Landcare Bowning and Bookham are holding a range of events in the upcoming weeks in response to the changing climate in our region.
The next event will cover the Propagation of Climate Wise Plants. The workshop will be held this Sunday, November 1st between 12 pm- 2 pm at the Yass Community Nursery located on Yass Valley Way 1428 behind the Men’s Shed.
Local propagation expert David Bishop will be leading the workshop and will share his knowledge in propagating plants, particularly from cuttings. The workshop will look specifically at this kind of propagation and teach people how to do it themselves.
A lot of plants can have living material cut from them to plant and create a new yield. This is referred to as pricking out, potting on, and transplanting. It is considered an excellent alternative to seed planting and is particularly useful to grow things that are tricky to grow from seeds. Not only will attendees receive practical experience, but they will also learn about the changing climate and which plants are likely to grow and be around in the future.
Local Landcare event organisers consider that the changes in climate are making Yass like places 500 km northwest of our region – similar to Forbes, Wagga Wagga and Gilgandra which are warmer climates than our own.
Landcare stresses it is not only about what can currently grow, but what will still survive ten or fifty years in the future. Yass has a range of primary producers which specialise in local produce for our region which the climate changes will have the most significant effect.
Yass has a range of primary producers which specialise in local produce for our region which the climate changes will have the most significant effect.
“We need to be mindful of the climate that is going to likely be a lot hotter and face more extremes in the weather and find plants that will withstand those conditions,” said Sonya Duus, climate-wise planting convenor.
Finding plants that fit for the changing climate is an evolving field, due to the nature of climate change and the research into the area being new.
It is unknown precisely by how much and when these changes will occur, making the issue of propagating climate-wise plants quite a complex topic.
However, Mr Bishop has spent time in South Australia in more arid conditions and has experience growing plants in a tougher climate than the Yass Valley region.
A second workshop on Wednesday, November 11th, will explore growing native plants from seeds. Kath McGuirk is running the Wednesday workshop which will also be located at the Yass Community Nursery.
“When planting seeds they do not all like to be treated the same way,” said Program Convenor Elizabeth Goodfellow.
Some examples she gave were Wattle trees and Fuchsias. They need to be treated with hot water first and scratched before planting, or they won’t grow. In comparison, Eucalyptus seeds are very fine and run the risk of blowing away in the wind if you do not plant them correctly.
“For anyone interested in native plants, gardening in general, would like to meet people interested in the same things and learn about what’s happening with the climate, that’s really who these workshops are for,” said Ms Goodfellow.
The main benefit of attending these events, apart from learning from experts, is the social aspect. People can learn a lot from each other and can join a community to talk about changes in the climate and things that have been effective for them regarding planting.
Landcare is hoping these events kickstart planting in the region and are looking to organise planting on a local farm or public grounds with the council’s approval. This is so people can see the whole process of propagation and follow it to completion, to gain the skills to go out and plant on their own.
One session begins at $45 while booking both is $60. Attending both workshops is not required but is recommended for the practice. Organisers advise there is plenty of social distancing room at the Yass Community Nursery to allow for around thirty people to attend.
Organisers ask participants to bring their own gloves, food and water due to COVID-19 restrictions.
By Ryan Betts 
