The Arboretum grassland scrapes continue to evolve.  With a kind spring, the flowering has been spectacular.  However, my real thrill this spring has been focused on the edges of the scrapes. 

A conversation in 2020 with Kate Stothers about creating vegetation ‘structure’ led me to think about the compacted soil in places around the Arb.  Glenn Berry has been responsible for excellent weed control around the Arb, but regardless, little regeneration has occurred over 5 years along the edges of the scrapes.  The soil in many places is compacted and any seed falling on the surface is generally blown away or the environment is too inhospitable to allow for germination.

So the question – how to improve and create ‘structure’?  A visit to John McGregor at the Old Machinery Shed, Euroa in September 2020 found us pondering the potential of a 100 year old Furphy Spike Roller.  With great generosity, John repaired the drawbar and hand delivered the roller.  Half a day of spike roller treatment and the Arb’s compacted soil areas were speckled with 2 inch deep divets.  The first seeds from the daisies, wallaby and spear grasses saw the little seeds trapped in the divets.  With a rainfall, the spear grasses drilled themselves into the ground.  I was feeling hopeful!

Then nothing seemed to happen.  The divets just melted away with the rain and there wasn’t any sign of germination in Autumn 2021.  I was thinking our grand idea wasn’t so fabulous after all.  However, I am constantly reminded by those around me to be patient.  This spring has seen germination of daisies and grasses, but more amazing – Pultenea humilis.  The Pultenea seed hadn’t blown in or been sown – the seed had perhaps been sitting dormant in the soil for maybe 100 years!  Just waiting for the right opportunity, a good season and perhaps a spike roller.  There is still much to learn, but a successful start to our experiment. 

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