Garden Team

Tea enjoyed under shaded pergolas after garden spruce ups!

31/10/2023

Melbourne friend Jill joined our 'Fifth Monday' Garden Team session at Terry's on 30 October. Jill took these photos and commented "A very productive hour and a bit!".

At our 'Second Monday' session on November 13 we enjoyed Karen and Peter's garden, where we helped spruce a few details in anticipation of Garden Appreciation's pending visit.

Afternoon tea was enjoyed under a leafy pergola from which we enjoyed watching varied birdlife, enhanced by Kathy's wide knowledge.

Elspeth

'It's been relatively easy to pull up weeds...'

28/10/2023

It's been a good year for plants, bugs and weeds, but it's also been relatively easy to pull up weeds with soil staying soft. I think we were pretty effective in Ray's front garden and when we moved to the back we were impressed with the productivity, and use of space.

Let's hope we're just as useful at Terry's on Monday 30th.

Elspeth

"It was refreshing to see a new garden"

30/9/2023

It was refreshing to see a new garden. We trimmed, weeded and conquered kangaroo paw and took home small clumps, also some from Helen's variety of potted cuttings, and left her looking forward to finding new plants for some gaps, behind neatened edges.

The afternoon took on the look of Henty field day, or a curly Casterton, when her dogs showed they were also keen workers, going through hoops and around and over obstacles in their training circuit.

Helen's years of tree planting demonstrated the progress possible in a few decades and made a lovely backdrop to the generous spread we shared on the front verandah.

Elspeth

Late July, August - James's garden then Marcus and Kirstin's

31/8/2023

In late July the team gardened at James' place, where unwanted plants were replaced. The section certainly looked spruce after treatment.

In August it was Marcus and Kirstin's garden. What a delightful afternoon - lots achieved, beautiful weather, a sumptuous repast and conversation with lovely people.

Elspeth

Much of the crack of our crack team is ...in our backs and knees!

27/7/2023

Bill has photographic proof of the spick and span of our crack team. Unfortunately, much of the crack is in our backs and knees, or we'd be hiring ourselves out!

Photos - Bill Parris

Elspeth

'We make great progress...and have cheerful company for the afternoon..."

2/7/2023

Before the team arrives, we are motivated to mow and strategise. After the work is done, we are inspired and motivated to make the most of great progress and pleased to admire our larger compost piles, trimmer shrubs and neater edges. And we have cheerful, good company for the afternoon and tasty offerings to accompany our well-earned cuppas.

Elspeth Maconachie

May - 'an energetic team enjoyed a new garden out Lurg way'

27/5/2023

Other than weaklings who cowered from covid or who fled to northern climes, an energetic team enjoyed a new garden out Lurg way.

Our other country venture is out Goomalibee Road on May 29th.

Elspeth

'Well done the secateurs seven!'

29/4/2023

A few holiday apologies but we still had an effective planting and pruning team at Tulip St on Easter Monday. Well done the secateurs seven! Another enjoyable afternoon.

Elspeth

"A lot of very welcome pruning"

30/3/2023

There were a few apologies this month because of the long weekend, but an energetic team of six joined Kathy at her place for a lot of very welcome pruning. After a couple of hours on a warm afternoon, we were ready for afternoon tea. Special thanks to Kirsten. We then helped ourselves to Karen’s magnificent home grown pears and Rupe’s juicy tomatoes before heading home.

We are next meeting at Terry's in Violet Town, but given Easter Monday it might be worth considering deferring until May when we have two sessions . (Members can look out for an email or message quite soon.)

Elspeth

A festive year end!

30/1/2023

In December we rested on our well pruned, weeded and mulched laurels with a festive gathering at Marcus and Kirsten's place.

Our first Garden Team session for the year will be at Rupe’s on Monday 13th February from 2 to 4 pm. I’ll send the address details in an email later, especially to our newcomer, Karen.

Elspeth Maconachie

Celebrating a year's work well done!

26/11/2022

Great work done by a keen team. Started in drizzle but ended in sunshine at Bill's in late October.

At Rupe's in November there were some rainspots to dodge, but again the team worked well.

It's always a pleasure to have cheery company and lovely next day to survey the progress on tasks which had been starting to look daunting.

Elspeth Maconachie

'The team made an impression on the jungle at Elspeth's...'

28/10/2022

The team made an impression on the jungle at Elspeth's, but it's looking robust again because the mower broke down with heavy demands made on the rare sunny, dryish days since. Shirlie's kind offerings bedded in and the pup both admired and laughed at.

Thanks crew - a pleasant degustation followed as usual.

We hope to finish the year at Bill's on cup eve Monday, Rupe's on November 14th and Marcus and Kirsten's on Dec 12th.

Elspeth

"A willing team whipped out weeds"...

27/9/2022

A willing team whipped out weeds while admiring the range of native plants out the front.
The driveway and vegetable areas were also given attention and some carried home welcome products from Ray's impressive seedling nursery which will make healthy additions in vegetable patches.

Elspeth

August - 'It's rather soggy underfoot...'

28/8/2022

Energy and enthusiasm helped us to be productive in Shirlie's pretty garden and we were rewarded with a sumptuous spread at afternoon tea.

It's rather soggy underfoot but let's hope we can dodge showers on Monday 29th August at Ray's.

Elspeth

July - 'an energetic and very useful turn up at Tulip Street'

30/7/2022

It was an energetic and very useful turn up at Tulip St in July and we look forward to Shirlie's cake when we meet at Ray's on August 8th. If it's really tasty, we'll reward her with a session at her place on the 29th.

Elspeth

It's third time lucky on July 11th!

30/6/2022

Call us softies if you like, but in the steely chill, we called off both our June sessions and are hoping it’s third time lucky when we try again on July 11th to head for 6 Tulip Street to weed and prune.

Elspeth Maconachie

A timely working bee in April, much pruning and weeding in May

30/5/2022

Our April working bee at Vicki's was timely with her being busy with the recent move and I think we all felt pleased with the sprucing.

At our May at session Kathy's there was much pruning and weeding in pleasant autumn sunshine. I also want it noted that there were no rock cakes among the delicious afternoon tea! The late May session at Terry's was postponed due to the first harsh burst of wintry conditions.

We received a message to the group explaining Frank and Val's move to Melbourne. We were glad to hear from them and wish them well.

Elspeth Maconachie

Rupe...left a bit of weeding just to keep us in practice!

1/4/2022

Rupe had obviously been working hard but left the group with a bit of weeding just to keep us in practice.

On April 11th we'll be in Vicki's new garden at 10 Senator Drive and in May we have 2nd & 5th Mondays so think if you're ready to host one.

Elspeth Maconachie

'Kirsten and Marcus didn't drive us very hard...'

27/2/2022

It was good to have nearly all the team back and to enjoy the company of new addition, Jim.

Given quite hot conditions, Kirsten and Marcus didn't drive us very hard and there was plenty of rehydration and conviviality around the table.

Next month, on the Monday holiday, we'll put in our efforts in Rupe's garden despite two apologies.

Elspeth Maconachie

Garden Team... afternoon tea evidence of meetings!

3/8/2021

We have received intelligence, in the form of a photo received in an email from Frank, of Garden Team enjoying one of their hard earned and renowned afternoon teas.

It appears that the group has continued to meet whenever restrictions have eased to allow this.

Media Team

Hosts have been encouraged by the progress in their gardens

30/4/2021

It has been lovely to be joined by a new band of garden enthusiasts and it will be interesting to see one of the new gardens when we gather at Ray's, 29 Riverview, on May 10th. I know the hosts have found the progress in their gardens most encouraging.

Elspeth Maconachie

"Cheerful energy" and "a well deserved afternoon tea"

3/4/2021

There was plenty of cheerful energy brought to Shirlie's garden which provided a lush green backdrop to a well deserved afternoon tea.

Ray joined us again and Vicki and Deborah were new recruits who compensated for several apologies from travellers Jane, Bill, Kirsten and Marcus, and Frank (who we hope feels fit again).

On our fifth Monday, March 29th, we will be at Terry's place and on April 12th we will gather at 29 Arundel St (northern end).

Elspeth Maconachie

Our enthusiastic band of gardeners to gather once again!

5/2/2021

A band of enthusiastic gardeners gathers once a month for an afternoon at each member’s garden in rotation. The working bee uses each member’s skills and abilities to achieve about six hours effect in an hour and a half. We meet on the 2nd and 5th Mondays from 2 to 4 pm.

Our first meeting is on Monday 8th February at Rupe Cheetham’s, 61 Benson Street. There’s lots of pruning and potting to do. BYO favourite gear and something for afternoon tea. Rupe will provide coffee and tea.

Elspeth Maconachie 0418 621 764

Forced into smaller work units, we are keeping up the work!

30/4/2020

"March 30th (email to Garden Team members)

It's a pity that we won't be beavering away in Kathy's garden this afternoon but I hope you will feel inspired by the showers and that if we all get on our knees to weed at 2pm today there will be a communal energy felt. (or have I been doing a bit much tai chi lately?)

Almost half of your donations back in September are quite well established here now and part of the nice reminder gardens can offer.

Stay safe and strong.

Elspeth"

Garden team continues to work on a variety of projects while they're split into smaller work units. It has been good to catch up with reports and photos providing proof of dedication!

“Member of Garden Team at work this afternoon“

"Shared proof of Frank's dedication"

"Afternoon tea as always! Many thanks to Kirstin & Marcus for the delicious apple pie!"

'Our break for the long weekend has grown fearfully long...'

2/4/2020

Our break for the long weekend has grown fearfully long but please remember that gardening is good for mood as well as weed control.

Stay safe.

Elspeth Maconachie

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About the Garden Team

A band of enthusiastic gardeners gathers once a month for an afternoon at each member’s garden in rotation. The working bee uses each members skills and abilities to achieve about six hours effect in an hour and a half. Then we rest on our laurels with tea provided by the host and a home-baked and/or healthy plate from the visitors. We head home a little fitter and inspired, often with a new cutting or garden tip.

Meeting Times

2nd and 5th Mondays
2 to 4 pm
Meet at members' gardens by turn.
(If the 2nd Monday is a public holiday, the garden team often meets on an alternate day. Information about changes is included in the newsletter)

Convenor and contact details

Elspeth Maconachie
0418 621 764

About the Garden Team

Meeting Times

Convenor and contact details

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