October 2011 Update

During October the Kids of PCG were busy planting
during the school holidays.

The first week we sowed seeds of Giant Sunflowers and yummy Nasturtiums around the edges of the Kids Beds.
The second week saw seedlings planted into the beds:
Tomatoes "Black Russian", "Big Rainbow" and "Ida Gold"
Lettuces "Black Seeded Simpson" and "Red Coral"
Cucumber "Bushy"
Zucchini "Rondo de Nice"
Squash "Yellow Button Scalloped" and "Acorn Table Queen"
Curly Parsley
Lemon Balm
Chives
Coriander
Thyme
Marigolds "Oranges and Lemons"

A load of fresh manure was delivered from the meatworks but it was a bit too fresh so another more decomposed pile was delivered later.

The new beds have been filled with a mixture of the two manures with the fresher stuff sitting at the bottom of the beds. When the composting worms get to work on these beds they will mix up the manures and make a great growing mixture for vegetables.

The local Council has delivered three plant benches for us to use!

In the middle of the month we held a stall at the Hospital Fete and raised money to go towards building an all weather shelter shed that we have part funding for.

A giant Raffle has been started
to help raise the funds we need too...
...tickets are selling fast!

May 6 & 7 Working Bees

Planting began on Friday 6th June with more Old Man Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) along the rocky eastern 'top' of the garden. Each hole was dug with a motorised posthole digger as the ground is far too hard and rocky to dig by hand.

Each hole was filled with water then the plants were laid out and later planted.
Along the southern and Northern boundary fences a selection of Eremophilas, Acaias, Melaleucas, Eucalyptus and Callistemon trees/shrubs were planted.

Saturday's Working Bee crew got to work adding the irrigation hoses, covering each young plant with a protective 'hat' (see here) and adding a dripper to each plant! Phew there were a lot of plants. Now the are windbreak plantings on each of the fencelines.

The sleeper lined edge of the top layer of the garden has been planted with some tough flowering plants. Rosemary, Lavenders, Pigface, Silverbush (Convolvulus cneorum), Melaleuca and Acacia. These too have drippers attached. As these plants grow they will provide shelter for other herbs and flowers to be planted for beneficial insect/bird attraction.

The other low children's bed has been planted with some leftover Brassica and Parcel seedlings along with some Tree Onions (Walking/Egyptian Onions) which should provide some interest later in the season when these plants flower with their tiny onions instead of petals!!

There will be a quick Working Bee
on Saturday 14th May
to spread mulch around the new windbreak plants.

Jan 10 2011

2 new beds were filled and planted

Now there are 6 beds growing food

The Shadehouse being used as a Coffee House.
Sheltered from sun and wind!!

End of December 2010

A total of 4 beds have been planted up with Tomatoes, Capsicums, Chilli, Lettuces, Chinese and Ceylon Spinach, Silverbeet, Strawberries, Watermelon and Cucumbers.

3 beds now have shade up now and just as well. 2010 ended with high temperatures and strong hot northerly winds!

As extra support and to neaten the appearance and stability of the shade cloth, pvc pipe can be added between the hoops. With the ends of the pipe cut to fit over the hose and a hole drilled through, cable ties attach it firmly.

Neat and secure from the wind.

Peterborough Community Garden has been planted!

The first Wicking Tank Bed was planted on 10 Dec 2010.

During the week a magnificent 41mm of rain fell and lucky for us the work experience guys had connected up the guttering on the little shed. The rainwater tank now has water in it!!!

Workshops were held for prospective plot holders to learn how the Wicking system works and to see a bed being built, planted and shaded.

June 11th 2010 - Working Bee

The Windbreak Looks Closer...

At the May Steering Committee meeting we discussed the possible planting of our windbreak particularly along the existing western fence.
It has been suggested to use milk containers for tree guards. Note how the tops are cut to allow the stake/stick to anchor the whole thing into the ground so that it can go over the top of hoses/drippers etc.
We would need sturdy sticks for this as our ground is hard. Obviously the bottoms are cut off too!
The milk containers (or other opaque plastic bottles) are easily cut with sturdy scissors.Everyone is now collecting those milk bottles just make sure they are clean when they are stored!!
Get a piece of string (baling twine) and tie it to one handle then thread the other containers on to the string through their handles. It makes storing (can hang them in the shed) and carrying them so much easier!

We have an offer of free mulch from the local council This will be great and keep the water right where it's needed, at the roots of the plants where a dripper delivers it.