Barramul/Yulawil - Wararak/Gurruk 2024 Update
- Ira
- Sep 1, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 6
We are moving through the cooler months, and the Murnong Mummas plot continues to show signs of life and growth. We are engaged in fostering biodiversity, enhancing soil health, and nurturing the connections between our community and the land.
We are focusing on observing and supporting the natural rhythms of the garden. We are witnessing the dance of life in the soil, from the burrowing mole crickets to the wriggling worms. We have observed an increase in insect life alongside the presence of Willy Wagtails. We are diligently working on infrastructure improvements, including relocating and nurturing Poa grass. Grace is dedicating her time to replacing old fencing around the plot.
Life in the Soil and Beyond: A Microcosm of Connection
The soil beneath our feet is a hive of activity, a microcosm of connection, with worms, snails, and mole crickets contributing to its vitality. We hope the mole crickets continue to eat the roots of the grass. We hope the worms continue to feed the soil that feeds the plants that feed us. We hope that we find the snails so we can feed them to the chooks. We’ve been mindful of the delicate balance, ensuring that the soil remains a nurturing environment for our plants. We’ve noticed how the mole crickets’ tunnels aerate the soil, how the worms enrich it with their castings, and how the snails play a role in breaking down organic matter. We are continually striving to create an environment that supports a rich tapestry of life, where every creature has a role to play.
Enhancing Our Boundaries with Poa Grass: A Living Fence
Before the chill of winter set in, we transplanted Poa grass from our friends at Gungho Growers. Before the move, we gave the grass a good haircut. After removing a bunch of old growth, the grass exploded with new growth within a week. Grace is placing the grass to enhance our fencing and create a habitat for insects and reptiles seeking shade and sanctuary. The irrigated Poa grass is lining our plot and the bespoke gate perfectly. We hope the grass will create a barrier between our plants and any unwanted seeds blowing through.
Educational Visits and Pond Restoration: Sharing Knowledge, Building Futures
We were thrilled to host children from Castlemaine Steiner School for an educational visit to the Harcourt Organic Farming Co-op. We started our morning off up at the dam, having a chat about the seasonal changes that we can see on this part of Djaara country right now. We observed how plants grow near water, what levels of inundation that they grew in and how the water levels change throughout the year. We planted some Nardoo and River Mint up at the dam’s edge, and propagated some of the rush and sedge that lines it to bring back to our newly dug pond. After a lovely morning tea of fruit and Ooray lamingtons, we got to planting. Mosses, River Mint, and Rushes were placed around the pond’s edge to offer hiding places for small reptiles looking for some shade and a drink. We submerged the Nardoo into the water to float to the surface and made sure there were plenty of access points and hiding spots for any frogs and tadpoles. We also added watering spots for the birds that have been seeking refuge amongst our towering saltbush.
Celebrating Kitchen Gardens and Community: Recognizing Dedication
We are proud to partner with the Kitchen Garden Foundation for their inaugural National Kitchen Garden Awards. The awards recognize the tremendous creativity in school and early childhood kitchen gardens of all sizes, right across Australia. The awards are open to all primary schools, secondary schools and early childhood services across Australia, and you do not need to be a member of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program to apply. Stephanie Alexander, Thanh Truong, and Alice Zaslavsky will be reviewing the finalists in each category and making their selections. Winners will be announced at a special Kitchen Garden Month celebration hosted by Stephanie Alexander at Parliament House in Canberra. We encourage all eligible institutions to apply and celebrate the innovative ways young Australians are learning about health, wellbeing, and sustainability. We’ve been really inspired by the stories of these gardens.
Building a Thriving Ecosystem: A Holistic Approach
Our approach to gardening extends beyond planting; we are committed to creating a haven for all creatures. From towering trees like the Ironbark and Paperbark trees we have recently planted, to delicate climbing plants to tiny carpets of moss, we incorporate diverse plants and features like water sources and rotting timber. This diversity supports a range of wildlife, from insects to birds and even kangaroos that browse our unwanted couch grass. We’ve learned to appreciate the interactions and the balance within our ecosystem.
Country's Calendar: Supporting Native Flora Through Observation
While the calendar may indicate winter, Country tells a different story. We’ve been actively propagating cuttings, expanding our ground cover with Pigface and Warrigal Greens, and revegetating with pioneer plants like Golden Wattle to help improve soil and pave the way for more plants native to this part of Djaara country. We are also propping Red Gum to contribute to long-term habitat for native animals. Observing and supporting Country is a core part of our mission. We’ve learned to listen to the land, to understand its rhythms and respond to its needs.
Flowering and New Life: A Sensory Celebration
As flowers begin to bloom, we welcome new insects, flavors, and scents to our garden. Vanilla Lillies with their sweet delicate smell and tiny fluffy anthers, the tiniest of insects living within the Native Thyme flowers and their lavender-like smell, the unusual form of the Old Man Saltbush flowers ready to emerge, brightly coloured Pigface flowers that will become fruit if pollinated, Bulbine Lillies almost ready to exhibit their bright star-shaped flowers and last but not least the Native Basil with it’s fuchsia bell-shaped flowers are all contributing to the vibrant tapestry of life. We are delighted to witness the arrival of Guling, our favorite season.
Barramul/Yulawil - Wararak/Gurruk are Dja Dja Wurrung for seasons on this Country. This information has been taken from a Djaara Seasonal Calendar compiled by Uncle Rick Nelson and Karl Just, with contributions from Frances Cincotta, Elaine Bayes, Damien Cook, Tanya Loos, Geoff Park, Cassia Read and Trace Balla.
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