We have had 2 successful Regeneration days this spring.
No. ONE WEEDING DAY – Weaver Reserve
The first, seven people attended, Richard and Sue Baldwin, Sharon and Andy, Angela our Bush care officer, Peter and I.
Some delicate removal of intrusive and in some cases dangerous weeds were tackled. Plus some hefty removal of Pigface a heavy succulent which smothers all in its path and can further fire in its undergrowth, it has to be removed by fire officers in the event of a fire an incredible amount was removed, hats off to these amazing people.
Angela commented that our efforts from last year were very successful as much blue eyed daisy was taken then and had not had a chance to flower, seed and reform.
I have visited Weaver Reserve since. The area cleared has six new Banksia trees freed and growing well around an existing tree, I will keep an eye on the area to see what else surfaces.
No. TWO WEEDING DAY – Crossroads Reserve.
Seven people again, a new resident joined us which is great, Diane. Andy away working.
We tackled removing Fumeria from remaining original bush land flora. 4 to 5 large bags were removed. This is a very invasive delicate weed that intensifies once it establishes seed and is taking over the Ridge, it is now encroaching into gardens and has been mentioned on our Facebook pages. Fairly easy to remove at this stage pre seed drop. Rye Grass is a new weed to the Reserves and is difficult as the council don’t have a spray to deal with it.
Another weed worth mentioning is Japanese Pepper It is innocuous to start with then forms a copse of large bushes to trees, if it is cut it sprouts more vigorously. There is plenty of it on the Ridge. Removal while small is fairy easy, by a continuous effort spraying leaves, but can become very expensive, needing an arborist to remove it if allowed to develop into a large bush or tree. Trouble can be caused with neighbours as it knows no boundaries. A leaflet is available from the council to remove it.
We have some beautiful patches of original bushland, some Donkey and Cowslip, plus Pink Fairy Orchids and other assorted flora; however there is little that is remaining intact. Pigface is dominating some Donkey Orchid sites impacting them. I have asked Angela to note these small areas and have it removed once the orchids have died down which she has done and will action.
We do what we can as a merry weeding band, so far we are a small group, so there is a limit to what we can achieve. We have had one new person join us, but remain a small dedicated bunch. There recently has been some interest from two young people, we are hoping that this evolves and continues, this remains to be seen. I have fixed a ‘Gladdie Grab’ on a Sunday as requested by one of the residents who was excited to help Regenerate the Ridge Reserves.
I want to approach the council to let us have 5 – 6 council gardeners for two days under Angelas tutelage to remove the robust weeds this season. Starting with one or two specific areas in the central Silversmith end of Crossroads Reserve in which; Daisies, Arum Lilies, Pig face, Fumeria and other weeds abound. There may well be original beauties lying beneath the surface. Then have a planting day in the next wet season to start to repair the damage and reintroduce flowering native plants. People like the flowers but we have to remove introduced species.
We do our best, Angela does a great job. In the end it is council land, we need some help to kick start regeneration and put it right, we are just scratching the surface of what needs to be done.
Maybe then we can join other areas in the Spring Bush flower walk trail through our mosaic walk and improve the liveability of Homestead Ridge for ourselves and our wildlife.
Angela has said that she will promote the Mosaic Walk.
Our third Regeneration day is on the 15th September. Please also refer to Friends of the Homestead Reserves.
Fiona.