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| Welcome to the June 2021 Duncraig Edible Garden (DEG) Newsletter. The Noongar season of Makuru is a season of fertility. Its colour is the blue of the flowers we now call leschenaultia. The coldest and wettest time of the year Makuru has strong winds, storms, and rain. It is a good time to gather around a fire and tell stories. DEG runs on a volunteer basis – it is great to share garden skills, learn new skills and meet up with our friendly group. Spend a few hours with us and share a cuppa. We meet every 2nd Saturday from 9am – 12pm The next DEG day was to be 3rd July 2021 We will postpone the AGM until further notice. Then we will plan to garden in the morning, have the AGM at 10.30am and share warm food together. Probably best to bring your own mug, bowl and spoon. Distancing is easily done outdoors. Keep informed of changing restrictions and wear a mask if required. Stay safe. DEG memberships become due each 30th June. Please transfer your $15 for individual or $25 for family membership by online banking or direct transfer to DEG bank account BSB: 633000 Account Number: 154918551 with your name as the reference (so we know whose membership is being paid) or talk to Kath at DEG before the AGM to pay your dues and be financial in time to vote or to stand for a position on the committee of management. |
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| Brrrrrr In the cold days of winter, there is still a lot to do in the garden, put on a winter coat or rain jacket and brave the conditions outside. We still have many sunny days to enjoy and winter can bring downpours of rain which is great for our garden. Be sure to turn off your reticulation during winter. A total sprinkler ban applies from the 1 June – 31 August 2021. |
| What’s new in our Garden? |
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| Peas are growing well in our new garden bed. Our community garden is thriving thanks to the commitment from our volunteers watering during the summer, fertilising in the growing seasons weeding regularly and planting new seedlings. Regular weed control is key. Acting early saves a lot of damage and work. Now is the time to tackle the weeds and pests before they take over the garden. Sprinkle dry crushed egg shells around plants to deter snails and slugs. Planting our cabbages early meant the plants had time to establish and get stronger when pests came to them. We have aphids and white cabbage moth caterpillars, but our plants are healthy and strong, so they don’t show too much damage. Our members inspect the plants for these pests, pick them off, squash them and leave some for the ladybirds. Squishing a few of the pests brings their natural predators to feast on the rest. |
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| We have planted broad beans, peas, potatoes, cabbages and calendula. Our cabbages are fist size and plentiful. New Passion fruit vines have been planted and looking very healthy. We have recently harvested paw paw (papaya) bok choy, mouse melons, bitter melon, lemons and loofah. |
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| Can you see the tiny mouse melon hanging from the vine under the shadecloth arch? Our olive tree has produce a great crop of olives this season, our volunteers have harvest and pickled them using various recipes – Delicious! |
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| The native verge garden is growing well due to the recent rains – it attracts ongoing positive comments from the public and is popular with the local birds and bees. We have replanted with new shrubs kindly donated by our native specialist gardener Richard. |
| Friends of Duncraig Library Bushland are a newly formed group right near us who invite you to join them in protecting and conserving the important 0.3ha remnant banksia woodland located on the corner of Warwick Rd and Marmion Ave. Their objectives are: To work with the City of Joondalup to conserve and protect the natural area that is the Duncraig Library Bushland;To undertake activities to advance this objective; andTo raise community awareness of the conservation and environmental values of the Duncraig Library Bushland. Contact them at: friendsduncraiglibrarybushland@gmail.com Co-ordinator: Robyn 0409886985 Workshops at DEG have been on hold for a while due to uncertainty around COVID restrictions. What would you like to learn about in the garden? We plan to start holding workshops again soon and would welcome suggestions for topics you want to hear about. Please talk to us on DEG days and write your suggestions in the sign in book, or email us deginfo@duncraigediblegarden.org.au |
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| The next Sustainable Living Course will begin on 5th August. This course will run for 6 weeks with 2 hour sessions from 12.30 to 2.30pm on Thursday afternoons finishing in time to pick kids up from school. Venue is St Nicolas Anglican Church Hall, Poynter Drive Duncraig. Register online at https://events.humanitix.com/2021-sustainable-living-course-duncraig |
 Copyright (C) 2021 Duncraig Edible Garden. All rights reserved.Our mailing address is: Duncraig Edible GardenDEG, c/o Duncraig Public Librarycnr Marmion Ave and Warwick RdDuncraig, WA 6023 Australia |
All posts by Kathlene Moller
Raffle Results
The winners of the DEG raffle:
First Prize to Karen (prize collected)
Second Prize to Mike ( prize collected)
Thanks to everyone who came to our DEG Celebration Day. We hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as we did, and that we see you again at the Garden in the New Year.
Preparing for a Verge Garden of Local Native Plants
“The Native Gardener” will run a workshop at the end of Autumn, on 27th April, and we will plant the space with
DEG Days for 2018
Regular DEG days for 2018
Every Second Saturday morning
6th and 20th January
3rd and 17th February
3rd, 17th, and 31st March
14th and 28th April
12th and 26th May
9th, and 23rd June
7th and 21st July (AGM)
4th and 18th August
1st, 15th, and 29th September
13th and 27th October
10th, and 24th November
8th December Party, Thank the Volunteers, Make a gift, Join in fun Water games, Celebration Meal and short General Meeting.
DEG Dates for 2017
DEG days for 2017
Regular DEG dates for 2017
7th and 21st January,
4th and 18th February,
4th and 18th March,
1st, 15th and 29th April,
13th and 27th May,
10th and 24th June,
8th and 22nd (AGM) July,
5th and 19th August,
2nd, 16th and 30th September,
14th and 28th October,
11th and 25th November,
9th and 23rd December.