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Writer's pictureKaarin Wilkinson

Newsletter #35 | November 2024

 

Seaford Wetlands Community Garden AGM


Join us for a hands on bokashi workshop at our AGM Thursday 14th November 7pm at Seaford Community Centre. Discover how this simple composting technique can transform your kitchen waste into rich garden-ready soil. Perfect for both seasoned gardeners and those new to composting.

 

An important requirement of being a not-for-profit association is that SWCG, Mid-coast Sustainability Inc, must hold an annual AGM. Without a Committee we will have no garden.

 

With a current volunteer committee of six people, with one retiring, we have vacancy for several more. We can have up to 8 members. At monthly Committee meetings you can contribute your skills and experience to our whole community.

 

This is also an opportunity to learn more about developments and plans for the garden and to meet other members. Please join us as we require a minimum of 10 members to have a valid meeting.


 

Our garden is growing   



During October pathways were begun across the garden connecting the difference spaces outside the members fenced area. Thanks to the hard work of Rory and Paul. The first of our native gardens is thriving, grape vines leafing up and the lilli pilli hedge will hopefully recover after a recent lack of water.

 

The herb garden is looking glorious and attracting lots of beneficial bugs like blue banded bees, native wasps and hoverflies. Thank you to all the volunteers who have helped keep the weeds at bay both here and across the garden.

 

Please remember to weed around your bed.


 

Bugs in the garden – earwigs and slater bugs


Earwigs are widely distributed throughout Australia and there are 85 species of Australian earwigs described at present. Earwigs gather in groups and will most often be found under pots, or hiding in other dark damp places, under stones and debris on the ground or other cool dark places.


Earwigs are nocturnal and come out at night to munch on a variety of plants, especially those juicy seedlings we plant in spring. They also eat decaying rubbish and other insects and pests.

 

Simple traps can be made from rolled up corrugated cardboard or newspapers with a small amount of food such as wheat germ inside. In the morning shake the tube into a small container of oil where the earwigs will be trapped and eventually die. If you have chooks they will love this as a treat.


Slaters, also known as Roley Poleys, Pill Bugs, or Wood Lice are usually found under pot plants or scurrying in mulch or crawling through your compost. Like worms, slaters are great for your garden as they eat organic matter and return nutrients to the soil, they keep your plants happy and healthy. Like earwigs they need moisture and come out mostly at night but you will also see them in moist areas of the garden.


Slaters may occasionally feed on young plants, but they are beneficial for your garden, so you don’t want to get rid of them.  If you think slaters are eating you seedlings you can distract them by putting some hollowed out orange halves in the garden for the slaters to munch on instead. Check them in the morning and empty the slaters out away from any seedlings you don’t want them to snack on.


 

Thank you, Wayne

Wayne is retiring from his role on the Mid-coast Sustainability Inc Committee, including his role as Treasurer.

 

Wayne has been an invaluable committee member for the past three years being a founding member of our group. He voluntarily took on the role as Treasurer and his work in this role, as well as a garden member, has been invaluable. Wayne has also been responsible for the newsletters that keep everyone updated on garden events and for organising the Bunnings barbeques. He has spent many hours working on the infrastructure, building garden beds, fencing, shed and currently the greenhouse shelving. Wayne will continue to be a part of our community as a garden member.


 

Regular events


Fortnightly Thursdays 10am-12pm

If you would like to learn more about our orchard and get hints and tips on growing your own fruit, join the Thursday orchard group with Jennie on alternate Thursdays:

  • Thursday November 14th

  • Thursday November 28th

 

Fortnightly Fridays 10am-12pm

Every Friday fortnight gardeners and volunteers meet at the garden to do a few of the regular maintenance tasks, tend their own beds and share gardening stories together over morning tea. Coming dates are:

  • Friday November 8th

  • Friday November 22nd

 

Working bees 

Dates and times (all 10am -2pm):

  • Saturday 30 November

 

If you can help with a task but are not available on the scheduled day please let a committee person know that you can help at another time.


 

Fundraising Bunnings BBQs


Our next Bunnings barbeque is:

 

Saturday 16th November

 

If you are able to assist for a 2 hour shift please let Jan know on our WhatsApp message service.



 

Driving and Parking cars at the Garden


Please do not drive vehicles on to the garden lease area unless you have express permission from one of the committee to deliver materials or equipment. Please also do not park in the Ambulance/CFS car parks and in Grange and Somerton Courts.

 

This project was seeded by

 
Our Committee

Our committee is Rory Fitzsimons (Chair), Kaarin Wilkinson, Jan Brown, Melissa Styles, Jennie Simon and Wayne Good. If you have any questions or ideas please contact us via Facebook , on our website, on the Seaford Wetlands Gardeners WhatsApp chat or on the garden email seafordcg@gmail.com.

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