Past Projects

Report of visit to past Landcare plantings on Sunday May 3rd,2009.

This year we concentrated on properties in the lower reaches of the Cardinia Creek in the ex swamp at Cardinia and Clyde. We were trying to ascertain what was working and why; what was not working and why.

It proved to be a very interesting and enjoyable day. To finish at Harewood historic homestead and walk around the mouth of Cardinia Creek was very special. Thankyou to Dr Pat McWhirter for allowing this and for her hospitality.

The properties we visited are featured in the attached articles and here –

1.  Catherine Manning, Cardinia. Number of plantings, first in spring, 2006. Tubestock.

Result – mixed. First planting all died. Others more successful but still disappointing.

Soil preparation – no ripping. Weed mats used.

Issues – spring planting immediately followed by severe, dry summer.

Other plantings also effected by severe, dry summers.

Catherine’s observations – weed mats prevent any rain getting to the plants. The weeding she did resulted in plant deaths, the weeds seemed to protect the plants.

Plants surviving – as with above property plus Acacia dealbata, Hakea sericia, Acacia leprosa, Euc obliqua, Coprosma, Acacia paradoxa, Goodenia ovata,

Many Lomandra, Carex, Gahnia and Poa were planted for bandicoot habitat but almost all died – competition from pasture weeds being overwhelming.

2.  Lee Lanzolotti, Cardinia. June 2007.Tubestock and direct seeding.

Result - Direct seeding – outstanding result with good growth and good diversity.

Tube stock – good result. Landowner very pleased.

Soil preparation – soil ripped for direct seeding. Weed control only for tubestock. Weed mats used. No follow up watering as water not available.

Plants surviving – similar to other plantings. Lomandra surviving on dam wall (no weed competition).

More tubestock due to be planted this season - ? why not direct seeding and is the fenced corridor to the creek to be direct seeded?

3.  Kay Tracey Shaw. Autumn 2008. Tubestock amongst existing gums. Weed mats.

Result – all died.

Issues – establishing under existing gums. Severe ,dry summer. Some follow up watering but by bore water? Salinity problem with water.

We did not visit this property.

Due for second stage this season but will not be pursuing this because of failure of first planting.

4.  Rose Knelage, Amando Daniello, Clyde. Autumn 2007.

Tube stock and direct seeding.

Result – good for both. Direct seeding just taking off.

Soil – peaty and extremely hard when tubestock planted. Soil ripped.

Issues – minimal watering as water not available, grass high and dense. Following summers dry and extreme. Suprisingly good result. Landowners very pleased.

Plants surviving – similar to above properties but we were out of time so could not look sufficiently.

Written by: Margaret Crombs