wairarapa, but have also found it in areas which are grazed by livestock. So, if you think you’ve seen perennial nettle, the team wants to know. They’ll control it for free! Contact pest.plants@gw.govt.nz.
Read more about perennial nettle and what you can do about it here: www.gwrc.govt.nz...
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.
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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84.7% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
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