Public Libraries Are Giving Out Seeds In The Name Of Sustainability

“ 'It’s great if we have all this sustainability, but unless we have access to seeds, all the other aspects of sustainable agriculture really don’t mean anything,” Newburn told Atlas Obscura.

Visiting Leela's 'manor' garden on the Dorrigo plateau

Our October gathering was held in Dorrigo at Leela's "manor".

Take one bare paddock of a couple of acres. Add an owner built house, a few permaculture principles, loads of ideas and enthusiasm and six years. It's not a bare paddock any more.

We enjoyed the company of some ruminants, chickens, unsighted foxes and amorous ducks while we were given a guided tour of the remaining 'paddock' areas soon to be citrus orchard, the netted fruit tree orchard with grafting experiments, the fenced vegie garden, the hothouse attached to the house (complete with geriatric chook) growing a banana plant in Dorrigo(!) and the new deck with terrific eastern views over the entire manor estate.

Inside the conservatory

The netted orchard

Banana plant growing in the conservatory in a plateau climate

Visit to Jodi and Michael's 'Cloudy Farm' at Dorrigo

'Cloudy Cauldron' is beautifully located on the Dorrigo Plateau.

"The Cloudy Cauldron" is a working farm, with a focus on supplying fruit and vegies to the local area. Jodi and Michael have landscaped on a grand scale, drawing on their farming backgrounds and extensive knowledge to create an edible wonderland that still has room for frivolity and flowers.

We have visited this near Dorrigo site before and it is always exciting to see new developments made by the industrious couple. 

This visit is Mid Autumn although climate change has meant a very unseasonable hot autumn. The day was wet and breezy.

The new poly-tunnel held climbing beans, cucumbers and more

Dorrigo Seedsavers joined us for the day.

A freezer converted to a worm farm

Seedlings produced in a poly-tunnel

Quinces favour the Dorrigo plateau climate

Did she get lost at the last visit?

A healthy bed of Comfrey feeds the soil when composted.

The 'Kiwi Fruit' was laden.

Beds are mulched to prevent sun scorching and erosion from heavy rain.

Grown in a protected area this North American Paw Paw is hard to find in Australia

Turkeys are new to the farm.

Finishing with a morning tea. We try to demonstrate recipes for what we produce.

Garden Visit to Robyn's Garden near Dorrigo

Setting up the seed table with seeds and plants to share always arouses our expectations of a plant that will fit into our gardens.












 It was perfect weather, as we gathered on the lawn in the shade, but for those of us who didn't bring a warm top it was soon to be a cool experience because a breeze from the South soon appeared to lower temperatures.







Our visit to Robyn's garden was a real climate change for our members in the Bellinger Valley. It is always interesting to see another garden and Robyn's garden, situated on the Dorrigo Plateau, above the Bellinger Valley, had expansive views of the rolling green paddocks of the plateau.

Trandescantia

The plateau climate allows Robyn to grow many plants that fail to thrive in the warm temperate/subtropical climate of the Bellinger Valley.

Alstroemeria (Princess Lily)

These Alstroemerias formed a large clump. Personally I prefer these bold coloured varieties without the muddy markings that some have.

Rhubarb much prefers the cool weather of the plateau.

Robyn finds this Plectranthus groundcover very useful to grow under her windbreak because it suppresses the germination of Privet seeds.

It is Iris time, ....

 and Hippeastrum time.

Deutzia

Robyn's Asparagus bed is fairly new. She will wait at least another year before picking.  Meanwhile, she will load on the manure and mulch. The plateau's soil is volcanic in origin. It drains very well and nutrients are easily leached away.

Berries of all kinds thrive in the plateau climate.

Robyn's Broccoli requires protection from the birds.

Prawn Plant or Shrimp Plant growing with Brundfelsia.
















Comfrey, another plant that thrives on the plateau, is a wonderful mulch and soil conditioner.











A Savoury Loaf featured on the afternoon tea table.

Elaine's cordial has a secret mix of herbs and no syrup. She has promised to share the recipe with us.

Come along to our next Seedsavers' event. A reliable source tells us it will be in December at at Spickets Creek, at the end of the navigable section of the Bellingen to Bowraville Rd. Watch for details on our events page.

The 'My T Fine String Band' entertained us during afternoon tea. What a treat!

Garden Gathering at Dorrigo – 1-4pm, Thursday 21 March, 2013

Jodi demonstrates her seed mould during a previous visit.

We will be at Michael, Jodi and Quinn’s lovely farm at Dorrigo.  This will be our second visit and we are very much looking forward to being there again.The more we can car-pool the better so please let me know if you can either offer or would like to receive a lift as soon as possible.

As soon as I hear that you wish to take part, I will let you know what to bring and how to get there.

RSVP:  by Monday if you can please.
Irene Ph: 6655 9090