Moreland bluestone lanes

Brunswick's blue stone laneways have been saved for now thanks to local campaigning, which is great news for the local groundwater and stormwater drains.

What some people may not realise is that we need to increase our absorption of rainwater rather than creating more non-permeable surfaces which concrete usually is, unless it's been manufactured in a particular way, so as to absorb water.  When water runs off hard surfaces it inevitably carries pollution which consists of organic material, hydrocarbons, nutrients and pathogens which upset the chemical balance of our rivers and creeks, and leading to our wildlife becoming sick or perishing.  The groundwater needs replenishing, too, and even if the Council wanted to replace the lane ways they can do so by replacing the blue stone with materials which contribute to stormwater filtration.  Otherwise why not just save themselves the trouble and keep the blue stones, as they are so charming and really in keeping with the local area.

So far the heritage and cultural aspects appear to have been the main factor that I can see in the debate.  (This is one of those campaigns I would like to have joined just haven't been able to make the time.)

Moreland Council have probably been concerned with the maintenance of these lanes, as time goes on.   But ultimately whatever surface is there will need to be maintained.So, we don't need to get blue over bluestone!!

We went on a community garden tour. 

Horticultural therapy ... my grevillea

Planting more grevilleas, now my clay (rock hard) bed seems to be a little broken up by the wormies, thanks to the laying over of pea straw.

I'm thrilled it's taken ages - but my Mallee Embers Grevillea has finally flowered.  Who says australian natives aren't as beautiful as exotics.

Photo taken at night. 

Pea straw is great mulch which also breaks down and nourishes the soil by bringing more worms, who nourish, and aerate soil and create drainage that so many plants need.

training wheels for trees ... sort of

An article I was reading in the Melbourne Leader (local) newspaper this week, reminded me that I had been contemplating what it would be like to to be a guide dog puppy trainer, until I remembered that I have two cockatiels, and perhaps it wouldn't work so well. Well, lo and behold, for those who are unaware, trees need training wheels too!

Those readers who live in Melbourne can look up this site, Tree Project Forest whereby people can volunteer to grow some seedlings even on their balcony or in a small garden, and then give them up at the appropriate size, so that these can be replanted in the country, and therefore will ultimately go to benefit the rural landscape.

As this blog is particularly interested in the connections we make in our city landscapes with water and rural eco systems, it seemed apt to post this on here.

To help reforest rural Victoria go to:

http://www.treeproject.asn.au/