Weeding is very satisfying and great exercise. It is an opportunity to spend an hour or two and know you have actually made a difference in that short space of time. Meanwhile, the Jirdarup biodiversity will continue to amaze and inspire – from orange slime mould to native orchids and self-sown jarrah seedlings.
Please get in touch if you are keen to give it a go. Sing out if you see us down there with our “Flag” out or contact us. Bring a water bottle and gardening gloves and wear sensible clothing – long pants, enclosed shoes, hat, sunnies. Training and weeding tools supplied.
Feel free to phone us or email if you have any queries:
- Helen – 0400 239 740
- Vicki – 0416 049 550
- landcare@friendsofjirdarupbushland.org.au
Watch the notice board, Facebook or email to go on the mailing list for starting times.
The four rules of weeding are:
- Minimise soil disturbance.
- When in doubt, don’t pull it out!
- Tread carefully.
- Follow the dieback hygiene procedures.
Background to the project
This project began in July 2022 to test the efficacy of chemical-free hand weeding in a designated section of Kensington Bushland. Weeding twice a week for more than 6 months each year since, our diligent weeders have managed to reduce the weed load while getting close to nature.
From 2022 to 2024, the project was a partnership of the Friends of Jirdarup Bushland and the Town of Victoria Park with SERCUL. From 2025 to 2026, Aboriginal Land Care Ngala Boodja will be undertaking contracted hand-weeding and advice previously provided by SERCUL.
For the full period, this project is supported by the Western Australian Government’s State NRM program.
What we have learnt
- How to target the worst weeds while protecting the native species. To help develop these skills, a ‘Beating the Weeds’ Training Session was held in August 2022.
- Recognising weeds is one of the first tasks for weeders. See our guide to winter weeds.
- What is not a weed. When in doubt we don’t pull it out but there are some particular “not weeds” that our team has investigated.
- We also stretched our knowledge base in a special workshop in 2024 with Una Bell author of ‘Native Grasses of Perth hills: a field guide to identification.’
What we have achieved
A steady stream of 15-20 regular weeders supplemented by others who join when they can.
Collectively, our weeders recorded almost 2,400 hours of weeding in the first three years:
- 2022: 683 hours
- 2023: 760 hours
- 2024: 950 hours, which included 100 hours from Curtin Volunteers
And we can see we have made a difference on the ground. With fewer weeds, more native plants can germinate and thrive.
In the largest hand weeding zone, priority weeds like perennial veldt grass, fumaria and gladioli have been crushed, allowing the native orchids and grasses to thrive. As well as a healthy bushland and happy humans, our volunteer hand weeding has also saved the Town’s budget around $12,500 in maintenance costs every year.
This is a team effort.
