2329 days ago

Subscribe to Get Growing - it's FREE!

Rachel Clare Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

In this week's issue of Get Growing we have advice on planting bunching onions and shallots, repurposing broken pots, perennials with issues (what do you regret planting?), planning for summer strawberries and lifting and dividing lily bulbs.

Subscribe to Get Growing and be in to WIN one of 50 copies of NZ Gardener's latest special edition, 365 Days of Flowers, a practical and inspirational collector’s magazine that provides expert advice on planning, planting and growing year-round flowers for the garden or vase.

Our plant of the week in Get Growing is the festive abutilon and we have the latest scientific information on guava moth and what you can do to try and prevent it from affecting your fruit trees. Try sensational Catalonian recipes from Barcelona Cult Recipes and enter to win some great prizes!

Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here.

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More messages from your neighbours
14 hours ago

Riddle me this: Neighbourly edition!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What type of cheese is made backwards?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

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Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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7 days ago

Poll: Should employees be able to work from home?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

At the post-Cabinet press conference, the National Party asserted they want public sector staff to return to the office. This has opened a conversation about other sectors in New Zealand who have adopted working from home (WFH).

Where possible, do you think employees should be able to work from home? Vote below and share your thoughts in the comments.

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Should employees be able to work from home?
  • 72.1% Yes
    72.1% Complete
  • 24.8% No
    24.8% Complete
  • 3.1% Other - I'll share below
    3.1% Complete
2772 votes
5 hours ago

Have your say on Canterbury’s public transport

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Canterbury residents are being encouraged to have their say on public transport in the region.

Environment Canterbury has released its draft public transport plan and is seeking submissions.

The draft plan outlines a vision for public transport in the region and notes key priorities such as improving the environment, growing patronage, accessibility, innovation and technology, and affordability.

‘‘Public transport takes many forms with communities across our region,’’ councillor Peter Scott said.

‘‘With limited funding available, we need to make sure we make the best decisions to deliver a public transport network that is integrated with urban development, innovative and meets the needs of new and existing customers.

‘‘Effective public transport is the lifeline that connects us to work, school, recreation and our friends and family, so it is important we get this right.’’

The Canterbury’s population is growing and by 2050, it is projected 700,000 people will be living in Greater Christchurch.

The draft plan covers public transport for the region, which includes the Metro service (Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri), MyWay by Metro in Timaru, Total Mobility and Community Vehicle Trusts.

It was developed in partnership with local councils and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Environment Canterbury has been planning to step up its public transport efforts by increasing the frequency of existing services and introducing mass rapid transport in Greater Christchurch.

But these plans have been stalled by a lack of public transport funding in the Government’s 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.

A proposal to allow people to travel with domestic pets is also included in the draft plan.

Having pets on buses has been successfully trial in other parts of New Zealand, councillor Joe Davies said.

‘‘We’re keen to understand what controls are needed for our bus users in Greater Christchurch and Timaru to be comfortable with pets on public transport.

It is proposed to allow adult passengers to bring a single pet on board, as long it is in an approved carrier at off-peak times, weekdays between 9am and 3pm or after 6pm, and during weekends.

Another proposal would loosen those restrictions in future to allow for leashed and muzzled dogs and increasing the limit to two pets per passenger.

‘‘We want to gauge how people feel about these proposals. Now is the time to have your say,’’ Davies said.

Submissions close on Thursday, October 24.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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