Hello Gardeners

Here's an update on this month's activities, events and what’s growing in the garden.

What’s Been Happening

Working Bee

On Sunday 12th we had our first working bee for the year.
The weather was perfect for working in the garden. So much was accomplished by the amazing volunteers that gave up their Sunday morning to help out. But anyone who has a garden will know there are always more jobs to be done.
Some of the jobs completed by the garden volunteers included pruning of trees and sensory garden. Garden beds made ready for garlic to be planted in March. Pots washed in readiness for our propagation team. Mint was cleared from the garden to give the lemongrass more space to grow. Work commenced on the communal beds to get them ready for the next planting season. Cuttings potted up to grow for the spring garden sale.

New Hose Reel

Thanks to Bunnings Marion, watering the garden has just got a whole lot easier.
With their generous help we’ve been able to get a 30m retractable hose.
When using this hose, a watering fitting is required, otherwise it will not work. Please leave the spray fitting on the hose when finished watering.

Upcoming Events

Working Bee

When: Sunday 5th March 10am

Where: North Brighton Community Garden (parking off Brimble St)

What to Bring: Gardening gloves, water bottle, sunscreen & hat

Working Bees are a great way to get involved in the garden and to get to know your fellow community gardeners.
There is a job for all abilities. Any time you can spare to help would be great.

New Member Orientation

When: Sunday the 5th March at 11am

Where: North Brighton Community Garden, (parking off Brimble St)

Recently joined as a garden member or want to learn about what we do and how you can be involved in the garden, come along to a new member orientation session. No booking required.

Wednesday Morning Tea

When: Every Wednesday 10 to 11am(ish)

Where: North Brighton Community Garden, (parking off Brimble St)

Have a world-famous brownie recipe? Bring it along to our regular social event where everyone is welcome to come along for a cuppa, chat and share a bite to eat. We’ll often stay back to do a few jobs as well.
What to bring: Gardening gloves, drink bottle, plate of food to share (encouraged but not compulsory)

Get involved with the garden!

There are a number of ways you can help out at the garden, get involved with the garden community and meet like-minded people. This includes helping with propagating, looking after garden beds, watering, creating signs or creating mosaic projects.

Let us know by emailing northbrightoncg@gmail.com if you can help with any of the following or would like more information.

House (garden) Keeping

Front Gate

Back Gate
The back gate is to be used for emergencies and larger deliveries only. It must be locked from the INSIDE only and the chain not accessible from outside the garden. You shouldn't be able to lock and exit via the back gate - i.e you must exit via the front gate if the back gate is locked properly.

Garden tools
Some tools have been moved to the small sliding shed. When you have finished using any of the garden tools, please put them back safely away in the shed and lock the nursery.

Member Plots + missing produce
Reminder, that the plots on the left-hand side of the garden when you walk into the garden are leased by members. Members put a lot of time, money and effort into growing produce for their own use. Please don’t pick any produce from these plots without permission. If you see any of the general public doing so, please politely ask them to stop.
If unsure of what produce is available to garden members, please ask before taking.

What’s growing in the garden

Vines, lots and lots of vines! We have lots of different vines growing in the garden, in this newsletter I’m going to let you know about three very different and very green vines we have growing. You might like to try their fruit, flower or leaves.

If you’re not sure what can be picked or eaten please check with one of the regular garden members.

Cucamelon

Cucamelon (Melothria Scabra) commonly known as Mexican sour gherkin, mouse melon, Mexican miniature watermelon.
This is one of the cutest fruits growing in the garden.
The fruit tastes similar to cucumbers except they have a hint of citrusy flavour.
They can be eaten straight off the vine, added to salads or salsa, pickled, cooked quickly in a stir-fry or used as a garnish for gin or a cocktail.
The fruit is ready for picking when they’re about 2-3cm long (about the size of a table grape). Avoid fruit when it starts to yellow as it becomes bitter.
They are growing in the one of the communal beds. The fruit is very close to being ready to pick. Give one a try next time you’re at the garden.

Hops

Hops are the flowers (also called seed cones or strobiles) of the hop plant Humulus lupulus, a member of the Cannabaceae family of flowering plants.
You likely know hops as an ingredient in beer, but it also makes a great shade vine. We have it growing to shade the greenhouse during summer (the vine dies back in winter).
The flowers, known as cones or strobiles, have papery petals and are only produced on female plants.
The flowers are harvested when they have turned bronze (in autumn). The flowers will release a hoppy aroma if squashed between your fingers.
When researching the ways to use hops other than beer making, there appears to be many different options. I just love the look and aroma of the cones (flower).
Let us know if you would like to harvest some hops when they’re ready.

Sweet Potato

One of the many interesting things I’ve learnt since being involved with the community garden is the benefit of growing sweet potatoes. They provide the sweet potato tuber below ground and above ground they grow a lush vine which acts as a living mulch and the leaves can be eaten.
Sweet potato leaves are widely eaten throughout Asia and Africa. Are high in vitamin C & B6 and thrive in summer heat, unlike a lot of other leafy greens.
Some of the ways sweet potato leaves can be eaten include, raw like any other dark leafy green. Sauteed or stir-fried, boiled or juiced.
Pick the younger leaves and remove the stem (my understanding is the stems can be a bit tough).
If you want to give sweet potato leaves a try, the banana grove at the garden is surrounded by sweet potato vine.

Happy Gardening

Lisa & North Brighton Community Garden Committee

February 2023 Newsletter