Autumn is our favourite time to weed...
Weeding is easiest and most rewarding once the days are cooler and soil becomes moist. Surrounding plants are not drought-stressed, and the weeds can be uprooted, cut or broken down without disturbing desired plants and new native seedlings.
For ecological restoration of a forest edge or mini-wilderness area, make sure you identify ALL your plants, big and small, wanted and unwanted, including the new ones that have appeared over summer.
Then, consider what will be the likely result from reducing or removing each of the weeds. Which ones first? How much to remove at once? What will replace them, and how quickly?
We can never be sure what Nature will do, but care and experience make the difference between producing an endless cycle of "tidy-ups" in unwelcoming conditions, and producing a haven of unique and unexpected beauty and birdsong, resilient to wind, rain and sun, and resistant to weed invasion.
In areas bordered by forest, our well-tested techniques of weed control support strong, diverse native revegetation, without chemicals or the need for planting.
As a forest edge is freed from weeds, native plant communities form spontaneously. Each native grass, moss, fern, shrub or vine finds its niche.
From ground level to the treetops, there is always something new to discover and watch, all the year round. However, the still, damp days of Autumn are the most lush. Bursting with potential for change: fallen branches creating room for growth; dry leaves and weeds becoming compost; dry bare earth yielding baby ferns and tree seedlings.
Autumn is a beautiful time to explore and enjoy the year's growth, while taking the next steps in restoration.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.1% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.2% Critical thinking
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30.1% Resilience and adaptability
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2.6% Other - I will share below!
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: Should complete designs be shared with the public, or should the community help shape the designs from the start?
The Post recently shared an opinion piece on the Harbour Crossing and why a more democratic approach might be needed 🚗🚲👟
While most decisions sit within the political arena, many organisations—like NZTA—manage long-term projects that go beyond party lines. Politics can sometimes disrupt progress, and the next Harbour Crossing is a big decision that will affect all Aucklanders.
We’d love your thoughts: Should near-complete, shovel-ready designs be shared with the public, or should the community have a hand in shaping the designs from the start?
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82% Community feedback and transparency is needed.
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18% No. This would be impossible in practice.
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