Home » May 2022 » Currently Reading:

Community Garden Newsletter

May 9, 2022 May 2022 No Comments

After several years of trying to produce respectable kumaras we have finally succeeded!

Well, perhaps the “we” is a bit of an exaggeration  …we have been most ably assisted by Roberta, The Kumara Queen. The secret is definitely in the build up of the plot, and freshly grown  kumara tipu: these are the shoots grown from a ‘mother’ kumara that has been placed in a box of sawdust  and fine topsoil and kept warm and damp to encourage shooting, through the winter months. The shoots then planted in a well-prepared plot and nurtured with warmth and water.(Aided with the excitement and encouragement that only gardeners can provide). 

The day of the first dig was tremendous, a small corner of the patch, about 2 feet square produced the kumara illustrated. There are more to come , so check out the Larder: you just need to ask at the intercom for entry to the Medical Centre and let them know that you want to check the Larder.

Apart from the excitement of the kumara, we have been cleaning up the last of the summer crops, which brings quite a lot of composting effort, with heavy roots and weeds to the earth piles and clipping leaves etc into the compost that we hope will break down more quickly for use over the winter months. 

Brassica plots have been well turned with horse pooh and cabbage ,cauli’s, brussel sprouts and broccoli planted and netted. Hopefully we are just about free of the dreaded white butterfly. A couple of plots that have worked extremely hard through summer have been well turned and planted with mustard seed for the winter.

Jerusalem artichokes are ready for harvesting, and seem to have extended themselves, yet again. This time they have decided to invade the pumpkin patch…Grrrr! We still have managed a few pumpkin, but now have plans to develop a new pumpkin patch a bit further down the plot and leave the artichokes to drift with the wind!

The beautiful Autumn weather is perfect for settling in a winter garden… a wee bit more rain would be welcome. Enjoy your own garden or come and join ours.

Comment on this Article:

FEATURED BUSINESSES

Sports

Golf pro-am success _ without clubhouse

By Karen Stephens A record field of 172 players, including 43 professionals from New Zealand and Australia, battled light winds, warm temperatures and even light early-morning fog at Martinborough golf’s 2024 CER Electrical and Holmes Construction pro-am on February 1. At least that was the range of excuses for some …

Featherston wrestlers go offshore

Two members of Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club’s senior class have again been asked to join a New Zealand team overseas.  Wairangi Sargent and Angus Read will take part in the Journeymen Tournament and Training Camp over Easter in New York state.  Over the week they are there they will be …

Martinborough Golf Club has tumbled down

The demolition of the Martinborough Golf Club is complete. In the last days prior to Christmas a fully-insulated pole shed, much like a top end farm outbuilding, was erected to act as both office and temporary clubhouse. New septic tanks, internet connectivity, power, water, and Porticom loos were installed. On …

Regular Features

News from First Church

 Many folk imagine that going to church is a bit of an ordeal, a waste …

FROM THE MAYOR

By Martin Connelly In February the local Lions Club invited me for dinner and asked …

Driving Growth and Collaboration: Martinborough Business Assn Committee

The Martinborough Business Association Committee plays an important role in fostering economic growth and collaboration …

How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

Michael Bing talks to Lyle Griffiths Michael was raised in Auckland, attending St Peters College …

BOOK REVIEWS FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

By Brenda Channer – Martinborough Bookshop “Whether Violent or Natural” by Natasha Calder This debut …

Community Garden News

By Debbie Yates This is definitely the month of thank you. Nga Mihi Nui! We …

EVENTS

Saturday 10 February: 10th annual Citizen Science Kākahi Count at Western Lake Shore Reserve, 18km …

Recent Comments