FuturEcology & EmGuard ™ November 2024
By Jan Fryer
Happy November everyone! A blink of the eye, a few more weeds pulled and it will be the end of the year already. Hard to believe, that's for sure. We have had a good month here at FuturEcology. The highlight is seeing how well all our sites are doing with regular rain. Plants are already starting to tower over their guards and Carex are almost touching in places.
The Labour weekend rain event wreaked havoc on Challies wetland, but a good 2-day cleanup, mainly standing up guards that had been washed out, has the site looking as good as new. The weeds came out very easily with all that moisture and the guards folded up again no problem, despite being fully inundated and washed out in places. It proved to us again the value of the high-density rigid board.
Last month, we addressed some rumors suggesting that FuturEcology might be closing down. We want to reassure you—this is absolutely not the case. FuturEcology remains active and committed to impactful work throughout the Top of the South. Businesses evolve over time, and we’re incredibly proud of the work our team accomplishes. Our vision is for FuturEcology to continue thriving for years to come.
That being said, Robert and I have both reached our 60s and are fortunate to have two wonderful grandchildren. Through conversations with other business owners and friends, we’ve come to appreciate the value of time and health. Something you can never get back once it has gone. With this in mind, we’ve made the difficult, but timely decision to list FuturEcology for sale. It’s a great and profitable company, started from scratch by us. We are proud of our very good track record and reputation. Therefore, we’re excited about the prospect of passing it on to visionary new owners, who will build on its success and take it into the next phase.
Since businesses can take time to find the right buyer, it’s very much “business as usual” here. We’re as committed as ever to “saving the planet, one tree at a time.” Thank you for your continued support!
FuturEcology Ltd - Sustainable Environmental Solutions | Trade Me
Tree of the Month
Podocarpus nivalis / Snow Totara
By Shaun Burton
While wandering above the bush line near Mt Patriarch in the Kahurangi National Park, I noticed a low growing shrub that had a similar leaf structure to the lowland totara (Podocarpus totara).
After chatting to Rob back in the office, it was confirmed that there is an alpine totara species called Podocarpus nivalis or snow totara. This is the only alpine podocarpus species endemic to New Zealand. It is a hardy prostrate woody shrub that is common in open tussock grasslands, subalpine scrub and herbfields, amongst boulderfalls and on cliff faces and razorback ridges.
It is common in subalpine and alpine areas throughout both the North and South Islands.
Keep an eye out next time you find yourself up high and see if you can spot one of these amazingly resilient plants.
Weed of the Month
Asparagus scandens / Climbing asparagus fern
By Desiah Neho
Climbing asparagus fern or Asparagus scandens is a slender, fern-like climbing perennial with a tuberous root, long green wiry stems and is originally from South Africa.
The fern like leaves/stems are called cladodes, which are shoot systems, where leaves do not develop. They look really like the leaves of the Miro tree.
They have white flowers that start around spring/summer, which are then followed by clusters of orange berries towards the end of summer. Climbing asparagus forms dense groundcover patches or sub-canopy amongst trees in native forest. By doing this, it stops any native seedlings from sprouting or establishing and restricts the growth of any already established plants. The root itself is also really hardy. It resprouts with ease unless it's removed by hand out of the ground or by being sprayed with chemical.
Its orange berries make it attractive for birds, which spread the asparagus like crazy, but it can also be spread through garden waste dumping. It’s also a hearty plant that tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions from heavy shade to dry soil.
This asparagus fern is strong and won’t give up without a fight (or tug). It's a shame it's a weed, because I really like its fern-like appearance and the flowers that come with it. It would look nice in a garden, but it’s a shame it just wants to strangle natives.
Bird of the Month
Photo credit: Department of Conservation
Anas chlorotis - Pāteke/Brown Teal
By Dan Arnold
The Pāteke (Anas chlorotis), also known as the Brown Teal, is a rare and endangered duck native to New Zealand. Pāteke are a mottled brown colour and have a very distinctive ring around their eyes. Their diet consists mainly of aquatic insects, plants and crustaceans.
Pāteke inhabit New Zealands coastal wetlands, estuaries and river mouths and are found in the North and South Island.
Pāteke can also be found on offshore islands and predator proof sanctuaries, such as Zealandia and Tāwharanui Regional Park.
The Department of Conservation and Project Janszoon have released just under 300 birds into the Awapoto in the Abel Tasman National Park since 2017, with successful breeding occuring.
Keep your eye open for them if you are in that area at any stage.
Veggie Gardening Snippet
By Emma Fryer
The Spring growth has been fantastic for the veggie garden. My partner and I acquired a bunch of old posts from a vineyard to build veggie garden beds. Things seem to quickly be turning into the “Good Life” and we are busy learning the ropes and working out what grows best where. All this, while competing with our Great Dane, whose favourite spot to lie always seems to be on what has just been planted.
This month, our top crops seem to be radishes and rocket, and we have them coming out our ears. If you have any good recipes, I would love to see them.
I would also love to hear what your secrets to a good veggie garden are. What are your best companion planting discoveries, how do you get the best out of your tomatoes and how do you feed your strawberries?
It would be great to start a new segment where each month we share your successes when it comes to self-sufficiency so we can all help each other out to get the best from our gardens.
Pocket Restoration Aotearoa Update
By Emma Fryer
Pocket Restoration Aotearoa, our web-based app, is designed to support every step of your restoration journey—from learning to planning and execution. PRA is here to guide you all the way!
To celebrate the season, we're starting our Christmas special early! For a limited time, all 10 modules are open and free to access. Don’t miss this chance to create your personalised restoration plans at no cost!
Looking for an Amazing Adventure
By Jan Fryer
John and Mandy, owners of Forever Trees, one of our wonderful subcontractors, are planning an amazing Forest Restoration Tour to Kenya and Tanzania in October 2025
They had a cycle tour company before venturing into restoration projects, and are travelling back to Tanzania and Kenya with 10-12 keen people, to plant trees.
They will work with local tree nurseries to buy their plants and employ local labour to work alongside the visitors, with the goal to plant 10,000 trees on 4 different projects over a two week period. In between projects, the team will get to experience the wildlife and culture that East Africa is famous for, so it is not all sweat and hard graft.
For more information about the tour please check out their website.
EmGuard Update
By Emma Fryer
Exciting New Release: EmGuard’s Latest Upgrade Now Available!
At FuturEcology, we’re always striving to bring you innovative, eco-friendly products that make your restoration experience smoother and more enjoyable. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new EmGuard design!
What’s different? Our latest EmGuard features a crisp double-crease—a small but mighty upgrade that makes folding easier and setup faster. Whether you’re protecting young plants or supporting new growth, EmGuard’s unique design will simplify your planting and improve survival rates.
🎉 Special Launch Deal – Limited Time Only!
To celebrate this exciting launch, we’re offering a limited-time special. Be among the first to experience the benefits of our improved EmGuard and enjoy a discounted bundle!
Here’s What’s Included in the Bundle:
50 All-New EmGuards
50 Sturdy 750mm Bamboo Canes (12-14mm)
Why the EmGuard Upgrade?
Designed with contractors in mind, the new double-crease makes setup easier and faster than ever before. Plus, the bamboo canes included in this bundle provide sturdy, eco-friendly support.
This is a limited stock offer, so don’t miss your chance! If you’re ready to try the new EmGuard, head over to www.futurecology.co.nz and get yours while supplies last!
Happy Planting!
Photo supplied by Jon from the Clos Henri Vineyard planting day. The boys found the guards made for excellent cardboard sliding and had a wonderful day going up and down the hill.
Interesting Snippets
What we’ve been watching
By Jan Fryer
Lee
This is a compelling movie about the life of wartime photographer, Lee Miller who worked for British Vogue during the war years. She had a very interesting life before the war, firstly being a fashion model in New York in the 1920’s, then moving to Paris to become a fine art and fashion photographer. When the Second World War struck, she moved to England with her partner Roland Penrose.
Not satisfied with just covering the Blitz in London, she managed to get to France in 1944 and was there record the liberation of Paris and the concentration camps in Germany, and the discovery of Hitler’s apartment in Berlin.
Her photographs were discovered by her son in the attic after her death. Her incredible story is now being told through this film and the work her son has done to showcase this amazing woman.
The part of Lee Miller was played by Kate Winslet and she absolutely owned it, doing an fantastic job. In fact, Lee Miller’s son said in a recent interview that he walked in on a scene being filmed and he honestly thought his mother was sitting in the room. Apparently, Kate studied all about Lee Miller for nine years before the film was made.
It is so well worth going to see. Very confronting, but these are stories we should never forget.
What we’ve been reading
The Little Gardener
By Evelyn Nashiro
I got the book “The Little Gardener” in a book fair, thinking that it would be good to take some ideas and concepts to share with my nephews and nieces, and implementing them in our little garden at home. I used to work in an early childhood centre, and I am thinking of passing this book to Kaiako, so they can implement new tips and projects in their māra.
This book is an engaging illustrated guide for parents, grandparents, caregivers and educators who want to help children explore the natural world through gardening.
“The Little Gardener” is a combination of detailed instructions, tips, anecdotes and seasonal activities designed to connect gardeners to natural systems. With fun projects, useful charts and creative journal prompts, this book shows gardeners of all ages how to envision and build their garden together by making the process an adventure to be treasured.
What we’ve been eating
Pickled daikon
By Evelyn Nashiro
Summer days are coming soon and when I think of summer, I instantly think of pickled daikon. My family loves eating them with sticky rice. But pickled daikon goes really well with salads and curries as well.
Ingredients:
1 daikon
Salt
White vinegar (1/2 cup)
Sugar (1 cup)
Saffron (1 teaspoon)
Step by step:
Cut the daikon into thin slices. Place them in a colander with a lot of salt and leave them with weights on top (at least 10 hours) so the slices can release all the liquid.
Boil the vinegar with a cup of sugar and the saffron. Let it cool down.
Once the daikon slices release all the liquid, put them in a jar and then add the mix of vinegar, sugar and saffron to the top. Keep them in the fridge
Enjoy this pickled daikon every time you feel like something refreshing and bittersweet.
Conclusion:
By Jan Fryer
The Christmas craziness is certainly looming, so we are doing our best to get ahead of our maintenance rounds before the break. Spring growth has everything looking lush. I picked my first 5 strawberries this week, which always gives me a great feeling that summer is on its way.
If you are holidaying anywhere near the coast this year, please keep an eye open for a worrying toxic weed species that has silently established on a remote Northland Beach – Sea Spurge (Euphorbia paralias). We most definitely don’t want to see it getting a foothold here in New Zealand.
I had the pleasure of being a judge at the Hira School pet show a couple of weeks ago. There was even a baking contest, so it was a real treat. Literally! It was just delightful seeing the joy and enthusiasm from the kids.
Our wee granddaughter, Isla, was very excited to find a “flower tree” and couldn’t wait to send Janma and Poppa a picture. This month has been a great reminder to look at the world through a child's eyes every now and then. There is a lot of good, a lot of beauty and the small things really are worth celebrating.
Have a great month everyone. We really appreciate your support.
If you have any projects in mind and would like to talk further, give us a call or pop in and see us.
We look forward to hearing from you!