Revegetation programs need weed control, protection for exposed soil, suitable plants and follow-up care. These four tips focus on establishing tubestock on Australian sites, from council planting areas to private properties.

Start with the conditions on your site. A planting day can run smoothly and still leave seedlings short of water or exposed to browsing animals afterwards, so budget for maintenance before ordering plants.

Revegetation project planning before planting day

Revegetation project planning starts with a site map, a planting objective and a maintenance budget. The Riverina and South West Slopes revegetation guide recommends identifying existing natural assets and assessing whether vegetation can recover before deciding where new planting is needed.

• Mark existing native vegetation, weed patches, slopes, wet areas and access routes.
• Agree on the outcome: for example, reconnecting habitat or establishing cover on disturbed soil.
• Confirm plant availability, labour, water access and who will maintain the site.
• Record a starting photo from fixed points so later inspections can show what changed.

Establish effective weed control

Weeds compete with tubestock for water, nutrients and light. Identify the weeds before treatment and protect native plants already growing on the site.

Choose a control method for the weed species and site conditions. Hand removal can suit small patches, while established perennial weeds may need repeated treatment before planting.

Remove roots or other regrowth material where appropriate for the weed, and minimise soil disturbance around native plants. Recheck treated areas before laying matting.

Methods for long-term weed suppression

• Control weeds in planting areas while retaining native vegetation and useful habitat.
• If herbicide is needed, follow the label and choose a treatment suited to the weeds, nearby plants and site.
• Apply weed matting around individual plants to block light from reaching weed seeds
• Schedule regular inspections during the first 12 months to catch new growth early
• Hand-pull weeds close to young plants to avoid herbicide damage

For scattered tubestock, 600mm square jute weed mats in 50-packs provide individual planting surrounds. Keep each mat flat and secured, leave room around the stem, and check for weeds emerging through the opening.

Choose weed mat suited to your planting layout after deciding whether you need individual surrounds or continuous coverage.

Implement proper erosion control measures

Match erosion control measures for exposed planting areas to the slope, soil and runoff paths.

Bare soil can wash or blow away before seedlings establish. Protect exposed areas before planting, especially where runoff concentrates.

Biodegradable coir or jute blankets can cover exposed soil during establishment. Select the material and fixing pattern for the site; a blanket chosen only by price or weight may be unsuitable for the runoff it will face.

Dense matting and open mesh serve different purposes. Do not assume every erosion blanket will also suppress weeds.

As vegetation establishes, roots and ground cover help protect the soil. Check the full mat specification, including any synthetic netting, before deciding what can remain on site as the natural fibres break down.

Choosing between matting options

Confirm the slit layout with the product specification before calculating plant numbers. Mat openings should fit the planting design, rather than determine it.

At each opening, prepare a hole that accepts the root ball without bending the roots. Backfill around the plant, firm gently and water in; keep the stem clear of bunched matting.

For planting through continuous coverage, the 1.83m wide slitted jute matting roll has pre-cut openings. Allow for joins, edges and ground irregularities when ordering rolls.

Check how to install jute matting before organising the crew, particularly the preparation and fixing steps.

If the planting specification calls for an additive, check Terraform Plant Establisher application instructions for suitability and dosage. Confirm compatibility with the selected native species before use.

A planting additive does not replace suitable soil conditions, watering or weed control.

Erosion control for waterways and drainage lines

Areas near creeks, drainage channels and stormwater runoff zones need extra protection. Standard matting often isn't enough to prevent soil movement in these high-flow areas.

Coir logs can form part of a designed erosion treatment, but their placement and anchoring need to suit the flow path. A log that moves or allows water to scour underneath can leave the bank exposed.

The 200mm diameter coir logs in 3m lengths are an option to discuss when specifying bank or drainage-line treatments. Confirm anchoring and suitability with the designer or supplier; diameter alone does not establish a safe flow limit.

Select appropriate plant species

Choose plants suited to the local vegetation community and the conditions in each planting zone. A species suited to a dry upper slope may struggle in the wet ground below it.

Check plant hardiness against the exposed, frost-prone or waterlogged parts of the site before finalising the order.

Ask a local native plant nursery or revegetation adviser which species suit the site.

Factors to consider when selecting plants

• Local native species adapted to your rainfall and temperature range
• Soil type compatibility (clay, sand, loam, acidic or alkaline)
• Mature height and spread to avoid future infrastructure conflicts
• Water requirements and drought tolerance
• Frost hardiness if you're in a cold region
• Wildlife value for birds, insects and other beneficial species
• Growth rate and expected time to canopy closure

Match the species mix to the vegetation community you are restoring, including appropriate ground-layer plants and shrubs. Avoid treating every site as a future forest: native grasslands and wetlands need different planting designs.

Use a mix drawn from the local vegetation community rather than filling the site with a single species.

Revegetation techniques for your planting area

Revegetation techniques include natural regeneration, direct seeding and planting nursery-grown tubestock. Greening Australia's revegetation techniques guide describes all three and explains that methods can be combined according to site conditions and available resources.

• Consider natural regeneration where native plants can recover after weeds or grazing pressure are managed.
• Consider direct seeding where suitable seed, prepared ground and follow-up weed control are available.
• Use tubestock where individual placement matters or to fill gaps that other methods leave.

Protect young plants from threats

Protect young plants from the threats actually present on site. Check for browsing, trampling and exposure rather than assuming every planting needs the same guard.

Rabbits, hares and wallabies browse tender shoots, while possums can damage young stems. Look for evidence of the animals using the site before choosing protection.

Plastic sleeve tree guards for bulk planting are one option for individual seedlings. Compare tree guards for the animals on your site before ordering, because small sleeves cannot provide the same protection as strong stock guards or fencing.

Choosing the right tree guard includes checking height, ventilation and how it will be supported. Keep the guard clear of the growing stem and inspect it after windy weather.

For bulk projects, include stakes, installation labour and later removal in the guard budget. Landscape South Australia’s revegetation guidance on plant protection distinguishes small guards for rabbits from taller, stronger protection for larger animals.

Additional protection strategies

• Install tree guards immediately after planting, not weeks later
• Use stakes to support guards and prevent them blowing over
• Check guards regularly and remove any that become restrictive as plants grow
• Apply animal repellents around the perimeter of planting areas
• Consider temporary fencing for sites with heavy browsing pressure
• Use frost cloth or shade cloth for plants in extreme climates

Using stakes to support your tree is another way to protect it from the wind. Correctly staking your trees will give them added support to prevent them from bowing or breaking.

However, don't stake too rigidly or for too long. Trees need some movement to develop strong trunks and root systems.

Remove tree supports when the plant can support itself, rather than applying one timetable to every species and site. Check ties regularly for rubbing or constriction, and distinguish stakes holding a guard from ties supporting the tree itself.

On-ground revegetation works and follow-up checks

On-ground revegetation works continue after planting: inspect weeds, soil moisture, guards and erosion, then assign repairs. Landscape South Australia's guidance above includes monitoring, maintaining protection and infill planting as part of the program.

• Keep a record of planted species and locations for later checks.
• Inspect after heavy rain for lifted matting, scour or displaced logs.
• Check root-zone moisture during dry spells and organise watering where needed.
• Record losses and investigate the cause before replacing plants.

Revegetation program FAQs

When should a revegetation program start?

Begin planning before the intended planting season so weeds, supplies and water access can be organised. Choose planting dates for local rainfall, soil moisture and species needs; a single calendar date will not suit every Australian region.

Should all vegetation be cleared before planting?

No. Identify native plants and habitat features first, then target the weeds competing with the planned planting. Avoid removing natural regeneration simply because it was not part of the nursery order.

Can weed mat replace ongoing weed control?

No. Weeds can emerge through planting openings and around edges, so inspection and follow-up treatment remain necessary. Choose the mat for the intended purpose and check that it stays secured.

Do all seedlings need a tree guard?

Guard selection depends on browsing pressure, plant size and exposure. Where livestock or larger animals can reach the plants, assess fencing or stronger protection instead of relying on small sleeves.

How can you tell whether the program is working?

Compare repeat photos and field records with the objectives set at the start. Check plant establishment, weed cover and erosion as well as survival; replacing dead plants without fixing the cause can repeat the same losses.

All Stake Supply supplies landscape supplies in Sydney for revegetation projects. Browse the full product range for your revegetation program or contact the team about your planting requirements before ordering.