Asparagus Beds:

Although establishing a good asparagus bed requires considerable work, your efforts will be rewarded. A well-planned bed can last from 20 to 30 years. For this reason, asparagus should be planted at the side or end of the garden, where it will not be disturbed by normal garden cultivation. Asparagus is one of the first
vegetables ready to harvest in the spring. Asparagus should be planted as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. One-year-old crowns or plants are preferred. The young plants have compact buds in the centre (crown), with numerous dangling,
pencil-sized roots.
Weeds and grasses are the worst problems with
asparagus. They compete with the developing spears, make an unsightly area in the garden and significantly decrease yield and quality. Start frequent, light, shallow cultivation early in the spring in both young plantings and mature patches that are being harvested.

Dear all, by the time you read this we will have had our AGM.  Hopefully we will have four new Board
members to ably assist the team in keeping the Centre as a viable and useable space for all community
members to come and enjoy.
I have resigned from the Board of the Mt Arthur
Centre to pursue a more active role in the
community.  For example, for the next few months I have volunteered one day per week to find out if
people need more support from Mental Health
Services.  One of the objectives for the project (run by the Richmond Fellowship) is to help people to have better access to these services and to find out what is lacking - if anything. 
I will also be focusing on Community
Development issues that are seen as important to those in this district. Please feel free to contact me
regarding anything you are concerned about or would like to see happening in Lilydale that would bring
people to a better understanding of themselves and each other.
At the Centre this month we have a yoga course
starting.  It begins 30th Sept and runs for 10
consecutive Tuesdays from 10am for approximately an hour.  It will be run by the Launceston Yoga Centre and the cost is $100.00 ($10.00 per session).  Alison Filgate is the person to contact if you would like to book your place on 6395 1052.  So far there are 10 participants 15 is the maximum.
Except for the Yoga class, two meetings, three private functions and two weekends of Art Therapy the
Centre is not putting on other activities during
September besides the straw bale working bees, (unless there's something someone would like to arrange!!).
The first aid course for women, run by Tafe was a huge success and we are looking for 10 more women for a course for the early part of term one 2004.  This is a free course.  If you are interested in putting your name down let me know.  Also Tafe have several courses that could be run here at the Centre.  If you are a trainer of something such as public speaking/presentation skills, returning to study/presenting
reports or anything suitable for women's study you can be paid to take classes here.  Great opportunity!!  We will need to know asap so Tafe can put us into their calendar.  We are in the process of negotiating for a public speaking course with Tafe at the moment for term one next year.  Any takers??
Anyway, have a wonderful spring and I'll see you in the village, hopefully.  Regards, Maggie.