Farm Garden News

SAVE THE DATE

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽: 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝘀 & 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 – 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗰𝗼-𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺

Join us for a hands-on 3-hour workshop exploring how chickens and thoughtful planting can transform your garden into a flourishing, sustainable eco-system. Discover how to integrate chickens into your garden for soil health, pest control, and natural fertilisation, while learning the secrets of growing strong, productive citrus trees.

Through a mix of discussion, demonstration, and practical activities, you’ll explore:

•  How chickens support soil fertility and garden cycles
• Designing chicken runs with productive and protective plants
• Companion planting for shade, food, and pest control
• Best practices for citrus planting, pruning, and irrigation
• Simple, sustainable watering strategies

Together, we’ll plant a lemon tree, set up irrigation, and share practical tips to take home and apply straight into your garden. Whether you’re an experienced chicken-keeper or just starting out, this workshop will give you the confidence and knowledge to create balance, abundance, and resilience in your backyard.

Date: Saturday 6th September

Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: 163 Ragonesi Rd | The Alice Springs Steiner School

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻–𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺!

Even though our planting regime has been a bit out of whack lately due to the amount of time spent on creating our new chicken home, it’s pretty impressive just how many plants have self-sown! We’re particularly impressed with a self-sown Brussels sprout plant. Last year we tried to grow Brussels sprouts but only ended up with tiny, hard, pea-sized sprouts. We thought that perhaps our winters are too warm for them to be successful, so we didn’t sow any this year. Lo and behold, a big, bold self-seeder popped up and is producing super well. Hopefully the seed from this plant can support a decent crop next year.

Another garden treat has been students searching for lucky 4-leaf clovers. Today, a 5-leaf clover was found.

Class 6 Weekly Produce Stall

Class 6 were straight back into it during their first week back. Come and check out what’s for sale on Wednesday afternoons after school.

Water Garden

This project hasn’t progressed, as I’ve decided that the frame we have for the bath is too wonky to handle the weight of the water. Does anyone have an unused bath sitting in a strong frame at all?

Chickens

Our new coop — and some new chickens — are bringing much delight. At the working bee on Saturday, we dismantled the old coop and will now be able to prepare soil for planting out a chicken forest.

Thanks to whoever dropped off all the grain! We’re learning to ferment this grain in order to increase the nutrient content and other health-promoting properties.

Our Introduction to Backyard Chickens workshop last term was super well attended, and feedback was extremely positive. Nicky was a super knowledgeable and fun facilitator, and we might see a follow-up workshop in the future — there’s so much to learn!

Keep an eye out for a Citrus Care, Pruning and Integration into Chicken Runs Workshop we’re hoping to run next month. I’m currently negotiating with the wonderful Alex McClean. More to come.

Contributions to the Garden

1. Just a reminder that I’m up for extra help in the garden! If anyone’s interested in working alongside me, I work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Pop in or give me a call on the number below. Also, if you’d like to take on a task that you can do at your leisure, just let me know. Thanks for the different contributions so far.
2. School Gardeners WhatsApp Group: If you’d like to be added, please send your contact details.
3. 2025 Garden Working Bees: Please pop these dates in your diary and feel free to come for as little or as long as you can:

Kaz contact details: 📞 0427 461 047📧 gardener2@alicesteiner.nt.edu.au