Community Gardens, week 33-progress!

I've got to admit, pretty darned thrilled with the progress that has occurred this week! The C3 College students worked their butts off over two days. Hats off to the youngsters, some of whom had never even used a shovel before :) It's fair to say, hubby and I were impressed! And grateful.

Below is a snapshot of the week...

A mystery flower is revealed, a hippeastrum. So thrilled to see free blooms appearing after transplanting some stray bulbs discovered on clearing months ago.

Oh dear, some inconsiderate people ripped a path heading towards the creek. Lucky for us, the ground was still too boggy, making their very large wheels struggle. We are assuming that these dears were attempting to dump in the creek yet again :(

Hubby and I back at Bunnings, loading the trailer with cement for the shed base.

A picket fence it is then! This small section of fence was removed from another inside area. I got an idea, and it's a winner, so we are now getting a dear octogenarian to make us a larger version to line the top and bottom section of garden. Can't wait to see it completed.

A palm I've never been particularly fond of came down-yay! It was spiky/stabby and growing weed trees in it. Now, the church signage can clearly be seen from the road, we have a space for the upcoming Christmas production, and a blank canvas for the planned cafe area. Exciting progress!

Here, hubby is showing Ben what needs doing. Ben did an awesome job helping reduce the tree into movable pieces.

I had the help of a lovely girl, who smashed out the garden edging for me. Looking forward to getting proper concrete edging in place, and the bench seat painted/ paved underneath.

It's amazing how great things look with a weed and a tidy up.

The front flower garden was looking a bit neglected, and the weeds were higher than the daisies in places...

So, beautiful, sweet Ruth helped me weed. Talking to this girl was the best and made the task and easy one. 

The pile in front is the amount of weeds removed. Thanks Ruth! 

The back of church is getting a desperately needed makeover.

With this wall painted, we can get onto assembling a herb wall here now.

So thrilled with the help these girls gave in clearing the creek out, even those terrified of bugs and spiders.

A child's bike, some concrete edging, and an entire back car seat was removed from the creek bed, buried under years of growth. 

All we need is a digger (or some amazing people!) to dig the leaf litter out and create a creek that flows, not overflows.

These girls rock! They managed to pull out building reinforcing steel.

Youth and enthusiasm is awesome. I watched in fascination as this guy jumped on the shovel each time he wanted to dig. If I tried, the outcome wouldn't be pretty :)

These girls smashed digging out the patio area.

These boys mixed cement like a pro. 

And considering these girls had never laid pavers before, I'm blown away at their effort. New shed base coming up.

Hubby and the boys getting ready to install a new picnic setting.

Work in progress...

And the completed table and chairs. All it needs now is a concreted base for stability.

What a week! With so much done, the motivation is at an all time high again. Seeing progress is always encouraging.

Hubby came up with an idea that has at last put my mind at ease regarding the bike track too. With local kids making their own 'improvements,' I was getting a little stressed, but hubby suggested we start collecting tyres and line the track, making it clear, and safe. He also said we would add a checkered flag starting line. I love the idea, and hopefully, the locals will too. 

So, you know what you can do with any old tyres lying around guys :)

This is your lot for the week. And what a week, wouldn't you agree!

Until next time, thanks for reading :)

Community Gardens weeks 28-32

It's so good to be able to post again after several busy weeks. We've had an anniversary, birthday, wet weather and injuries to contend with. I am also at the pointy end of my uni semester. 

The pics below give a clear overview of the work that has been happening over the past month and a bit, even though they aren't in order. Slow and steady, but moving forward week by week :)

Really can't tell you how good it is to have the ride on back from its service/repair. 

By far my fave job on Thursdays- ride on mowing.

Excited to see a bulb emerging from a transplanted mystery plant. I'll soon know what it is :)

Spring is here, and so are the blooms!

This is looking back onto the main garden. Can't wait to see these sleepers turned into picnic settings.

After a few weeks off, I was determined to get stuck into weeding the slope.

I had recently planted two more bougainvilleas- a gold and a pinky/purple one. The jasmine has started flowering too.

I noticed a few queen jumping ants as I weeded away.

It wasn't until I tackled the bottom of the slope that I realised how vicious, and painful, these little beasties are! 

Weed spray it is!

This pile was all I managed to collect from the bottom half.

Notice the small path, though. It's a new addition to guide people towards the bridge.

Here, Graeme, Ben and hubby are working on getting the new shed base ready. It will be wonderful to have a sealed storage space big enough for everything.

A kookaburra hunting in the new grass. We have noticed that since clearing and resowing grass, birds seem to be far more prolific. It's a great encouragement to have wildlife returning to the gardens.

The view from the old umbrella tree stump :)

Soon, lush lawn and a picnic setting will fill this scene.

Some of hubby's amazing paver work.

While I was away, a new pathway was created, which will soon link the entire path.

Here, Ben is wetting down the surface to seal the concrete mix.

And here it is, the newest section of pathway, leading up to where the seating area will be.

Exciting progress!

Next week, we are blessed to have the C3 College students up from Oxford Falls. Sixteen volunteers will be helping us tackle as many big projects as possible during their 6 hour day. 

I can't wait to see the results!

So much done, so much to do.

Watch this space- more coming soon :)