Hibiscus matters Winter Warmers 2015

Hibiscusmatters 15 April 2015 | 11

Winterwarmers

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Planting a seed, watching the seedling grow and harvesting the resulting fruit or vegetables, herbs or flowers to enjoy or eat, may seem like the most natural thing in the world.Yet the need to promote and preserve this very experience is why a group of like-minded people formed the Hibiscus Coast Seed Savers group at Orewa Library last Spring.Founding member of the group, Joan Buchanan, says that not all seeds are created equal and the group formed to nurture important seeds of food plants and also to create a wider interest in preserving heritage seeds.These types of seeds can be relied upon to reproduce their kind, time and time again, as nature intended. Whereas the seed of plants grown from commercially produced seeds (which have F1 on the label) are often disappointingly infertile, or produce a different strain from the parent plant. For members Anna Bindon and Lorraine Male, growing heritage and naturally selected seeds is all about taste – as demonstrated by the juicy, firm and bright yellow persimmon tomato ‘Thomas Jefferson’ that Lorraine picked from her garden and brought to a recent Seed Savers meeting.“The flavour is so much better than

Pictured with the fruit (and seeds) of their labours are Orewa seed savers, from left, Lorraine Male, Anna Bindon, Joan Buchanan, Mike Hayles and Rennie Carter.

On a mission to save our seed supplies

anything you can buy,” she says. “This one tomato will provide enough seed for everyone to have some.”Not all members of the Seed Savers are gardeners. For Mike Hayles it was a process of re-learning how to grow things, and with only the balcony outside his apartment to garden on, it was a challenge he took up with relish.Ten litre buckets proved to be the answer for growing great crops, combined with trial and error and patience.Seed saving has become a strong

movement around the world in an attempt to preserve varieties of plants that are not grown commercially.Groups like the one in Orewa share seeds and grow the plants, then distribute the seeds that they harvest to an even wider group.Member Rennie Carter says seed saving is also about neighbourliness.She takes care of her neighbour’s garden, shares seeds with her and composts her scraps.The Seed Savers group meets on the

third Wednesday of every month, 10.30am at Orewa Library and members make seeds available to the public for a gold-coin donation from 12noon–1pm after each meeting. People who purchase seeds are asked to return some after growing the plants. “The process should be a perfect and natural circle,” Joan says.

Seeds to save now Autumn is a key time to harvest seed. All seed to be saved needs to be dated, and, if damp, laid out on clean paper towels and thoroughly dried before storing. Save from the biggest and best plants with the nicest looking produce. To make sure that birds don’t harvest before you, when plants start to go to seed, protect the seed heads by tying a brown paper bag over them. This also stops natural seed loss – as the heads open and release the seed, it will be contained in the bag. Seeds ready for harvest now include: basil, beans, beetroot (seed of this plant is collected in the second year of growth), borage, calendula, celery, chilli, chives, coriander, cress, cucumber, dill, eggplant (aubergine), fennel, spring onions, parsley, peas, pumpkin, radish, shallots, tomatoes, watercress, zucchini.

| Hibiscusmatters 15 April 201512

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Peninsula Mowers & HeatingHal and Gail Meier were looking for a new challenge and when they bought Peninsula Mowers & Heating in Whangaparaoa three months ago, they got even more than they had hoped for.The business has been on the Coast for around 30 years, with the previous owner in charge for a decade. Buying into such a well-established business meant that Hal has barely had time for a tea break since he and Gail took over.Peninsula Mowers & Heating sells and services a wide range of mowers – mainly Husqvarna but also other well-known brands. They also sell and service other garden power equipment such as weedeaters and chainsaws, which, as Hal knows from experience, can be temperamental.Hal was previously a lawn mowing contractor and a customer at Peninsula Mowers & Heating, buying spare parts to repair his equipment.His expertise in repairs sees him help out Barry Schultz in the workshop whenever he can.Gail will soon be joining the business full time to take on the administration and reception duties. The couple, who live in Stanmore Bay, will combine running the business with care of their two preschoolers.The other side of the business is selling fires – Hal says the link that often occurs between mowing and heating businesses arose because Masport

made both mowers and heaters – of course it also keeps the business going through all four seasons.Peninsula Mowers & Heating provides a full service from obtaining Council permits to arranging installation of the fire by a registered installer. “All you have to do is choose a fire and we can do the rest,” Hal says.Free standing wood burners are a big seller, as well as fires than can be fitted into an old open fireplace, or inbuilt flush with the wall.Peninsula Mowers & Heating’s top selling brands are Masport, Metro and Firenzo as well as Rinnai gas fires, however any brand and model can be sourced. All the fires comply with current emission standards and are efficient, producing less smoke and ash.Over time the couple plan to refurbish the premises at 611 Whangaparaoa Rd, but keeping customers happy is their first priority, and they expect this will keep them busy for the foreseeable future.

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Ready for a cool changeNot everyone enjoys autumn, particularly the damp squib that we have in Auckland compared with the fireworks provided by deciduous trees in colder parts.For many Coasties, autumn is just the bad news that summer really is over. For gardeners, it’s the planting season when plans get put into action and changes can be made to the structure and look of the plot, however large or small it may be. It’s the ideal time to sow new lawns and plant, or re-locate, trees and shrubs.Before I do any of that, though, the soil needs attention. The dry summer took its toll and you can sense that the soil’s reserves are exhausted. Compost is needed, by the wheelbarrow load and can be left on top as mulch if the soil is still too dry and hard to dig properly. I might even throw in a few bags of sheep pellets – fertiliser is not really needed, but those pellets release their nutrients slowly as they break down in the soil, and are excellent for improving the condition of my clay. I’m a big fan of sheep pellets, which are Kiwi recycling at its best, made of sheep manure and waste wool. They need to be dug in to around a spade’s depth.One thing that can be fertilised now is citrus trees. There are various brands of fertiliser labelled ‘Citrus Food’, all of which will have high levels of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium. If you have some left over, you can use ‘Citrus Food’ for any other flowering and fruiting plants – nitrogen assists leaf growth and potassium supports fruiting and flowering. They put magnesium in citrus fertiliser because citrus are susceptible to magnesium deficiency, which is indicated by poor growth and yellow leaves with only the veins remaining green.Autumn is also a good time to have a tidy up. Here there’s a balance between grooming a garden and going for the wild, natural look. Seed heads can be removed but unless they’re a plant that I already have more than enough of, I tend to let them be. Birds feed on the seeds and self-seeding can lead to surprisingly good plant combinations. You can also save the seeds, or share them with others. At the same time, I must confess, I don’t have a lot of seed heads as I’m quite particular about removing spent flowers. Deadheading is not only therapeutic, but leads to more flowers, which leads to more deadheading.There are also areas in need of fresh planting, so I’m expecting an action packed autumn. Thank goodness for the cooler weather, softer soil and inspiration all around in nature and in other people’s gardens. Have an awesome autumn.

with Terry [email protected]

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Hibiscus & Bays homeowners have received more than $1.8 million as part of Auckland Council’s Retrofit Your Home programme, which helps meet insulation and heating costs.The scheme, which started in 2011, allows any Auckland ratepayer to apply for $5000 to spend on home insulation, clean heating, fireplace removal, water tank installation and water efficiency devices.The money is a loan that is paid off with interest over nine years via a targeted rate.Since 2011, more than 500 applications have been made to the scheme from residents of the Hibiscus & Bays region.Auckland-wide, 11,500 households have received over $28 million and application numbers have continued to grow each year.The programme has proved so popular Council has had to top up the fund each year as demand has exceeded expectations. Just three-quarters of the way through the current financial year, Council has already approved $5.4 million of applications. As a result, the scheme was boosted from $6m to $9m last month.In 2012, it was estimated that 400,000 homes were inadequately insulated in the Auckland region, so demand is expected to remain strong.Environmental Services manager Gael Ogilvie says the programme has supported better health outcomes at no net cost to Council.“Homeowners benefit from warmer drier homes, improved energy efficiency and cleaner heating sources,” Ms Ogilvie says. “There are also air quality improvements achieved through a reduction in particulate

emissions from home fires.”The range of options supported by the Retrofit Your Home programme has recently expanded to include water conservation and mechanical extraction.Customers select their retrofit supplier/s from a list of 15 approved suppliers who quote for the work.All suppliers have been chosen through a process that evaluates product effectiveness, price, service method, track record, resources and technical capacity. Council also monitors supplier performance in terms of customer service and price through customer surveys and price audits.Premier Insulation Auckland North accounts manager Nick Booth says $5000 will cover the cost of under-floor and ceiling insulation in most homes.“We get a lot of people saying it’s the best money they’ve spent on their home. The costs are relatively low, but the benefits are substantial.”But he says there has been a noticeable drop in people insulating their homes since a government subsidy ended in 2013, which assisted about 235,000 homes. The programme offered homeowners a 33 per cent subsidy up to $1300. The subsidy programme is now only available for low-income households.“Obviously the Council-run scheme is less inviting than the government subsidy, but it still means more people are able to afford to insulate their homes.”The list of suppliers is updated each year and is expected to expand to 20 suppliers next month.Info: aucklandcouncil.govt.nz keyword, retrofit your home

Council scheme warming Hibiscus Coast homes

Hard working heat pumpHeat pumps are becoming multi-taskers, with the latest units capable of providing hot water, underfloor heating and cooling in summer. These heat pumps can also be connected to photo voltaic cells. Lifestyle Heating of Waitoki has combined its expertise in underfloor heating with heat pumps supplied by Orange Technology of Auckland to bring the system to the Coast. Lifestyle Heating director Julie Andrews says the company hopes to get these units into new local urban homes, such as those in Millwater. She says rather than a wall unit, these heat pumps are a box that is placed outside the home. Pipes connect the box to the hot water cylinder and a little manifold unit in a cupboard for an in-slab underfloor heating system. Another set of pipes go to units in the ceiling which dissipate cool air. Julie says the system is efficient and cost effective and further reduces costs if linked to photo voltaic cells on the roof. “She says the system is ideal for new builds, but can also be retrofitted without the inslab underfloor heating.

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The home fires can keep burning – for now.Auckland Council has put its plan to ban domestic open fires and phase out pre-2005 wood burners on hold awaiting a Government review of air quality regulations. Currently there is no time frame as to if, or when, this review may take place.Council’s Regulatory and Bylaws Committee resolved to put the introduction of its proposed Air Quality bylaw on hold at its April 1 meeting.In a statement, Council says that it will not introduce any further regulations until it is satisfied that they are appropriate for Auckland and are a reasonable response to the national regulations.The bylaw is key to Council meeting its statutory obligations under the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Air Quality) Regulations 2004 to reduce the level of particulate air pollution by December 2016 but Cr John Watson, who sits on the committee, says he is glad to see it put on hold.“Before any bylaw is introduced there has to be the assurance that people in the community are not going to be faced with costs they can’t afford, or worse, not being able to heat their homes during winter,” Cr Watson says.He says that a better tactic would be to emulate Environment Canterbury’s

Fire regulations snuffed out

Clean Heat project, which provided incentives and assistance to homeowners using old, inefficient and polluting solid fuel appliances to change to cleaner forms of heating.“It was a voluntary project that provided financial incentives and options to people. I would like to see a similar project in Auckland, with Government assistance, that encouraged people to change their heating, if they choose to and when they see the advantages of doing so themselves. It was a success in Christchurch and could work here as well,” he says.The Air Quality bylaw has been in the wind since 2012, and was designed to reduce the damaging emissions from domestic open fires – the largest contributor of particulate air pollution in Auckland in winter (72 percent of all small particle emissions in the Auckland winter, according to Council’s figures).It is expected that the matter will come before the Regulatory and Bylaws Committee again in June, when appropriate recommendations suitable for Auckland will be considered.



We are enrolling new patients now, and welcome new families to the Hibiscus Coast

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We also see casual patients if your Doctor is closed or may not be able to see you

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Phone 09 427 9997 | www.silverdalemedical.co.nz7 Polarity Rise, Silverdale (cnr of Millwater Parkway & Hibiscus Coast Hwy)

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Health authorities in NZ are aiming to have more than 1.2 million people immunised with the influenza vaccine this year.The annual supply of the vaccine has arrived in New Zealand after being delayed while two new strains were added to provide better protection.The Ministry of Health says there are now more than half a million vaccines in the country.Medical centres are being encouraged to start vaccinating those who are most vulnerable such as pregnant women, the elderly and people with serious health conditions. A national campaign encouraging ‘at risk’ members of the community to immunise will be launched on April 21.National Influenza Specialist Group spokesperson and virologist, Dr Lance Jennings says the bad flu season developing in the United States and possibly in Europe, was caused by an influenza A (H3N2) strain which had ‘drifted’ or changed and was, therefore, not included in the Northern Hemisphere flu vaccine.“We had this strain in New Zealand at the end of our winter last year, so some people have already been exposed to it,” he says. “We believe the vaccine currently being formulated for New Zealand should offer good protection against the circulating H3N2 strain.”Protecting younger people, especially

those with ongoing medical conditions, will be a special focus of this year’s immunisation programme.“We know that younger people who have an ongoing medical condition such as diabetes or asthma, are often unaware that they are at risk from influenza. They possibly believe they are fit and healthy and therefore, not in need of influenza vaccination.“Unfortunately, this group is particularly vulnerable to the complications of influenza because of their underlying condition and are more likely to be admitted to hospital than the general population”Around 1.2 million doses of influenza vaccine were used in NZ in the 2014 season. The highest uptake was among people 65 and over.Dr Jennings says it will be a challenge to improve vaccine uptake this year, especially as 2013 and 2014 were relatively mild influenza seasons and people may have become complacent about the threat of influenza.Flu immunisation is free for pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, and anyone under 65 with ongoing medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease (including asthma), kidney disease and most cancers, as well as children under five who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness.The subsidised season ends on July 31.

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The psychology of sledging Many will have heard the debate in the weeks following the Cricket World Cup, surrounding the perceived behaviour of the Australian cricket team, in their win over our Black Caps. The NZ team was completely outplayed in most facets of the game, and we can only admit that the better team won on the day.From a performance and psychology point of view, and without wanting to take away from the excellent Australian performance, it is interesting to look at aspects of the game that may have contributed to the outcome. The NZ team was apparently subjected to a barrage of verbal ‘sledging’ by certain members of their opposition, hence the discussion in news and social media about the part that this tactic plays in sport. Sledging, particularly in cricket, is the practice whereby players try to gain an advantage by insulting or verbally intimidating an opposing player.My interest is around whether there is any proof of the effect of sledging on players, can anything be done about it, and does it also apply to everyday life? A search of scholarly journals on the effects of sledging comes up with an article written in 2011 in the Journal of Clinical Sports Psychology. Elite batsmen in English cricket were involved in a study to ascertain their experiences of sledging. A number of, mostly negative, effects were reported including an altered self-perception, an altered state of mind, decreased batting ability and what is termed “over arousal”. Arousal is a term used to describe the physical and mental state of activity in the body in a certain situation; it is theorized that a moderate amount of arousal can improve performance, but too much or too little can impair performance. Overall, the players reported that sledging had a substantial effect on their performance, although most had coping strategies to try and overcome this. Other studies into the physiological effects on the body of less than optimal performance in the sports arena (not attributed to sledging) show that there are considerable physical effects on the body in extreme stress, similar to what is experienced at other stressful times.Both cricketers and other professional sportspeople use strategies such as positive self-talk, visualization, mental rehearsal, relaxation techniques and centring to prepare themselves for competition, or to focus their attention during events. These strategies, which don’t necessarily always need professional training, are easily brought into everyday life, and can be used to good effect by all of us in times of stress and over arousal.

with Andy Schmidt [email protected]

Health

Hibiscus matters Winter Warmers 2015

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