In Part 1 (February 2025 edition), we talked about how using natural bush regeneration methods is transforming fields of weeds (which we had mowed and sprayed for twenty years!) into vibrant native meadows.
As well as the diversity of grasses and sedges highlighted in Part 1, our meadows are teeming with an abundance of beautiful flowering native herbs.
The amazing kaleidoscope of colour is shown in this selection of pictures.
During our journey we have documented and recorded on iNaturalist these and all the other naturally occurring native plant species on our property. So far, we have found 162 different native flora species on our property. All observations are also recorded on the Land for Wildlife SEQ iNaturalist project, which we see as an important contribution to showcasing biodiversity in our region.
We are indebted to fellow bush regenerators and the Queensland Herbarium for assistance with identification of many species especially grasses which can be difficult to identify. Fauna is now also being included, with beetles, bugs, butterflies and other wildlife forming part of our documentation. Early advice which we valued was to photograph everything, and to keep a visual record of changes. This includes pictures of plants from dormancy to flowering, seeding and seasonal growth phases. It has given us not just a reference point over time, but a record of our property and how the native plants are growing on our land.
BEFORE: Invasive vines of Yellow Bells and Balloon Vine smothered native trees and shrubs.
Sometimes we still wish we had started our regeneration journey earlier. This now is tempered with the realisation that time can heal the country quickly. Native plants have emerged on our property with a shout, not a whimper. The diversity of the property is its great asset, with a natural seed-bank that had been laying dormant for years until it was given the advantage to grow. Successive good wet seasons have generated an explosion of plants, giving us insight into how much can change in one year.
DURING: We ringbarked weed trees and hooded stumps of weedy vines with black plastic. We methodically removed every weed by hand in small, manageable ‘Bradley Islands’ and used tree poppers to pull up Ochna.
These bountiful seasons won’t always persist, but we know it’s important to celebrate successes along the way. We did this with our mentors in July 2023 after our first year of regeneration. Here’s a link to a YouTube video we prepared for that occasion https://youtu.be/2cH1WvwY2YE?si=2HpKk3Inlj8qEuVG
We can now say that our initial level of despair and being overwhelmed has dissipated as we have learnt how to work with our land, and to manage the weeds so that their spread is contained. We have learnt nothing is an obstacle, that there is a non-herbicide solution for each weed species, and importantly that nature knows best. When given the opportunity and space to breathe, all it needs is a little time to spread its seed and reclaim the bush…and meadows!
Article by Tim and Cathie Albers
Land for Wildlife members
Mount Crosby, Brisbane City Council