December Gathering at Irene & David's garden at Spickett's Creek

David has found that the best way to protect figs,  blueberries and vegies at 'Treeferns'  is with cages.  These are constructed with a combination of aviary wire, netting and timber supported by star pickets.  Each is a unique 'rustic' design.

This is our first Blueberry harvest and we are delighted with the large, very sweet fruit and very happy to share them with Bellingen Seed Saver friends.

The Pomegranate has a few problems with splitting and scale and also has very pale seeds.  Another one in a pot is about to be trialled.

This is a non-astringent Persimmon growing on the Northern side of the house.  On the Southern side are five large astringent Persimmons which magically appeared in the first few years here.  All produce huge amounts of fruit.  We deal with this by transferring the very soft flesh into containers to freeze.  It's delicious on muesli and with yoghurt or gelato.

                                                                                                                                                                                 

The olive tree is predicting a good crop

caged back garden

There are 5 beds sheltered by this cage, enabling a basic rotation system

front garden

This bed is mainly used for the resilient and Asian and other  vegetables e.g. Pepino, Basella, Taro, Casava, Yacon, Ginger etc

flowers growing on pergola


Name unknown, this spectacular climber grows on the pergola, linking the old and new parts of the house

gathering around the fruiting grape vine

A grape vine in a large pot - first crop 3bunches!
Will they survive?

discussion with seed exchange table in foreground
                                                                                           

Wonderful food from the seed savers. 
Elaine makes a delicious health-giving punch to accompany the food.

Do you know this bean? Can you help?

Used as a green manure in winter, it remains a mystery.

Every BSS gathering includes interested people from the coast, the valleys, and the plateau, all with different growing conditions.