By: Michael Fox
Taking advantage of the recent rain 23 community members stepped up to plant another 450 local natives in the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds Wildflower Forest. This year our plantings are proudly supported by Bupa Healthy Cities Landcare grant, which provides funding for plants, equipment and event catering (Story Behind the Coffee) – thank you Bupa and Landcare!
It was particularly special to have so many young people getting involved.
.
.
.
.
.
The first step is to prepare the planting site.
A thick layer of cardboard donated by Umart Mansfieldwill suppress weed regrowth.
.
.
.
.
.
.
A 150mm layer of mulch (donated by Barlau Tree Services) goes on top of the cardboard.
.
.
Auger straight through mulch and cardboard, and holes are ready for planting.
Our planting gurus then add a handful of activated TerraCottem: a mixture of water crystals, fertiliser and soil conditioner (think probiotic for soil), before placing the plant with soil pressed down to exclude air.
.
.
.
.
.
.
We has a great mix of community members even the wounded: Pauline is one of our regular volunteers and even an injury doesn’t slow her down.
We also met Ansone and his family representing the Turrbal Tribe and Alex from Indigibee.
The next Pollinator Link event is our monthly community working bee and native Bee Home workshop on Saturday 30 May. Fflur Collier: Wildlife Conservation Partnerships Officer and pollinator guru with Brisbane City Council will join us for the Bee Home workshop.
Pollinator Link 