First batch of gloves and tree fridge magnets that we will give to EkoSkola Malta pupils in Gozo during for new planting events.
The Alfred Mizzi Foundation is graciously funding the “school kit”.
Looking forwards to the next planting season.
Marvic Refalo
#volunteering
#gozo
#trees
End of season for sunflowers planted by EkoSkola Malta group at Gozo College Ġużé Aquilina Primary & Special Unit Sannat watered by Brenda Shanahan.
Time to collect seeds for next season.
#gozo
#volunteering
#pollinatiors
Olive tree planted by Siġar team and looked after by Stefan Wessels is doing well. Pest control in place.
Flowers happy around.
We are continuing to monitor groasis used to plant the tree. Groasis pit funded by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation
Looking forward to more activities with Zebbug local council Baskal Saliba
#trees
#gozo
#volunteering
The Alfred Mizzi Foundation
![Thought wed share this interesting tree-related FB post from #DwejraTower (English text followed by Maltese text)Dwejra Tower - Plant of the Month: July 2025
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) Siġra il-virgi in Maltese.This robust, deciduous, hemispherical bush or small tree can grow up to four metres high. The leaves are aromatic, compound-palmate in shape, with 5-7 narrow un-toothed lobes and white-downy underneath.The flowers, which are seen in summer through to early autumn, are bluish-violet, occasionally pink to white in colour, around 8-10mm in clusters, and sweetly scented. The fruits are small, dark grey, and resemble peppercorns. The flowers are much visited by pollinating insects, particularly honey bees.Chaste Trees grow in water courses of valleys, especially near the sea, and can be seen on all three Maltese islands, though plant numbers are now scarce.The plant is protected by Maltese law: (Schedule I of legal notice [S.L. 549.123] (Strictly protected tree species) and currently also has a threatened status and has been listed on the Red List (1989).The fruit was believed to suppress sexual urges, hence the alternative Maltese name of Bżar il-Patrijiet (Friar’s peppercorns). In the past, the trees used to be cut down to ground level to promote the growth of thin, flexible, straight shoots for the purpose of basket weaving.
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Din is-sigra tikber f ghamla ta nofs ballun. Twaqqa il-weraq fix xitwa, dawn huma b riha qawwia, forma ta id b 5-7 swaba. Sufien min that.il-fjuri jifthu fis sajf usal harifa. Vjola fil blue, kultant bojod jew roza. Madwarr 8-10mm, f buketti u b riha tfuh. Il-frott huwa zighr, griz u jixbah il-bzar.Is-sigra tal-virgi tikber fejn ikun hemm ilma fil qiegh ta widien hdejn il bahar. Ghalkemm tinstab fil Gzejjer Maltin kollha mhix komuni.
il-frot kienu jahsbu li jakes il-gibded sesswali u ghalhekk kien maghruf ukoll bhala Bzar il-Patrijiet.Fl-antik dawn is-sigar kienu jinqataw mil-qieh biex iwaddbu frieghi dritti u irqaq li umbaght kiunu jintuzaw ghall qafas tal basktijiet.All photos by #dinlarthelwa -and best viewed in full-screen mode.#dinlarthelwaghawdex #trees #pollinators #EveryoneNeedsNature #sigar](https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/517384314_122180743958304023_8427108343338919652_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=g8xGTpS3Jb8Q7kNvwHNqgJn&_nc_oc=AdnXGHbSKYt68B998a6XzgCo3iLiKNdX3ROImt2txCHg3oraOrg-TmaCekaXRLfQ1ms&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=wW9ws101rJVqRzcusyhK5A&oh=00_AfTdsQW7HVA7gRCMTi18xClyGDsi07pGacB2mZWC5Eh-ag&oe=687877AC)
Thought we'd share this interesting tree-related FB post from #DwejraTower (English text followed by Maltese text)
Dwejra Tower – Plant of the Month: July 2025
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) Siġra il-virgi in Maltese.
This robust, deciduous, hemispherical bush or small tree can grow up to four metres high. The leaves are aromatic, compound-palmate in shape, with 5-7 narrow un-toothed lobes and white-downy underneath.
The flowers, which are seen in summer through to early autumn, are bluish-violet, occasionally pink to white in colour, around 8-10mm in clusters, and sweetly scented. The fruits are small, dark grey, and resemble peppercorns. The flowers are much visited by pollinating insects, particularly honey bees.
Chaste Trees grow in water courses of valleys, especially near the sea, and can be seen on all three Maltese islands, though plant numbers are now scarce.
The plant is protected by Maltese law: (Schedule I of legal notice [S.L. 549.123] (Strictly protected tree species) and currently also has a threatened status and has been listed on the Red List (1989).
The fruit was believed to suppress sexual urges, hence the alternative Maltese name of Bżar il-Patrijiet (Friar’s peppercorns). In the past, the trees used to be cut down to ground level to promote the growth of thin, flexible, straight shoots for the purpose of basket weaving.
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Din is-sigra tikber f' ghamla ta nofs ballun. Twaqqa il-weraq fix xitwa, dawn huma b riha qawwia, forma ta id b 5-7 swaba. Sufien min that.
il-fjuri jifthu fis sajf usal harifa. Vjola fil blue, kultant bojod jew roza. Madwarr 8-10mm, f buketti u b riha tfuh. Il-frott huwa zighr, griz u jixbah il-bzar.
Is-sigra tal-virgi tikber fejn ikun hemm ilma fil qiegh ta widien hdejn il bahar. Ghalkemm tinstab fil Gzejjer Maltin kollha mhix komuni.
il-frot kienu jahsbu li jakes il-gibded sesswali u ghalhekk kien maghruf ukoll bhala Bzar il-Patrijiet.
Fl-antik dawn is-sigar kienu jinqataw mil-qieh biex iwaddbu frieghi dritti u irqaq li umbaght kiunu jintuzaw ghall qafas tal basktijiet.
All photos by #dinlarthelwa -and best viewed in full-screen mode.
#dinlarthelwaghawdex #trees #pollinators #EveryoneNeedsNature #sigar
The importance of mulch.
Siġar volunteer doing maintenance work at Gozo College Agius De Soldanis Middle School. Concas/tree basins restored so watering can be as effective as possible.
The school staff (Ramona Mercieca) and volunteers will ensure that these trees are looked after.
Looking forward to more tree planting with school ekoskola committee in the new year.
EkoSkola Malta
#trees
#gozo
#volunteering
Summer activities Gozo College Dun Salv Vella Nadur Primary.
“Concas” maintained. Trees watered and doing well. Adopted (already planted but looked after by Siġar volunteers Keith Woodcock) hibiscus and olive trees looking happy.
9 trees looked after at the school over the summer. Watered weekly.
#trees
#volunteering
#Gozo
Sunday action for siġar team
1. Remove a Judas tree planted this winter but died despite watering and all. We will replace it shortly
2. Inspect 2 trees we have adopted, meaning decided to water : 1 Judas tree and Mediterranean palm tree. Both doing much better since they get watered regularly by Simon Wallace.
3. Fix concas / water “holes”
All in good hands !
Fontana local council gardens are looking in very good shape. Trees planted are growing faster before being and steady. Local council has planted flowers and increased watering for summer.
5 cypresses doing well. 👍👍👍🌳🌳🌳
Loretta Cauchi
@Il-Fontana local council Il-Fontana Local Council
Siġar purchased 3 jerricans for our “watering” volunteers.
With the suppprt of The Alfred Mizzi Foundation. 🙏
20litres per tree. 3 times a week.
If interested to join our team of volunteers, let us know.
#volunteering #gozo #trees
3 olive trees planted at zebbug public gardens are looking healthy despite the heat and lack of rain.
Groasis units supplied by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation are doing a good job so far !
Stefan and John will monitor weekly throughout the summer.
Stefan Wessels John A Azzopardi
Baskal Saliba
Siġar volunteer Stefan Wessels checking groasis system used to passively water the olive trees planted in Zebbug. Water tank is full and trees are healthy. So limited watering needed at the moment. We will continue to monitor. Thank you to The Alfred Mizzi Foundation for funding the groasis units.