Planting Natives at Northbank Station
Following the installation of new fencing and a new irrigation system, Northbank Station has made some exciting improvements including the planting of native trees with the help of Rakaia Volunteer Fire Brigade, as part of their fundraising for The Tower challenge.
We’ll post more information on the irrigation system soon. For now, results are starting to be seen from these developments, the farm is growing more grass and that means more venison and better productivity according to Adam Waite, Farm Manager.
Adam and Sharon have been busy and there’s still plenty of work to do. Half the farm has been completed and, as good things take time, the rest will take a year or two. Let’s take a look at some of the natives that have been planted.
Looking along the windbreak (shelterbelt), planted with a number of trees and shrubs in order to provide shelter from the wind and to protect soil from erosion. From an animal welfare perspective, these windbreaks provide shelter to animals from wind (both hot and cold), rain, snow and sun.
Native plants are practical, hardy and beautiful. The plants offer some of the most attractive landscape solutions and, in this one area alone, over 2000 plants were planted!
Other varieties planted include:
Chatham Island Ake Ake - Olearia Traversii
Coprosma Kirkii
Coprosma Propinqia - Mingimingi
Flax - Phormium Tenax
Giselinea Littoralis - Broadleaf
Karamu - Coprosma Robusta
Kowhai - South Island
Olearia - Mountain Olearia
Pittosporum Ralphi
Ribbonwood - Plagianthus regius
Totora
Whiteywood - Melicytus Ramiflorus
Wineberry - Makomako Aristotelia serrata
Several other Hebe species including Emerald Green, Lavender Lace, Wiri Mist and other wiri cultivars
Adam and the team made sure that all plants are stock friendly and good for the birds and bees. We can expect birdlife will make their home in the plantings.
Thanks again to Adam for taking some time to show us around Northbank Station. Look out for more in the coming weeks!
