Wetlandia is a 335 acre property situated on the Seven Creeks floodplain in Miepoll. The owners, with the Euroa Arboretum, are conducting an experiment to ‘bring back the bush’, in this case the grassy groundcover species. Two areas of 0.47 ha (pictured above) and 0.2 ha have been scalped, ready for direct seeding of understory plants and grasses.

Most native vegetation does not thrive in soils containing the high concentrations of phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N) typical of farmland, which at some time in the past has been ‘improved’ by the application of fertiliser. Prior to seeding, the soils on the proposed sites were tested for these elements and it was found that natural (low) levels of P and N existed at depths of 10 cm and below. In March, the owners used a grader to remove 10 cm of topsoil from each site.

In late April, after the first autumn rains, a group of interested participants gathered on the 0.47 ha site with a direct seeding device attached to the back of a tractor (pictured left). And seed, lots of seed. The seed was divided into two types. First, heavier grains of similar weight that could be applied by the direct seeder. And second, seed that had to be distributed by hand, like some of the daisy and grass seeds, because of their light weight and propensity to tangle.

Several runs with the tractor ensured a uniform delivery of the directly sown seed. But the most entertaining way to distribute the remaining seed was from a bicycle found in the back of one of the utes. After several hours, kilograms of seed were dispensed. Everyone is looking forward to autumn rains to kick start the growing cycle.

Aerial photographs of the scalped site and an equally sized control (untouched) site were taken using a drone. Looking ahead, similar photos will be taken at regular intervals to assess the progress of the planting. The sites will be assessed for species growth and vegetative cover.

Hint: For anyone looking to similarly use a bicycle when direct seeding, make sure the rider is wearing the correct cycle-wear. Not wearing cycling knicks where there are lots of grass seeds around is an OHS issue … believe me.

Stay tuned