Direct Seeding in South Gippsland
A cost effective and efficient form of revegetation.
The galleries below demonstrate various methods that can be used for different terrains and desired outcomes:
- Rippa Seeder – scalping method
- Mouldboard Ploughing
- Scalping with blade
- Niche Seeding on steep slopes
1. Rippa Seeder - Scalping Method
- Simple machine to operate.
- The blades of the rippa seeder remove the top 10-15 cm of soil.
- This removes the bulk of the weed seed layer, exposing a cleaner surface of soil.
- Seed is then placed on this prepared surface.
- Without weed seed, the indigenous seed can germinate and grow with limited competition.
![Rippa Seeder in action](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462358696708-O6W5OP08PKLOQRWFWVBC/Rippa-Seeder-in-action.jpg)
![Middle Tarwin site direct seeded using Rippa Seeder](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462358672644-AOEDR1KWWFC4G0OOSZN3/Middle-Tarwin-site-direct-seeded-using-Rippa-Seeder.jpg)
![Middle Tarwin](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462358986636-41BE3CLIPBMMKNDUYECL/Middle-Tarwin-site-13--months.jpg)
![Ripper Seeder at Pound Creek](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462358703459-V4MWPBMMVCAZOXXFSO4G/Rippa-seeder-preparing-Pound-Creek.jpg)
![Pound Creek](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462358698985-NP1SZPDSN1UVD7WMWVJB/Reverse-angle-3-years-later.jpg)
2. Mouldboard Ploughing
- Requires competent operator to undertake.
- Inverts top 20-30cm of soil, exposing sub soil free from weed seed.
- Seed is distributed over top of soil.
- Many cracks and crevices for seed to nestle into, creating different microclimates.
- Rough surface with random plant spacing.
![Mouldboard plough in action](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462364938736-GL9BPK0DY9EBBV6O3JBR/Mouldboard-plough-in-action.jpg)
![Scattering seed on Mould- board ploughed site](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462364939325-V2ECXZS0G9D8XW5AE3MO/Scattering-seed-on-Mouldboard-ploughed-site.jpg)
3. Scalping with blade
- Simple operation using a more common farmimplement.
- Aims to remove the top layer of soil from where seed is distributed.
- Leaves smoother more groomed site compared to other methods.
![Blade on back of tractor used for scalping site](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462366096296-Q8IOS1BFVPWER988JMRS/Blade-on-back-of-tractor.jpg)
![Scalped site at Wattle Bank prior to sowing seed](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462366097016-M4DG9SFR2L34FKU7UVC7/Scalped-site-at-Wattle-Bank-prior-to-sowing-seed.jpg)
![Scalped site in July 2010](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462366106356-4EFJQZFH8SO71Z4KIUCD/Scalped-site-in-July-2010-with-emerging-plants-showing.jpg)
![Wattle Bank Site 2013](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1473480167500-PJ8R9G36LTAK6E38C4ZZ/wattle+bank+direct+seeding+2013.jpg)
4. Niche Seeding on steep slopes
- Makes revegetation on steep slopes easier, quicker and cheaper.
- Using pre germinated seed – Seed placed in potting mix for 7 days prior to sowing.
- Site requires spraying prior to sowing.
- Using a hoe, chip a small area of soil out.
- Seed is placed in shallow chipped out hole.
- No heavy earth works required.
Case Study
![Sprayed strips on hill slope in Moyarra](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462365505656-JS1EUB2TUA03S4IOOBD0/Sprayed-strips-on-hill-slope-in-Moyarra.jpg)
![Closer view of sprayed strips](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462365484191-EGIOAE5MCBPEDT5D3OHT/Closer-view-of-sprayed-strips.jpg)
![Mixing pre-germinated seed with extra potting mix](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462365495570-V12IGFZY8EB6DAX5HZRY/Mixing-pre-germinated-seed-with-extra-potting-mix.jpg)
![Planting the seeds](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462365497472-JGMUCVEZ3M6ORXOA6RTT/Planting-the-seeds.jpg)
![Germinated seedlings 2 months after sowing](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462365484699-LBADMMVFOCB4VA6KAKC4/Germinated-seedlings.jpg)
![November 2010 – same hill](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5729c702c6fc081a498d9c92/1462365508931-RW9WBO0SE0R6DK9DGYOY/Site-15-months-after-seeding.jpg)
Summary
- The key to successful direct seeding lies with quality seed. The South Gippsland Seed Bank (SGSB) provides quality indigenous seed to suit all forms of direct seeding.
- Site preparation is also a key ingredient to the success of direct seeding projects. Advice is available from the SGSB on preparing a site for direct seeding.