We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land - the Awabakal, Worimi, Wonnarua, Darkinjung and Gaewegal people - who have been caring for this Country for thousands of years. |
|
|
Holiday Season Newsletter November Field Day Report -
Maplewood Permaculture Farm and Christmas Party Member Survey Flashback: Summer 96/97 HOGS Edition That Herb Guy - Garden Angelica Edible Garden Trends World Soil Day Recipe - Li'l Lemon Myrtle Friands Recipe - Christmas Cake December Grower's Guide Pest Spotlight: Pear and Cherry Slug Flower Power: Gardenias Seed Saving: Fennel and Dill
|
|
|
Hoe, Hoe, Hoe Season's greetings to all in the HOGS community. Wishing you warmth, joy and some rain. May this season be abundant with growth, blossoms, and a bountiful harvest. May it be as vibrant as ripe tomatoes and as abundant as zucchini vines - bringing both colour and flavour to your festive celebrations. Here's to a year of flourishing gardens and shared green-thumb successes. From the HOGS Committee |
|
|
MAPLEWOOD PERMACULTURE FARM Our field day to Maplewood Permaculture was our last of the year and our Christmas celebration. Arriving at Maplewood, three things immediately stand out. First, the long line of Japanese maple trees along the driveway, and secondly the sheer steepness of the block. Finally, the view over Paterson and beyond, that you find yourself staring at periodically throughout the day. The view was one thing that drove Will and Anthea to buy the 2 acre property. Amongst the chaos and lockdowns of COVID-19 they set about turning it from an overgrazed horse paddock to a thriving permaculture property. Down the hill to the left, below the maples, is a maturing food forest which was teeming with fruit. There was a mix of subtropical and temperature fruit trees. Will and Anthea talked about how resilient their food forest has become, requiring minimal to no inputs (not even supplemental watering anymore). They also talked about how they’d carefully designed the food forest to ensure there was enough sun, with the added challenge of the steep incline of the block. Closer to the house there was a market garden and a kitchen garden. The market garden had espaliered fruit trees and fences for protection from the local wildlife and the animals. As Will and Anthea explained, having a market and kitchen garden in our climate with a limited water supply can be challenging, so any protection is most welcome. They’ve planted grape vines all along the market and kitchen gardens that will eventually provide much needed shade in the warmer months and let sunshine through in winter. They also talked about the importance of soil health in these two gardens, especially to store water. Beside the market garden there was an impressive compost bay system. Will and Anthea add Bana Grass to the compost that’s grown on the property, in addition to any other organic matter they are given or comes from the property. Everyone was quite jealous of some impressively sized garden forks that were used to turn the compost. Will also showed us his market garden standard broad fork that he uses to aerate the soil (in a no dig style) to prevent hydrophobic soil. After the tour of the property, we all had a Christmas feast, and enjoyed some light rain to cool the humid day down. You can watch the video of the visit here. By Jesse Kelso (Social Media Coordinator) |
|
|
Member Survey We are conducting a short member survey to make sure we continue to support the HOGS members as best we can in our planning for 2024. We would love it if you can help us out by completing this survey. Complete the survey here |
|
|
Root of the Holy Ghost - Garden Angelica |
|
|
Angelica Archangelica is known by other names Garden Angelica, Root of the Holy Ghost, The Angels Herb. It was praised for its protective qualities against contagious diseases, purifying the blood and has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is a biennial meaning it only grows 2 years or until it sets seed. It grows to 2m with a spread up to 1m. It is propagated by seed or root division. The fresh seed is viable for 3 months from harvest. It needs space in the garden. Grow in semi shade with a deep moist soil. “A water distilled from the root...eases all pain and torments coming of cold and wind…” Nicholas Culpeper 1653. Angelica has a long history of medicinal and culinary uses. Its traditional use has been for bronchitis, colds, flu, and also for stomach upsets, flatulence.
|
|
|
Paracelsus, another past herbalist, called Angelica a marvellous herb because of its wide-ranging uses. It continues to be used today for skin problems, digestive tonic, stimulate the appetite and to relieve rheumatism. The leaves and root are used. The leaves are used in tea, cream, tincture, a compress or massage oil. The oil is extracted by steam distillation from the root. The name Angelica came from a legend that an angel told a monk to use this herb to cure the plague. The oil is also useful for fatigue and stress. |
|
|
Have you ever eaten candied Angelica? Or used Angelica in Rhubarb dishes? It can be added to mayonnaise for seafood. The stems can be stewed, eaten fresh. The seed can be used in bread, buns, biscuits or pastry. Leaves, stems and seed have been used to flavour liqueurs. Angelica stem is a natural sweetener and can be used in stewed fruits but use in moderate amounts. Seeds can be crushed and used when crystalising fruit, they can be put into fruit juices, punches, jellies and used as a garnish. A couple of cautions be careful if you are diabetic and intend to use this in cooking because of its sweetness. Also, if you are pregnant avoid it too. By That Herb Guy - Mike Lorraine (Vice President) |
|
|
Edible Garden Trends for 2024 |
|
|
1. Enhancing Your Garden with Edimentals A term coined by writer Stephen Barstow of Norway, edimentals are plants that are both edible and ornamental, therefore serving more than one function in the garden. Edimentals are typically plants that live for more than one year and include perennials, shrubs, and even trees. Using edimentals is a fantastic way to incorporate design elements such as color, texture, and form within a traditional vegetable garden. 2. Exploring Naturalistic Planting & the New Perennial Movement
It’s a slightly wilder, softer aesthetic, neither manicured nor neglected, but one that takes its cue from nature. It’s a garden filled with drifts of plants and grasses (relying heavily on native plants) that appear to have naturally re-seeded themselves in place, though in reality are carefully placed and chosen. The emphasis isn’t on showcasing orderly plant collections; instead, the focus is on a diversity of plants that blend with surrounding nature, welcoming wildlife and pollinators. 3. Preserving Every Drop with Eco-Friendly Rain Gardens Capturing wasted water is just one of the benefits of a rain garden. Minimizing roof and driveway pollutants from rain runoff is another, as the roots of the plants slowly filter the water. 4. Learning to Love Bugs (Even Those That Munch!) Ok, "love" may be extreme, but more people are at least tolerating bugs in their gardens, letting go of the unsustainable concept that leaves need to remain intact at all times. Admittedly, for some bugs, this is easier said than done. Even so, with insect biodiversity at a crisis level and a growing understanding that all living things are ultimately connected, it makes sense that the Royal Horticulture Society recently de-classified slugs and snails as pests. Yes, you read that right! Read the other 6 trends here from Garden Design. Photo of Stoney Creek Sanctuary mandala garden |
|
|
Embracing World Soil Day for Sustainable Gardens World Soil Day was celebrated on the 5 December. It serves as a crucial reminder of the foundational importance of soil for gardeners and growers worldwide. This day emphasises the significance of healthy soil in sustaining life and promoting plant growth. For us, it is an opportunity to reflect on the soil's vital tole in nurturing diverse flora. Understanding soil composition, nutrient levels and overall health is fundamental for successful growing. By acknowledging World Soil Day, we unite in our commitment to responsible soil management, fostering a sustainable environment that ensures robust and thricing gardens for generations to come. Did you know: 95% of our food comes from soils. One cubic meter of healthy soil can retain over 250 liters of water. Improper soil and water management practices affect soil erosion, soil biodiversity, soil fertility, and water quality and quantity. Healthy soil plays a crucial role as a natural filter, purifying and storing water as it infiltrates into the ground.
At Southern Cross University's Lismore campus, an amazing panel of speakers gathered for an inspiring discussion about soils and how they are an integral part of our work and lives. The event was organised by the SQNNSW Innovation Hub's Lismore Node and was facilitated by extension officer Gavin Tinning. You can watch the full video here. Thanks to the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance |
|
|
Flashback to the summer of 1996 / 1997 This edition of HOGS' quarterly magazine has some fantastic fruit growing tips and soil improvement information. We love the letters to editor section, and hope to bring this back. If you have any questions or letters for the editor please send them to: hunterorganicgrowerssociety@gmail.com ATTN: Letters to the Editor | | |
|
|
From Nici Cooper at Simply Homesteading
6 egg whites
180g butter, melted
1 cup ‘natural’ almond meal (ground with skins on)
2T dried & finely ground lemon myrtle leaves
1 cup sifted GF icing sugar / or sweetener of your choice
1/2 cup GF plain flour
1T fresh lemon zest
2T fresh lemon juice
¼ cup desiccated coconut
Preheat 180C. Grease with butter 2 X dozen mini friand / mini muffin trays.
Place egg whites in medium bowl, beat ‘til frothy. Stir in melted butter, almond meal, lemon myrtle, sugar, flour, lemon zest, juice & coconut.
Spoon mix into tray holes ‘til nearly the top. Pop in the hot oven & bake for about 18-20mins.
Enjoy. | | |
|
|
HEALTHY CHRISTMAS CAKE By Teresa Cutter, Author 600 g (19 ½ oz) mixed dried fruit or a mix of the following: raisins, prunes, figs, apricot, currants, sultanas and dates 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon vanilla bean extract or paste 200 g (7 oz) ground almonds 50 g (1 ¾ oz) walnuts 1 orange, juice and zest 3 tablespoons olive oil 3 free-range eggs PREHEAT your oven to 150°C (300°F). PREPARE a 20 cm (9 inch) round cake tin with baking paper lining the sides and the base. COMBINE dried fruit, spice, vanilla, orange zest and juice, olive oil and eggs. ADD the almonds and walnuts and mix through. SPOON cake batter into your baking tin. BAKE for 1 ½ hours. Check with a skewer if cooked through. If it doesn't come out clean, bake for up to another 30 minutes. COVER the top if necessary to prevent over-browning. COOL before removing from the tin and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Serves 16. + Notes and Inspiration This cake can also be served as a pudding with vanilla bean custard or thick natural yoghurt. | | |
|
|
| | Fennel and Dill Seed Saving Cut umbels and place in a container or bag to dry for 5-14 days. Rub seed heads between hands or on a mesh screen to release seeds. | | |
|
|
| | Flower Power: Gardenias with yellow leaves Are your gardenias not flowering well this season? Are the leaves a bit yellow? Check out this video to help your gardenia bloom better next year. | | |
|
| | Pear and Cherry Slug - Caliroa cerasi Pear and Cherry Slug is a worldwide pest that originated in Europe. Pear and Cherry Slugs aren’t Slugs - they are the larvae of a type of sawfly, in the family Tenthredinidae. The larvae are leaf-chewing pests that when in large numbers, may defoliate their host plants. Pear and Cherry Slugs are pests of several fruit trees including Cherry, Pear and Plum. Image credit: Gardening Australia | | |
|
|
| | Permaculture at the Pub First Thursday of every month Casual dining and chats with other like minded folks Join the Facebook group |
|
| | Produce Share - 3 Rivers Hinterland (Lower Hunter NSW) Upcoming dates
10 August Seaham 26 August Medowie
Join the Facebook group |
|
|
| | Click their logo to see their upcoming events |
|
| | Click their logo to see their upcoming events |
|
| | Click their logo to see their upcoming events |
|
|
| | Click their logo to see their upcoming events |
|
|
| | Click their logo to see their upcoming events |
|
| | Blue Boat Farm - Click their logo to see their upcoming events |
|
| | Click the logo for upcoming events |
|
|
Current Committee Members President - Steve Griffin Vice President - Mike Lorraine Secretary - Gerda Maeder Treasurer - Tracey Evans Public Officer - Barbara Nudd Membership Officer - Melissa Fogarty Newsletter Editor - Melissa Fogarty Website Manager - Will Power Social Media & Publicity - Jesse Kelso Field Day Committee - Steve Griffin, Tracey Evans, Jesse Kelso, Chiala Hernandez Silva, Mike Lorraine, Helen Reynolds |
|
|
|
|
