The Sunday Creek - Dry Creek Landcare Group initiated a plant donation scheme to assist people in the Mitchell Shire who lost their gardens in the Black Saturday Fires. The program has the support of the Pretty Sally Garden Club, Rotary Club of Bacchus Marsh and the Upper Maribyrnong Catchment Group.

Gardening after the fire
The Black Saturday bushfires burnt through much of the Sunday Creek-Dry Creek Landcare area. All of the group members were affected in one way or another.
The Gardening after the Fire program was set up to help people who lost their gardens and farm trees in the fires. While we acknowledge that gardening and revegetation may not be a high priority for some people, these activities are part of the fire recovery process for many.
The Landcare group discussed the risk of weed and disease spread; especially when there were no other plants to out-compete the weeds. We developed simple guidelines for the donation and propagation of plants. They included not supplying plants that have the potential to become environmental weeds, disinfecting all pots prior to potting and only using potting mix, rather than garden soil.
Donations of plants came from local native nurseries, including Valley of a Thousand Hills Tree Nursery, Strath Creek, the Pretty Sally Garden Club, neighbouring Landcare groups (such as the Upper Maribyrnong Catchment Group) and backyard gardeners, including lavender struck by a 94-year-old great grandmother from Brunswick.  
The first round of plant donations were mainly to people who lost their gardens and farm trees, but not their homes. Gradually more people who are either rebuilding or have completed rebuilding are turning their minds to re-establishing their gardens. So far over 7000 plants, as well as guards and stakes have been distributed; the guards and stakes were purchased with funds from the Mitchell Community Health Bushfire Relief Program. 
Building on the plant donation scheme, The Sunday Creek-Dry Creek Landcare Group hosted a free garden workshop, generously run free of charge by Sustainable Gardening Australia. More than 50 people listened and laughed along with presenter Helen Tuton who spoke about sustainable gardening practices, soil condition after fire and fire-smart gardening techniques.
The Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell’s advanced tree program is running alongside the gardening program. The supply of advanced trees to fire effected landholders has seen very generous donations from Mount William Advanced Tree Nursery, Naturelinks and Metro Trees. The Rotary Club has been assisted by funds raised by the Rise above the Blaze activities in Kilmore. 
The Landcare group has never been busier. The gardening program has helped to bring people together. Stories have been shared and children have played together while cars and utes are loaded up with plants. The work speaks volumes for the strength of our community.
Seeds for Sustainability
Building on the program, the group recently lauched the Seeds for Sustainability program and is offering vegetable seeds to assist with in rebuilding edible gardens after the Black Saturday Bushfires. 
For further information please contact Sunday Creek - Dry Creek Landcare Group Secretary Elyse Kelly on 5781 0155 or cambankke@bigpond.com.