Darlington Community Garden (DCG)

Warm Greetings on this beautiful beginning to March. Autumn coolness is in the air ... Our first summer harvest has been gratefully gathered including squash, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, butternut, beans, celery, gooseberries, strawberries, watermelon, artichokes and more after surviving the summer heat...

• Village planters featuring flowering annuals were then replanted with summer plants in late November including two flourishing tomato plants at the PO which unfortunately succumbed to the summer heat and beastly easterly winds but not before producing a few tasty specimens; hanging baskets suffered as well and have been removed for now.

• Hanging baskets at the Bottle Shop have recently been replanted with white flowering species including strawberries

• Well timed thick mulch at the end of winter spread over wads of newspaper are keeping the area around the old Bakery (Bottle Shop) looking good

• A new feature garden area has been installed at The Hive –tropical type plants surround a small goldfish pond with solar fountain – have a look over the south facing balcony next time you’re having a coffee

And have you seen the bright and cheery faces of the red and white vincas that welcome you at the Post Office? This is the work of our wonderful Sue Lennard.

• The flower tubs at The Hive along Owen Rd have not fared too well this summer; different choice of flowers next summer

• The east facing herb planter alongside The Apiary (office suites below The Hive) is doing really well providing the Hive’s kitchen crew with much of their herby needs and provided Dill to Tomasz in bottling up his traditional gherkin recipes.

• Mulch spreading on the native planted verge around St Cuthbert’s has commenced and will be ongoing.

• Plenty more projects planned for 2023 - watch this space!

Definitely lots is happening this year. Our first EVENTS Planning Meeting last week came up with many super activities for 2023. See the UPCOMING EVENTS box for many that will tempt you.

One of the things that I love about Darlington is the many unique and amazing characters that make up our community. Sue is one of the better-known ones! And though she labels herself as the “Village Idiot Gardener” we see her as the “Village Gardener Extraordinaire” going about her business beautifying so many corners with her many gardening projects around the Village. Most days you will find Sue out and about often assisted by her “Handsome Prince apprentice” aka her partner Norm, who now retired, lends his muscle…. Give them a wave of appreciation next time you see them

Here’s Sue’s notes of some of what they have been up to:

• The loved-by-all winter pansies/violas at The Hive and the PO kept going strongly through to DAF in early November 2022 and will make a come-back soon.

UPCOMING EVENTS - How you can be involved?

• Every Saturday from 8am come hail or shine – GARDEN BUSY BEES: includes Arbour Mosiac Project & different craft activities for kids led by SALLY HERZFELD. Be one of the 500!

• Sunday March 5th 5pm - Monthly

PRODUCE SWAP /SUNDOWNER –Bring produce, seeds, cuttings, plants, herbs, jams, chutney etc & a drink and plate of food to share. First Sunday of month at the Garden.

• Wed 8th March - International

As well as all the fun events planned lots of work is on-going under the expert eye of Kylie, our Garden Design Leader. We are getting quotes for the mosaic tiles to be laid along the inside of both sides of the arbour and the paving, holes to be drilled for fruit and nut trees for planting in April/May and the build of the next garden beds. Our timeline is dictated by the availability of contractors and the weather, yet our aim is to get some works done before the clay becomes too wet to work on.

So a hearty welcome to you to join our garden community. There’s lots to interest everybody. NEW MEMBERS can just show up or join here - https://www.darlingtoncommunitygarden.org. au/join-us-1

Meg McGowan’s words say it all: "...Self sufficiency is a myth. We all rely upon others...The best model for human society continues to be the village..... People’s unique strengths and talents are pooled to make the best use of energy."

Woman's Day - Long Table Brunch

• Sat 8th April - Garlic planting with Sue Lennard & Easter Egg Hunt

• Sat 15th April - Afternoon ‘potato planting in a sack’ with Shane

• Wed 19th April - Kids Nature Play, Day 10am - 12pm com/darlington-community-gardenkids-club-easter-nature-play-day

• Crafts, nature play and more. $10 per family or $20 to join the Community Garden for a year to access all kids’ nature play events.

• Bookings: https://events.humanitix.

• Sat 22nd April - Bush Dance on the oval

Can you help?

• Red, yellow and orange coloured tiles

• Discounts/Trade Accounts/ Sponsorship with Local Suppliers of materials for DCG.

• TRADES PEOPLE NEEDED: PAVING person & Security System installer. CALL Trish 0409 479 551

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