Thursday, February 21, 2013

Summer News

Anna with cabbage harvest
Mackie Lane Summer Update: This 
summer we produced a bumper harvest including potatoes, eggplant, strawberries, radish, garlic, red onions, French eschallots, leek, beans, silverbeet, spinach, pak choy, tatsoi, variety of lettuces, mustard greens, arugula, endive, warrigal greens, more strawberries, habaneros, jalapenos, chilli, kaffir lime, heirloom tomatoes, turnip, carrots, cucumber, zucchini, beetroot, cabbage, herbs… and even more strawberries! Our ongoing thanks go to our dedicated waterers who also attended our first team workshop early in the season to prepare for keeping the garden going over the hottest months as effectively and water-efficiently as possible.

The holiday period also saw a great many visitors to Mackie Lane, many of whom we have now welcomed as new members. Our new 4m banner which is prominently seen from Military Road, has gone a long way to attracting interest and promoting our community garden’s location and activities. Our thanks go to Dan Poskitt (Poskitt Design) for the banner design and to Ian Schutt (Proj-X) for donating the banner.



Mackie Lane expansion: Mackie Lane is being transformed once again and we’re currently just over halfway in constructing a total of 87sqm of additional area, making the total veggie area of the garden well over 110sqm. Many thanks to everyone who came to the working bee in December. Construction has continued over the summer thanks to a dedicated, hardworking group of volunteers, building with hardwood pallet bases and donated recycled hardwood fencing – but we’re on the hunt for more. 


If you happen to know of any fencing or pallets we could put to good use, please let us know. mosmancommunitygardeners@gmail.com

Mackie Lane opening times: Many thanks also to everyone who took part in our first survey. In response to feedback on opening times, we have decided to trial an additional gardening session at Mackie Lane: Saturday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. This session complements our two afternoon groups of Wednesdays from 2pm-4pm and Sundays from 3pm-5pm. On Sunday we also have BYO drinks and nibbles. All welcome.

Middle Head: The gardens have thrived over the summer months, but we are particularly looking for more volunteers. So please come along, group gardening is on Tuesdays 3-5pm and Sundays from 4-6pm. On the last Sunday of the month we have BYO drinks and nibbles. Everyone is welcome.

Vale David Luke: We note with much sadness the passing of David Luke, a founding member of MCG and stalwart of the group. Many MCG gardeners joined David’s large family and wide circle of friends to wish him farewell. David will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with Elizabeth and their family.

Mosman Council promotes community gardening: Council has produced three videos on sustainable living, one of which focuses on community gardening at Mackie Lane. Click here to see more: Mosman Council presents Mackie Lane Community Garden



We hope you are enjoying the last days of summer, and look forward to seeing you in the gardens sometime.