October 25, 2016

Charles’ subtropical garden, Thora

Charles has spent many years creating a productive subtropical garden jungle on a multiple occupancy property in Thora. With well developed alluvial soils and seemingly tireless hard work, there is abundance and novelties at every turn.

Surrounding a quirky hexagonal cottage are tracks squeezing through lush herbs & vegies, as well open orchard spaces to enjoy with the river nearby.

Come and see the products of effort & enthusiasm in the beautiful Thora valley on a Sunday afternoon.

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October 4, 2016

Leela’s Manor, Dorrigo

NewsletterDon Open Gardens

Spring is definitely exciting after the rigours of winter & we have been spruced up with some early spring showers. I have been frolicking with frogs & marshalling my critters. The vegie patch is taking shape nicely & i have been practicing my grafting for further orchard ambitions. Most of the hard yakka building is done, but finishing is soo hard when the garden beckons. 2 sloping acres of paddock is turning into a promising little oasis. Yep, bitten off a bit more than i can chew – no regrets! Come ramble round my ‘manor’ & swap tips and adventures. I can show you some fermented foods and maybe give a quick demo for those interested who missed out last time ? Leela

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August 29, 2016

Bellingen Plant Fair

NewsletterDon Plant Fair

Bellingen Seed Savers will be at the Plant Fair again this year selling locally adapted seeds and seedlings suitable for spring planting and all sourced from our members gardens. Our renowned raffle will be offered too! See you there.

The plant fair is held in Bellingen in Market Park, 8am-2pm on Sat Sept 10.

John Vernon will be at the Bellingen Seed Savers stall between 8am and 10am to showcase Okinawa Spinach at the Plant fair. Cuttings will be available.

(BOTANICAL NAME:Gynura crepioides

COMMON NAMES: Okinawa spinach, Hong tsoi, Okinawa lettuce

FAMILY: Asteraceae

ORIGIN: Native to Indonesia)

This is the ideal green vegetable for this subtropical climate and can be eaten raw or cooked. There is no slimy taste. Grows like a weed. Is sterile. Shoots from cuttings placed in water in two weeks. Nutritional Content: The nutritional content of Okinawa spinach is similar to other perennial leaf crops. It contains large amounts of Calcium and potassium, and is rich in iron and Vitamins like A and C.

August 4, 2016

Fermenting Knowledge Sharing (& a little bit of seed packing)

NewsletterDon Seed Packing, Workshop / Learning Event

‘Tis the season for picking cabbages and what does one do with a whole load of cabbage? Sauerkraut anyone?

Lets get fermented! I have plunged into the microcosmos and encourage you to take a peek & naturally preserve some of our wonderful fresh produce.
Come along for a self-help diy knowledge sharing gathering to get friendly with the foods & bacteria that can make our bodies zing. Leela can do a sauerkraut and Jeff (and/or Omshree if he’s keen) can do a kombucha. Leela or Fiona M might also bring milk kefir along for the outing. xxxxx will show us preserved lemons.

This will likely be part 1 of a shared demonstration and discussion of foodie experiences, for the good of all.
There are so many possibilities, we’ll take a bite at a few of them.

None of us are experts but many of us have some experience with fermenting. What could you bring to demo? What experience do you have to share? Let us know in the RSVP message box if there’s a ferment you can bring or talk about.

Also, Jeff has a few more labels for seed packets to be applied if we can squeeze it all in – this bit shouldn’t take long.

10am meet & mill about
11am kraut kombucha kefir & lemons
Lunch next (not just cake!)
Packing and planning to follow after

Venue: in Bellingen

Bring a plate to share, a garden chair, dress warmly & maybe bring a blanket for your knees.