Gardens and habitat growing in Linton

LINTON’s unique streetscape and local reserve continue to develop and thrive thanks to the work of local volunteers.

The Linton and District Progress Association’s Community Garden Streetscape Committee including Maurni O’Beirne are “passionate about the town’s main strip;” so different from any other stretch along the highway.

“We see so much potential. We have a gardening working bee on Sussex Street once a month, and have recently been focused on the old concrete troughs,” she said.

“We’re planting them with colour, have been weeding, and we recently received some grant money which is going towards plants and gardening tools.

“We’ve been given lots of donations from the community of bulbs and seeds as well.”

The community garden next to the Police station is an ongoing project. The committee invites residents to use it and enjoy the bench seat crafted from recycled timber.

“We’d like to remind everyone that they can help themselves to the food growing in the community garden,” Ms O’Beirne said.

Working bees are held on Saturday mornings in the main street from 9.30am. After approximately 90 minutes, volunteers enjoy a cuppa and a snack, and then head down to do some more work at Edinburgh Reserve.

Projects there have included weeding, spot-spraying pests and removing invasive plants, pruning, mulching, and planting.

“We recently planted up to 60 native trees and shrubs, with biodegradable tree guards, and spread mulch. We sourced the plants from a local native nursery at Smythesdale.

“One local person has been really helpful, using his machinery to mulch woody weeds and invasive pines we’ve taken out, and we’re reusing that, spreading it around. We’re making the most of what we’ve got there,” Ms O’Beirne said.

The committee has received an environment and sustainability grant to support their ongoing work at the reserve, where there is increased wildlife and wetland activity, including amongst the “deafeningly” loud frog population.

They plan to upgrade the park’s furniture and barbecue, but said families continue to use and enjoy the space as it is.

“There’s lots of activity there, so that’s great feedback for us and what we’re doing, and that will only increase with the better weather. That’s what we want,” Ms O’Beirne said.