tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27421568061618164802024-03-14T04:55:57.464+11:00Crop and SwapSeason 4 of the Crop & Swap kicks off on October 11. If you are passionate about growing, making or eating local food, come and join your local food underground this spring!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-18880136136204315902015-08-30T16:43:00.001+10:002015-08-30T16:43:50.409+10:00Seedling Fundraiser Sat 26 September<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGF60G90cRY/VQ4wi1LhXtI/AAAAAAAABPU/IjmvMOfIxtQ/s1600/IMAG3559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGF60G90cRY/VQ4wi1LhXtI/AAAAAAAABPU/IjmvMOfIxtQ/s320/IMAG3559.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hi all... the seedling fundraiser will be held in the Springwood town square on the Saturday 26th September! Our aim is to tell more locals about the Swap and get them growing more food in our Blue Mountains backyards!<br />
<br />
We want to give away 1000 seedlings so we need passionate swappers to grow some seedlings for the fundraiser and/or come along on the day and get chatting to our lovely locals.<br />
<br />
drop us a line at cropandswap.bluemountains@gmail.com, or give us a shout out on facebook! cheers to those who have already pledged some seedlings!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-85395461402700084322015-02-02T21:24:00.002+11:002015-02-02T21:24:48.906+11:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99iaucYvpNE/VM9P7rgz0MI/AAAAAAAABM4/wtg7ae0wJtA/s1600/cob%2Boven%2Bworkshop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99iaucYvpNE/VM9P7rgz0MI/AAAAAAAABM4/wtg7ae0wJtA/s1600/cob%2Boven%2Bworkshop.jpg" height="640" width="483" /></a></div>
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<span class="userContent">Howdy Swappers, the Cob Oven workshop will be held on March 21, so polish your gumboots and get in an orderly line please. Places will be limited (20 max), so first dibs will go to keen beans that register at the next swap, February 14th. Cant wait!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-34641730423231353782015-01-26T08:19:00.000+11:002015-01-26T08:19:50.963+11:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi Team, </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <b><span style="color: orange;">apple box
workshops</span></b> will be kicking off again next month! If you want to give your
veggie patch a real health kick, hang around after the swap for a workshop on
how to make a super healthy microbe foliar spray for your patch. Craig has a
background in microbiology, and has agreed to share his top secret recipe for
his <b><span style="color: orange;">microbe super tea</span></b>!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, we will be running a <b><span style="color: orange;">cob oven workshop</span></b> in the coming months. it will be very hands - on
(and feet), and loads of fun. If your keen, let us know, as places will be
limited.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last but not least, we will be running a <b><span style="color: orange;">garden tour</span></b> in Feb of some of our top
swappers veggie patches. if you would like to get involved, drop us an email.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers gang, </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">looking forward to seeing you all on <b><span style="color: orange;">Feb 14</span></b></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and have a great Australia day!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-52788705720837468602014-09-29T11:27:00.001+10:002014-09-29T11:37:15.777+10:00SEASON 4 IS HERE!<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BOEO1v3NNBo/VCi3uYcgqSI/AAAAAAAABHI/GrrOLn_SVRI/s1600/SDC15695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BOEO1v3NNBo/VCi3uYcgqSI/AAAAAAAABHI/GrrOLn_SVRI/s1600/SDC15695.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Season 4 begins October 11, 10am Faulconbridge Community Hall.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We are looking forward to seeing everyone again, and welcoming lots of new swappers too!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you haven't come to the swap before, all you need to bring is something home grown or home made. Don't be shy. Its loads of fun, and there's plenty of friendly swappers to help you on your first swapping adventure!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You can follow us on facebook for regular updates and events throughout the season.</span><br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-39198204696274696462014-02-16T20:43:00.003+11:002014-02-16T21:37:04.647+11:00Season 3!<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p5E3f9pEk-E/UwCR8qFserI/AAAAAAAABAY/Qe1gA9IsZTk/s1600/080214+Crop+and+Swap+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p5E3f9pEk-E/UwCR8qFserI/AAAAAAAABAY/Qe1gA9IsZTk/s1600/080214+Crop+and+Swap+2.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em><strong> Crop & Swapping 'shopping' list</strong>:</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">chillies <strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">tomatoes</span></strong> coriander <strong>sourdough</strong> beetroot <span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>eggs </em><span style="font-size: large;">cards </span></span>worm wee <span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>garlic butter</strong></span> sweet potatoes <strong>pesto</strong> <em><span style="font-size: x-large;">ice-cream</span></em> jam <em><strong>ricotta</strong></em> crab apples <strong>tamarillos</strong> cakes ginger beer slices <strong>grapefruit</strong> rocket herbs flowers <strong><em>garlic</em></strong> basil lavender <span style="font-size: x-large;">pumpkins</span> pikelets <em><strong>apple cider</strong></em> <span style="font-size: x-small;">cape gooseberries</span> cordial <strong>silver beet </strong>shallots yoghurt <em><strong>lemons</strong></em> beans radish <strong>rhubarb</strong> lavosh <em><span style="font-size: x-large;">muffins</span></em> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>strawberries </strong></span>cucumbers <strong>banana bread</strong> aloe-vera <span style="font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>coffee</strong></em></span> parsley celery <em><strong>sweet corn</strong></em> dragon fruit rosemary <span style="font-size: x-large;">blackberries </span>apples <strong><em>pickles</em></strong> relish <strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">baskets</span></strong> <em>sprouts nasturtiums</em> <strong>tomato sauce</strong> <em>capsicum</em> seedlings <em><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">bread</span></strong> </em>quiche <strong>lemon verbena</strong> <span style="font-size: x-large;">plums</span> bay leaves <span style="font-size: x-large;">muesli </span>cookies celery lemon grass <em><strong>mushrooms</strong></em> lavender champagne <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>sorbet</em></span> lemon butter <span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><em>honey</em></strong></span> camembert hummus <strong>photography</strong> <span style="font-size: x-large;">chocolate cake</span> <em>macadamia nuts </em></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>oranges</strong></span> broad beans <em>potatoes</em></span><em> </em> yakon <span style="font-size: large;">lettuce <strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">carrots</span></strong> chokos <em><strong>tea</strong></em> keffir grains </span><strong><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">mung beans</span></em></strong><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yas2khaVt3U/UwCSzPKGRAI/AAAAAAAABAg/VO8jquURNnU/s1600/080214+Crop+and+Swap+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yas2khaVt3U/UwCSzPKGRAI/AAAAAAAABAg/VO8jquURNnU/s1600/080214+Crop+and+Swap+6.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<strong><em><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">Season 3 has proved the Crop & Swap has amazing variety, quality produce, from neighbour to neighbour and better still no money changes hands! There are two swaps left for the season. Be there or beetroot ;) </span></em></strong><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02S5cGD2grg/UwCUIU8f4TI/AAAAAAAABAs/vh5gsXjImVM/s1600/080214+Crop+and+Swap+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02S5cGD2grg/UwCUIU8f4TI/AAAAAAAABAs/vh5gsXjImVM/s1600/080214+Crop+and+Swap+7.jpg" height="212" width="400" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-39017371944904618642013-10-10T22:01:00.001+11:002013-10-11T07:17:16.310+11:00<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 18pt;">Alert, Alert - </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 18pt;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 18pt;">MIA Heirloom Tomato New Recruits!!!</span></strong></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 18pt;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 18pt;"></span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm-Z_kP9Tds/UlaQvSRZ7DI/AAAAAAAAA9U/vtx57Pu3424/s1600/seedling+drop+promo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm-Z_kP9Tds/UlaQvSRZ7DI/AAAAAAAAA9U/vtx57Pu3424/s400/seedling+drop+promo.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 18pt;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;">At 2100 hours <strong><span style="font-family: Courier;">Charlie Crop & Swap</span></strong> Squadron
were deployed at a Drop </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Zone in <strong>your local
area</strong>.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Heirloom tomato <strong><span style="font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">new
recruits</span></strong> are on a mission, to be adopted by local residents, to be dug
in, ready for action and to thrive in their new location.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">There are <strong><span style="font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">50 new
recruits now MIA</span></strong> and we are enlisting you to assist them to
report in.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VRR3P-tguNw/UlaFcIKNQPI/AAAAAAAAA84/ucA9X4x3TIE/s1600/bomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VRR3P-tguNw/UlaFcIKNQPI/AAAAAAAAA84/ucA9X4x3TIE/s320/bomb.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please either
comment below, send your <strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">communication
brief</span></strong> via facebook or shoot us an email (details below).
Outline <strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">which</span></strong>
recruit you are in possession of (an identification photo in location would be
thoroughly helpful), <strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">where</span></strong>
you located the MIA Charlie Squadron member, <strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">who</span></strong> you are, <strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">where</span></strong> you are planning on
putting your new recruit and any other particulars you wish to communicate to
us, the 'Charlie Squadron head quarters'.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Enlisted to
support the <strong>Charlie Crop & Swap</strong> recall mission is a <strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">local nursery</span></strong> that is
currently in possession of <strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">2
gift vouchers</span></strong>, potentially for you. The first is for the best
all rounder Charlie Squadron New Recruit story (to be drawn Saturday 9th Nov at
1100 hours), the second is a lucky dip number draw, for anyone who reports
their new recruits details to head quarters (to be drawn Sat 9th Nov at 1100
hours).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you are in possession of a squadron recruit please offer it your water canteen, they will be thirsty. Also your recruit will be donning biodegradable fatigues (you can just plant it straight in the ground)but don't forget to record its dog tag identification number beforehand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Signing out, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">"Juliet, Juliet, Alpha and Sierra"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
at <span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Crop &
Swap Headquarters.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="mailto:cropandswap.bluemountains@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue;">cropandswap.bluemountains@gmail.com</span></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">crop & swap
(facebook)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">in person -
Faulconbridge Community Hall, 10am Saturday 12th Oct.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xibKHCD_4UA/UlaH28PStkI/AAAAAAAAA9E/Ue8DqzZPoYE/s1600/IMAG1099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xibKHCD_4UA/UlaH28PStkI/AAAAAAAAA9E/Ue8DqzZPoYE/s320/IMAG1099.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
NB the squadron's last photo taken prior to deployment...<br />
It is suspected that they will attempt to disguise themselves with<br />
undercover identities, particularly flirtatious, young, female heirlooms.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-72169066894999724952013-09-11T20:11:00.002+10:002013-09-11T20:11:18.485+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ddexon63Gg/UjBAT1v5oyI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/0qiFGW5aKc8/s1600/community+orchard+crop+and+swap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ddexon63Gg/UjBAT1v5oyI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/0qiFGW5aKc8/s640/community+orchard+crop+and+swap.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/18px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Howdy Swappers,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/18px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/18px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Three years ago we did a letterbox drop to our closest neighbours, we'd had an idea to turn a grassy nature strip outside our house into a community orchard, and we wanted them to be a part of it. We invited them to come one Saturday morning with " a shovel, a fruit tree, some manure or just a whole heap of enthusiasm", and come they did! That day our neighbourhood united and toge</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/18px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">ther we planted citrus, stone fruit, pomegranate and avocado. It has become our community orchard, where baskets of fruit are left every few days for whoever needs a lemon or a grapefruit, where Marg from around the corner occasionally potters with her secateurs and some mulch and where, in the not too distant future, our community will reap the rewards of a huge variety of communal fruit... so now is where you come in...is there a space in your local neighbourhood for a community orchard? a patch or a verge where you can foresee lemon, orange and fig trees? If so, let the Crop & Swap community know and we can help with your planting day. Our hope is that swappers will lend a hand, a shovel, a fruit tree or a bag of manure to a fellow swapper starting a community orchard. Our aim this season is to start 3 more community orchards/gardens in the Blue Mountains.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/18px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/18px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Imagine a Blue Mountains where community orchards in lane-ways are the norm. If you'd like to volunteer your services, let us know below or on facebook how you can help ,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />with neighbourly cheer,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />the Crop & Swap team.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-91374068200218888422013-02-06T14:06:00.001+11:002013-02-06T14:06:33.304+11:00Protecting your fruit trees from pests<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Apple Box # 4<br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Ben Silverstone</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">We've all had moments of jealousy when luscious fruit appears at Crop & Swap, and we wish we could bring the same but the pests get it first. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Well Ben has given us some tips on how we can be 'that guy' or 'that girl' smugly rocking up. Just think of Mike and Sue with their luscious plums or Eduardo's flavour packed strawberries - well that could be you!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bD-I6BvRv5Y/URHGfrWutaI/AAAAAAAAAOI/HF1k0Gx8Eoc/s1600/IMG_0649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bD-I6BvRv5Y/URHGfrWutaI/AAAAAAAAAOI/HF1k0Gx8Eoc/s320/IMG_0649.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Ben's top 10 tips on how to build an exclusion to protect your fruit</span><br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Use exclusion just after fruit has formed</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Reuse old polystyrene boxes from the fruit and veg shop</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Cut large holes in box or poke holes in box for air and to allow </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">light in and water to drain out</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Use fly screen or better still use stockings and seal the large </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">holes you have cut and seal the top opening of the box</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Cut a line down one end of the box</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Slightly open box along this </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">line (do this carefully so as not the break the box) and slide branch </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">into box. The polystyrene will close around the branch and hold (may </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">have to pack some leaves in the slight opening along the line)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Close stocking over top of box and seal (use velcro, rivet nails etc). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The exclusion will allow light and air in and keep out pests </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">including fruit fly</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Using old wire coat hangers and stockings also works well for some </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">fruit trees</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Many exclusions need to be adapted to the type of fruit tree</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Ask me at next Crop & Swap if you have any questions!</span></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nIYKysb-Sc8/URHIDrs4K2I/AAAAAAAAAOY/RBeIOVa9WTc/s1600/IMG_0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nIYKysb-Sc8/URHIDrs4K2I/AAAAAAAAAOY/RBeIOVa9WTc/s320/IMG_0645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I've found this approach to be fruitful ;-)</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292678624072037908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-67782039601776783302013-01-09T19:58:00.000+11:002013-01-09T19:58:06.055+11:00Apple Box 3 - composting with black soldier flyLast swap, Joe talked about the benefits of using black soldier fly larvae to compost kitchen scraps, much in the same way that a worm farm operates. <br />
<br />
Black soldierfly have a rather short and desperate adult life, with the sole
purpose of finding a mate, a pile of rotting compost, and a good pick up line
before dropping dead. <br />
<br />
BSF larvae eat
just about any kitchen scraps including meat and dairy, as well as the usual
fruit and vegetable leftovers, and can be cultivated in much the same way as
composting worms, to break down food waste. A BSF composting unit can be easily
built from materials found at your local hardware, and once a colony has been
established they can consume food waste much faster than
worms. The larve themselves make a fantastic feed for chickens and even
fish. BSF larvae are high in both protein and calcium, which is perfect for
chooks. they are non invasive and do not enter houses or spread disease like
other flies.<br />
<br />
<strong>Our black soldierfly
composter</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SXlvKgvJoIs/UJI4hvQHUOI/AAAAAAAAAzk/9R3wOTpgSWI/s1600/SDC14725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_eh0zw3="3" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SXlvKgvJoIs/UJI4hvQHUOI/AAAAAAAAAzk/9R3wOTpgSWI/s320/SDC14725.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Black Soldier fly
composter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here is how it works. Food scraps go
inside and the female BSF are attracted by the scraps. They fly in through the
pipe at the top and down into the bin where they lay their eggs (in the
hundreds). They like to lay their eggs in crevasses, so some sheets
of corrugated cardboard attached to the inside make great maternity wards. the
eggs hatch and the larvae fall on the food scraps, and get to work munching it
up.<br />
<br />
to begin a colony, start with a small amount of vegetable scraps. As they begin to break down, the adult fly's will naturally be attracted and enter the composter to lay their eggs. this can take some weeks, so be patient. BSF are most active during spring and summer, which after the best times to begin a colony.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-poic5txRhHY/UJI6S9_VmmI/AAAAAAAAAzs/AmKc2xVZ68s/s1600/SDC14726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_eh0zw3="4" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-poic5txRhHY/UJI6S9_VmmI/AAAAAAAAAzs/AmKc2xVZ68s/s320/SDC14726.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the larvae crawl up the pipes
and into Jo's Tupperware container... thanks
darling...sorry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
As the larvae mature they develop the instinct to climb to higher
ground. The larvae find their way to the pipes and climb up them, then slide
down into the separate storage container, where they are unwittingly trapped to
be fed to the chooks. <br />
<br />
Keep the composter in the shade, out of direct sunlight.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5469fjW4YHQ/UJjanKwF0VI/AAAAAAAAA08/Y2Zfvc5TqYI/s1600/SDC15167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_eh0zw3="5" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5469fjW4YHQ/UJjanKwF0VI/AAAAAAAAA08/Y2Zfvc5TqYI/s320/SDC15167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c74B8vEV4NU/UJjboc1c43I/AAAAAAAAA1E/3gXhA4_Ev8o/s1600/SDC15169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_eh0zw3="6" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c74B8vEV4NU/UJjboc1c43I/AAAAAAAAA1E/3gXhA4_Ev8o/s320/SDC15169.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the larvae hard at work on one
of our defiant choko's and watermelon rind</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<strong>Make your
own</strong><br />
there are a number of DIY designs on the net. we made ours using
a clip lock tub, some PVC pipe parts, , some hessian and fly screen, a saw and a
drill. The key is to angle the pipes at 35 degrees so that it is not too steep
for them to climb.include some ventilation holes and cover with fly screen, and
some drainage holes in the bottom, which you can cover with hessian. It takes
less than half a leisurely hour to put together and cost us about $40 or you
could buy one of the fancy ones online for about $200. <br />
<br />
<strong>the
main benefits are:</strong><br />
1. a very efficient method of waste
disposal<br />
2. meat and dairy waste can be added to established colonies, unlike
regular composting methods, reducing your waste output.<br />
3. the larvae make an
excellent source of food for poultry and fish, and can be frozen for later
use.<br />
4. they don't spread disease like other flies, and rarely enter the
home.<br />
5. they emit a natural repellent to other flies once the colony has
been established.<br />
<br />
<strong>Downsides:</strong><br />
The smell can be an
issue if you add more waste than they can consume. Sawdust or coffee can help
here too. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-926099910064758252012-12-07T15:39:00.000+11:002012-12-07T15:40:27.620+11:00Apple Box 2 - Irrigation <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">As we eagerly await tomorrows swap and Apple Box #3, let’s not
forget one bright November morn, when all manner of crops and homemade treats
had been swapped and free-flowing conversation filled the hall, that veteran
Crop 'n' Swapper Alice Warner took her place on the proverbial apple box to
share her knowledge and experiences on setting up your own backyard irrigation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><b>DIY Irrigation by Alice Warner<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">So what is irrigation? Well it’s like lego for your garden. You can
connect it yourself and the possibilities are endless. It all fits together
using small connectors of different shapes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">There are two main types of polypipe hose that I use: brown dripline
with holes pre-punched into the line, and black polypipe without holes which I
attach precision drippers to at intervals as I please. The brown dripline is
best for vegie beds where you need water every 30cm, whilst the black line is
useful for fruit trees and larger shrubs that are spaced further apart where
you don’t want to waste water in between the trees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">The various connectors I use to join it all together can be placed
according to the job they need to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are elbow joiners, end pieces, straight connectors and tees. There
are locks to hold the connectors in place, as well as plugs to plug up unwanted
holes or mistakes and tools to punch holes in new places. You can buy pieces to
connect your irrigation to a regular garden hose, and mounts with nails to
attach irrigation to the sides of garden beds or other surfaces. The possibilities
are endless. There are usually helpful booklets in the hardware store put out
by the manufacturer to explain all this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">The main benefits of irrigation that I have noticed include: less time
watering and more time in the garden doing other things; reduced evaporation
while watering as droplets are not blown away by wind or spread all over the
ground to areas where they are not needed; water is directed straight to plant
roots; reduced weed growth in between plants as the area is not watered;
reduced water run-off and wastage; reduced fungal disease due to lack of
overhead watering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yW2Eg5WISnI/UMFyi6BHzzI/AAAAAAAAANY/EhFuiUkfwTA/s1600/Apple+box+-+Alice+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yW2Eg5WISnI/UMFyi6BHzzI/AAAAAAAAANY/EhFuiUkfwTA/s320/Apple+box+-+Alice+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">Here are a few tips to help you set up your own irrigation system and
learn from my mistakes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">
1) Place the
brown dripline under mulch to protect it from UV rays but above the soil
(sections of black polypipe without holes punched in may be buried under soil
when transporting water between trees)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">2) </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Draw a
diagram before you begin and use a key to label how many of each connector type
you will need, thus avoiding many trips back to the hardware store.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">3) Buy more
locks than you think you will need as every connection needs a lock.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">4) Lay your
brown dripline before you plant and then place seedlings or seeds right next to
a dripper.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">5) Use a
container with multiple compartments to keep your various connectors organised.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">6) You will
also need pliers and a small saw to cut the dripline to the lengths you
require.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">7) Don’t use
second-hand polypipe without checking for holes first (although this can be
useful for creating a frame when netting fruit trees or garden beds).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">8) Once your
irrigation is connected, turn it on for at least an hour at a time to get the
full benefit, or use a bucket under a dripper to see how long your plants will
require.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">9) Install your
irrigation properly. Don’t just curl it around like a snake. Cut it to size and
connect it at right angles using the appropriate connectors, you will thank
yourself later.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">10)You can connect irrigation in raised
garden beds – you just need to go down to the ground, under the soil and up to
the next bed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">11) Use short lengths of wire folded into
U-shapes and pushed into the ground to secure the dripline and prevent it from
curling back into a snake when you first lay it down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">Feel free to chat to me at the next Crop and Swap if you have any more
questions or suggestions. Good luck!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292678624072037908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-59681120226023851972012-11-08T21:21:00.000+11:002012-11-08T21:35:31.386+11:00November Crop & Swap This Saturday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkN5k_dopFA/UJuJzsDmqiI/AAAAAAAAA2s/ORTQrRZZ0V0/s1600/SDC15087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkN5k_dopFA/UJuJzsDmqiI/AAAAAAAAA2s/ORTQrRZZ0V0/s320/SDC15087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well it is time to jar your jams, bake your breads, harvest your heirlooms and get on down to the Crop & Swap this Saturday. Don't forget to arrive by 10 to give yourself time to register, set-up and have a coffee before swapping starts promptly at 10:30. Looking forward to seeing you and your bounty there, with neighbourly cheer, jo, joe, annemaree and steveAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-50999127019070874612012-10-25T13:37:00.000+11:002012-10-30T10:23:05.945+11:00APPLE BOX SERIES: Let Chickens Be Chickens - How to raise happy chooks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eighty or so people were <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>excitedly swapping apple-plum jam<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for their silverbeet, or a raspberry plant<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for sourdough when the first ever Crop and Swap Apple Box commenced. Once everyone realised this they shuffled forward, their excitement switching to the Crop and Swap regular who had been given the floor to share her knowledge on keeping healthy, happy chickens.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3TjPVM5nE5k/UIigI_WtgXI/AAAAAAAAAMc/Sowcha7IBSc/s1600/1+-+The+first+of+many+apple+box+talks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" oea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3TjPVM5nE5k/UIigI_WtgXI/AAAAAAAAAMc/Sowcha7IBSc/s320/1+-+The+first+of+many+apple+box+talks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first of many apple box talks<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"They're pretty amazing creatures," our speaker on 'the apple box' was explaining. "and you don't need to read all the books out there and become an expert before you keep them.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"<b>Just let chickens be chickens</b>! They're very good at that and will generally get on with the job without any interference from you."</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ljoz-hibJc/UIihKv7mnPI/AAAAAAAAAMk/OmmZTlIHq3I/s1600/2+-+Chicken+coop%252C+happy+chooks+in+their+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" oea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ljoz-hibJc/UIihKv7mnPI/AAAAAAAAAMk/OmmZTlIHq3I/s320/2+-+Chicken+coop%252C+happy+chooks+in+their+run.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Left) Our speakers chickens coop, (Right) Four happy chooks in the run</td></tr>
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While our Apple Box speaker would be the first to tell you that it can seem daunting to begin with, if you do the simple things right, both you and your clucky friends can reap the benefits.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Keeping chickens comes with the same responsibilities as any animal. Give them a <b>safe place to sleep and clean water to drink. </b>Plus,<b> </b>chickens need a<b> dark place to lay eggs and a patch of dirt for them to ‘bathe’ in</b>, and they will be happy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Also, remember the four Gs: <b>grain, greens, grubs, and grit</b>. As long as they have these, their diet will keep them healthy too". (More tips below!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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It's easy to overlook the benefits of having chooks. The weekend after her Apple Box talk, our local chicken expert and her husband invited us around to see their set up in Bullaburra and understand how their chooks contribute to their backyard garden.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Their four chickens – Australorps, bred for Australian conditions – have ruled the roost for nearly two years. Cornelius, Polonius, Laertes and Eglamor eat food scraps, turn over compost bays, rid the vege gardens of bugs and provide a rich manure for improving the sandy soil.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukylAU9iwcs/UIiiklWcy6I/AAAAAAAAAMs/-qEqvzDTWVc/s1600/3+-+First+coop,+free-range+chook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" oea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukylAU9iwcs/UIiiklWcy6I/AAAAAAAAAMs/-qEqvzDTWVc/s320/3+-+First+coop,+free-range+chook.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Left) The first coop (decommissioned), (right) free-range chook</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For safety they spend nights and most of the working week in their pretty ingenious coop and chook-run, made from mostly reclaimed materials.</span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Their first coop was much smaller – while this didn't bother the chickens, it provided a few challenges to their owners. For instance, when the chooks were young they had to be lifted up to the warmth and darkness of the enclosed second level at the end of the day as they didn't know how to go up the ramp yet. This involved the chook owner crawling inside the coop, lying on their back and lifting up the chook only to find she had fallen asleep cradled in their hand in the dark! The addition of a small window helped somewhat but they knew a slightly bigger coop would be easier for all. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VfhdXQf_85s/UIikN3ADIiI/AAAAAAAAAM8/ti1Vb9IEH3k/s1600/5+-+Room+with+a+view%252C+wormwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" oea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VfhdXQf_85s/UIikN3ADIiI/AAAAAAAAAM8/ti1Vb9IEH3k/s320/5+-+Room+with+a+view%252C+wormwood.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Left) Room with a view, (right) wormwood planted next to coop - see the tips below</td></tr>
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The current coop was lovingly handmade by a family member and has been purpose built. It has doors that raise up for easy cleaning, a little window so the chooks know when it is daylight and clever features such as a sliding door holder and a smaller chook door so the parrots don't fly in. The coop and chook run also have two layers of wire fencing dug under the ground to stop any predators getting in."The best way to figure out what will be right for you is to do exactly this – ask <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>friends and neighbours who already have chickens if they would mind showing you their set-up. Most of us are happy to answer questions and give a tour."</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bo250tcxLa8/UIijoTdWzkI/AAAAAAAAAM0/6QET02Z70V0/s1600/4+-+Chalet+chook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" oea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bo250tcxLa8/UIijoTdWzkI/AAAAAAAAAM0/6QET02Z70V0/s320/4+-+Chalet+chook.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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All in all, this was the perfect start to the Apple Box series: inspiring, chock full of tips and listened to attentively by all. Thank you!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>By Xavier and Clare (Faulconbridge crop and swappers)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Speaking of tips, here are them all kindly provided by our Apple Box speaker:<o:p></o:p></div>
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CHICKEN WORMING<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Recipe<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>1.</i> Simmer some wheat (organic available from Katoomba Food Co-op).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In water is fine, but skim milk is good if the girls need some calcium.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>2.</i> Add: crushed garlic, chopped red chillies, chopped parsley, and chopped onion tops (the green parts of salad onions or shallots, or the shoots from onions).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>3.</i> Mix it all together and serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I give it to them warm in winter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Note:</i> you can replace the wheat with cooked vegetables roughly mashed together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We use potatoes, radish, turnip, parsnip, carrot, cauliflower, broccoli, beetroot – whatever comes to hand that is beyond human consumption but not yet ready for the compost bin.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Other worm preventatives<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Nettles – boil and add the strained liquid to their mash.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>A mixture of horseradish and mustard leaves, mixed with minced onions, garlic, grated carrot, and pumpkin seeds added to their feed at a rate of 20% (i.e. 20% mixture and 80% feed).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Put several cloves of garlic into a cupful of cold water and let it steep overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strain the next morning and add the liquid into their drinking water over the next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This can also be fed to them by eye-dropper, but that can be a hassle and they give you dirty looks for the rest of the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Check their poop!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chickens poop a lot, which is good for the garden, though worth warning visitors about if they free-range (both the chooks and the visitors).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also means that it’s easy to check a fresh one now and then for signs of wriggling (worms) and dose them up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Excessive poop stuck to their rear-end feather can be a sign of worms, but sometimes they just get mucky feathers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the bird seems healthy, it probably is, and a monthly worming should have taken care of any worms anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If in doubt – refer to the previous paragraph!<o:p></o:p></div>
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GENERAL TONICS<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Scrape the gel from an aloe vera leaf and mix into their drinking water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Nasturtium leaves and seeds are antiseptic and a great tonic food<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Comfrey has high levels of potassium and calcium, and is a good source of protein and amino acids. A daily feed will keep them in good health.<o:p></o:p></div>
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EGG PRODUCTION BOOST<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Nettles and comfrey added to their feed<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Crushed egg shells to increase calcium and strengthen the shells (a closed loop system!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Add some paprika to their feed when they come back into lay after their winter moult<o:p></o:p></div>
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MITES<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Grow tree wormwood around your chicken coop/run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you prune it, sprinkle the leaves amongst the straw in the coop, where they lay and sleep, and it deters mites and fleas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dried and crushed leaves can be sprinkled in the girls’ dust bowls as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Flowers and leaves of feverfew can be made into a tea and sprayed around the coop (for mites, lice, and fleas).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Other plants to grow around the coop are rosemary, lavender, and pennyroyal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also add the dried, crushed leaves to the dust bowl.<o:p></o:p></div>
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EGG-EATING CHICKENS<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Fill an egg shell with mustard or horseradish, put the two halves back together and leave it in the coop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the hens peck the egg they won’t like the hot flavour and should then associate egg shapes with an unpleasant experience. This is the theory, and it works for many people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I happen to have chickens with gourmet palates, so they ate the lot!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span>Another method is to put a fake egg (plastic or china) where they lay, and when they peck it they learn that it’s not edible (Thanks to Joe for this one).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292678624072037908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-42629164322439891842012-10-06T11:16:00.002+10:002012-10-06T12:56:27.662+10:00Season 2 swap starts next weekend!There is only one week to go before we start our second season at the CROP & SWAP. <br />
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Don't forget, registration begins at 10am, and swapping starts 10:30 sharp. For those of you who are new, bring anything home grown or home made. the more you bring the more you have to swap. get creative in the kitchen and bake some goodies, or pull up some carrots and beets from the veggie patch, or even have a go at making some craft goods. So long as its home grown, home made and good quality, you will have a great time swapping with other growers, bakers and makers in your local community. <br />
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See you on Saturday Otcober 13! what are you bringing to swap? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-86110116008122460042012-09-07T18:10:00.001+10:002012-09-07T18:10:14.509+10:00Something new for Season 2<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/17px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">With only 6 weeks to go til Season 2 kicks off, we are excited to launch 'the apple box'. With so much local knowledge and talent about growing and making delicious food, we'd love to get some of you up on our soap box...aka the apple box... and tell us a little about your niche. It might be your top 10 tips for growing veggies, making the perfect sourdough, keeping happy hens, buZZy bees or pruning fruit trees.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/17px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/17px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/17px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The aim is that at each Crop & Swap this season locals will have the chance to talk for 5 mins about their niche...</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/17px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/17px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">If you would like to step up and be the first on the apple box, send us an email at </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/17px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">cropandswap.bluemountains@gmail.com outlining what you would like to share with your community...c'mon now, don't be shy.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/17px "lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-20230788882951453612012-07-22T07:39:00.001+10:002012-07-22T16:36:05.632+10:00WARMING UP FOR SEASON 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With Spring not so far off, (I like to be optimistic) we are gearing up for our <em>second</em> season of the Crop and Swap, beginning again in October. </div>
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Its time to make a list of all your favourite fruit and veggies to grow this spring, throw in some compost and mulch to the patch, and get ready to start planting in August!</div>
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A good planting guide can be found at <a href="http://www.gardenate.com/">www.gardenate.com</a> to find out what to plant each month in your climate one. </div>
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After the great success of season one, we have been able to rally some support from our local council. Councillor Alison McClaren has pledged a small donation, and recommends that we ask her fellow councilors for a similar donation from their Minor Projects fund. </div>
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Feel free to email our local coucilors (as we have done) and ask them for their support for the Crop & Swap this Season. </div>
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We look forward to seeing you all again in October!</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-31476391999875524282012-04-15T07:57:00.000+10:002012-04-15T07:57:46.996+10:00Yesterday's final Crop & Swap for season 1 has been and gone, it was great to see so many new faces and of course to have all of our regulars swappers with their wonderful produce.<br />
This morning the kids are sitting down to some porridge and yoghurt topped with Grant's Tamarillos...they love them! So does Joe, he just declared he is 'in love withe tamarillos' and plans to have several trees producing fruit by this time next year.<br />
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Joe and I are about to sit down to Peter and Amber's beautiful bagels, topped with ham and cheese....ummm, yum! <br />
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Steve organised a really fantastic slideshow of the Crop & Swap, season 1, so for any of our regulars who weren't able to be there yesterday we will post it over the next few days.<br />
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The Finale lunch was proof of what the Crop & Swap is all about. Set up outdoors under the shade of the trees was a marvelous spread made by the swappers including a giant, Atlantic pumpkin as the table center-piece, filled with delicious pumpkin soup, a giant pumpkin cake, pizza, salad, dips, sorbet, tarts, foccacia, chocolates, slices and more, everyone shared a neighbourly lunch and chatted away into the early afternoon. <br />
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Over season 1, 115 locals registered as swappers, there were close to 2000 swaps made between individuals and over 1000 kgs of locally grown and homemade foods and items, travelled home to local kitchens and gardens and most importantly countless new friendships amoungst neighbours have been formed.<br />
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Sounds like a pretty successful first season.<br />
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Thanks so much to everyone who took part. The April edition of 'The Share Barrow' newsletter will be sent out soon and we look forward to keeping up with everyone via the blog and face book.<br />
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Until Season 2, <br />
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with neighbourly cheer, <br />
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Jo, Joe, Steve and AnnemareeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-24360773557126239702012-04-06T10:08:00.002+10:002012-04-06T10:43:32.644+10:00Season finale lunchPlease join us at the Crop & Swap season finale lunch to mark the end of our innaugral season<br /><br />When: Sat 14th April @ 12, immediately following our final swap of the season<br />Where: Faulconbridge Community Hall<br />Who: Everyone is welcome<br />What to bring: Finger food platter to share and drinks<br /><br />There'll be a couple of surprises for adults and children - so be sure to join us to celebrate season # 1.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292678624072037908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-58726215228070463622012-03-05T19:41:00.000+11:002012-03-05T19:41:13.339+11:00The March Crop & Swap is this Saturday, the second last for the season!Hi everyone, <br />
happy Autumn :)... we are really looking forward to seeing you at Crop & Swap this Saturday if you can make it, it sounds as though there is going to be some wonderful home grown and home made items there this month. We will be sending out the 4th issue of the Crop & Swap newsletter by Thursday evening, so if for some reason you don't receive one, be sure to shoot us an email and let us know and we will check your details on the emailing list. There will also be some paper copies available on the registration table on Saturday. If any Crop & Swappers have anything they would like to advertise in the 'Share Barrow', feel free to send us email between now and Wednesday morning,<br />
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So happy growing, harvesting, making or baking, <br />
til this Saturday, <br />
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Steve, Annemaree, Joe and JoAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-51811771533032290282012-02-06T10:38:00.000+11:002012-02-06T10:45:28.099+11:00Crop & Swap Culinary Challenge<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D44U9uwvVBY/Ty8TpwSdXWI/AAAAAAAAAHM/ZRcX_r6aoyU/s1600/Picture%2B008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705800860959595874" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D44U9uwvVBY/Ty8TpwSdXWI/AAAAAAAAAHM/ZRcX_r6aoyU/s200/Picture%2B008.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Rhubarb champagne by Melanie & Alexander</em></div><br />
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<br /><p>We hope everyone has had a great summer holidays and your crops have survived the downpours and occasional bursts of heat!<br /><br />After last Crop & Swap, Amber & Peter mentioned they try to use all the things they receive from the swap in dinner that night. So that got us thinking…..it’s time for our inaugural ‘Crop & Swap Culinary Challenge’.<br /><br />So much of the fun in what we do, is in enjoying what we receive while it’s fresh and hearing all the stories<br /><br />So here’s how the challenge will work:<br /><br />1. Come along to Crop & Swap this Saturday 11 Feb, and swap ‘till you drop<br />2. Whatever goods you walk away with, use as much as possible in dinner that night<br />3. Share your stories - email stories & photo’s to <a href="mailto:cropandswap.bluemountains@gmail.com">cropandswap.bluemountains@gmail.com</a> or upload as a comment to this blog post<br />4. We’ll then collect all the stories and publish them in the share barrow (Crop & Swap newsletter) which will be out again in March.<br /><br />And no Saturday night dinner will be complete without Melanie & Alexander’s rhubarb champagne. Get your aprons ready…The challenge is on!<br /><br />We’ll look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday.<br /><br />With neighbourly cheer,<br />Steve, Annemaree, Jo & Joe</p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292678624072037908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-66167999492294674882012-01-03T10:21:00.000+11:002012-01-03T10:21:18.077+11:00Next Swap this Saturday!<strong>Happy New year everyone! Our next Swap is on this coming Saturday, 7th of January 2012. </strong><br />
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this month we will be sporting a few purple carrots, a boot load of cucumbers and fingers crossed, there may even be a few tomatoes and blackberries if this warm weather holds up. Jo is baking some loaves as well. <br />
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Looking forward to seeing you there.<br />
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Jo and JoeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-10539106210791816512011-12-30T12:59:00.000+11:002011-12-30T12:59:26.909+11:00Collaborative ConsumptionHI everyone, I have been reading a great book called "What's Mine is Yours; the rise of collaborative consumption" by Rachel Botsman and Roo Rogers. <br />
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In a nutshell the book explores trends towards sharing and lending resources that we may no longer need or have an excess of, instead of throwing it away. Likewise, if you need something, borrow it instead of buying something new. People are networking together and sharing cars, bikes, clothes, you name it, instead of buying more and more. <br />
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This is something that we are already doing at the Crop and Swap by sharing our homegrown produce, but we can expand on this idea of collaborative sharing within our community. For example, many of us make jams, and may need jars. others may have chooks and might appreciate old egg shells to grind into shell grit. Someone else may be in need of bricks for garden beds while someone has loads sitting behind the house at home. <br />
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If you have something you want to get rid of or are in need of something else, we will be leaving as register on the resource library table. Simply fill in your "wants" or "have's" and we will post in in the next Share Barrow newsletter. <br />
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What do you think? let us know if you have any other ideas about this and how we could initiate it at the Crop and Swap.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-25949465468247072582011-12-16T19:34:00.000+11:002011-12-16T19:34:59.013+11:00Our 2nd SwapThanks again to all who came to the second swap on Saturday. Despite the dreary weather, around 50 swappers came along with wonderful December bounties. This month proved to be even more diverse in produce, with Alexander's highly anticipated Camembert cheese, Mitti's mouth watering wholemeal loaves, Edwardo and Grants crisp rhubarb stalks, Jane and Peters dried mushrooms, foraged from the Blackheath forests, and Cathy's Giant comfery plants. Miriams Christmas themed swap display was simply worth the visit alone.<br />
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Thanks also to Margaret for her suggestion about the share barrow, that everyone has to put at least one item into the share barrow before swapping begins. We think this is a great suggestion, as it is a good way to remember that the Crop and Swap is first and foremost about sharing with your neighbour.<br />
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Don't forget that the next swap is a little earlier than usual, being held on the 7th of January. It will be bumper crop season, and sett to be one of our best swap meets yet. New swappers are always welcome, so spread the word and tell your neighbours and friends.<br />
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We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you on January 7th with arm fulls of home grown and made goodies.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079297503130568269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-60431482834319020232011-12-06T20:33:00.000+11:002011-12-06T20:44:02.729+11:00Labels for your swaps<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWSKrAANt_Y/Tt3jSopIbcI/AAAAAAAAAGI/9adPb4wrU-o/s1600/IMG_4848.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWSKrAANt_Y/Tt3jSopIbcI/AAAAAAAAAGI/9adPb4wrU-o/s200/IMG_4848.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682948214098521538" /></a><br />Hi swappers,<div><br /><div><div>We're looking forward to the next Crop & Swap on Saturday!</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to fill out the labels for your swapping goods before we meet, drop us a line at cropandswap.bluemountains@gmail.com and we'll email the template to you.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Happy growing.</div><div><br /></div></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292678624072037908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-85127065254258711542011-11-13T19:55:00.000+11:002011-11-13T20:04:24.659+11:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugMX-7kMov8/Tr-HwsBLvoI/AAAAAAAAAF0/cgDjpgKnKS8/s1600/IMG_4931.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugMX-7kMov8/Tr-HwsBLvoI/AAAAAAAAAF0/cgDjpgKnKS8/s200/IMG_4931.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674403326029708930" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLYd1nHo0ws/Tr-HwDOuA_I/AAAAAAAAAFo/paZh3BSUg6E/s1600/IMG_4917.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLYd1nHo0ws/Tr-HwDOuA_I/AAAAAAAAAFo/paZh3BSUg6E/s200/IMG_4917.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674403315080627186" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ycpnj12sPxI/Tr-HvEFseGI/AAAAAAAAAFg/EY1dGtJd3zY/s1600/IMG_4901.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ycpnj12sPxI/Tr-HvEFseGI/AAAAAAAAAFg/EY1dGtJd3zY/s200/IMG_4901.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674403298131343458" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1pbke_iqRs/Tr-Hu_nW2wI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/0UyXoodz738/s1600/IMG_4883.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1pbke_iqRs/Tr-Hu_nW2wI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/0UyXoodz738/s200/IMG_4883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674403296930355970" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Hwq6rt19Wg/Tr-HulLaDMI/AAAAAAAAAFE/75YmElG7E2A/s1600/IMG_4869.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Hwq6rt19Wg/Tr-HulLaDMI/AAAAAAAAAFE/75YmElG7E2A/s200/IMG_4869.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674403289833802946" /></a>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292678624072037908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2742156806161816480.post-45932948338071323492011-11-13T19:12:00.000+11:002011-11-13T19:55:25.102+11:00The very first crop & swapWhat a privilege to be at yesterdays inaugural 'crop and swap'. <div><br /></div><div>C - crowds came, about 85 we think (plus another C - Camembert. Melanie has promised it next month!)</div><div>R - Rosyln, Phillip & family win the prize for most chooks</div><div>O - Original. So much creativity in what people bought along</div><div>P - Presentation of goods supplied: The moment Miriam set her goods up in cute jars, baskets with straw and flowers, we suddenly felt inadequate :-)</div><div>&</div><div>Slug - crawled out of my salad at lunch. The salad was delicious we must say (and definitely fresh!) Thanks Mitti, Alice and Nadia.</div><div>W - wonderful generosity. There was such a good spirit, and the the free barrow was appreciated by all</div><div>A - Amber's Apple & Pear tart - yum</div><div>P - Please, please more mulberries George next time, they were hot property</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you everyone for feeding the community....literally.</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292678624072037908noreply@blogger.com5