NNNorthern Valley News
• New Norcia • Wannamal • Watheroo
page 5
Please take a copy
pages 30-32
An abundance of asparagus Tamieka Preston
Peter and Colleen Osborn’s rustic home among the gum trees not only has lots of plum trees, but almost every other kind of fruit tree imaginable, and along with a sheep or two they’ve expanded their bountiful backyard to include a commercial quantity of asparagus – one of the first to do so in our region. Shire of Chittering councillor Peter has an extensive farming background; from dairy farming in Victoria, to managing the New Norcia Benedictine community farm and the Denmark and Cunderdin Agricultural school properties. He is, as his wife Colleen says, “Just not happy unless he’s mucking around in the dirt.” The Osborns have spent the last six years improving their 34 acre property, Wootra Farm, transforming it into a successful bed and breakfast and planting extensive orchards to supply their popular jams and preserves which they sell at the Bindoon Farmers’ market and local events such as the Taste of Chittering. “We only have a small amount of land,” says Colleen, who is familiar to many from her former role as Chittering Tourism Officer and face behind the annual Chittering Wildflower Festival, “but I think it’s almost immoral not to do something productive with it.” Looking for a niche market product that made the most of their solid water supply, Peter began experimenting with asparagus; a work of trial and error since his new horticultural venture has very few local precedents. Starting with a 10 year-old crown (a crown is the dormant root ball of the plant) rescued from a previous property.
Peter and Colleen Osborne with their asparagus plants at Wootra Farm.
GINGIN 12 Fewster Street, Gingin AWESOME FIRST HOME WITH MASSIVE SHED
Retirees with a love of gardening or a young person wanting to get into the market would be crazy not to consider this great value property in Gingin. • Hardiplank and iron 1 bedroom home • Renovated kitchen and laundry • Spacious living room with wood heater and R/C air con • Massive 15m x 13m enclosed shed with extra bathroom • 1862 m2 block
Craig Hyne 0448 825 833
Peter gathered the bright red seedberries to germinate new plants and was pleasantly surprised to discover, despite all advice to the contrary, that his 18 month old plants were capable of producing a viable crop. “I think because our climate isn’t cold enough, the plants don’t die off completely,” he says, “We experimented with a crown after harvest, covering it with 20cm of compost, thinking it would rest until next season – however a healthy crop of fresh spears popped up 10 days later!” (see more about the asparagus plant on page 26). Peter’s ongoing quest to discover the growth possibilities of the plant in our ‘terroir’ or particular local micro climate and soil type, has led to the production of approximately 6000 seedings which the Osborns will plant out this year – just as soon as we get a decent rain. The new seedings will join the 3000 existing plants nestled into carefully constructed furrows in the fertile flats of Wootra farm. The couple anticipate picking up to 180 kilos of the vegetable this year – up a 100 or so kilos from last year. “Stringybark (Winery and Restaurant) will take some, as well as the Bindoon Bakehaus,” says Colleen, “The rest we plan to sell at local markets and also at our farm gate. I like to sell locally, because I like to buy locally,” she says. “There’s nothing better than eating a completely locally produced meal.” Look out for Wootra farm’s stall at the upcoming Wear Ya Wellies event to be held in Bindoon on 29 May. They’ll join the Bindoon Farmers market in celebrating our fantastic array of local produce.
$289,000 BINDOON/CHITTERING SALES CONSULTANT Country Values Real Estate is thrilled to welcome Bronte Hewton to our team as Sales Consultant for the Bindoon/Chittering area. Bronte is a Bindoon local with a passion for real estate and a love of horses. If you are considering buying, selling or would like an appraisal, call or drop into our Bindoon office for a chat. Bronte Hewton 0433 337 134
72
APRIL
Local sports news
Anzac Day commemorated across the region
2017
Bindoon • Bullsbrook • Calingiri • Chittering • Dandaragan • Gingin • Muchea • Moora