Garden Team

March - 'After the rain, buffalo and couch grasses decided to spread into places they didn’t belong'

26/3/2026

The team of six met at Richard’s place.

After the rain, buffalo and couch grasses decided to spread into places they didn’t belong. The team jumped into action weeding and pruning in the shade wherever possible, as the sun had quite a bite to it.

We then enjoyed a pleasant chat and afternoon tea under the shade on the patio.

Richard Finnerty for Elspeth Maconachie

February - 'a great effort by all..'

26/2/2026

We had our first gathering on Feb 9th and welcomed two new participants.

Janet said:
'Thanks for organising the team today. It was a great effort by all especially given the oppressive weather. The team made such a difference and helped me to stay motivated '

We also enjoyed the shady spot and newsy catch-up when we stopped for afternoon tea.

Elspeth Maconachie

November 'Thank You' note from Helen ...

23/11/2025

"Thank you everyone for your efforts today. You are a terrific team.

We set out to get those driveway trees edged and mulched; mission accomplished. And then there was the pruning master Rupe, and Ray the whippy snipping king, working away in the background.

You are such fast workers, and your work is greatly appreciated.

Thanks also for your contribution towards a delicious afternoon tea.

Cheers Helen

P.S. Extra photos of the ringtail possum in a nest box from last week, and a glider.

We checked one nest box on the property with my new toy - a pole camera."

Late September at Karen's and early October at Rupe's...

26/10/2025

We've had two gatherings, at Karen's in late September and in early October, at Rupe's.

Out Lurg way we were spread across the parklike grounds and made enough tweaks to warrant a tasty rest.

At Rupe's we just had to trim and weed a little to bring fresh pep into colourful flower beds.

It's always pleasant and the hosts are always delighted at the collective efforts, which work the magic and lift the mood as we admire the results in the following days.

Elspeth

"When it's your turn to host, what a boost!"

26/9/2025

Garden Team is always a pleasant gathering and not a great effort, but when it's your turn to host, what a boost!

First you rush to mow and to list all the tasks you should already have done!

Then comes the afternoon and ten hours progress happens magically in not much over an hour. There's a range of tools to try, some great advice, effort and expertise. And afternoon tea is always tasty and a chance to chat in a friendly group who are feeling a sense of achievement - especially when it's as wide and wild as my place!

Afterwards it's great to stroll, admire and add to compost and hugelkultur piles.

Gardens are often about dreaming of what might be. In my case I'm inspired (shamed ?) into much steadier efforts to keep up because of the magnificent start the team has given me.

Many thanks!

Elspeth

"Making ourselves useful in Shirlie's lush and colourful garden"

27/8/2025

At last we had a lovely sunny afternoon perfect for making ourselves useful in Shirlie's lush and colourful garden.

This week it's the welcome showers doing the work!

Elspeth

'Soggy and cold conditions kept us away again'

28/7/2025

Soggy and cold conditions kept us away again, so it will be August before we gather in Shirlie's garden.

Elspeth Maconachie

Hopeful signs for our late June gathering ...

30/6/2025

Days of icy grey saw us postponing our early June session.

Today's sunlight says that was a wise move as it's promising to be lovely conditions for our late June gathering.

Elspeth

"Magpies trying to get into our afternoon tea in May!"

29/5/2025

"So happy to be a part of this great team of people!"

30/4/2025

“Please thank the Garden Team. They did such a magnificent job at my place.

It looks so much tidier, and as I walked around today, I could admire the plants rather than be drawn to all the things that needed attention!!! A Willy wagtail and a fantail joined me as I wandered the garden - they must have been appreciating all the effort put in by the garden team too

So happy to be a part of this great team of people--thank you all so much!

Cheers, Janet”

… and later

“Hi Elspeth, here are two photos from this afternoon’s magnificent effort. How lucky are we to be part of such a happy and productive group of gardeners!”

This sums up how we each feel after the team has been!

Elspeth

We're not 'mad dogs and Englishmen'... out in the midday sun!

27/3/2025

Those who gathered on the 10th were not silly enough to mix it with any mad dogs or Englishmen but enjoyed talk of plants and birds, and the shady spot. Thanks for the hospitality, Richard.

We'll try again on Monday 31st at Helen's, when a top of 27°is predicted.

Elspeth

We're gathering our energy for a hearty start in March!

28/2/2025

After such a swelter of steamy heat, Garden Team called off the February 10th session. Despite the relative cool of a 31° day, we decided we'd concentrate on watering the home patch and gather our energy for a heartier start in March.

Elspeth

A beautiful day for working in Marcus and Kirsten's garden!

31/1/2025

In early December, the Garden Team worked in Kirsten and Marcus's garden before a festive afternoon tea and a break until next year. Thank you, Ray for the photograph!

Photograph: Ray Berry

Garden Team meets on the 2nd and 5th Monday of the month - 2 pm to 4 pm - at various venues, with the first session on Monday 10th February.

Elspeth Maconachie

"We felt useful in Rupe's garden in November"

27/11/2024

We felt useful in Rupe's garden, as he's had to take it a little slower than usual lately, so there were actually a few weeds to eradicate and twigs to trim.

He had his sleek telescope set up for us so we could appreciate the sun's activities which juxtaposed nicely with the shady spot under his backyard tree during afternoon tea.

We'll work in Kirsten and Marcus's garden in December before a festive afternoon tea and a break until next year.

Elspeth Maconachie

"Much was achieved ... before a well deserved afternoon tea"

26/10/2024

We had a lovely sunny day for the work party in October, in fact, maybe a bit too warm. Cold water was readily available and frequently taken.

Much was achieved, particularly clearing of the pathways and branches that were overhanging the footpath were removed in Coster St.

We knocked off by 3.15pm for a well deserved afternoon tea and nibbles on the deck in the shade.

Bill Parris

September - "What an improvement. Thank you everyone!"

21/9/2024

"What a great effort in tackling the big job of digging up 5 large tussock grasses.

The pruning and weeding jobs also were a big help. What an improvement.

Thank you everyone!

Karen and Peter Nankivell"

The 'Before and After' effect!

Elspeth Maconachie

Photographs - Peter Nankivell

"Another satisfied customer..."

29/8/2024

The host of our August session expresses feelings typical after the visit, this time from a team of ten.

“The change to the veggie garden was wonderful--yesterday morning it felt overwhelming, but after the garden team had worked their magic it felt like I could get back to enjoying it with some new planting.

Rup did a fabulous job pruning and tidying up the buddleia, the Silver Princess and the crepe Myrtle.

A massive thankyou to everyone for their energy and effort - what a great team!!! And we finished with a lovely afternoon tea”

I know Kathy was equally pleased with our end-of-July afternoon at her place.

Elspeth Maconachie

July - '... sunshine is forecast for our fifth Monday session'

27/7/2024

We went soft in July, bailing out on the afternoon although it was only rather cold, grey and damp. A bit of sunshine is forecast for our fifth Monday session so we can make up for lost time.

Elspeth Maconachie

June - "Shirlie was left with many green bin loads..."

5/7/2024

We were lucky to catch a warmish afternoon in June, and the cheery company made light work of the piles of prunings and the tasty spread afterwards!

Shirlie was left with many green bin loads but a sense of rapid achievement.

We next visit Janet's on July 8th at 2pm. There's a fifth Monday in July as well.

Elspeth

The novelty of a new garden on a lovely autumn afternoon...

26/5/2024

We had a lovely autumn afternoon and the novelty of a new garden when we spent a couple of hours hosted by Melody and Richard.

Next time we will be mainly snipping vine prunings at Shirlie's, before another new garden when we visit Janet's on July 8th. There's a fifth Monday in July as well.

Elspeth

April - 'Helen's Garden'

26/4/2024

We had another delightful afternoon, this time among Helen's interesting trees and mainly native shrubs. We felt useful enough to justify another tasty afternoon tea and also exchanged armfuls of fruit, vegetables and seeds from several gardens.

Photographs: Helen Repacholi

We'll be at James's place on Monday 29th April.

Elspeth Maconachie

"We have two chances to catch up in April ..."

29/3/2024

The team was sensible and postponed March's afternoon in response to the forecast. Happily we have two chances to catch up in April, first at Helen's place and later in James' garden.

Elspeth

"Rupe was pleased with our trimming and tidying"

26/2/2024

Last year we finished at Kathy's and added a garden kringle, with a few seeds, cuttings and produce exchanged over our usual feast.

At the first '24 gathering, weeds were a bit hard to find but Rupe was pleased by the results of our trimming and tidying.

To dodge the hottest hours, we started half an hour earlier, a tactic which worked well and may, at times, be used again depending on the weather forecast.

We welcomed two new garden grafters and enjoyed a sumptuous afternoon tea in a pleasant shady spot. It was a lovely start to our year, thanks Rupe.

On Monday, March 4th we'll gather at .... garden ( ... to be added, watch this space or the upcoming newsletter, your emails or if all else fails, phone me!)

Elspeth Maconachie

Garden team recommences on Monday 12th February

1/2/2024

Garden Team commences on Monday 12th February at 2pm and is held on the 2nd and 5th Monday of the month - 2 pm to 4 pm - at various venues. Emails are sent out with details of the venues in the weeks before the date.

Elspeth
0418 621 764

Tea enjoyed under shaded pergolas after garden spruce ups!

25/11/2023

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

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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

Meeting Times

Convenor and contact details

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