Hey Linkolinos! It's technically Autumn here in Lalor, but if it doesn't feel like it to you (32ºC, anyone?) then you might be interested to know that the Kulin people who've been studying and caring for this area for thousands and thousands of years have seven seasons. At the moment we're in the Iuk Eel season, when the days and nights are about the same length. Plans are bubbling away at Links Community Garden Lalor HQ to get our community garden connecting with this land, its history, plants, animals, food, science and culture, so if that's something you want to know more about - or something you already know a lot about - please get in touch on facebook, instagram, good ol' email, or just come along to 405 Station St on Saturday morning from 10am for a chat and a biscuit. Meanwhile, read on to find out what's been going down and what's coming up at Links this Iuk Eel season.
Mosaic paver goodness
If you missed out on the awesome mosaic workshop last weekend, fear not! The mosaicking continues! We'll be in the shade at 405 Station St, Lalor, this Saturday 10th March from 10am to midday, smashing tiles and working on our "welcome" entrance pavers. If you've got any brightly coloured old tiles collecting dust in your shed, please let us know. Huge thanks to Sustainability Outreach Whittlesea and Cara for organising last week's mosaics class, and special thanks to Siggi and Louise from Greenbrook Community House for sharing their mosaic skills with us. If you want to take your mosaic skills to the next level, you can email greenbrookch@whittlesea.vic.gov.au for information about their classes.
Building wicking garden beds
The garden bed boxes at Links Community Garden are hand-made out of 100% recycled materials, and they retain water so our plants can keep drinking even when it hasn't rained for six weeks. We've even recently discovered that they're strong enough to hold a small army of kids. Sustainability Outreach Whittlesea is supporting Links Community Garden Lalor and the Lalor Men's Shed running a wicking garden bed building workshop. We'll be learning about sourcing IBCs, cutting them safely, cladding in wood, and the use of basic power tools. Saturday 14th April 10am-12pm at Links Community Garden Lalor, 405 Station St, Lalor. The event is free but bookings are essential, so RSVP Matt on 0431896347 or email linkscommunitygroup@gmail.com. Unfortunately kids under 15 won't be able to participate in the construction activities on the day for safety reasons.
Whittlesea Community Festival
We'll be hanging out at the Whittlesea Community Festival from 10am on Sunday 18th March - at Whittlesea Council grounds, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang. We'll be making insect hotels to support native pollinators in your garden. Come say hello to the gang and get yourself on track for your career as an (insect) hotelier.
Mulch to be grateful for
If you've been down to the garden in the last few weeks you may have noticed just a tiny smidgen of mulch lying around. Thanks to the amazing arborists who've been donating vast quantities of organic matter to our cause and congratulations to Team Mulch, who've spent the last four Saturday mornings laying down cardboard and covering it with the good stuff. If you want to be part of the dream, help build better soil for the garden and smother them weeds goooood, then come along on Saturday morning to our weekly morning tea. No gardening no-know necessary. If you can bring a shovel, any old cardboard boxes you don't want, and a pair of gardening gloves, please do!
Lalor Community Connection Day
Saturday March 24th is Lalor Community Connection Day, fun free entertainment for the whole family, 10.30-2pm. Some of the folks from Links Community Garden will be running a nature-craft workshop at Lalor Library from 11am - 12pm. Kids especially welcome.