Permablitz Numero Siete
The day started with a beautiful blue sky and zephyr breeze. The Evans’ kids hung their “Open Garden Permablitz, all Welcome” sign they’d made the night before, on the fence and people rocked up, some on foot (neighbours) or mostly bikes (those from further a field). By 12.00 the little mandala front garden was buzzing with friends, neighbours and dedicated permies and the miraculous silver chook dome gleamed in the sun looking like some futuristic space ship – we hope it is a sign of the future and that very soon everyone in Melbourne will have one in their front garden!
After introductions and admiring the tractor (complete with Thomas Street Aracana hen who was so unfazed by her new home, she laid an egg the very next day and three little new Isa Braun companions), we got down to the nitty-gritty of planting, mulching and manuring in teams.
Matthew and Co emptied the pond and laid some lovely steamy manure/compost in the bottom, then planted the waterchestnut corms from Ceres – can’t wait for the 1 kilo-per-corm water chestnuts to grow – Yum!
Two citrus were planted down the back top terrace garden which was mulched with blood and bone and compost and then covered in sheet newspaper and straw so the ever-determined couch grass has a tough time re-appearing. While this was happening another team was busy spreading compost and manure on another terrace bed and planted three dwarf fruit trees, with potatoes underplanted to condition the soil.
All the while, team three researched and planted out a bed of purple asparagus from Diggers’ – can’t wait for that either – gourmet eating at its best; and team four (were there really so many teams?) planted up a little mini herb terrace.
After all that hard work, a late lunch was devoured of all the amazing food contributions that people had brought, including a wonderful variety of home baked bread, Tempe from Cameron (delicious), Carey’s perfect basil mint dip and pumpkin and minestrone soup (to which Di forgot to add the greens – whoops – never mind, it all got eaten.) We finished up with a fantastic presentation from Adam on the benefits, whys and wherefores of sauerkraut making and eating using some of the garden’s cabbage produce, while Roger gave a demo of grafting techniques – well, sort of! A few bottles of vino were cracked late in the afternoon before everyone wobbled home on their bikes, tired but happy, we hope.
The Evans family had a wonderful day with friends, family and community and would like to thank everyone who came and brought such an amazing array of food, plants, produce, knowledge and skills. Bring on permablitz numero ocho!
