Planting Techniques Field Day at "Comfortable Farming" Property in Romsey

The Upper Maribyrnong Catchment Group and Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Group have collaborated to organise a Planting Techniques Field Day that will be held at a property near Romsey. 

The landholders where the field day will be held have been undertaking revegetation on the property since 1986. When they started their revegetation efforts the property had little indigenous vegetation. Today the property provides an example of the biodiversity, amenity and greenhouse benefits from doing revegetation.  

What's the field day about?

1. Practical demonstration of techniques/equipment used for planting/guarding indigenous plants including:

• importance of preparation of sites for planting, including spot spraying (grassy weeds) using a backpack sprayer, 

• demonstration of digging holes for planting (with tubestock) using: 

  • Stihl auger, hamilton tree planter, and a mattock.

• demonstration of planting using a pottiputki planter.

• direct seeding demonstration including using:

  • direct seeding machine that's attached to/driven by a tractor, and direct seeding by hand.

• demonstration of different types of tree guards/stakes including using: 

  • 2-litre milk/juice cartons tree guards (using 2 bamboo stakes),

  • plastic tree guards (using 3 bamboo stakes),

  • corflute tree guards (using 2 hardwood stakes),

  • mesh (plastic) tree guards of different heights (using 2 hardwood stakes),

  • chicken wire tree guards (using 1 or 2 hardwood stakes or metal star pickets).

• tools to use for planting including trowels, spades/shovels, mattocks.

• tools to use for tree guarding including hammers, sledge hammers and star post rammers      

2. Demonstration of benefits of 40-years of revegetation on the property

During the property walk at the field day the landholders will outline the practical benefits and outcomes of their 40-years of revegetation, which includes:

* creation of biolinks connecting the property's riparian zone with it's agroforestry blocks

* creation of wildlife habitat (from zero habitat in 1986)
landscape amenity 
* livestock amenity (i.e. wind protection, shelter, and shade, which also help increase productivity), and that contribute to the landholder's "comfortable livestock farming" objectives i.e. a farm comfortable for wildlife, for livestock, and for owners/visitors

* combating greenhouse gas emissions with sufficient tree planting scale. 

Where: property near Romsey. Once your registration is received, the address of the property in Romsey (for the field day) will be sent to you. I'll also send information on the property where the field day will be held.  

What to bring: the field day will include a paddock walk, and a minor level of fitness and mobility is required. Please bring a water bottle, and wear sturdy shoes/boots and weather appropriate clothing, including bringing wet weather gear.

What we'll provide: a light lunch after the field day.

Note: please don't attend if you have any cold, flu or Covid 19 symptoms.

Cost: Free

Register: numbers at the field day are strictly limited to 20 people, which includes: 

• 10 members of Upper Maribyrnong Catchment Group 

• 10 members of Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Group 

Please register online via , or use the QR code to register. Thanks. 

Further details: contact John Robinson, Upper Upper Maribyrnong Catchment Group via upper.maribyrnong.landcare@gmail.com or 0429 565 070.