June 26, 2009
· Filed under Gardening, Transition Towns
The Old Homestead have very kindly let the Transtion Town Pt Chevalier Garden Group create a garden in a piece of their land on Pt Chevalier Rd.
We are very excited to be able to spread the word about growing food in the city, and to increase the amount of food we can grow beyond that limited by the size of our own gardens.
This Sunday ( 28th June) we will be having our first working bee there, at 9:30. Everyone is welcome, and we’ll be going ahead rain or shine.
We would love:
* newspaper
* woollen carpet
* a donation of sheep pellets would be appreciated
* any demolition gib you may have
* mulch (anything of organic origin without added chemicals, eg
leaves, old kapok pillows, woollen or cotton clothing, garden
waste, straw, grass clippings, hair)
* broadbean seeds (if anyone happens to have a supply)
If you want to drop these things off beforehand, I’m sure that’ll be OK with the people at the Old Homestead. Leave them on the grass patch in the back corner, which is just past the carparking. Just make sure they won’t blow away, by containing materials in bags and placing some of the blocks or wood that are there on top.
If you can come and help, GREAT! You might like to bring a spade, gloves and a raincoat. Nothing like physical work to keep you warm in the middle of winter! 
Any queries, ring me, (Heidi) on 8465646
June 25, 2009
· Filed under Events, Food, Gardening
NorthTec
Sustainable Rural Development Level 3
Rainbow Valley Farm, Matakana
Wednesdays 9am – 2:30pm, July 22, 2009 – June 29, 2010
Tutor: Dion Workman
Contact: dionworkman@fastmail.fm (09)4227432
Cost: Free
Course papers include
- Operating a Permaculture System
- Forest Gardening
- Wild Foods
- Practicum
This is a year long (part-time/one day per week) practical course aimed at developing skills related to the design and implementation of permaculture systems. The course will be held on the most well known permaculture farm in Aotearoa, Rainbow Valley Farm, where sustainable practices have been developed and taught for over 20 years.
Dion Workman is the farm manager at Rainbow Valley Farm and holds an International Permaculture Design Certificate from the Permaculture Research Institute in Australia. He has studied Terraquaculture/Dao Natural Farming at the Watershed Systems Research Centre in Twizel and is a founding member of the Brooklyn Permaculture Group, New York where he practised urban permaculture, roof-top and community gardening and inner-city wild food foraging.
As there are only 7 places remaining on this course prompt enrolment is strongly advised.
To enrol contact Dion Workman directly or fill out an enrolment form online at http://northland.ac.nz/Pages/Home.aspx
Qualification = Certificate in Sustainable Rural Development Level 3 Place of Study = Other, Rainbow Valley Farm, Matakana
–
dion workman
dionworkman@fastmail.fm
June 15, 2009
· Filed under Gardening
A new course is being offered in Spring to Aucklanders who are interested in understanding about the value of trees in the urban environment. The issue is increasingly important in these times of relentless development pressure on urban land.
Eight sessions will be divided into classroom work and field trips. Sessions include tree identification, structure and function, environmental value of trees, heritage trees, tree adaptation and selection, health, disease and pruning, and tree planting and maintenance. Certificates will be presented on completion of 2 assignments – one being a portfolio of 10 trees of Auckland, and the other being a presentation on one great Auckland tree.
The course costs $80, and is led by a range of experienced professionals, either academic lecturers, or practitioners in their field. For those not wanting to do the whole course, individual sessions will be able to be booked at $15 a session. The eight sessions will take place on a Wednesday evening (6pm – 9pm) and Saturday (9am – 4pm), every other week over an 8 week period.
The course will run at the Sustainable Living Centre, EcoMatters Environment Trust, 4 Olympic Place, New Lynn, starting Wednesday 16th September 2009.
This is an exciting and well resourced course.
The Tree Council hopes that its format and cost will make it very accessible and popular. For further information, please contact Daphne Mitten, 09 372 9272 or 0274 084 116 or daphnemitten@slingshot.co.nz.The Tree Council
PO Box 78088, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Ph: 09 828 3727
June 9, 2009
· Filed under Gardening
Wilton Street Community Garden – Top of Wilton Street off Richmond Road behind the Gypsy Tea Room
We have a fantastic resource – the land. There is plenty to do to develop this into a lovely and sustainable community garden and we would welcome any keen people experienced gardeners or not, who’d like to join in.
Background
The garden is on privately owned land, consisting of two combined sites, belonging to the Gypsy Tea Room and the Wine Vault. The site was previously a very overgrown ‘vacant lot’ with a bad jasmine infestation. So far work on the garden has consisted mainly of weed clearance and rubbish removal, which has been carried out by a handful of enthusiastic locals, mostly neighbours from Wilton Street.
Plan
Our plan is to grow herbs, pickable fruit and vegetables and maybe have a compost unit for local people to bring their compostable waste to.
We only have certainty of a medium term tenure estimated at 3-5 years minimum. We have made the decision to develop the garden as much possible using locally sourced recycled materials. We are hoping to get unwanted plants and materials from the local community, garden centres and businesses.
The site already has an existing fig tree, nasturtiums, some old roses (including one covered in rosehips) and a bay tree. We have recently planted a lemon and bananas salvaged from a nearby site being bulldozed for redevelopment. One shady corner of the site is fenced off with trellis and has existing native plants and trees. We plan to have this as quiet amenity garden, with the balance of the site – the sunny area, used for growing fruit and vegetables.
We’d like to have a regular working bee on the site – say every Sunday afternoon.
As the garden becomes established, gardeners can work in and use the garden at any time.
Short term jobs
Soil test site – we want to grow food and don’t know the history of the site and until recently cars have been parking on it
Ongoing weed removal – spray and chop back Jasmine
Boundary fence the site – a very nice picket fence has been donated to us now we just need posts put in to attach picket sections to
Make and hang Community garden sign – this might be on the concrete wall behind the garden
Repair existing trellis fence and gates
Shift concrete tubs and bathtub to better location on site
Build compost bins and raised garden beds – we may need some top soil to build up beds to begin with.
Materials we require (recycled is fine)
8-10 Posts for perimeter fence (minimum 2 m length)
Untreated timber (or other material) to construct compost bins and garden beds
Clean topsoil/compost for beds
Useful Plants
We are using OOOOby (Out of Our Own Backyards) as a way to stay in touch and also learn from other gardeners who are are not in Grey Lynn. Here is the the link.
June 4, 2009
· Filed under Community, Gardening, Grey Lynn
Jaggers Bush Reserve – Community tree planting day
For many years local residents have helped transform Jaggers Bush from a
weed infested place into an attractive native forest. This winter, volunteers will
once again join forces to plant native trees and grasses along the banks of
Motions Creek beside Jaggers Bush. Come along with family and friends to enjoy
a relaxed and enjoyable morning of planting along the Creek’s edge
SUNDAY, 14 June, 10am.
Meeting point
Behind the Auckland Zoo on Old Mill Road at the park
entrance, Westmere.
Please bring -
• Friends and family
• Sturdy shoes (e.g., gumboots or running shoes)
• Dress to suit the weather (e.g., wear a raincoat
for wet conditions)
• Strong gloves (e.g., garden gloves)
• Bring a spade if you can
Refreshments -
• Barbecue food
• Orange drink, biscuits and fruit
For further information -
° Call 09 379 2020 to speak with the park volunteer
Coordinator
Meola Creek – Community tree planting day
Meola Creek is only one of a few remaining creeks which largely uncovered (not
piped) in urban Auckland. This winter the Auckland City Council is holding a tree
planting day help restore the banks of the creek near Pasadena Intermediate.
Come along with family and friends to enjoy a relaxed and
enjoyable morning of planting along the Creek’s edge.
When
SUNDAY, 26 July, 10am.
Meeting point
Motions Road, opposite Auckland zoo entrance (walkway
pipe access to Pasadena Intermediate), Western Springs.
Please bring -
• Friends and family
• Sturdy shoes (e.g., gumboots or running shoes)
• Dress to suit the weather (e.g., wear a raincoat
for wet conditions)
• Strong gloves (e.g., garden gloves)
• Bring a spade if you can
Refreshments -
• Barbecue food
• Orange drink, biscuits and fruit
For further information -
° Call 09 379 2020 to speak with the park volunteer
coordinator
June 4, 2009
· Filed under Community, Gardening
Oakley Creek Community Tree Planting
When: Sunday 7th June, 2009 – 10am-12noon
Where: Oakley Creek Walkway – Plane Tree Bridge downstream from the Unitec Residence Bridge
(Approx half way between Unitec Residence Bridge and Waterview Walkway Entrance)
Access through Unitec – below the organic gardens and shadehouses or via the walkway – Gt North Road, Waterview.
Families welcome – bring a spade, garden gloves and wear sturdy shoes. Refreshments provided.
Contact Wendy – 815-3101 or David Bowden – 379-2020
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And, a reminder of the
Tunnel or Nothing
March and Rally – Saturday 6th June
It’s time to stand up for our community, and against the destruction of our homes, our parks and our environment. Join the march along the proposed SH20 motorway route. Check the details on www.tunnelornothing.org.nz – and pass the word around.
And, the ToN committee need some help on the day. If you can assist with any of these please contact them ASAP:
- a curtainsider truck (we can use as a stage) or a marquee (up to 4m x 4m in case it rains)
- a sound system with amp, mixer and speakers (or a set of 12V speakers)
- any entertainers who would like to perform for free. There is a great ‘muso’ lined up but are happy to add more performers.
- phone 846-1083 or 820-0288
