Winter/Spring 2024 Newsletter
Hello Gardeners
The garden has been bustling with activity as the seasons change and we prepare for our Spring Open Day. Exciting events are on the horizon, offering opportunities for everyone to get involved, learn, and share in the joy of gardening. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or a budding enthusiast. Read on to see what’s been happening and what events we have planned for the rest of the year.
Whats Been Happening
Solar & Irrigation Upgrade
You may have noticed a lot of pipes laying around the garden recently- that’s because we’ve got some major upgrades underway thanks to the “Greening Our Community” grant that we received from council.
We’re installing a new solar irrigation system to help us water the garden more efficiently. It will all be controlled from one location and eliminate the need for tap timers. New lines will be installed to the greenhouse and nursery to ensure our plants are watered efficiently and evenly while reducing the need to hand water. All of the communal beds will also be irrigated to help with summer watering.
The new system will be controlled remotely via a fancy new wireless internet setup. Two solar panels will feed into a battery that will generate enough power to supply the new irrigation system, as well a modem for wifi and our security cameras. We’re hoping to eventually be able to run some lights for evening activities too!
Herbasorus Garden
Some of our garden members have been hard at work creating a wonderful Herbasorus Garden for our young and young at heart garden members to enjoy.
As part of their July visit to the garden the children from Nido Early School Somerton Park were treated to volcanic eruptions created by Janet with the help of Emma.
On your next visit to the garden make sure to check it out.
Grafting Workshop
Grafting is a fascinating horticultural technique that allows for multiple fruit varieties to be grown on a single tree. This method not only saves space but also allows for an extended harvest period of different fruits from the same tree.
Recently we were very fortunate to have Sally Osterstock hold a very informative deciduous fruit tree grafting workshop for us. Sally has a wealth of knowledge on fruit trees and grafting.
Did you know apricots could be grafted on to a plum tree, I didn't. I came home with a plum tree root stock with 2 types of plums and an apricot grafted to it.
We would love to hold more workshops, let us know what types of workshops you would be interested in.
Nido Early School Somerton Park Visits
The garden was abuzz with excitement and learning as the children from Nido Early School Somerton Park embarked on a bee-themed adventure. Their curiosity was met with a swarm of activities that brought the world of bees closer to their little hands. From the thrill of the bee hunt to the discovery of fascinating bee facts, the experience was enriched by Janet's exceptional guidance, making it a memorable exploration of nature's tiny, yet vital, pollinators.
This is one of many visits to the garden by the Nido Early School Somerton Park children.
Upcoming events
Spring Open Day 20th october 9am to 2pm
We need your help with the open day
Organising a successful Spring Open Day is a team effort, and every bit of help counts. Volunteers play a crucial role in the smooth running of the event, and even a few hours of assistance can make a significant difference. It's an excellent opportunity for community members to come together, share responsibilities, and enjoy the festivities. The collective effort not only ensures the event's success but also fosters a sense of community spirit.
Opportunity to help prior to the day
Attend a working bee to make sure the garden is looking great for the day, there is aways a range of different jobs to be done. Something to suit everyone.
We need another one or two marquees for the day, do you have one we could borrow?
Do you have a sunny protected spot at home? Let us know if you would like to foster a tray of seedlings for the plant sale.
Help with Sue Norman’s activity, we need fresh leaves and flowers for the day.
Opportunities to help on the day
Donations of baked goods to sell at our bake sale. Any donated home-cooked goods need to come with a list of ingredients used. Important Note: due to food handling rules, we cannot sell baked goods that contain fresh cream or custard. Fake cream is ok to use.
Sausage Sizzle - cooking & selling
Plant Stand - help setting up and selling
Raffle - selling of raffle tickets on the day
Help direct visitors and answer questions
Help with setting up and packing up
Any time you can spare on the day would be amazing - you do not need to commit to helping for the whole day! Ideally, we’ll get enough people volunteering that everyone has the opportunity to have a break and enjoy the day. Plus, it's always a lot of fun getting to know so many people.
If you are able to help, please send us an email to northbrightoncg@gmail.com and let us know if you have any preference where you would like to help and the timeframe you would be available.
W
orking Bees for Spring Open Day
We have three working bees scheduled to prepare the garden for our Open Day, and we would greatly appreciate the support of our garden members. These sessions are an excellent opportunity to come together, share in the camaraderie of gardening, and ensure that our community space looks its best for this special event. Every pair of hands makes a difference, so we encourage everyone to attend and contribute, whether you can spare a little time or the whole day. Let’s work together to showcase the beauty of our garden!
Sunday 6th October, Saturday 12th & 19th October 10am to 1pm (ish)
Annual geneal meeting
Annual General meeting
When: Sunday 3rd November, 10am
The Annual General Meeting is an important event where you can hear how the garden has gone over the past year and help us plan for the year to come. The AGM will:
Summaries the year's activities via Chairperson's and Treasurer's reports. Elect the 2025 committee. Vote on changes to general membership. Open up broader consultation to the members for ideas for future of the garden.
2025 Committee
We are looking for new committee members and have roles for different interests and skills. We encourage all garden members to consider nominating to join the committee. It’s a great way to volunteer in your local community and be involved in shaping the future of the garden.
Changes to General Membership
Ever wondered what your general membership fee covers.
The general membership fee is a crucial contribution that supports the fundamental operations of the garden. It covers essential expenses such as volunteer and public liability insurance, the lease of the garden, and water usage. The garden's sustainability is further supported by funds raised through plant sales and open days.
The general membership fee is $10 a year for a household, this hasn’t increased in the past 5 years. In that time like everything else our costs have increased, with this in mind we are purposing to make changes to our general membership. These changes will be put to a vote at the Annual General Meeting.
Increase fee to $15 a year for a household
Change the payment period to 1 January to 31 December for easier administration
Introduce the requirement to help in the garden in order to be a member. There will be a large range of jobs to choose from, something that should suite everyone. This is being done to share the workload more fairly and encourage more connection with the community.
5th Birthday Celebrations
The garden has hit a major milestone and would love for past and current garden members come and celebrate the garden’s 5th birthday with us. Once the formalities of the AGM have been completed there will be a cooking demonstration and a birthday cake to celebrate.
Garden Christmas Party
When: Friday 29th November, 5.30PM
Where: North Brighton Community Garden. 61 Bowker Street, North Brighton
All garden members are invited to our Christmas Party.
All you need to do is bring a plate of food to share, your own drinks. Plus, a picnic plate and cutlery to eat from.
Garden Open to Visitors
When: 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month 10am to 1pm(ish)
Every Wednesday 10am to 12pm(ish)
Where: North Brighton Community Garden , 61 Bowker Street, North Brighton (parking off Brimble St and Bowker Street)
Working Bees
Working Bees are held on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month, starting at 10am
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
New Member Orientations are held on the 1st Sunday of each month at 10.30am
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 10am 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)
House (Garden) Keeping
Access to the Community Garden
Being a general garden member comes with the benefit of having access to the garden at your convenience, provided you adhere to the terms and conditions.
It's important to maintain the security of the garden by not sharing the gate code.
Know someone who would like to visit the garden, encourage them to join as a general garden member. This ensures that everyone who enters the garden is informed and respectful of the shared rules and responsibilities.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The garden will be locked on the afternoon of 19th October. Members and Plot Holders will not be able to access the garden once it has been closed for the day. It will be open again on the 20th October for the Spring Open Day, after which access will go back to normal.
Member Plots
Reminder, that the plots on the left-hand side of the garden when you walk into the garden are leased by members.
Please do not pick any produce or remove plants from these plots without permission of the plot holder.
Members put a lot of time, money and effort into growing produce for their own use.
What’s Growing in the Garden
Dragon Fruit
Back in March we were excited to see our dragon fruit first ever flower. Fortunately for us the flower went on to produce fruit.
The fruit (only one fruit) was shared amongst garden members at morning tea. Let’s hope this is the first of many more dragon fruit.
Chokos
This is the first time the garden has grown chokos and they have proved to be one of the few plants we’ve been able to grow over the archway. We grew the plants from choko fruit donated to the garden last winter.
Originating in Mexico, where it was a staple food for the Aztecs and other indigenous societies, the choko travelled from Central America to Europe during the Columbian exchange in the 16th century. From there, it traversed Asia and, finally, came to Australia where it was known as easy to grow nutritious ‘filler’ vegetable.
Chokos are easy to grow and care for, all the plant requires is a support or trellis to climb on and away it goes! The avocado-shaped fruits can be eaten raw, like a cucumber, with the older fruits able to be steamed, baked, stir fried or turned into chutney.
get involved with the garden
There are a number of ways you can help out at the garden, be involved with the garden community and meet like-minded people. This includes helping with propagating, looking after garden beds, watering, creating arts and crafts. Do you have a garden related or art & craft related skill you would like to share? We are always looking for new workshop ideas and facilitators.
Do you have a passion for social media, we would love your help with our Facebook and Instagram posts.
The garden’s front gate needs a complete rebuild. Do you have the skills or know of a business that can help out with this, we’d love to hear from you.
Let us know by emailing northbrightoncg@gmail.com if you can help or would like more information.
Chive flower
Happy Gardening
Lisa & North Brighton Community Garden Committee