Asparagus weeds - Weeds Australia

Asparagus asparagoides before treatment in grey box grassywoodland, Belair National Park, Mount Lofty Ranges, SAAdditional time is needed in acid soils as thechemical is more persistent. Soils rich in organicmatter tie up the chemical and prevent it fromaffecting other plants.There is a high level of knowledge and expertiserequired to use metsulfuron-methyl effectivelyin bushland settings. Excessively high rates,heavy applications, wet conditions and limitedunderstanding of soil types and native ecology canlead to devastating off-target damage.Making bushcare everyone’s businessSAIF director, Kieran Brewer, sees bushcare projectsas an opportunity to share knowledge about nativeplants, ecology and weed management.‘You work with people who really know theirplants. Volunteers have got a strong connectionwith their conservation site, their heart’s in it,they’ve got intimate knowledge and they’re greatto work with.’A project running in the Mt Lofty Rangesdemonstrates that working closely with acommunity group can disseminate skills, buildlong-term capacity and manage fragile species.The Woodcutters Road Environmental ProtectionAssociation, formed to conserve natural heritagevalues across their adjoining properties, whichcontain some high-value bushland, managesthe project. A spectrum of weeds is presentincluding A. asparagoides. Weed control bycontractors is into its fourth year. Populations ofGrey box grassy woodland, Belair National Park, Mount Lofty Ranges,South Australianationally endangered pink-lipped spider-orchids(Caladenia behrii Schltdl.) and stiff white spiderorchids(Caladenia rigida R.S.Rogers) are carefullymanaged. An integral contribution is being madeby a community member who was mentored by aNRM Officer, received training and now monitorsthe progress of every single plant, recordingpopulation, flower count and seed set.Achieving successMaintaining focus on the core outcomes ofpreserving rare species and building the resilienceof native vegetation has been the key to successwith SAIF’s projects. Weed management isalways conducted within this context and controltechniques are carefully selected and timed to limitdamage to existing native vegetation.Over the course of weed management, sites arecarefully monitored and documented, usingmultiple photopoints, mapping, written reportseach season and site visits with clients to discussprogress. After sufficient time has passed to showweed control objectives have been met, a finalinspection with the client usually concludesthe sign-off process. Long-term monitoring andmaintenance is then continued by the client, oftenby a dedicated community group.‘Instead of weeds you see all the native plant coveryou’d ever want.’99