Oldmeadow Dog 2009

The Oldmeadow site is in the beautiful Samaria Valley on rich volcanic soils.

This site was in 3 sections and was well prepared -totally herbicided by a spray contractor.

Some hand planting of eucalypts was planned for after the direct seeding.

There were rabbits living in the site , the small terrier was onto them !

Randon lines were requested. 4ha.

Helen Repacholi DPI Grant .

FIRE plus Direct Seeding

This experimental site , at Lurg , was designed by Ray Thomas. 2009.

Ray observed how an accidental bushfire rejuvenated parts of this property , improving the quality of the understorey and ground cover ( see top pics).

Some of the remaining remnant bush was burnt in autumn by the local CFA to simulate regeneration. We followed up in spring by seeding along the contour lines .

A mix of small shrubs and ground covers was sown .

The seed was collected by members of the Regent Honeyeater project. It was scarified with sandpaper rather than getting the boiling water treatment.

Like all Rays projects ,this site posed unique challenges. Ripping out burnt remnant daphne heath bushes with the seeding machine was a worry. The soil was very shallow and rocky. It was raining heavily while we were working.

Great Bird Habitat Created

The Rennick site was sown in 2006 , a Geoff Boyes DPI project . Erica collected the seed and treated it just prior to seeding. This large 5 ha site had been completely herbicided. The seed was sowed along contour lines in curvy patterns . The soil was damp and slippery along the watercourse edges.

In 2009 we revisited the site with Jude & Deb from DPI . Things were looking good with a wide range of species growing . Eucalyptus & Acacia. ( we did find a few weeds - cootamundah wattles )

In 2010 Jim and I checked the site again . Some species had died because of the extremely wet season - mainly golden wattles. Silver wattles and blackwoods were flourishing .
A very successful site , looks natural & excellent habitat values.

Mansfield Ridge Lines 2009

2/6/2009

Jamieson Rd , Mansfield .

The 'depreciation meter' on the seeding machine was spinning as we grinded and bumped our way down this unfriendly ridge line . Justus hates ripped sites!

The site was ripped by a large bulldozer to prepare for seeding . The dozer shattered large rocks , bringing many to the surface making our progress difficult .

Surprisingly we managed to sow 4 ha with the machine . Jude & Deb hand seeded the steepest parts , I got out and helped them , it was too rough & scarey in the car.

In many places we direct seeded at right angles to the deep rip lines .

Jude Hill / Cathy Olive DPI Grant .

2010 : Checked the site with Jim & Cathy . Growth reseasonable . Varnish Wattles & Lightwoods going well . The best germination was in these damn rip lines . Hand seeding also worked.

Owner pleased.

Brightly at Miepoll 2009

14/8/2009

Is it possible to over prepare a site ?

Probably not if you are a seed but as a direct seeding machine operator I would have to say YES.

Tony had prepared well . Strong fences surrounded the site , the whole site had been blitzed twice with herbicide , ripped lines had been added to break up the soil and capture
maximum moist .

Yet we found it a difficult site !

The ripped lines had captured too much moisture. A heavy duty tractor had done the ripping .The ripped lines were so deep that when we straddled them we were sowing the seed into mid air. We ended up sowing between the rip lines but they were spaced so that each wheel of the toyota was travelling along a ripped furrow.

The photos tell the story .

7 rows of 700 metres = 2ha

Trust for Nature Property 2009

17/8/2009 & 28/8/2009

Deb & Julians property at Earlstone . Large Trust for Nature Covenant job .

Jim Begley DPI Grant

Total size 35ha. (80kms of direct seeding at 5 kms per hour )

Site well prepared -sprayed twice . Rows close together .

Soil damp, sticky and greasy .

Mud plugging the pipe and thick dead onion grass wrapping around the press wheel were a time consuming problem in the previously uncropped section . Much smoother in the old cropped paddock .

No stock have been on the property for several years.

Previously successful direct seeded vegetation in patches across the site.

Hand planting of taller trees.

Wider range of species than usual sown.

Germination reported by October .

Property SOLD in 2010