Planting Native Vegetation Planting Native Vegetation A guide to increasing native vegetation on your property - Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region Planting Native Vegetation Why Plant Farm Productivity Native Planting native vegetation can benefit farm productivity in many ways. This can include aspects such as: providing shelter for pastures, crops and stock; Vegetation? providing habitat for birds that help control insect pests; preventing erosion; pollination services; cycling nutrients; water purification and an increased aesthetic value to a farm. Salinity Control The removal of native vegetation across the region, combined with irrigation has historically resulted in ground water levels rising, bringing salt into the plant root zone. Planting native vegetation, particularly along irrigation Bush Stone-curlew channels, creeklines, lunettes and sandy soils — which act as discharge/recharge sites — can help reduce ground water levels and contribute to salinity prevention. Biodiversity Biodiversity is commonly defined as the sum of all our native species of plants and animals, their genetic variation, and the ecosystems of which they are an integral part. We can increase biodiversity by protecting existing vegetation Spoonbill Eggs and planting a mixture of local (indigenous) trees and shrubs. This can improve the survival of our local plants and the birds, mammals, insects, bats, lizards and other species that are dependant on them for their survival (food, shelter and ability to reproduce). Planning Your Project Priorities: Project 1. Protect remnant vegetation with fencing. ‘Protect what’s there’. Habitat takes years to establish and loss can be irreversible. Even isolated or dead trees provide important habitat and there are options to protect them. 2. Plant vegetation to enhance existing habitat. ’Enhance what’s there’. Replace understorey or plant a buffer strip to protect existing vegetation. Remember to retain fallen logs and leaf litter that provide important habitat for some species. In some cases excluding stock from remnant vegetation can be enough to encourage natural regeneration. 3. Fence and plant along natural waterways. This helps to provide environmental benefits for a number of land and water species and to reduce the runoff of fertilisers, pesticides, salt and sediment. Gunbower Creek 4. Plant larger, wider blocks, rather than strips. This creates revegetation areas that support a larger variety of species than small strips. 5. Link existing vegetation. This can be achieved by planting wide (>30m) strips of local plants to provide a corridor for the movement of animals. Patches of vegetation within 1km of each other can provide stepping stones for more mobile animals such as birds. 6. Plant for productivity benefits. Plant along channels and paddocks for shade and shelter for stock to reduce the impact of extreme weather. Planting Native Vegetation General Tips Tips for Planting: for Planting Ensure the fence is to a standard that will exclude stock. Native Choose a variety of local native species suitable to your site. Plant (as a rule Vegetation of thumb) 30% trees (overstorey) and 70% shrubs and ground cover species (understorey). This will attract a wider variety of birds, insects, bats and other fauna, which will provide your property with an environmental service and greater biodiversity outcomes for the long-term. Space rows (and plants within rows) about 3 to 4m apart. Also, remember to leave a minimum of 2m between the fence and the first row of plants to eliminate stock pressure and provide room for the trees to grow. Mix the species to be planted to create a more natural effect, rather than having all the same species planted in a row or pattern. By mixing up the species you will also create a healthier habitat area (more diverse). It is advantageous to plant Eucalypts next to Acacia’s (Wattles) as they complement each other. Wattles are legumes that assist with contributing to the nitrogen content of the soil. Wattles from this area are fast growing, many are long lived and they also provide protection and shelter for other young plants. Wattles that are short lived help to provide a healthy soil for other species to grow. If planting smaller species (i.e. Nitre Goosefoot, Hedge Saltbush and the lower Wattles) plant 2-3 of these in a row together. Melaleuca lanceolata Mixed Paddock Planting (Moonah) can also be planted 2 – 3 together to give a good clump effect. Consider direct seeding as a cost effective method to revegetate large areas. Weather conditions, weed control, soil moisture, soil type and monitoring play an important part in the success of direct seeding. Tips for Planting Irrigation Plantings: Near Permanent Use species that can tolerate heavy irrigation so that they are suitable for Pasture permanent pasture planting (see species list) (e.g. River Red Gum). For north/south plantings plant Eucalypts every 6-9m. For east/west plantings plant Eucalypts over 15-18m. This should give the best outcome for shade and shelter in paddocks. Plant trees on the top of check banks so they are not being flooded every time the paddock is watered (or utilise drainage to alleviate water logging). Mix all other species so there is a mixture of species down the check banks. This helps to alleviate die back in the entire planting if any issues occur. If the site is between permanent and annual pasture, use species suitable for permanent pasture in the rows closest to the permanent pasture (see A Checkbank Planting species list below). Planting Native Vegetation Successful 1. Plan Your Project Contact DEPI up to 12 months prior to planting, for advice and assistance. Planting - 15 Ensure the area you are going to plant has a stock proof fence. Steps to Success 2. Order Your Seedlings Order trees 6 months in advance and use local nurseries where possible (local seed, local provenance). 3. Prepare Soil Shatter soil only where planting is to occur by deep ripping (2-3 rip lines per tree line) in the summer 300-500mm (12-18 inches) deep. 4. Apply Gypsum Apply gypsum to rip lines where hard setting soils are present. Applying pig manure may maximise the success of your site where it is required. 5. Control Weeds Control weeds over winter to conserve moisture in rip lines. 6. Rotary Hoe Rotary hoe rip lines to a fine tilth 150mm (6 inches) deep just prior to planting (two passes on rotary hoe can help produce the best result). 7. Control Vermin Control hares and rabbits before and after tree planning by baiting, ripping or spotlighting to prevent damage to seedlings. Always use a carton for seedlings. 8. Collect Seedlings Collect seedlings from the nursery only when you are ready to plant them. 9. Plant Seedlings Plant seedlings in spring or early summer (autumn planting for sandy soils). 10. Guard Seedlings Guard to protect and provide a good environment for the seedlings. 11. Water Seedlings & Follow-up Water Initial watering at time of planting with up to 20 litres per seedling. 1st watering within 3-5 days of planting. 2nd watering 7-10 days of planting. 3rd watering with 15-20 days of planting. 13. Control Weeds Selective sprays are available that will not harm seedlings. Contact your local chemical company for advice. A Planting Site (and above) Seedling with Guard 14. Flood Irrigation Hand watering is preferable in the first season as flood irrigation can result in excessive weed growth that may out-compete the seedlings. 15. Monitor Site Monitor the planting site to check on vermin, weeds and health of plants. Ensure stock do not access your site as they will damage the growth of plants. Planting Native Vegetation Use of If Using a Contractor Remember To: Contractors Arrange planning date with contractor well in advance. Confirm planting date 3 weeks prior to planting and again 1 week before planting date. Site Preparation must be to the agreed standard between contractor and landholder. Meet contractor on-site on the day of planting to discuss project requirements. Contract Watering Complaints or misunderstandings need to be resolved by the landholder and contractor. Local Native Nurseries and Seedbanks* Name Address Phone Gannawarra Trees 101 McMillians Road, Cohuna VIC 3568 (03) 5456 4587 Ko-warra Transplants 537 Mitiamo Road, Echuca VIC 3564 (03) 5480 9778 (native grasses only) [email protected] McKindlay’s Riverine 2220 Perricoota Road, Moama NSW 2731 (03) 5483 6240 Nursery www.mckindlaysriverinenursery.com.au [email protected] Rochester Native Nursery Northern Highway, Rochester VIC 3561 (03) 5484 3777 Vens Creek Nursery 908 Boort-Yando Road, Yando VIC 3537 (03) 5455 2154 Goulburn Broken The University of Melbourne Dookie * (03) 5833 9279 Indigenous Seedbank Campus Dookie College, VIC 3647 [email protected] Murray Mallee Seedbank Murray Valley Highway, Nyah VIC 3594 * (03) 5030 3166 [email protected] www.seedingvictoria.com.au/murraymallee Moonah Grey Box Black Box (Melaleuca lanceolata ssp. Lanceolata) (Eucalyptus microcarpa) (Eucalyptus largiflorens) Nitre Goosefoot Willow Wattle Gold-dust Wattle (Chenopodium nitrariaceum) (Acacia salicina) (Acacia acinacea) Planting Native Vegetation Native The following list is a guide to the trees and shrubs that can be planted in the Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region. The list is based on the ability to survive Species and availability from nurseries (variable). List Use indigenous species propagated from local seed stock wherever possible, as these are best adapted to local conditions. Most of the species