Welcome to Watermelon & Waves, our Coastal Community Garden Newsletter.
We have now entered spring, the first of two springs for the Noongar people, the season of Djilba. Djilba lasts from August to September. Transitional, this time of the year we have clear days with sporadic windy, rainy days. It can still be very cold with an occasional warm sunny day. The warmer days bring our spring flowers into bloom. This is the season of the yellow and cream flowers which burst out in a massive display from Acacias. There is an abundance of new life as the birds, reptiles and animals bring their young into the world so be careful as you enter their territory, especially the protective Magpies.
Link to this seasons updates:
- What’s Happening in Our Garden
- Up and Coming Events
- Gardening Jobs During this Season: August – September
- What to Plant Now
- This Issue’s Native Plant – Swan River Myrtle (Hypocalymma robustum)
What’s Happening at the Patch
Things have really been buzzing in the patch lately with our regular fortnightly busy bees. Thank you to all those who are getting involved and lending a hand where needed. The wicking beds have been planted with some winter crops and the children helped make a native beehive hotel and bark labels for plants. City of Stirling has provided an assortment of native shrubs that are now planted at the entrance of the garden in front of the shed.
We are also excited to say some of the funding we applied for has come through which gives a bit more spending money for the garden projects. There are people who have shown interest in assisting with the cladding of our wicking beds and cutting the grass which has grown out of control due to all the rains.
Surveillance cameras have been installed due to a few mishaps, which we hope will help keep things safe. You might remember reading about some reticulation blow outs, these were caused by a faulty solenoid on the old tennis court system which has now been switched off and disconnected.
If you’re looking to be involved in anyway why not come down on one of our busy bee days, there is always something needing to be done, especially after all this rain. So if you are available we would love for you to join us. Keep your eye out for our invitation emails and come on down, meet other members and get involved.
Up and Coming Events:
This is a good time to renew your Coastal Community Garden membership. Unfortunately registrations on the website are still not available. Our apologies for the inconvenience. Please contact us via our CCG email (see below in our list of events)
Mark your calendars for these up and coming events:
- Our next AGM is on Thursday 12th September at 6pm – Flowspace 2/103 Flora Terrace, North Beach. Please RSVP by the 9th September to our CCG email: coastalcommunitygarden@gmail.com
- We are also looking to grow our committee and welcome nominations for committee membership. Additionally, we welcome nominations for the role of chairperson as our beloved Natalie is stepping down to travel with her family.
- Fortnightly busy bee – don’t worry if you don’t have gloves or gardening tools; there are plenty in our shed.
We hope to send out a reminder email for these and other events.
Gardening Jobs During Djilba Season:
This is a great time to get on top of any weeds before they spread their seed or before accidently digging them in to your new beds. Removing them at this time is easier as the roots are still shallow.
Dry weather is on its way; now is the time to add wetting agents, lots of organic matting such as well rotted manures and compost. Turn/mix into the sandy soils before applying a layer of mulch. This improves soil water-holding capacity, helping spring rains and watering penetrate your soil, providing more nutrients to your plants and protecting the soil against the drying heat to come.
Prep your garden beds both for vegetables and flowers. Fertilise strawberries to encourage a bumper crop.
Coming out of winter, plants can look a bit stunted or yellow. This is a good time to give them a quick kick-start with some liquid fertiliser. As plants produce their new spring growth, they will be hungry for nutrients. By applying manure, fertiliser and compost this will not only improve soil nutrition but also increase microbial activity which assists the plants’ ability to take up these nutrients.
As plants begin to blossom, avoid fertilisers rich in nitrogen as nitrogen encourages plants to produce new foliage, making them vulnerable to insects and fungi.
Fruit trees will need a feed of liquid potash along with a general fertiliser to help bring optimal growth of fruits. Sulphate added to alkaline soils will also help with fruiting trees.
Lawns also need attention. Using a metal rake, remove any build-up of thatch and reseed the bare areas. Top dress with compost and loamy sand-based soil blend. Mowing it short will encourage the roots to grow deep. Apply a slow release lawn food to all grassed areas. Don’t over fertilise as this will cause excess growth, which will need more mowing.
Keep on top of weeds such as clover and bindii which can easily take over and restrict the use of lawns over summer because of the prickles. Now is the time to put in a new lawn, whether by seed or rolls, so the roots will have time to establish before the heat of summer.
What to Plant Now:
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER
Flowers:
Ageratum, alyssum, aster, Californian poppy, carnation, catmint, calendula, celosia, coleus, convolvulus, cornflower, cosmos, dahlia, daisies, dianthus, echinacea, everlastings, feverfew, gazania, gerbera, holyhocks, impatiens, lavender, marigold, nasturtium, osteospermum, petunia, phlox, portulaca, primula, salvia, snapdragon, strawberry, sunflower, zinnia, calibrachoa, many are also good in hanging pots.
Vegetables:
Artichoke, basil, beetroot, cabbage, capsicums, carrot, chili, chives, coriander, cucumber, dill, broccoli, eggplant, endive, lettuce, leeks, melons, oregano, parsley, parsnip, pumpkin, radish, rocket, rhubarb, silverbeet, spring onions, summer beans, sweet corn, thyme, tomatoes and zucchini.
This Issue’s Native Plant: 
(for our coastal region, the Bassendean and Spearwood dune sands, Perth)
Swan River Myrtle (Hypocalymma robustum)
This evergreen perennial shrub grows to a width and height of around 1.5mtrs. It likes a sunny or light shade position in well-drained soil.
The Swan River Myrtle can be used for nature strips, borders but also makes a lovey container plant with showy clusters of pink to mauve flowers along its stems late winter through to spring which attract butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects. Can be used for cut flowers.
Plant care:
Drought tolerant, waterwise shrub which requires minimal maintenance. For a dense, compact, bushy appearance, an annual pruning is essential.
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We are hoping to include a calendar of events in our next newsletter. As a part of our gardening family we would love to hear your thoughts and what you would like to see in our newsletter.
Thank you for being part of our gardening community.
Yours in the garden,
The Costal Community Garden team
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