The deluge cleared and the seed packing day at Chris's in Raleigh produced over 800 bags locally grown seed just in time for this year's Bellingen Autumn plant fair. Eleven busy bees cleaned, sorted, and bagged a diverse range of seeds ready for autumn-winter-spring sowing.
Jeff from Boambee brought a basket load of Blue Lake climbing beans, San Marzano & Camp Joy tomatoes, and Cherry Belle radish. Jeff & Tara from Coffs supplied bags of snow peas, including the renowned Bohemian sugar pea which has yielded well for many gardeners over the past two years.
Ten other gardeners from Dorrigo, Bello, Valla Beach, Southwest Rocks, and Glenreagh supplied various beans, herbs, salad veg and leafy greens.
New seed savers: Annie from Bonville learned the art of cleaning brassicas and Helen from Woolgoolga got good exercise processing radish pods. Merren also got good finger therapy opening bean pods.
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Seed processing was accompanied by a delicious spread of lunch snacks and cakes all enjoyed on Chris’s verandah looking out over scenic Raleigh wetlands and pasture.
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Three days later the process concluded with seed packet labelling at the Old Butter Factory, and as usual the volunteers were treated to scrumptious cakes and coffees.
Our seed stocks were boosted to over 1400 packets ready for the plant fair.
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Thanks to Chris for hosting the seed cleaning, to all the volunteers who helped out and those who donated the seeds. Without seeds we will cease to exist.
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We were rewarded with a bright Bellingen day for the autumn plant fair. Conditions were relatively dry for the most part, even if a little squelchy underfoot.
Market stallholders were slightly down, but there were plenty of punters, and all displays were plundered as per usual; our collective gardening enthusiasm will not be dampened!
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We moved a lot of stock, both greens and seeds, and also exchanged knowledge and experiences. A thriving joyful atmosphere, filled by people laden with growing goodies.
How lucky we are, to be in this blessed pocket of the country, at this time...
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Yet another successful day resulting from the contributions of many volunteers. Thanks to all involved, including those who worked on our stall: Jeff, Mary, Lesley, Jeff, Tara, Don, Phillipa, Shunyam, Leela, Chris, Merren, Chris, Gillian, Lisa, Luigi, Kristy, Charlie, Charles.
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Sunday 27th of March 10:30 am - 4:00 pm
Our Lightstream in Lowanna visit was sadly postponed in November last year, but luckily Andrew and Judy are still keen to host us for a leisurely rural visit. We still have the rain lurking at present, but here's hoping for a drying trend!
Judy's suggestion is:
"I think 10.30 am would be good arrival time. Morning tea, then walk around garden, chat, go for swim about 12 and come back for lunch at 2ish. Finish at 4pm."
Swimming is optional, of course, but their waterhole is a sight to behold!
You will need to register for the event, even if you RSVPd last year. Priority will be given to the first round responders, but we have also increased numbers from the previous invite.
Judy and Andrew are natural therapists with specialties in meditation, massage and herbalism. They have been on their MO for a couple of decades, running a successful airbnb as well as improving and adding to the initial buildings and gardens. Now they are mostly retired and throwing themselves fully into the productive gardens.
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If you are coming down with something, please do not attend the garden tour.
Coming? please click here to RSVP, to obtain the address and so we know who’s attending. Please RSVP even if you already know how to get there.
Organiser: Lisa O'Callaghan / gardenvisits@bellingenseedsavers.com or phone 0417 536 490
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Are you looking for particular seeds or plants? Do you have an abundance of something to give away?
Email in to news@bellingenseedsavers.com for your search or offer to be put in the newsletter in this section.
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Thanks to Jeff for the photos.
Thanks to Judy and Leela for the blurb on our next garden visit. Thanks Leela for the Market report and Jeff for the seed cleaning report.
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SEED SAVING DETAILS
When donating or sharing seeds, please email in the seed information so we know what we have (click the link, the email has the questions ready to fill out)
Email: seeds@bellingenseedsavers.com
Or fill in this PDF form. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill this out digitally. Remember to save each seed info as a separately named file!
Or print it out and fill it in by hand.
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