Summer on its way

Garden update.



Potatoes Mulched



In the Update this week

• Potatoes and our 26 spotted freinds are back.
• Frogs in gardens.
• Herb Garden thriving.
• Welcome new gardeners.
• Punkin Chunkin

Late spring rains have meant vegetables are leaping out of the ground, the potato crop planted by Narellan Congregational Community Services and by the garden volunteers/members at the garden have been emerging over the last few weeks, and a few drops of rain has made the world of difference, mulch has been applied to the crop to help retain the moisture in the ground and once finished a manure crop will go in to replenish the soil with nutrients taken up by the potatoes. We also must mention the return of our little freind the 26 spotted lady bug, measures will be looked into as far as his control goes, but for now if you see them just

Eastern Dwarf Green Tree Frog
(we think)

Verreaux Tree Frog

As well as our regular visitors to the garden, namely all our gardeners, a few critters have been spotted, our regular magpies turn up for working bees and when ever they see someone digging, obviously anticipating a free feed, the kookaburras havent been seen of late but tawny frogmoths have late in the afternoon.
 The surprise of the month was a green tree frog, spotted by one of our gardeners, this little visitor is a great addition to the community garden as well as a Verreaux Tree Frog, keep your eyes peeled when visiting.

Other points of note are the rapidly growing artichokes, a beautiful architectural plant, we have 2 varieties in, but the variety growing best at present are the purple ones pictured. These are sure to be a great display at the garden. Other herbs growing at present include Perilla, Oregano, Marjoram, Thyme, Basil (just gone in but Thai, Black Opal, Lemon and Genovese) Kaffir Lime, Sage, Lemon Grass, Chives, Rosemary, Angelica, Parsley, Chamomile, Mint (Chocolate, Vietnamese and regular var.), Tarragon (Russian, Mexican and French), Lemon Grass, Lemon Verbena, Stevia, Pineapple Sage, Horseradish, Brahimi, Wormwood. All are growing with varying levels of success.

This last week saw St Justins School in Camden visit with more than 60 little Kinders and teachers, thanks to teacher Rochelle Young for organising and contacting us, having kids come through the gardens gives them a great connection with the origins of their food, all the kinders were on their best behaviour and left with smiles and only the plants we gave them :) courtesy of Leppington Seedlings as we still had some left over from Narellan Rhythms. The kids had a great time identifying the different herbs that were passed around and then got to identify all the different vegetables around the garden plots.

Great to see this month Roam Communities and Wesley Disability Services getting into the garden as well as a couple of new gardeners, John, Warren, George Sayers (who did the artwork for the engravings around the Town farm), and Euan and Leah.

Now for something still on topic but out there and i have to say way out, try about 1.5km, thats the world record for firing a pumpkin out of an air cannon, and only in America, i don't think we will see it at Camden Show in a hurry, but i would just like to put it out there, held the first weekend in November in the US, which would equate to about Camden Show time here. The event is held in Delaware at Royal Farms, Bridgeville, and has been running since 1986, and raises alot of money for some great causes. Check it out here.

The next news item will feature some different veggies, namely Yacon, Peanuts and Oca, click back later.

Also check out the links pages for some great news stories covering Food Security issues and Health.