Newstead Community Garden in Newstead, Victoria | Public garden

Newstead Community Garden

Locality: Newstead, Victoria

Address: Rear 28 Panmure St 3462 Newstead, VIC, Australia

Website: http://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com

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25.01.2022 In the end, we were as wet as the compost. But once you start the process, it cant really be halted. Weve done our work and hopefully set up the ideal conditions - warmth, moisture, air, food, biodynamic preps - for the bacteria, fungi and soil organisms to do theirs. Look out for rising steam in a few days as the microbes get going. [ 332 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//layer-upon-layer-an/

24.01.2022 This time of year it's really easy to be distracted in the garden, and it's only partly because there seems to be a little bit of a task everywhere one looks ... Nonetheless, I highly recommend a regular spot of pottering (I also call it 'observation and planning', or 'readying for spring', or 'I don't remember planting you there last year!') in the garden, in any/every season. [ 174 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//07/28/august-potter/

24.01.2022 Weve harvested the first of our fruit - the white fleshed Anzac peaches. Lovely taste, even though the fruit is quite small because no thinning was done (I find it hard to bring myself to thin fruit even though I know we should...). The two trees are breathing a sigh of relief after being unburdened by both netting and fruit. [ 52 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//just-peachy-and-loo/

23.01.2022 The first of the nets have gone on fruit trees this week. This season the garden purchased six exclusion nets with a view to replacing all our netting to become wildlife friendly, fruit fly unfriendly and temperature abating in the summers ahead. But maybe not so fruit tree friendly! Lesson 1: Better to put nets on early, when the fruit is tiny, to minimise tree disruption. [ 177 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//better-late-than-ne/

23.01.2022 October has been a typical Spring (only slightly on steroids?) with heat, frost, hail, hot wind, cold wind .... and no rain. Sometimes all of these within 24 hours. No rain has put an end to a promising dry-land season locally. At least we in the garden can irrigate, so much of the early spring potential might be realised. Except for where the frost hit! [ 239 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//watch-out-for-the-h/

23.01.2022 Well, actually no-one got the Volunteer Expo broadie count, nor the seed ID, spot on. The seed ID was pretty difficult, even for seed nerds ... Kerry and Nathaniel got the most number of seeds correctly named - three out of eight. And Kerry also knows her broadies, guessing 721 beans and closest to the actual 879. Kerry wins a "digger" supporter membership and a few plants and seeds from the garden to share with Nathaniel. Well done! Do you know your seeds? Click here to find out what they are. https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//and-the-correct-gue/

23.01.2022 Traditionally, Melbourne Cup Day is when gardeners put their tomatoes in (soils have warmed up enough for summer crops and the worst frost dangers have passed). Of course every season is different and climate change throws a shoe! If you haven't got your tomatoes in yet (or you planted advanced seedlings back in August/September when Bunnings and other big plant retailers were making a mint selling - and reselling! [ 182 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//racing-to-get-your-/

22.01.2022 Dont forget the Fruit Fly workshops are on across the Shire this week. Newstead Community Centre tomorrow, Thursday, from 1-3pm and then Maldon Community Centre from 6-8pm. Castlemaine on Friday 10-12 at the Town Hall. You will have your fire plan sorted for summer, so get your fruit fly plan ready too! https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//fruit-fly-workshops/

22.01.2022 Last time I checked out the garlic it seemed like it would be weeks til harvest; the outer leaves hadnt yellowed off and the flag leaves were just unfurling ... but fast forward a few warm and windy days and its more than ready to dig. We are mostly growing softneck garlic this season and thats exactly what it does when its ready to harvest. [ 185 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com///20/garlic-goodness/

21.01.2022 If the recent rainfall (and another 7mm or so overnight) hasnt got you motivated to get into the garden, then probably nothing will. Except maybe cake?! A quick reminder of our membership and birthday this month - 2-4pm on Sunday 19th May. Please bring a plate of something to share and your membership fees, if you are renewing or joining us. [ 45 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com/20//08/happy-returns/

20.01.2022 Decembers here already! Hopefully you will have been enjoying the spring delights of and in the garden. And its not too late to get your tomatoes (and eggplants, chillies, capsicums, beans, zukes, squashes) in. The relatively cool Spring has meant soil temperatures are still on the low side, especially if you have thick mulches on. As things warm up, the plants will get the upper hand on the pesky bugs and growth will spurt for those summer veges, so its no problem if you didnt get them in last month, just be quick about it now. [ 108 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com///30/seasons-eatings/

18.01.2022 I thought I was doing the right thing by the garden when I pulled up my spent broadies, mowed over them, chopped up the stalks and then dug the whole lot back into the soil. I was, but. Planting straight back into the bed was bound to be a problem. The seedlings struggled and are only now, only just, growing away. [ 343 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com/2019/12/11/tie-up/

18.01.2022 You may have read in an earlier post about our monitoring traps for Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF), now hanging in the peppercorn and peach trees. Hopefully theyll stay empty (though I have noticed a little by-catch of vinegar flies). If youve been thinking we dont get QFF here, think again. Climate change, increasing human movements and changes in the way biosecurity is managed, all mean that we could be affected. [ 185 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//watch-out-for-those/

18.01.2022 Don't forget the Fruit Fly workshops are on across the Shire this week. Newstead Community Centre tomorrow, Thursday, from 1-3pm and then Maldon Community Centre from 6-8pm. Castlemaine on Friday 10-12 at the Town Hall. You will have your fire plan sorted for summer, so get your fruit fly plan ready too! https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//fruit-fly-workshops/

17.01.2022 Last weekend we got a machine in. Normally a rotary hoe wouldnt be my implement of choice, but when theres a heap of digging needed and not many willing backs, nor the spare time or energy, it seemed the best option for the garden. Any sort of cultivation can be problematic for most Australian soils. We dont have the deep, young, fertile soils and higher rainfall/cooler conditions of Europe or the Americas. [ 227 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com/2019/04/21/digging-it/

16.01.2022 If the recent rainfall (and another 7mm or so overnight) hasn't got you motivated to get into the garden, then probably nothing will. Except maybe cake?! A quick reminder of our membership and birthday this month - 2-4pm on Sunday 19th May. Please bring a plate of something to share and your membership fees, if you are renewing or joining us. [ 45 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com/20//08/happy-returns/

16.01.2022 The garlic is happily abed and watered after the weekends efforts. Plus, we are on the way to making a new luxe worm farm, thanks to extra muscles on-hand. Pam established an intensive/extensive farm at The Hub in Castlemaine and at her new Newstead home, so our garden is next! Weve found the small oblong and black round bins not so good in the summer heat (even when shaded) and in our community garden setting, so itll be good to see how the cast-iron bath version goes. [ 199 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//may-you-grow-well-g/

16.01.2022 It's been a challenging year for community groups, especially on the fundraising front. We also have fewer members this year. The costs of running the garden haven't taken a break though. We would love to see you on the weekend of November 21 and 22, 10-30 til 3.30 both days, for cake and coffee/tea (inc. herbals from the garden) plus our [ 150 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//join-us-for-spring-/

16.01.2022 We were fortunate to receive funds from the Newstead Rural Transaction Centre (RTC) Community Grants last year and have purchased two important pieces of garden equipment - a flame weeder and a tank level indicator. As the garden has become more and more fertile over the years, its not only the good plants that have benefited; weve also given the weeds a fillip, especially in our pathways and at the edges of paths and plots. [ 370 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//looking-up-looking-/

14.01.2022 Sunday pizza oven spoils. Still 400 deg at 1.30 if you want to come pop a cake in this arvo

14.01.2022 Despite cold and covid, we had ten keen pruners at the garden on Saturday and thanks to Katie Finlay from Grow Great Fruit in Harcourt, we (and our trees) are well on the way to being better pruners (and better pruned). Katie talked about having a calm tree. She encouraged us to look at "natural" or "wild" fruit trees which display a balance of fruit and growth and take inspiration from them. [ 154 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//07/20/pruning-mantra/

14.01.2022 This time of year its really easy to be distracted in the garden, and its only partly because there seems to be a little bit of a task everywhere one looks ... Nonetheless, I highly recommend a regular spot of pottering (I also call it observation and planning, or readying for spring, or I dont remember planting you there last year!) in the garden, in any/every season. [ 174 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//07/28/august-potter/

13.01.2022 We have a couple of new gardeners in-situ in place of the bird netting, hopefully slightly scary. Hopefully the garlic is well on its way too, with some good winter moisture and cold temps. Now that spring is well and truly here, we will need to think about watering, to ensure those bulbs and cloves will be well filled. Besides the weeding and feeding. [ 145 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//extra-scary-gardene/

13.01.2022 Happy autumn? This late blast of summer weather has upset my thinking that autumn had arrived, finally, on time ... but at least the pumpkins and tomatoes have a chance of ripening, and maybe Ill get a bean yet. The March Notes are now posted. A busy time in the garden, if it cools down enough to spend time out in it. [ 134 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com///march-against-time/

13.01.2022 October has been a 'typical' Spring (only slightly on steroids?) with heat, frost, hail, hot wind, cold wind .... and no rain. Sometimes all of these within 24 hours. No rain has put an end to a promising dry-land season locally. At least we in the garden can irrigate, so much of the early spring potential might be realised. Except for where the frost hit! [ 239 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//watch-out-for-the-h/

13.01.2022 A little birthday, a little library and a volunteer expo. All non-gardening activities, but all maybe contributing to the life of our garden. And maybe a few more potential members, and readers. Over-catered for on the cake front (you will never go hungry at a garden gathering) we had a gentle gathering on Sunday to renew plot and digger/supporter memberships. We welcomed new members Gillian, Pam and Guiliano, Annalise & Oscar. [ 123 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//its-not-all-about-g/

13.01.2022 I do hope we've done our dough on this garden purchase - Queensland Fruit Fly traps. Last year there was a bit of a scare in our Shire, but thanks to quick moving locals, it seems we dodged a bullet. So far Mount Alexander Shire has been fruit fly free and it'd be good to keep it that way. Fruit fly would be devastating - and extremely expensive - for community and school gardens, home backyards and of course commercial growers, especially certified organic ones. [ 392 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//well-worth-the-spend/

13.01.2022 Im not sure why the color green is associated with illness, envy and naivety. To me green speaks of cool, calm, growth, health, security, prosperity and ... compost! Weve been waiting for some decent green growth to make our vital biodynamic compost. After the good rain in May and June, there finally is some - especially in annual weeds - to make a great compost contribution in [ 247 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com///greens-and-grounds/

13.01.2022 The April Notes are now posted, with some tips on autumn planting and soil care. Many activities normally scheduled for March or April may have to wait til we get a decent rain event and cooler temperatures. The autumn break seems as likely as a good April Fools joke right now. On the topic of heat and shade, Swinburne University Diploma of Landscape Design students will be visiting Newstead this Sunday 7th April to find out about our shade needs. [ 150 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/autumn-fool/

12.01.2022 A bit late posting the February Planting Notes; the arrival of the second month has caught me by surprise. But this month should be more of the same as the one previous - up early to water, shading mid-morning after the pollinators have had a bit of a go and before it gets too hot to be out, then later evening to refill bird baths, remove shade and give anything a drink that needs it. [ 155 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//shortest-hopefully-/

11.01.2022 In the end, we were as wet as the compost. But once you start the process, it can't really be halted. We've done our work and hopefully set up the ideal conditions - warmth, moisture, air, food, biodynamic preps - for the bacteria, fungi and soil organisms to do theirs. Look out for rising steam in a few days as the microbes get going. [ 332 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//layer-upon-layer-an/

11.01.2022 It is still Spring, the October planting notes are warning about frosts, still, and the fact that soil temperatures are still too low for warm season crops like tomatoes and pumpkins to germinate. And yes, Im thinking about shade. Shade planning and creating now will mean less stress when the sun really hits. And it goes hand in hand with planting summer crops - if you know how and where they will be growing, you can purpose make some temporary structures for the summer. [ 173 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//09/29/shady-dealings/

10.01.2022 Join the movement - come do a flag for climate change at the community discussion on climate change today. At the garden 4.30 till 6 today (Sat)

10.01.2022 I'm not sure why the color green is associated with illness, envy and naivety. To me green speaks of cool, calm, growth, health, security, prosperity and ... compost! We've been waiting for some decent green growth to make our vital biodynamic compost. After the good rain in May and June, there finally is some - especially in annual weeds - to make a great compost contribution in [ 247 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com///greens-and-grounds/

10.01.2022 This Saturday - 2 March - come down to the garden, 4.30 to 6pm, to talk about how you found this summer, and how Newstead might adapt to future ones. Were keen to explore peoples ideas around ways we can adapt to climate change, with a view to preparing a funding submission for the State Governments Community Climate Change Adaptation Grants (3CA) due March 31. [ 140 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//talking-summer-and-/

09.01.2022 I do hope weve done our dough on this garden purchase - Queensland Fruit Fly traps. Last year there was a bit of a scare in our Shire, but thanks to quick moving locals, it seems we dodged a bullet. So far Mount Alexander Shire has been fruit fly free and itd be good to keep it that way. Fruit fly would be devastating - and extremely expensive - for community and school gardens, home backyards and of course commercial growers, especially certified organic ones. [ 392 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//well-worth-the-spend/

08.01.2022 This last week saw a good frost. Very cold and potentially damaging, but also very useful and practical. Frost helps with pest and disease control in the garden and stratification - the chill needs that fruits, nuts and other plants require in order to produce. It sweetens root crops, like parsnips, by turning starches into sugars. It signifies an end to warm season crops. [ 306 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com/2019/06/01/good-frost/

08.01.2022 We are no longer up the garden path, thanks to funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR). The paths were laid in 2009 and were really showing the wear and tear of years of garden activity. Thanks to FRRR, weve had them repaired, re-cut and re-surfaced. MIchael from Thomas Earthmovers did a sterling job. The compacted paths are back to their original width, allowing for barrows, prams, wheelchairs and walkers. [ 141 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com/2019//20/peachy-paths/

08.01.2022 Reminder our pizza oven is firing up today, ready to go by about 6. See event on this page for more details. What interesting pizza combos can you bring some ingredients for? A dessert one perhaps?! Also, we are after donations to garden of rolling pin and oven mitts if anyone can help out.

08.01.2022 December's here already! Hopefully you will have been enjoying the spring delights of and in the garden. And it's not too late to get your tomatoes (and eggplants, chillies, capsicums, beans, zukes, squashes) in. The relatively cool Spring has meant soil temperatures are still on the low side, especially if you have thick mulches on. As things warm up, the plants will get the upper hand on the pesky bugs and growth will spurt for those summer veges, so it's no problem if you didn't get them in last month, just be quick about it now. [ 108 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com///30/seasons-eatings/

07.01.2022 If you've been down to the garden lately, you'll notice the compost heap has slumped and there's a small and gentle wisp of steam coming from it. Certainly not the great Vesuvian activity of previous heaps; this one is slow and steady. Plus that unmistakeable compost smell (not ammonia!) which I would describe as 'heavy, sweet, organic'. I checked the compost tonight with my yoghurt thermometer (don't worry, I'll sterilise it before the next batch) and it's a bit over 60 degrees - almost hot enough to froth your milk! [ 113 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com/2019/07/18/slow-cooker/

07.01.2022 Last weekend we got a machine in. Normally a rotary hoe wouldn't be my implement of choice, but when there's a heap of digging needed and not many willing backs, nor the spare time or energy, it seemed the best option for the garden. Any sort of cultivation can be problematic for most Australian soils. We don't have the deep, young, fertile soils and higher rainfall/cooler conditions of Europe or the Americas. [ 227 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com/2019/04/21/digging-it/

05.01.2022 Reminder - Firing up pizza oven tonight! Check out details in the 'events' on this page. And byo drinks and perhaps a chair :)

05.01.2022 Reminder - Firing up pizza oven tonight! Check out details in the events on this page. And byo drinks and perhaps a chair :)

03.01.2022 If youve been down to the garden lately, youll notice the compost heap has slumped and theres a small and gentle wisp of steam coming from it. Certainly not the great Vesuvian activity of previous heaps; this one is slow and steady. Plus that unmistakeable compost smell (not ammonia!) which I would describe as heavy, sweet, organic. I checked the compost tonight with my yoghurt thermometer (dont worry, Ill sterilise it before the next batch) and its a bit over 60 degrees - almost hot enough to froth your milk! [ 113 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com/2019/07/18/slow-cooker/

02.01.2022 We've harvested the first of our fruit - the white fleshed Anzac peaches. Lovely taste, even though the fruit is quite small because no thinning was done (I find it hard to bring myself to thin fruit even though I know we should...). The two trees are breathing a sigh of relief after being unburdened by both netting and fruit. [ 52 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//just-peachy-and-loo/

02.01.2022 Yes, the tomatoes are late, but the other morning I gathered some nice pickings. Is Autumn now a better Spring?! https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com/20//13/nice-pickings/

02.01.2022 Newstead has a long legacy of community groups and individuals working to build and better the township. Our Mechanics Institute, the CFA Shed, treelined streets, Swimming Pool, Primary School are just some examples The Newstead Arts Hub - based in the beautifully restored Newstead Railway Station - is continuing the tradition, holding an Inaugural Dinner and Fundraising Art Auction. Funds raised will go towards projects at the Arts Hub, including a start on the long awaited [ 33 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//continuing-newstead/

01.01.2022 The garlic is happily abed and watered after the weekend's efforts. Plus, we are on the way to making a new luxe worm farm, thanks to extra muscles on-hand. Pam established an intensive/extensive farm at The Hub in Castlemaine and at her new Newstead home, so our garden is next! We've found the small oblong and black round bins not so good in the summer heat (even when shaded) and in our community garden setting, so it'll be good to see how the cast-iron bath version goes. [ 199 more words ] https://newsteadgarden.wordpress.com//may-you-grow-well-g/