Rural update 15 June 2021
Only one more week until we’re past the shortest day – here’s hoping we have limited time left with this weather too!
This week we’re talking about getting fences checked and ready for winter baiting, how to start planning for spring planting, an upcoming workshop with OverseerFM and an upcoming chainsaw training course. See below for more details.
In other exciting news, our website had a facelift, check out our new look!
Winter baiting?
If you’re carrying out rabbit baiting this winter, the WAI Wānaka Jobs for Nature team can assist by checking perimeter fences are rabbit proof – patching and maintaining existing netting or adding netting.
Register interest here, and we’ll be in touch to discuss.
Planning for spring planting
WAI Wānaka Jobs for Nature can provide assistance in planting – whether it’s for water quality, habitat restoration, shelter or carbon credits. Below are some things to think about prior to planting season in Spring.
1. Site Selection
Your site will determine what species are appropriate, number of plants required and whether any infrastructure, such as fencing and irrigation, is needed. You may be planting waterways, shelter belts, or for carbon credits and each purpose will have it’s own requirements.
2. Fencing
If stock can access the site, fencing will be a pre-requisite for funding assistance to carry out planting.
3. Species Selection
Each planting will have different requirements for species depending on the desired outcome as well as the specific site. WAI Wanaka can provide advice on species that are suitable to carry out native revegetation projects.
4. Weed Control
The first three years post-planting are critical to the long term survival of plantings. A major factor in survival and growth rates is competition from weeds and grasses.
There are a number of ways to carry out weed control – each with their own benefits. The WAI Wānaka Jobs for Nature team can assist with both planting and weed control, so get in touch if you’re thinking about different methods of weed control. These include:
- Mulching: silage, woodchip, or other organic material can be used to smother weeds. The added benefit of mulch is that it can help retain moisture and, depending on the type of mulch, help feed the soil around the plants too.
- Weed matting: Several options now exist for weed matting, which can provide blanket weed control across a whole area. Options such as wool, jute, polypropylene and now hemp are available.
- Spraying: Herbicide application can provide a cost effective way of keeping weeds down but usually needs to be carried out twice yearly for the first 3 years.
5. Pest control
As you may have experienced, rabbits will wreak havoc on new plantings. There are a range of rabbit protection options – either for individual plants or a planted area. Hares and possums love new plants too. As your plantings grow and begin attracting birdlife you may like to add protection from rats, cats, ferrets and stoats in the form of trapping or baiting. We’ll be talking about how WAI Wanaka can help with pest control in the next newsletter!
Click here to register interest in discussing a planting project with the WW-JFN team.
Chainsaw Training
There are spaces available at an upcoming chainsaw training course organised by WAI Wānaka. The training is provided through Thoughtplanters and attendees will achieve certification in US29297 L3.
For more information or to book a place for you or your staff, please get in touch.
COST: $515 per person. BYO chainsaw and PPE
DATE: 24-25th June (2 day course)