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Theres Drake

The Patch in Progress: Planting, Painting, and Sharing Stories

This week has been a whirlwind of activity as we made significant strides in the patch and beyond.


Our pumpkin patch is officially done! Planting is complete, irrigation is set up, and the beds are tucked under a cozy layer of straw. It’s satisfying to see it all come together.

Meanwhile, the potatoes are starting to poke their heads through the soil—a small but exciting milestone!

And the recent 20mm of rain has been a blessing, giving everything a much-needed soak.


The eco garden project has also seen some progress. We’ve started planting, but with the size of the space, I may need to sow a few more seeds to fill it all in.

At least our daughter has claimed her bed and already made it her own—a great reminder of how rewarding this project will be for the family.


Homeschool Highlights

Last week, we hosted a homeschool group meeting where a local artist taught us the art of china painting. Even for someone like me who doesn’t consider herself an artist, the results were stunning. It’s such a fascinating technique, and everyone left with their own little masterpiece.


A Mixed Garlic Harvest

We pulled up the garlic this week, but unfortunately, the yield was smaller than we’d hoped. The cloves are tiny, and while I have some ideas about what went wrong, it’s a lesson to carry forward into next year. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, nature has other plans.


Becoming More Self-Sufficient

This week marked the fourth module of our Becoming More Self-Sufficient course. The topics covered were all about keeping the garden productive: irrigation and watering strategies, mulching and weed control, and creating a herb and medicinal garden. We also spent time wandering through the patch to look at general maintenance practices.

It’s wonderful to see participants gaining confidence and connecting with their gardens in new ways.


Connecting with Local Producers

We hosted the final meeting of the Otway Harvest Trail for the year, welcoming a group of local producers to our patch. Sharing our story, walking through the garden, and exchanging ideas was a great way to reflect on the challenges and triumphs of the season. It’s a privilege to be part of such a supportive community.


Weekend Plans

Looking ahead, we’re keeping busy as usual!

Saturday at the Barn: Open from 11–5 with plenty of seedlings, produce, and treats on offer.

Camperdown Mini Festival: We’ll have a stall at Apex Park from 10–2. Come say hi!


Whether we’re planting pumpkins, sharing skills, or hosting visitors, there’s always something happening here.

Thanks for following along on our journey!

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