What Is Gully Restoration?

Transforming a gully is different to giving your garden a make-over.  Gardens are usually filled with a mixture of plants that have been cultivated and come from many habitats which could be native or exotic.  

An ecological gully restoration involves looking at your gully as an evolving system made up of plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms.  Steps are taken to reinstate a natural ecosystem that will continue to develop.  It wont be about reaching a static endpoint like a landscaped garden. Rather,  creating  communities of plants, selected  species that will naturally regenerate or that will establish conditions for slower growing species to follow.

Groups of native species that grow well together are planted, taking into consideration how they will compete with the garden escapees, such as woolly nightshade, ginger and tradescantia as seen on the right here.  Native plants that are likely to spread seeds within the gully, help build stepping stone plantings for the benefit of the wider area.  The more islands of maturing native bush there are, the greater chance of preventing loss of species, and restoring indigenous biodiversity to Hamilton.  Or to quote the last page of the HCC Gully Guide "Every little bit of restored native bush helps by creating stepping stones for birds and other wildlife to travel into the City area" (Hamilton City Council, 2006)

Not only weeds can be found during clearing a gully, as seen below.  A pile of Rosie's toys, not rotting away.  Next to a pile of jasmine and honeysuckle that has returned to the gully floor now.  What to do with the weeds is all part of a restoration project.  

Why Choose Mind Your Garden to Restore your Gully?

• We know how to create an ecosystem where the carefully selected plants will be most likely to thrive in your unique gully
• Our knowledge of the restoration process means that whenever you make contact, Hana will explain what is the best strategy to start with.  For example planting is carried out in winter to give new species the maximum time to establish before the spring rush of weeds or summer dry spells.
• Plants are all eco-sources (meaning they're suited to your specific area)
• Your planting plan will allow for numbers of plants needed to speed up self-seeding.  New seedlings in the future will spread in your gully, a great money saver.
• Hana has a wealth of information about other's who can be utilised to assist in your restoration.  Clare Beet is the Hamilton City Council Gully Restoration Advisor.  If you want to independently carry out your project contact her to find out how, and ask for a PDF of the Gully Restoration Gully Guide  [email protected] ​

View our Gully Restoration Services here. 
​Contact Hana today for a free, no obligation chat to discuss your restoration.

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