A wet start to winter.

April 2011 was another wet month for Victoria. The state recorded about 50% more rainfall than usual this month. Northwestern and western Victoria observed very much above average rainfall, with monthly totals between 50 and 100 mm, many stations doubling their usual April rainfall this month. The Dandenong Ranges recorded its fifth month in a row with rainfall totals in excess of 100 mm, the longest run of such wet conditions at this site on record. All of this rainfall has caused some positive, and negative ecological points to Sherbrooke. The positive aspects are obvious. Grass has never been greener, and the surrounding bushland is so lush and vibrant. The waterways have also been replenished, Menzies Creek and Yelingbo Creek have never been so full. With that said, the dark clouds have also brought some negative aspects along. The rain has cause a series of landslides in the area, the erosion of roadways is noticeable, with pot holes currently being filled in. These landslides have destroyed the embankment's of hills, with vegetation being destroyed. What used to be dusty roads, have turned into mud, and rutts along relatively suburban looking streets have formed. Wlaking paths have been eroded, making mobility around the Sherbrooke walking tracks difficult.

Turning over a new leaf.

In today's society, the environment is a particularly pressing issue. Food management and sustainability is becoming a continually discussed problem, and is something that everyone should think about, and question their actions regaurding the environment. I have decided to help the environment, in a practical and somewhat therapeutic fashion. Armed with an increased knowledge about crop development and vegetable plots attained from the Environmental Horticulture course I am doing, I have began a few of my own little projects around the household garden. My family has always had an environmental undertone. Yes, the folks do vote for the greens, we are surrounded by native species that we have planted in the garden, and things that are supposed to go into the recycling do. This about as 'environmentally friendly' as the familly gets. I have began the construction of a vegetable patch, simple in design, and for now, to just grow lettuce. Growing lettuce is a great idea for the family, considering that we have some sort of salad with most meals. A compost bin has also been constructed, where normal vegetative household waste can be used for something positive to the environment, as opposed to rotting in a garbage bag at a tip. This matterial from the compost will ultimately be used on the vegetable plot for fertiliser. You feel great after eating something you have grown, just like putting a fillet of fish that you have just caught on the barbeque. It's a natural instinct for man kind to enjoy what you have put effort into, and the good old vegie patch is no exception.

The change of another season.

Yet another transition from summer to winter in the cloudy depths of the great Sherbrooke Forest. The temperature has noticeably decreased, and the days unfortunately seemingly shorter. The renowned fog is starting to roll in on the icy cold mornings, along with the familiar smell of red gum burning, smoke wafting out of the stone chimney of a warm timber house. Some strange and missed birds have reappeared after the long, hot summer. The Kookaburra comically swooping down to the front lawn in search of worms from the moist, rich soil.  Grass has turned from a stale brown complexion, into an incredibly green, vibrant and attractive colour, thanks to the vast amounts of rainfall received in the recent 'wintery' months. The change of season has allowed the forest to relax from the harsh Australian sun, and to stop focussing on the conservation of water and alternatively grow and flourish. The iconic enormous tree ferns, along with many other native species have gained back their 'green' colour. Various deciduous species such as the Oak Trees found along some of the main roads of the forests have turned a fantastic bright orange colour, in preparation for their leaves to slowly float down to the footpaths of small town's. The native flowering trees are of course in preparation to flower, and will provide an absolutely beautiful landscape when in flower in a few months time!