Grow to give to fire-affected neighbours

Eurobodalla residents are being asked to ‘Grow to Give’ to residents who lost their gardens in the fires.

Led by Eurobodalla Council, the project encourages residents to grow native plants and seedlings to give to bushfire-affected community members.

Eurobodalla Council’s 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 dropped off 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 Bas, which adjoins Moruya Library,” she said.

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

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

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

“Find out what species to avoid by visiting the weeds pages on our website,” she said.

“Gardening Australia also has an informative video on how to take native cuttings – watch it here.”

Give to Grow follows on from the ReGrow Eurobodalla project, an initiative of NSW DPI, Local Land Services, Convoy of Hope, local schools and Eurobodalla Council, in which Eurobodalla school students grew almost 2,500 young trees, shrubs and climbers to give to people who lost their garden in the fires.