Mid-May Workshops with Newstead Natives

Posted on 11 June, 2026 by Hadley Cole

In May, Connecting Country teamed up with Frances Cincotta from Newstead Natives to present two propagation workshops at her nursery in Newstead. The popular sessions booked out quickly and also had a lengthy wait list! Plant-smith Frances has decades of experience growing indigenous and native species and she generously shared her knowledge on how to sow seed, divide plants and use cuttings for propagation.

Keen participants came from various locations, within and also just out of the Mount Alexander Shire, from Newstead, to Castlemaine, Taradale and Daylesford. Frances talked us through the various propagation methods she uses for growing on plants as well as follow up care required to grow healthy, vibrant tube stock!

Participants learnt how to collect seed and sow plants such as Berry Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata) and Windmill Grass (Chloris truncata), as well as grow on species such as Yam Daisy (Microseris walteri), Buloke (Allocasurina luehmanii), and Hedge Salt Bush (Rhagodia spinescens).

Photos above show participants pricking out and dividing plants in the hot house.

Participants reported that they enjoyed an excellent morning of learning and getting their hands in the soil and walked away with a greater understanding of propagating local plants.

We hope to hear from participants of the workshop in the future and learn how they have applied their propagation skills to local restoration projects.

This workshop was made possible thanks to funding through the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation.