A big weekend of learning was enjoyed by members of the Finley Garden Lovers Club.
Over two days, members traversed the region to attend two informative events — the Cobram Country Women’s Association’s International Women’s luncheon with the topic ‘sustainable gardening’ and a fundraising garden expo near Deniliquin featuring the ABC’s Gardening Australia presenter Sophie Thomson.
At Cobram, guests were treated to two very interesting presentations by Moira Shire staff.
Sustainability officer Jane White spoke of biodiversity, food web, native plants, and habitat, as well as the importance of mycelium and microbes in the soil around eucalypts.
Waste management officer Bethan McKay who gave a talk on recycling, specifically what can and can’t be recycled.
Sunday’s event was hosted at Chris and Sue Muenster’s country garden at Marong Station, north of Deniliquin.
The expo was organised by the Naponda Hospital Auxiliary, with proceeds going to Deniliquin Hospital.
The morning began with morning tea, followed by a look through a few stalls of local produce and a walk through the two acres of beautiful green gardens.
Ms Thomson’s first presentation was gardening for health and wellbeing, the synergy between health and horticulture.
She went on to explain the many ways gardening can improve personal health and wellbeing including the effect on depression, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. After lunch, she went on to tell stories on drought proofing your garden — how to avoid black surfaces and artificial material in the garden as they absorb and reflect heat, and the role of deciduous trees versus natives — among other subjects of benefit to home gardeners.
The members of Finley Garden Lovers Club also called into the garden art/legendary junker’s residence on the way home and were amazed at the surprises encountered.
No doubt there will be much to discuss and information to impart at the April monthly meeting, which will be held at Glennice Marten’s home in Kelly St, Tocumwal. Members are reminded to bring a plate to share, a mug and chair.