It took a couple of months to clean up the space. Larger fallen branches were used to create layers. The branches to the right are the collection point for  windfalls from the trees

The Site: The space to be rebuilt consists of several layers. On the ground are layers of leaves and small twigs. The soil below is sandy and at the time of planting repelled moisture across part of its area. Other parts have been used to bury dead possums or as compost heaps and started to develop soil organisms.

The air in the corner is now stilled by the steel fence. There are three gum trees along the back fence with one standing over fifteen meters (45 feet) over the site. This keeps the hot summer sun from the site. It causes a constant supply of leaf litter and is a complex space that lifts the little ecosystem to levels of usefulness beyond the actual new work.

The idea is to recreate the ground layers and put that part of the jigsaw back together to enrich and widen the whole. Because the upper storeys are available the floor could be made with a far simpler structure. In order to create ground cover the area was planted with Australian Native Violet (Viola hederacea) which is a common and prolific plant in the area.

Fallen branches were placed into the structure to give anchor points at many levels for web-building spiders and cover for underground dwellers

The site measures about 6m x 4m or 18ft by 12ft. It sits at the back of the garage and I think the photo above faces north east.

Along one side of the garage is the side fence and along the other is a garden of potted bromeliads. The bromeliads are an undisturbed area that directly feeds the new area and increases the useful habitat considerably (below on the left)

The Native Violets. (lower right image)

"Forms extensive mats in damp areas. Typically violet flowers are white and purple although white forms are known. Flowers for most of the year. Distribution: Eastern and Southern Australia and Malaysia.

Propagation: by Division.

Ground Covers for small areas between shrubs or between driveway strips.

Plants suitable for poorly drained areas.

Plants suitable for heavy shade.

Plants suitable for use in tropical areas"

John W. Wrigley, Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Propagation, Cultivation, and use in Landscaping. Third Edition. Angus and Robertson. 1991.

The site was planted with Violet plants found in nearby waste ground. Only a dozen examples were taken and they were taken from widely spaced spots so the ambience of the spot was not affected.

The plants were put in the ground in several groups and watered. Very weak seaweed solution was included with the first watering and during the summer the plants were watered occassionally if the soil dried out. Over the last two seasons they have spread and are well-established

The potted bromeliads provide undisturbed cover and layered open spaces. This little area provides habitat for such species as Netcasting Spiders Brown Badumna, St Andrews Cross Spider, Dew Spiders and others. The new site begins at the rear wall to the left.

As the groundcover has spread the site has begun to be populated by more species of insect and arachnid. It is only the first full season of growth and winter so not a lot is visible but a quick scan along the walls and through the undergrowth provided glimpses of species such as Wolf Spiders, (new to the yard), Lynx Spiders, Netcasting Spiders and more so there are encouraging signs that this spring will see the place well inhabited and some good hunting for my camera!

Maturing garden. Since this was taken there has been regular rain and the violets have grown thick. There are now webs from all the anchor points the spiders can reach. The trick is to keep the lawn mower guys from forgetting it is a no-go zone and cutting the lot back. They have been pretty good so far!

Part 2

By Steve Solomons. Weblight Studio (Australia)

Part 1

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Spiders in my garden seem to require water in really hot or dry times and will come out to lap up the droplets from a hand sprayer if nothing else is available. It can be interesting to see them run out on the web or nearby surface.