Melbourne Water and the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority will, in May, deliver training to landholders they hope will assist with the challenges of successfully growing native vegetation in the drought-affected landscapes to north and west of Melbourne.
On Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of May, Melbourne Water and the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA will run planting technique training days that aim to increase landholders’ native tree planting and survival success rates. The training days will enable landholders to improve their planting techniques and will instruct beginners who wish to learn how to plant native vegetation.
Planting native trees and shrubs in areas that are severely eroded or degraded are important first steps in stabilizing soils, and minimizing erosion and sediment run off into waterways. For landholders, degraded land, and soil can reduce productivity and provide an environment for weed infestation.
Replanting native vegetation can offset some of these issues. However, much effort and resources can potentially be wasted when replanting if basic planting rules and techniques are not followed from the outset.
The training days will provide participants with simple rules and techniques, which if followed, will ensure successful native tree planting, including the achievement of good growth and survival rates.
A specially produced Melbourne Water DVD will be provided to participants at the training days. The DVD outlines the steps needed for successful native tree planting in the areas to the west and north of Melbourne.
DETAILS OF PLANTING FOR SUCCESS IN THE WEST TRAINING DAYS
WHAT: Planting for success in the West – planting training days
WHEN: Saturday 2 May – Sunbury
(meet at the gazebo on Ligar St, near corner Ligar St & Riddell Rd, Sunbury - Melway 382 D3)
Sunday 3 May – Darraweit Guim
(meet at Darraweit Guim Primary School car park, Darraweit Valley Rd, Darraweit Guim - VicRoads 60 G8)
TIME: 10am-12noon (both days)
COST: FREE (BBQ lunch included, planting technique notes and DVD “Planting for Success in the West” produced by Melbourne Water)
WHO: Saturday – Jason Summers (Hume City Council)
Sunday – Ian Taylor (Western Plains Flora nursery)
DETAILS: The training days are a unique opportunity to learn both planting techniques theory and the practical steps required for a successful revegetation project.
What will be covered:
* Site preparation - weed control
* When - timing of planting
* How - technique for successful planting
* What - tools do you need
* Where - planting in riparian zones
* Maintenance of plantings
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