Page 8 - Landscape-Issue127

PROJECT

South westerly view of the site during planting in October 2022

Following harvesting, the seed was dried under cool, airy
conditions or propagated immediately, where appropriate. It was
insect- and pathogen free and stored in containers under cool Judges’ Comments
conditions. No fertilisers or chemical soil ameliorants were added
due to close proximity to the water course.
For the SALI Shield of Excellence in
Planting Landscaping:
In total, 70 000 plants were planted over four ha of affected site. This project turned a crisis into a celebration of the
Upper dry bank, lower dry bank, upper wet bank and lower wet environment, humanity, plant knowledge and pure
bank areas were identified for planting different species. dedication. True understanding of plant material, the
Planting took place at the end of the dry season (March/April) in environment and the task at hand created a man-made
order for them to become established before flooding of the channel solution to a man-made problem. A top tier master
in the wet season. Where seeding was used as the planting method, class in landscape rehabilitation that is nothing short of
it took place right after the rainy season (October/November). unbelievable!
Before placing the plant specimens into prepared holes, the Without pictures, it is hard to convince anyone that the
holes were watered substantially and backfilled using a mixture of project was done by man. The execution is for a lifetime!
loamy to sandy topsoil and compost. No sand additives were added For the Best Environmental Landscape:
to any plant medium or site to avoid eutrophication.
Care was taken to keep root damage to a minimum when This is an outstanding project undertaken in a very short
transplanting seedlings. Where plants had a taproot, this was not space of time.
cut. Excess foliage, flowers and side branches were pruned as For the Best Water Wise Entry:
directed by the environmental officer.
Species planted at the water’s edge in the dam and streams An outstanding effort by a landscaper with a great
were planted as follows: wetland material harvested from existing knowledge of plants, the ecology and the task at hand.
wetland areas was transplanted directly to the newly created The project was a serious labour commitment in the
wetland area, along with as much soil and surrounding material scorching heat of Citrusdal.
as possible. Where necessary, additional soil was added after initial
watering to fill any subsidence back up to ground level. n

6 Landscape SA • Issue 127 2023