Vine weeds, vine weeds, and more vine weeds...
If your garden seems to have disappeared somewhere under an unfamiliar...or all-too-familiar...mass, now is the time to reclaim it. And don't worry, in most cases it CAN be reclaimed, once you know what's going on in the jungle.
The explosion of moth plant pods in the neighbourhood, each burst pod's thousands of tiny seeds blown on the wind, means almost every garden is likely to have at least a seedling or two...and many have thousands. Easy to pull out as seedlings or very young vines, but hard to spot as they hug fences and trees to climb into the leafy canopy, where they match the greenery and hide their seed-filled pods.
Ivy is often unrecognised when mature, as it has a different shape and colour of leaf from the familiar dark green leaf. It also has hanging bunches of flowers which turn to little black berries, loved by blackbirds who deposit the seeds at their next stop.
Japanese honeysuckle also has little black berries, spread by birds in the same manner. These seedlings are becoming more common, and start new honeysuckle invasions as far as the birds' feeding rounds take them.
Now summer is over, bindweed has slithered to the ground, where its spaghetti-like runners, hidden under mulch, leaf litter or weedmat, will lie dormant till Spring. Runners scooped up easily now mean next year's vines will be much smaller, giving us a chance to control them before they overtake our shrubberies, small trees and new plantings.
Pink jasmine still has its pretty green foliage, often covering fences and entire areas of shrubs and small trees, emerging from under buildings, and climbing up to 10m high wherever it finds a tree.
While it may be interesting to sit back and wait to see what will be the Last Plant Standing, you may prefer to call us for a Garden Ecology assessment, advice on how to restore order without chemicals or digging, or a weekly application of our gardening service (or more often if you want rapid transformation).
See our Profile for website and contact info, call 021485994, or email jenny@northshorewilds.co.nz
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.5% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16.4% Hmm, maybe?
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11.1% Yes!
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
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