Chapter 5
Botanic on
the agenda
The alarm goes off at 5:20. I need to catch a train at 6:30 to Westerfold Manor Native Garden, where I’ve signed up as a volunteer. When I arrive, I see a woman walking around with a wheelbarrow. It’s Pat from England, and she’s in charge of the garden. I’ll be helping to plant native Australian plants, so Pat shows me how to do it: first dig, then plant, water, and finally mulch (which means covering the soil with organic material).
Later in the morning, Graham shows up. He’s a friendly guy and offers lemon cookies. After the tea break, Pat eagerly tells me about the garden’s species and gives me a guided tour. She explains that one of the garden's goals is to create a space for butterflies. Luckily, we spot a beautiful orange one. What a magical day!