Get on top of gorse Local Board and

Weed Control – Gorse By Grant McKechnie T his is the first of a few columns I will do, written in conjunction with

Pest Free Coatesville to help you with your weed control efforts.

The pure definition of a weed is any plant growing where it’s not wanted; there’s a few weeds/plants around here which are hard to picture ever being wanted.

New Zealand generally, and Auckland in particular, is a great place to grow weeds; in fact, we’re world leaders. That’s because by world Cut gorse when it starts to flower because standards we have generally mild its food reserves are lowest at this time. temperatures, without extremes - down the offending weed and dab a despite our feelings about the recent concentrated solution of weed killer chilly days – and we have plenty of on to the remaining stump. moisture combined with fertile soils. For example, if you have 1.5m tall This all adds up to an ideal place for gorse bush, clambering through it seeds to germinate and then grow to spray at head height is no fun. rapidly into an adult plant that will, Cut it off at ground level and dab, in turn, reseed itself. Plant life cycles spray or paint on your gorse killer of imported plants are often quicker at three-times the recommended in New Zealand than they are in their concentration within 10 minutes of country of origin, hence they become cutting. It’s a much friendlier method a pest. and you’ll put a lot less chemical into

As lifestylers, controlling them can the environment. become an ongoing mission for us due The 10-minute timing is important as to the quantity we have to deal with. you need to get your chemical onto It’s not like hand-weeding the pansy the stump before it callouses over. garden, and so we resort to herbicides This is also a good method to use (weedkillers) as a necessary evil. when cutting down trees like poplars

It’s not enjoyable wandering around and gums to stop them re-sprouting. in clouds of herbicide spray, but Make sure you wear gumboots, you can reduce your weed killer use leggings or overalls, gloves and a face and be kinder on the environment mask when spraying and wash you and yourself by using the cut and and your clothes well when you have dab method. This is where you cut finished. ∞

Plenty of progress is being made by the Pest Free Coatesville group.

Regular email newsletters are keeping members updated and the logo above, designed by local Cam Craig, is helping boost the group's identity.

Several funding applications are being considered, including a DOC grant that the group's leader Gary Langridge says in moving in a "positive direction".

Gary says, if the grant application is successful, the group will be able to start work in the Coatesville Scenic Reserve. The Coatesville Scouts will assist with managing the traplines once they have completed the required training. This work will go towards the Scouts achieveing their Conservation badges.

Two new regional coordinators have been appointed; Julia Woodley Smith in the south and Geoff Spong in the north region. Owen Sprosen from the Coateville Country Garden Club has agreed to take up the role of Flora Coordinator. ∞

● Mulcher Mowing ● Paddocks & Large Lawns Warren Haigh Phone: 0273 977 612 Email: AOK2019nz@gmail.com