Martinborough Community Garden News

Community Garden produce available for all at the Medical Centre.

Just keeping us out there! Pretty much more of the same: survival; cut back; replant; net to keep the birds at bay; pray for the day that pea straw is available again… this has been a summer like no other. We have however managed to harvest each week, if only water-fattened courgettes (aka marrows). Beans have been plentiful and tomatoes not too bad, when the rain has not split the skins.

Really pleased to report that we have had a very generous grant from the Community Board, which should keep us afloat for the coming year. Nga Mihi Nui! This is very much appreciated and will now allow us to go into planning mode for winter crops, and sow mustard seeds for those areas that have provided as amply as conditions have allowed over the summer months.

Although we have planted the back of the garden this summer, with raised  metal beds, they have taken a bit of a pounding, as this part of the garden becomes a bog in the wet months… we hadn’t planned for such rain, so although we have had a fair crop of peppers and tomatoes from these planters, they have not been prolific. Certainly, more than they would have been had we planted straight into the soil. Lesson: the lift of good planter boxes can mitigate against damp, boggy areas.

Brussel sprouts are going in this week: soil has been well turned with heaps of horse pooh, washed well in with the rain. Also, a few more brassicas; we have found that the miniature caulis and cabbages not only grow well, but are a good size for those who are regular users of the Larder… plants are available at Mitre 10, although we are experimenting with ‘growth from seeds’ for these smaller varieties. Will report on results.

Debbie Yates