Who would have thought that so many people would join us on a stinking hot afternoon the final orchard working bee of the year? It was so encouraging, despite the forecast 27C heat, to see nearly 15 people working hard to create a place that will shade us and feed us in the future.
It was somewhat discouraging to be faced by a sea of bindweed when we arrived, and to realise that some of our trees had been killed by mulching too deeply around the trunks. So we set to work clearing the bark from around the tree trunks, and removing the bindweed closest to the trees. We’ve decided that, to get on top of this prolific and very hardy weed, we’re going to have to weed spray a couple of times and then devote more time to removing small shoots before they carpet the area.
However, we were pleased to find that our dahlias had survived as had our baby peach seedlings, and last year’s kumara had moved out of its original home in the raised bed to fend for itself out in the bark. We even found some trees that we haven’t seen for a while, buried in the depths of the bush area. Our oldest plum tree was released from its hedge prison, we have Jerusalem artichoke and sunflowers growing, mint and cucumbers left over from the seed swap day are thriving and we’ve added some tomatoes.
All in all, a very successful day, topped off as usual by a lovely afternoon tea.
We’re back again on Waitaingi weekend, Sat 7 Feb 2-4pm. Hope to see you there.
Keep an eye out for workshops throughout the year: composting, grafting, pruning. We will also consider requests for topics for workshops.
More Community Orchard articles#
- Summer at the Māngere Bridge Community Orchard Working Bee
- Green Thumbs at Māngere Bridge Community Orchard Working Bee
- Sew Good!
- Māngere Bridge – A Busy and Rewarding October
- Compost Winter Workshop 2025
- Perfect Weather for our Aug Orchard Working Bee
- Great Turnout for our June Orchard Working Bee
- Māngere Bridge – It’s a Hive of Wastewise Activity!
- Community Orchard Budding Workshop
- That’s just peachy!
