Community Garden News

By Debbie Yates

Wow! Another year of produce and now we are in what is probably our most productive phase of the year. Heaps of lettuces of all varieties; beans of all varieties; tomatoes of many varieties including both Greek and Italian. Keep a watch on the Larder at the Medical Centre.

Thanks to those who have dropped off seedlings. Thanks too, to those who have dropped of produce. Could we please ask that if you have excess produce that you take it directly to the Larder at the Medical Centre. It is heart breaking to arrive at the garden to find boxes of produce that has deteriorated in the wet weather that we have been having and is only fit for our compost…on the upside the compost loves it!

We have once again planted kumara: this year a slightly bigger patch has been lovely prepared by our “Kumara Queen”. We also have pre-emptive ‘rat catching’ plans for this year, so hopefully many more Kumara will find their way to the Larder.

One of the great things about gardening is the learning that comes with it , and the tests that it provides for your patience….which brings us to the Jerusalem artichokes! All gardeners at the MCG spent much time and effort to eliminate these beasties from the Pumpkin patch that they had invaded. 

The artichokes were gifted to many: made into a “tea” for fertilising; and boxes of them were taken to the Larder: the area around it for several metres was cleared …not an Artichoke in sight. Planted pumpkins, and after a few days rain, followed by heat those dastardly artichokes were back…grrrrr!! At the time of writing all is under control, but it has been a few days and some rain since I last checked.

Please join us on a Wednesday morning if you enjoy gardening; we are a pretty relaxing group; no need for experience, only enthusiasm ;it is entirely voluntary and its well acknowledged that you won’t make it every week. We do  love a bit of experience, but said  not a requirement, just cuts down on the trial and error! Check us out on Facebook .

Merry Christmas to all. Have a productive gardening time, and we will catch up in the New year.