Proper site preparation and keeping weeds under control will encourage your plantings to flourish.

This is critical as when they are small, plants can easily be out-competed by weeds, and eaten by pests.

Keeping on top of weeds
Weed problems can arise where shrubs and trees used are too small, poorly planted, or ‘lost' when grass and weeds grow over them.
Here are some ways to make weed control more manageable:
• Where weeds are present, carry out a programme of control in the 12 months prior to planting.
• Use stakes to mark the position of seedlings so they can be easily found.
• Place larger plants closer together to reduce weed competition.
• Check on weed growth regularly, especially during spring and summer.
• Keep on top of shade-tolerant weeds.
Start by planting a manageable area and maintain it, then move on to another area when it doesn't need so much attention. Where planting areas are small, consider applying mulch to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Native plants are sensitive to herbicides, so if you are spraying do it well before you intend to plant. Get advice on selection and correct use of herbicides if you need it. For on-going spot spraying, a shield may be used around individual plants or over the spray nozzle. When clearing out invasive tree species, paint the stumps with herbicide immediately after cutting. Check with your regional council beforehand for any rules on vegetation clearance and soil disturbance along stream banks.
They can also inform you of any specific regulations around spraying.
Dealing to animal pests
As with problem weeds, you should identify the presence of pests and undertake some control work before planting. Beyond this, here are some suggestions for specific pests.
Rabbits and hares
Prevention pays. Good site preparation and choosing the best plant stock you can find and afford will increase plant survival rates. Bigger plants (at least 50-60cm in height) will reduce the chances of the growing tops being eaten. Spot spraying and planting into long grass areas may act as a deterrent to rabbits and hares.
Control methods include shooting, fumigant poisons, and baits. An egg-based repellent, available from horticultural suppliers, may also be effective as a deterrent. Plastic shields around plants can also be used to prevent damage.
Possums
In most areas, some on-going control will be necessary to protect your plantings. Control measures will also help reduce the amount of pasture they eat and protect fruit trees and gardens.
Bait stations, traps and night shooting are possible control options. Get advice from your regional council if you want help deciding what‘s most appropriate in your situation.
Other pests
As your plantings mature, they will attract birds and insects. To keep the area safe for them, you may want to control ferrets, stoats and rats. Most of these pests can be targeted together with certain poisons, but each requires a different trapping method if poisons aren't used. Seek advice if you need it and take care to use poisons safely to prevent inadvertent access by livestock. Finally, pukeko can be quick to undo flax and sedge plantings by nibbling and uprooting. Planting bigger seedlings (40 cm high) and stamping the soil to firmly bed them in can help reduce pukeko damage.
Once stock are excluded from waterways the sediment that has built up will gradually be flushed out by winter floods. This will allow the bottom to return to its natural state. In the short term, with no stock to graze it, excessive in-stream plant growth (e.g. water celery), may occur making things look worse. This is simply an ‘adjustment' period – some short-term ‘pain' for long term gain.

This article is adapted from the sixth in a series of nine DairyNZ Farmfacts on managing waterways on farms. They can be viewed at www.dairynz.co.nz in the Farmfacts – Environment section.