New Site

We've moved the GCOG content off http://goldcoastorganic.com to it's new home here at http://gcorganicgrowers.blogspot.com so that it can concentrate on news just about the GCOG Club. All the relevant content is still here - enjoy!

August Newsletter now available

The August GCOG Newsletter is now available along with all the recent editions found on the Newletters page. Enjoy!

GCOG library goes online

The library has an amazing range of great books. However, until now, I find it has been difficult to get time at meetings to browse through the books and magazines. Now you can search for them and order them online. We hope we will then have your reserved items ready for when you arrive at the next meeting.

Bear with us for the first month or two, until we iron out any bugs though, and switch from the old paper-based system.

Some data needs minor correction, and DVDs are not on there yet, but that will be sorted out soon.

To access it, click on  "Our Library" in the "Links" part of the menus on the right side of the website.

Photos from Eco Village Visit

Had a great visit to the Currumbin Eco Village today. I had the kids (sorry for all the noise!), so it was a little difficult to take everything in, but was a great day. Here are photos:

Veggie Competition

Here are some of the entries in the Veggie competition so far. Please bring in your entries to the meetings!

Visit to Shangrilai Gardens

Jude hosted and presented a large range of flora that he grows: too much information to record it all.

Some of the plants and trees he talked about...

• Dragon fruit: both red and yellow varieties, and Sapote (a South American variety?) Red Dragon Fruit and Sapote was served with morning tea.
• Bonsia Ginkho: known as 'memory fruit' in China, take 10 years to fruit. the nut is good to roast. Jude knows of only one female tree in Queensland, possibly Australia: in Toowoomba.
• Chinese Peanut, and Malibar Chestnut.  Nuts were served at morning tea time.
• Camphorwood trees: much sought after by cabinet makers.
• Shangrilai Tree: Jude's own variety.
• Clumping Cane: has a round trunk, whereas spreading varieties have a notch or groove.
• Pomelo: similar to lemonade, but bigger.
• Bananas: a yellow fleshed Malaysian variety that are best cooked, and Sugar bananas.
• Tiger Grass: use the leaves for wrapping when cooking.
• An extensive garden with -
• Loofah, or luffa etc: also known as the "Dishloth Gourd". The tightly grown inner fibers make long wearing, useful sponges, and the young fruit is edible.
• Sweet potato
• Large beans which Jude is keeping for seed. Contact him for seeds as they will be available shortly.
• ... far too much was growing in there to name here ...

More pics here, many of which are of the above.

Tropical Garden visit, May 2nd

If you are interested in Dragon Fruit, Ginkgo, American Chestnuts, Chinese peanut trees …... and vegetables, herbs, native bees, tropical fruit trees and much more …… then come along to our first Club garden-outing of the year next Sunday!

We have a visit planned to the Shangri Lai Garden, which is the property of Club member Jude Lai, and is located by the Nerang River in Gilston. For many years, Jude organically farmed a 4 ½ hectare property near Beenleigh. When he moved to the Gold Coast, Jude brought with him many of the special exotic trees that he had grown, including a large Shangri Lai tree. (If you have a look at the web-site at http://www.shangrilaigarden.com you will get an idea of the many things that Jude has specialized in.)

The visit to Jude’s property will commence at 9.00 am on Sunday 2nd May, and the directions are listed below. We would suggest you bring some walking shoes or boots, and a hat, as we will be walking around to look at the trees, terraced vegetable gardens and other items of interest.

The address is 620 Gilston Road, Gilston, and (just in case we get lost) Jude’s contact numbers are 0403 772 684 and 5563 0281.

View Larger Map

1. If you are coming from Mudgeeraba and using Worongary Road, as you reach the junction of Gilston road, turn left of Gilston Rd, towards Hinze Dam.
2. Immediately about 20 ft from this Junction, turn right into a small slip road.
3. Go along this slip road, on the right, along a barb fence wire.
4. There are lots of letter post boxes standing out at this junction entrance.
5. My house is about 100 meters down this road on the left with lots of trees/ bushes/bamboos etc.
6. You will a see some sheep and a cow in the paddock.
7. A little sign with the word “Shangri Lai Garden” is on the gate post.

It sounds like a really interesting morning, so hope to see you there.

Regards,
Diane Kelly
GCOG Membership Secretary