Make your summer count – Holiday job list for your property

For many landholders, the weeks from Christmas into early January offer a rare chance to catch up on jobs. Farming never truly stops, but if you find a little breathing space, it’s the perfect time to tackle tasks that improve your property’s resilience and support healthy ecosystems for the year ahead.

It’s also a good time to pause and reflect on what worked well this year, prioritise what needs attention, and set clear goals for the season ahead. A few thoughtful actions now can make a big difference when things get busy again.

Here are 10 practical summer jobs to consider:

1. Manage vegetation for bushfire safety
Create a safer zone around your home without stripping habitat. Clear gutters, prune overhanging branches, and keep grass short near buildings. Space plants thoughtfully and use fire-retardant native groundcovers like ruby saltbush to protect bare soil while lowering fire risk.

2. Support wildlife with water
During long dry spells place shallow bird baths in shaded spots and refresh water daily. This simple act helps native birds like fairy-wrens and mistletoe birds, which play vital roles in pollination and pest control.

3. Tackle woody weeds early
Summer is the ideal time to control invasive woody weeds like blackberry, gorse, and briar rose because sensitive off-target species like lilies and orchids have now retracted to underground tubers. Use targeted methods such as cut-and-swab or foliar spray and combine chemical control with physical removal for long-term success. For small outbreaks, hand-pull seedlings before they spread - early action now prevents bigger problems later and helps native vegetation thrive.

4. Monitor feral deer activity
Download the free FeralScan app and record sightings, tracks, or damage. Your data helps guide regional control efforts and protect both remnant vegetation and revegetation projects.

5. Control rabbits responsibly
Inspect burrows and feeding areas. Remove weeds and dense vegetation where rabbits shelter and use appropriate control methods to reduce populations. Keeping rabbit numbers in check can protect pasture, crops and native plants on your property. 

6. Keep revegetation thriving
Water deeply every two weeks if there’s no rain, and mulch around plants to retain moisture. Check tree guards for damage and consider upgrading to livestock proof guards in grazing paddocks. Consistent care of revegetation in the first 2–3 years of establishment ensures long-term success.

7. Look out for Christmas bush
Bursaria spinosa is in full bloom during summer, with clusters of fragrant white flowers providing food for beneficial insects and small birds when most other plants have stopped flowering. Take time to notice where it’s growing on your property - it’s a sign of healthy habitat. If you don’t have any, make a note of suitable spots for planting in winter. This shrub is a biodiversity powerhouse, supporting pollinators and providing shelter for woodland birds.

8. Appreciate snakes (from a distance!)
Snakes help control rodents and are a sign of a healthy ecosystem. Reduce rodent attractants close to the house like compost bins, pet food and clutter, and keep your chicken coop clean and tidy. If you see a snake, give it space, admire its beauty and allow it to move on. If you’re not comfortable with it too close to the house or shed, call a qualified snake catcher.

9. Check your soils
Dig a few holes and observe texture, moisture, and root depth – see what’s happening down there in the middle of summer. Soil types can vary significantly across your property, even within a single paddock. Simple tests now such as assessing soil structure or measuring pH can guide important decisions later. 

10. Collect native seeds responsibly
Gather ripe pods from wattles and other local species to support local revegetation projects. Always take less than 10% of seed, collect from multiple plants, and stick to local species. Some areas, including public land require permits to collect seed - check with the Department for Environment and Water for more information.  And remember, make sure to store seeds in cool, sealed containers before using. Seed collecting is fun and helps restore our landscapes.

To learn more about caring for natural assets on your property, be sure to download our Stewardship Guides, giving you practical steps for managing native vegetation and revegetation projects as well as challenges like weeds, erosion, and watercourse health. They’re great holiday reading!  

From all of us at Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu, we wish you a safe, productive and peaceful holiday season.