Written by This month’s meeting began with a brief summary of the Off-Grid Expo. While we did have good takings from the event, around $1200, it was questionable whether it’s worth the commitment and the travel. It’s also very hard to plan the growing of seedlings over the winter months, to get seedlings of a reasonable standard to sell.
It was suggested that we do something closer to home as a major fundraiser. Also, we need to work out what we are fundraising for? What do we need more money for? So two things to ponder until our next get together, or to comment on below: 1. If we are to do a major fundraiser, what could it be? 2. What do we want to do with the funds raised?
Narayana ordered some soil from Gympie Landscape Supplies and was less than impressed with the quality. It was suggested that Campbells may be better, or Red Soil Organics, who are more expensive but quite good. She’s also working on getting more herbs going and enquiring about comfrey propagation. Comfrey is easily propagated by root division. Dig them up and transplant, more will grow where they are dug up from as it’s almost impossible to get rid of it! She’s also had trouble with seed viability, which seems to come up often in the group.
Serge’s response to seed viability is that in his view, it’s more likely due to the conditions than the seed. He has found more success growing seeds direct in the ground. This gets around the most common problems of the quality of the seed raising mix and the amount of water they get in pots. Black pots tend to get hot and dry out. He has goslings and chickens for sale if anyone is interested.
Sam is a returning member, who’s been away from the group for a while, she brought Tracey along with her, as she’s keen to learn. Sam’s next project is to build two ponds. It was suggested to grow some lomandra around the edges to deter cane toads. As she is renting and it’s difficult to plant more plants, the suggestion was to use the large grow bags or large pots to grow in. She has old bath tubs and wicking beds would be a good retrofit for them.
There was some discussion around shade cloth and where to get some from. There’s a shade sail business on the way to Jones Hill and they often have ends of rolls or old shade sails available. Or Pro-Net is a business near Stanthorpe where you can buy full rolls of shade cloth and fruit fly net. Perhaps a group buy could be worth looking into?
Naomi is pulling out white dragon fruit and has plenty of bamboo, so if anyone is after either of these things, please contact her or comment below.
Jarod is a newcomer who learnt about the group at the expo, so there was some benefit in being involved the expo!
Regula is getting cattle! So she’s on a learning curve to becoming a Grazier!
Pete is doing a talk at the Library on wicking boxes and beds – I’ll add this to the events page. Saturday 21st October from 10-11am. Pete also demonstrated a very quick and easy plantable seedling pot, using packing paper. You take a piece of packing paper and use a jar the size you want as a guide. Wrap the paper around the jar and twist the bottom, turn inside out and roll the top down. If you can’t work out how to do it from my description (which is highly likely), I’ll convince Pete to do a little video and upload it to a forum on the site. Comment below……
There is always lively discussion, great information and sharing of knowledge at our meetings, so please come along to the next one. Seeyou then!
