Work continues on Quorn's Thutha Patch

Posted 08 July 2021.

A native grass area in Quorn known as the Thutha Patch, is moving forward with plans to be a seed source for food and harvest trials following a successful Grassroots Grants submission.

Thutha is the Nukunu word for grass, (with the th prounounced as a d) with the new site acting as a seedbank for landscape restoration work around the region.

The Thutha Patch was developed after the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board awarded $10,000 to the project in its 20/21 Grassroots Grant round. The money supported the purchase of more than 1000 tubestock of eight native summer perennial native grasses.

These included Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), Native Millet (Panicum decompositum), Pigeon Grass (Setaria constricta), Cotton Panic (Digitaria brownii), Silky Bluegrass (Dichanthium sericeum), Common Wheat-grass (Anthosachne scabra), Barley Mitchell Grass (Astrebla pectinata) and Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma caespitosum)

Planted in April this year, the grasses have been spurred on by recent winter rains, with many pushing roots into the wet soil. Additional areas were direct seeded.

In association with the project, a native grass workshop was offered in January and a Grassland Restoration presentation was hosted by Seeding Natives in June.

The Thutha Patch is located between the town’s swimming pool and caravan park in the Bushfood Garden, which also includes plants traditionally used for medicines, tools and food.

Works have been delivered in a partnership between the Quorn Community Landcare Group, Nukunu community, Flinders Ranges Council and Seeding Natives.