04/04/2026
Well, things are certainly starting to cool down and we've got our fingers, toes and everything else crossed hoping that the pumpkins, tomatoes and melons will ripen before the first frost so that we can extract those precious seeds.
It's such a beautiful time of year though, with all of the autumn colours beginning to show.
We've been keeping ourselves busy with a plentiful seed harvest of broad beans, celery, tomatoes and pumpkin and keep an eye out for our new 'Ancient Grain Collection' on our website. Have also been busy preparing the garden beds for garlic planting (although we haven't quite got that far yet!) and also dug up the first of the Jerusalem Artichokes which is so much fun!
As a young 12 year old, I remember reading the 'Yates Garden Guide' and dreaming about the wooden compost bins with the removable boards at the front.......... well guess what?!!! Forty-two years later, my dream has finally come true!!!! :0)
We're so excited about our new wooden compost bins (10 in total - just like in the book!) which are now ready for filling with autumn leaves. Our 5 acres produces such a large amount of leaves which are all collected, composted and then spread back out on the garden. It usually takes us a good 3 to 5 weeks of full time raking..... well worth the effort though!
Note: If you live in Tassie and have always wanted a wooden compost bin like the ones in the photos (no plastic!) then we highly recommend our supplier. He's just a young guy who builds these in his backyard out of recycled timber. They're super solid and we absolutely LOVE ours. He's based in Launceston and if you'd like his contact details just let us know.
Also, just a reminder....... Our Heritage Seed Bank is NOW OPEN Sunday to Thursday 9am to 2pm. Also open is Annsleigh Gardens which includes our heritage seed saving garden. If you're like me and you love looking at other people's gardens, you're welcome to come and wander around amongst the heirloom veggies and autumn leaves. Entry fee applies which helps us to keep the garden and seed saving going!
Note: Closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
(WARNING: We are a working seed farm so don't expect pristine and manicured. Still looks great though and plenty of 'rooms' to explore!)
We've also now just finished the Seed germination testing of our whole seed bank with the majority of seed packets showing up at 99% germination and all at over 85%.
With all this going on, this month we also attended the Heirloom Festival at Quamby Estate near Hagley with our market stall. Met a heap of gardening people and had fun presenting a talk about hand pollinating pumpkins. Yet just when you think all of the fun is over, we are also making plans for the absolutely huge Agfest happening on 6-8th May in Carrick, Tasmania. With over 55,000 people expected to come, we're just madly getting things ready. We'd love to see you there!
Note: Our Heritage Seed Bank and gardens will be closed during Agfest and the lead up to it from 6th to 10th May - reopening on 11th May.
Well, that's it for this month!
We hope you enjoy the photos!
Happy gardening!
Kerryn (& Akiera)
