We estimate that over 150 litres of apple juice was created by Malcolm’s magnificent cider press last Friday. People brought apples scrumped from all over Southland and had a fun afternoon chopping fresh apples and pressing fresh and frozen apples. The juice was “taste tested” and everyone agreed it was delicious. The juice can be drunk fresh, frozen for later or turned into cider or syrup!
Posted: 10 May 2015
How many of the fungi can you identify from the photographs? The winner will receive 10 native plants from the Community Nursery - email your answers.
Posted: 10 May 2015
Apple Pressing is coming up – Friday 8th May 2015 at the Community Nursery Education Centre -1pm-4pm. Malcolm McKenzie will be here again this year with his cider press, so take advantage of this opportunity – and for $2 you can press your own apples or help someone press theirs.
A recent foraging trip was very successful and we didn’t take all the apples (or walnuts). It’s a great day out for the family – a road trip with a purpose and there’s nothing like getting something for free! Go to Gore/Tapanui country roads (you may also see Robert Redford!) or Queenstown way for great foraging. Ray’s designer foraging pole makes the job easier (is that cheating?), but there are always apples on the ground too.
The apples can be frozen and taken out of the freezer a few days before the event. Freezing the apples breaks them down and they don’t have to be chipped first, just pressed. By freezing your apples you get more juice and a clearer juice. If you come along to press your own apples please bring enough plastic containers to put your juice in.
Posted: 27 April 2015
Enhance your gardens, bush, attract native birds, create a wetland with very affordable native plants grown from locally sourced seed and cuttings. Free advice on your planting situation.
Southland Community Nursery, 185 Grant Road, Otatara.
1pm-3pm - contact Chris 213 1161
Posted: 30 March 2015
On 17th March 2015, fourty keen children, parents, helpers and teachers came to the Community Nursery to learn about growing native plants. The group learned about and collected seeds from kohuhu, manuka and mahoe, potted cabbage tree and broadleaf seedlings into tiny pots and then chose some larger native plants to take away to the Waihopai walkway. At the Waihopai, the children were met by Environment Southland staff who helped them plant cabbage trees, manuka, toe toe and other species along the river. This area would be looked after by Lees St children and so the whole circle of growing and planting and caring for the plants continues into the future. Well done Lees St for a great learning experience and thanks to Maggie for helping with the group at the nursery.
Posted: 30 March 2015