Spring is here

Spring has finally arrived, the cherry trees have burst into flower and the liquid ambers are getting that green tinge from the new shoots starting to emerge.

The gardens are extremely productive at present with gardeners harvesting all manner of things, cauliflowers, broccoli, broccolini, spinach, beetroot, cabbages, celery, leeks, shallots to name but a few.

The Salvation Army "Brunch to Lunch" recieved a big basket of veggies this week, and all concerned were very grateful for the donation.

A reminder to everyone that Brunch to Lunch runs every friday at the Salvation Army in Smeaton Grange from 10.30am to 1.30pm and is open to everyone.

The last working bee cleaned up the Herb Garden as you can see on the image.

The next generation of herbs are growing, we have planted chives, italian parsley, mizuna, celeriac and rosemary.

Springs veggies are on the way and were planted a few weeks ago, growing from seed at present i have coriander, radishes, spinach beet, peas, snake beans, carrots, hurakei, cucumbers, fennel, kohlrabi, lettuce, tomatoes and eggplants. These will slowly be migrated into various gardens over the coming weeks.

Its tomato time but watch out for the cold still, i have them planted out in central camden, but i am still very cautious about putting any in at the community gardens, potatoes are in as are "8 Ball Zucchinis".

Happy Gardening

Note next working bee dates and AGM.

Another Working Bee down and the latest.

Thanks to those that attended the latest working bee on the 18th of June, please put the 16th of July in your diaries as the date for the next one. They say many hands make light work and this time we even had lots of little hands with some of our younger gardeners digging in, thanks to Gabrielle, Tash, Jai and Tali for helping out. Thanks to Jeff the president of the gardens for organising lunch.

On the garden front some of the more overgrown beds were worked over giving their new owners a reprieve in the setting up process, and as such we would like to welcome Sylvanvale Foundation to the gardens who will be taking up one bed and now join the team from Wesley Disability Services on site.

After the GE Money visit the herb garden was given something of a makeover and has since been planted out with some new plants, presently we still have the following growing and cropping :

• Sage
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Dill
• Marjoram
• Chervil
• Lemon Balm
• Coriander
• Nettles
• Tarragon (russian)
• Vietnamese Mint

The recently planted herbs are:

• Italian Parsley - now picking
• Curly Parsley
• Celeriac
• Chives
• Rosemary - in a couple of borders only so far
• Mint
• Bay Leaves
• Oregano - Variegated

If you are wondering what people are growing and picking in the garden the list below should give you an inkling as to the productivity of the gardens at present, and going through our first winter.

• Leeks
• Spring Onions
• Beetroot - Purple/Orange
• Parsnips
• Bok Choy
• Chinese Cabbage
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage - red - savoy
• Daikon Radish
• Fennell
• Lettuce
• Kailan
• Sprouting Broccoli
• Rhubarb
• Broad Beans
• Spinach/Silverbeet
• Russian Kale

Other happenings:

A big thankyou goes out to the folk at Carrington Centennial Care for the welcome they extended to myself this week when i spoke at their residents meeting with regards to visiting and sharing the gardens.

Happy Gardening

Steve