Creating an insect grassland

Outcomes

Students can use this project guide together with the Wildscape planner to create an insect grassland.

Background Information

A grassland is nothing like an oval or a lawn. Natural grasslands are rich in plant and invertebrate species. Many plants and small animals need the native grasses for food and shelter. These plants provide homes for many more types of animals than the lawn grasses and weeds that grow in our schools and gardens. Native grasses are generally easy to maintain. Councils and road authorities are planting these grasses in large areas along major roads and freeways.

Materials

Selection of grasses (2 per square metre) or follow your Wildscape Plan, prepared site (weeded and mulched). Trowels, gardening gloves, buckets of water

Let's begin

Visit a local indigenous nursery for your plants.

You will need at least 2 grasses per square metre. Only buy the grasses in tubes as it's the cheapest way to buy them. Over half your grasses (60%) should be Tussock grasses or Poa species. Mat-rush (Lomandra species) can be planted in hollows.These plants have thich strap-like leaves. To add variety - try planting some patches of Kangaroo grass or wallaby grass among the tussock grasses.

Follow instructions in our project guide planting shrubs and trees.

links

The Gould League: http://www.gould.edu.au