It was great to have Stand return to the visit the nursery – to give the opportunities to get out and about in nature. Today it was pond fun, firstly looking up close at some of the creatures that inhabit the wetland at the nursery. Water boatmen, damselfly larvae and a koura (freshwater crayfish) were the highlights in the nets this time around. the koura’s hairy front nippers, its tail, antennae and eyes were all looked at closely, and we talked about what a koura might eat! A walk around the pond picking up nature was followed by some very creative boat building – and the challenge of seeing if they would float for 30 seconds! A look for skinks, birds and insects, kai for lunch, puppet and song fun finished off the visit.
Bronwyn
Posted: 7 October 2019
On Saturday 28 September the Southland Herb Society had a workshop at the nursery to make hypertufa pots or commonly referred to as just tufa pots.
The term “hypertufa” refers to a type of artificial stone, and is a combination of the words “tufa,” a natural volcanic rock, and “hyper,” meaning extremely; hypertufa are extremely rock-like containers that make excellent garden pots.
The nursery was the perfect venue for this messy hands-on activity. Twelve members turned up to make their creations from a mixture of peat, sand and cement. A close analogy would be to liken it to making mud pies as members mixed their ingredients to a biscuit like crumb. This crumb was then molded into a variety of different shaped containers.
As well as enjoying lunch, and learning about their ‘herb of the day’ sorrel, the group took a walk around the pond.
It was a great day, with the weather remaining fine until the last car was pulling out of the driveway!
Maggie
Posted: 30 September 2019
The enthusiastic No. 10 staff visited the nursery 26 September as part of their week of activities to acknowledge Mental Health Awareness Week. We shared with each other – who we are and what we do – great connections made. We also gave the No. 10 staff a taster of some of the activities we do with school groups that visit us, warming up with hot chocolate (and marshmallows) before venturing out into the invigorating weather for a bushwalk! We identified many NZ native plants and birds, potted up some seedlings, and the No.10 staff chose some plants to take back to their place to plant. By encouraging outdoor activity in nature, and improving the physical environment through planting and taking ownership and having pride in your living place are key to your own physical and mental well-being. A wonderful afternoon with a fantastic group of people. Number 10 is a youth one stop shop (YOSS) offering services to young people aged 10-24 years. Find out More at https://www.number10.org.nz/
Bronwyn
Posted: 30 September 2019
The Waverley Kea Scout group rugged up warm from the earlier hail, thunder and gale force winds, to enjoy a cold but dry time at the nursery. We took particular notice of the pest traps talking about what pests we target and why we want them gone from our native NZ forest and wetland habitats. We walked around the pond looking at some previous plantings the Scouting group had planted, the bug hotels and the NZ native trees. Back in the education centre we potted up some Mānuka seedlings before singing the “oh no Mr Possum” song. Some great questions and inquiring minds.
Bronwyn
Posted: 23 September 2019
Two new workshops are coming up at the Community Nursery in October - Apple Grafting with Guytons and Bird Drawing with Jo Ogier. From prior experience these workshops will be booked up very soon so if you are interested see the link below. For the Jo Ogier workshop there will be a limit of 12 people and prior payment will guarantee your place. The grafting workshop will be pay cash on the day but prior bookings are essential. Send me an email for either workshop to book your place.
The details of both workshops and costs are listed at https://www.southlandcommunitynursery.org.nz/education-centre/activities/workshops/
Posted: 16 September 2019
