Time to visit the nursery
It’s that time of year where indigenous plant enthusiasts celebrate the season opening of Bayside’s much-loved Community Nursery.
Nursery volunteers along with Council and Citywide staff have been busy preparing for the 2024 retail season, which will be marked by a community Gala Day on Saturday 6 April.
Annie Dennis has been volunteering in the sales area for several years, and loves sharing her knowledge with customers.
“It is wonderful to see delight on their faces when they gain insight into the wonders of nature in their own back yard. It gives me a great sense of reward,” she said.
The nursery started as a community endeavour in 1978 as a way for residents to protect and enhance the natural environment.
Today, the nursery remains a not-for-profit community asset supported by Council, supplying around 100,000 indigenous plants, grasses and trees that are plant in local reserves, golf courses, schools, foreshore, and public and private gardens.
“The nursery is unique as the plants are propagated by volunteers onsite and sold by volunteers in the retail centre,” Annie said. “It is a hub for people to learn about, and purchase, local indigenous plants for their gardens.”
Marilyn and Tig Simmons (pictured below) do everything together, including spending Thursday mornings volunteering at the nursery.
While Tig is usually at the potting bench, where they can pot up to 140 plants on a good run, Marilyn uses her superior fine motor skills at the propagation table.
“Volunteering at the nursery is a fantastic way for us to give back, share our skills, learn new skills and just have a wonderful time with plants and friendly people – it’s all very relaxing actually,” Tig said.
Bayside Community Nursery Gala Day
The Gala Day will promote Bayside’s Gardens for Wildlife program; a free program designed to encourage residents to create habitat for wildlife in their gardens, nature strips, or balconies.
Information and advice from one of our friendly Gardens for Wildlife volunteers will be available on Saturday 6 April from 10am - 12pm.
