Hello, I'm new to the forum and am wondering whether anyone has views about the potential weediness of tagasaste in urban re-veg areas? I have been reading lots and I can’t make up my mind. It is supposed to be very palatable to all types of grazing and browsing animals, from rabbits to kangaroos, but my concern is that in the absence of such animals, there’s not a lot to keep it down. I’m assuming the seeds will spread in bird poo? I read of a farm in permaculture farm in NZ where they ended up pulling them all out because they were too invasive. We are only 3kms from Merri creek, and I'd be devastated if I helped to introduce a new weed species to an area in which indigenous species are just re-establishing. I have been trying to look for indigenous nitrogen fixing alternatives. She oaks seem the best in that regard, but they grow too tall for where I want to plant them. L We have an area that I would really like to have screened off by evergreens to about 3m, but they need to be something we can keep quite hedgy. I’m currently thinking we might need to take the feijoa route. That will make one child very happy, but I loathe them and would prefer a nitrogen fixer if I can find one! Does anyone know if pigeon peas grow in Melbourne? Shrubs that size would be ideal. Thanks for your ideas. e.
In asking pretty much the same question a while back I was pointed in the direction of acacias. Plenty of variation in size and so very adaptable to what ever suits your needs. Some are probably more suited as fodder. I just wish they didn't torture my sinuses so much!
Thanks Try Reason. I'm interested you were pointed in that direction, because I gather acacias are not the most effective of nitrogen fixers. The sneeze factor is certainly an issue. We've just built a passive heating and cooling house with fantastic breeze flows, but every time we open the windows, my partner starts sneezing his head off!! Am hoping it gets better when we slash all the grass for our our permablitz on the weekend. I have given up on nitrogen fixers for screening, am going to plant a dense bank of citrus there instead. Cheers e.
Jane, Pigeon peas will probably be a good alternative. The reason I say this is because whilst it is recognised as a tropical/sub tropical plant. Climates are changing. Only recently, I heard on a doco that Melbourne used to have 12 frosts a year, now it averages just 1. Point being, it may well be worth trying, albeit, more slow growing than in my region. I have heard of people growing 'tropical stuff' in Melbourne with a little effort and a view to micro-climate. It may not reach full 2.5-3m potential in Melbourne but should give you some nice 'chop and drop' as well as chicken or rabbit food.. PS. Tagasaste may grow a bit large for a suburban backyard but if you have a corner and some secauters - spreading 'weed' seed shouldnt be an issue. Cheers,
I'm in country Victoria and had an experiment with some pigeon peas, I planted two in the chook pen, which are now gone. I planted another in a sunny garden bed, with a tree guard around it. I think the frosts knocked it around quite a bit, but last time I checked it was still around and alive. I'll check and confirm tonight and if it's still alive, that's one winter's worth of frosts that it survived.
Thats good to know. How low do your temps.get? I have just sown some pigeon peas and was worried about where to put them so they dont die over winter.
How low? Well, in the near town of Warragul, according to Weatherzone, the lowest temp recorded was -0.9 deg celcius in July 11. Not heaps of frosts, but there certainly is a few.
