Thursday, 16th October, 2025 and we've finally been able to get around to planting on the paddock above Cambridge RDA (Riding for the Disabled.) They don't use it any more, as the land is positively soggy and uneven, and the Council asked us to plant it rather than have their mower struggle to mow it and get stuck in the process. It's late for planting, but we're relying on the copious water supply to keep the plants in good health over the summer.

We'll continue planting even though it's late in the year. and the Cambridge RDA paddock will look a picture as walkers come past it on the track from Payne Park to Te Awa path along the riverbank. There is a new track going through in October 2026 to connect Vogel Place with the track down to the riverbank path.

Tuesday 21st October 2025

We're back at the paddock that Riding for the Disabled used to use, finishing off the initial planting there. It was done in very short order, since we had a good turnout, then we went back to the nursery for a fairly early morning tea.

The plover had gone, but the pukeko were prowling. Rabbit holes were plentiful too. We think we've planted things that are unpalatable to rabbits. Let's hope so. We've provided rabbits with lunch before, and don't want to do it again.

Thursday 23rd October 2025

We took a chance on the forecast rain and planted the sprayed areas at the Cambridge RDA planting where we were on Tuesday. There were a dozen of us, so the work was done very quickly and we packed up just as a light drizzle started.

There is more to be done, and there is so much water around that we'll be able to plant for another month. There's even a little stream trickling across the field.

However, future work depends on finding a spray that will deal with convolvulus. There is no point whatever in planting without dealing with the convolvulus first.