Give a weed an inch, and it’ll take a (back)yard.
Unfortunately, this is evident in the spread of invasive weeds, such as climbing asparagus, tree privet, Taiwan cherry tree, bungalow palm, ladder fern and woolly nightshade (just to name a few), across our region.
Understanding invasive plant species is important to being able to combat their spread in Whangārei. That’s why Tiakina Whangārei is focusing on invasive plant management in 2024. We’ll be giving gardening tips to keep your backyard thriving with native plants, tips on how to remove weeds and share ways that you can get involved.
Removing weeds from our community matters because weeds change the natural balance of native plants, insects and animals. Many of our plants can’t be found anywhere else, many are endangered, and they need our help to thrive.
For more information and help with weed identification and control techniques, WeedBusters is a great resource to have in your back pocket!
The good news is that thanks to local community action, many native forest pockets and public parks in the Whangārei region have been, or are on the path to, being restored with healthy native plants. The even better news: you can help too, either by volunteering or simply weeding your backyard!
So roll up your sleeves, get out your gardening gloves, and let’s combat these weedy invaders and promote native biodiversity together.
Why Weed Control Matters: Starting in Your Backyard
Backyard weeding is important to help prevent the spread of invasive plants. Birds can unwittingly become agents of weed dispersal when they eat and disperse invasive plant seeds from gardens in their droppings.
There are plenty of native plants that you can plant in your garden that will look beautiful, contribute to the preservation of Whangārei’s native environment, and encourage native birds to visit and feed.
Consider planting native species such as harakeke (beloved by our tūi), kōwhai (especially popular with kūkupa, tūi and bellbirds) or hebe (to attract fantails). Other native options include cabbage trees, silver fern, titoki, manuka, karaka, ponga, nikau, and kawakawa.
Community Action: Volunteers Make Progress in Whangārei Conservation
Local community groups have been working for many years to reduce the number of invasive plant species. Their dedication and hard work have made a significant impact on the fight against weed takeover in Whangārei.
Have you thought about joining a local weeding group? Your hands-on support could make a huge difference in safeguarding our delicate local ecosystem.
Contact us at info@tiakinawhangarei.co.nz and we can help connect you with a local volunteer group, or follow these awesome Facebook groups listed below for news and updates on local weeding groups and events:
Make sure to keep an eye on the Tiakina Whangārei Facebook page where we will be sharing some weeding ID and removal tips, and sharing your success stories.
