There have been times when we have wondered if we are mavericks, doing this self-sufficiency thing on our own, surrounded by those who would prefer the convenience of a supermarket or the local fruit and vegie shop. Recently we found out that we are not alone, and in fact are surrounded by others who have the same love of good food and the same desire to grow their own. Welcome to our local neighbourhood Vegie Swap!
Once a month, on a Saturday morning, hail, rain or shine we meet under the pergola in a local park to swap excess produce, seedlings, herbal tea, eggs, whatever we have available at the time. There is no money involved, just place your produce on the tables provided, and take a little of what you don't have provided by others. We swap our eggs for lemons, or chicken poo soup for olive oil. It is an honour system and it saves us all a little money.
At the conclusion of each swap meet one member gives a small talk on a topic of their own choosing. It may be about growing new and unknown herbs, propagating from cuttings, growing edible manure crops, composting and even keeping chooks. We all have an expertise but are never experts of all that creates a garden. So we use our Vegie Swap to enlarge our skill level. These are run as mini workshops and all are well patronised. Boy I am looking forward to composting and I hope someone will run one on keeping a worm farm. Ana has bought hers but never set it up.
The vegies (and fruit) we bring are seasonal, just been picked and at the peak of their taste. Currently we are enjoying the last of the winter crops grown by the members, including pumpkin, greens and plenty of herbs. And there is nothing nicer than fresh lemons straight from the tree. During the summer months there will be more salad type vegetables including lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber. As we are fortunate to have a greenhouse we are already producing seedlings ready to swap, including some specifcally requested.
And most importantly we enjoy the fellowship of being part of a group that supports all things natural. We give, we learn, we develop and we share and isn't that what life should all be about. You may have a similar Swap Group in your own area. If you live in Australia try your local municipal council who may have as part of its structure a sustainable element. If you live overseas try your local governmental services, and if you live in Macleod, Victoria, Australia, write to me. And if you don't have one in your local area, start one of your own. You are not alone.
The following are photos and comments relating to our recent Vegie Swap held on Saturday 15th September 2013;
Once again we met on a typically overcast Saturday morning with baskets of goodies to swap including seedlings, citrus fruit, vegetables, herbs, packets of seeds, eggs, even low growing bed fencing and plenty of liquid fertiliser. Robyn's pumpkin seedlings were huge and snapped up very quickly by the members who attended.
Mala acted as "scribe" for the morning, recording every item provided by the members in either quantity, bunches or litres if anything was bought in jars. Mala is also famous for her "roof of mouth lifting" chillie sauce that I managed to steer clear of.
This is a selection of some of the items swapped by members. The important thing to note about what has been brought is that it is all home-grown or home-produced. Nothing comes from a packet or a tin. The jars of preserved lemons were in fact of Mala's doing from her own recipe.
And another table fully laden;
The fun is deciding what you want to take from the plethora of goodies provided. Decisions, decisions................
Now it is very early in spring in Melbourne and I could not get over the size of Robyn's pumpkin seedlings. Mine are only about half the size, even with a greenhouse. These were snapped up by members very quickly.
I am only sorry I did not take any photos during Marina's workshop on growing edible green manure crops. She has a great method of growing your own compost, adding to your soil and ensuring that growing beds are continually fertilised. I have to admit that I am still guilty of buying commercially prepared compost from time to time. Using Marina's method broad beans, fenugreek, buckwheat, coriander, lupins and many other legumes can be sown in unused raised vegetable beds for a few weeks and the resultant plants simply dug into the earth on maturity (or picked off and used in soups, etc).
It was another successful morning and this one just happened to be the 1st anniversary of the Macleod Vegie Swap group. Congratulations to all. The next meeting will be held on Saturday 20th October, 2013, commencing at 11:00am. Marina will host the second half of her Composting workshop, teaching us how to compost and stop it from smelling so bad.
Please note that a number of photographs shown on this page have been graciously provided by Paul Gale-Baker from the Macleod Vegie Swap group and have been published with sincere thanks.
The Macleod Vegie Swap group may be found on Facebook.
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