March 24, 2023

Garden tools workshop at Hans’s garden in Dorrigo

For thousands of years, gardeners have gathered together and compared the tools of their trade. Seedsavers keeps the tradition going on Saturday 1st April, from 1.30- 4.30pm at Dorrigo. If you have a favourite tool or two, then bring it in and we can have a chat about it. Hans – you may remember him as our garden host last November – will demonstrate tool sharpening and if you’re lucky you may get a chance to hone an extra fine edge on your best secateurs.

There will be afternoon tea – bring a plate to share. There is also carpooling available, so leave a note on your reply if you need or can offer a lift. The event is outdoors (in the shade) so it may not run in wet weather.

Numbers are limited so RSVP ASAP!

Please do not attend if you are coming down with flu-like symptoms.

If you RSVP for this event, an email (containing directions) will be sent to the email address you provide on the RSVP form. If you do not receive an email, please check your junk mail folder.

February 17, 2023

Seed processing at Woopi Gardens

NewsletterDon Open Gardens

It’s on again – seed cleaning and packing in preparation for the Bellingen Autumn plant fair.

This time somewhere different: Woolgoolga Regional Community Gardens. Here’s an opportunity to sharpen your seed-cleaning skills and tour the fabulous community garden and have some fun.

There will be good food, good cheer and let’s kick off the new year of seed saving and sharing with refreshed vigour.

Please bring food to share for morning tea / lunch,

and spare dried seeds of known identity for cleaning and packing.

Let’s keep the tried and true as well as the weird and wonderful, all flourishing in our gardens!

If you are coming down with something contagious, please do not attend this event.

Car-pooling will be arranged details in the RSVP.

February 17, 2023

Bellingen plant fair

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No need to RSVP just turn up on the day and support your local community of growers.

If you wish to volunteer for the Bellingen Seed Savers stall, please email Gillian using the link in our newsletter.

November 19, 2022

Garden tour at Hans’s garden in Dorrigo

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We’re trying our luck for another plateau visit!

Hans has been visiting with us for the last few years, after coming up from Tasmania to Dorrigo 5yrs ago. Located in a newer subdivision of town, he was lucky enough to start with a framework of trees as initial shelter for a productive patch. It’s a compact and lush site with developing microclimates to exploit. Hans has been planting and constructing protections for his flourishing garden. Come up and escape the summer heat 🙂

If you RSVP for this event, an email (containing directions) will be sent to the email address you provide on the RSVP form. If you do not receive an email, please check your junk mail folder.

October 24, 2022

Garden tour at Steve’s garden in Korora

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This event is booked out, you can still RSVP to be added to the waiting list.

You maybe familiar with his name; Steve McGrane is a qualified horticultural presenter and writer, calling in on the ABC Mid North Coast’s station for Wednesday’s morning garden chat. This time, it’s going to happen while we’re there!

Steve has been working on creating an intensively managed, productive and ornamental suburban block for the last 15yrs. His veges, chickens, compost, aquaponics and food forest adventure await us.

Arrivals must be no later than 9am (or let in after 10am) to ensure a smooth radio cross, and numbers will be limited – can’t wait for this one!

If you attend, please bring a plate of yummies to share for morning tea and any seeds or cuttings you wish to share on the day.

See you there 🙂

If you RSVP for this event, an email (containing directions) will be sent to the email address you provide on the RSVP form. If you do not receive an email, please check your junk mail folder.

October 9, 2022

Garden tour at Watercress farm, Deer Vale, with Venita

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Event postponed due to poor weather.

Venita is one DIY lady. Over the last decade the hard working farm girl has put her experience and energy into building her own rural home and garden from scratch in the beautiful rolling hills of Deer Vale. Not merely project management; drill, saw, hammer and nails – she’s wielded them all to create a character filled cabin and orchard.

Nestled on the edge of native forest and farmland, there will be an option to go for a walk down to some special patches of remnant cool temperate rainforest.

If you attend, please bring a plate of yummies to share for lunch and any seeds or cuttings you wish to share on the day.

See you there 🙂

If you RSVP for this event, an email (containing directions) will be sent to the email address you provide on the RSVP form. If you do not receive an email, please check your junk mail folder.

August 12, 2022

Talking gardening with Phil Dudman

NewsletterDon Open Gardens

It’s an action-packed August this year! In between our packing day and the Bellingen Spring Plant Fair, we are squeezing in a guest speaker: Phil Dudman.

This will be a return visit by Phil, with our reliable Fernmount garden hosts, Chris and Merren.

Phil is a public gardening figure and, until recently, Organic Gardener’s editor. He’s familiar with our climate, knowledgeable and very personable. We’ve given him a few suggested topics to give a talk on, but anything he chooses to dive into is bound to be a lively and engaging discussion.

If you attend, please bring a plate of yummies to share for lunch and any seeds or cuttings you wish to share on the day.

See you there 🙂

If you RSVP for this event, an email (containing directions) will be sent to the email address you provide on the RSVP form. If you do not receive an email, please check your junk mail folder.

July 21, 2022

Seed packing in Raleigh hosted by Chris

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Well I managed to miss our last seed packing day at Chris’s, but by all accounts it was a fantastic day despite the crazy weather, so we’ll ‘play it again Sam’.

Definitely planning to get down the mountain for this one. We will work a little, share a little, and probably laugh and eat a lot! Please come along, or forward any seeds for us to pack with your details.

Please bring any seeds you have saved for sharing.

If you RSVP for this event, an email (containing directions) will be sent to the email address you provide on the RSVP form. If you do not receive an email, please check your junk mail folder.

June 6, 2022

Winter Solstice in Gleniffer with Dr Pepper

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As the winter solstice approaches (Tuesday June 21st) we invite you to invoke the communal spirit of connection in the garden.

A meeting of like minds, to cast off the trials and tribulations of the last 2-3 years. Let’s shrug off the shackles and salute the sun with lengthening and (hopefully) brighter days to come. We’ll manifest some magic; the strength and support from our group is a nourishing warm energy. As is the cake!

So come on down to the Promised Land 😉

Please bring any seeds you have saved for sharing.

If you RSVP for this event, an email (containing directions) will be sent to the email address you provide on the RSVP form. If you do not receive an email, please check your junk mail folder.

May 8, 2022

Garden visit to the garden of Adrian and family in Fernmount

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Leela’s description of Adrian and his family’s Fernmount home:

We have been invited to visit their new house and garden. I’ve only taken a flying squiz, but the house looks stylish, lots of bananas and other things are leaping out of the ground. I’ve met their friendly pup & hear there’s chooks down the back. Looks like there’s a lot underway. Yep, I’m intrigued and looking forward to our next gathering at their place. Hope see you there too.

If you RSVP for this event, an email (containing directions) will be sent to the email address you provide on the RSVP form. If you do not receive an email, please check your junk mail folder.