Community garden launches
‘MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK’ AS THE ADAGE GOES, AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF HANDS GOING UP TO BECOME MEMBERS OF THE AMBER BY LIVING GEMS GARDENING GROUP.
As the popular over-50s resort is nearing completion, Living Gems is donating six high-rise garden beds to Amber residents to turn into a community garden.
Homeowner Craig Moffitt said he put out a call to interested residents asking if they’d like to become members of the community gardening team and about 14 people turned up to the first meeting, which was a great result.
Craig was approved by the Amber by Living Gems Home Owners’ Committee to be team leader of the community garden.
“We expect the gardening group will continue to grow,” said Craig. “At the first meeting we talked about a gardening plan which will include processes for things like quality control, keeping residents informed, what to plant, and so on.
“We’ve organised plots for climbing plants like tomatoes, leaf plants like lettuce, root plants like carrots, potation, leeks, and radish, and then beds for herbs, lemons, limes, blueberries and lemongrass. We’ve incorporated flowers too such as marigolds, nasturtiums, viola and lavender to help with keeping the bugs at bay and to bring the bees.”
Working bees have helped establish the gardens, and now they wait to see the fruits of their labour.
“All six gardens have been planted, with thanks to the many residents who have donated,” said Craig.
“Ongoing funding and donations will help us maintain the gardens, and we’d love to incorporate seating in the area as it’s a great place to sit and watch the grandchildren play in the resort’s playground, and at the dog park.
“People have been so helpful, and I can’t believe how quickly the community garden has come together.
“It’s a great place for residents to meet, and there is visual joy in seeing the growth in the gardens.”
