Last summer Charles spread pea straw in those planter boxes in the park, and when we had long dry spells I watered the veges there early mornings - but some improvements are needed with the watering system. When the park trees leaf up they provide partial shade. Maybe the council can provide some mulch and compost this time. :-)
We also have some heritage tomato seeds which would be great to plant out in one of the sites.
The planter boxes in the park are very easy draining potting mix with a lot of hot sun - I've tried some little leafy greens but they are half dead. good way to learn.
Adding some compost, and mulch to these planter boxes and putting in some sun-loving plants might be a good move.
Should have some compost from the compost bin soon.
The Tropical Pawpaw (Carica papaya) , the main one in the supermarket, probably won't do well here, but others will, my favorite, the 'Rainbow Vallley' is a cross between Babaco & Montain Pawpaw.
Like the sound of the Heritage L & T I'm trying some Tomato and Lettuce Kiwi Heirlooms from Koanga, haven't sowed them yet, should be able to spare a few too. Sunflowers are always a great look, there are loads of varieties, I think the bigger the plant the bigger, less fiddly, the seeds.
Love the thought of growing pawpaws. I thought they were tropical plants... would like to see some of those less common edible and medicinal herbs and even 'weeds' being grown in some corners. What about sunflowers and corn??The deadline for this month's Valley Voice is now back to Sept. 11 so, rather than buying, it might be a good time to ask around for donations of comfrey & other useful basics that grow in abundance in some local gardens.
I have at least a dozen heritage tomato seedlings (to put in a communal garden) which will be fit to plant out in a few weeks, and some heritage lettuce from last year plus perpetual spinach plants. According to my lunar calendar root crops can be sown on 9th & 10th and 16th & 17th of this month. From 23rd Sept until early next month is best for sowing above ground crops. This year I'm paying closer attention to such details in my own garden.
Some plants I thought might entice people who might not have been otherwise interested in gardening (if we want to do that):
Tea (Camellia sinensis),Not as hip as coffee but still hip. A lot of people assume it is tropical but definatley grows in the Valley, is being grown commercially in the Waikato, so has to be reasonably productive here. I think Mitre 10 have it.
Pawpaws (Carica) The improbable lush tropical look seems to be a hit with people not usually into plants. The hybrid "Rainbow Vallley" grows well in the Valley and has very large dramatic fruit. I think it's only available mail order.
Hops (Humulus lupulis) more dubious, some people would probably be very interested, some might despise it. Aside from brewing it has medicinal uses e.g., tea for stress, and the leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten.
What about planting ornamental varieties of vegetables in our high visibility sites, like around the community hall and the great new site by the drama hall.
To make it more pleasing for passers-by, also potential vandals will probably think it's just another ornamental garden and not even consciously register it as something strange and therefore deserving to be destroyed.
I think that's already been done with the coloured Silverbeet by the park. There are lots of possibilities, I've just sprouted some Amaranthus perfecta, i like it because it looks deadly poisonous but isn't www.kingsseeds.co.nz/shop/.../Amaranthus+Perfecta.html
This might include a few edible ornamental flowers maybe
(here I go babbing away on the internet again, wish i could wait til a meeting)
Replies
Last summer Charles spread pea straw in those planter boxes in the park, and when we had long dry spells I watered the veges there early mornings - but some improvements are needed with the watering system. When the park trees leaf up they provide partial shade. Maybe the council can provide some mulch and compost this time. :-)
We also have some heritage tomato seeds which would be great to plant out in one of the sites.
The planter boxes in the park are very easy draining potting mix with a lot of hot sun - I've tried some little leafy greens but they are half dead. good way to learn.
Adding some compost, and mulch to these planter boxes and putting in some sun-loving plants might be a good move.
Should have some compost from the compost bin soon.
Like the sound of the Heritage L & T I'm trying some Tomato and Lettuce Kiwi Heirlooms from Koanga, haven't sowed them yet, should be able to spare a few too. Sunflowers are always a great look, there are loads of varieties, I think the bigger the plant the bigger, less fiddly, the seeds.
I have at least a dozen heritage tomato seedlings (to put in a communal garden) which will be fit to plant out in a few weeks, and some heritage lettuce from last year plus perpetual spinach plants. According to my lunar calendar root crops can be sown on 9th & 10th and 16th & 17th of this month. From 23rd Sept until early next month is best for sowing above ground crops. This year I'm paying closer attention to such details in my own garden.
Tea (Camellia sinensis),Not as hip as coffee but still hip. A lot of people assume it is tropical but definatley grows in the Valley, is being grown commercially in the Waikato, so has to be reasonably productive here. I think Mitre 10 have it.
Pawpaws (Carica) The improbable lush tropical look seems to be a hit with people not usually into plants. The hybrid "Rainbow Vallley" grows well in the Valley and has very large dramatic fruit. I think it's only available mail order.
Hops (Humulus lupulis) more dubious, some people would probably be very interested, some might despise it. Aside from brewing it has medicinal uses e.g., tea for stress, and the leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten.
To make it more pleasing for passers-by, also potential vandals will probably think it's just another ornamental garden and not even consciously register it as something strange and therefore deserving to be destroyed.
I think that's already been done with the coloured Silverbeet by the park. There are lots of possibilities, I've just sprouted some Amaranthus perfecta, i like it because it looks deadly poisonous but isn't www.kingsseeds.co.nz/shop/.../Amaranthus+Perfecta.html
This might include a few edible ornamental flowers maybe
(here I go babbing away on the internet again, wish i could wait til a meeting)