Community Garden News

I guess that most final newsletters of 2020 are going to start with something like….” well, thank goodness that year is over, let us hope 2021 is an improvement” …and who would blame them? 

The Community Garden has been pretty lucky: we have managed to have a constant supply of vegies, although at times distributing them has been a bit of a challenge: we have done some “ contactless “ deliveries  and some “bubble”planting. We have had great support from the Community Board and are delighted to have received a very generous donation from funds raised at the Community Market over Labour weekend…many, many thanks to Daphne Geisler. Thanks too, to John Taylor for the use of his land: to those who have dropped off seedlings, horse pooh and coffee grinds for the compost: also to Nathan for his water supply, and of course to those who turn up regularly and garden, harvest , water , make compost and generally keep things ticking over.

This is always and exciting time in the garden …tomatoes are in, and are growing like triffids …laterals being plucked to give air, light and strength to the plants. This year we have opted to have a limited variety of tomatoes – those which have yielded well in the past. We have decided on a mix for potted planting and planting into the ground, partly due to space, but also the judge the best yielding option.

Probably put our cucumbers in too early and had them savaged by late frosts. Take two to go in next week with good supporting frames to keep them off the ground and avoid invasion of other plants and rotting into the soil.

  We planted globe artichokes in our very first season and considered them as decorative, and their flowers to be great bee attractors to benefit the rest of the garden. This year they have been spectacular, and we have included a good harvest each week for some time and this looks to be likely to continue for some time… yours at the Community Larder fresh every Monday morning and topped up , when possible, on a Wednesday!

We will endeavour to keep summer salad vegies rotating through the summer so that there is a constant supply to the Larder. Please make use of the Larder, it is there for EVERYONE: you do not have to swap any goods for what is there, just help yourself. There is not cost: no donation required: it is freshest on Mondays and Wednesdays; however, the fridge keeps things fresh between harvests.

Merry Christmas to all and let us hope the 2021 is a more settled and productive year…join us any Wednesday morning between 10- 12 at 51 Oxford Street, we’d love to see you!!