Children can handle planting plugs of trees. The pots are not much bigger than a compartment in a vege punnet. To help things along, an adult might walk in front pre-digging holes, and the kids can follow behind planting.
If you're wondering about the mix of plants and what to plant where, take a look at a stream which has native bush around it in your area, and take note of the plant mix. Most bare-land re-vegetation efforts require the planting of pioneer species such as hangehange, red matipo, akeake, manuka and kanuka to create shelter, before inter-planting at a later date with more tender forest canopy species and ferns. You can purchase re-vegetation-grade plants from specialist native nurseries at good bulk rates.
Native grasses and sedges, and other flexible plants, are perfect near waterways. Carex virgata grows almost 1m tall and will cope with flooding. Native toetoe (Austroderia fulvida formerly classified as Cortaderia fulvida) is also a good choice. Don't get confused with the invasive pampas grass with its fluffy seedheads. Native toetoe is seen less often but is easily distinguished as it has quite droopy seed heads. Harakeke (flax) is fine in slow-moving waterways such as swamp land, but avoid planting on stream banks as a whole clump of flax will take the bank along with it in a flood.
Alternatively, once you've planted your pioneer species, let the birds do the the rest of the job if there is a good sized patch of native forest nearby.
Birds such as kereru (wood pigeon) distribute seeds from trees such as puriri. You could also collect native seed next time you're in the bush in late summer, and throw the seed under your pioneer species and see what takes. Just don't forget to put up some electric fencing tape around your plantings if you have stock, or your good efforts will be trampled.
Garden ideas to celebrate Matariki
* Plant a native which has meaning to you and your family. If you have plenty of room, plant a tree for future generations.
* Plant a medicinal native shrub to bring you health and happiness in the year ahead. Kawakawa, Macropiper excelsum, with its heart-shaped leaves, makes a tonic tea good for chest complaints and a lotion for skin conditions. You can even eat the sweet but peppery fruit when they ripen. It's better to plant the smooth-leafed kawakawa from New Zealand, not the offshore island variety with the dimpled leaves often sold at garden centres.
As with all rongoa Maori (Maori medicine), do your research before making herbal preparations.
* Volunteer for a community planting day. To get started, visit doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/; conservationvolunteers.org.nz; ecoevents.org.nz
Today there is planting at Whites Beach in the Waitakeres. Meet at the Whites Track entrance at 10am. Contact dan.real@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
* Help monitor bird populations in your community from today until July 8. To download a survey form, click here.
