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Blue Rake Project, Romsey (2026)

12/09/2020

It’s been a little while between posts... we’re still around and will post a few pics coming up.

24/01/2017

17 months between these two photos.

24/01/2017

Starting with seed collection too.

24/01/2017

Some of the produce suited to Macedon ranges area.

24/01/2017

Current growth.

24/01/2017

A chronological visual (15 months) of some of the paddock restoration at Birdsong Farm near Kyneton, Victoria, Australia. The first photo (1 September 2015) was of freshly cleared Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) remnant growth and stumps from a 2013 harvest. Mainly once a sheep and cattle farm it was planted with the eucalyptus originally for the wood-chip market. Initially cleared with an excavator the material from this paddock was windrowed then burnt in piles. Natural regrowth was encouraged at this stage, with a focus to only remove the aggressive Bathurst burr (Xanthium spinosum) and some Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium) by hand (hoe). In May 2016 it was disc harrowed in preparation for seeding with pasture. The paddock was stick picked several times by hand to remove large roots, stumps, and rocks prior to and after harrowing. As this paddock may be used to produce hay in the future an additional step was to power hoe the area to level it out. It was seeded with a blend of Rye, Cocksfoot, and Sub Clovers at the end of May 2016. The paddock photos at the end of this photo series were on the 19 November 2016. Soil type here is largely granite sands (decomposed granite). There was little organic matter and virtually 2 - 4 centimeters of topsoil on the ridges. The combination of the eucalyptus and granite encouraged a range on the acidic side of soil pH from 4.5 to 6. The option to power hoe was always going to be a severe method in relation to soil regeneration in these conditions but due to the longer term plan of leaving this paddock alone now for 15 - 20 years it seemed like an acceptable risk. The burning of the cleared material left a significant amount of charcoal behind and with smaller pieces of timber was spread somewhat by the harrowing and subsequent power hoe. Remarkably further pH tests after seeding showed most of this area is now around 6.5 - 7. No fertilizers were added or any herbicides used. There are plans to utilize 'organic' fertilizers in the near future to sections of the paddock to record results. No livestock apart from kangaroos,wallabies, and other natural animals have been introduced since seeding. There is scope to lightly graze stock over the area currently. Due to the soil type livestock will have to be removed in the winter as the ground saturates with moisture, as there is no topsoil 'crust' to hold any weight at this point and time. Strike rate and pasture growth after seeding has been good considering the conditions. With a very wet 2016 winter there has been some areas where small amounts of erosion have taken place before plant growth had stabilized the soil. This will be corrected with little effort and management.