Pays to know your plants
A large family including 3 pre-schoolers just moved into new house. Soon the little ones were bringing the flowers in to show Mum. Long white trumpets blown from the neighbour's tree which overhung their shed. Angel's Trumpets or Datura related to the Nightshade (Solanaceae) which includes potato flowers and the Thorn Apple found commonly as a weed in NZ yet I recall a police car in England being sent to collect one and convey it for incineration, so deadly are they.
So would you recognise a red stemmed Castor Oil plant in your garden. My son had many when he moved to a new house.
What about an Oleander? There was a great clump outside my kids' primary school.
All extremely poisonous. Any others you'd add to the list.
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.
Do you have a most-hated intersection in Waikato?
New data has pinpointed Hamilton’s most dangerous intersections, including a high risk Cobham Drive turn off that a resident and driving experts believe should be shut for good.
While that turn into Grey St has resulted in the highest number of injuries, most crashes occurred at the bustling intersection of Te Rapa Straight and Wairere Drive.
Do you have a most-hated intersection in Waikato? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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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85.6% Yes
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13.2% No
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1.2% Other - I'll share below
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