Sunday 12 January 2014

Albert Street January working bee: after the break and in advance of the heat

 

An unhurried and relaxed turn-out for the first working bee of the new year… Lena, Tony, Jo, Alison, Ruby, Pete, Vaughan, Anita, Ian, Dora, Luke, Kate, Yael & Matt (with Akira & Essie) gathered at Albert Street.

Some people are still away, others have just returned from a break. There was a general noting and nodding agreement that the garden was in fact looking pretty good! …all that was needed was some tidying up, edging, a little weeding, some mulching, compost-turning (special thanks to Vaughan who put in a solid session at the compost) and a very conscientious watering ahead of the upcoming 27-35-39-38-40-36-24 degree week. Other than the maintenance, some home-grown capsicum seedlings brought along by Dora were happily accommodated. It was also generally and pleasingly noted that produce is being progressively harvested and there is little evidence of any wastage.

The morning saw a lot of chatting, many exchanges, greetings and discussions. Apart from general news and specific gardening talk, Rae Lands Park was raised in quite a few conversations with there being a general resolution to bring more attention and resources to that arm of the Community Garden project this year. Note: there will be a Rae Lands pictorial update posted in the next few days.

Meanwhile… some garden details …


(there are tiny mulberries in there....) 



(disappearing leeks and expanding cabbages)

(this broccoli has been steadily harvested)
… some activity views …
Anita
Tony
Anita again
Pete, Lena, Vaughan, Matt with Essie
… and lots of chatting!
Vaughan, Lena, Tony, Jo, Ruby, Alison
Vaughan (at work), Lena, Matt, Akira, Pete, Anita
Jo, Luke, Tony
Luke, Pete, Kate, Jo (behind Tony), Yael
At the end of the morning Yael shared some wonderful broccoli from a particular household garden in Perrin's Lane…
... later in the day it found its way into a rather tasty pasta that was part of the meal a few of us all shared at an evening picnic by Lake Daylesford.


Thursday 9 January 2014

New Year catch-up news #2: Hepburn Health Service Daylesford veggie beds

The raised veggie garden beds in front of the Hepburn Health Service Daylesford campus (cnr Jamieson & and Hospital Streets) are flourishing! Created in September last year, they've been maintained by the Thursday gardening group run by the Shire, as well as by the staff and clients of the Health Service.

With plenty of flowers to attract the bees, and as we finally see some real summer weather starting...


... offerings include lots of celery ready to sample, and a massive tomato patch that promises pomodori galore! (Thanks to Fiona for the pics!)




New Year catch-up news #1: Skate Park path & plantings

It took a couple of sessions to put down the compacted sawdust path at the Skate Park...

George & Jobbo at work
Jobbo, Scotty & Geoffrey
... but it was completed just before Xmas and looks magnificent - big thanks to everybody who helped!




The path has now been augmented with some further plantings... perennials and most of the orchard are in, and some citrus trees will be added soon. This year will be about getting more people involved and holding some fun workshops. This garden is open to everyone, individuals and community groups alike to make their own!


Note: If anyone is able to whipper-snip directly behind the garden (on the south & west sides) during January/February, that would help ward off any roundup spraying by the council, while we're still working on getting those border areas matted and mulched.