June 2023 Newsletter
Hello Gardeners
Here's an update on this month's activities, events and what’s growing in the garden.
GArden News
Access to the Garden
The garden committee has made the hard decision to keep the garden locked, this is being done to keep the garden and volunteers who work in it safe.
We are going to trial opening the garden to the public on the third Sunday of the month.
Current garden members will be sent an email in the next week or so, that will explain how they can gain regular access to the garden.
Garden will be open to visitors:
First Sunday of the month 10am to 1pm (working bee and new member orientation)
Third Sunday of the month 10am to 1pm (inclement weather may prevent opening of garden)
Every Wednesday 10am to 11am (ish)
Upcoming Events
Garden Open to Visitors
When: Sunday 18th June 10am to 1pm
Where: North Brighton Community Garden (parking off Brimble St)
Working Bee
When: Sunday 2nd July at 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 2nd July 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
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 Happening in the garden
You may know that the garden was designed and operates using permaculture principles. Have you ever wondered what this actually means? This month I’ve included two examples of “Each element performs many functions.” Read on to learn how our shed and the lilly pilly trees perform many functions in the garden.
Lilly Pillies
Lilly Pillies – Syzgium Australe “Backyard Bliss”
The garden’s Lilly Pillies were planted because of their ability serve many functions.
When mature they will act as a windbreak for the garden and provide an attractive screen along the fence.
They are bird and bee attracting, because of its sweet tasting fruit and the flowers nectar properties.
They are an Australian bush food. The fruits are edible with a crisp fresh texture and have variable sweet-tart flavour (the fruit taste varies depending on the variety). The fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked. The garden’s Lilly Pilly fruit are nice eaten fresh from the tree (just beware they have a small stone). Children visiting the garden love eating the Lilly Pilly fruit.
Did you know that Lilly Pilly fruits have become a super-food? I discovered this when researching Lilly Pillies. Apparently recent research says they have high levels of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
Next time you’re at the garden, try a Lilly Pilly, look for the dark pink colour fruit.
More than a garden Shed
At NBCG, we’re always talking about “stacking functions” or thinking of ways in which one design element can incorporate multiple functions and increase the efficiency of our garden. Our shed is a prime example of this - over time, it has evolved to become MUCH more than just a storage room.
EVERY surface of the shed, both interior and exterior, presents an opportunity to maximise space and create function…
INTERIOR WALLS: are all lined with shelving and boards to store tools, produce, arts and crafts supplies, fertilisers, tables, chairs, cushions, first aid and kitchen supplies. A cleverly designed work bench sits beneath a translucent roof sheet to allow natural light for small jobs to be undertaken under shelter from the elements. A cabinet beneath allows certain items to be locked up. The remaining wall space will be used to house a new irrigation control box, library and seed bank.
CEILING: additional rafters have been added to allow large flat items like signs to be stored overhead, freeing up valuable floor and wall space.
FLOOR SPACE: is free to use for working, temporarily storing bulky items or construction supplies and as an emergency undercover extension to our gathering area.
EXTERIOR WALLS: Notice boards and white boards are attached to the front entrance to share public information and facilitate workshops. The rear wall creates a protected microclimate so has been trellised to support delicate raspberry vines. This provides the garden with fresh berries while improving the outward view from the neighbour’s house. Two smaller sheds are attached to the wall that borders our nursery which provides easy access to garden tools and propagation supplies. The opposite side makes use of an awkward small gap between the shed and water tank – a perfect spot for a timber storage rack and securing the area!
ROOF: Rainwater is harvested and used for watering plants. Solar panels will soon be added to support a battery and a modem for monitoring our security cameras and irrigation remotely - that means less work for our volunteers!
Next time you’re working in the garden, think about how you might be able to retrofit your own shed or other element of your house/garden to maximise its functionality…
Provided by Beau
Things to do in the garden
Strawberries
Strawberry plants are perennial and can survive the winter in South Australia. Here are some tips to look after your strawberry plants during the cold season:
Remove any dead or diseased leaves and stems to prevent fungal infections and pest infestations.
Apply a large hand full of organic pellets beneath the plants and cover this with a layer of straw mulch.
Water the plants only when the soil is dry to avoid root rot and fungal diseases.
Replace strawberry plants with fresh plants every second or third year.
Happy Gardening
Lisa & North Brighton Community Garden Committee