Grow to Give project to return gardens to bushfire affected farmers and residents

The Grow to Give project encourages residents to grow native plants and seedlings for bushfire affected communities. Photo: Supplied.

Local residents in the Eurobodalla Shire are being asked to participate in a Grow to Give project to supply seedlings to residents who lost their gardens in the Black Summer bushfires.

Eurobodalla Shire Council community development coordinator Zoe Morgan said the idea came after local bushfire recovery agencies identified the need for plants.

“We’re told people are ready to re-establish their gardens and replant impacted farmland but they need plants, shrubs and trees,” she said.

“This is a hands-on and practical way the broader community can show their support as we come closer to the anniversary of the bushfire season.”

Ms Morgan said plants and trees could be grown from cuttings from residents’ own gardens and taken to a central drop-off and pick-up place in December.

“We are going to run the whole project through the Djinima room at the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre which adjoins Moruya Library,” she said.

“People can come to the main entrance on the corner of Vulcan Street and Murray Street and drop off the plants on Thursday, 17 December, and Friday, 18 December, between 2 pm and 4 pm.

“Those needing the plants can then pick them up in the same place between 12 pm and 4 pm on Monday, 21 December, Tuesday, 22 December, or Wednesday, 23 December.”

Ms Morgan said some garden plants, such as African daisy, agapanthus, bamboo and poplars, are common garden escapees that could become weeds in our natural environment.

“Find out what species to avoid by visiting our website,” she said. “Gardening Australia also has an informative video on how to take native cuttings.”

Give to Grow follows on from the ReGrow Eurobodalla project, an initiative of NSW Department of Primary Industries, Local Land Services, Convoy of Hope, local schools and Eurobodalla Shire Council, in which Eurobodalla school students grew almost 2500 young trees, shrubs and climbers to give to people who lost their garden in the bushfires.

For more information on bushfire recovery in Eurobodalla, head to council’s Bushfire Recovery page.