Editorial

Welcome to this week’s editorial, One of my favourite books many years ago was Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood that has a narrator revealing the dreams and innermost thoughts of the inhabitants of the fic onal small Welsh fishing village, Llareggub. Yes, that is Buggerall backwards. In the style of Thomas I might venture into a story of a fic onal town called Buggerall that, for a need to locate somewhere, might be in regional NSW. The story opens with a homecoming. A lad has been away for some me and, now free to travel, returns to his hometown. Alas he comes from a place of pes lence and knows that he might carry it with him but the thought of seeing his dear family and friends once again outweighs his sense of responsibility. So the young man arrives by train and withing hours he is about the village of Buggerall shaking hands, kissing children and hugging neighbours. A very cheery return and one worthy of a grand party. Unknowingly each of his hugs, each kiss, each handshake, has been accompanied by the pox that he now carries. But it is a silent pox. No-one will know of the fate that awaits for days to come. The village busies itself. Some go to the store to shop for food and drink. What a me they had. Alas the young man needs to return to the city. He bids a hasty farewell, leaving a few tears, some fond goodbyes and his silent legacy. Within days the first signs of the gi ed pox begin to show. A cough here, a sneeze there. Everyone knows the rules of the village. If you have a pox you must lock yourself in your home and remain there un l well. To ensure everyone knows that you are poxed your front door is marked with a yellow cross. The requirement is immediate and anyone must comply. But wait…. What if you say it is just a sneeze… pollen on the wind, a stray hair from a dog. There is no need for the village doctor to prod and inspect. It will pass. And you will remain free to move about without the shackles to drive you indoors for a fortnight or more. But your neighbours begin to suspect. They hear your hacking cough. They know you are unwell. They also know now of the man with his gi of the pox who came, and then went. “They have the pox” is the cry. “Test them !!” “Push probes up their noses!” “Paint their doors with Yellow Crosses”.

But the cries were wasted on the village burghers who reminded the people that there can be no forced prodding and probing. The good burghers reminded the villagers that everything should be based on trust and truth and, if those accused chose to, they could lie, and so be it. There was nought to do.

Sadly, one by one, the villagers became infected. More and more homes were locked down and with each passing day another store closed as people came forward to declare themselves poxed and inform the burghers of where they had been and who they had seen.

But those who chose to keep their pox a secret s ll wandered the streets knowing that they could not be touched by the burghers because of the rules that protected their freedom. They mocked the law, and in doing so mocked the community who were doing their best to remain safe and pox free.

And what of the village of Buggerall today? The poxed s ll wander freely and those who are unpoxed have locked themselves behind doors, on the direc on of the burghurs, wondering what might come next.

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018

Cover image by Ocean View Photography—Maree Jackson. Maree is widely known for her capture of whales however her new love of drones has opened her images up to so much more. Christmas Orders - Orders can be place for Christmas Gi s - canvas prints, framed prints & the jigsaw puzzles are all available.

The virtual River of Art is ge ng even bigger and be er. With the original program cancelled because of the COVID restric ons, this year's virtual fes val launched last Friday is taking on a whole new life.Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 The latest addi on to the virtual Fes val is the fabulous Sunset Sessions by Sam Mar n featuring musicians and performers who would not have been here in the Eurobodalla for the fes val but thanks to our virtual format, they're here for us. Find them here: h ps://www.riverofart.com.au/sunset-sessions-with-sams-caravan/ And the River of Art is looking for more musicians to join its virtual fes val. Musicians are invited to register with us so that we can launch them online via our Arts Directory. Provide their contact details and images or a short video in concert for us to launch via our website www.riverofar nc.com.au It’s a simple online process to fill out an Arts Directory form on our website, and we do the rest. For everyone else, you can explore Eurobodalla's vibrant arts community online from the comfort of your laptop/smart phone/tablet and wherever you are, as you sail down our virtual River of Art. The jewel of the 2021 Virtual River of Art is the Virtual Gallery which you can view on our website. You are in the driving seat and can view the images as though they are hanging on the walls of a real gallery. Alterna vely, you can flick through images of an exhibi on on our website. Exhibi ons now online are from the following arts groups and many of the works can be purchased directly from the par cipa ng ar sts - no commissions, just you suppor ng the arts directly! Or you might like to contact a musician and book a gig post-COVID.

Art Unlimited by Roundsquared, Eurobodalla Photographic Club, South Coast Pastel Society

Comrades in Art (CIA) - ‘Holiday’, FRAMED - School life interrupted, Crea ve Arts Batemans Bay (CABBI)

That’s Where You Will Find Me (Indi Carmichael), MACS Art Exhibi on You can also see a fabulous new video taster of the murals River of Art has created around the Eurobodalla. Click here www.riverofart.com.au/revive/ for a virtual tour of those mural sites and when you can, go and check them out, maps and details are also on our website. Watch this space as their will be more REVIVE murals coming to a wall near you in the new year. There is so much great talent in our region. Dip your toe in the waters of the Eurobodalla and taste what the arts has to offer.

Community Cactus causing prickly problem

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 A new state-wide campaign is urging residents to be on the lookout for the sale or trade of the prohibited cactus prickly pear. Once in the environment, prickly pear can form impenetrable walls of vegeta on and cost millions of

dollars to control. Its bristles and spines can cause serious injury to people and impale, infect, blind and even kill na ve animals, pets and livestock. Crime Stoppers, councils, Local Land Services and the NSW Department of Primary Industries have joined forces to call for anyone who sees these plants for sale to report it. Easy to propagate from cu ngs, cac are popular plants in household gardens, both indoors and outdoors. That same rapid growth can cause widespread devasta on in the natural environment. Eurobodalla Council’s invasive species supervisor Paul Mar n said the shire was lucky to have escaped a serious prickly pear infesta on in recent years, and that’s how we wanted it to stay. “Prickly pear is a declared plant under NSW biodiversity legisla on for a reason,” he said. “If it’s dumped in backyards or reserves it spreads easily. It has nasty spines that can injure people, wildlife and pets and it’s extremely difficult to kill. “Spring usually brings an increase in plant sales, so we’re appealing to the public to be on the lookout for these cac in markets and online.”

There are more than 27 species of prickly pear known to be in Australia. Eve’s needle, bunny ears, smooth tree pear and blind cactus are all types of prickly pear illegally traded in NSW, despite on-the-spot fines of $1,000 and penal es of up to $220,000. Crime Stoppers has developed a fact sheet for more informa on, or if you’re unsure, get in touch with Council’s invasive species team on 4474 1000. You can also report sale of prickly pear to NSW Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at h ps:// nsw.crimestoppers.com. They don’t need to know who you are, they just want to know what you know. Above:: Eurobodalla Council is urging the community to be on the lookout for the trade or sale of the prohibited cactus prickly pear. Eve’s needle, bunny ears, smooth tree pear and blind cactus are all types of prickly pear illegally traded in NSW, despite on-the-spot fines of $1,000 and penal es of up to $220,000.

Eurobodalla Council says the vandalised basketball pole at Tomakin’s Jack Buckley Park will be replaced, but not Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 immediately. An angle grinder or similar power tool was used to cut the steel pole near its base some me on Monday, damaging a hoop replaced only a few weeks ago in the process. The damage was reported to Council on Monday a ernoon and inspected soon a er. The remaining pole was removed on Tuesday to make the area safe, and the ring and backboard are in storage for now. Council staff have been in contact with the Tomakin Community Associa on about the ma er since Monday. Director of community, arts and recrea on Kathy Arthur said the vandalism is par cularly heartbreaking given the years of collabora on between Tomakin residents and Council to redesign the park. “We had several hundred community members comple ng surveys and a ending site mee ngs to talk through playground ideas and other features, and the work has only just been finished, so this wilful vandalism is pre y devasta ng for everyone,” she said. Upwards of $150,000 had been spent on the upgrades, with Council adding new playground equipment and an obstacle course, shade sails and a loop track linking the play area with new covered picnic tables, the barbeques, and toilets. “Recrea on projects and budgets are already set for the remainder of this financial year,” Ms Arthur said. “However, we will plan to replace the basketball equipment in 2022-23, unless savings can be iden fied earlier from our recrea on projects in other neighbourhoods. “We also have real concerns about the spate of vandalism in Tomakin and what this could mean for installing replacement equipment straight away. “We understand this is disappoin ng for Tomakin residents, but we’ll carefully monitor our projects for savings, and keep talking with the Community Associa on.”

Above: A vandalised basketball post at Jack Buckley Park in Tomakin will be replaced, but not immediately.

Anyone with informa on about the Jack Buckley Park vandalism is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au

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The Eurobodalla Branch of Animal Welfare League NSW

is in desperate need of cat lovers to be foster cat carers.

Foster cat care is a rewarding pas me requiring loving pa ence, indoor enclosed areas, me and moderate energy. AWL NSW covers the cost of food, li er, bedding, vet care, flea & worm treatment and carry cages. Advice and assistance is also provided. Phone: 0410 016 612 Animal Welfare League NSW Eurobodalla Branch Rehoming Org. No: R251000222

Cuteness overload - wont be too long before we can all see this li le one at Mogo Wildlife Park Be sure to be follow Zookeeper Chad for the behind the scenes moments

community Tim Dalrymple has been reelected to serve a third term Vol 16 September 15th 2017 as president of the Moruya Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Business Chamber.

The chamber’s Annual General Mee ng was held online this year because of Covid restric ons. Other office bearers elected at the 23rd September mee ng were vice president Phil Herrick, secretary Jude Manahan, public officer Rohan Gleeson and commi ee members Jan Provis, Stuart Scobie, Deb Everson-While, Glenda Collins and John Murray. Tim, who operates Spor irst and the Moruya Laundromat said the chamber faced some big issues in the coming year. “We hope to see a good recovery when the Covid lockdown ends, and hopefully strong trade over the Christmas period if tourist can return,” he said. “And of course, there is the work involved in ge ng ready for the impact of the Moruya bypass and working with the government to make sure we secure the best outcome possible for Moruya.”

Celebra ng Moruya and all it has to offer locals and visitors alike the Visit Moruya website has been created as a welcome point for visitors to the town via its website www.visitmoruya.com.au www.iga.com.au/catalogue

The NSW Government has engaged a civil engineering company to undertake community consulta on regarding the recent upgrade to Jack Buckley Memorial Park. They would like community members’ thoughts and feedback on the new playspace, in par cular:  What is you rela onship to the new playspace? (who do you spend me with there? How do you use it etc)  What are your favourite elements of the new playspace?  How did you find the consulta on project?  * Do you think the playspace usage has changed since the upgrade? What was it like before vs now?

 Do you think the playspace caters for a wide range of community needs? (elderly popula on, children, people living with a disability) Community members can either provide feedback to Carla in wri ng or contact Carla directly using the details below to have a quick chat: Carla Pignatelli D 61 2 9239 7193 E carla.pignatelli@ghd.com

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The Beagle Editor, I found this tag & newspaper bag while I was going through all my old animal charity things folders full of dear memories! I’ll be keeping this li le keepsake, especially now we’ll soon be living in Narooma!

The newspaper that the li le tag is a ached to is dated 31st October 2012!

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Community Concerns remain that Eurobodalla Hospital will Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 fall well short of Level 4 as promised

More than 90 community members across two days tuned in to a end online informa on webinar sessions to learn more about the Eurobodalla Health Service and its $200 million planned upgrade project for a new hospital in Moruya. The Eurobodalla Health Service includes hospitals, community health centres and non-admi ed pa ent services such as virtual care and care in the home. It also incorporates the care we deliver in partnership with other agencies such as Coordinare and Katungal. Southern NSW LHD Chief Execu ve Margaret Benne said more than 40 ques ons were submi ed in the lead-up to the webinars to address further enhancements to the health service, encompassing planning, workforce development and future consulta on opportuni es. Ms Benne said interim works were now underway at Moruya Hospital to ensure the hospital con nued to meet demand for health services during the planning and construc on of the new hospital. Further informa on sessions will be held later in the year to keep the community informed. “We will con nue to strengthen and expand models of care in prepara on for a smooth transi on to the new hospital facility. “Thank you to the local community for a ending online and we are very much looking forward to hos ng face to face sessions as soon as it is safe to do so,” Ms Benne said. Health Infrastructure Senior Project Director Ma hew Malone said he was pleased with the community turnout. “It was a great opportunity to provide an update on the development of the new hospital project to so many members of the community, and to share some of our achievements to date, as well as the upcoming ac vi es we’re looking forward to star ng. “We are also pleased to launch the new Eurobodalla project website, which houses videos of the informa on sessions, up-to-date informa on on the project, and fact sheets on the Coastal Network and service delivery. FAQs will be available online shortly. “The new $200 million Eurobodalla hospital at Moruya will provide an overall increase in bed and service

Above: If only they knew then that they were going to be short changed when the announcement of the site for the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital - “Oh what a feeling :( “

capacity than is currently provided at both the exis ng Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals combined. It will be designed with Vol 16 September 15th 2017 the capacity to grow as demand for health Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 services changes in the future,” Mr Malone said. "Once completed the new hospital will deliver high quality, contemporary and accessible healthcare services." The media release from Southern NSW Local Health District say says "the new hospital building will feature an emergency department; surgical and opera ng theatres; a day-stay surgical unit; dedicated medical, surgical and rehabilita on beds; medical imaging; an ambulatory care unit for the community to access outpa ent health services; increased capacity for chemotherapy; paediatric and maternity; and educa on facili es. The ONE New L4 Eurobodalla Hospital Advocates group has launched an e-pe on on the NSW Parliamentary website’s pe ons page calling for immediate improvements to accident and emergency, cri cal care and periopera ve services. The pe on also requests the State Government commit to a fully-funded Level 4 regional hospital that provides clinical services across accident and emergency – including (not just increased capacity) cri cal care, surgery, maternity, paediatrics and orthopaedics, as well as a minimum Level 3 across all other services such as mental health. The group are calling for the Level 4 status to be implemented “when the ribbon is cut” on the new hospital – "not five or 10 years down the track". Southern NSW Local Health District say they are working with Health Infrastructure to deliver the new hospital in Eurobodalla to meet the current and future health needs of the region from Narooma to Batemans Bay. The new Eurobodalla Health Service Project website can be found here: h p://eurobodallahs.health.nsw.gov.au. For more informa on, or for people wan ng to be involved in the project, contact HIEurobodallaHospital@health.nsw.gov.au. Above: Mylene and Fitzroy Boul ng and Georgie Rowley delivering the One Eurobodalla Hospital pe on to the Bega office of Andrew Constance in 2018—Photo supplied

Community 38 Days to step up: Will Australia help on climate or keep hindering?

IN A WEEK when Australia’s interna onal counterparts have made significant new climate commitments, Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Australia is s ll hindering global efforts, says the Climate Council. Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 “In the past week, the United States has pledged billions in new climate financing for developing na ons, and China announced it will stop financing interna onal coal power sta ons. This sets the tone for what’s expected of all countries in the lead up to the next major UN climate talks in November,” said Will Steffen, Climate Council spokesperson and Emeritus Professor at Australian Na onal University. “The contrast with Australia’s poor efforts couldn’t be starker. Australia is refusing to increase its 2030 emissions reduc on target, or commit to net zero emissions. It has launched a marke ng campaign that claims credit for the renewable energy efforts of states and territories, and made a ny funding commitment to hydrogen hubs, but that’s not going to cut it,” said Professor Steffen. “The science is clear that the world urgently needs to reduce emissions this decade, but none of Australia’s commitments are a meaningful contribu on to this goal,” said Professor Steffen. “The government s ll hasn’t budged despite calls to do more coming from the public, global leaders, business leaders and members of its own party. We are now one of the only advanced economies that hasn’t yet taken these essen al steps to reducing emissions,” he added. China’s move to stop financing coal power sta ons overseas follows similar moves by Japan and South Korea earlier this year. The announcement effec vely ends interna onal finance for coal, with significant implica ons for the future demand of Australian coal exports. Dr Simon Bradshaw, Climate Council Research Director, said: “As one of the sunniest and windiest countries on earth, Australia could be a global renewable energy powerhouse. Every day of delay is a missed economic opportunity. “Australia’s climate inac on also creates na onal security risks and weakens our standing with key allies such as the United States that have security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region which are being exacerbated by our do-nothing a tude,” added Dr Bradshaw. “Climate change is on the agenda at this week’s high-level ‘Quad’ talks with the United States, Japan and China, and global leaders like US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have made it abundantly clear that they expect countries like Australia to step up,” he said. “The world is pu ng us on no ce; Australia can no longer get away with doing nothing on climate change. We have just over a month to deliver a credible climate policy that will enable us to go to COP 26 with our heads held high rather than slink in shamefully as a climate laggard,” said Dr Bradshaw. The Climate Council says the science demands that Australia reduce its emissions by 75% (below 2005 levels) by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2035. As a first step, Australia must at least match the updated commitments from our key allies, and pledge before Glasgow to at least halve our emissions (below 2005 levels) by 2030.

Sunset Sessions with Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Sam’s Caravan

Posted on September 22, 2021by River of Art

Filmed and recorded live in Sam’s Caravan as part of a special series of concerts for the River of

Art Fes val.

Produc on: Technical Direc on – Sam Mar n www.samscaravan.com Camera – Andrew Robinson www.andrewrobinson.film Anima on and overlays – Duncan Irving www.dunk0tron.com This project was supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and South East Arts Each performance can be found on Sam’s Caravan YouTube h ps://www.riverofart.com.au/sunset-sessions-with-sams-caravan/

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018

real estate OUT NOW—your latest Beagle Abode :

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Eurobodalla’s leading real

Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 estate guide

The beagle abode is an online weekly Eurobodalla real estate guide showcasing the current Eurobodalla market and our many realtors.

The beagle abode is the new addi on to the South Coast Beagle that owns The Beagle and the South Coast Travel Guide: The Nature Coast of NSW : from Durras to The Tilbas The Beagle Abode has been established to provide that service while also providing our readers with a glossy overview of latest proper es on the market each week. You can find Beagle Abode on the Beagle website under REAL ESTATE

The latest Beagle Abode lis ngs are also available each week as a FlipBook on the website and also distributed to readers via our social media pages and our twice weekly mailouts. CLICK HERE: h ps://www.beagleweekly.com.au/real-estate

South Coast Property Specialists (Carlene Franzen) Tips #1063: Paper Cer ficates of Title - A Thing of Vol 16 September 15th 2017 the Past Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 If you are like many people who actually want a physical piece of paper to prove that you own something (like your property for example), then come the 11th October you are going to be bi erly disappointed. The Registrar General of NSW has declared that 11 October 2021 is the day on which all cer ficates of tle (CTs) will be abolished, known as ‘cessa on day’. From cessa on day all current CTs will have no legal effect and the Registrar General will no longer issue CTs for any reason. The good news is that the Torrens Title Register remains and has always been the single source of truth as to a person’s ownership or interest in land. This means that from 11 October 2021 paper dealings will no longer be accepted for lodgement and only electronic dealings will be accepted. Electronic dealings can be lodged by a subscriber to an Electronic Lodgement Network Operator, such as PEXA and Sympli. Subscribers are typically lawyers, licensed conveyancers, banks and government departments. There are three main changes from the current prac ce for landowners: 1. Those who pay off their mortgage will not receive a CT as was tradi onally the case. 2. A purchaser of property without the need for a mortgage (aka “cash-buyer”) will not receive a CT. 3. When a plan of subdivision is registered, and new parcels of land created, CTs (or CoRD) will no longer be issued for those parcels. In all instances an Informa on No ce will issue, which will confirm the dealings registered and date of registra on. Landowners of unencumbered land (i.e. no mortgage) who have a CT don’t have to do anything before or a er 11 October 2021. A er this date the CT will no longer be a legal document. Those who own unencumbered land, but have someone else holding or storing their CT, may wish to request to have it back.

From 11 October 2021 there will no longer be a remedy under the Real Property Act 1900 to get a CT back from others, given it has no legal effect. I wonder how many will get them back and have them framed for posterity? Your solicitor or conveyancer does the necessary searches to determine the legal owner(s) of a parcel of land so it can be correctly iden fied on the Contract for Sale, however you are now likely to find real estate agents also asking to see proof of ownership by way of a rates no ce or similar to ensure the agency agreement that you sign also has the correct owner(s) iden fied.

Spring is in full swing around the country. The Vol 16 September 15th 2017 football is finished and cricket season hasn’t Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 started – It is the perfect me to get into the garden with these handy hints from Richgro and ambassador Charlie Albone. Roses and Flowering Plants: Wisteria is growing a mile a minute. About 4-5 weeks a er flowering is the ideal me to start pruning off the vigorous new growth back to 56 buds from the older wood. This will encourage the plant to put its energy into next year’s flowering. Check the watering system for your roses and flowers to ensure there are no leaks, and the plants are ge ng the recommended amount of water. Applying Richgro Ezi-Wet will make sure the water is absorbed by the soil and ge ng to the roots of the plants. If the water is pooling around your garden bed or running down the side of pots, this is a good indica on that it is me to apply a soil we er. Then don’t forget to Mulch or top up your exis ng mulch so your garden beds remain well hydrated as the temperature warms up.

October is the perfect me to plant summer colour.

It’s also rose season, with your pruned roses now star ng to shoot with new life. Fer lise and protect your roses now. Use Richgro Black Marvel Premium Rose food and add some Richgro Bug Killa to control aphids from damaging your new shoots. Roses may be suffering from Blackspot, so it would be good idea to spray them now with a good rose fungicide. Improving your rose garden soil with a good compost will help in making them more resistant to diseases and pests.

Control bugs with Bug Killa on gardenias, azaleas, camellias and lilly pilly.

Na ves As a general guide, prune spring flowering shrubs such as Callistemon (Bo lebrush) a er they have finished flowering. This includes pruning spring flowering varie es.

Mulch or top up Mulch to protect plants against weather extremes and keep soils moist.

Add the recommended rate of Charlie Carp Liquid Fer liser* to give them an added boost during this busy me. *Charlie Carp concentrate recommends 45ml per 9L of water for na ve plants.

Fruit Trees and Vegies Thin the fruit on the stone fruit trees, as this will ensure what fruit is le is large and well formed. Make a decision on what treatment you are going to use for fruit fly as it will soon be me to spray some of the early varie es. Unfortunately, if you elect not to do anything and you know there is fruit fly around not one fruit

on that tree will be free of larvae. Follow up planted Summer vegies, and apply Charlie Carp Liquid Fer liser every 4 weeks during the flowering and frui ng season or add a good organic fer liser like Richgro Vegetable and Herb Mega Booster to see it through ll November. Pests will start to a ack your lovely vegetables so make sure you use Richgro’s Beat-A-Bug Naturally Based Insect Spray. Apply at the first sign of a ack and Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 then keep in a good rou ne of spraying over the leaves (don’t forget underside) every 10-12 days during October to repel them.

Lawn and Turf Maintenance

If your lawn is spongy, ver mow it to remove the thatch. The build up of organic ma er reduces the amount of water ge ng to the root system. Buffalo lawns can be scalped at this me of the year to reduce sponginess and organic ma er build up.

Lawns can now be cut weekly, encouraging new growth. At the very least it should be done fortnightly, but don’t leave it much later than that. Fer lise now with Cresco Lawn Fer liser or Richgro Extra Green Fer liser.

You can plant new lawns now, ensuring you add a really good layer of Bentonite Sand to Soil if your soil is sandy or Gypsum if your soils are heavy clay based. Start by ge ng the soil right and this will help give your new lawn the best chance to succeed.

On established lawns, it is best to get your soil right now before the warmer weather. Apply Richgro Ezi-Wet to encourage root growth and apply Richgro Lawn Beetle and Grub Killa to stop pests a acking the lawn.

General Garden Maintenance Tips

Weeds – Keep up with either digging them out or spraying (or both). Remember this year’s flowers are next year’s weeds. Keep up with your pest control, using Richgro Bug Killa if applied in August or regular applica ons of Richgro Beat-A-Bug Natural Insect Spray. Don’t forget to apply some rich Blood and Bone fer liser to give everything in your garden that great natural boost. Good me to clean out your pond. Replenish no more than 50% of your water, divide any water lilies and remove any muddy build up on the bo om. As it warms up, apply a we ng agent to ensure the water being applied is soaking into the soil. This includes your vegie gardens and pots. Mulch garden beds to keep in moisture, and control weeds. Beds that aren’t mulched will dry out quickly. NOTE: This ar cle is not paid adver sing and is provided here as a guide for Beagle readers to assist their gardening choices. Richgro has indicated it is happy to provide a monthly guide.