03-07-2025
Returning garden to nature
The results of an afternoon spent weeding aluminium plant in Dalmore Reserve. PHOTOS: MAUREEN HOWARD
Just over four years ago a small book arrived in my mailbox, wrapped in a tough plastic cover and ready to take outdoors. Bringing back the Bush, by Joan Bradley, describes a hands-on approach to restoring native bush, without the need for chemicals or planting.
Bradley, J. (1997) Bringing Back the Bush: The Bradley Method of Bush Regeneration. Lansdowne, Sydney.
The Bradley method of natural native forest regeneration is written for those engaged in forest ecosystem restoration. It's also an excellent approach that can be adapted for smaller scale gardeners who want some native bush in their backyard, don't have much time, but can visit it frequently.
The Bradley method, created by Sydney-based sisters Joan and Eileen Bradley over several decades of practical experience, is summed up by its three principles:
1. Work from good to bad. Don't tackle the weediest parts of your garden first. Instead focus on weeding the areas with the fewest weeds to stop them from getting a footing and to give the natives present the opportunity to spread.
2. Minimise disturbance. While you work, watch where you put your feet to protect tiny native seedlings. Most weeds thrive in disturbed soil so use the smallest tools possible for the job. If you must remove soil to dig out a root, set aside the different soil layers separately and replace them in reverse order with the leaf litter on top. A good working guide is to spend no more than 20 minutes in one place.
The Bradley method of restoring bush is not the only chemical-free approach. Hens do a great job of removing grass, and on larger properties gorse can act as a nursery plant for natural native forest regeneration.
3. Allow regeneration to set the pace. Don't over clear: the rate of native plant growth should determine the rate of weed removal. For example, if a native plant spreads 10cm in a growing season while a competing weed spreads 30cm, weed three times in the season each time reducing the weeds by 10 cm.
These are great guiding principles. However, Sydney is not Dunedin, and many of our invasive plants here are different. In the 6ha Dalmore Reserve where I volunteer with Wild Dalmore Reserve, we've been "experimenting" — adapting the Bradley method as well as heeding local advice. We hope to scale up our efforts as we learn more and also attract more volunteers to join us. Here are a few examples from our very small "dataset":
Wild Dalmore Reserve volunteer Jon with a blackberry lignotuber.
Blackberry shrubs have lignotubers, a rather kumara-shaped woody nodule to which many roots and shoots are attached. To remove blackberry, dig these up carefully, cut away the roots and shoots, repack the holes with soil and replace the topsoil and leaf litter.
Aluminium weed is a ground cover plant that spreads rapidly via shoots that readily root when they touch the ground. Tackle the small patches first. On bigger patches, work from the edge to the centre a little at a time. Pick up stems so no plants regrow from the cuttings. Remember to replace leaf litter to deter other weeds.
Invasive tree and shrub seedlings should be tackled after the rain has softened the soil but it is not sodden. For plants with a deep vertical tap root such as gorse or Spanish heath, pull gently and steadily upwards from the base of the plant. For plants with lateral roots, such as European birch, pull each of the roots in the direction it is growing, or cut. Pliers are useful. Poke and pack the holes left by the roots with soil, and cover with mulch.
Seedling of European birch removed with tomato knife.
If there is native bush reasonably nearby, one advantage of letting native plants arrive themselves (via birds, insects or wind) is that they will be well suited to the conditions in your garden. It's also fun to see what nature does.
Record your actions and observations in your garden notebook: we'd love to hear what works for you! DM us on Facebook: Wild Dalmore Reserve.
Dr Maureen Howard is the creator and host of the podcast series Rewilding in Action, with Otago Access Radio.
