Considering we’re nearing the end of a typically long, hot and very dry Western Australian summer, the Garden looks surprisingly good. Many plots are well shaded and growing healthy crops. Zucchini, cucumbers and tomatoes are coming to an end and there have been some magnificent crops. Lettuce, such a fragile looking plant, copes well all year round. It will soon be time to plant winter crops such as cabbages, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, parsnips, potatoes. Note there’s no inclusion of brussel sprouts as they like a much cooler climate.
Winter crops of broccoli/cauliflower and cabbages were magnificent last year but when past their prime had to be swiftly removed as they were under heavy attack from white fly. Anything uprooted or cut back is recycled through the composting system which generates a continuous source of rich, damp soil, full of lovely, wriggly worms.
The quality of produce has a lot to do not only with gardening expertise built up over the past 17 years (we’ve been here that long!) but deep, well composted and worm-filled soil. Not a toxic chemical in sight. Regular mulching and good shade cloth are also key factors.
We invite ongoing community involvement by providing talks and workshops, being involved with street stalls, inviting groups for a tour, a chat, a cuppa and increasing our contacts with other community gardens and food forests.
Working bees are a Garden constant; there’s always weeding, compost-making, mulching, planting flowers for bees, clearing wild undergrowth or whippers nipping overgrown pathways. And who can resist our morning teas…..
West Leederville Community Garden Inc 