A garden is not just a place it is a journey. A community garden is not just a place for us to meet our fellow gardeners it is a journey where we learn from nature and each other.
Seaford Wetlands Community Garden AGM
Thank you to all the members who attended our annual AGM.
Mel entertained us with a short talk on Bokashi making (information in this newsletter if you are interested). Wayne has stepped down from the committee and we welcome Roger as our newest committee member. The committee meets monthly and we each take on the occasional special tasks to support the gardens development.
It is not too late to become a committee member. We would especially welcome someone who is interested in promotion and communication.
Your 2024-2025 Committee:
Chair: Rory
Treasurer: Jan
Secretary: Kaarin
Ordinary members: Mel, Jennie and Roger.
Working bee and plant sale
Our last working bee for 2024 will be Saturday 30 November 9am-1pm. We will have some plants for sale and hopefully some seedlings from our own greenhouse. Sadly these took a hit with the recent hot weather.
Sunday Garden Club
Our Sunday Garden club has commenced. From Sunday 24th November, anyone is welcome to join the group every Sunday or whenever you are free 9am-11am.
The focus for this group will be the greenhouse and the market garden. If you are interested in growing and tending seedlings and helping us grow some produce to sell, please come whenever you are available. A great way to learn more about growing and meet your fellow gardeners as well. All community welcome.
Neutrog Update
Regrettably Jan did not meet the deadline for the last Neutrog drop off due to a number of issues. She has sent all members email addresses to be added to the listing for cheaper products. You will receive an email from Neutrog and you can choose if you would like to opt into the membership. If you want to opt in, follow the email instructions and you will be able to order for the next delivery in February. Remember this only happens 4 times per year so keep an eye on dates and enjoy the half-price products to use in your garden.
Factory visit
Jan will be in contact with you after she rings Neutrog this week to arrange a visit on either the 14th December or the 19th January next year. Once we have the date Jan will update arrangements in the WhatsApp "Gardeners" chat and via email and Facebook. So keep a look out if you are keen to visit the Factory at Kanmantoo (near Murray Bridge).
Bokashi composting by Mel
Bokashi composting is a simple and eco-friendly way to transform waste into nutrient-rich material for your garden. All you need is a container that will drain away the liquid as the water transforms and some bokashi bran. You can buy ready made bokashi bran or make your own. You can buy a bokashi composter from the council at a discounted price or you can get innovative and make you own using a couple of different size buckets.
How to make bokashi bran
Ingredients
1kg Wheat Bran: this is the base material for your bokashi mix.
20ml Molasses: This provides foo for the beneficial microbes.
20ml EM1 (Effective Microorganisms): This is a liquid culture of microbes that drive fermentation.
330ml of water: This will bind everything together.
Directions
Prepare the liquid mix: in a bowl by combining the water with the molasses and stir until it dissolves. Then add the 20ml of EM1 and mix thoroughly.
Mix with bran: slowly pour the liquid mixture over the wheat bran while mixing it with your hands or a spatula. When it is all mixed it should fee like damp sand.
Ferment: pack the moist bran into an airtight bag or container pressing out as much air as possible. Seal and store in a warm dark place for 2-4 weeks.
Dry and Store: next spread the fermented bran in a thin layer to dry completely. Once dry store in an airtight container. Properly stored bran can last up to a year.
How to use a bokashi composter
Layer your scraps: Start with a thin layer of bokashi bran at the bottom of your bucket. Add food scraps (vegetable peels. Cooked food, meat etc) in small layers sprinkling 1-2 tablespoons of bokashi bran on top after each addition.
Compress and seal: Press down the scraps to remove the air pockets and seal the bucket tightly. Bokashi composting is anaerobic so limiting air is key.
Drain the liquid: every few days drain the liquid (bokashi tea) from the bucket. Dilute it (1:100 ratio with water) and use it as a nutrient rich fertiliser for plants.
Finish the process: Once the bucket is full let it ferment for 2-4 weeks. Then bury the fermented scraps in your garden or add to your compost. They will break down in the soils within a few weeks enriching it with nutrients and beneficial microbes.
Fun facts about Bokashi composting
Composting reduces greenhouse gas emissions by keeping food waste out of landfill.
Bokashi composting works faster than traditional composting- it can ferment food waste in just 2 weeks.
The liquid bokashi tea is a fantastic fertilizer and natural drain cleaner.
Unlike traditional compost bokashi composting doesn’t attract pests or produce bad smells when done properly. (it should smell like something that has fermented, pickly or yeasty).
Adding fermented bokashi scraps to your soil boosts microbial activity which improves soil structure and plant health.
You can buy a bokashi composter from the council at a discounted price or you can get innovative and make your own using a couple of different size buckets.
Regular events
Note: times have changed slightly to better fit summertime hours. If the weather is forecast to be over 35 degrees then these will be cancelled.
Orchard Group
Fortnightly Thursdays 9am-11am
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:
Gardening Social Group
Fortnightly Fridays 9am-11am
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:
Weekly Gardening Club
Weekly Sundays 9am-11am
Join us every Sunday morning for Gardening Club. Our fun and friendly gardening club is open for anyone to come along and enjoy the benefits of gardening.
Coming dates are:
Working bees
Dates (9am-1pm)
Fundraising Bunnings BBQs
Our next Bunnings barbeque is:
Saturday 21st December
If you are able to assist for a 2 hour shift please let Jan via WhatsApp, phone, email or Facebook.
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 Roger Whiteman. 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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