Volume 16/4 May 2016 UGCnews@gmail.com

Teamwork - In the Garden and In our Club

Our gardens seem to know all about teamwork. We are continually learning more about companion planting, the role of soil microbes in feeding plants and best plants to create microclimates and protect delicate specimens. Of course, we also enjoy the visual display of nature’s own combinations.

Teamwork has been important for your committee. We are volunteers and need to ensure we have balanced lives. Examples of our teamwork were seen at the last General Meeting: Lynn O’Hara took the minutes for Mic Julien, our secretary who was at a ceremony on Stradbroke Island to farewell a friend and Tony Stanhope, our treasurer, undertook to write the meeting report for the newsletter while Bonnie was on a well-earned holiday and I assisted with the Library. While our club does not have a limit on the number of members, membership seems to have settled around 110 -120 individuals. Your committee is mindful of the need to ensure processes are in place to help things run smoothly for a group of this size. We continue to work on recording administrative processes and policies to assist those that follow us in our roles. An opportunity exists for members to recognise exceptional contribution by nominating a member for life membership of the Uki Garden Club. Details appear later in the newsletter.

Teamwork is also evident as members work together to demonstrate the vision of Garden Clubs of Australia “Friendship through Gardens”. Our club does this best through learning and sharing during meetings in members’ gardens. It is the garden meeting experience that differentiates our club.

Thank you to Jenny and Bill Daniell who offered to host the Food Group meeting next month in place of Ida Daly. As they are relatively new to the area, Bill and Jenny are looking forward to advice when we visit. Maybe the club can visit Ida’s in the near future.

I have organised my friends Bill and Maureen Newman, who live on Mount Tomewin, to guest host the next General meeting. Over the last 14 years Maureen’s developed a delightful and diverse garden around their home which is thriving, in part, on the manure from their cattle. Maureen has seedlings from local native trees still in the ground. She is happy if members wish to pot up some specimens to take home.

Happy Gardening

Jenny Kidd

Thirty or so members and

visitors met at Jan and Axel’s

place at Nunderi on Saturday

afternoon. The word Nunderi

is derived from the

Bandjalung-Yugambeh word 'n

gundaree' meaning 'night'. It

is also said to mean 'big hill'.

We gathered in an undercover area thinking rain may return, but it

turned out to be a glorious sunny afternoon. Our hosts have developed

their one acre block during the past ten years and have created a

beautiful area with a wide range of plant and flower types. Jan’s

philosophy is that she puts in plants that she likes and then deals with

whatever consequences arise. If they grow and thrive - well and good. If

they die something else is tried. The front of the house is planted out in

a more formal way with plants that have sentimental value whilst the

back is less formal. Tucked away in the back yard Jan has her studio

where she produces her artwork. All members enjoyed looking at some

of her work which was hanging in the meeting area.

You can see more of her work on her Facebook page -

https://www.facebook.com/jan.brook3

Situated on an eastern facing slope the

block loses the sun early during the winter

months. The vegetable garden in summer

is a hot area and Axel has recently

erected a shade house to protect some of

the more tender vegetables from the sun.

A variety of fruit trees have been planted

including Davidson

Plums which

apparently make nice schnapps and an old table grape variety

“Isabella” – supposedly named by Mrs. Isabella Gibbs of South

Carolina in 1816. Jan also has a nice collection of shade loving

plants that are thriving in her greenhouse. Tony Stanhope

The Banora Point Garden Club members have surely been sleeping for the last week - catching up on all those hours they must have spent, organizing their expo and friendship day. And they also must surely have been celebrating the success of their effort.

Even by the end of the day, it was still very difficult to find a parking spot, the speakers’ hall was still full and the multitude of stalls were still making sales. It was, as Jenny Kidd said, great to see so many members of the Uki Garden Club at the Friendship Day.

When she got to the stall of Carol Kirkan, she was told that Don Capner had been there early in the day and bought all of her unusual plants.

The day had been advertised locally as a garden expo and was well supported by the general community.

Congratulations Banora Point Garden Club

At the last meeting new members, Betty and James, were asking about growing mushrooms. Di Morrison sent this

reference to a book that promises to provide all the information any prospective mushroom grower would need. And

more.

Radical Mycology: A Treatise On Seeing and Working With Fungi

by Peter McCoy

Available at Chthaeus.com

The first edition has sold out but you can pre-order a copy of the second edition to

be released this month – go to the website above.

The following link will take you to the website of milkwood permaculture blog (well worth a look if you don’t already know

it.) where the book is discussed at length.

https://www.milkwood.net/2016/05/02/new-book-radical-mycology/?mc_cid=a18630a126&mc_eid=b8b868506b

The milkwood discussion contains illustrations from the book. And, includes the information:

there’s about 300 pages dedicated to the technical aspects of mushroom

cultivation, starting at a commercial scale, which gives way to backyard,

low-tech and DIY techniques. And this bit is great – easy to read and

follow.

Beyond that, there are overviews of the cultural history of fungi, and how

we humans have used it in different ways in different parts of the

world….

From Barbara Waters: I have an 80 cm square glass topped outdoor table in quite good condition, except for a bit of

rust on the aluminium edging. I don't need it and hope someone else could use it.

Solved: the mystery of the Christmas flowering poinsettia in a pot.

In Australia, growers force them into flower by manipulating their exposure to light. Black out curtains are used to trick them into producing flowers.

If you plant one of these Christmas flowers, they will revert to natural behaviour and flower in winter. (information from June Gardening Australia)

A large group of members and visitors gathered for the May Food Group meeting at the lovely home of Tess and Tony Thompson at Nobby’s Creek. Tess and Tony’s property is around six acres of sloping land featuring many large trees (including a bizarre African sausage tree, Kigelia) and beautiful rural views. During their 11 year occupation, Tess and Tony have moved from cottage gardening to large-scale sub-tropical plantings to produce a park-like garden. They have added a small orchard and vegetable gardens. Dexter cattle keep the grass in their paddocks trim and provide a welcome source of nutrients for the gardens. A lively discussion included the following topics:

Betty and James are new to Tyalgum from Mackay. They are waiting to move into their new acreage. Betty is a chef and James has experience in food production. Betty inquired if the vanilla orchid will grow locally – Bonnie has one that looks healthy but has not flowered yet.

Several members reported late season crops of cucumbers, eggplant, and summer greens.

Tony has managed to propagate Kigelia seedlings from a sausage obtained last year. Please contact him if you would like one. He let us know that the African tulip tree, Spathodea, is toxic to our native bees – but not as toxic as the butcher bird that ate his teddy bear bee!

Sue and Hartmut have a flood of rosellas. Sue reported that the young rosella leaves are delicious stir-fried. She is keen to make rosella cordial – she was directed to Green Harvest for a great recipe.

Brett is keen to become a chicken owner – he was advised to see Lyn Reid and check out the monthly markets at Murwillumbah.

Phil and Richard have a good crop of star fruit – they have discovered a good chutney recipe with red wine. Phil has managed to propagate mulberry cuttings by placing them in the vegie garden over summer when the soil is moist. Their paulownia trees which came down in a fierce storm last November may yet be used to make surfboards!

Jenny reported brown staining on the skin of her capsicums – thought to be caused by sun burn following overhead watering. She is making a Chinese ginger and choko pickle (recipe below).

Tess and Tony have a five metre pole chainsaw which can be borrowed. Members were encouraged to save zucchini seeds for the Seed Box.

The swap table overflowed with rosellas, chokos, limes, chillies, paw paw seedlings,

native seedlings… Bonnie Buzolic

Tall, with smooth grey bark and beautiful, bell-shaped flowers, the kigelia tree

is often cultivated ornamentally, but Tanzanian tribes have long been putting

the tree’s eponymous sausage-shaped

fruits—as well as its leaves and bark—to all

sorts of uses for generations.

Some of the myriad health problems treated

with extracts from various parts of the tree

include malaria, headaches, syphilis and other venereal diseases,

rheumatism, inflamed spleen, ulcers, and gastro-intestinal issues (just to

name a few). The fruit is known to have anti-microbial properties, and is

thought to help with skin problems like eczema and psoriasis. It often even

makes its way into high-end anti-aging and beauty products!

But, beware; the fruit is highly poisonous if eaten.

a recent display at South Tweed Shopping Centre - glorious

Wild Garlic and Jersey Royal potatoes for dinner. Haven't seen it at home.

Posted from the UK on UGC Facebook site by Di Morrison

Life membership is the highest award available to recognise exceptional

contribution to the Uki Garden Club. The committee has finalised the policy for awarding life membership. Members

are encouraged to consider nominating a worthy fellow member who has made exceptional contribution as

demonstrated by the criteria. Nominations should be in the form outlined and be received by the Committee by 1 June

2016. Jenny Kidd, President

Uki Garden Club - Life Membership Criteria

Life Membership

Life membership is the highest award available to recognize the exceptional contribution of individuals to the Uki Garden Club. It is therefore only to be awarded in exceptional circumstances.

Nomination for Life Membership

Any financial member may nominate another member for consideration for the Life Membership award. Nominations must be submitted in writing and must be endorsed by two current financial members of the club who are unrelated.

The nomination should set out the achievements and activities of the nominee and at a minimum must meet the award criteria as set out below. Nominations should be received by the Executive Committee in adequate time for consideration so that any presentation can be made at either the Annual General Meeting or the end of year Christmas Meeting. Nominations should be submitted to the Secretary either in person, via mail to PO Box 580 Murwillumbah NSW 2484 or by email to ugcnews@gmail.com.

Award Criteria

In considering the award of Life Membership an individual should have demonstrated significant, sustained and high quality service enhancing the reputation and future of the Uki Garden Club.

The following points will be taken into account when considering any nomination:-

o The nominee’s length of service to the Club shall be at least 10 years continuous membership.

o The general attitude and overall demeanour of the nominee is one that reflects dedication to the Uki Garden Club.

o The nominee will have provided valued leadership and/or been an outstanding role model to the members in general.

o The nominee’s actions must reflect favourably on, and bring credit to the Club.

o The nominee must be a financial member.

Important Note

These points apply in whatever role the nominee has participated in during their time with the Uki Garden Club. Achieving the minimum length of service will not in any way automatically guarantee the award of Life Membership.

Process for Assessment of Applications

The Executive Committee will assess nominations for Life Membership based on the above criteria. The Executive Committee will assess all nominations and only those that the Committee considers worthy of Life Membership will be endorsed.

The final list of endorsed nominations will be individually voted upon by the Executive Committee. A unanimous vote will be required for approval.

Life Memberships will be awarded at either the Annual General Meeting or the end of year Christmas Meeting. In exceptional circumstances Life Membership awards may be awarded at other times.

Retraction of Life Membership

Retraction of a Life Membership may occur when the recipient’s conduct reflects badly on the image of the Club. This provision will only be exercised in exceptional circumstances and will require the unanimous agreement of the Executive Committee. The member concerned is to be given the opportunity to present a case for retention of Life Membership status.

Makes about 36

Frittata Ingredients

6 eggs ¾ cup thickened cream 125 grams smoked salmon, finely diced ½ tsp. grated lemon rind ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese 3 spring onions finely sliced 1 tbsp. finely chopped dill 1 tbsp. finely drained and chopped baby capers Salt and pepper

Garnish Ingredients

1/2 cup sour cream Extra smoked salmon, cut into thin ribbons Dill sprigs

Method

Pre-heat oven to moderate.

Grease 3 x 12 hole mini muffin pans.

In a jug whisk together, eggs, cream, smoked salmon, lemon rind, parmesan, onions, dill, capers, salt and pepper. Pour

into muffin pans (stir constantly or spoon the salmon and capers from the bottom of the jug). Bake for about 10 minutes

or until lightly browned and set. Stand in pans to cool for 15 minutes, transfer to wire racks.

Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, a ribbon of smoked salmon and a dill sprig.

Note. Ungarnished they are suitable to freeze.

Kate Botham’s vegie patch one month after the UGC meeting that she hosted.

On the Road with Sue Yarrow: the Miracles of our Australian Deserts

Last month my husband drove while I madly took photos across some of Australia’s beautiful desert tracks. These

tracks were so straight and so red!

Due to rains in north Queensland we were unable to travel on the Birdsville track and because we were travelling alone

were unable to travel on the Gunbarrel Highway, my husband’s number one choices. But other tracks were found and

permits purchased. Due to rain, some areas very light rains, the wild flowers in the desert were blooming.

But one had to go off the roads to see the tiny flowers - some, one could barely see with the naked eye. It is so

amazing that any living thing could survive such harsh conditions. We passed though huge cattle properties, many of

which were for sale with interested Chinese buyers ( oh no!) and aboriginal freehold properties which were inhabited by

small communities of aborigines living partly traditional lives speaking their own languages and partly assimilated lives

and many camels - even though we only saw two dead and 3 live ones. We were told at one remote road house that

the camels were staying around the water holes, not having to travel long distances to get water. Camels are causing

significant damage to the fragile desert environment.

To boost the local economies we aimed to have an ice-cream each day (if we passed a roadhouse) but when two ice

creams cost us $15 we went to ice blocks. The distances are so great with freight and power (often by diesel

generators) so expensive my budget was blown.

A friend suggested that when we passed through the Ngaanyatjarra lands we buy some of the famous Warakuna

artists’ paintings. While asking at the Warakuna roadhouse about doing so, a white employee of the community heard

us and took us in his vehicle (we wouldn’t have been allowed into the community otherwise) to the community art room.

I was able to chat to the artists two of whom remembered my friend working with them). After some time we came out

with two original paintings, a very special experience.

Each day brought so many new and amazing experiences. Due to “rain up north” southern Lake Eyre was filling with

water. We camped near enough to the lake to see the water and to experience one of the best sunsets and sunrises

ever. I went into the William Creek roadhouse to buy our two ice blocks and came out with two tickets to fly over Lake

Eyre (that’s now crossed off my bucket list). A great experience!

From Kalgoorlie I travelled to Perth by train, my husband staying in the gold bearing areas to prospect for three months.

Perth is an amazing city, now suffering from a huge decrease in mineral royalties and hence insufficient finance to

complete projects in projected time (The kangaroo on the coat of arms on the Perth post office is not looking to the emu

but towards the Mint!) King’s Park and the botanical garden need more than two afternoons to even explore a small

area. As soon as I arrived on my first visit, I was lucky enough to join a guided tour with only three people in it, the

guide being an exschoolie who loved the gardens. He had intimate knowledge of the plants; many again were flowering

due to unseasonable rain

I told him of my wish to see Sturt’s Desert pea and kangaroo paws flowering in their natural environment. “No” he said

“they are not in flower now, come back in September” but on my second afternoon I found both!! Another wish crossed

off my bucket list! Western Australia has 93% of all Australia’s banksias (since a reclassification of another species)

and I was told it was no wonder I could not get my banksias to grow as it was the wrong climate, but I will persevere as

Joseph Banks did see banksias in NSW.

Another highlight of the park was seeing the bottle tree that was moved from North Western Australia to the park when

a road was being put through its growing area. You may remember a “Gardening Australia” programme showing the

very large bottle tree on the back of a large truck being transported through Perth. Such wonderful experiences

It was then home with a head full of amazing, wonderful experiences and many, many photos on the red eye flight back

to my weedy dry garden.

Last week I harvested a large amount of ginger on the same day I

picked a bucketful of chokos. I immediately thought of this simple,

crunchy, Chinese style pickle.

Pickling Liquid

2 1/4 cups sugar

2 1/4 cups of vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups water

Combine pickling ingredients in saucepan, bring to boil, remove from heat and cool.

Vegetables (will vary according to the season but always include ginger)

4 chokos

2 carrots

1 red capsicum

1 green capsicum

4 sticks of celery

8 shallots

10 cms piece of ginger

Wash all vegetables. Peel carrots and chokos and cut into thin strips. Seed capsicums and cut into 2.5cm

cubes. Slice celery and shallots diagonally. Peel ginger and slice thinly.

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add prepared vegetables and immediately remove from heat.

After 2 minutes, remove vegetables from water and drain.

Pack vegetables into clean jars. Cover completely with pickling liquid. Seal and store in refrigerator. Best

after one week when ginger flavour has infused and the vegetables are still crunchy.

Flowers from a cutting I got from Philip (Wilson).. Can you help with its name?

posted by Tony Stanhope on UGC Facebook site

And the answer, posted by Jean Nuttall: Yup, it's Holmskioldia sanguinea.

Looks a bit like bougainvillea at a quick glance.

Loretta Weir visits the Nan Lian Garden, Hong Kong

“A classical garden in a modern city. Serenity in the midst of urban hustle and bustle.” I had the pleasure of a short holiday in Hong Kong in April, tempted by the ease with which one can now fly to Hong

Kong from the Gold Coast Airport. Whilst exploring the outer suburban New Territories of Hong Kong, we discovered a gem of a Chinese garden so easily accessible via the efficient MRT train network. Nan Lian Garden occupies 3.5 hectares of land and is adjacent to the Chi Lin Nunnery monastic complex. It was completed in 2006 in Tang Dynasty style, modelled after a traditional Chinese landscape garden from Shanxi Province. While there are trees planted to form woods, I was interested in the array of plants which are also suitable to grow in our subtropical climate on the Tweed. However, the plants are not the only feature of the garden. It is adorned with various expertly placed rocks of different size and material, in groups to form “islets”, stacked rocks, rocks on their own, and petrified wood-rocks.

There are hillocks, winding paths, pavilions, bridges, and water features including lakes fed by a spring from an adjacent

mountain. The aim of the garden is to capture, in this limited space, a landscape garden with naturalistic scenes in miniature. It does this by borrowing and extending views using multilayering of features of various height, depth and breadth. Interestingly the borrowed landscape also includes a view to the many multi-storey apartment towers that proliferate in Hong Kong. Nan Lian Garden has been included in a tentative list of China’s world heritage sites to be submitted to UNESCO with a view to promote the long history of China, and to strengthen the people of Hong Kong’s awareness and appreciation of traditional Chinese culture.

The garden is a haven for locals, and is well attended by Chinese tourists, but sadly only a few western visitors. The garden has achieved its aim to create a garden that is based on nature with the harmonious amalgamation of plants, rocks and scenic vistas.

General Meeting: 2.00 pm on Saturday 28 May in the garden of guest hosts,

Maureen and Bill Newman at 747 Tomewin Rd, Mt Tomewin.

Maureen and Bill began work on their garden about 14 year ago. The garden

is high up on the ridge overlooking Murwillumbah and the Tweed Valley. The

property is entered by a sharp turn off to the left as you head north up the

mountain. While there is some parking available on the property it is

recommended that members meet in Dungay and carpool for the last part of

the trip. There is plenty of parking off the road outside the school in Dungay.

Contact J Kidd 0431 989 477

Food Group Meeting: 9.30am on 14 June, hosted by Bill and Jenny Daniel at 490 Terranora Rd,

Terranora. Their long driveway flanked by Duranta Sheenas Gold has ample parking off to the side.

Contact 07 5590 4619.

For the diary:

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this newsletter in time for me to finish it before I take off again. Greatly appreciated. All contributions are welcome. Tips, ideas, requests, a few words, many words. Next month the deadline will be at its regular time: the Friday after the food group meeting - Friday 17 June.

Very happy gardening (Membership renewal form below)

Pamela

Thanks to Kym Marston, proprietor of Print Spot, for our printing.

UKI Garden Club Membership Renewal Form 2016-17

PO BOX 580 Murwillumbah NSW 2040

1) Member Information

First name: Last name:

First name: Last name:

2) Any Changes to Details? Please tick appropriate box as below. I

No - there are no changes to any of my details from the previous year.

Proceed directly to Section 5

Yes - there are changes to my details from the previous year.

Proceed to Section 3

3) Type of Change

Please tick all that apply & then complete the appropriate box/boxes.

Mailing address Contact phone number/s Email address Newsletter option

4) Details Needing Changes

Address:

Suburb: State: P/code:

Phone (Home): Phone (Mobile):

Email:

5) Newsletter Option

$20 for emailed newsletters $25 for posted newsletters

6) Agreement to Share Contact Details

My contact details may be shared with other club members YES NO

7) Payment Type Please indicate payment method

Cash Cheque/Mail Order (to be made payable to Uki Garden Club Inc) Direct Debit