February has gone, and here we are already heading into Autumn! The last couple of months have simply zoomed by with hyper activity at the Garden!
The fruit trees have not failed us, thanks to Margo who cares our trees so very well. The orchard has produced buckets of peaches, plums, pears, figs and apples of various varieties! The onset of hot weather added to the urgency of getting all this fruit off the trees and dealt with before it spoilt. The birds have had a field day despite the nets which are now full of holes due to their honed skills and the weathered material of the nets. However there has been plenty for all the two legged and feathered friends! The worms and compost have also benefitted from the loads of fallen and inedible produce!
The veggies have also done well, thanks to the ongoing hard work and vigilance of our volunteers, especially Alvyn and Bob who skillfully and lovingly raise seeds and oversee the plantings! Watering is the big thing at this time of the year. The irrigation system is a godsend, but it requires regular maintenance. Hand watering is also vital to keep all the garden growing happily. The soil becomes hydrophobic very quickly. This is combatted with loads of sheep poo and other compost, mulching, watering and love!
This month we have lots of little tomatoes, but the big meaty varieties have finished. The beetroot, potatoes, parsnips, chillies, capsicum and little eggplants have been producing well. We look forward to the pumpkins and other Autumn/ Winter veggies as the season changes.
Our gardeners not only employ conventional well tried growing methods, but also organic methods such as companion planting in some of the beds.
Our Community Garden is a busy place, full of loving dedication, happy socialising, learning new skills, and good food!
If you are new to Milang or not, we would welcome you to join us. No garden experience required, just enthusiasm to muck in and enjoy the activity of gardening and social contact. Come down to see us on a Tuesday, or make enquiries at MOSHCC! It’s easy!
Do you know that “Ugly Fruit” is a thing these days? Check out our beet friend below! I won’t beet around the bush; this character has been around the patch a few times, but did not escape the inevitable! Just goes to show: … “it’s what is on the inside that counts!”
