Planting site 2023
In May 2023, we started work on a new site adjacent to the old aqueduct pipe bridge. This site had a cluster of established eucalypt trees, providing a good starting point to work from. The soil was dry and compacted when we first started here due to the existing trees and years of mowing. Digging was a bit of a challenge. After adding a good layer of mulch and planting lots of small plants, it is beginning to soften up and soak in more water when it rains. It has taken some trial and error to find the right mix of plants, and there were some casualties along the way. Small tough plants such as saltbushes, everlasting daisies, wallaby grasses, and dianellas have done well, as have shrubs such as tree violets, sweet bursarias, lightwoods, and dodeneas which are coming along slowly but surely. We have been a bit spoiled by the wet, nutrient-rich soils in some of our other planting areas. It has been a fun challenge and learning experience working at a drier site. It will be interesting to see the changes over the next few years, especially as the shrubs grow taller. We will likely return to this site in the coming months for more in-fill planting of small plants where there are gaps.
May 2023, first batch of mulch applied. We added a thick layer mulch directly on top of the existing grass, without using any herbicide. This approach worked effectively and only a few weeds have since popped up.
August 2023, planting.
May 2024, some of the plants are starting to become more established, especially the salt bushes which have sprawled out in circular blobs. Notice the magpie foraging in amongst the plants and mulch, probably looking for worms and grubs.
We put some more small plants in the ground at this site at the September 2024 working bee.
Wedge-leaf Hop Bush (Dodonaea viscosa), May 2024.
Berry Saltbush (Einadia hastata), May 2024. One of two saltbush species we have planted in this area. Saltbushes produce edible berries which are eaten by birds and lizards.
Crimson Rosellas feeding on saltbush berries, May 2024
Sticky Everlasting (Xerochrysum viscosum), May 2024. Everlasting daisies area a food source for butterflies and other insects.
Berry Saltbush (Einadia hastata) on a frosty morning, July 2024
Prickly Current Bush (Coprosma quadrifida).
Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), July 2024
Kidney Creeper (Dichondra repens), July 2024.
Black-anther Flax-lily (Dianella admixta), flowering, September 2024.
Apple Berry (Billardiera scandens), July 2024.
Wattle Matt-rush (Lomandra filiformis), July 2024.
Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata), September 2024.
Bulbine lily, (Bulbine bulbosa), September 2024.
Sticky Everlasting (Xerochrysum viscosum), October 2024.
