Welcome to Watermelon & Waves. We at Coastal Community Garden would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, safe holidays and a Happy New Year for 2026!
December is the start of two Noogar summers; the first being, Birak. The Birak summer extends from December through to January and is one of six seasons for the Noogar people. This season brings with it a daily pattern of scorching easterlies which change to cooler south westerlies breeze, late afternoon or sometimes even later during the night which we locals fondly call the ‘Fremantle Doctor’.
As the warmer weather ramps up, the rains diminish. As the waterways begin to dry up, tadpoles complete their metamorphosis to frogs while fledglings leave their nests as they learn to fend for themselves and reptiles shed their old skin making room for new growth. Summer has arrived!
What to expect in this issue:
- What’s Happening in Our Garden
- Up and Coming Events
- Gardening Jobs During this Season: December – January
- What to Plant Now
- This Issue’s Native Plant – Nobby Clubrush – Ficinia nodosa
What’s Happening in Our Garden
We are continuing with our fortnightly Gardening Day, our next is on the 13th Dec so come on down; it is a great way to get involved and meet other members. There was a huge effort put in by members preparing for Open Day, which was a great success, and afterwards planting our summer crop.
So what else has been happening in the garden? We have put up another windbreak to protect the fruit trees on the border of our first stage of gardening planning and have planned stage 2 ‘The Amphitheatre’ which is where, in the future we will be hosting guest speakers. This area is being leveled before covering with cardboard, to extend our chip wood covering needed to suppress the weeds before semi-circular bench seats and a paved platform area are installed. We also have plans to plant Australian natives under the existing native trees along the eastern wall.
Thank you again to all our committed gardeners who are assisting with watering the non-irrigated areas, planting and rearranging our garden beds. It’s wonderful being able to partake of the abundant vegie crops.
Our amazing new in-ground garden is pumping away. A variety of new seedlings thriving, ready to provide us with summer produce. A new bed of herbs has been planted and fresh produce put into our wicking beds, some of which are perennial plants such as rhubarb, asparagus and artichokes.
Have you checked out all our wonderful progress through the photos on our GALLERY page?
Please let us know if you are wanting to be involved in the Coastal Community Garden in any way through our Facebook page and please come on down to the patch on our Gardening Days.
Up and Coming Events:
Please check out our Facebook page for any up and coming events and where you might like to get involved and enjoy the produce as well as a cup of tea and a snack. Please remember to bring sun protection, gloves and water.
Mark your calendars for these up and coming events:
- We are looking to grow our committee and welcome nominations for membership.
- Fortnightly gardening days – Our next is on the 13th December. Don’t worry if you don’t have gloves or gardening tools; there are plenty in our shed.
- With Christmas and New Year during this season there are no major activities scheduled, although the roster for watering the garden continues. If you are able to help out please let us know. Those who do help, reap the benefits.
In the meantime, stay safe and have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season.
Gardening Jobs During Birak Season:
Learn about what jobs we have suggested for this season on our new Seasonal Jobs page which can be accessed through the GROW page.
What to Plant Now:
This too can be accessed through our GROW page, under the heading Grow in Season then look for BIRAK SEASON – AUGUST – SEPTEMBER.
This Issue’s Native Plant:
This month’s native plant is the Nobby Clubrush (Ficinia nodosa). Information can be found on our GROW page under Grow Natives. This page also covers information on other native plants we have looked at since starting our newsletters.
I do hope you enjoy reading through our new pages.
_______________________________________________________________________
Coastal Community Garden would once again like to take the opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and safe holiday season. We are hoping to see you down at the patch soon.
Yours in the garden,
The Coastal Community Garden team
Useful Links
Facebook Instagram Contact email