WAY TO GROW

Our volunteer growers are incredibly dedicated. They commit their summer and holiday time to nurture the next generation of native trees and shrubs for our Tree Scheme. Through our online and in person workshops, proudly supported by SA

Power Networks, we’re able to give our volunteers the best possible start on their growing journey. With more new people getting involved each year, we talk to one of our volunteers — Alisia Baker — to find out how she found the experience and what made her come back to grow with us for another season.

What inspired you to grow?

A friend of mine was a volunteer grower the season before I started and I was so interested and inspired by her! She would post photos and updates so I did some more research and found out more about the program. I loved the idea of giving back to farmers that work so hard to keep this country going.

How was your first experience growing?

I was so stressed out that I was going to mess it right up and have no trees grow! I turned into the crazy lady that was checking my pots morning and night waiting for the little seedlings to pop their heads out of the dirt! The day I went out and saw a flush of green, I was jumping around with so much excitement! Once I knew that I had the first stage completed I could really enjoy it and marvel at the fact, I was growing trees!

What made you realise that you had to come back and grow the following season?

I found the process so rewarding and fulfilling. Being able to use my time to help someone else that works so hard to provide for their families. I love spending time in my garden growing vegetables so this just felt like a natural progression to me and I can’t wait to see the smile on my landholders face when they see their trees for the first time!

How did you find the online workshop? Did it get you off to a good start?

I found the online workshop really helpful and answered a lot of questions that I had. It was broken down into simple terms and the step by step run through helped me to visualise what I needed to do. The person that ran it was really thorough and took time to answer the questions people had.

What was the most rewarding part of the process?

Coming to the end of the season and having them ready for the farmer that had ordered them. To be able to stand back and look at them and know, I did that!

What was your average day like over the summer period as you cared for your seedlings?

I would go out in the morning and give the trees a good water so they were hydrated for the day and then when I came home from work I would check over them for pests, diseases or weeds and then give them another quick water.

Did you get anyone else involved with your growing? How did they find the experience?

My eight year old son helped me to pot up the soil and he also helped with the day to day care of the trees. We talked about why we were doing it and how it's a good thing to help others. We researched the region we were growing for and how certain trees grow in certain areas and climates. We even drove to the town to have look around! My husband also helped out with the watering and weeding. They enjoyed it and we can't wait to get started again!  For more information on our Tree Scheme and volunteer growing visit treesforlife.org.au.