15/03/13

Weather:

Overcast, high cloud, humid

Rain - two drops at 10am ;)

Temperature - high 18C low 15C

Wind - Calm in the morning tending light SW 9kph in the afternoon changing to light NE 6kph in the evening.

This morning I attended a pruning practical catch-up session at the Dunedin Botanic Gardens as we were rained off last week. We continued with work on the roadside embankment, removing extraneous growth from this season and cleaning up the detritus as we went. One of the species we worked on was Pittosporum eugenoides, a vigorous native shrub/small tree commonly known as lemonwood. I particularly like working with native species so this was the only one we worked with that I recalled the name of.

lemonwood, Pittosporum eugenoides

After lunch our group met one of our tutors, Kim, at the Polygrow Nursery expecting to commence work on our machinery unit. Instead, she surprised us by suggesting we take part in a team-building exercise...on the water. Kim gave us a brief but satisfying taste of her sport, Waka-ama(outrigger canoe). Once we were down at the harbour and suited up in life-jackets she guided us in etiquette and technique for launching, paddling and berthing the canoe. I found this most enjoyable and a positive team-building activity.

Upon return to the polytechnic we were given a worksheet to fill out, which provided information on various common types of horticultural power tools and principles for their safe use and maintenance.