September | 2014

What a great weekend we all had planting out the garden.

As you all know, preparation is the most important part, before moving in and planting, so that’s where we started.

BUILDINGS:

Tony Geraty, Robbie Ashworth and Caleb Fantasia painted the kitchen, storeroom and toilet ceilings and the kitchen door. The toilet door has to wait as it rained continuously on Sunday, so they weren’t able to put the final two coats on it. However, it’s looking great. And the toilet has been christened!! We are ready to install the kitchen cupboards with sink, shelving, fridge, microwave, freezer and library book shelves and all the shelving and hooks for the storeroom. We believe this will take place this weekend. All equipment is being picked up on Thursday this week by appointment with Bunnings and their trailers by our men.

MANURE AND MULCH:

Justin & Shona Fantasia, Laurel Cox and Deb Kneale barrowed in approximately 2 tons of cow manure brought in by David & Laurel’s son – Ashley Cox, straight from his farm. So we placed it in every communal garden and all garden beds together with about 8 bags of Blood and Bone. Some went into our compost bays, together with the left over mulch. The Willy Wagtails chirped with sheer delight at the prospect of all those insects that will come in. We might have to put in a bird bath for them.

PLANTING:

We planted 110 plants throughout the Communal Gardens – the majority of these are perennials with some vegetable annuals (and some flowers for insect repellent) scattered in amongst them.

Then Laurel Cox and Maz Frear met at Bunnings and purchased enough vegie and flower seedlings to fill the unallocated garden beds. We also purchased seeds e.g. beans, radish, corn etc. which need to be sown direct.

EXTREMES OF WEATHER:

Amazing conditions to plant a garden and perfect for the plants. On Saturday, we were all hot and sweaty and drinking heaps of iced water AND on Sunday, as you know, it rained all day, so we were all cold and wet. However, we had an urn full of hot water and had lovely breaks with hot cups of tea and coffee, sharing ideas for the garden. It was a great community day for all and thank you everyone. Sheer joy!!!

Sincerely,

Maz Frear – Secretary

Hello Gardeners,

Everyone has had a great day in the garden. We completed a huge amount of work. Undercoat is on the ceilings and doors. 2 tons of cow manure has been added to the plots and compost bays.

Many of the Communal gardens now have plants in them. However, we still have a lot more planting to do on Sunday and we also need to mulch everything when planting is completed. Then a big clean up and removal of all equipment.

All plot holders (listed below) may plant their own plots with whatever is in season. We would ask that you aim to have them planted no later than 28^th September, 2014 so that they look reasonably established for the Grand Opening on 19^th October. On the weekend of 27^th and 28^th we hope to be bringing in all the equipment, kitchen cupboards, fridge, freezer, crockery cutlery etc. etc.