A damp and modest but definite May bee

A wet and cold morning wasn't exactly conducive to gardening, but with winter upon us, though only May, there was not a lot that needed tending. Jo and Tony came early to do some mowing, and also something that had been in the pipeline since January came to fruition. A suitable area to present and gift free food to the community was discussed back at the January bee and Patrick had produced a rough design.

Local builder Nicko Andrews knocked up the structure and brought it to install with the help of Tony and Patrick.

Earlier on some kind person had left a bag of their freshly dug potatoes, so these earthly fruits became the first produce made available on the stand.

Nicko's children Grace and Joey joined their dad on the morning's mission. Thanks Nicko!

Also since the April bee the ever industrious Peter Jenkins installed removable slats for the front of the compost bays, increasing their capacity, and making them far easier to maintain. Thanks Peter!

The timber was donated by Brian Bowes. Thanks Brian!

NEXT BEE : SATURDAY 13 JUNE

June Bee (community compost capers)

A frosty morning brought us out slowly today for our monthly working bee.

But when the sun seeped into the Albert Street garden, so did our smiles.

We admired the winter's fruit and our own climate zone which allows for some form of fruit year round.

While we worked away in the garden Tom played up our spirits with the sun.

During the lead up to the working bee we collected pallets, leaves, straw and horse manure for our bonza winter compost workshop. We demonstrated how to build a four-bay compost area and how to set a compost for some serious heat decomposition.

We recycled, reclaimed and reloved everything, including ourselves. About thirty of us turned up to lend a hand, hand-cut the grass, prune and take out the dead organic matter to add to our composts.

It was all very Portlandia, which we relocalised as Daylesfordia.

But unlike Portlandia we actually had something to show for ourselves other than just jokes, although we had those too.

Soil fertility! There's nothing more important than compost in a post-fossil fuel future.