Life after Bushfires

Summer has finally left us and people are starting to return to their hometowns after the devistation left from the bushfires. Already temporary housing is being organised and people are planning their futures so now comes the clean up, and the questions about how the soil will be and what is actually suitable to have planted around homes in bushfire prone areas. As part of this Sustainable Gardening Australia - SGA are running a seminar about landscaping after bushfires presented by Dr Greg Moore from Melbourne University. For those interested here are the details.

Landscaping After The Bushfires Dear Landscape Professionals, SGA and LIAV would like to invite you to an upcoming talk by Dr Greg Moore on the impact of bushfires on the soil and tree species. If this is relevant to your work we would love to see you there. Presented by Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA), in partnership with the Landscape Industries Association of Victoria (LIAV). Managing gardens and urban landscapes after bushfires is an important part of the recovery process. Removal of dead or dangerous plants is critical early on, but knowing which species can survive can allow landscapes to bloom again by spring. Correct timing and good decisions can make all the difference! Presenter: Dr Greg Moore - University of Melbourne Date: Tuesday, April 7th Time: 4pm - 6pm (drinks and nibblies afterwards) Venue: Holmesglen TAFE Conference Centre Cnr Warrigal & Batesford Roads, Chadstone FREE car parking is available off Batesford Road Cost: SGA ECLIPS Members - $44 (incl. GST) LIAV Members - $44 (incl. GST) Non Members - $66 (incl. GST) RSVP: Friday, April 1st Payment and Booking Information: Phone SGA on (03) 9850 8165 or email Elaine Shallue: elaine@sgaonline.org.au Visa, Mastercard and cheque payments accepted Visit SGA on the web at http://www.sgaonline.org.au/

Sounds very interesting.

Water Like Chocolate

NMIT got their tanks on Tuesday, they were hoisted in by crane and set in place ready for any rain which freshen our gardens and soften our soil!

The tanks are 23,000 litres in capacity and will allow students to grow vegies and other sustainable plants and water them independant of any water restriction which may be enforce. Rain permitting!! The tanks will be connected to a newly constructed shed which will be used for classroom activities, which will have racking and new equipment to enhance the horticulture program.

Below the shed, a series of garden rooms are being built for practical demonstrations, whith a screening fence around them which will be built by students. One of the classes will be planting some produce plants in the area and it is ever rains in Melbourne again there'll be fresh produce for students and staff.

All this has been made possible by a Government grant to catch water and minimise runoff.

By the way.... comments are more than appreciated and encourage writers to keep on writing. If you are reading our blog please let us know! We would love feedback of any sort, that way we know you are out there!!!

Welcome to Garden Gypsies

Here in Melbourne its a tough time of year for people in horticulture and people who love horticulture. The weather is blustery and hot, the soil is drying out and at the moment the fires are still burning. Thankfully Autumn has arrived and with hope in our hearts we look towards rebuilding for some, and just cooling down for others. For any who need help rebuilding or cleaning up leave a comment or send us an email ....perhaps we can organize something. This weekend the horticulture group EWH has organized a family day at Dame Elisabeth Murdochs' Cruden Farm check their website for more info. Also this week there is an information evening at Holmesglen TAFE about Recession proofing your business. Contact LIAV on1300 365 428 or admin@liav.com.au

A New Network

We've created this blog in an effort to help sustain a network for students and exstudents of TAFE colleges involved in the horticulture and landscaping industries. A network to keep in touch with each other, broadcast up and coming events, seek out workers for jobs and search for jobs and just keep informed about new things within the industry.

Along the way we hope to tell you about new plants, provide some entertainment, and provide information about things which are happening.

Readers are welcome to make requests for info about things they are especially interested in and can also provide information for us to publish. Comments are very welcome as these give us some idea about what you want to read about and provide feedback for us too. So please feel free to comment.

We hope to get some articles from people within the industry about different topics, like surviving the drought, running a business, keeping up with the trends, and other things. So hopefully we will keep you informed and engrossed!