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March 2009.
Bottom dam, almost wholly dry after summer.
Bottom dam, almost wholly dry after summer.
January 2010.
Dam totally dry.
March 2010.
Blackberry canes and Hawthorn in berry, on Castlemaine Street roadside near small front gate. How far should blackberry be contained? We have eradicated much of it, but that was before thinking in permaculture terms of its possible value! Similarly, hawthorn may perhaps be useful in some way. It is certainly a lovely sight in blossom and for autumn colour.May 2010.
Dam with puddle. Moist base has encouraged growth and self-sown seedlings of gums, wirilda, grasses etc. Several wirilda seedlings have been lifted and replanted in the orchard for their nitrogen-fixing and 'nurse' qualities.
Gum seedlings around the west bank - the landcare river red gum planted about 5 years ago but gnawed away by roos, and another gum planted in summer - show the benefit of creating shallow swales above them and protecting them from animals. The red gum with mesh, the other with a simple barrier of twigs. These receive no water except rainfall.
Gum seedlings round dam show the benefit of individual swales, however small, and protection from animals.
August 2010
Diggers order put in, with some ideas taking shape for the slope to east of dam to become a nut grove! A bit of a whim, but let's see how it goes. So have ordered:
- Chestnut
- Pecan (grafted Shishonii)
- Pecan (Apache seedling)
If it works out, some Stone Pine might be added higher up the slope behind them.
September 2010
Lots of new growth following early spring rain.
Wirilda is glowing with new tips, and there's even a solitary snowdrop emerging in the shadows from the leaf mould.
November 2010
Absolutely full after sustained spring rains ...
2011/2012 Maintenance
Maintenance of this area varies significantly depending on rain.
If accessable, remove dead trees (now drowned in dam) before fire season. This will mainly be wirilda. Branches of about wrist thickness or more are good for the pizza oven if dried and stored. Twiggy material can be shredded and added to compost. Thinner branches may need to be burned or taken to tip as green waste.
Gorse and blackberry have been substantially removed from this area. Keep an eye on these, especially along dam wall at front of property, where we like to maintain good access along the front fence.
You may want to keep an eye out for burr-forming weeds in spring and remove them as you spot them - the burrs are very annoying, and could be a hazard for your dog. Capeweed has also been a major weed in this area, but we tend to just control this in a limited way in the course of mowing rather than trying to eradicate it.
The grassy area on the far side of the front dam may need slashing and/or mowing periodically - will depend on weather and growth. Peter next door would probably be willing to use his ride-on mower on this area, which joins his land. We can pay him an appropriate amount if asking him to do this.
The flat area below road, at top of the front dam, needs to be kept open enough for access. Pull out any wirilda or cassinia that starts growing here. This area could also be mown to reinforce a pathway (since flooding, reeds have begun to grow here - it's not possible yet to know whether they will survive through summer).
The roadway itself may also need occasional mowing and monitoring for selfsown wirilda and cassinia which should be removed. We want to keep this roadway clear, both for alternative access and as a bit of a fire barrier.
