Finally, after all the site preparations had been completed (and 18 months after we had bought the property), the time came for planting of the seedlings.
Initially, this had been planned for July 2006. However, low rainfall in the region where the seedlings were being grown meant that the seedlings were not large enough for planting, and the ground at Blue Range Close was also too dry for planting. So the planting was delayed as long as possible, to enable the seedlings to be as large and strong as possible before planting. Finally, a decision was taken to plant in early September 2006. Luckily, we received some rain in the week before planting was to take place, and also in the week afterwards, which meant that the seedlings were well watered-in, and the air gaps around the roots were filled with fine soil washed in by the rain.
A visual description of the planting process is shown here.
