gar yao!! gar yao!!

gao yao literally translates to 'add oil' and this is what the volunteers were cheering us on today as we hiked up crazy steep slopes and carried saplings over rocky terrain so we could plant them on the side of a hill!

it was a wonderful event with over 700 registered participants, over 200 volunteers and the weather was perfect, slightly overcast and a cool breeze and the sun came out on the way back down. i ended up planting 10 saplings, unfortunately didn't name them but will try visit them next year. a big thank you to mari + kyle for providing moral support and waking up so early to walk with me! despite the bad reception, the phone calls were appreciated :P 

thanks friends of the earth hk for organising it, looking forward to next year :)

here are a few pics from the day... we also made some furry friends along the way!

preparing to plant new life

this is the site where we'll be planting the saplings on sunday :: grassy hill, shing mun country park, tsuen wan, this is a popular place for family hikes. it's fairly rocky and barren as it had been destroyed by hill fires. so we'll be planting trees that have a high water retention, which acts as a fire resistant barrier!

there will be 8-12 different tree species, native and exotic breeds to encourage biodiversity and they have been selected to suit our local environment.

a few of the species include schima superba (gugertree)

and the rhaphiolepis indica.


friends of the earth hk are doing a fantastic job and will be committing to annual aftercare for 3 year to weed and fertilise the plants and make sure they are surviving!

as mentioned in the other post, we have to create
our own carrying gear, here are a few ideas from
previous years...

will keep you posted on how things go :)

bubble couture launch party!!!

my dear friend linnet will be launching her baby apparel company this weekend :: bubble couture

all stock will be available at 10% off on the day + there are lots of prizes to be won. our cards will also be there so come check it out. details below...

introducing :: tombo the tomato plant

repotting was a success and tombo is set up with a lovely view of the tsing ma bridge :)

got green fingers?

In all honesty, I've never had green fingers... though my grandmother loves spending time in the garden, especially with her roses (picture below), and my mum has always had pots of things growing on our balcony, I never was good with plants.

Well that is all going to change!

I was recently given a tomato plant and will document it's growth and progress on here. I need to repot it so it can spread it's roots and grow. A picture will be coming soon (it's too dark outside now to take one).

Another thing that I've always wanted to do is plant a tree. I'd be happy just to plant one, but living in a concrete jungle on the 41/F makes it quite hard to do so. Where there is a will, there is a way!

Friends of the Earth are running a tree planting challenge on April 25th, and I have signed up, yay!! The challenge? Hike 13km and plant a minimum of 10 saplings in 6 hours. Doesn't sound too bad, but after going to a briefing session I realise I need to do some training as a lot of it is uphill and the saplings themselves weigh over 8kg, not including tools, fertiliser, water (for the saplings and myself) a packed lunch and wet weather wear :: bring it on!!!

In addition, we have to create a carrying device for the saplings, so it has to be strong, lightweight and easy to carry uphill... so I need so ideas and help here please!

I've decided to name my little saplings, so free feel to send in your ideas :)

waking up to spring

this picture was taken on a walk through the beautiful uk midlands + you can see a little bit of frost melting away on the grass, which brings us to the month that is full of life + new beginnings :: happy april :)