Apologies for the delay in producing our Newsletter for the Spring Season.
Happenings at the Garden
We have had some lovely visitors to the gardens. It is nice chatting to them and we have had some people that have provided some knowledge in permaculture etc. People are now spending time at the gardens, donating their time and knowledge, using the space to enjoy the environment, discovering what we have to offer.
October:
Busy month. Held our Annual General Meeting which had a nice turnout with some surprise attendees. New President and Secretary were nominated and unopposed .
Also Cannonvale State School Grade 1 students enjoyed an Excursion at the gardens. We had great feedback from the school and it maybe an annual event with the school.
Future Plans
We are hoping to pursue more comprehensive Permaculture principals to the gardens. We hope to obtain accurate boundaries from the council, in order to begin mapping the area, and to design and plan zones.
A small worm farm will be established under the trees which will protect them from the sun. If successful, we will expand.
A native beehive set up will be looked into.
Airlie Health Hub
AHH have been sponsoring us since June. We are grateful for their support. They are great promoters of the gardens. Many visitors/volunteers have discovered us through Hayley and Paul’s enthusiastic promotion. We have a basket at the shop where we supply produce from the gardens for the community to enjoy. We have a great supportive community who have been donating as they select their goodies. We were able to provide Turmeric, Galgangal, Limes, Lemons🍋 , Oranges 🍊, Bananas 🍌, Lemongrass and Herbs 🌿. AHH have donated produce as well.
FEATURED PLANT
Our featured plant this time is the Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus). We have growing in a couple of places in the gardens. In the front garden bed and in a bath tub. It is called a living mulch.
Why living mulch:
- Suppress weeds
- Retain water
- Protect soil life from the sun
- Cheaper than importing mulch
- Improves ecosystem
Nasturtium is actually from South America. Ancient Incas used it as a leafy green and medicinal purposes as well.
Every single part is edible.
- Leaves both young and larger. Larger leaves can be used as a wrap by putting in a filling and using a toothpick to hold. Leaves can be cooked up as any leafy green. Thrown in a salad or soups. Can make a pesto from the leaves.
- Flowers are also edible. Use as a garnish or eat on its own. Peppery flavour.
- Seed pods can be eaten. Otherwise known as Nasturtium caper.
When green you can pickle them to make a caper.
4. If the seed is dry, wrinkley and brown you can make your own pepper.
Roast in oven then grind.
5. Make a tea from any part of the plant. In fact it is good for coughs and
Colds. So part of the medicinal value of the plant.
This plant does not need great soil to start. Even if your site is disastrous, you can get your Nasturtium going and it helps to get your soil activated. It helps to cover the soil, feed the soil, attracts beneficial insects, helps protect the roots of the plants around and provides food.
In fact you get more flowers if the soil is a little rougher. You don’t need to do too much to the plant once you got it started. A little water to get them going. After that they should take off by themselves.
How do you get started?
You can grow from a dried seed or a cutting from an existing plant.
If you have a bare patch of soil and want to build the soil up. Drop, perhaps some banana leaves and the Nasturtiums over the top. What’s going on underneath is not only feeding the soil life but all sorts of little habitats for lizards and other critters creeping around to help activate the area.
Nasturtium is a great supporter of pollinators and Bees. Also other things that come into your garden to peck off aphids. So it attracts Hover flies too.
A great living mulch!