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Friday, 27 April 2012

Macedon Ranges Inspiration


Some shots from Macedon Ranges
Recently, a couple of us were working up in the Macedon Ranges. We are going to be recommending indigenous plants for a rural property. 

The range of indigenous plants is simply huge, and very important to know these because soil and weather conditions vary so much from region to region.  

On a farming or rural property, just as with private urban landscaping, it's ideal if we can think about  bio-diversity. Key points for habitat creation and maintenance are:  switch to organic fertilizers,  more benign pesticides to protect the local critters.  Remember, without the critters, there can be no habitats! Birds and reptiles need somewhere to forage and nest, so single stemmed plantings aren’t so ideal. Go for some bushy shrubs, prickly trees (eg Hakeas), exposed rocks for reptiles, nesting boxes in tall trees.    Rather than a planting area which is immaculate, leave around leaf litter, mulches (worms, beetles),  hollowed trunks, and twigs for small creatures to shade themselves under.  Grasses and nectar plants also attract caterpillars and butterflies.      

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