Wednesday 7th September, 2016
Hi
I have got to come up with a plan and at this point I'm not sure what to do..... last year when I planted all my Zucchinis out, the Pukekos came and pulled them all out and I m sure that it was just for the fun of doing it. I replanted them all and they did it again and then broke them off below the seed leaves. In the end Harry had to run some chicken netting out to fence them off and then string out some dangling CDs to scare them off.
Some days I see up to some 40 Pukekos on our front lawn.... now I see at least a couple of rabbit hopping around out there as well and when you see one, well I imagine there is a least 50 that I'm not seeing. Judging from the well grazed parsley plants in our potager they are dining out quite well. To date they haven't touched my 60 odd Shallot plants that I had such huge success growing last year so obviously onions are not something that appeals.
I reminisced the other day to one of the team who is having the same issues with those pesky varmints that are hell bent on devouring our home grown produce.
Some years ago when we first arrived in Gordonton we had a rabbit problem as they ate the plants in our nursery. In those days it was very small area and we actually managed to fence it off using electric fence standards with electric fence wires at ground level and every 10 cm and getting further apart as they get higher. It was complete with a Taranaki gate and havoc if any rabbit accidentally got locked inside the area and couldn't get out.
For those that are around my age, then they will remember all the controversy around the calici (sp?) virus that was sneaked ? into the country. I thinking, remembering that it was the south island farmers that had all the issues but I'm sure that the spin off effect of the virus was NZ wide and so we had no rabbits for years.
Now it would appear that the Rabbits are now resistant to that virus and we seem to have record numbers around the countryside and in our nursery again. I can attest to the fact that they like Mondo grass and especially the japonica or normal one as they seem to graze those. Our French tarragon that was coming again after the winter was already being eaten and they like the new shoots on lilies. I am not sure what to do in the nursery as it has grown so large and there are so many hiding places but perhaps I could electric fence off the potager and put plastic shields around the fruit trees in our new orchard.
There is more to trees than leaves
and you ask what? and if we were writing about magnolias then I would be on about their gorgeous tulip shaped flowers but no this week we are on about bark, white peeling stuff or shades of white belonging to that hardy group of trees commonly called Birches.
For those that want to know the nitty-griity on birches they belong to the genus
Betula and to their own namesake family, the Betulaceace. It seems these handsome white peeling bark trees are native to Europe and parts of Asia though some of the cousins or related species are native to specific areas.
I'm sure that you have all seen the glossy pics in the fancy gardening magazines where birches are mass planted in clusters and then under planted with lovely bright green foliage that sets off the look. This is a great example of where trees are mass planted for effect as close planting causes them to grow up and out from each other in an almost natural/wild way. Hedera or Ivy is often under planted being a relatively low maintenance, weed free scenario.
Betula jacquemonti or Betula utilis var Jacquemonti is reputed to have one of the whitest bark but here's the go, that gets most, often young plants have quite brown bark that goes ultra white as the plant matures. Ill even go as far to say that all young birches look quite similar with quite insignificant brown bark and most clients doubt that they are going to become white.
Now there are so many birches and so many differing bark looks and amounts of peeling but in general its their claim to fame and they do look cool mass planted.
Stachyurus praecox The chestnut brown branches of this unusual deciduous shrub have an open spreading habit. In very early spring they are highly decorated with a myriad of chartreuse-yellow flowers that hang like little bells. Gorgeous picked for a unique floral decoration. Easy to grow in sun or part shade.
Corylopsis spicata Winter Hazel. You'll love this unusual shrub from Japan that has highly fragrant racemes of bright yellow bell shaped flowers in early spring. Attractive bare branch structure that becomes covered with rounded grey-green heart shaped leaves in spring. Prefers semi-shade and rich acid soil.
Primula a lovely selection of primula plants to begin the early colours of spring. Some lovely colours available. These plants like a bit of shade and moist ground but not wet feet and don't forget that the slugs find them delectable too so some slug bait won't go amiss. Pandorea. Remember the Wonga vine? This rapid and strong growing climber has handsome glossy green foliage made up of divided leaflets. Panicles of tubular bell shaped flowersappear in spring and summer and emit a lovely fragrance. Plant in a sheltered, sunny, frost free position. Evergreen.
Whats Up? Coming events that we are supporting
Huntly Wearable Arts Awards Show........ I'ts getting closer.....and tickets are now on sale. These are $25.00 and can be purchased from Allen's Fabrics, Kaizo Hair and the Huntly I-Site.
With local lad TE RADAR as MC, lots of fabulous designs, and some exciting stage performances, including our MAIPI WHANAU, DANCERS and LIQUID HIP HOP dancer MAYO,
October 1st, 8pm, at the Huntly College Hall should be a great night out for young and old.
We can't forget our sponsors, can we!!! and our darling Wairere guys, Harry and Lloyd, and Tony who are sponsoring awards.
St Josephs Garden Ramble 6th November 2016
12 wonderful gardens and Ticket Prices at $40-00 include a cut lunch.
Gardens this year are River fringe on the East side and then out west to smaller plots and beyond to Te Kowhai / Horotiu to some pretty fantastic lifestyle gardens. Some owners will be offering home propagated plants. Our two Cafe Gardens are in Woodstock and Vintage themed, with fine china and embroidered cloths. Beautiful baking with tea and coffee to accompany.
There will be a limit so the sooner you buy the better. Email address for ordering and paying for tickets is stjosgardenramble@clear.net.nz
Go the All Blacks vs Argentina on Saturday, wishing the best of luck to the Argentinians as they are going to need it, the AB's don't need our wishes of luck they are a well oiled machine.
Spring is such a gorgeous season and so make the most of getting you place looking fab as it will peak in late October, early November. Well by then all the trees will have leaves, perennials will have expanded and be flowering and your roses should be in full bloom. Don't forget to weed, feed, have done all pruning and get all those new plants in to fill gaps in the garden. Slug bait out so that the slugs and snails dont get your hostas , Liriopes and veges... perhaps a 22 for the bunnies... any other ideas for me will be gratefully received
Lloyd, Harry and the Wairere Team
Make it a Wairere weekend where even
GNOMES know that gardening's not a drag.
