Our Projects
In partnership with communities, organisations, and sponsors, we undertake projects that benefit growers
Part 3 - Why focus on climate resilience?
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Growers have the additional advantage of being able to witness first-hand the effects of climate change on the plants and animals they care for, and on the animals that visit. All of those who work with the soil work on finding solutions to problems such as rainfall variability, severe winds, and extremes of temperature.
You are sure to have done lots of reading yourself up to now, and hopefully what we have here can contribute to your knowledge and encourage you to read further. |
Pollinators
Warming temperatures may create a mismatch in timing that disrupts current pollination relationships. Changing temperatures are resulting in plants flowering at different times than they have in the past, which impacts the pollination patterns of key species like bees[19]. The effects of increased temperatures on pollinator-plant relationships continue to be researched, for example the effect of heat on the structure, colour and scent of flowers, all of which are ‘critical cues in attracting pollinators’[20]. |
Part 2 – Minimising water loss
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Water management issues for communities on the MidCoast to consider include:
A feature of the region is the experience of ‘wet droughts’, where raw water is unsuitable for harvesting due to its poor quality. There is the risk too of the loss of coastal assets due to sea level rise and storm surges.[3] For further information, take a look at MidCoast Council's information on Managing water use: Water restrictions [4] |
Did you know? Apart from leading to high levels of carbon storage in the soil, improved organic matter content and continuous soil cover with plants or mulch keeps the soil structure in good condition.
This helps the soil to cope better with more intense rainfall, which is predicted for many parts of Australia as the climate changes, because it can absorb moisture faster, thereby reducing run-off and erosion.[7] |
Rain gardens of any size or shape are strategically located in areas of the garden that are slightly lower in elevation. Stormwater is channelled into these dips, which can be planted quite densely, including with plants that tolerate being waterlogged for periods of time.
Bio-swales are shallow vegetated channels that can be used to direct surface runoff to rain gardens or other areas where the water can be absorbed and put to best use. Xeriscaping focuses on water conservation by designing a part of the garden to house plants that are drought resistant. This leads to the creation of a micro-landscape that requires much less watering[9]. |
Local voice
Start off by doing a soil profile. Dig in to shovel distance and see what you have in terms of subsoil, topsoil and humus. Check the soil layers for the depth of organic matter, sand, clay, minerals, and rock.
Test and adjust the pH:
Many of the things we grow like soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7. Add nutrients and aim to get life (bacteria, fungi, earthworms and others) into the soil through adding soil probiotics and lots of organic matter (discussed in Part 1 of the MidCoast Growers Guide) . At Misty Ridge we use inputs such as biochar, worm castings, wood vinegar, seaweed, compost, manures and others to increase water and nutrient retention. |
Marnie is happy to share her wisdom and experience with others
Visit her facebook page at www.facebook.com/marniesgarden/ |
Part 1 – From the soil up
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Local voice
Lee shares topical information on soils, composting and worm farming at the Island Biologicals website, see https://www.biocast.com.au/ |