This country (Jamberoo, N.S.W.) was formerly rainforested, but cleared heavily approx 1840-1860 initially for the Cedar Getters (Toona ciliata/ syn. T.australis - RED CEDAR) and later for dairying and beef cattle.
The soils are very deep red volcanic (Gerringong Latites) soils, but tend to be scarce of organic matter due to agriculture.
Pastures (it is mostly kikuyu) respond well to rain and we have had regular falls in the last 6 weeks......pastures are fertilised annually to kick it along.
Prior to that rain, like everywhere, there was no pasture and cattle were fed....it was terrible economic burden on farmers here too but fortunately there has been summer respite. We need the continual follow-ups of rain to keep a decent soil moisture level. Thankfully stock dams are now filled again, but down here these are quite samall dams, compared to inland areas because there was always reliable rain on the coast...but of course that trend has changed. (Seasonally, we have higher summer rainfall) Where I live it should av. 1200mm p.a. but Jamberoo average annual rainfall is higher at 1600mm pa.
This entire area was once covered with extraordinary rainforest but now there are only small pockets remaining, with very little in protected reserves. The most well known in this area are the Minnamurra Rainforest (N.P.W.S) and Macquarie Pass Nat. Park. I did not link the NPWS website ... mainly because there are no pics to view.
It is very beautiful land down here for sure....and the Jamberoo area is particularly scenic....and well worth including in a travel itinerary.
Ekka... a big bunch of X.mas Bush
by itself is the traditional way to go.
By the way, the X'mas Bush went poorly this year...even though the material I had was very high quality (the best cultivar...'Alberts Red').
Unfortunately, there was a competitor with inferior material in BETTER location...so most of MY customers were repeat clients from last year...and were specifically looking for me....and the guaranteed quality.
Now, where IS that soapbox icon.....
Markets are for hacks...maybe next year I'll send it to Sydney Flower Markets instead...(I prepare florist quality material and packaging)...I predict that 'other' material will have ruined this particular market reputation for X'mas Bush...it was not "ready" and will not hold up for even a few days.....and people wont buy next year... (I know because every year we QC test our stuff for 2 weeks before we sell). We dismissed the X'mas market-time 2 years in a row because our material was was either too early of too late....takes just one yobbo idiot to ruin it.
Floriculture is fickle too.
Still enough earned for a shopping spree at a well known discount liquor store.....
