Hi everyone
Hope you are all well in your bubbles. As documented in the previous article we will open the nursery to volunteers at Level 2 but with restrictions – i.e all visits by arrangement and limited to 10 people. Likewise workshops that are planned can go ahead but with the same restrictions. We have an Apple Grafting workshop booked for 15 September but as of now we don’t have any bookings so if you would like to attend let me know and I can put you down on the list. For that workshop and the Jo Ogier Art workshop on 18 September we will make a decision when the next Covid Level announcement is made next Tuesday. For schools the same rules will apply, but Bronwyn will be available to go into schools if they allow that at Level 2 - https://www.southlandcommunitynursery.org.nz/news-and-events/the-community-nursery-and-covid-levels-august-2021/
At Level 3 and 2 we can sell plants contactless, so if you are interested in buying plants send me an email and we can go from there. Payment will need to be by internet banking and pick up at the gate.
Its been very busy here at the Nursery and on our property, in our bubble of two! Spring has sprung and with the brilliant weather we have been having if feels like there is no time to lose. Veggie seeds have been sown, native seedlings are germinating and cuttings are being tended, as is the Nursery. On our wider property lots of major work is being done – major pruning (adding to that Covid lockdown ambient noise, the chainsaw!), weeding and construction! – see photos on website.
A couple of quizzes in the photos below to keep you occupied. Before lockdown I took photos of lots of fungi local to Otatara – see if you can name them. On the foraging front – can you name all the salad species I picked yesterday. A prize of 20 free plants to whoever gets the most answers to both quizzes.
Also, spending so much time outside I have been observing nature more closely and couldn’t resist putting up this good (for me) photo of a fernbird at our pond early morning this week.
Stay safe
regards
Chris
Posted: 2 September 2021
Hi all
At Levels 4 and 3 the Community Nursery is closed to all visitors
At level 2 the Southland Community Nursery is closed to large groups of visitors (including schools). We will open for small groups of 10 - please book below. While the education centre is closed, our educator can come and visit you and your class at school, if your school requirements allow this. Contact tracing, physical distancing rules, hand hygiene etc will be followed. To ensure group size restrictions are met please use the emails below for any proposed visits, plant purchases (contactless) or workshops.
At level 1 the Southland Community Nursery is open to all visitors (Friday volunteer mornings and school visits).
Please follow this process prior to your visit to the Southland Community Nursery (at alert levels 1 and 2):
- All visitors to the Nursery by prior arrangement only please. Email Chris at [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
- For schools wanting to visit, arrange with Bronwyn at [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
- Please stay away if unwell, or if you have been unwell in the last 48 hours prior to the nursery visit.
- Upon arrival, please use hand sanitiser provided
- A QR code is displayed – please use the contact tracer app. Or alternatively sign in and out of the nursery session – using the sign in sheet in doorway of education centre. Please include your name, contact phone number and email address. For schools visiting, one contact person shall sign in and keep attendance records of students.
- Hand washing facilities are to be used. Remember to wash your hands for 2 minutes before you eat, or use the hand sanitiser provided.
- Bring your own gloves (if possible), food and drink, including a cup or mug
- Please advise us if you become unwell after visiting the nursery.
During the periods of lockdown we will be posting activities you can do at home on the website and facebook page - watch this space!
Thank you
Chris and Bronwyn and the Nursery team
Posted: 26 August 2021
The Southland Community Nursery’s Inspired by Nature activities set up alongside Lloyd Esler’s In the Wild at Kidzone this year. Lots of fun was had by adults and children alike creating at the nature art table, looking closely at insects…with responses varying from “eww luck” to “that’s cute”, having some laughs and giggles pinning the tail on the piwakawaka, working out how your adventure score, and the most popular of all the leaf rubbing activity! A big thanks to the lovely volunteers making fun for families. The highlight was seeing dads, mums, grandparents, aunts, uncles and older siblings or cousins spending time together with their children.
Posted: 22 July 2021
2021 Apple Pruning and Grafting Workshops at the Southland Community Nursery with Guytons
Apple Pruning Workshop
Date Saturday Morning 17th July 2021 10am-1pm
Apple Grafting Workshop
Date Wednesday Afternoon 15 September 2021 1-4pm
For more information about the South Coast Environment Centre Open Orchard project and Apple information see https://www.sces.org.nz/open-orchard-project
Cost for attendance of each workshop is $20 cash per person with an additional $6 per grafted tree (which you take home) for the Grafting workshop.
Bookings to [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
Workshop Location – Southland Community Nursery Education Centre – please park at 183 Grant Road and follow signs through the orchard and garden to the Centre. The workshop will go ahead regardless of the weather.
Posted: 9 July 2021
Sheltering under trees, and dodging hail we still managed a morning of bug searching and ticking items off our scavenger hunt list. We found spiders, weta, slaters, hoppers and a centipede. We spent a lot of time noticing closely the different habitats or homes that these creatures live in. We looked at bark, through cabbage tree leaves, in bug hotels and under logs. All the leaves of the trees were different - some rough, smooth, long or round - and some trees didn’t have leaves! We even saw worms - in the worm farm! In between outside excursions we looked at bugs, did the floor puzzles, counted the legs of different bugs, listened to the noises of different birds using the puppets and books, looked closely at bird nests, listened to a Matariki story and had some kai.
Bronwyn
Posted: 7 July 2021
