We had wonderful success last year growing a significant number of carb-based vegetables for the Social Crust. Thanks to Martinborough Wine Makers Services for loaning us their paddock, we grew a heap of vegies to help bridge the food gap for those in our community struggling to make ends meet.
It was a fantastic experience, especially for those of us with little knowledge of growing corn, pumpkin and potatoes — all carbohydrate vegies (hence the name The Carb Club) — alongside a cover crop of sunflowers and other insect and soil nourishing plants. It was a rewarding season; we harvested over 700kg of potatoes and 1 tonne of pumpkins from land we dry-farmed.
It was a rewarding season; we harvested over 700kg of potatoes and 1 tonne of pumpkins from land we dry-farmed.
The potatoes stored well in a dark airy shed. The pumpkins were so tasty we had a bit of competition from a rat in their storage space, so they were shifted to the sunny veranda at the Food Bank. The pumpkins turned out to be a bright orange gift that keeps giving. As we cut them up for the Food Bank, we saved the seeds for our next crop. How good is that!
Ruamāhanga Farm Carb Club and the Social Crust collaborated on the project, with Helen and Ben Masters leading for us. In the miracle that is good community, the land was pre-prepared, baleage and seed gifted, a gate installed, parking arranged, and storage offered — all free of charge. When the time was right, we gathered a team of volunteers to plant, weed, fertilize and harvest. The team was a real cross-section of our community, including young volunteers from local vineyards and some here for vintage from overseas. The project took on its own life, becoming a special way to give back.
If you’re looking to add something meaningful to your experience of community, we’re seeking volunteers again for this growing season.
We’re planting Saturday 24th October (rain date 31st October) 9.30am – 2pm
We’re fertilizing and weeding Thursday 19th November (rain date 26th November) – 5pm
We’re fertilizing and weeding again Thursday 14th January (rain date 21st January) – 5pm
It’s a small commitment of time in the scheme of things but will definitely bring its rewards: you’ll learn some tips about growing vegies, meet some great people and experience what can be achieved when a community works together to achieve a goal.
Contact Helen if you’d like to offer time or learn more: 027 254 7467.
