Water system on the to do list
‘‘TCG need one more quote.’’
The town’s community gardeners pride themselves on supplying the area with fresh and decent produce but there are fears that might stop if they don’t get a good watering system in by summer.
Community gardens chairperson, Anja Schaar, feels like she has nearly run out of options.
Trying to apply for funds for a decent irrigation system has been more difficult than she anticipated.
The most difficult part has been finding another business to give her a second quote.
‘‘To apply for funding I need to supply two quotes but I only have one,’’ she said.
‘‘Getting a second quote is just amazing. It’s so hard.’’
So far, she has one from Raintech but has struggled with another.
Schaar said getting a decent irrigation system for the gardens is a must, especially with summer fast approaching.
‘‘To keep producing quality produce and more of it, we need a decent irrigation system,’’ she said.
‘‘Many people benefit from our produce, including the Food Bank and Hospice.’’
At the moment, there is only one tap at the gardens that has four hoses attached to it and volunteers water the gardens by hand.
Because of the over-loading of the tap, quite often it bursts.
Schaar thanks the Taupo District Council and the community for the free water at the gardens but says they really need a water system that turns itself on in the morning and in the evening.
‘‘If we had to pay for the water, we wouldn’t be able to run the garden and I’m grateful it’s free,’’ she said.
‘‘But if we had a decent system we would conserve water and also spend volunteer hours in other areas the garden needs.
‘‘To be able to leave the system on without anyone being there is the goal.’’
While a computerised irrigation system would be a dream come true, so too, would be a professional person on hand to maintain the system.
‘‘Having a professional person behind is the long term solution but we will need the funds to pay them,’’ she said.
‘‘We need one otherwise hundreds of dollars will go out the window because no-one is around to maintain the system.’’
While installing an irrigation system may take some time, Schaar will be pleased with getting a second quote as soon as possible.
Anyone wanting to help out can message the Taupo Community Garden Facebook page.