Some of the plants in common land that are in glorious full bloom right now are the acacias (or wattles) and Clematis microphylla.

The acacias provide magnificent colour from early August at a time when little else does, and we have six local species to choose from.  Acacias in their natural setting are the colonisers - they live fast and die young and are among the first plants to return after bushfires or when bush is cleared.  Their role is to fix nitrogen into the soil until the slower growing plants can reappear.  So if you love acacias plant them every few years. Depending on the species and the conditions they will live between 3 - 15 years. 
 
The clematis after which our street is named is a delicate and beautiful climber that will twine up a fence, a tree or cover a bush without harming its host (see pictures below).  For more info on these plants, see our Indigenous Plant e-book at:
http://www.aaev.net/management/nec/nec_documents/files/
Indigenous%20plants%20at%20AAEV.pdf

Jenni McGlennon

Calling all Neighbourhood Groups:

It’s time to put in orders for plants from Indigeflora for next year. These would be for filling in mounds and for any new common land developments that may be in the pipeline.

Please forward your requests to me by email or hard copy to 7 Grevillea Way (NOT to Jenni M who will be away!)

Thanks - Jill W - for NEC

Calling all Neighbourhood Groups:

It’s time to put in orders for plants from Indigeflora for next year. These would be for filling in mounds and for any new common land developments that may be in the pipeline.

Please forward your requests to me by email or hard copy to 7 Grevillea Way

Thanks - Jill W - for NEC

Hi everyone,

Here are a few more thoughts about getting rid of those soursobs:

If you pull the plant when it has put out its buds and before the pollination occurs, the bulb should be spent and unable to survive a following season. Every time this is done that's one finished with. With so many at different stages of development, you will eventually get rid of the bulb by just pulling and getting as many as you can before flowering. Mine are very small and weak this year. This is the most crucial time to stop them from flowering.

Chris W 

We are approaching the peak of the soursob silly season, and in case anyone is going mad with soursob rage I thought I would pass on some info that inspires me each year to keep weeding.  Although they are not considered the nastiest of weeds I believe they still have quite an environmental impact in a dry climate like ours, simply because they rob our plants of water in winter and spring at precisely the time that they are establishing a root system and having a growth spurt to get them through the harsh summer.  Soursobs also provide a moist environment above the soil which the natives in particular don’t like and it makes their leaves go black. 
 
“Every weed grows at the expense of soil moisture and nutrients that would otherwise be available to your seedlings. In a region with 400 mm rainfall, weed control over an area of 1.5 diameter around your seedling will make up to 700 litres of water available per year to your developing seedlings. Without weed control ¾ of this will be used by the weeds.” (Trees for Life “How to Plant Native Seedlings: Land preparation, planting and aftercare: and outline for survival”)
 
Does anyone have any tips for eradicating soursobs that they could share?  Mine is just to keep planting and to weed around the plants until they are big enough to out compete.  Not a magic bullet but it has really got easier over time.
 
Jenni McGlennon - 8556 5227 or email

The following tubestock is available for filling in vacant spots in planted common land areas -  20 Myoporum viscosum, 30 Olearia ramulosa and 30 Lotus australis. There are also a handful of remainders from the last batch – Billardiera cymosa, Clematis microphylla, Leucophyta brownii, Dodonea viscosa, and Hardenbergia violacea.
 
For a description of these plants you can go to the Indigenous Plants at AAEV e-book at:
http://www.aaev.net/management/nec/nec_documents/index.html
For planting tips on our local plants go to:
http://www.aaev.net/management/nec/native_plants/index.html
 
Plants and guards (you will need to provide the stakes) can be collected from the front porch at 3 Olearia Walk anytime or if you contact me I will put some aside for you.
 
Jenni McGlennon - for NEC - Phone: 8556 5227 or email

There has been discussion in the village and it has been agreed that the Village needs more shade trees.

If any spots have been identified and trees chosen please let the NEC know by the next meeting - Wednesday 21 October so they can be approved, as planting time for this year is fast running out.

Jenny McGlennon has done a lot of work on the subject and lists of suitable plants and trees are available on the AAEV website. See for example:
http://www.aaev.net/management/nec/native_plants/index.html

Jill Wilson - for NEC

A reminder to owners of vacant lots:

We have just passed the cut-off date for the second slash of the season (14 September) so, if you have not yet made arrangements to slash your lot, please do so now as the NEC slashing program is getting under way.

The Works Team will proceed on the basis of instructions received for the previous slash at the end of July. If you want to change your instructions, please notify the Team as soon as possible.

A copy of the original Block Slashing notice is ATTACHED for reference.

Queries and bookings for slashing or use of equipment to Cam Waters on 0431 922 072 or home: 8557 6281

Cam W - for NEC
090713 BLOCKSLASH

We now have our very own web resource of Aldinga native plants. It includes a photographic gallery of species for quick recognition, and an “e-book” of species notes and photographs.

The gallery at:
http://www.aaev.net/management/nec/native_plants/local_flora/index.html
presents photographs as an initial aid to recognising species. Each small photograph is labelled with the botanical name and, if you hover the cursor over it, the common name as well. In addition, if you click on the picture, a larger image is presented.

In the text at the top of the gallery page is a link to the e-book file “Indigenous Plants at AAEV”, which is posted on the NEC Documents page at:
http://www.aaev.net/management/nec/nec_documents/index.html
In the e-book, pages of information on species are hyperlinked to the species names in an index table to make reference quick and easy.

All of the plants are from our Vegetation Guidelines for common land areas and the e-book particularly is intended to make it easier for people to know what our local plants look like; what uses they may have for people, birds and animals; and where you can buy them.  The information is not expert knowledge but is very specific to my experience of growing these plants on the Village site along with information that I have gleaned from growers.  This knowledge will of course grow for all of us over time, as will our plants.  Most of the photos are taken in the Village to demonstrate what is doing well here and there are also some tips about their care.
 
While we are at the end of the planting season, it has been such a great winter that there is still time to plant - remembering though that you will need to water and care for your plants over summer.  NEC invites you to inspect your mound, consider which plants you might like to buy from the list on the web, and then:

• Send a list to Jenni McGlennon by email before September 30
• Purchase up to 10 plants from one of the growers listed in the directory  - they will be $1.50 - $2.50 if they are tubestock size
• If you would like reimbursement, leave the receipt on Jenni & Wayne’s front porch, 3 Olearia Walk in the plastic container.

Remember that if you want to plant out an area of common land that is not currently planted then you will need to fill out a Common Land Application Form.  The above offer is for areas that have already been planted but have gaps, which is mostly mounded areas.

This is possibly the first winter since the Village landscaping began where we have had moisture down into the subsoil, so lets celebrate it! 

Enquiries to Jenni McGlennon - 8556 5227 or email

The Wetland Feasibility Report is now available.

You may have noticed there has been a change of wetland consultant. Our present man is Barrie Ormsby and he comes with vast experience and impressive qualifications, including:

CIVIL ENGINEERING 1959-1974: Road and drainage design with private engineering practices, worked with the Snowy Mountain Authority and The City of Salisbury.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 1974-1997 for the City of Salisbury and responsible for all landscape and wetland design and management of Park and Landscape.
PRIVATE WETLAND CONSULTANCY since 1997
He has won many significant environmental awards for his projects and is recognized internationally for the ground breaking work done with the Salisbury wetland development.

I recommend you to read this report as it answers the many questions asked by the community last year and offers solutions for creating a wetland ecosystem. The present detention pond or dam system is 12.5 times greater than our needs and Barrie has identified ways of environmentally improving the design.

You can find the report on the AAEV website at:
http://www.aaev.net/management/nec/nec_documents/index.html [first item on list]
or go to the home page at www.aaev.net then click on “Landscape Design” in the menu, then “NEC Documents.”

A hard copy will also be placed in the Library.

If you are interested in further reading, Peter Andrews’ book “Back from the Brink” gives insights into recreating natural water patterns for the Australian Landscape.

Comments are appreciated and any questions will answered with links to reference points.

Maria Bray for the NEC - Phone: 8556 5752 or email

People sought for watering Neighbourhood Group orchards:

During summer, the orchards need someone to be responsible for the ongoing assessment of watering needs. Contact your NHG representative or Cam W (0431 922 072) if you are able to take on an orchard and learn the taps and pipework!

To all vacant lot owners,

Vacant blocks need to be slashed throughout the growing season to control vegetation height and weed growth as stated in the Village By-Laws. Lot owners are to be notified two weeks prior to cut-off dates for slashing. The procedure, as endorsed by the Community at the 2005 AGM gives several options:

1. Cut the block yourself before the cut-off date with your own equipment.
2. Employ a contractor to slash your block before the cut-off date
3. Request the Village Works Team to slash or mow your block at $50 per slash (tractor/slasher) or $35 per mow (ride-on mower)
4. Notify the NEC coordinator to have your block managed for the entire year by the Works Team. On the basis of vegetation growth and site factors, the Team will decide if this requires tractor/slasher ($150) or ride-on mower ($105)
5. If you are an experienced operator of the ride-on mower or tractor (with credentials substantiated by the NEC), and give adequate notice of desire to use the equipment, you can slash/mow your own block using Village equipment at a cost of $25.

Block slashing cut-off dates for this year are as follows:
July 27
September 14
November 2 (subject to notification of fire restriction dates)

NOW IS THE TIME TO ATTEND TO YOUR BLOCK SLASHING as it has been such a
good growth season, that if left much longer it will be too long for the ride on mower, or will
need to be done by a contractor or the Village tractor/slasher.

Currently UnitCare is looking at ways of sending out block slashing notices with the levy notices and receiving payment from those who have required the village works team or equipment to carry out block slashing work - more information soon.

See ATTACHED printable version of this Notice for details, and to keep handy as a reminder.

Queries and bookings for slashing or use of equipment to Cam Waters on 0431 922 072 or home: 8557 6281
BLOCKSLASH

Mexican Feather Grass has been inadvertently planted our garden in Olearia Walk. This grass is a declared pest, yet was wrongly labelled as a native stipa grass and we were told it was non-invasive when we bought it. 
 
We reported it to the Natural Resources Management Board as soon as we realised and it has now been removed, but unfortunately there is a real risk that it has spread by seed. Please have a look at the photos attached as we will need to look out for it over Autumn, Winter and Spring. Young plants have very green upright stems, and it spreads by seed not tuber, so the best method of removal is simply to pull it out.
 
If you are unsure, contact the Maintenance Team, or Jenni McGlennon 8556 5227

--

Some fundamental things to do as fruit ripens in our common land orchards and at home:

Ants, flies and caterpillars can arrive as fruit ripens. To make sure you get in first, it is recommended that ripening fruit is picked daily from your trees.

Also recommended is vigilance about picking up any fruit on the ground, as this is usually over-ripe and the perfect place for declared pests to find an interest if they happen to be around (hopefully they won't be!).

If grubs or maggots are found in fruit, they need to be put in a bottle and shown to the NEC Coordinator. Any further fruit found in this condition should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and left in the sun, or boiled to destroy the maggots.

Queensland Fruit Fly (Q-fly) and Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Medfly) are serious and notifiable horticultural pests. They should not be around in the Adelaide region, but outbreaks of Q-fly can happen and it is good to be aware. These two pest species are much bigger than the little vinegar or ferment fly which can also be found as small maggots in a variety of ripe fruits. The picture gives a comparison and shows how the smaller vinegar fly holds its wings straighter along the body.



If you are interested in learning more about fruit flies and their maggots, and good orchard hygiene, check the PIRSA Plant Health & Quarantine website at:
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/planthealth/fruit_fly

Pictures of the two main fruit fly pests are at:
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/planthealth/fruit_fly/fruit_fly_identification

Cam W - for NEC - Phone: 8557 6281

With over 600 fruit and nut trees planted in over a dozen orchards around the village we are now starting to see some production, which is a way our levies are working for us. The beautiful organic apricots and nectarines are sensational this year and the produce is being shared around well. Most productive trees have been netted against the birds which protects the fruit, although it makes picking a bit more difficult. The current policy is pick for own use, with no strip picking unless the fruit is to be distributed to the community in some way.

There has been some confusion as to who can pick? The fruit is on Common Land and thus available to the whole Community and anyone can pick at anytime without gaining any permission as long as the policy described above is adhered too. Own use should include preserving, drying and making jams etc. If there is a glut of fruit and any excesses can be shared with neighbours. Why not get with your neighbours and have a preserving day if you notice a glut of fresh fruit. Some residents have been picking fruit and delivering it to neighbours and this is to be encouraged. The objective is to not have piles of rotting fruit under trees because it is not being harvested for any reasons. It is our resource to share and requires a community effort to ensure the best use of it is made. The effort will increase in future years as the size and variety of the crop increases.

The NEC encourages individuals and neighbourhood groups to take responsibility for managing particular orchards which could include irrigation, pruning , weeding, mulching, netting, picking and distributing etc. Some of this is being done but there are many more opportunities. If you are interested please contact the NEC. Please explore your area or the whole village to locate the orchards and what fruit is, and will in the future, be there to help ensure we minimise wastage.

After the current crop of nectarines there will be crops of apples, almonds, quinces, peaches, pomegranates, guavas and citrus in the coming months so enjoy the harvest and get involved and don't waste your hard earned $$ buying fruit from unknown origins or treatments, when we have a pure organic harvest on our doorstep.

Our thanks go to all who have assisted making this bounty possible.

Tony for NEC
Helping the environment work for you

"Wild oats" is a coarse weedy grass which grows prolifically in the Village and seeds readily. It can be removed with a good tug at the base - and should be, wherever possible, especially in the mounds and cobbled areas where it doesn't get slashed as it sucks up the limited moisture and looks terrible. Check the attached picture to recognise this villain so you can pull it up when you see it.
071025 Wild oats
Tony for NEC

The weed horehound is a serious problem on empty lots, common land and farm. Now is the time to chip it out - so if you have some spare time and want some good exercise, grab a sharp hoe or weeding mattock and go chipping. You won't have to walk far to find some. If you don't know what horehound looks like, see the attachment for a picture.
070514 Horehound
From time to time we will alert you to particular weed problems. The notes will then be available in the NEC pages of the website.

The Natural Environment Committee has been successful in receiving a grant of $4000 from the Urban Forest Biodiversity Program to continue revegetation of the Farm. This will involve 3 areas: (1) a new strip of plantings on the western side of the Farm approx 15m wide which will provide a buffer along Bowering Hill Rd; (2) filling in areas on the large mounds in the centre of the Farm that have previously been planted; and (3) new plantings around the two stormwater ponds. All up, the grant pays for nearly 3000 plants including acacias, native apricots, eucalypts, sheoks, tea trees, native daisies and sedges for the ponds. The idea will be to clump plantings into groves so that we can slash around them making maintenance easier down the track. The grant also includes some assistance with early weed control and tree guards.

We will receive the plants in winter as soon as they are big enough to go in the ground, and NEC will arrange planting days where we will invite you to get your hands dirty for a good cause. Let's hope the predictions that El Nino is weakening and that Autumn rains will follow are correct - think positive thoughts! Any questions to Jenni McGlennon - email

[And on behalf of all of us - Congratulations to the NEC, and particularly to Jenni McG who put the proposal together! Thanks for your great initiative. Your success is a real gift to the Community. Let's all help to build on it at planting time. Eliz H]