Yarram Seed Seekers. Treasure Hunters for the future. - Aboriginal items alongside West German pottery

The collector addiction. Anyone can catch it. It is passed on an item at a time. It adds historical meaning to the future. Above all it is fun, fun fun!

Black Wattle

December 5th 2008 02:00

I am in the process of scarifying black wattle seed ready for planting. The original plants hitched a ride in a load of sheep manure that I put around my garden. With weeks little wattle plants were poking their heads up. Over the next 12 months the plants grew as tall as the house. Small clumps of yellow pom poms appeared to be followed by long seed pods.

I've since collected the seed pods and now I'm scarifying. I placed the seeds in a cup and poured over boiling water. Left for two hours, the seeds have produced tiny brown 'germs', the begining of a new seed life. I will plant these directly into my garden. I need a hedge out the front of the house. The black wattles will display beautifully with their masses of yellow wattle sprays.

Black Wattle - Acacia Decurrens grow in full sun, medium soils and flower in the Australian Autumn. Tannin is extracted from the bark to tan animal skins and the timber can be used for woodwork. You wont find a more abundant, easy to grow and a fast grower.

Acacia Decurrens outside my study

After 2 hours the seeds germinated.

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Posted By: Julie Cook - Category: No Category

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A collection for the future.

December 1st 2008 05:16

Have you every considered collecting seeds? I began years ago out of boredom. Travelling in the heat one day with no air conditioner I stopped at a roadside area surrounded by gum trees. I sat underneath a tree to get some relief from the heat. And then I saw them. All around my feet. Hard shelled seed pods. I kicked one with my foot and a scurry of ants and little white eggs popped out. I kicked another one and it rolled away from me leaving a trail of tiny black seeds. Intriged, I picked up the seed pod and walked around looking for more. There were several types of gum trees and I collected a handfull of different pods.

Later at home I placed the pods on a sunny windowsill. Within a week all pods had opened and 1000s of tiny seeds had been born. I experimented with all sorts of seeds. Collecting after a tree had flowered, placing the seeds in jars and labelling. I give out seeds as gifts. Passing on a fragment of the past for the future. Last year we sold our old Kombie van and a it was being moved a bag of seeds fell out of the door. A year on the Tasmanian Blue gum is 10 foot high!

Collecting seed is so beneficial. Climate change will undoubtedly affect some plants and extinguish others for good. Next time you walk past a tree and see some seed pods, take a few home in your pocket. Place on a sunny window sill and start a wonderfull journey into seeds, a collection for the future.

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Posted By: Julie Cook - Category: No Category

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The addiction of treasure hunting

December 1st 2008 04:43

Who has a special item given to them from a grandad, an auntie? Or did you find something unusual one day whilst out walking or playing? Every collector has a trigger, a starting point that pushed them along the path of collecting. When I was 10 years old I joined the Natural History Society and went out bush in far northern SA. I found meteorites, Aboriginal stone tools, fossilizied shells. I was given a Barbie doll for my birthday. I wanted every Barbie and Ken and Scooter that came onto the market. Years later I was given a tea set from my grandmother. I was really interested then. I scoured op shops for old rose decorated china pieces. I was hooked. My addiction grew into old toys, black dolls, old biscuit tins and lastly, Australiana pottery, Diana Pottery and Studio Anna.

Our collection grew so big we had a sea change and bought a lovely antique shop at 7 Yarram Street, Yarram , Gippsland, Victoria. Come in and browse through the many items we have for sale.

We also collect seed! Planting for the future is a must. Free seed is everywhere and its there for the taking. Check out your own garden, friends or relatives, even while walking. I always ask permission before I take seed from a private garden. Owners are more than happy to give you seed from their plants. returning the following year with a propagated plant seals the friendship!

We welcome any seed, any time. Just place in an envelope, label on the front what the seed is and pop it through our mail box in 7 Yarram Street.

Whatever you collect, happy wandering!

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Posted By: Julie Cook - Category: No Category

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December 2008

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