July 2024 working bee

Don’t let the cool weather trick you into thinking things may have slowed down at the river. If anything, this is the time to ramp up and get a head-start on the weeds before the flush of weedy spring growth!

We have been working hard in the “newly mulched” area recently (Sites 4 and 5). When a site is newly opened, extra effort is required to control weeds which tend to take advantage of the increased light and available water, until our new plantings are established and able to claim dominance. We are only 2.5 years into this new area and many of our plantings are above head height. In another 2 years, we will be able to decrease the number of visits to this site.

So July’s working bee will be held at Site 5 – Old Bega Racecourse end – working upstream from the most eastern end. Our focus once again will be privet (cut and paste), Vines (Turkey rhubarb, Madeira Vine and Cape Ivy), cutting down tall weeds overshadowing plantings and overall, tidying up our plantings – weeding inside guards and clearing at least 50cm around base – especially moving trad away.

Remember – if you know any of these weeds or if everything sounds like another language, please don’t be scared off, we always love new volunteers and are happy to ID weeds or demonstrate techniques.

After morning tea, we will have the chance to return to the small garden area we gave a facelift to last year (as you enter the racecourse). Our plants are growing superbly well, but there are a few weeds and blackberries returning. With a group of us, we could have it tidied and guards removed in 10 mins!

When: Monday, 1st July, 9.30-12.30pm
What: Planting maintenance, targeted weeding including privet, pulling off guards, knocking down tall weeds.
Where: Site 5. Meet at the Old Bega Racecourse (corner of Jacksonia Grove and East St)
Bring: Drink bottle, garden gloves, weed bags, weeding tool and secuatears (some tools will be provided)
Wear: Enclosed sturdy footwear, sun hat and sun-smart clothing.
Morning tea: is at 11am, please bring something to share or to enjoy yourself.