PLANTING DAY !!! FOR REVEGETATION PROJECT JULY 2020

July 28, 2020

PLANTING DAY !!! FOR REVEGETATION PROJECT JULY 2020

The physical features of the site

This revegetation project is for Go Ahead farm 2030.

A dairy farm of 250 hectares with 350 dairy cows in Kotinga Golden bay. The planting site will be along the Ephemeral stream bed which is a tributary stream that flows into the Go Ahead stream which then joins the Anatoki river and eventually runs into the Takaka river. A vast number of the streams and rivers run underground in this type of karst limestone country. The river beds look dry all year round so making a deceptive impression that there is no water but there are underground streams and sink holes all through this farm. It is crucial to stop runoff form going into these dry river beds and the small tributary streams which do have running water in them.

Reason for revegetation The riparian plantings is to conserve and restore the waterways on the farm and eventually continue along all the subsequent farms in the area where streams and rivers join the Takaka river. The native plants can stop erosion and when fenced and planted riparian zones can become a valuable asset for your dairy farm, they can filter out sediment and nutrients that leave farmland in runoff before they enter other waterways and provide a clean habitat for animals such as fish and birds.

Site preparation The site we will plant will be fenced and the prepared by farm owner ready for planting, free of large invasive weeds. Tall grasses trimmed back with scrub cutter.

We will be planting on open site that was grazed by stock prior to fencing. The gorse was sprayed one year ago.

Method

Plants will go in at 1.5 to 2 metre spacings at a diagonal. 2m = 3 plants.

The site at Go ahead farm is a mix of wet and dry banks we will be planting in accordance with this.

· Fencing will be at least 4 meters from stream giving us a two meter margin to plant in.

· A grass strip at least one meter wide should be left between all fences and waterways to help filter sediment, phosphorus and faecal bacteria from runoff before it reaches the water. The grass strip will also prevent plants from tripping electric wires or being grazed.

Plan your planting day!!!

My List for the day
1. X 1000 plants
2. X 20 planting spades
3. x 1000 tree guards
4. x 1000 stakes
5. x 1000 Fertilizer tablets
6. X 1000 Coconut coir weed suppressant mats.

7. X 10 old sacks for rubbish and used PB 2 bags
8. X 4 Buckets in case you need to water plants
9. Everyone to bring their own gloves
10. Long sleeved shirts so Carex grass does not cut up arms
11. Good sturdy water proof foot wear
12. X 1 First aid kit

LIST of plants to take and load on to truck

X 400 Leptospermum scoparium Manuka

2. X 100 Kunzea ericoides Kanuka

3. X 100 Coprosma robusta Karamu

4. X 100 Cordyline australis Ti Kouka(cabbage trees)

5. X 50 Phormium tenax. Harakeke (Flax).

6. X 200 Carex secta.Pukio

7. X 50 Pittosporum eugenioides Tarata

(truck not available on the day so it took 8x trailer loads for 1000 pB2 bags Plus 1000 x plant guards and mats)

The different plant species to be planted and areas where they are to be planted

The stream bank can be divided into three different planting zones the

1.First upper zone should be left as a clear grass strip between fence, this will help filter faecal bacteria before it reaches water and plants will not trip electric wire and cows cannot lean over and graze fresh newly planted trees.

2. Second zone is upper bank zone is higher ground less lightly to get flooded or waterlogged, we will plant the Kanuka, Karamu, Tarata and Harakeke here.

3.Third lower bank zone we will plant the Ti Kouka and Puiko grasses which are well rooted and can survive many days under water.

Correct techniques for planting

Step one Dig a hole that is deep and big enough to fit plant roots without them getting curled up or bent in hole. On drier soils dig deeper to make sure base of the stem is at least 1 to 3 cm below soil surface. If soil is hard and rocky or very wet dig less deep and make the most of the wet fertile top soil use this to fill in hole.

Step two Carefully remove PB 2 bag by peeling back bag and releasing plant roots to not touch or unwind roots. Place one fertilizer tablet at bottom of hole, pack soil in carefully and tightly around plant make sure not to put any weeds or grass back into hole.

Step Three Put the coir mat around plant insert four bamboo stakes into the four holes on mat and put plant cover around sticks nice and tight so that it will not blow away in the next strong wind.

Protection of the trees/plants and mulching

We will use the Plant Guard combos wich include 4x50cm Bamboo100% Biodegradable coir Matt and Guard. This is less labour intensive but comes at a greater initial cost. Surround each plant with at least a 30-40 cm diameter of biodegradable mat that suppresses weed growth.

Fertilising x1 Silvagen fertiliser tablet for each plant these will last up to two years

Weed control This farm has decided to trial the plantings without using herbicide to spot spray, but will instead use the coir mats and do effective releasing every two months weeding and brush cutting around the planting.

spades ready! walk to planting site

FIRST PLANTING DAY 26th July 2020

Walking to planting site

The site we planted is a flat site,

We planted approximately 2 km along the north side to keep stream in shade for summer. planted 440 first day and and 560 on the second planting day.

The site at beginning of the day

It is very helpful and saves a lot of time if someone places all the plants in the correct place where the plant needs to be planted the day prior to planting this can save hours and will save plants from being incorrectly carried and rushed around on planting day. This planting site has not been spot sprayed as the farm has decided to no longer use herbicide. So plants will need to be placed 1.5 meters apart accordingly to bank zones.