Written by This month’s harvest swap was well patronised! Some lovely eggplant and cabbages were part of the swap, with plants, eggs and citrus as well…..oh and so many moringa seeds – I haven’t planted mine out yet, but will very soon! I usually plant them in small pots, but this time because I have quite a few, I’ll plant them in a tray and then transplant as they come up – I learnt this method at a moringa day with Maria Page.
The round table discussion started with Mark, who is new to the group and new to gardening. We welcome any new interest in either gardening or permaculture.
Wendy Joy, also fairly new to the group, is not new to gardening, although is finding it a little different than gardening in the Gippsland.
Renee is focussing on perennials like sambung and moringa to name a couple – we are looking at a hot and dry summer, so this is wise thinking. Perennials, especially heat loving ones are the way to ensure a regular supply of food.
While Melinda is having trouble with snakes, Lucy is having trouble growing spuds and garlic. The problem with the garlic is just size, whereas the potatoes just didn’t want to grow any spuds on their roots! Potatoes prefer temps under 25 degrees, and plenty of water. These spuds had water, but the soil is heavy clay, so perhaps a loamier position next time might be best.
Damien found out the hard way, that using fresh horse manure on plants is not a good idea. Horse manure needs to be composted before using, especially if it could be compromised with worm treatments, which is very likely around here.
Marie Claire is experimenting with green pawpaw as a health food – juice and then drying the pulp. Serge commented that pawpaw seeds – dried and powdered can be used to sprinkle on steak to tenderise it.
Ginger, Garlic and Strawberries all like a layer of sawdust mulch. This increases acidity, which prevents mosaic virus, and these crops grow much better.
Willem is playing around with weed teas as liquid manure and has found that banana leaf gives an even stronger smell to a weed tea! It appears to be very active, so hopefully this is a good thing! He’s also looking for some prickly pear to plant out – to be used as food. The leaf/pad and fruit can both be eaten.
Foz is getting very good success with his compost by adding more cardboard than he has previously. It has finished with lots of worms and is nice and fluffy.
Lani has successfully managed to transplant a fig tree. She also has some avocado trees if anyone is interested.
If anyone is confused about Sambung and Okinawa spinach, Okinawa is purple and green and sambung is plain green. Both are heat loving greens for use as a salad or a vegetable.
There is always something new to learn, so if you have any questions or advice to share, please come along to our next meeting. They are held the first Monday of the month and all details can be found under the events tab.
