Five years after planting, the re-vegetation area is still slowly developing. A mixture of grasses and clovers are now growing in patches around eucalyptus trees, but it looks like it will take many years before anything resembling a topsoil is likely to be formed. My Main Re-Vegetation Strategy A topsoil layer will develop when there is enough organic matter for micro-organisms – especially fungi – to become active. Clay retards water absorption and unfortunately most rainfall received is still being lost due to evaporation from the soil’s surface. My main strategy has been to plant bushy gum trees closely in an attempt to slow down strong winds and to shade the ground below trees. Where trees have survived our extended drought, the strategy seems to be working. Planning For Replacement Plantings More exposed trees on the margins or the re-vegetation area have either produced less growth or died. These...
Watching The Hobby Farm Grow
My Re-vegetation Project
This photo gallery serves as a diary showing how a damaged part of the farm is to be re-vegetated and what will happen to the new wildlife which will come once established. October 2006 This is a view of part of the farm which needs to be re-vegetated with trees. The top 50 centimetres of topsoil and subsoil has been removed. This site has very low fertility and only a few very tough weeds are able to grow. The soil is composed of very hard clay that stops plant roots from growing. November 2006 Heavy machinery has been contracted in order to replace some of the lost topsoil. This will allow newly replanted trees to get established. The topsoil will allow better penetration of moisture into the soil. May 2007 Now that we have had some autumn rain, the soil has softened enough in order to be ripped. This...
My Weeds 2008 Jun-Dec
There are always plenty of weeds and I enjoy making new discoveries on the farm June 2008 – Wall Fumitory (Fumaria muralis) This attractive weed known as Wall Fumitory or Smoke Weed grows rapidly in cool wet weather and quickly covers small plantings. Of Mediterranean origin, this quite hardy weed can quickly colonise waste areas as well as cultivated plots and is mostly a nuisance on the farm. The plant has a shallow root system and can be easily removed, but it can clutter cultivation implements. Wall fumitory has been mostly located in the vegetable and fruit patch where extra irrigations have allowed it to flourish. July 2008 – Common Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleaceous) Common sow thistle is a fast grower in winter and spring and even though its leaves look soft and relatively tender, the plant is surprisingly tough. Bright yellow flowers later produce a puffball of small...
My Weeds 2008 Jan-May
The number and range of weeds continues to increase on the farm this year. I have not been cultivating the land in an attempt to increase the level of organic matter and vegetation cover on the soil. Tidying Weeds On My Hobby Farm The weeds have relished this situation and helped by some good rains this summer they are now fighting amongst themselves in an attempt to control their patch. I have been slashing parts of the farm where growth is excessive in order to maintain a tidier environment, and to deter snakes from visiting! January 2008 – Chicory (Chicorium Intybus) This hardy and attractive plant is due to become one of my favourite weeds. It has been introduced to the farm via the vegetable garden and after it sets seed, should become well established on the farm. Chicory grows wild in Europe and many cultivars have been selected...
My Weeds 2007
A weed is any plant growing where it is not wanted. Many flowers in the gardens and farms are also weeds when their growth interferes with the crop. Most flowers and crops have close cousins that are wild weeds. We may even say that crops and flowers are domesticated weeds – So almost any plant can become a weed. Weeds On My Hobby Farm Most weeds on my hobby farm are quite tame when compared to the ones I grew up with. I have actually become fond of these weeds, as they are providing me with free organic matter for mulching around the young windbreak trees. They are also keeping the soil cool and preventing soil from blowing away. This photo gallery displays the various weeds found at the hobby farm over the months …. June 2007 – Canola Canola used for oil production. It has blown in the...
Hobby Farm Second Year
Time has moved quickly during the first two years since purchasing the farm in August 2006. During the past spring the first plantings of native trees have begun to blossom attracting many nectar feeding birds as well as much more insect life. First Harvest After Christmas Trees that have exceeded 2 metres in height have now begun to give an appearance of depth to the farm, rather than the flat open area exposed to the elements. The fruit and vegetable garden has continued to develop at a pleasing pace. I will carry out the first harvest of mulberries, apricots, peaches, plums and apples after Christmas. Birds will need to be deterred by covering maturing trees with a net. If this is not done, fruit will need to be harvested before it is fully ripe and the resultant flavour will be compromised. Rainfall At Record Low Unlike last spring, rainfall...
Beauty In Spring & Summer
Six months after planting a row of Bottlebrushes ‘Kings Park Special‘, they have started to produce bright crimson blooms. These early flowering bottlebrushes are popular due to their quick growth rate and drought tolerance once established. Early Flowering Bottlebrushes Callistemon ‘Burgundy Jack’, a low growing bottlebrush, has produced a good sized bloom even though the plant is still about 30 cm tall. I look forward to seeing a low hedge with masses of dark bottlebrushes in 2 to 3 years time. Favorite Flowers On My Hobby Farm Grapevine flowers are not spectacular, but they are certainly one of my sentimental favourites. The variety shown is the prolific growing ‘Red Globe’ variety. Huge bunches of large round purple fruits will be produced in late summer. Another of my favourite fruits, the ‘Black English” mulberry produces many small inconspicuous flowers. The ripe fruits are very easily spotted by people and birds...
Beauty In Winter & Spring
Since purchase in August 2008 many plantings have been established. Most of these are drought hardy native trees and shrubs. Some of the fruit trees have also flowered and are producing their first crops. Surviving Very Dry Conditions The native plants featured on this page have been successful at surviving very dry conditions. Of the many coral gums, some have produced beautiful orange-pink buds. The majority have a more bland green-pink colouration. Outstanding coral gum flowers and foliage has become popular with florists.. Fragrant Blossoms In Large Quantities Deep yellow and very fragrant blossoms are produced in large quantities by the Notable wattle . Bees arrive in great numbers and the plants are later covered in large seed pods containing edible seeds. This plant can tolerate very dry conditions and has had no problems this last summer. Continuous Growth Of Wirilda Wattle I have been amazed at the growth...
Hobby Farm First Year
The farm has seen a lot of changes in the first year since it was purchased in August 2006. After a difficult drought last summer, compounded by a severe lack of water for irrigation, the plantings have mostly responded well to some good spring rain this year. A Difficult Start Many mistakes and errors of judgment had to be dealt with. Some plantings did not respond well to infertile soils lacking organic matter. The expensive date palms nearly died and had to be relocated to a better site. A Year With Significant Progress Generally there is much more organic matter present within the topsoil and also a cover of slashed vegetation will provide much more protection from the elements this summer. Worms which were very hard to find last year are much more common and I expect there is lots more activity within the soil from micro-organisms as they...