How about Seed Dating?

from The Weekend Sun - 16 June 2023

When I moved from Papamoa to Katikati nine years ago, I just assumed that a four-lane expressway would go in to accommodate the ever-growing volume of tra c on the route, but what have we gotten instead? ree passing lanes removed and a series of awkwardly-designed, narrow roundabouts. So when this ash, fourlane Takitimu North Link is completed, it’s going to deliver motorists into this joke of a mess? at’ll be a bit of an anti-climax to their speedy, smooth trip from Tauriko to Te Puna to say the least.

A Katikati resident is encouraging people who care about climate change to try Seed Dating this Saturday, June 17 at the Gallery Room at Te Puna Quarry Gardens.

“It’s sort of like networking – kind of like speed dating – but you’re talking with people about climate change and how they can contribute to a sustainable future,” says Anna Greenwood. e keen gardener, who has studied permaculture and works in a nursery part-time, got the idea from a recent Climathon roadshow in Paeroa. “I’m into gardening and interested in the environment – more recently climate issues –and a friend invited me to this Climathon.

“ e event brought attention to climate issues and what the council was doing on this – and asked us to break into partners and share what we were doing.

“It wasn’t until after the event I thought: ‘Wow! “ at was actually really cool!’ It was a real buzz, and I thought I also have ideas about climate change and making an impact...”

So Anna’s Seed Dating concept was sown. e Saturday, June 17, event is from 2pm4pm. Guest will network, learn about making ferments at home, and hear from speakers. Bay of Plenty Regional councillor Kat

Macmillan will talk climate leadership, Anna will o er climate-friendly gardening tips, and Pāpāmoa-based Emma La Rocca – a zero waste fashion designer – will make a presentation. So why create this event?

“I got really into gardening for food, then I started seeing these issues come up, such as pest control and how to deal with copious amounts of rain we’ve had this year.”

As a result, Anna went from gardening to grow food, to climate-friendly gardening.

Loosely de ned, climate-friendly gardening is aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in gardens and encouraging absorption of carbon dioxide by soils and plants in order to aid the reduction of global warming.

“It’s basically about getting more diversity in the garden so you’re getting more habitats for indigenous birds and animals – and knowing how to create a carbon sink in your garden.

“It’s not being afraid of weeds and having more wild lawns to reduce the energy and pollution that activities like mowing lawns cause.

“So it’s about creating a template to grow food from – which does so in a way that’s kind to the environment.”

To attend the event, visit: seeddating.co.nz or call: 022 420 3741.