The following tips provide some basic site preparation techniques to ensure your newly planted seedlings have the best chance of survival.
Stock Fencing
- Fully fencing revegetation areas prior to the planting to protect seedlings from grazing
Rabbit control
- Winter control options for rabbits include fumigation and warren destruction
- Check our website for spring and summer options
Weed control
- Controlling weeds in the area will assist seedling growth as weeds will compete for light, moisture and nutrients
- Pre-planting weed control is essential (ideally this will happen the year prior to planting)
- For direct seeding, weed control should be started several seasons before seeding to improve establishment success
- Sites using stem stock should be sprayed at least twice prior to planting
- Residual chemicals applied during the final spray should follow a 25:25 rule (ie wait 25 days after application or 25mm of rain before planting/seeding)
- 1m weed free diameter should be maintained at least 2 years after planting, either mechanical methods or herbicide can be used
Insect control
- Red-legged earth mite & Lucerne flea may be an issue when direct seeding, and spraying for these insects can be carried out during the final spray
Deep ripping
- Rip Lines should be approximately 2-3m apart
- Ripping to the depth 0.5m is recommended on most soil types except deep sand & cracking clays
- This process assists root development - roots grow faster and deeper allowing access to subsurface moisture
- Improves aeration & infiltration of rainwater
- Ripping along contour lines aids harvesting water moving down slope – roots grow faster and deeper allowing access to subsurface moisture
Tree planters
- One pass tree planters are a commonly used method in the Wheatbelt and can be hired from many local shires. It scalps, rips and mounds in a single operation at the time of planting so there’s no need for mechanical site prep prior to planting
Mounding
- Is best practice for saline or waterlogged sites
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Promotes initial growth by burying weed seed, reduces root rot, leaching salt and concentrating residual fertilizer