Garden a blooming good idea

L-R top row - Raewyn, Mercedi, bottom row - Eloise, Olivia and Kaela.

By Jessica Micallef

It may be winter, but spring is certainly in the air at the Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House.

The house’s community garden is ready to bloom after nine months of restorations.

House assistant Raewyn McColley said the garden began its life as a memorial.

“It started off as a little fairy garden in memory of a little girl who sadly passed away a few years ago,” she said.

“We thought we’d do something nice and have a little fairy garden and then it’s grown from there to include other little things.

“Everyone has donated bits and pieces to the garden and it’s been a big community effort.”

The house received $3000 from the Macedon Ranges council last year to revamp the garden.

“They’ve been really helpful along the way,” Ms McColley said.

“One of the volunteers from the garden, she knows a lot about native bees in particular. We’ve got some little bee houses on site and information signs so it’s a bit of an education thing as well.

“We’ve also got the vegetables growing in the garden.

“We’re planning on having children’s gardening activities as well when the weather warms up a little bit to teach them about plants and do little gardening related activities.

“It’s an open space for the community and it’s also an outdoor room for when people come to the house. They can come outside and do some yoga.”

The garden will officially open on Thursday, August 1 at 59 Main Road, Riddells Creek. The launch will run from 4-6pm.