This is one of the two kereru, New Zealand native pigeons, that have recently become regular visitors to our property feasting on the tree lucerne (tagasaste). They watched me quite happily when I went to visit them to take their photograph. I planted the shelter belt in autumn 2005 using mainly native trees but included a few tree lucerne, acacia and banksia for the birds and honey bees. Bellbirds, tuis, grey warblers, silver eyes and piwakawakas all enjoy the shelter and food. Even Zealandia is resorting to planting some exotic species to give a good supply of nectar all year round.
Are you ready for spring? Have you bought seeds, potting mix, collected pots? It’s worth setting up an area where you can raise your own seedlings from seed. If you raise them above the ground it keeps them away from slugs and snails. Ideally sheltered with some early sun but shady in the afternoon. Close to a tap for easy watering too. Perhaps an old door raised on bricks somewhere. September is prime seed-sowing month in Wellington and you’ll be glad you’re ready when spring arrives. You’ll get to try your hand at seed sowing on the fresh food garden course.
Here are the trees I used in our shelter belt, some of them could fit in most gardens. I planted them at 1.5m centres with core-flute tree protectors and fenced from stock. The only ones that weren’t successful were the tawa – too windy for most of them.
Acacia – acacia melanoxylon
Banksia – banksia integrifolia
Cabbage tree – cordyline australis
Five finger – pseudopanax arboreus
Flax – phormium tenax
Kanuka – kunzea ericoides
Karo – pittosporum crassifolium
Lacebark – hoheria sexstylosa
Lemonwood – pittosporum eugenioides
Manuka – leptospermum scoparium
Olearia – olearia paniculata
Tawa – beilschmiedia tawa
Totora – podocarpus totora
Tree lucerne – chamaecytisus palmensis
Wine berry – aristotelia serrata
