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This is an Australian Government Initiative
June 2014 Newsletter
Big thanks to all who attended and supported the Community Garden Network Gathering on the 24th May. Over 30 people, representing ten community gardening projects across the Gippsland region were in attendance.
The Gathering presented a great opportunity to get together, share information, ideas and to gain some inspiration from Peta Christensen who was able to share some fantastic stories about the people, events and happenings which bring local food to life through her work in Cultivating Community
We have a small amount of funding still allocated for organising a follow-up gathering, with the potential of partnering with other community groups to run a session on whaterever is deemed to be of greatest benefit and we are seeking your feedback! Some suggestions include; fund raising, promotions, grant writing, proposals, design a community garden, social enterprise models, etc. Please let me know what you would be interested in learning more about.
It’s always encouraging to see the emergence of new community gardening projects in our region as communities realise the positive benefits and values of growing local food in publically accessible and communally shared land. In this regard two recent developments have been a source of great personal encouragement to me. Firstly the Bass Coast has now begun food landscaping in the Wonthaggi Roundabouts. I did a double take as I was driving around them the other day and was excited to see a crop of healthy looking silver beet framed by a number of different brassicas and ornamental flowers. These food landscaping projects draw attention to growing food, while also proving that you can enjoy an ornamental and ascetically pleasing garden at the same time.
Secondly the Grantville residents association is partnering with local businesses to develop a community garden space in semi abandoned land behind the shopping strip. The network has begun to will continue to work closely with this group to assist in whatever way it can
This newsletter is published every second month, please send though any submissions or enquiries to the email: [email protected].
Thanks and Enjoy!
A network of people committed to bringing local food to the
communities of Bass Coast and South Gippsland one community
garden at a time!
Bass Coast and South Gippsland Community Garden Network Newsletter June 2014
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An Australian Government Initiative
EVENT REPORT: Cowes Community Garden Autumn Update Published in The Advertiser 05/05
Despite windy and rainy conditions on Sunday, the Cowes Community Garden hosted a successful
Autumn Food Swap and Working Bee with 15 attendees working hard to refill crate gardens, lay
down mulch and stock compost bays.
Hard working bees were rewarded with fresh baked sour dough bread, a BBQ, a potato and leek
soup, pumpkin soup, local olives and green tomato chutney.
The day culminated in a food swap which, with a packed table full of home grown and homemade
foods including cartons of eggs, zucchini relish, pumpkins, greens and herbs ensured that all
dedicated volunteers went home with over flowing bags of fresh produce.
Community garden coordinator Adrian said that “the working bee is an important opportunity to
come together in sharing the work of maintaining our community garden and a great chance to
share in the experience socially”
“Celebrating great local food is another aspect to the day, which is at the core of the Cowes
Community Garden & Kitchen Project, and an essential ingredient in a great day out at the garden”.
The next event will be a Spring Working Bee and Food Swap that will be run in conjunction with
Permablitz South Gippsland on Saturday 6th September.
There will also be opportunities to come along on a weekly basis (Sundays from 10:30am-12:30) to
assist with the day to day running of the garden, find out what’s happening and share in a cuppa.
There are also a couple of vacant plots so now is a good time to register your interest in growing in
your own apple crate plot.
For more information about volunteering, donating or getting involved in please contact Adrian at
[email protected] or 04290 01214.
A bountiful food swap busy working bee’s refilling plots
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An Australian Government Initiative
FEATURE: What’s a Food Forrest? The permaculture Food Forrest concept has always captured the imagination of organic growers everywhere, despite this though there is still much confusion around what a Food Forrest actually is. Despite the confusion though they are worth learning more about as food forests are great ways to grow food on public land (community food) because they can be setup and maintained at a fraction of the time and cost of a more traditional community garden and they can be productive over long periods of time. Just to clarify, a Food Forrest is generally considered to be a permaculture concept specifically pioneered by well known Permaculture Practitioner Geoff Lawton. Food Forrest systems are typically multi layered perennial or hardy self seeding annual vegetable, fruit and herb varieties which are well adapted to the local growing climate. The central idea is that instead of growing things separately, productivity and yield can be improved over time by growing things in multiple layers; thereby replicating a natural forest type ecology. The holy grail of forest gardening is to design a food forest system that remains highly productive over time and is able to regenerate and to continue in its ‘mature’ form indefinitely as would a natural forest. Most Forrest gardening only very superficially touches upon this ideal but even very simple systems can produce great results and it is something that will probably receive more and more attention as community gardeners, planners, horticulturalists, permaculture designers etc, seek to achieve greater food security through food landscaping of our parks, roundabouts, nature strips, domestic gardens and so on. For an opportunity to learn more about forest gardening, the Cowes Community Garden is hosting a Permablitz day on Saturday 6th September from 9:30am-2:30pm. The Permablitz will be focused primarily on planting out a perennial and self seeding annual food forest along the eastern border of the community garden. For more information about forest gardening or to RSVP please contact: Adrian James at [email protected]
A simple food
forest system
Bass Coast and South Gippsland Community Garden Network Newsletter June 2014
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An Australian Government Initiative
FEATURE: Autumn / Winter Gardening Tips With thanks to Catheryn Thompson
It’s almost time for bare rooted fruit trees, so start preparing beds now;
Lots of lovely rich organic matter, a bit of moisture and some mulch will see the soil
absolutely gorgeous by the time your trees are ready to go in!
Have a think about what tree varieties you are after, you may need to do some research into
the best supplier. Especially if you are after an heirloom or unusual variety.
Give Brassicas a blast this month, and pop the following into your patch:
broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Plant some sage with these guys as a
great, caterpillar and moth-repelling companion!
By putting in peas and broad beans now, you are giving them the winter to extend their
roots deep. This means that when the weather does start getting warmer and the frosts
disappear you are ahead of the game. Radish, Swedes, turnips and spinach will also crop
well if planted now. Don’t forget spring onions either this month.
Set aside a bit of space and pop in an artichoke! These are gorgeous additions to the patch,
look amazing and taste pretty good too!
Add some colour and movement to the patch and pop in some pretties;
dianthus, cornflower, pansy, viola, verbena and lupins. Having these around your veggies will
give some interest to the patch, and act as beneficial insect attractors!
Top up mulch on your veggie patches, herb gardens and ornamental beds, especially
important for weed suppression at this time of year. Mulch to a depth of about 7cm after
watering the patch. Keep mulch clear of plant stem, especially young seedlings. Choose a
low environmental impact, locally sourced mulch that will enrich your soil as it breaks down.
Green manure crops, including oats, wheat, faba beans and field peas are good to go now…
improve that dormant veggie patch, and get ready for next seasons heavy feeding plants!
Plants feel the need for a feed at this time of year. A seaweed tea, or any low environmental
impact liquid fertiliser is perfect for the seedlings you’ve just popped in. Apply to the soil
early in the morning and in the concentrations mentioned on the packet.
Weeds run rampant this time of year. Cut down the competition between your produce
plants and these space invaders. It may sound tedious, but it’s incredibly rewarding! Try
making a weed tea to feed your winter crops.
Snow is thankfully
something we don’t have to
worry!
Bass Coast and South Gippsland Community Garden Network Newsletter June 2014
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An Australian Government Initiative
Some Inspiration; ‘A Cuban Perspective’ Thanks to Phillip Island Conservation Society
At our last general meeting our two speakers presented us with plenty to think about! Our first
speaker, Cr Phil and Irene Wright’s daughter Melanie, showed a Power Point, telling us about a trip
she did to Cuba with CERES to learn about Cuba’s experience of Peak Oil and how they overcame
their seemingly chronic food shortage with permaculture. Prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union,
Cuba had totally industrialised agriculture, using herbicides, pesticides, broad acre monoculture
plantings and harvesting by giant, diesel-guzzling tractors (so like Australia now!). All that stopped
when trade stopped and Cubans suddenly could not grow or import food and went from eating
3,000 to 1,000 kilojoules per day. The average Cuban lost 20 kg during this crisis period.
They eventually solved the problem with the help of Australian Permaculture inventor Bill Mollison.
Now, every available nook and cranny supports the growing of food. Cuba now has huge amounts of
urban agriculture that is completely pesticide-free and processed food is a rarity. Ironically, it has
become such an ingrained way of life for the Cubans that they couldn’t really understand the
Australian visitors’ keen interest!
Melanie showed us slides of an amazing area known as Las Terrezas – The Terraces, a huge area of
land which had been basically trashed – stripped of all natural resources and the people living there
reduced to poverty in the days before the Cuban revolution. The government and the people
decided to revitalise the area and over a period of years planted eight million trees over 5,000
hectares, including 500 plant species. The area is now famous for 117 species of birds and 13 species
of bats and is a major drawcard for visitors. A museum on the site shows graphic before and after
images – Las Terrezas must surely serve as an inspiration to all of us when we look at, for example,
Indonesian rainforest areas stripped to grow palm oil, or for illegal logging.
Re: Request for review of the policy to destroy roadside fruit trees
Growing Food where
people live can
drastically reduce food
miles and connect people
to growing food.
Bass Coast and South Gippsland Community Garden Network Newsletter June 2014
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An Australian Government Initiative
Road Side Fruit Trees Thanks to Rosemary Abetz-Rouse and Gordon Rouse
Letter to CEO Mr John Mitchell, Latrobe City Council Further to a telephone discussion with Mr Chris Dash, Council's Supervisor Arborist on 4 April 2014, we understand that Council has a policy to cut down all non-native fruit trees on roadsides and poison the stumps. A number of mature apple trees and plum trees have already been destroyed in Yinnar South. We understand that Council's aim is to create “native indigenous vegetation corridors”. However, there are no plans to revegetate the areas left bare by removing the mature trees, which leaves them open to infestation by noxious weeds such as blackberries. There is also no provision to be made for native birds such as king parrots which rely on the non-native fruit as an important food source, due to loss of original habitat. In the meantime, Mr Dash advises that Council will continue to plant the Garden Escape weed agapanthus in garden beds, despite the advice in Council's publication “Grow me instead” that "...[agapanthus] invade[s] roadsides, bushland and waterways”. In our online petition at change.org, a number of community members have commented that they enjoy picking wild fruit, which can be stewed and made into pies and cider. President of The Heritage Fruits Society, Ms Cecilia Egan has written to Council to advise that society members have been trawling the Gippsland wild stock over the last several decades looking for chance seedlings with desirable characteristics such as flavour, colour and keeping qualities. This search has led to the establishment of the new Australian apple cultivars such as Warragul Surprise, Neerim Red and Traf Prince. Likewise in the US, research into ancient apple varieties has resulted in the discovery of trees with unusual disease resistance. By destroying wild apple trees we are losing a valuable gene pool for research and commercial cultivation. Co-originator of the world-renowned permaculture concept, Mr David Holmgren has also written to Council: “... I am prepared to offer my expertise on a pro bono basis to Latrobe City council to develop roadside management policies that better reflect a wholistic approach to biodiversity conservation more in line with the UN Biodiversity convention to which Australia is a signatory”. We would urge Council to accept Mr Holmgren's very generous offer. Together with the 94 signatories to our online petition and further signatories to the hard copies held at the Yinnar General Store and Yinnar Farm & Hardware Store, we request that Council review this policy prior to any further destruction of non-native fruit trees along roadsides. Kind regards, Rosemary Abetz-Rouse Gordon Rouse
Bass Coast and South Gippsland Community Garden Network Newsletter June 2014
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An Australian Government Initiative
The Harvest Centre News Murray St Wonthaggi on the side of the Rail Trail
The food swaps will continue over winter with the next food swap scheduled for Saturday 12th July,
if you don't have produce, you can always make something, just use your imagination! Or just come
along, have a chat and get some nice, fresh produce for a small donation to the harvest centre.
For more info contact: Bron Dalhstrom at [email protected] or simply show up on the day!
Volunteering every Wednesday at 10:30am continues through the cooler months. Winter vegies are
now well established and the volunteers continue to enjoy a consistent harvest throughout autumn.
Contact for more info: Jessica for more information at 0407307231 or
Wonthaggi Community Garden News White Road, Wonthaggi
Sightings and other signs of animal life are good indications of the overall health of the community
garden.
Last week volunteers spotted dainty striped frogs, blending in with the mulch, evidence of bush rat
borrowings and birds a plenty, which means the garden is providing habitat, shelter and food.
Frogs are particularly welcome as they help control slugs and snails around the broccoli, cabbages
and Asian greens. The Wonthaggi Community Garden is an inclusive space for all creatures great and
small. Everyone is welcome to join the regular volunteer group on Thursday mornings from 10am to
noon. The garden is also open for casual visits at other times
For more information please contact on P: 5671 9213 or E:[email protected]
Cowes Community Garden News
Things have been quiet in the Cowes Community Garden throughout June with no
events to record, despite this though the members have been working hard to maintain productivity
in their individual plots throughout the cooler months. The next events planned for the garden will
be in the first weeks of September and November which a permablitz and garden open day planned
for these weekends.
For more information please contact: Adrian E: [email protected] or M: 0429 00 1214
Bass Coast and South Gippsland Community Garden Network Newsletter June 2014
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An Australian Government Initiative
Manna Community Garden in Foster
Every Monday from 10am to midday including public holidays a group of dedicated gardeners gather
together in the Manna Community Garden behind Foster Community House to create, maintain and
take care of the community garden for everyone to enjoy. The ancient 300 year old manna gum
dominates this very diverse and productive garden within the heart of Foster where community
members and visitors can observe an edible and functional garden, designed around Permaculture
principles. Contact details Juneen 0427809509.
Phillip Island Community Orchard
It is time to plant the second round of trees which we can buy from grant money. The budget is for approximately 60 bare root trees, we had put together a list over the last couple of working bees. With some advice from a local horticulturist we have come up with a potential design for the new trees (written in pen), taking into consideration drainage, sun, shade, wind, and accessibility. A quick plan for the next couple of months: mid June - Digging of holes (contracted out) late June - prepping the holes with manure etc to sit for a month (working bee) late July & Aug - tree planting!
Working bees are on the 4th Saturday please contact: [email protected] for more
information.
Growing Together Baw Baw
We have our monthly workshop/working bee this coming Saturday 5th July. 9am till 3pm
Come rain or wind or sun, we will be there as we continue to build the garden that is everyone’s to
enjoy and be a part of, we hope you can be there as well.
There will be plenty of soup, BBQ, cake, tea and coffee and good humour to fortify us all.
Come along for as long as you can and try your hand at any job that you can see yourself taking on,
don't be shy.
Please contact: Donna Hallam mobile 0407873681 or email: [email protected]
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An Australian Government Initiative
Things to Checkout:
- Sustainability Gippsland Website: http://www.sustainabilitygippsland.com/. If you haven’t
already, register your group on this site and join an incredible online community, while
raising the profile of your group / project.
- South Gippsland Food Map: http://www.southerngippslandfoodmap.com.au/. Find local
food suppliers here.
- Grow Lightly: http://www.growlightly.com.au/ locally and ethically sourced veggie boxes.
- Cowes Community Garden: Saturday 6th September; Permablitz, learn how to plan a food
forest and learn more about permaculture, all welcome please contact:
Adrian at [email protected] or 0429001214
- Spade and Barrow: This is not for profit business looking to source surplus produce from growers that is either excess to demand or not meeting size/colour/shape requirements, and connect this to other markets in either health care, catering. Maybe an option for your larger scale growing and bring some money in to cover operation costs http://spadeandbarrow.com.au/home.php Talk to Justin Walsh.
- Australian City Farms and Community Gardens Network:
http://communitygarden.org.au/. Register your community garden here.
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Contacts
Phillip Island Community Orchard
Wimbledon Heights, Phillip Island
Wonthaggi Community Garden- Meet Thursdays 10-12
239 White Road, Wonthaggi VIC 3995
Contact: [email protected]
The Harvest Centre- Meet Wednesdays 10.30- 1:00pm
Behind Mitchell House (next to rail trail)
Contact: [email protected] or 5672 3731
Cowes Community Garden
Phillip Island Adult Learning Centre, 56 Church St, Cowes
Contact: [email protected] or 0429 001 214
Yinnar and District Community Garden
Main Street, Yinnar.
Contact: [email protected]
Kooweerup Community Garden
Located at Kooweerup Regional Health Service- 215- 235 Rossiter Road
Contact: 5997 9790.
Manna Community Garden- Foster
Located behind the Foster and District Community House
Meeting every Monday 10am-12pm
Contact: [email protected] or 0427 809 509
Fish Creek Community Garden
Contact: [email protected]
Horticultural Healers- Coronet Bay
Meeting every Tuesday 9:30- 1:30pm at the Coronet Bay Hall
Contact: [email protected]
Venus Bay Community Centre
Food Culture Program- Meeting every Monday from 9:30- 1pm (everyone welcome)
27 Canterbury Road, Venus Bay
Contact: 5663 7499 or email [email protected]
Leongatha Community Garden
Contact: Joanne Knox email: [email protected] mobile: 0400 877 966
Bass Coast and South Gippsland Community Garden Network Newsletter June 2014
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An Australian Government Initiative
Bass Coast and South Gippsland Community Garden Network Newsletter June 2014
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An Australian Government Initiative
