Garden grows community
Learn to garden organically at your own pace this year, and you will be helping educate at-risk youth.
The win- win course has been devised by Te Rito Organics, which is struggling to make ends meet after having much of its funding cut last year.
‘‘We can’t keep relying on funding. We just want to develop a sustainable operation,’’ says Leanne Pelabon, the Kenepuru trust’s business development supporter.
Te Rito is offering a course of 10 two-hour gardening lessons run by its tutors.
Lessons cover everything from basic gardening to compost, poultry, worm farms, companion planting, propagation, natural fertilisers and beekeeping.
The $230 course is valid for 12 months. Students can choose from four session times a week – two in the daytime, one in the evening and one at the weekend.
‘‘You can attend course sessions at your leisure,’’ Ms Pelabon says.
The course fees will go towards Te Rito Organics’ main work, providing free gardening education and rehabilitation to disadvantaged young people.
‘‘It’s just such an awesome organisation,’’ Ms Pelabon says.
Another fundraising scheme Te Rito is running is a pick-your-own organic fruit and vegetable market every Friday from 3pm till 6pm. The scheme started last year and is becoming really popular, she says.
‘‘It’s starting to become a real community spot, people come to catch up with each other.’’
Contact Yolande at nurture nature@ paradise. net. nz or 021 631 097.