Dune planting at Okia

On the morning of 6th June, three Trustees were joined by seventeen volunteers to plant out another area of the fore-dunes at Okia. It was easy planting, partly because the ground had been prepared by staff, but also because we were digging into sand. As well, many of the plants were flax (Phormium tenax) and poroporo (Solanum aviculare), which required only a spade cleft rather than a square hole.

About 500 plants were swiftly put into the ground in time to return at lunchtime and avoid the rain. Plants were
placed together tightly to avoid sand blow and allow for some plant loss in the difficult sand environment.

Lala Frazer