Brooklyn community orchard - March 2010 update

Now daylight savings is behind us we will be meeting every second Sunday from the 11th of April to work on the orchard, and continue our plans for this winter's planting.

We have plums and pears on the way and are also planning some berry patches. Any donations of strawberry suckers, or berry canes gratefully received!

Helped by the rain this summer, most of the trees planted last winter look to be doing well. So far we have apples, feijoas, a quince, analmond, peaches and a grape. Our comfrey is doing well too.

To get this far we had lots of help, from the merry band on planting day to the advice and support of Sarah Frater from Edible gardens and City Councillor Celia Wade Brown. We would also like to acknowledge the support from Wellington City Council, Tim and Kaye Whitehead, Commonsense Organics, Hugh Underhill from Living Planet and Bunnings Lyall Bay.

We aim, with your help, to not only grow more food in our community, but also learn and share knowledge about growing food here. Our vision for the orchard is to create a beautiful and productive space that is available to all in Brooklyn to learn and harvest from, to relax and to work in. We welcome anyone interested in being involved, at any level.

A new brochure promoting the bi-weekly working bees is available. You might like to print this out or pass on to anyone you think might be interested in helping out.

Brooklyn community orchard contact: kelda.hains (at) clear.net.nz