DECEMBER 3 (PLUS UPDATED DECEMBER 15), 2009: NEWSLETTER #2:
1. PLANTING DAY AND OTHER GROWING INFO: For pics go to the gallery or look below! On Friday 13th November, 23 volunteers and friends joined our grower, Claire Mummery, to plant out Waiheke CSA’s first crop of vegetables.
Corn, beans, courgettes, cucumbers, beetroot, pumpkins, kumi kumi, potatoes and kumara were all planted out during an afternoon’s hard work. At that stage, unforeseen technical difficulties resulted in only half the prepared land being covered with netting. It was, in fact, still being erected when the planting was getting underway!
By the end of the day, all but a few of the pumpkin and kumi kumi plants were safely under netting. The survival rate of each group of seedlings is between 90 and 95%, which we are all very happy with.
As of December 15 the poles and netting are in fantastic shape courtesy of Claire’s work with Will, one of Rob Fenwick’s farm workers out at Te Matuku. Will, by all accounts, is a LEGEND. So thanks Will. The pukekos will be kept well and truly at bay. The remaining unnetted areas are coping pretty well anyway without pest-protection.
At this point Claire is thinking there may be something ready for subscribers in early January.
2. IRRIGATION: The irrigation system was collected and installed on Wednesday 18th Nov. Again, some teething troubles have arisen but steps have been identified to finalise the system as soon as possible. As at Dec 15, all the plants are getting the water they need and action is underway to add a fertilising tank to the land to get some nutrients out there.
3. DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCE TO SUBSCRIBERS: The plan for distirubtion is being worked on and more information will follow in that. If you have any questions then please email info@waihekecsa.org.nz
4. AUTUMN/WINTER CROPS: More seedlings are being grown at Claire’s base at Flourish. These will eventually be planted in the other half of the prepared land at Te Matuku Bay. Land suitable for winter crops is in the process of being identified and discussions with owners are under way. More news in future newsletters.
If you have any preferences for autumn and winter crops post them below or email info@waihekecsa.org.nz with “Autumn/Winter crops” in the subject line. The plan at the moment is to grow leeks, garlic, beetroot, cauliflowers, broccoli and cabbages but keen to hear from subscribers!
5. FUNDING: A local charitable organisation, The Next Step Trust, has granted the CSA $2,700 for the purchase and installation costs of irrigation equipment. The CSA Trust would like to offer their sincere thanks for this generous offer.
We also have been loaned $10,000 to help us through tight times. However, we are still very keen to enrol additional subscribers. The Steering Committee asks each of you to try to enrol one new subscriber! New subscribers need to contact Sue Connor at info@waihekecsa.org.nz or by phoning 372 6183.
6. THANKS: Many individuals have made contributions above and beyond the call of duty to get the scheme to its present position. Claire Mummery has worked her butt off and deserves special mention. Others to do so include Simon Harvey of Business Lab, Lloyd Canham and Rob Vaassen, Charlie and Will, as well as Rob Fenwick.
7. TRUSTEES NEEDED: The Waiheke CSA Trust needs between two and four more trustees. If you or someone you know has a little spare time and is committed to the ideals of CSA, contact Sue Connor at 3726183 or Meriel Watts at 372 2034.