Unexpected fun times!
Last week I had the privelage of spending the afternoon with @beautificationtrust volunteering with their head trapping expert out in the field. It gave me the opportunity to learn more about pest control and trapping in South Auckland, what the impact is on the community and the ecosystem, and a chance to wander in some seriously beautiful pockets of bush that I didn’t know existed.
I learned all sorts including that possums like carrots smeared in peanut butter, just cause you don’t see pests doesn’t mean you don’t have them on your property, and that rats will carry macadamia nuts from peoples backyards all the way into the middle of the bush. 🫣
Dead Possums 1
Dead Rats 1
Lost dog balls 3
Times Ellen slipped 2
10/10 recommend if you are looking for a meaningful way to give back to the local community. I had a great time!!!
With the scale @beautificationtrust works at, not to mention the goals they have, there are always more jobs needing to be done than hands available!
Check out this fantastic South Auckland initiative today - they have so much on offer from free traps, free liquid fertilizer, providing a recycling centre where you can recycle everything from toothpaste tubes to milk bottle lids, a crop swap, cheap veges, and a second hand shop.
#southauckland #community #beautificationtrust #pestcontrol #nzbush #nzgardener #nativebush #protectingtheforest #nzgardening #nzgarden #naturelovers
5 fruit & veges to consider planting this spring
Cucumbers - amazing value for effort, plus pickles. Need I say more?
Tomatoes - such a good bang for buck grow. Suitable for beginners, huge range of varieties, and grow well everywhere from hanging baskets, to patio planters, to hothouses and everywhere in between.
blueberries - they often get a bad wrap for being difficult to grow.. but trust me when I say they are seriously much easier than you think. They are hardy, grow well in containers, and the hardest part is beating the birds (and the littles) to the berries!
strawberries - they take a wee bit of attention but are SO worth it! Plus the little like helping out here 👀
Beans - the BEST crop for beginners. They grow anywhere and everywhere and fruit prolifically with a huge range of varieties to choose from. My faves are Mangere Pole bean, Scarlett runner, and dwarf beans of every variety!
#nzgardener #growyourown #growyourownfood #growyourownfruit #growyourownveggies #vegetablegarden #patchtoplate #gardentotable #springgardening #nzgardening #nzgarden #beginnergardener #gardening101
In my era of doing things for myself 💁🏼♀️
Someone will always have something to say about what you do… and in this case no going for a walk it won’t solve all your problems but it seriously helps!!
I find such mental clarity after going walkies, getting fresh air, vitamin d and a hit of both dopamine & seratonin. Yes I said a hit. Yes that’s what I meant.
Must be in nature, best taken with friends 🫶🏻
Credit - took inspo from a meme I saw earlier in the week that I can’t find but the sentiment stuck with me!
#naturewalk #bushwalk #nzbushwalk #duderregionalpark #dopamine #seratonin #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #walkies #nznationalpark #doingitforme
This walk shook me.
I know, dramatic, but it’s true! I couldn’t believe this glorious gem had been on my back doorstep in the heart of South Auckland and I had no idea! Also - SO MANY NIKAU.
My top 3 reasons to visit?
🌳varying difficulty levels. Depending on the length of time you want to take, or how much of a workout you want, there is something for all levels.
🌳birdlife. The amount of active native birdlife was surprising given its location! Take your camera to get up close to Tui, Kereru, Piwakawaka, Kaka, and more!
🌳restoration. Some serious work is being done here to preserve not only the large historic trees, but foster new growth to return it to a healthier bushscape.
Dogs are welcome but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stick to the leashing rules. It’s so sad to see the erosion and damage caused by off leash animals to the streambeds and a forest floor trying so hard to thrive.
As with any native bush the temperature changes in and out (which I love) but a brisk pace will keep you warm, even at this time of year.
A reminder to ALWAYS buddy up or tell someone when you are going through a piece of native bush for safety reasons, even if it’s a well used track.
Is this one you have done before or would consider doing?
#nzbush #walkies #nzbushwalks #nzbirdlife #nzgardener #nzgardening #nzgardeninspo #nativeplants #aucklandbushwalks
What are you most grateful for at the moment?
I am grateful for sunny winter days, a warm home, fresh mandarins, and fulfilling relationships ☀️
#gratefulness #mindfullnessmoment #mindful #nervoussystemhealth #slowlife #lifeintheslowlane #herbs #pineapplesage #garden #nzgardener #growyourownfood
New month new garden checklist 🌱 📋
Winter is definitely here, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to slow down in the garden 🙌🏻
Now it’s July it’s time to:
❄️ Continue protecting your veggies with frost cloth, and make sure your seedlings aren’t getting too wet. Water around the roots each morning. Avoid watering veggie leaves as this encourages powdery mildew.
❄️ Store your seed potatoes in a cool, well-lit spot until they have 1-2cm shoots.
❄️ Deadhead any spent winter annuals, perennials and shrubs to encourage new growth.
❄️ Continue adding winter annuals to your garden or containers for a splash of colour.
❄️ Cut back any dead, or browning leaves on your indoor plants.
For more July garden tasks, tips and tricks be sure to pick up the latest copy of the Free @kingsplantbarnnz Scoop Magazine in-store !
#kingsplantbarn #gardencenter #wintergardening #nzgarden #nzgardening #nzgardener #vegetablegardening #growyourownfood #julygarden #gardeningathome
A second of clarity, on repeat, for your viewing pleasure 🤣
My head is still spinning from yesterday, but I feel so spoilt, have a completely full cup, and so SO grateful to @brookehowardsmith @nzcreatorcon @pullmanauckland @meta @cerave_aunz and everyone else for having me 🥺
Special shoutout to @allisforall team @mrsrobinsonnz for helping get me through the day (yes she had to give me the mum voice more than once 🤣) and introducing me to like minded industry people.
#nzcreatorcon #pullmanauckland #autism #autismawareness #apd #sensoryoverwhelm #overwhelm #auditoryprocessingdisorder #autistic #nervoussystemdisorder #somaticdisorder #fndawareness #fnd
Cause it’s fun to be a lil silly from time to time.
BTS from filming this months @kingsplantbarnnz gardening tasks!! 🤣
#gardening #nzgardening #homegarden #nzgarden #homegrownvegetables #gardeningnz #growyourown #growyourownvegetables #growyourownfood #gardeningfordietaryrequirements #gardentotable #gardentoplate #gardensofinstagram
