WCMN Seed Collection Workshop – Lindsay Ezard, Active Seeds Pty Ltd

On 22 March 2013 the WCMN hosted a seed collection workshop at the Active Seeds Pty Ltd seed orchard at Gowar East.  Lindsay Ezard, a professional seed collector with more than 30 years experience and Vice-President of the Kara Kara CMN, shared his expert tips and techniques with the group. 

The workshop was a great success, with 26 people from three CMNs as well as the BushTender program attending.  After a brief introductory session, Lindsay led the group on a walk around the property, stopping at various plants along the way to discuss appropriate timing and techniques for collecting and preparing seed.  The group learned about Acacia, Hakea, Melaleuca, Casuarina, Leptospermum, Eucalyptus and Dodonea, as well as kangaroo and wallaby grasses, Lignum, Bluebush, Saltbush and Juncus.  Lindsay discussed which species work well when sown directly into the soil and which are better as tubestock.  He also pointed out which species are usually covered in meat ants (e.g. Acacia acinacae) and which might give collectors allergic reactions (e.g. Acacia montana).  After a tasty lunch catered by Sweets and Treats Café in Wedderburn, Lindsay demonstrated useful tools for the home and professional seed collector, ranging from pruners and sieves to a grass harvesting trailer, mulcher and beefed-up vacuum cleaners. 

Feedback from participants was universally positive, with overall satisfaction rated between very high and awesome.  In thanks for his efforts, the WCMN presented Lindsay with a new edition of Neville Cayley’s What Bird is That?

Article an photograph by Karly Learmonth, photograph – presentation session