OUR GARDEN NEWS
If you'd like to feel the wind in your hair and the soil between your fingers, we'd welcome your help. Drop in on a Wednesday to meet our Garden Worker, Jenny and be shown around the Community Garden from 10am
03 6383 1110
03 6383 1110
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you could spare a few hours a week, please give us a call.
If you could spare a few hours a week, please give us a call.
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OUR GARDEN GURU IS JENNY The garden is producing a summer crop! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Come along and be involved.
Jenny is also co-ordinating '7270 Garden Group', a fortnightly get-together of those interested in gardening at home and anyone wanting to share ideas and produce. Contact Jenny at Beacy House if this interests you. Ph 6383 1110. |
AUGUST 2020
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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020
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With our fruit trees now bearing, we thank again those who helped establish our orchard. The following businesses, individuals and service groups responded to our 'sponsor-a-tree' drive and their generosity is now seen in the trees and fruiting bushes that make up a significant part of our community garden:
Beaconsfield Nursery and DIY, Beauty Point Grocer, Exeter IGA Every Day, Joy Allen, Lions Club West Tamar, Rotary, Savoir's Hair Design, Seahorse Australia, Tamar Cove Motel & Restaurant, The Two Door Cafe. |
december garden gallery
**Hover over picture for caption**
August garden gallery
**Hover over picture for caption**
JUNE / JULY 2017
Here's edition 7 of our newsletter called 'Soil-ed'. It's downloadable either by hovering your mouse over the graphic of the newsletter or by clicking on the PDF file version underneath. This month we have our usual info-packed newsletter. Over to Damien...
Welcome back avid gardeners for our seventh edition!
Hello again from our bi-monthly instalment of Soil-ed - your one-stop shop for tips and news from the local gardening community. This month we focus on our wonderful volunteers and the projects they are currently working. Not to be missed - news of a recent workshop and the tips of what to plant for June and July in Beaconsfield. This month we've included a photo gallery of our vollies work. Scroll down to see for yourself what's happening in the garden!
Hello again from our bi-monthly instalment of Soil-ed - your one-stop shop for tips and news from the local gardening community. This month we focus on our wonderful volunteers and the projects they are currently working. Not to be missed - news of a recent workshop and the tips of what to plant for June and July in Beaconsfield. This month we've included a photo gallery of our vollies work. Scroll down to see for yourself what's happening in the garden!
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MARCH /APRIL 2017
Here's edition 6 of our newsletter called 'Soil-ed'. It's downloadable either by hovering your mouse over the graphic of the newsletter or by clicking on the PDF file version underneath. This month we have our usual info-packed newsletter. Over to Damien...
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Welcome back avid gardeners for our sixth edition!
Hello again from our bi-monthly instalment of Soil-ed - your one-stop shop for tips and news from the local gardening community. This month we focus on what's happening in the garden, and what's developing in the new garden areas. Not to be missed - news on upcoming workshops and the tips of what to plant for March and April in Beaconsfield. Our sixth principle of Permaculture is produce no waste, thereby fully utilising what we're fortunate to have.
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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017
Here's edition 5 of our newsletter called 'Soil-ed'. It's downloadable either by hovering your mouse over the graphic of the newsletter or by clicking on the PDF file version underneath. This month we have our usual info-packed newsletter and a special bonus. Over to Damien...
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Welcome back avid gardeners for our fifth edition!
Hello again from our bi-monthly instalment of Soil-ed - your one-stop shop for tips and news from the local gardening community. This month we focus on what's happening in the garden, and what's developing in the new garden areas, Not to be missed - the tips of what to plant for January and February in Beaconsfield and, courtesy of www.health.com, a bonus printout of recipes for that ever-productive vegie - the zucchini. Our fifth principle of Permaculture is respect and value renewable resources and services.
***Bonus Zucchini Recipes***
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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016
Here's edition 4 of our newsletter called 'Soil-ed'. It's downloadable either by hovering your mouse over the graphic of the newsletter or by clicking on the PDF file version underneath. This month we have our usual info-packed newsletter. Over to Damien...
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Welcome back avid gardeners for our fourth edition!
Hello again from our bi-monthly instalment of Soil-ed - your one-stop shop for tips and news from the local gardening community. This month we focus on what's happening in the garden, what's developing in the new garden areas, thank those who have donated to our Garden and announce another program that's in the planning. Not to be missed - the tips of what to plant for November and December in Beaconsfield and take a look at what produce is soon to come. Our fourth principle of Permaculture is accepting feedback and change.
REMEMBER
There's no COMMUNITY without U in it |
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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016
Here's edition 3 of our newsletter called 'Soil-ed'. It's downloadable either by hovering your mouse over the graphic of the newsletter or by clicking on the PDF file version underneath. This month we have our usual info-packed newsletter. Over to Damien...
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Welcome back avid gardeners for our third edition!
Hello again from our bi-monthly instalment of Soil-ed - your one-stop shop for tips and news from the local gardening community. This month we report back on our Poly Tunnel workshop, introduce some ideas for more workshops and announce our Youth Garden Project. There's tips as to what to plant for the next two months in the Beaconsfield area plus things to look forward to from the Seedling Trolley. We continue our series on Permaculture principles-this time how the saying 'Make hay while the sun shines' relates to a bigger, global picture.
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JULY / AUGUST 2016
Here's edition 2 of our newsletter called 'Soil-ed'. It's downloadable either by hovering your mouse over the graphic of the newsletter or by clicking on the PDF file version underneath. This month we've included a bonus to the info-packed newsletter. I'll let Damien tell you...
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"Welcome back avid gardeners for our second edition!
Over the next several issues we will be looking at the principles that govern and guide our gardening. These are the 12 principles of Permaculture. We will also look at winter cropping, what to sow and plant, and how to make your very own garden furniture that can be incorporated into your plot at home." We have raspberry canes straight from the garden for sale - two varieties - Thornless (crops once a year) & Lloyd George (crops twice growing season). These were popular last year and sold out quickly. Be quick. ----------------10 canes for $5---------------- To read the full newsletter hover over the image opposite or click on the file below
Our extra for you this time is a full set of plans to make your very own arbour bench at home
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APRIL / MAY 2016
From April this page will look a little different. We've re-formatted our blog into a downloadable newsletter called 'Soil-ed'. We plan to publish this every two months. Damien is our new co-ordinator of the Community Garden and he will pack the pages with information about what's happening in the garden, what we hope will happen in the future and what you can do in your own patch at home. Damien is a keen and qualified gardener so expect some interesting articles. Over to Damien...
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"Salutations, felicitations and welcome. I’d like to begin this edition of “Soil-ed” issue #1 by introducing myself. My name is Damien, more affectionately called “D”. I’m the new Volunteer Co-ordinator here at Beaconsfield Neighbourhood House, and part of that role is co-ordinating and taking care of the community garden. I’m not alone in the garden and am helped by a great group of volunteers who you’ll meet in the issues to follow. In relation to gardening and what I offer the House and community in terms of experience and guidance come in the form of a CERT IV in Horticulture, PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate) and I’m currently studying a Diploma of Permaculture. My wife and I also run our own organic farm in Beaconsfield (though still in its infancy). Well, enough about me and onto the garden!"
To see the newsletter, hover over the image or click on the file here.
***Photos kindly provided by Gordon. Thanks Gordon!***
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January / February 2016
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As our trees and fruiting shrubs are bearing, this is the time of year we pause to thank those who have made our garden so productive. Firstly, our wonderful volunteers who laboured over the holiday season to keep the veges and larger plants alive in this extremely dry and warm summer.
Secondly, those of you in the local area who have contributed both time and funds to make this community space possible. The businesses, groups and individuals are as follows: (in alphabetical order) Beaconsfield Nursery and DIY, Beauty Point Grocer, Exeter IGA Every Day, Joy Allen, Lions Club West Tamar, Rotary, Savoir's Hair Design, Seahorse Australia, Tamar Cove Motel & Restaurant, The Two Door Cafe. |
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October / November 2015
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** Gordon is our guest blogger this time.**
Good morning from our Beaconsfield House garden volunteers. Spring brings those hot days when you see seedlings begging to be planted near a trellis. Cucumbers and capsicums, tomatoes and zukes. Talking of the season, this year the blueberries will be good, really good, and around the raspberries. The plot of snow peas was planted 2 months ago as frosts eased off and is thriving. Though the frosts weren't entirely finished, volunteers set out seed trays of all sorts of trusty tomatoes for November and the hothouse has been busy. So much promise of colour, variety of pleasant plants challenge any empty space, even the lawn. It feels like a picnic. Today is at the end of a normal week, yet there's plans for someone to be here doing something over the weekend. That’s our volunteers for you. Beaconsfield House has small projects and a plan that suits enthusiastic volunteers who have thrived in these gardens. Out of the community have come people with ideas, skills and vast potential. A small thing grows as these people come to the garden each day. To see the covers rise from the zucchini sprouts, to smell the fresh drying onions and feel the plaits of hanging garlic. Gardening beats the grumps any day. 03 6383 1110 |
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July / August 2015
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Our volunteer gardeners have been hard at work digging in compost and turning the soil over ready for the spring season ahead. Lettuce, garlic and broad beans are already in and the garden looks like it's growing drink bottles as the inventive workers recycle the plastic to protect the emerging seedlings from the cold. The hothouse is packed with punnets of seedlings already germinating in the warmth of the protected area. The fruit trees are dormant and without leaves now but buds here and there promise of the new season to come.
It might be cold outside but the comraderie of our workers and the rewards of their labour keeps them keen and coming back. There's always room for one more around the outside fire pit so if you'd like a rose in your cheek and dirt under your fingernails, why not join our dedicated band of workers in the great outdoors. 03 6383 1110 |
May / June 2015
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The month of May has seen cooler temperatures and the shortening of the days. Even at the end of the season our blueberries kindly donated and planted by representatives of Rotary are adding to our garden. Their lovely red leaves are a bright spot in the yard as other produce finish and the summer beds empty.
That's not to say the outdoor area is abandoned. By no means. The winter work has just begun. Lettuce, garlic and kale are all ready for picking. You might be lucky to glean a bunch of silver beet or two, maybe even a handful of rhubarb. The broad beans are showing a healthy spurt and are thriving in the soil our garden workers have been improving over the autumn months. Compost made on site by recycling lawn clippings and shredded paper from the House have been dug back in by the barrow load. A top dress of mulch keeps the winter frosts from freezing the ground and a new chipper is making light work of the larger branches and garden waste - all going back into the ground to prepare for next season's crops. In June the young fruit trees will be given a very light prune for shape and some are already budding up for the spring to come. Recently the strong winds in the Tamar region bent the poles which support our overhead netting. Gary and the team were right on the job and fixed the damage in no time. It's the hard work of our team which keeps the garden looking good and producing well. There's always room for more helpers so if you'd like to join in and get your hands dirty for a good cause why not call in or give us a call. 03 6383 1110 |
March / April 2015
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Our blog this time moves from the garden into the kitchen. We've had so much produce it was time to make the most of what the garden provided by bringing in some gourmet help. Pictured is Gordon (centre) sharping his knives and his kitchen skills as Gary brings in Roma tomatoes by the bucket to make into mouth-watering sauce.
Thanks to the dedication of our garden volunteers this year's summer crop has been a bumper one. Roma and Grosse Lisse tomatoes, zucchinis, onions, beans of all descriptions packing out the produce table in the hallway of the House week after week. Equally productive are our volunteers, with many finding job opportunities in the region following the experience gained in the garden. While we're sorry to see them go, we're thrilled they can move onto bigger things. This means we're getting short on people power. There's plenty to do in the garden all year round and if you'd like to join us and contribute to the well being of your community, give us a call. 03 6383 1110 |
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January / February 2015
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With our fruit trees now bearing, we thank again those who helped establish our orchard. The following businesses and individuals responded to our 'sponsor-a-tree' drive and their generosity is now seen in the trees and fruiting bushes that make up a significant part of our community garden:
Beaconsfield Nursery and DIY, Beauty Point Grocer, Exeter IGA Every Day, Joy Allen, Lions Club West Tamar, Rotary, Savoir's Hair Design, Seahorse Australia, Tamar Cove Motel & Restaurant, The Two Door Cafe. |
November / December 2014
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There are now many ways you can enjoy inexpensive garden-to-plate produce thanks to the efforts of our garden volunteers. Our produce table is brimming with fresh vegies for you to take home and cook. Why not spice them up with herbs from our kitchen garden that are available for you to pick any time at no cost? If you like to grow your own, we have seedlings and plants for sale on our seedling trolley and they are proving popular. No sooner is a new supply put out than eager buyers are snapping them up. Our tomato seedlings are a specialty. They are from the hot house and are ready to go straight into your garden now. Our eager gardening group is really honing their skills this year as they participate in a Cert II in Horticulture run by Avidity Training and Development. Many projects, such as the retaining wall project you see opposite, have helped increase the area we can grow things in. If there is enough interest, we plan to repeat this course next year. If you are interested in helping in the garden or participating in the many projects and training programs we offer at Beacy House, why not give us a call, or drop in and talk to the enthusiastic bunch you'll find around the House grounds. 03 6383 1110 |
September / October 2014
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A new feature to come out of the recently-built hothouse is our seedling trolley. The garden crew have been filling up seedling punnets and pots with seeds and cuttings. With the added warmth of the hothouse, the tiny plants have been coming on quickly despite the cool temperatures over August which is traditionally our coldest month here in Tassie. We have a trolley out front of the House to display those that are ready for sale. This is proving so popular the trolley is being emptied as fast as new stock is being put out. Great to know others in Beacy also share our love of plants and growing things!
This summer our workers will be armed with extra tools as they and a number of community members are taking part in the first of many training courses being offered by the House and Avidity Training & Development. A ten-week Certificate II in Horticulture is being enjoyed by over a dozen participants during September and October. Spring vegies are coming on! The broad beans are reaching the sky. Our broccoli is looking healthy. It shouldn't be too long before a range of fresh produce is available for you to enjoy from our produce table. Keep looking on our Facebook page for when we are picking. 03 6383 1110 |
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July / August 2014
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Thanks to our intrepid garden workers braving rain, hail and sleet we now have a hot house to add to our outdoor armory. Here's Gary putting the finishing touches on the door.The hot house has shelves to hold seedlings and potted plants that need protection from frost. At floor level there are beds to grow vegies in that might not survive if planted out in the main garden at this time of the year.
As always this project has been a joint effort. We thank Karen for the frame and the shelving. Beaconsfield Nursery and DIY did us a great deal on the special plastic needed to cover the frame. The word from the garden is winter tomatoes! Now there's a challenge for our volunteers but judging by the innovation and initiative they show it'll be no problem at all. The hot house is already producing results. Spring will come early this year as the seedlings are coming on strongly. Outside there's still plenty going on. The broad beans are reaching for the sky and the garlic bulbs are in. Lettuce is hearting and beets are forming. Yum! We have a great crew here at Beacy House but we always welcome one more. If you'd like to volunteer in the garden or get your very own plot - come on in and see us or call us on the following number. 03 6383 1110 |
May /June 2014
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While it's that time of the year when the garden goes a little quieter after the summer, our garden is buzzing with activity. It's not bees you'll hear if you drop by, it's the sounds of construction.
Our garden workers are busy building new facets of the garden. This month the finishing touches are being put on our raised beds. The picture opposite shows Gary and Terry hard at work filling the new growing area with soil. These beds are higher than normal and allow anyone who has difficulty bending down or who may need to sit on a chair or mobility device to have their own space to get their hands dirty. If this sounds like you, why not give us a call at the House and we can arrange for you to have your very own plot. The garden is still producing some wonderful vegies such as cabbage and cauliflower, so keep checking our Facebook page or produce table for fresh bargains. 03 6383 1110 |
March / April 2014
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What a productive summer it's been in the garden! We've had peas, beans, caulis, carrots, onions, beetroots, cucumbers, potatoes and zucchinis - just to name a few vegies.
As this is our first year, our garden workers have done a marvelous job keeping our hallway stocked with fresh produce from week to week. No doubt, as the garden comes on the variety and quality of produce available can only get better! Imagine when those raspberries, blueberries and fruit trees donated by local businesses and individuals start to bear. Doesn't your mouth water at the thought? During March another major milestone was reached as the entire vegie bed section was covered with bird net. This bird net is to help keep damage from birds and pests to a minimum. We're hoping the net might also keep light frosts at bay to extend the growing season for as long as possible. If you'd like to rent a garden bed or join in the garden activities, why not give us a call here at the House. 03 6383 1110 |
January / February 2014
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Summer is a challenging season in the garden. While we enjoy our Christmas holiday, we experience some of the driest weather Tassie has to offer - just when the garden is getting going.
No problem for our garden volunteers! During the break our workers took turns on the watering roster, faithfully coming in to water our produce and trees. As a result - we have a garden full of produce for you to enjoy. We have different vegies available each week so keep in touch through our Facebook page. If you'd like to be part of our team or like to chat about what's happening - give us a call. We'd love to hear from you. 03 6383 1110 |
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December 2013
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Thanks to our sponsors our community garden is growing quickly. In 2014 we're expanding even more, with more fruit trees and more vegetables and herbs going into our vegie garden and making it even more productive.
You'll often find fresh vegies for sale in the hallway of Beacy House - you're welcome to buy for a gold coin donation. We're always happy to hear from anyone with green fingers who'd like to help in the garden too, especially as it grows in size. A number of people come to Beacy House through the week to tend it - some are part of our volunteer team, and some simply drop in when the time suits them. Call us for a chat if you'd like to join us! 03 6383 1110 |
our wonderful sponsors
We'd like to thank the following local businesses and individuals who supported our Sponsor-A-Tree drive in 2013.
- Beaconsfield Nursery & DIY
- Beauty Point Grocer
- Exeter IGA Everyday
- Counsellor Joy Allen
- Lions Club West Tamar
- Rotary
- Savoir's hair Studio
- Seahorse Australia
- Tamar Cove Motel & Restaurant
- Exchange Hotel
- Two Door Cafe
