Gardening Workshop

Wednesday, February 17, saw six of us (and a baby!) gathering at Turtle and Moon for the early spring Organic Principles for Backyard Gardeners workshop. Rachael started these workshops last year, using the studio garden as a tool to make clean vegetable growing accessible to all, and so far they have been a great success.

Wednesday’s topics were starting seeds for summer vegetables, and the construction of a herb spiral – a permaculture concept that uses a spiral design to create the different microclimates favoured by a variety of herbs.

We started with a discussion on summer fruit and veg – which are propagated from seed and which from seedlings, and why. Then moved on to talk about the difference between hybrid and heirloom varieties – and why saving and planting the seeds from the delicious pepper or mango that you bought at the shop might not result in a plant of the same type.

Rachael had brought the boxes that she uses for seed starting, as well as a supply of newspaper (to line the boxes) and compost (as a seedbed), and a variety of seeds that grow well during Cyprus’ warmer months, and everyone set to work selecting and planting the seeds that they would like to see growing in their own gardens over the coming months. Eggplant, pepper, cherry tomato, water melon, sweet melon, beans, and strawberries were all on the table. As the seedlings grow, Rachael will be available to help with advice for transplanting.

After coffee we moved out to the clear area beyond the wall where Lise had decided to site the herb spiral. After laying a thick mat of cardboard about 2 metres square, we drew a spiral, then laid cinderblocks and rocks, building the spiral to a central summit. We filled the inside with layers of soil, goat manure, and straw, then bedded the plants into their new homes. Thuli (lemon geranium) is the centrepiece, and the sunny southern face hosts rosemary, lavender, and oregano. Sage and a rather succulent thyme occupy each side, and you'll find the chives, parsley and mint – planted in it’s pot and a larger enclosing bucket to discourage rampant suckers -- on the cooler northern side. There were no basil plantsat the nursery, so we made a little seedbed and planted some basil genovese for summer pesto.


























By noon the work was finished, and the final half-hour of the workshop passed in an informal question and answer session, exchanges of addresses and emails, and brainstorming for topics for the next workshop.



If you haven’t tried one of our gardening workshops, watch this space for announcements for the next one.