Tag Archives: Veggies

Jetto’s Patch visit in March

If you were ever looking for inspiration, or just wondering what might be possible on an average suburban block, Jetto’s Patch in Maida Vale has much to make you think.

Dario in the front yard, which they converted from lawn only 18 months ago!

Dario in the front yard, which they converted from lawn only 18 months ago!

Starting in 1989, but with the newest parts only 18 months old, Dario and Michelle grow something in the region of 500 edible species on their 1482 sq m block.

The Kitchen Gardeners were delighted to accept an invitation from Dario and Michelle to hold their March workshop at Jetto’s Patch.  Some of us opted for the advertised potting seeds workshop, where we used some of our collected and donated pots, and made some out of newspaper following Debra’s expert instructions.

Most of us wandered about the verdant paradise admiring just how many plants and the amazing variety of edible plants it is possible to grow in Perth.  There are the obvious ones like figs and grapes along with some very interesting ones that you would not expect to find thriving in Perth: arabica coffee, pineapples, cherries, raspberries.

Touring the chook pen and garden

Touring the chook pen and garden

It was a hot day, but the garden was lovely and cool

It was a hot day, but the garden was lovely and cool

Lots of us took home a little piece of Jetto’s – sugarcane, perpetual pumpkin seeds and a renewed zeal for growing our own food.

If you missed out, Dario and Michelle love visitors – you can contact them via their Facebook page – JettosPatch

Dario's raised beds made of left over concrete slabs and a metal frame

Dario’s raised beds made of left over concrete slabs and a metal frame

Calico fruit bags to protect fruit from birds and bugs

Calico fruit bags to protect fruit from birds and bugs

Happy chooks

Happy chooks

Planting out a spring garden at Rebecca and Andy’s place

This month the Guildford Kitchen Gardeners are getting our hands dirty.  Rebecca and Andy have been wanting a vegie garden for a while, and have generously agreed to share putting it together with us.  If you’ve been wanting to set up a garden and haven’t known where to start, this is a great way to learn.

They’ve done all the hard work, so we’ll come in and help them finish it off, followed by afternoon tea, of course.

Please bring:  your gardening gloves and gardening tools, something for the sharing table if you have excess in your garden, some homemade yumminess to share for afternoon tea.  (these last two are not obligatory – if you’d like to bring something to share, please do but don’t feel obliged, we will have plenty).  Also, if you have a camp chair, you might want to have a sit down after all the hard work.

Here’s how it will work:

1.30:   Arrive and reacquaint with everyone
2pm:  Let’s get to work!  Rebecca has plans of what’s to be planted where, as well as seeds and seedlings.  We’ll be moving some soil, then planting seeds and seedlings.  There are also a couple of trees needing new homes.  Rebecca will have seeds and vegie seedlings, but would love donations if anyone has herb seedlings looking for a new home.
3.30:  Time for a well earned cuppa, biccie and a chat.
4pm: Done!

As we go, we’ll discuss soil health, companion planting, timing of planting various species, recipes and whatever else is of interest.

Please RSVP for address, to guildfordkitchengardeners@gmail.com.

Keeping Backyard Chooks

Kitchen Gardeners' founders

Chickens are the perfect animal for a permaculture system. They convert food scraps to eggs, clean up weeds and fallen fruit and are a great source of manure – the skill is to set them up to work for you and not against you!

In July the TTG Kitchen Gardeners’ Society are meeting to learn about keeping backyard chooks. If you want to know how to set up a run for happy chooks, how to feed and care for them, and how to choose the right chickens for your requirements, then please join us.

We’ll also be talking about adopting battery-farm hens: where to get them, the advantages and disadvantages, and how to provide for their unique needs.

As this event is at a private home space is limited and bookings are essential. Please email guildfordkitchengardeners@gmail.com or call Elizabeth on 0417 718 051 to RSVP.

When: Sunday 1st July 2012, 1.30 – 3.30pm followed by tea and scones
Where: Marmalade Cottage, Midland (RSVP for address)