Staff, trustees and volunteers of the Garden Route Botanical Garden in George arrived bright and early at the new housing estate armed with 70 indigenous trees, compost, natural fertilizer, picks, spades and a lot of enthusiasm. Fifty trees were donated by New Plant Nursery and the rest by volunteers and the garden. Touwsranten homeowners welcomed them with broad smiles and willing hands, so it did not take long before many houses sported a start to their own gardens.
Also there to watch the fun and plant a tree was Mr Charles Standers, Mayor of George, who set to the task, as well as M. Leon van Wyk, the local Ward 4 councillor. Standers expressed his appreciation for this initiative and said he trusted the people of Touwsranten would take their custodian-ship of the houses and natural environment of their community seriously.
This educational outreach project is in line with the objectives of the Garden Route Botanical Garden to create and maintain natural beauty in George, and reach out to the community.
The greening of Touwsranten can be a precursor to initiating a culture of gardening among many more of the communities in George.
In the past, many people have not had the knowledge to care for growing plants and it is one of the Garden’s priorities to address this.
There are many indigenous trees and flowering plants that can be grown in the area and enhance the enjoyment of owing a property.
Interested communities are invited to contact the Garden Route Botanical Garden for advice and assistance in planning indigenous gardens. Plants can also be acquired form the Botanical Gardens Nursery at very reasonable prices during business hours on weekdays and also on the second Saturday morning of each month.
The Botanical Gardens in Caledon Street, George can be contacted during the week on 044 874 1558.
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Dayne de Wet and Mr Leon van Wyk, Councillor of Ward 4, watch as a clearly pleased Mark Brown walks off with his Cape Beech tree.
