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/

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.