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.
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
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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