Tiny green-thumbs tidy up the gardens

AS head gardener at Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Adam Beggs would surely have one of the most delightful jobs, working outdoors each day in nature.

But his role was even more fun this week, as he was assisted by lots of little high-vis-wearing apprentices under the age of five years old.

Children within the Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens’ BotaniKIDS program pulled on their hats and boots to become gardeners on Tuesday morning.

“With their beautiful little wheelbarrows, we’ve been helping Adam tidy up the gardens, ready for the Begonia Festival,” said convenor Julie Bradby.

“There were plenty of sticks for us to pick up under one of the oaks, and next week, we’re going to make little nests out of those sticks, which will be part of our displays at the festival.”

Mr Beggs said the kids were very helpful, cleaning up some mulched areas and sharpening the presentation in the process.

He has young children of his own, and said he values the opportunity to educate the next generation about nature at an early age.

“It’s such a big part of our lives,” he said. “I learnt about nature young growing up. With my parents, we were always out camping or fishing.

“Learning about how trees grow and how plants work is important for our sustainability in the future. It’s a very busy time at the gardens, but I enjoy taking time for the kids.”

Parent Janelle Howlett accompanied her almost-two-year-old son on Tuesday, who has been a BotaniKID since term four 2022, and she praised Mrs Bradby and her team of volunteers.

“It’s an amazing program,” she said. “They’re incredible with the kids, and many of them are early educators so they’ve got the know-how.

“He loves to collect bits and pieces, sticks and acorns. Being outside in nature is the best upbringing a kid can have, and it translates to every day life.

“The dirtier the ring in the bath, the happier the kid.”

The Ballarat Begonia Festival is just over one week away, and in the Gatekeeper’s Cottage, BotaniKIDS volunteers will have displays of artwork and begonias from the Begonia Society.

There will be a Wardian case terrarium to look at, an interactive nature table, the popular digital microscope in operation, and Joeys from Ballarat Scouts are set to assist with a “pot-less potting” activity.

“It’s a showcase, and a real highlight for us,” Mrs Bradby said. “We’ve been a local children’s nature group for the last 16 years, and it’s great to turn focus to what you can do with children within gardens.

“Keep it simple and really down to earth. That’s what we do.”