GREENS~LEAVES
The newsletter of the Dunedin Veggie Growers Club; issued monthly. Vol: 4.3 March 2011
Meetings are held on the second Monday each month at St Patrick’s Parish Centre, MacAndrew Rd, Sth. Dunedin starting at 7.00pm sharp (we ask you to arrive at 6.45pm to avoid a bottleneck )
Our next meeting is Monday 14th March and the invited Speaker will be Mark Dickson on “Growing Winter Salads”
President: Barrie Mayfield (455 1940) sharbar@clear.net.nz Treasurer: Lynne McCrone (4781195)
Secretary: Carol Henderson (454 4625) hendersonic@xtra.co.nz
February meeting Review:
I come to these meetings and each time I go away with different information and realise really just how little I know. I think the plants grow in spite of me. Nature was the first rule in Neville Struthers talk on the Myths of gardening. Think nature and natural. Merchandising has taken off in the edible gardening scene ,if you ask at a plant shop about someting they may well sell you something you don’t particularly need. Our grandparents and great grandparents fed large famlies with no sales. Natural.!!! Neville’s talk certainly promoted discussions as some agreed and some disagreed with his viewpoint.
Thanks to Mike on his talk on beans. It is great to hear of families handing down beans seed for generations
A great turn out for a very interesting garden at Les Clevelands.
Jenny Green won the lucky seat Congratulations!
The winner of the 3 runner/climbing beans was Margaret Scott J
Vege competition 2011
We have, as a committee, had lots of discussion on how to organise this years competition. Thanks for all the feedback form the club members. There was such a variety of ideas it was great. We have gone for a system that ends
up with two winners, wait....it will make sense. We looked at first second and third BUT already the guests talk about how difficult it is to judge
just a first, so not the best option. Sometimes the reason for pickng a winner has been things like
the colour.. so who best to judge but the club members.
We will have a winner from the guest and a second winner from the club members as you are enjoying supper all members will have the opportunity to tick on the envelope the winning vegetable. The ticks will be added up and the winner announced during supper.
Both winners will get 5 points each with a point for entering which all participants get. We hope this will keep the ponts closer and so a lot more competitive.
Each meeting the winners will get to choose a lucky dip prize. More explanation at the next meeting.
March Meeting
Membership subs will be accepted at the door for those not already paid up for the year. Only paid up members are able to vote at the time of the election of officers. The numbers nominated have not exceeded the requirements for any positions so there will not have to be any voting. It will be a quick AGM.
Any member who has changed address/e-mail please let Heather know for the distribution of the newsletter.
The presentation of the trophy for the winner of the vegetable competition will take place after the judging of this months competition.
We have a winner! Lynne has won the overall competition with four others at her heels so to speak.
The March meeting will follow the usual format apart from the short AGM ;
Veg. of the month –Peas by Ruth Groffman
Veg. of the month Competition – 6 Peas in pods (This is the first month for this years competition).
Brains Trust/Open Forum will be chaired by Neil Robinson ( 10 mins )
AGM- Minutes of 2010 AGM
Annual Report
Balance Sheet
Delcaration of new President, Office-bearers and Committee members
Invited Speaker is Mark Dickson from Taste Nature speaking on growing winter salads
Competition Judging -followed by presentation of the “Gardener of the Year” trophy
Announcements and Supper
Garden visit This month it is to Bruce Bernasconi’s place at 1pm on 19th March – 109 Ravenswood Rd St Clair.
Library books are available for members to borrow.
There are a couple of wayward books out there which haven’t been signed out. If you have them, or others which have been borrowed for a long time, please return ....no questions asked!
Seed sharing/ swapping, trading sales table
It is great to see extra produce and seedlings being shared. Just bring them in and put them on the table.
You can choose if the money is for you or the club.
Do remember to ask if anyone wants a specific plant as others may be able to help and the details can go in the newsletter.
What to plant in March
Depending what you have already got in and what you plant we should be starting to plant to ensure a winter harvest now, March starting for spring.
Swedes, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, celery, brussel sprouts, kale, leeks, radishes, Silverbeet, celeriac, spring onions, radicchio, pak choi or try something new like tat soi
I also plant winter lettuces, coriander, parsley
Traditional days 17th March (St Patricks day) Onion seed and Anzac day Broad beans
One gardener we visited last year recommended March as the time for planting peas for Christmas .
Feed back Please.
Thanks for the suggestions in the suggestion box. Ideas are great from everybody. So add more or talk to a committee member.
Regards, Margaret Scott
Newsletter Editor
Les Cleveland explaining his brassica protection unit
John Wright examining the huge compost heap Les Cleveland makes from the waste from Harraways and a lot of coffee grounds!
