Drain fence lines are a common feature on productive dairy land — but they’re also one of the most overlooked when it comes to effective planting. Often, the default approach is to throw in some flax and hope for the best. While well-intentioned, this usually results in messy fencelines, plant losses, and limited benefit to the land or waterway.
At Restore Native, we take a more intentional approach: right plant, right place, with long-term impact in mind.
A targeted, practical planting strategy
Recently, we worked with a forward-thinking dairy farmer looking to stabilise a fenceline along a drain and improve water quality — all without compromising the productivity of the surrounding land.
Here’s the solution we used:
Carex grasses – These hardy natives are ideal for areas with regular water flow. Planted in a dense strip, they can reach over a metre in height, forming a thick buffer that traps sediment and soaks up nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus before they reach the drain.
Kahikatea – Well-suited to wetter soils, kahikatea add long-term value. Their deep root systems help stabilise banks, reduce erosion, and support biodiversity by creating future canopy habitat.
This isn’t large-scale restoration — it’s targeted planting with high impact. By selecting the right species for the conditions, we’re helping farmers reduce runoff, protect waterways, and create biodiversity corridors without sacrificing valuable pasture.
The benefits add up
When done well, this kind of planting can deliver:
Improved water quality
Reduced erosion and runoff
Greater plant survival rates
Long-term biodiversity gains
Low-maintenance, high-function riparian edges
Supporting sustainable farming
Small, smart interventions like this help farms stay productive and resilient while meeting growing environmental expectations. They also show that good environmental practice doesn’t have to come at the cost of land use — it just takes a bit of planning.
If you’ve got a fence line, drain edge, or wet corner that needs a practical planting plan, we’d love to help. From design and plant supply to prep and planting, Restore Native can provide a tailored solution that works for your land.
