Newlands Gardens Triplets

Three events (not babies!!!) related to fertility are upcoming in the Hood.

 The first one celebrates the abundance of our gardens and the kindness to others: the Open Table mob (http://www.open-table.org/sample-page/) organise community dinners each first Sunday of the month. They are quite adept at making up a meal with whatever turns up, in whatever quantities. If there are donations in excess of what they need for the night, they hand it out to the dining guests to take home.

As next week is Fair Food Week (fairfoodweek.org.au/) Open Table and  Moreland Food Gardens Network (http://www.morelandfoodgardensnetwork.org/) are hosting a feast, gathering some food-vulnerable people and sustainable food activists, next Sunday 25^th August.

The idea is to draw on the various gardens around Moreland for crowd-funding the fresh elements of the feast. I will contribute from my own garden and also wonder if there is any chance of contributions from our community of Newlands (or beyond) gardeners.

 If that sounds like you and your garden:

1.     Email me by Friday night (pascalelocal@hotmail.com) what you have to contribute – I’ll compile amounts and let the Open Table’s chefs know – they are creative but value a bit of notice. No need to go pillaging the pantry, they are only after excess garden produce –even a leaf or a sprig, one lemon or one potato are welcome (more if you have, obviously!); put together that what will make a feast (yes, they know there could be quite a bit of silverbeets and winter greens, cabbagey stuff and citrus). If, by any chance, you had excess eggs, honey, jams and pickles or you make your own bread or baked goods, of course that would be welcome – but not essential.

2.     Bring the stuff to my place (for those who do not know me, I’ll give you the address by return email) between Friday 3pm to Sunday 11 am. There will be buckets and boxes provided in my driveway.

3.     I’ll make sure it all gets to the feast on Sunday.

 The second event celebrates the abundance and sharing between our Newlands gardeners and food lovers (if you eat, you can be in!) with the

First Birthday of the Newlands Gardens Food Swap.

Sunday September 8^th -2-3pm - Hutchinson Place.

Yes we have a plan B if it rains. Bring whatever home grown or made food you have in excess to share and swap– BTW that extends to knowledge (about food or gardening), cuttings, seedlings … I have just started on tomatoes seedlings and others and may have raspberries’ cuttings ready. As always, there will be free pots, potting mix and rooting hormone if you want to strike cuttings, share seedlings and so on.

 The third event is the very essence of fertility: The Feed for Food Co-op is organising its spring order of these bearers of Fertility – various straws and manures …

Pea straw: $12.90

Wheat straw: $11.90

Chicken - cow manure – Mushroom compost: $4.90

 Sheep manure: $5.50

 You can also order chicken feed if the tons of buckwheat that our neighbourhood rescued from getting landfilled has ran out (thanks Mel for that!).

Mixed grains – 25Kg - $22.90

Organic pellets – 25 Kg - $38.50

Red Hen – 30Kg - $28.90

Any items that Andrew’s on Sydney Rd sells can be added to this list as long as you have a clear name for it and its price.

Our aim is to connect neighbourhoods’ gardeners and prevent many small trips down Sydney Rd when you could pick it up locally with a trolley or wheelbarrow.

Email your order to melmate@hotmail.com before 12/09/13 and pay for it (preferably by direct deposit) by 15/09/13 for a delivery the following week. Delivery point (or points if really a lot gets ordered) will depend on who orders this time.

 Enjoy the coming of Spring!