The Great Juniper Hunt: have you seen this plant?
Dear gardeners and citizen scientists, you are being recruited to track down wild juniper berries because, well, that's what gives gin its distinctive flavour and aroma. Look for a conifer with needle-like leaves with sharp tips up to 25mm long. The needles will point up and out rather than down the stem, and are green with a white band down the centre. The all-important berries are 5-6mm wide and blue-black when ripe. Robyn Abernethy from Dunedin Botanic Garden says if you are unsure if a conifer is a juniper, stick your hand into it. Junipers are prickly on the inside. When you've found it, post it to the link below. Happy hunting!
(Pix courtesy of Dunedin Botanic Garden.)
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84% Yes
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14.7% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
Spring gardening tips
Dreaming of a garden bursting with colour and fresh produce? Shane Fairbairn, Ryman Healthcare’s Landscape Manager, shares his top tips to make it happen. You’ll be set to create a gorgeous, relaxing space in no time - grab your trowel, and let’s dig in.
Click read more for more information.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
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