June 26th 2010 Working Bee

The students were back on Thursday straining the wires on part of the fence.

Next day it was our turn to do some fencing.

A very cold, drizzly day greeted us.

Jobs on the list included:
- mulching the windbreak trees
- attaching the rabbit-proof fencing mesh
- attending to morning tea and lunch (most important)

Tools were gathered for each job and loaded into the ute for the trip down the hill.

The Mulchers quickly got to work hoeing the ground around the young trees.
It was amazing to note that the soil was beginning to crack as it dried out. This is a sign of what will happen in summer if plantings don't have a significant mulch cover.
Soon it was all mulched then the drippers were turned on and checked to ensure all were clear of mulch and working properly!

The rabbit-proof mesh was rolled out ready to attach.
After a lengthy debate about just how to attach it was a matter of tying about half a million pieces of wire to attach the mesh to the fence wires.
The bottom of the mesh was fed under the bottom wire out along the ground to keep those rabbits out!

We found that placing the camping gas stove inside one of the tank rings that was cut at an earlier Working Bee meant that the billy could be boiled without the breeze blowing the flame out!

Lunch was pizzas on a scone base and biccies and muffins with hot coffee!

No coffee no workee!

June 11th 2010 - Working Bee

The Windbreak Looks Closer...

At the May Steering Committee meeting we discussed the possible planting of our windbreak particularly along the existing western fence.
It has been suggested to use milk containers for tree guards. Note how the tops are cut to allow the stake/stick to anchor the whole thing into the ground so that it can go over the top of hoses/drippers etc.
We would need sturdy sticks for this as our ground is hard. Obviously the bottoms are cut off too!
The milk containers (or other opaque plastic bottles) are easily cut with sturdy scissors.Everyone is now collecting those milk bottles just make sure they are clean when they are stored!!
Get a piece of string (baling twine) and tie it to one handle then thread the other containers on to the string through their handles. It makes storing (can hang them in the shed) and carrying them so much easier!

We have an offer of free mulch from the local council This will be great and keep the water right where it's needed, at the roots of the plants where a dripper delivers it.

March 5th 2010 - Working Bee

The call went out for a Working Bee.
The hardwood logs/posts were loaded onto a trailer for the journey from the storage shed. That was better than carrying each one and walking down the hill.

Each of the holes needed to be dug out by hand after previously being dug by the Bobcat in January. Despite a lack of rain the soil was relatively easy to remove.

Only one hole needed to be moved over slightly to allow one of the gates to fit!
Fortunately we had a couple of new helpers on this working bee...even a visitor was roped in to help out for a while!!
With all the hard work a coffee/food break was much appreciated with water boiled on a camp stove and scones and pizzas from home. Yum!

Back to work after the break and the donated tank was cut to make 3 good sized raised bed edges. Power for the grinder and 'nibbler' came from a petrol generator.

As a surprise when the first ring was removed we found a load of plant pots waiting. They had been donated by a kind member of the public who thought they would come in useful in the Community Garden. Thank you very much!