Winter/Spring 2025 Newsletter
Hello Gardeners
The garden has been bustling with activity as the seasons change and we prepare for our Spring Open Day. Exciting events are on the horizon, offering opportunities for everyone to get involved, learn, and share in the joy of gardening. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or a budding enthusiast. Read on to see what’s been happening and what events we have planned.
Whats Been Happening
Bowker Oval Pocket Park Planting Day
On Saturday 12th July a planting day was held by North Brighton community garden in collaboration with Holdfast Bay council.
The purpose is to revegetate council land in the southern-eastern corner of Bowker Oval.
The focus is to create a Pocket Park with an ecosystem for insects and birds that is reminiscent of grassland that existed here pre-European times.
Before and after the event, garden members have worked hard to secure plenty of cardboard to use as a very effective natural kikuyu suppressant, with council supplying mulch to lay of the top.
Approximately 250 plants were planted on the day with additional plants pre and post the day also planted, there are over 300 plants so far in the pocket park.
Working Bee was well attended by community garden members, surrounding residents and residents living further afield.
Planting Day Shared Meal
After the Pocket Park planting was completed, participants were treated to a delightful lunch provided by garden members. The lunch focused on using garden produce/seasonal produce.
Some of the dishes included, a vegan curry, seasonal vegetable pakora, carrot kimchi, homemade bread, Thai Pumpkin soup, frittata. 3 greens spanakopita triangles, orange & fennel salad. Orange cake, garden fruit salad, orange marmalade, lemon polenta cupcakes. They all looked and sounded delicious.
Garden members also demonstrated on how to make kimchi, preserved lemon and spanakopita.
Johnson-Su Bioreactor (fungal based compositing system)
At the garden we are trying a different method of composting which is known as Johnson-Su Bioreactor.
Most soils, especially in urban or disturbed areas, lack fungal-based microbes due to compaction, tilling, and chemical use. Fungi play a crucial role in building soil structure, cycling nutrients, and forming symbiotic relationships with plants—benefits that bacteria alone can't provide. Forests are the perfect example of this balanced relationship.
The Johnson-Su bioreactor is a low-maintenance composting system that produces microbially rich, fungal-based compost as opposed to traditional composting systems that are bacteria dominant. Developed by Dr. David Johnson and Hui-Chun Su, it uses a passive, aerobic (high oxygen) method that allows the beneficial fungi to grow.
Made from a recycled IBC container, with vertical aeration tubes, the bioreactor breaks down organic material slowly over 9–12 months. The base has holes in it and the cage is lined with shade cloth to allow as much air as possible to pass through. As the system relies on oxygen, it must be carbon-based, meaning it should be 90% carbon (brown things like straw, woodchips, dried leaves, paper) and only 10% nitrogen (greens) and must be watered regularly to allow the microbes to grow. Having an automatic irrigation system setup can be very helpful. The end result is a fine, earthy compost often called "compost inoculant" which is packed full of beneficial fungi. Only very small amounts are needed to improve plant health, increase soil carbon, and promote long-term fertility by either mixing directly into soil, or steeping it in water as a compost tea.
The best part about it....no turning is required!
Garden Recipes
Garden members who have joined morning tea or shared meals know we enjoy cooking and sharing tasty food.
We are often asked for recipes, so we've added a recipe section to the garden website.
It's still growing, and new recipes will be added as they come in. If you want to share a recipe, email it to the garden. If it's not your original, please include the source to respect copyright. A photo is welcome too.
Link to recipes Garden Member Recipes — North Brighton Community Garden
Seed Library
We are very excited the garden now has a seed library.
You don’t need a library card to take seeds.
Borrow some seeds from our seed library. Please don’t take no more than 2 packets per household at a time to ensure enough for everyone.
Availability will vary depending on the season - sometime there will be plenty while other times few or none.
Sprout your seeds and grow them into mature plants.
When the plants are mature - save the seeds!
Once you have dried your seeds out completely donate them back to the library.
Visit our website for more information
New Front Gate
A very big thank you goes to the garden members that orgainsed and built an amazing new front gate for the garden. Not only does the gate looks great it is more secure and easier to use!
Like to help out at the garden outside of a working bee, contact us by email or Facebook messenger and we can work out a project that matches your skills and availability.
Upcoming events
Spring Open Day 12th october 9am to 1pm
We need your help with the open day
Organising a successful Spring Open Day is a team effort, and every bit of help counts. Volunteers play a crucial role in the smooth running of the event, and even a few hours of assistance can make a significant difference. It's an excellent opportunity for community members to come together, share responsibilities, and enjoy the festivities. The collective effort not only ensures the event's success but also fosters a sense of community spirit.
Opportunity to help prior to the day
Attend a working bee to make sure the garden is looking great for the day, there is aways a range of different jobs to be done. Something to suit everyone.
We need another one or two marquees for the day, do you have one we could borrow?
Do you have a sunny protected spot at home? Let us know if you would like to foster a tray of seedlings for the plant sale.
Help with craft to sell on the day
Help with sourcing prizes for the raffle
Opportunities to help on the day
Donations of baked goods to sell at our bake sale. Any donated home-cooked goods need to come with a list of ingredients used. Important Note: due to food handling rules, we cannot sell baked goods that contain fresh cream or custard. Fake cream is ok to use.
Sausage Sizzle - cooking & selling
Plant Stand - help setting up and selling
Raffle - selling of raffle tickets on the day
Help direct visitors and answer questions
Help with setting up and packing up
Any time you can spare on the day would be amazing - you do not need to commit to helping for the whole day! Ideally, we’ll get enough people volunteering that everyone has the opportunity to have a break and enjoy the day. Plus, it's always a lot of fun getting to know so many people.
If you are able to help, please send us an email to northbrightoncg@gmail.com and let us know if you have any preference where you would like to help and the timeframe you would be available.
Garden Open to Visitors
When: 1st Sunday of each month 10am to 1pm(ish)
Every Wednesday 10am to 12pm(ish)
Where: North Brighton Community Garden , 61 Bowker Street, North Brighton (parking off Brimble St and Bowker Street)
Working Bees
Sunday 7th September - 10am to 1pm(ish)
Sunday 5th October 10am to 1pm(ish)
What to Bring: Gardening gloves, water bottle, sunscreen & hat
Working Bees are a great way to get involved in the garden and to get to know your fellow community gardeners. There is a job for all abilities. Any time you can spare to help would be great.
New Member Orientation
New Member Orientations are held on the 1st Sunday of each month at 10.30am
Where: North Brighton Community Garden, (parking off Brimble St)
Recently joined as a garden member or want to learn about what we do and how you can be involved in the garden, come along to a new member orientation session. No booking required.
Wednesday Morning Tea
When: Every Wednesday 10am to 11am(ish)
Where: North Brighton Community Garden, (parking off Brimble St)
Have a world-famous brownie recipe? Bring it along to our regular social event where everyone is welcome to come along for a cuppa, chat and share a bite to eat. We’ll often stay back to do a few jobs as well.
What to bring: Gardening gloves, drink bottle, plate of food to share (encouraged but not compulsory)
Pot Painting Workshop
When: Wednesday 10th September 11 - 12pm
Where: North Brighton Community Garden
We are decorating little pots to sell at the Spring Open Day.
Everyone is welcome to join us after morning tea to help decorate pots. No equipment or skills are required to participate.
Bunnings Marion kindly donated the pots for this workshop.
House (Garden) Keeping
Access to the Community Garden
Being a general garden member comes with the benefit of having access to the garden at your convenience, provided you adhere to the terms and conditions.
It's important to maintain the security of the garden by not sharing the gate code.
Know someone who would like to visit the garden, encourage them to join as a general garden member. This ensures that everyone who enters the garden is informed and respectful of the shared rules and responsibilities.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The garden will be locked on the afternoon of Saturday11th October.
Members and Plot Holders will not be able to access the garden once it has been closed for the day. It will be open again on the 12th October for the Spring Open Day, after which access will go back to normal.
Member Plots
Reminder, that the plots on the left-hand side of the garden when you walk into the garden are leased by members.
Please do not pick any produce or remove plants from these plots without permission of the plot holder.
Members put a lot of time, money and effort into growing produce for their own use.
What’s Growing in the Garden
Herb & Vegetable Flowers
Why allow some plants to flower and then seed?
Allowing vegetable and herbs to flower and then go to seed has many benefits. The flowers provide food and shelter for beneficial insects. Many of the flowers are edible that taste like the main plant. A good example of this are Rocket flowers which share the plant’s distinctive peppery, pungent flavour, just a bit milder.
Then allowing the plant to go to seed, creates food for birds and the ability to save seeds for your use or to share.
get involved with the garden
There are a number of ways you can help out at the garden, be involved with the garden community and meet like-minded people. This includes helping with propagating, looking after garden beds, watering, creating arts and crafts. Do you have a garden related or art & craft related skill you would like to share? We are always looking for new workshop ideas and facilitators.
Do you have a passion for social media, we would love your help with our Facebook and Instagram posts.
Do you have experience with Squarespace or happy to learn? We need help with improving/building on our website.
Let us know by emailing northbrightoncg@gmail.com if you can help or would like more information.
Chive flower
Happy Gardening
Lisa & North Brighton Community Garden Committee