Seed sowing, survey by e-bike, apple pressing!
Over the past few weeks we have been busy in the nursery collecting the last few species of seed for the Nursery. The collecting of seeds is the first part, the cleaning and treatment is far more time-consuming and we are now at a stage when we will be sowing seeds on Friday 22 and 29 May. Come along if you want to learn about this aspect of propagation. Nursery Fridays have been very busy of late with up to 22 people attending. Thanks for all the great mahi!
See our seed list at https://www.southlandcommunitynursery.org.nz/restoring-your-patch/get-growing/seeds/
These species are those most commonly planted in new restoration projects. As an aid to anyone planting we have also had Janet Hodgetts create some factsheets/nursery labels with plant heights, tolerances and other characteristics to help people make good choices for their particular site conditions – see these at the Nursery or website under each plant in the planting lists eg forest planting list https://www.southlandcommunitynursery.org.nz/restoring-your-patch/know-your-patch/forests/forest-planting-list/
We recently spent a week in Alexandra where Brian and Chris Stowe from Riverton have been on a threatened plant adventure on the Otago Rail Trail on e-bikes! I was support vehicle! They were doing a repeat survey for a range of threatened plants including Carmichaelia curta, a rare native broom along with other notable rare plants along the trail. It’s a new way of doing a survey and was very successful – recording many new sites for rare plants from Clyde to Daisybank. Another highlight for me was hearing Jillian Sullivan speak at Oturehua, she is one inspirational woman! – see Jillians books on the Ida Valley in the Nursery library.
We have been collecting and dealing with apples for the last few months and will have Bronwyn and Russels Apple Press for a community pressing on the afternoon of 29 May. Bring your frozen apples – thoroughly defrosted for the afternoon. It will follow Nursery Friday morning activities so bring your lunch and the pressing will follow.
Ngā mihi nui
Chris and Brian
Posted: 18 May 2026