Friday 20 August 2010

Seedy Sunday Spring

Sunday 19 September 2pm
Paraparaumu Memorial Hall, Tutanekai St
Entry $2


He was such a hit last year that we're bringing back Darcy Philp, chicken man and lead consultant on This Way Up's Funky Chicken Farm project. Darcy will be bringing some of his favourite birds in, giving us a rundown on bird health and welfare and what you need to know to keep chickens in your own backyard. Bring all your chicken-related questions!

Remember to bring along any excess produce from your garden, useful plants or spare seeds to swap.

If there is anything in particular you want to see on the swap table this month leave a comment on this post asking and it may prompt someone to bring it along.


The Funky Chicken Farm - Excellent show from Radio NZ with mp3s & videos.

Thursday 15 July 2010

Seedy Sunday now Springing into September

We're doing a bit of rejigging of the Spring event planned for August, now in September. But don't worry - you won't be left out in the cold - there are other great things to do this July and August thanks to the Chill-Ed Winter Skills Series in Paekakariki.

Chill-Ed is a series of informal community-organised classes, being run in Paekakariki over July and August. To book a place in any workshop email sustainable.communities@kapiticoast.govt.nz or phone Stacey Gasson on 905 0560. Entry to all workshops is by koha/donation. Additional material costs are noted in the workshop
description.

Quick Breads
Learn how easy it is to make ‛instant’ breads like chapatti and soda bread, accompanied by a discussion about bread-making in general. Demonstration followed by a simple lunch of warm breads, cheese and the like. Bring a sense of fun and a little memory or notebook. Ingredients & meal provided ‒ koha to be gifted to the establishment of Kapiti School, Kenya (a school and forest/wildlife conservation centre) – see http://www.kapitischoolkenya.org/home
With Frano Schuster-Keith at 8 Te Miti Street
Saturday 24 July, 11am – 1pm
Bookings required ‒ limited to 8 people

Media Skills for Community Groups 1: Writing for the Media
How to prepare a press release and get it into the hands of the media, plus a little about dealing with journalists. No materials required, but bring a laptop if you have one. Note: This workshop is in two sessions.
With Sam Buchanan at St Peter’s Hall, Beach Road
Tuesday 27 July AND Tuesday 3 August, 7 – 9 pm
Bookings required

Warmer, Drier, Healthier Homes
Richard Morrison, Kāpiti Coast District Council’s eco-design advisor, will be discussing a range of things we can do to improve the energy efficiency of our homes. Measures will range from simple and free to the more complex.
With Richard Morrison at St Peter’s Hall, Beach Road
Thursday 29 July, 7 – 9 pm

Worm Farming
Turn your kitchen scraps into compost and liquid fertiliser. John Wraight will demonstrate building a worm farm from recycled materials, talk you through the basics and send you off with the raw ingredients (tiger worms!) to start your own.
With John Wraight at 91 Wellington Road
Saturday 31 July, 10am – 12pm
Bookings appreciated
Please bring homegrown produce as koha

Introduction to Ukelele
Get to grips with this fine instrument under Hugh’s relaxed tutelage. This is a class for beginners. Bring a ukulele and something to eat/drink if you want.
With Hugh Brown at Paekakariki Playcentre
Saturday 31 July, from 8pm

Paekakariki Ukes (PUKES)
An informal gathering on the first Saturday of each month where we play ukulele and sing together. Bring a uke and whatever you want to eat/drink. For a printable copy of the songs we have played before email hugh.brown@paradise.net.nz You don’t have to be experienced, just willing to have a go ‒ you can just sing, do percussion or drink if that's where your skills are at, or even play something other than a ukulele (but please no amplified instruments, tubas or pipe organs).
With PUKES at Paekakariki Playcentre
Saturday 7 August, from 8pm

Media Skills for Community Groups 2: Sub-Editing
Basic typography and editing skills for people preparing material for publication. No materials required, but bring a laptop if you have one.
With Sam Buchanan at St Peter’s Hall, Beach Road
Thursday 10 August, 7 – 9 pm
Bookings required

Earthships: what, how and why?
In this presentation Steve Bright will be outlining the basic principles of Earthship buildings, their pros and cons, and answering any questions that he can. Depending on interest, practical workshops may be held later. Earthship buildings were developed over the last thirty years or so by American architect Mike
Reynolds to reduce the costs of building new houses, the running costs and the ongoing environmental costs. He coined the phrase ‛biotecture’ for his ideas and designs for buildings that work in harmony with the Earth’s natural systems and used what he describes as ‛the new natural resource’ ‒ old car tires ‒ as the basic building block.

Steve Bright is an engineer by trade. In 2003 he built an Earthship with the Low Carbon Network(Brighton) and Mike and his team. At present he is helping a local person design, and hopefully later build, their own ‛Earthship-style’ building.
With Steve Bright at St Peter’s Hall, Beach Road
Thursday 12 August, 7 – 9pm
Bookings appreciated

Eco Cleaners
Helen Heath is a writer and crafter who tries to have less impact on the world. She blogs at http://helenheath.com Helen will be sharing how to make your own ‛Spray and Wipe’ and ‛Jif’ substitutes using liquid castille soap, baking soda and water. She also has a load of household tips and tricks to share. Bring an empty spray bottle, a plastic box that can hold about half a litre and approx 400g of baking soda. Castille soap will be provided at a cost of $5 per person. Optional: If you have some essential oils at home you can bring them along too.
With Helen Heath at Paekakariki Playcentre
Sunday 15 August, 2 – 4pm
Bookings required
$5 for materials + koha

Introductory Home Brewing – Ten Tips for Success
Get some pointers for making your own beer from former Paekakariki residents, John and Joe. Workshop may retire to a nearby residence for further research into particular brews.
With John Anderson & Joe Buchanan at Paekakariki Playcentre
Wednesday 18th August, 7 – 9pm
Bookings required

Sushi
Learn to make a range of yummy, easy sushi. The word ‘sushi’ refers to the vinegar rice – what you do with it after that is up to you. Please bring a rolling mat – available from the Station Kiosk at the railway station – and a pair of kitchen scissors.
With Satsuki Hall at Paekakariki Playcentre
Wednesday 25th August, 7 – 9pm
Bookings required: limited to 10 people
$10 for materials + koha

Composting
All good gardening starts with compost, so join Hannah for a ‛hands-on’ workshop building a compost heap. Discussion will include materials, carbon/nitrogen ratios, compost starters, troubleshooting and other methods of recycling your waste. Bring fruit and vegetable scraps, non-invasive weeds and carbon materials (dead leaves, straw etc.) if you can, or just come anyway.
With Hannah Zwartz at 23 Te Miti Street
Saturday 28 August, 10am – 12pm
Bookings appreciated

Thursday 17 June 2010

Kapiti's Seedy Sunday Events Moving to a New Format

Hi everyone,

I’ve thought long and hard, done some customer research and decided that it’s time Seedy Sunday had a bit of a revamp. It’s just become increasingly difficult to source speakers and my research tells me these are a major drawcard. I’m also concerned about event fatigue – are we doing these events a bit too often? The conclusion I’ve come to is yes.

What this means is that the monthly Seedy Sunday events will be cancelled. It’s been fun. But I think we can continue to have fun on a less frequent basis. My thoughts are that doing a bigger, brighter edition of the meetings a couple of times a year is probably enough

So, we will be back in August with a special edition of Seedy Sunday in preparation for spring – with a new format to be announced. More details soon…

So save up those seeds, get your garden planning underway and we’ll see you in August!

Thanks for all your support over the last year that these monthly meetings have been running!

Have a safe and warm winter,

~ Anna


Want to help with the next event? Want to be a speaker? Want to be involved with seed-saving in the Wellington region?  Leave a comment below and I'll get back to you asap.

Friday 21 May 2010

Kapiti’s Wetlands Need You! 3 Great Community Events Coming Up


The world needs wetlands

Wetlands are considered the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems. They provide a habitat and enormous food source for fish, birds and other animals. These areas support the greatest concentrations of bird life of any habitat in New Zealand and support far more species that a comparable forest area. Native fish need wetlands too. And we need these species.

Wetlands are vital organs for our environment. They are able to sink carbon and can reduce the impacts of increased rain preventing flooding. They help stabilise shorelines and riverbanks. Wetlands also help to improve water quality by filtering and adding oxygen to water.

Over 90% of the wetlands in New Zealand have been drained since European settlement, mainly to create farmland. So it’s incredibly important that we work together to protect, conserve and restore these very special areas.

Kapiti wetlands need to be restored - help plant trees at these events


Three Kapiti community groups are asking for volunteers to help them plant out local wetland areas. Come and plant some trees, meet others in your community, learn a bit, get a great sense of satisfaction and be active!

Make sure you wear good footwear, bring a spade if you can and a bag to take away any rubbish.

Sunday 23 May from 9.30am

Queen Elizabeth Park, near the intersection of Matai Rd and Poplar Ave, Raumati

Raumati South Residents Association

The RSRA have received DOC funding to restore a rare type of wetland area. Live music and a fun event for all the family. To be held rain or shine.

Saturday 29 May from 9am

Waikanae Estuary, Manly St entrance, Paraparaumu

Waikanae Estuary Care Group

Get your feet dirty, plant some native trees and have fun. Planting, morning tea, estuary walk and talk tour, BBQ and prize draw.

Saturday 29 May from 9am

Otaki River Estuary, Kapiti Lane, Otaki

Friends of the Otaki River

Bring your own spade but holes will be pre-dug for people and morning tea will be provided.

For more information on wetlands:


http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wetlands


http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/land-and-freshwater/wetlands/

http://www.gw.govt.nz/a-beginner-s-guide-to-wetland-restoration/

Wednesday 12 May 2010

May Seedy Sunday Cancelled

I hate to do this but I'm afraid for reasons outside my control this Sunday's event has had to be cancelled. Hopefully all will be right as rain for the June event. Remember to keep an eye on the website for details www.seedysundaynz.blogspot.com

Kind regards,
Anna

Monday 3 May 2010

Vegetable Gardening: Working with Weeds, Pests & Diseases

 

 When: Sun 9 May, 1:00pm–5:00pm
Where: Devereux Greenhouse, 20 Reikorangi Rd, Waikanae
Cost:  $50


By combining an understanding of the basic principles of good growing with practical activities, you can build the knowledge & experience needed to be a gardener who produces healthy, tasty, nutritious vegetables.


In this four-hour workshop:
Learn how to feed and care for your plants to produce healthy, tasty, nutritious vegetables. Learn what the weeds, pests and diseases we find in our gardens are teaching us and how to work with them accordingly.


Instructor Colin Walker has a huge amount of gardening and seed-production experience. He has recently starred in the very popular Veggie iPlot segment on Radio NZs This Way Up with Simon Morton.


Book tickets online at Eventfinder.

Friday 30 April 2010

Notes from Louise Wallace - Seedy Sunday April

"A healthy person has many wishes, a sick person has only one." - Indian proverb

According to the WHO, 80% of people use some form of natural therapy.

Infusions are made with leaves and flowers
Decoctions are made from stems and roots
Must be simmered for at least 10 minutes and three cups a day should be drunk for therapeutic effect. A new batch should be made each day for that day's consumption.

Sage
-- Harvest before it comes into flower.
-- Used for fevers, head colds, toothache and menopause.
-- Gargle for sore throats or ulcers.
-- Use a strong infusio for nervous headaches.

Thyme
-- Antiseptic, antispasmodic, antibacterial.
-- Tonic for the immune system.
-- Good for whooping cough, intestinal worms.

Feverfew
-- Prepare before flowering.
-- For migraines eat one leaf a day.
-- Expels afterbirth and brings on menstruation.

Garlic
-- Expectorant, anticoagulant, antiparasitic.
-- Lowers blood cholesterol and pressure and excellent for type 2 diabetes.
-- Garlic tea decoction - boil for 10 mins and leave overnight.

Lemon balm
-- Use all aerial pars before flowering.
-- Antispasmodic, antiviral, calmative.
-- Reduces fever.
-- Cold sores - use essential oil and drink tea.

Borage
-- Pick flowers before they bloom. Can dry at this point too.
-- Use whenever you have an infection. Good to use after corticosteroids.
-- Supports adrenal glands when stressed.

Comfrey
-- Mash tops with calendula and leave on cuts and grazes.

Chickweed
-- Eat raw or juice. Goes well with potato dishes and pasta.
-- Source of Vit C, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, manganese, protein.
-- Use as a restorative after colds and flu.
-- For eczema use a strong infusion in the bath with a sockful of oats.

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Seedy Sunday this Weekend - April 18

A super quick note to say we're on again this Sunday, 2pm Paraparaumu Memorial Hall.

Guest speaker will be Reikorangi medical herbalist Louise Wallace.

Pop your requests for the swap table below in the comment section and some lovely fairy godperson may grant your wishes.

See you Sunday.

Monday 22 March 2010

Seedy Sunday presents the Homegrown Food Swap this Sunday

Seedy Sunday is thrilled to be working with the Kāpiti Coast District Council to bring the Homegrown Food Swap to the Sustainable Home & Garden Show.

The Homegrown Food Swap gives gardeners the chance to swap their spare fresh produce. It’s a great opportunity to swap your extra zucchinis for beans, or your lemons for someone else’s carrots. Maybe you have too many parsley seedlings – bring some down on the day.

Check in from 1.00 - 3.30pm

When people come in they can ‘check-in’ items that they wish to swap, receiving tokens in return. There will be someone sorting what is brought into divisions and deciding on the amount of tokens to be given in exchange.

Suggestions for a ‘token’ would be a head of lettuce, a potted vege seedling, a potted herb cutting, a bunch of fresh herbs, a couple of lemons etc.

From 2.00pm the Swap Table will be open for swapping.

There will be a section for spray-free produce.  Any items not swapped will be donated to the Kāpiti Food Bank.

The Fine Print:
  • Tokens have no monetary value and are only valid at the swap. Tokens cannot be redeemed or exchanged once the event is over.
  • Amounts will be generalised at the whim of the organisers.
  • All items are as is, where is. SSK takes no responsibility for incorrectly-labelled items, sudden plant death or viability problems.
  • We do this for love, we do this for community - so please be kind.

Tuesday 16 March 2010

March wishlist

Here's your opportunity to let us know what you would really like to see on the next swap table. Just add a comment below and that may prompt someone to bring along that special something you've been looking for.

Requests for agapanthus, non-related items or bank account details will be summarily dismissed. 

If you're new to the SSK concept, take a look at 'the basics' page.

Monday 15 March 2010

The March edition - this Sunday

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to let you know that we are on again, this weekend.

No guest speaker this time. We're going to have a bit of a chat instead about how SS has been going, what we want to do in the coming months -- because guess what? Next month Seedy Sunday will be celebrating our first birthday. So this month we're going to forget about the experts and talk about us - you, me and our local community.

As always, the ever-popular swap table will be operating. Bring all your goodies.

The Kapiti Sustainable Home & Garden is on March 27 & 28th. I'll be having a stall there to promote Seedy Sunday. There will also be a fresh produce swap on the Sunday so keep that day free. Lynda Hallinan, editor of NZ Gardener and star of Prime's Get Growing will be speaking on the Saturday. Should be lots of fun.

Looking forward to seeing you this weekend,

Anna