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Mandurah Community Gardens Inc.

News

from Mandurah Community Gardens

Volunteer Postions vacant

22/5/2025

 
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Volunteers Manage The Garden

​Volunteering is great way to get involved in the running of the community garden, and to be involved in making decisions that affect how the garden grows.

Taking on a role at the garden provides you with the opportunity to use and share the skills you have gained from your life experience and to build up your knowledge while learning new skills. Being involved in the club provides everyone with an opportunity to make friends, and provide an active purpose in your life by contributing to, and doing something that really benefits the local community.


Ideally, we would welcome the positions being taken up by current members. We are also open to considering anyone who lives locally and is not currently a member of MCG. All positions will have training provided for their roles, with support from the committee members. For current members, or those who would like to become a member; if you are willing to put in some time each week to help run the garden, you can qualify for free yearly membership to Mandurah Community Gardens.

For more information, please Email Jenny at [email protected] or Cheryl at [email protected].

VOLUNTEER ROLES AVAILABLE
GARDEN COORDINATOR'S TEAM
Volunteer to become a member of our Garden Coordinator's Team to help manage the garden.
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​EVENT COORDINATOR'S TEAM
Get involved to help our Events Team to plan, prepare and help set up for workshops and other events at the garden.
Garden Coordinator's Job Description below:

Be a Plant Detective: Identify Plants in Your Community Garden

6/12/2024

 
by Paul Hammond
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​Ever wondered about the name of that plant that is growing in the community garden? Or wanted to know if that interesting-looking herb is edible?  Maybe you are wondering if something is a weed?Identifying plants can be a fun and rewarding experience, and thankfully, it's easier than ever with the help of technology! Here's a quick guide to get you started:
Traditional Plant Identification
Before we jump into the digital world, let's brush up on some basic plant identification techniques:
  • Observe closely: Pay attention to the plant's shape, size, and growth habit. Is it a tree, shrub, vine, or herb?
  • Leaf it to me: Leaves are often the key to identification. Note their shape, edges (smooth, toothed, lobed), arrangement on the stem (opposite, alternate, whorled), and venation patterns.
  • Flower power: If the plant has flowers, examine their color, shape, number of petals, and arrangement.
  • Fruitful findings: Look for any fruits or seeds the plant might be producing.
  • Stem study: Observe the stem's color, texture, and whether it's woody or herbaceous.
  • Use a field guide: A good field guide specific to your region can be an invaluable resource.
Field Guides
There are many publishings available, and some are focused on particular regions in Australia. Some are available in print and others are accessible online.

Tips for Choosing a Field Guide:
  • Focus: Consider your specific interests (native plants, edibles, flowers, fruit or vegetables, pests and weeds).
  • Region: Some guides may focus on specific regions within your area (e.g., rural areas, coastal regions, etc.)
  • Illustrations: Choose a guide with clear illustrations or photographs.
  • User-friendliness: Look for a guide that's easy to navigate and understand.

​Some Guides To Get You Started:
Vegetable growing: a guide for home gardeners in Western Australia
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia.
Bulletin 4629 
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bulletins/5/​

How to Do It in the Garden by Sabrina Hahn
Available from Fremantle Press: https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/how-to-do-it-in-the-garden/

Edible School Garden Planting and Maintenance Guide
from the Waste Authority of WA, Wastewise Schools Program
https://www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au/images/resources/wss/Files/2019/10/Edible_Garden_Planting_and_Maintenance_Guide.pdf

​Turning Your Phone into a Plant Detective: The Magic of Image Recognition
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Imagine this: you spot a fascinating plant in the garden, but have no idea what it is.  Instead of flipping through pages of a field guide, you simply pull out your phone, snap a photo, and within seconds, its name and details appear on your screen!
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How is this possible?  It's all thanks to the incredible technology of image recognition.

Here's a simplified breakdown:
  • Capture: You take a photo of the plant using your phone's camera.   
  • Analyze: The app uses sophisticated algorithms to analyze the image, identifying key features like the shape of the leaves, the color of the flowers, and even the texture of the stem.
  • Compare: The app compares these features to a vast database of plant images and information.   
  • Identify: Based on the comparison, the app identifies the plant with a high degree of accuracy, often providing additional details like its scientific name, growing habits, and even care tips.   
It's like having a botanist in your pocket! This technology is revolutionizing the way we interact with the natural world, making it easier than ever to learn about the plants around us.
Plant Identification Apps: Your Pocket Botanist
Let's add some tech to our toolkit! Here are some popular plant identification apps for your smartphone – some can be installed on your Android tablet or Apple iPad too:
​

For Apple iPhone and Android Phone Users:
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Google Lens
: This powerful image recognition tool is integrated into many Google products, including Google Photos and the Google app. It can identify a wide range of objects, including plants, landmarks, products, and even text.
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Google Lens app icon
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Google Photos app icon
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The Google App icon
How to get it:

Android: It's likely already on your phone! Look for the Google Lens icon (it looks like a camera with a circle in the center) within the Google app or Google Photos. You can also download the standalone Google Lens app from the Google Play Store.


Apple: Download the Google app from the App Store, which includes Google Lens functionality. You can also access it through the Google Photos app.


How to use it:
  1. Open the Google app or Google Photos.
  2. Select a photo from your library or take a new one.
  3. Tap the Google Lens icon.
  4. Lens will analyze the image and highlight any identifiable objects.
  5. Tap on the plant you want to identify.
  6. Google Lens will provide information about the plant, including its name and related web pages.

Why Google Lens is great for plant identification:
  • Convenience: Most users already have it on their phones, eliminating the need to download another app.
  • Versatility: It's not just for plants! Use it to identify landmarks, translate text, find products, and more.
  • Seamless integration: It works within Google Photos and other Google services.
​For Apple Users:
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​PlantNet: This free app is a citizen science project that uses image recognition to identify plants. Simply take a photo of the plant, and PlantNet will compare it to its vast database.
How to get it: Download from the App Store.
How to use it: Snap a photo of the plant (focus on a specific part like a leaf or flower), select the most relevant category (leaf, flower, fruit, etc.), and let PlantNet do its magic!
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PictureThis: PictureThis boasts high accuracy and a user-friendly interface. It offers detailed information about the identified plant, including its care tips and potential toxicity. It's a paid app with a free trial available.
How to get it: Download from the App Store.
How to use it: Take a photo or upload one from your library, and the app will quickly provide an identification and a wealth of information.
​For Android Users:
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​LeafSnap: LeafSnap uses visual recognition software to identify tree species from photos of their leaves. It also provides beautiful high-resolution images and information about each species.
How to get it: Download from the Google Play Store.
How to use it: Snap a clear photo of a leaf against a contrasting background, and the app will identify the tree species.
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​PlantSnap: Similar to PictureThis, PlantSnap identifies a wide variety of plants, flowers, trees, and succulents. It also offers a social platform to connect with other plant enthusiasts. It's a paid app with a free trial available.
How to get it: Download from the Google Play Store.
How to use it: Capture a photo of the plant, and the app will provide its name and additional information.
Tips for Using Plant ID Apps:

Clear photos: Ensure your photos are well-lit and in focus.
Multiple angles: Take photos of different parts of the plant, including leaves, flowers, and stems.
Stable connection: A good internet connection is needed for these apps to work effectively.
Cross-reference: Double-check the results with other resources, like a field guide or online database.

By combining traditional observation skills with the power of technology, you'll be well on your way to becoming a community garden plant expert! Happy gardening!

A Real Kind Of Kindergarten

5/11/2024

 
by Paul Hammond. Photos provided by Charlotte Quinn
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Growing, Learning, Enjoying at Mandurah Community Gardens

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​The sun was shining, birds were singing, and our community garden was abuzz with the laughter and excited chatter of children. It was a beautiful sight to behold as these young ones, with their boundless energy and curiosity, explored the wonders of nature and discovered the joys of gardening.

From planting tiny seeds to watering thirsty plants, the children were fully immersed in the experience. They dug in the soil with their little hands, marveling at the wriggling worms and curious insects that they found. They learned about the different parts of a plant, from the roots that anchor it to the ground to the leaves that reach for the sun.

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​The garden became a living classroom, a place where lessons about science, nutrition, and environmentalism were brought to life. The children learned about the importance of caring for our planet and the role that plants play in our ecosystem. They also discovered the delicious rewards of their labor as they tasted the fruits and vegetables that they had helped to grow.

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​But the benefits of gardening extended far beyond the acquisition of knowledge. As the children worked together, they developed valuable social skills, such as cooperation, communication, and problem-solving. They learned to share tools, take turns, and help each other out.

Gardening also fostered a sense of responsibility and accomplishment in the children. They took pride in their work and were excited to see the results of their efforts. They learned that with patience and care, even the smallest seed can grow into something beautiful and bountiful.

Our "Kindergarten" Connection
​The word "kindergarten" has its roots in the German language, where it literally means "children's garden." This is a fitting name for a place where young children are nurtured and encouraged to grow, just like the plants in our community garden.
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In a kindergarten, children are provided with a safe and stimulating environment where they can explore, learn, and develop at their own pace. They are encouraged to express their creativity, ask questions, and make discoveries.



Just as a garden provides the essential elements for plants to thrive, a kindergarten provides the foundation for children's future growth and development. It is a place where they learn important social, emotional, and cognitive skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Our community garden is a wonderful extension of this concept, providing children with a hands-on learning experience that connects them to nature and fosters a love of learning. It is a place where they can truly blossom and grow, just like the plants they so carefully tend.

A big thank you to Charlotte Quinn for sharing these wonderful photos and videos.

Local Matters with Grill'd

31/10/2024

 
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Mandurah Community Gardens have been chosen by Grill'd in Mandurah as one of the 3 lucky local community groups to included in the November 2024 round of LOCAL MATTERS. 

​Support Grill'd to help support us and other local community groups.

Please donate your token to the Mandurah Community Gardens jar
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​Every meal purchased at Grill'd comes with a token which you can drop into our jar at the Local Matters stand in their restaurant. The jar with the most tokens will get $300 from Grill'd, and the 2 runner-ups each receive $100.

We encourage all our members, friends and family to visit Grill'd on Mandurah Terrace and support your community garden with the token given with your meal.


By supporting Mandurah Community Gardens, you help us to keep providing the community with a low-cost activity, a place to go; where people can learn, grow their own food, and enjoy the company of others.

A big thank you to Grill'd from all of our members, and the community who enjoy Mandurah Community Gardens, for continuing to support us for nearly 10 years with your Local Matters fund raiser.

Grow Carts: A Growing community service

20/10/2024

 
By Paul Hammond & Cheryl Ivey
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The Grow Cart Project
​This is a collaboration between Frasers Property, the City of Mandurah, the Mandurah Mens’ Shed, and Mandurah Community Garden. Located in front of the Community Centre on Landings Blvd, the Grow Cart is a place for everyone to share surplus produce like fruit, veggies, seeds etc with the community. The Mandurah Community Gardens team are the managing the cart, ensuring it thrives and provides a benefit to everyone in the community.
The launch of the project was at a BBQ held at the Frasers Landing community centre on September 15 2024, with Mandurah Community Gardens represented by committee member Cheryl Ivey.
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What is a Grow Cart?​
A grow cart is a simple, yet ingenious concept that's gaining momentum in Australian communities. It's essentially a public space where people can share their surplus garden produce. This initiative promotes sustainability, fosters community spirit, and ensures everyone has access to fresh, healthy food.
​
How Did Grow Carts Start?
The origins of grow carts in Australia is that they likely emerged from the country's thriving community gardening and food sharing movements. As people started cultivating their own food, they often found themselves with more produce than they could consume. To avoid waste and share their bounty, they began leaving extra veggies and fruits in designated areas for others to take.
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Over time, the idea of using a dedicated cart or container to centralize this sharing evolved. This made it easier for people to find and contribute to the community's food supply.

Why Grow Carts Are Gaining Popularity
The popularity of grow carts can be due to many factors:
  • Sustainability: By reducing food waste and promoting local, organic food production, grow carts contribute to a more sustainable future.
  • Community Building: These initiatives foster a sense of connection and cooperation among neighbors, strengthening community bonds.
  • Food Access: Grow carts provide a reliable source of fresh, affordable food, especially for those who may have limited access to grocery stores or fresh produce.

Grow Carts: A Simple Yet Powerful Solution
Grow carts are a testament to the power of community and the positive impact that small actions can have. They offer a practical and sustainable solution to food waste and food insecurity, while also fostering a stronger sense of community. As Australia continues to embrace sustainable practices, grow carts are poised to play an increasingly important role in our food systems.

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​Mandurah's Grow Cart: A Community Gem
Mandurah Community Garden is proud to be a part of the growing community grow cart movement.
In partnership with the City of Mandurah, we maintain a grow cart at the local Fraser's Landing Community Centre with healthy organically grown food donated from our communal garden, by members, and donations from private gardens in the local community.


Our grow cart serves as a vibrant hub for food sharing and community engagement. Here, residents can drop off their surplus garden produce, knowing it will find a good home. Whether it's tomatoes, zucchini, herbs, or other fresh goodies, all donations are gratefully received.

How to Get Involved:
  • Donate: Simply bring your extra produce to the grow cart at Fraser's Landing Community Centre.
  • Take: If you're in need of fresh produce, feel free to help yourself to whatever is available.
  • Volunteer: Join our dedicated team of volunteers who help maintain the grow cart and promote its benefits.
  • Become a member of Mandurah Community Gardens and help to grow food that can be stocked on the Grow Cart – while having fun and making great friends!
By participating in our grow cart initiative, you're not only helping to reduce food waste but also contributing to a more sustainable and connected community. Let's work together to nourish our community and planet!
The Grow Cart is located at The Frasers Landing Community Centre
A community hub for art groups, craft, mosaics, photography clubs, social ukulele classes, nature groups and more. Visit the Frasers Landing Frasers Landing community noticeboard for more details.
For more information about the Grow Cart, contact [email protected]

Mosquito Advisory

2/10/2024

 
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Mandurah Community Gardens received a special advisory from the City Of Mandurah regarding the mosquito problem in Mandurah this year.

Mosquitos are known to carry many debilitating diseases, so we are strongly recommending that everyone who visits the garden wear protective clothing and mosquito repellent.  ​
While our local government has a mosquito eradication program with spraying, there are measures we can take out ourselves to help reduce mosquitos breeding in the garden and the risk of being bitten:
  1. Look for any leaking taps or pipes and fix them so that they don't pool water.
  2. Wear gloves whenever you are doing gardening (always recommended).
  3. Wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, covering as much of the body as you can. Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothes like jeans. Make sure children are also appropriately covered up.
  4. Look for water collection points such as pots and turn them over to stop them collecting water.
  5. Always apply insect repellent and have some with you for re-application or to share with others. Use insect repellent containing DEET (diethyltoluamide) picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), also known as PMD, and always follow the instructions on the label.

​Spray or roll-on repellents containing 20% DEET will last about 5 hours, whereas sprays containing 7% DEET will provide about 3 hours of protection. 

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Current Mosquito Activity Scale (September-October 2024)
View the video from the City of Mandurah about the Peel Mosquito Management Program
Here are some take-aways from an email sent to Mandurah Community Gardens from the City of Mandurah:
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Go to the City Of Mandurah Mosquito management page to learn more

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Kids garden activities

8/6/2024

 
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​Rachael from Raising Well Beings ran her first playground at Mandurah Community Gardens in early June 2024.


​A group of 24 children spent time together doing activities and then having a great time playing in the community gardens' mud kitchen, cubby house, children's veggie patch, and butterfly Café.
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​Pots were decorated and marigold seeds planted by the children who looked very happy at the end of the morning as they took their pots home.

You can find Raising Well Beings on 
Facebook.

Real Activity, In a Real Environment, In a Real Social Setting.

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Many children's activity days have been held at the gardens by a variety of local service providers and groups over the years.

​The children really enjoy their time learning about plants, soil and growing things - an activity that contrasts positively compared to the "screen time" they contend with in today's world.

These activities provide children with an opportunity to learn about growing plants and how things grow in an outdoors gardening environment. It is a great way to enhance their development and experience by introducing them to their natural world, by engaging in physical activity in a social setting while using their smell, sight and touch to learn about life. 

VOLUNTEERS MAKE A COMMUNITY GARDEN

17/2/2024

 
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Many hands make light work...

Mandurah Community Gardens exists because of the work that our volunteers have put in to make it a place to grow food, to make friends, and to raise awareness in our community about growing our own food in good company. It couldn't keep going without the help of so many volunteers who contribute their time and energy, and share their knowledge.
Like most community assets, this community garden is run as a registered non-profit organisation that requires a team of people that work together on the committee to manage it.
Our garden is like any garden - always planning ahead, making decisions and considering the options to take. And of course, making the most of it means enjoying each other's company and having a great time!

​Calling Volunteers!

Being a member of a community garden is just like any other community organisation. It is not like being a member of a buying club or a library because it is socially orientated and an activity-based kind of membership. It's value to the member is inherently derived from what members individually put into it. 
For the cost of a very inexpensive membership, Mandurah Community Gardens does provide its members with a place that is resplendent with facilities, cheap leasable and free community plots, fertiliser, seeds, tools, amenities, social events and educational workshops, plus much more — everything a good community garden and every individual member needs to keep growing.
We also extend our invitation to the wider community to attend our events, our workshops, and to visit the gardens when we are open.
If you ask every member who volunteers why they volunteer to help, they will tell you that they get so much more from participating in helping with the garden. They know it truly pays wonderful dividends on what they contribute.
Our members strive to keep the costs of running a garden and the cost of membership down, but the only way to achieve this and keep a community garden is to receive funding and donations from individuals, businesses and government. Still, funding isn't anywhere near enough to run a community garden without the personal effort of our volunteers.

Positions needed to be filled 

As we have advertised through email, our Bulletin newsletter, on Facebook and on this website, we have roles that urgently need to be filled on the committee. We need volunteers for:
  • Secretary 
  • Treasurer
  • Events Coordinator
  • Garden Coordinator

All of these roles are vital for Mandurah Community Gardens to function, and for it to continue to exist. Our committee members are currently pulling together to help with these roles, but it places an unfair burden on each of them to do the extra tasks required for each role above what they already do. Ultimately, it is in the best interests of all our members if every member will give their consideration to this and help us however they can. 
All the roles will have training provided and support from our committee members. The average commitment required for most roles is anywhere for 1-2 hours a week and sometimes a bit more for events or workshops. Committee members are required to attend a committee meeting once a month.

The help from volunteers is how we have got this far, and it's how we will continue to keep going and growing.

If you think you can help your community garden by volunteering your time and skills, please contact Jenny or Cheryl via the form on this website.
Get in touch

Summer tips for Members

8/12/2023

0 Comments

 
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When summer is here it comes a few things to be aware of in our community garden...

Blue tongue Lizards and snakes
  • Blue tongue lizards live and roam in the garden, so look before diving your hand into any garden areas. Several water bowls have been placed around the garden for their use so please top them up when you see them empty.
  • So far no snakes have been sighted but be alert for the possibility, make a noise and keep your eyes open!

Pests and disease in your patch
  • Unfortunately we have tomato blight, red spider mite and pottery mildew popping up in a few areas. Remember we are organic so any sprays need to be carefully selected before use. Please check with someone before spraying.
  • Tomato blight all infected leaves should be removed, BAGGED, and put in the green landfill bin. Red spider mites have infected our papinos but they also can go for peppers, tomatoes, capsicum, beans, corn and strawberries. Remove all infected leaves BAG and put in the green landfill bin or use a non chemical option if the infestation is in its early stage.
  • Powdery Mildew is common to zucchinis and can spread to rockmelon, grapes and cucumber so nipping it in the but is needed early. Spraying leaves with milk in their younger stage is recommended, never water leaves only the soil, remove infected leaves immediately and put them in the green landfill bin.
  • CLEAN ALL GARDEN TOOLS USED WITH DILUTED BLEACH, VINEGAR OR METHYLATED SPIRITS IN A BUCKET THAT CAN BE USED BY OTHERS PLEASE OR WITH A RAG SOAKED IN THE CLEANER. We have vinegar under the sink in the garden.
Seed Collecting
  • Please allow one or two of the vegetable crops in the communal garden areas to go to seed.
  • Don't pull crops out, but instead cut off at soil level and leave the roots in the soil so as not to disturb the micro organisms. Allow a couple of healthy plants to go to flower for the pollinators and to then have seed collected.
Tomato picking in the communal beds
Excited as we are to harvest tomatoes as they begin to colour, please refrain from picking them until they are RED. Vine ripened tomatoes have a better flavour.
Your patch
  • ​To project your soil from drying out and heat/UV destroying microbes etc in the top layer, it is recommended that you add mulch to your garden. Your choice; a few suggestions are pea straw, mushroom compost, triple C.
  • Mulch should be 2-3inches or 5-8cm thick to be effective. It is also wise not to leave soil uncovered so if you have removed crops and don't plan to plant for a while consider laying cardboard over the soil this will mean less work to prepare the soil when you are ready to plant. Earthworms move around in cool, dark soil.
Watering
  • Hand watering is a lovely way to spend time in the garden. Remember the best time is early in the morning.
  • Always water the soil, not the leaves, and especially on tomatoes, zucchini, melons, cucumbers which are prone to moulds and mildews.
  • A deep water is required especially for natives so roots do not remain on the surface to dry out but grow deep. Flee the soil before you water, dig your finger down to the first knuckle, into the soil around your veggies etc especially potted plants the surface may look dry (if without mulch) but underneath the soil could be damp.
  • Water is precious, please don't waste it.
Ants
Ants are active in the garden. They do like dry covered areas. They don't like water and sunlight to nest. My suggestion is put pots up on bricks, pour boiling water into nests that are affecting your patch, and do this often.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions, concerns or comments.
Thanks for keeping the pathways around your patch weed free, keep bricks, stakes and vines free and accessible for all our visitors and fellow members to use safely.
 Happy Gardening from Cheryl
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Mandurah Community Gardens acknowledges the Bindjareb people as traditional custodians of this land and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
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