It was good to be home after three and a bit weeks away. Arriving back late in the evening, I couldn’t wait till the morning to view my garden. I had been wondering how the garden would cope without my attention for almost a month.
In the early morning light, I grabbed my camera phone to capture the first glimpses of the ‘reunion’.
Well as you can see the garden not only survived but perhaps thrived in my absence (I like that I need my garden more than it needs me).
A traditional scare crow man in a brand new housing estate, community garden
Putting money into the donation box to support the community garden
Beautifully designed raised garden beds in a community garden
A community garden sign to encourage envolvement with the garden - my kind of sign
A shared raised garden plot in the community garden
Community garden local business supporters
Little One and I, are still in the sunshine state of Australia (Queensland). I have been here for work (while poor Daddy has been home the majority of time for work).
As my Mum and family live here, Little One and I have been having lots of fun in the sunshine – work, play and family time. We have been staying with family in their brand new home in a brand new estate.
The brand new housing estate (where we are staying) has a community garden which appears to be installed by the developers – to help build the ‘community’ and hence sell the houses. Just think about that last statement for a moment. Could growing your own food and community interaction, now be a ‘value add’ by developers?
Never thought I would see the day that property developers would see value in a community garden. This is probably more from their acknowledgment of the buyers wants and needs rather than their change of values – if you know what I mean.
Still I sense it is a positive direction.
Stage 1 of Buxton Community Garden is complete!! What’s next? We are planning two workshops on basic composting and building water reservoir, raised garden beds (wicking beds) – information coming soon. Both workshops will be in September.
Stage 2 of our community garden will see more raised garden beds, building our meeting area, establish a three bay compost bin system and worm farm.
Again I would like to take the opportunity to say “thankyou” to all the locals, community groups and businesses who sponsored and supported Buxton Community Garden!!
Children of our Town say "Thankyou" to local businesses who sponsored and helped make Buxton Community Garden a reality
With the generous free use of a 'Dingo' (thanks to Picton Hire), Buxton Community Garden stage 1 build was much easier
Building the first raised garden bed which will be turned into a wicking water reservoir garden bed
Our first raised garden bed is finished
Down tools. It's lunch time
Old black plastic garden pots, reused as planted seed markers - a permanent silver marker was used
Stage 1 build of Buxton Community Garden is completed - two raised garden beds built and a large planted area (netted to keep birds away)
The beginning of Buxton Community Garden
Stage 1 of Buxton Community Garden is completed - this time next year, in 5 years and in 10 years, we will look back at this photo with amazement on how far we have come. We have a big vision!
Buxton Community Garden grand plan
Snow is predicted to fall today and over the next few days (which is nuts for our location). Yesterday I had my jumper off while working in the garden – what a difference a day makes. Today I doubt we will leave the house.
Thought I would share an updated photograph of my upcycled security door screen. The tiny planted succulents are flowering. Not sure if flowering in Winter is normal for these succulents or if they were confused with the stint of warm weather we have had. Poor flowers are in for a rude shock today.
Joynton Park edible community, garden patch. Gadigal Ave, Zetland, Sydney, Australia - near the undercover BBQ area
This is a good news update, regarding the community garden patch at Joynton Park, Zetland, Sydney, Australia (food growing patch).
You may recall that the garden patch had deteriorated to the point of needing to be replaced.
The Parks Department of the City of Sydney came to the Green Square Growers rescue, by recently carriering out some urgent repairs.
A large piece of formply has been attached to the front of the garden patch. This repair isn’t a permanent solution but will give GSG approximately 12 months before we will have to replace the garden bed.
Within this 12 months time the Green Square Growers will:
* update / replace and potentially extend other garden beds, that GSG has installed in the area.
* replace the garden bed mentioned above and potentially extend it.
* continually work alongside City Council, local residents and all those who are keen to help. For the community and by the community!
As previously mentioned, I am again enjoying the starting stages of a new community garden. If you have read my earlier post (click link above) you will already know, that I believe coming up with a combined, united vision statement is very important.
I have yet to again meet with the others who are committed to building our new community garden but I thought I would share my vision statement I have prepared (still a work in process).
“Together building an edible and sustainable garden that everyone in our town can love and belong. A place to learn, inspire and have fun, while creating financial support to care for our community hall.”
Apart from the vision statement, those committed to building the community garden, have also agreed to bring along their garden designs and plans. I encouraged everyone to dream big and plan what the completed garden will look like.
My grand community garden design is drawn on a very large piece of paper and stuck to our kitchen wall – so I can look and ponder, to ensure I have everything included (in the big dream).
What is included in my community garden design?
* meeting, eating, sitting area
* raised wicking beds with worm tunnels
* herb and sensory garden
* benefical insect attracting plants
* BBQ & cob pizza oven
* chickens? pigs? sheep?
* fruit and nut orchards
* water tanks
* glass house
* shed
* vertical garden
* strawbale gardens
* compost and worm farms
* aquaponics
* no dig gardens
* fun direction sign posts
* green manure plants
If you were in my position, what would you put in your community garden design? I am looking for suggestions on what I may have overlooked.
Dailie flowers are synonymous with country gardens – and they make me happy. Ever since I can remember, I have called them ‘Day Lillies’, much to the amusement of gardening purists.
Where ever you are around the world today, I hope my dailies put a little sunshine into your day!
Have a great weekend everyone.
Greener Me 