Ferrymead Blog

August 9th
Super turnout yesterday, Alison, Sandra (newbies), Jill, Sue, Mary and me. We weeded and tidied up, it’s amazing how much stuff went into the sheep bags. I think I am keeping the rabbits at bay with my potent cayenne pepper and garlic concoction. The broad beans, brassicas and poppies have survived, as have the camellias. And the last remaining rose that was outside the church, against all odds, has new greenery on it, so it obviously loves the warm little corner it now as. It was touch and go as to whether it would survive. Although not spring as yet, green shoots are popping up everywhere. Mary brought along some rhizomes to plant, it will be a surprise to see what flowers!!

Alison attacked the rose trimming and with plenty of encouragement from all of us she finished pruning – and it looked good.

With the departure of Jason Harris (Manager) and his daughter Madison there is a renewed vigour from the office management, especially with the return of Rebecca. I am again back on the email distribution list for the Ferrymead Heritage Park so shall forward the newsletters to you. You can get a feel we are but a small, but much appreciated, cog in the bigger wheel of the park. We continue to receive many compliments about our garden work.

And, a bonus, Josh, on talking to Council staff re the great piles of mulch we can see across the road from the park. We are allowed to help ourselves (I mean for Park use), so rather than get a trailer, I am suggesting fill a few bags as and when needed.

We have generally agreed that miniature, evergreen azaleas would look great where the grotty buxus hedge used to be. They are more suited to the dappled environment. I think I have found a “cheapie” place for same.

* Next month I think we are ready to plant more vegies. Maybe potatoes, bit early for tomatoes and perhaps more corn. Carrots would look good, but Peter Rabbit may think the same, but will spray with my concoction. So we are trucking along ever so nicely, many thanks for your continued support.
* I’ve got heaps of seeds I have collected from the Zinnia and Echinacea, and others, so will sprinkle these and see what pops up.
* All seeds and propagation welcome. There are plenty of other bits of garden around the park that could do with a bit of brightening up.

Last Thursday, (2 May) we were the lucky recipients of a bonus. It was Toddler Thursday, which means the day was especially for babies, their Mums and Dads and their Grandmas and Grandads. It was a warm and glorious day. We had quite an audience, all keen to know who we were and what we were doing. With much admiration for our gardens and our work. We are approaching a winter garden now. Four of us, Ros, Mary, Maureen and me weeded and tidied the garden. Tomatoes and potatoes were harvested. Further horse poo was acquired from our favourite Riding School up the valley, this was dug in and winter greens planted, to be dug in for soil nutrients. I popped down later to work on the restoration of the garden that was damaged by ARA students who were painting nearby recently. God help their future clients!

Garden planning is still fermenting in our minds, while we decide what can  we planted in the church gardens. Bearing in mind it is a wedding venue so the focus is on creating a background of colourful, flowering plants that are hardy and drought resistant, and essentially need little care, and of course, rabbit proof.

2018: The winter garden produced cold weather and weeds but we persevered weeding and tidying, and in autumn we raked leaves and planted seedlings. Our broccoli heads were very much admired as was our rhubarb and silverbeet. The rotted horse poo – acquired from a local riding school – certainly did the trick. Chicken wire is protecting the strawberries, the birds were just too vigorous, they loved the pea straw. And I think we are winning against the never-ending rabbits. Sprinkling blood and bone around the perimeter seems to be the trick, plus continuing to establish plants that the rabbits do not seem to have an appetite for!

Miraculously we have discovered a long forgotten pile of crusher dust at the Heritage Park which had disappeared under a mat of weeds. This will be dispersed over the cob cottage paths forthwith. Spring has sprung, our flower plants are growing ferociously. I watered all of the cob cottage garden and church garden weekly during early summer. The ground was dry as a bone.

We would welcome further members to this very worthwhile group. As always lots of chat, fun and laughter, and a cuppa with cake/biccie.