Jewels of the Garden Route
Mount Nelson Farm Thee Years On
Mount Nelson Farm is roughly heart-shaped with deep forested ravines running alongside two boundaries of
the property. Nine years of intensive effort and untold dedication five days a week have been invested since
Dorus Sturm started this project. We join Dorus as he proudly criss-crosses the property on a hazy but
sunny day to show off his and his team’s progress since 2007. His bubbling enthusiasm and excitement is
infectious. Dorus’ vision to return this land to nature to restore the natural corridor between these ravines
with their pristine and invaluable indigenous forest remains unchanged and is his single objective. In fact his
resolve has deepened as wildlife sightings and numbers increase, while indigenous trees and fynbos reappear and become established in direct proportion to the shrinking plantation areas.
At the highest point on the property a recent fire (quickly contained) triggered a stunning resurgence of
typical fynbos plants. Parts of this area were still under Karri Gum when we visited in 2007 and these had
since been harvested. Flourishing seedlings and robust specimens of Leucospermum glabrum (evidently
unusual for the area) in full flower are plentiful. Stunning bright yellow Bobartia orientalis and deep blue
Lobelias decorate the sandstone road verge. The vegetation includes proteaceae, restios, ericas, bulbous
and herbaceous varieties - too many to list. Lower down the slopes masses of pioneer trees are thriving and
already there are some forest species such as Hard Pear and Milkwood in evidence. Dorus made an
interesting observation about the re-emerging indigenous trees – he noticed that the most robust specimens
are next to the trunks of dead ring-barked invader trees. It seems that the channelled rainwater run-off
from the dead branches along the trunks benefits the emerging saplings and examples were plentiful.
Dorus’ sensitive random approach to eradication minimizes the overall impact on the receiving environment.
Over the nine years the commercially viable specimens have been harvested and the remainder are
systematically, but randomly ring-barked in small sections and allowed to collapse in time. This method
enhances the regenerating process. In addition it poses the least interference with the habitats of the
abundant bird population by allowing ample time for birds and other wildlife to adapt to the changes. Reemerging Wattle and Blackwood require constant vigilance. Herbicide use is minimal and hand-pulling of
seedlings is the preferred option. Dorus’ great pleasure in the forest is to witness and experience the
regeneration of biodiversity around fallen invasive specimens – exclaiming happily: “Look - now it is starting
to look like a real forest!!”
During the devastating drought along the Garden Route, Mount Nelson farm reaped rich rewards for the
years of effort. Greatly improved runoff ensured stable water levels for both the borehole feeding the house
and the dam supplying the fynbos garden and nursery area. Since 2007 a lovely neat nursery with mostly
local indigenous species in cultivation has been established. The fynbos garden sporting a few inherited
garden species is a rich mosaic of colour, shape and texture that stimulates the senses.
Dorus’ loyal team members are: Drieka, Sheril, Nicolene, Mary-Ann, Brendon, Dennis, Mario, John, Jeffrey
and Masixole. Dorus is particular in recognising them as the backbone of the undertaking – they do the
work – without them there is no project! Skills training encompass ring-barking - already honed to fine art Dennis is the chainsaw specialist and responsible herbicide application techniques are the ladies’ speciality.
Add alien plant identification, indigenous plant knowledge, propagation and nursery work and we have a
formidable skills set. A treasure chest of Jewels – we commend Dorus and his team for their total
commitment – we’ll keep track.