April 2025 working bee

What wonderful rain we’ve had recently, setting the stage for the cooler and generally drier months ahead. Our April working bee is just around the corner, and we’ll be heading to Site 2 – our old bamboo site. We’ll revisit the 200 seedlings we planted back in December 2023 to ensure they’re getting the care they need. Additionally, we’ll tackle our target weeds for the site, mainly privet, turkey rhubarb and hemlock, while also checking for any reemerging bamboo and new infestations of camphor laurel and madeira vine that seem to be creeping into new areas.

This is also the site where the native groundcover, Scurvy Weed (Commelina cyanea), has been naturally germinating and seems to be getting a stronghold amongst the weed species of a very similar appearance, Wandering Trad (Tradescantia fluminensis).  And why, you may ask? Well, we have many theories, the leading one is that perhaps the fungal smut biocontrol introduced by the CSIRO to control the Wandering Trad may have sufficiently weakened it, giving the Commelina the competitive advantage it was needing. Come along on Monday and add your theories to the mix! 🙂

Here are the details:

When: Monday 7th April, 9.30-12.30pm
What: Planting maintenance, weeding.
Where: Meet at the Main River Reserve Picnic area (corner of Auckland Street and Jacksonia Grove – most eastern table).

Bring: Drink bottle, Garden gloves, weed bags, weeding tools (some tools will be provided)
Wear: Enclosed sturdy footwear, sun hat and sun-smart clothing.
Morning tea: is at 11am, please bring something to share or to enjoy yourself.