General FAQs

Q. We have lots of birds in our garden. But how do you attract small birds?

A. You need lots of understorey. The word understorey is a generic description. Besides referring to vegetation beneath and surrounding trees it also refers to the open spaces in between.
That is, in general, tall grasses, shrubby, medium and low growing bushes, tangles of vines and thick prickly shrubs. If you have the space in larger allotments, Hoop Pines are very attractive to small birds as they too are quite prickly to touch. Hence they make good nesting sites. Large birds do not inhabit anything thick and prickly. Believe it or not, very advanced Hoop Pines (3 metres high) were planted along Oxley Creek and had finches nesting in them within 2 weeks! The theme that we have to plant trees, is all very well, but if we have only thick forests, we will not be catering for all our wildlife. Small birds are essential to keep biodiversity (the full circle of nature) in our environment.

Fruit & Vegetable FAQs

Q. I have a mango tree in my backyard. At night there is much 'batty chatter" and I fear the little critters are munching on the very small fruit. Is there something I can purchase to deter them?

A. You can purchase drawstring bags from BOGI (members only) or for the public, through Green Harvest at Maleny. See their link. They have a variety of coverings for sale.. Otherwise try your local hardware outlet for special netting.
All this is practical only if your trees are low enough to manage in this way. You can keep the smaller ones pruned down to a suitable height, or put your garden into a 'cage', but neither solutions will help at the moment. More info here >>