COMMUNITY GARDEN

COMMUNITY GARDEN
Year Three Progress Report

by Rosemary Penwarden

There've been strange goings-on in Waitati since this community garden
started. Anyone driving up Mt Cargill Road a couple of Tuesday
evenings ago might have noticed eight people bent over little holes in
the ground or forking steaming silage into piles, reminiscent of 19th
century Irish peasants, with a small difference – Irish peasants
didn't set up lines of orange bailing twine at ankle height to keep
the rows straight. Even bright orange bailing twine is not easy to see
when your arms are full of steaming, rotting hay. 'Twas an accidental
Irish jig you may have seen, as we tripped, hopped or tumbled into the
pungent silage. Luckily the salsa dancers among us are quick on their
feet.

Other unusual behaviour has been noted: Suddenly, dried cow 'paddies'
(Irish for 'pats?) are difficult to resist, and community gardeners
('commies'?) may be spotted scooping them into sacks in the most
unexpected places. After a slow start enough spoilt hay came our way,
thanks to Yung Ko and Laurie Henderson, and the strong easterlies
dumped a generous helping of kelp on the beach, also gratefully
received.

Garlic was planted in August and is growing well; onions in October,
outcome less certain. Most of the potatoes are in and the pumpkins,
far too big for their window sills, will be in the ground by the time
December's Blueskin News goes to print. Note to next year's 'commies'
– DO NOT eat all your best potatoes. Keep some for seed.

We have broad beans coming along too, and left some of the winter's
green crop to re-seed. Globe artichokes are dotted along the far side
of the garden -- we hope to get a nibble from them next year.

Anyone is welcome to join us at 6:30 on a Tuesday evening -- deft
footwork is not compulsory.

(Ring Derek on 482 2831 or email derekonley@yahoo.com)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rosemary Penwarden <rose.p@ihug.co.nz>
Date: 17 November 2010 11:47
Subject: For December's Blueskin News
To: editors@blueskin.co.nz

Hi editors, here are two photos to go with the community garden
article - attached again for your convenience.

Thanks!

Rosemary Penwarden

C/- Counter Mail

Blueskin Bay Store

Waitati

Otago 9060

03 4822831

rose.p@ihug.co.nz

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