Weed warriors have a new hit list.
Pest free groups across Franklin are waging an ongoing war on pest animals, but pest plants cause just as much damage to the native environment.
Franklin Local Board chair Angela Fulljames says the brochure has always been popular and the board decided to update it so it can be distributed across the area, and to make it available for download.
“Recent pest-free days have seen really good uptake from people making use of plant control gel, but if anyone gardens like me, they’ll know weeds come up somewhere else as soon as your back is turned.
“Woolly nightshade is dotted along our road corridor, and it is a beast. Moth plant continues to spread, and given every pod can release thousands of seeds, containing it must be a priority. Wandering Willie just keeps wandering, and you don’t have to go far to spot pampas grass or wild ginger.”
She says the brochure has pictures that make it easy to identify pest plants and has advice on how to remove and control them.
“We have our Local Board Plan consultation running from 14 July to 14 August and we hope we’ll have some printed brochures available to give away at our meetings but making it available as an online resource means people can access it and create their own copy.
The brochure also has information on where to dispose of weeds, spray safety and why it’s critical to remove pest plants.
“We do need to acknowledge that this might be an update of a pamphlet the board produced, but the original work was done by the Waitakere branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Society and our colleagues on the Waitakere Ranges Local Board. We are grateful that they were so willing to see the message spread.”
Download a copy of the Worst Weeds in the Franklin Area here [PDF]
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