Dig In & Celebrate National Gardening Week 8-14 October 2017

The Inaugural National Gardening Week celebrates the simple joys of gardening and the environmental, social and health benefits it brings. Whether it be maintaining a few pots on a balcony, a suburban or a bushland backyard, the enjoyment, the improved mental and physical wellbeing and the satisfaction gardeners gain from ‘getting their hands dirty’ is universal.

• Would you like to join a garden club? Toronto and Districts Garden Club Inc meet 3rd Thu 9.30am (Feb-Nov) Contact Doug Treloar 02 4959 1826 
• Want to get involved with planning the local community garden? Visit the Scout Hall on Excelsior Parade. 
• Feel like learning about gardening in the bush? Catch up with the landcare crew on Thursday any time from 8:30 till 1pm 
  
• Plan your next garden makeover with a locally inspired landscape plan for slopes or to create a fire retardant garden from the resources on the CPPA website
• Purchase a native plant. They for sale from $4.35 from the Landcare Resource Centre, 80 Toronto Rd, Booragul any Tuesdays, 8am-1pm. 
• Add another dimension to your garden and create a habitat haven. 

The are some great ideas on the Backyard Buddies website such as

• Add mulch - to encourage bugs which make great food for birds 
• Add rocks and logs - to give skinks and frogs somewhere to hide 
• Add a bird bath - as clean, fresh water will attract many buddies 
• Add a nest box - to give a great home to a bird or mammal family 
• Add locally native plants - as this provides excellent food, shelter, and nest sites 
• Add an understory - to give small birds somewhere to hide in the shrubs and plants that grow under trees but above your groundcovers 
• Add a frog pond - as frogs will love it, and other buddies will love a drink and a splash 
• Add a cat run, or keep your cat indoors - to keep your backyard buddies safe 

And you don't have to do it all at once!

Your backyard buddies will appreciate any improvements you make, and it's awesome to watch your backyard evolving over time.

But one thing is for sure - if you build it, they will come.