Soil preparation and plant protection are vital to successful revegetation. Encouraging the development and survival of tubestock involves a few key things, including soil conditioning, weed control, erosion prevention, correct planting techniques and plant protection.
Whether you're working on a small-scale planting project or a large commercial revegetation program, following proven methods will significantly improve your success rate. These four practical tips will help you establish healthy vegetation that thrives for years to come.
Weeds will always compete for nutrients and water against your tubestock. Make sure to spray and clear the revegetation site of all wild plants before you begin planting.
By reducing the weeds, you will give your vegetation a greater chance of survival. Thoroughly dampen your soil to make removing weeds easier.
Remove as many weeds and stray roots as possible to prevent regrowth. Even small root fragments left in the soil can sprout new weeds within weeks.
For individual tree plantings, these 600mm square jute mats work brilliantly as they're perfectly sized to surround each tubestock plant while naturally suppressing weeds as they biodegrade. The 50-pack format makes them economical for medium-sized revegetation projects where you need consistent weed control around scattered plantings.
As revegetation generally takes place on a site exposed to the elements, it is important to protect the topsoil from being blown away by wind or washed away during rains. Without adequate erosion control, you can lose valuable topsoil and nutrients before your plants even establish root systems.
The best and most cost-effective way to do this is to use natural biodegradable mats made from coir or jute. These mats are pinned to the ground and provide a protective barrier over the soil, which helps prevent erosion while still being porous enough to maintain airflow and moisture.
The erosion control mats will protect the topsoil and also inhibit the growth of weeds. Coir and jute mats are biodegradable and long-lasting.
When your plants are established, their root system will work to hold the soil together. Over the years the matting will disintegrate into the soil, so there is no need to remove it.
The mats can be purchased with 5 slits per square metre. These slits are used to create easy access for you to plant your new vegetation.
Planting your new trees to help with erosion control is easy. With a hand shovel, dig a hole under the slit, then place the young plant into the hole along with a high-quality plant establisher.
For larger revegetation areas where you'll be planting through the matting, this 1.83m wide slitted jute roll saves considerable time as the pre-cut slits eliminate the need to cut individual planting holes in the field. The 620gsm weight provides excellent erosion control while the slits are perfectly spaced for standard revegetation planting densities.
Terraform Plant Establisher is one we recommend and it gives the plant a triple-action boost. This helps the plant absorb and retain water and supplies nutrition to the plant over the growing season.
A plant establisher increases the overall survival rate of your plant. It's a small upfront cost that can make the difference between 60% and 90% survival rates in challenging conditions.
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 placed along contours or at the base of slopes create physical barriers that slow water flow and trap sediment. They're particularly effective when combined with revegetation because they provide immediate erosion control while plants establish.
For drainage lines and small gullies, these 200mm diameter coir logs provide substantial sediment control and can even help reshape minor erosion channels while your revegetation takes hold. The larger diameter makes them stable enough for moderate water flows without requiring extensive staking.
It is important to choose the right plants when planning your revegetation project. Choose plants that will thrive in your climate and the area you are planting.
Be sure to research the hardiness of the plants and the weather conditions best suited for your chosen trees. Many trees and plants survive best when planted with complementary vegetation.
Have a chat with your local garden centre and ask for their recommendations. They'll understand local soil conditions, rainfall patterns and which species perform well in your specific area.
Consider using a mix of pioneer species that establish quickly and longer-lived climax species that will eventually dominate. The fast-growing pioneers provide early ground cover and create microclimates that help slower species survive.
Avoid monoculture plantings as they're more vulnerable to pests, diseases and environmental stress. A diverse planting mirrors natural ecosystems and creates resilience.
Once you have prepared the ground for planting and chosen the right trees for your project, it is important to protect them against animals, insects and frost. Young plants are vulnerable for their first 12 to 24 months until they develop robust root systems and hardier stems.
Small ground-dwelling animals love new tree growth and can destroy all of your hard work. Rabbits, hares and wallabies will browse tender shoots, while possums can strip bark from young stems.
The best way to protect your trees from these animals is to use a tree guard. Tree guards create a barrier around your tree to deter small animals from eating or damaging it while it is being established.
Using a tree guard will also help to retain moisture in the soil surrounding your plant. Moist soil holds more heat than dry soil and can help the tree during frost.
For bulk revegetation projects where budget matters, these 450mm corflute guards in 100-packs offer excellent value while providing reliable protection from browsing animals and wind damage. The square profile is more stable than round guards in windy conditions and the 450mm height protects the critical growing tip.
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 stakes after 12 months in most cases, or 18 months for larger specimens in exposed sites. Check ties regularly to ensure they're not cutting into bark as the tree grows.
There are many things you can do to prepare your revegetation project to ensure success. Following these steps will get you off to a great start and allow your vegetation to thrive.
All Stake Supply offer a range of products to help with your revegetation project, along with expert advice. For landscape supplies in Sydney, contact our friendly staff on 1300 130 123
