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A WAKE UP CALL FOR ON-GOING MAINTENANCE AND SEASONAL MANAGEMENT

A WAKE UP CALL FOR ON-GOING MAINTENANCE AND SEASONAL MANAGEMENT

Author: Jill Theunissen
Date: 2021-10-21

A WAKE UP CALL FOR ON-GOING MAINTENANCE AND SEASONAL MANAGEMENT

The early start to the summer storm season has heralded strong winds with up-rooted trees, damage to electrical installations and security fencing. Simultaneous failure in Power Supply services is recorded, with water pumps 'blown out" due to power surges and single phasing in outlying regions, resulting in days with NO WATER availability for Residents, their staff or agricultural production. When the cabbage seedling dies in its tray, repeated production creates a ripple effect with price increases inevitable! In the CBD access pavements appear still cluttered with leaves, branches off trees and litter. It is not acceptable to "Blame the Wind"!

Introduction of Seasonal Management Programs, for our entire "Green Heritage", on a holistic basis are essential. The Dust Storm rings the alarm bell for Maintenance of the private garden, the Body Corporate Complex, the Eco Estate and Commercial and Industrial complexes, which fall under private ownership and management. Then the Local Entities concerned need to Review all aspects of Seasonal Maintenance for Public Parks, Recreational facilities, Banks and Slopes linking with Verges, Roadways and Highways. Where the current systems are in "collapse", alternative avenues of management should be entertained. A Time-based Framework is necessary to cover the CONTINUITY of MAINTENANCE on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis.

Lawn Grass and edge trimming require weekly attention during the growing months from September through to April. During the winter, when grasses are senescent, then adopt a bi-monthly program. By cutting the top third of the grass only, growth is maintained in the mid portion, and does not expose the root system. For Parklands and Sports fields enlist a professional approach with the turf maintained at the correct height for recreation, hockey, soccer, rugby fields, the golf course, the cricket out-field and pitch. Top dressing for lawns and playing fields should relate to reliable Fertility Analysis Results and Recommendations, to ensure Soil Quality Improvement, and enhance growth and appearance.

Attractive flowering ambience for formal borders and beds without weeds necesZes weekly attention. Boundaries and hedgerows require regular cleaning with careful trimming according to the composition of Trees, shrubs, and groundcovers. Before trimming a tree make sure of the species. DO NOT CUT A "PROTECTED" TREE. Always complete with a tree sealant to prevent borer infestation across the "cut", which may kill the entire tree. Applications of nutrients and fertilizers need to be carefully selected and applied. Worm essence and granules offer significant improvement to growth and flowering.

The collection of "green" waste invites the production of organic compost to restore the humus layer throughout all landscapes. In the Natural Forests, the humus layer of 30cm, comprises decaying leaves and branches and wildlife droppings. Where collection of freely available "Green Waste" is undertaken by a nominated entity, local sites should be identified, a chipper machine employed to break-down woody material, with organic compost production, and employment creation to be on-going. The matured compost to be available across the spectrum of cultivation, including assistance to the emerging small crop growers.

Maintenance of Soil Quality and regular Weed Removal account for the abundance of surface coverage, flowering ambience in the garden and increased crop yield in the field.