Pommes des terre and pommes at Mudgee
The humble potato and cider apples will feature at NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) horticultural display at this year’s Mudgee Small Farm Field Days (SFFD).
NSW DPI Mudgee district horticulturist, Sue Marte, said the Department would be celebrating the International Year of the Potato with a number of spud-based activities.
"The Cudgegong Learning Community (CLC) has embraced the potato theme - there will be potato art in the CLC tent and they will be running a treasure hunt with a focus on potatoes," Ms Marte said.
"All entrants in the hunt are entitled to a reward as we will be handing out seed potatoes which they can take home to plant in the garden."
Ms Marte said the Mudgee SFFD would also provide an opportunity for visitors to find out more about the ancient art of growing cider apples.
"David Pickering from the Orange Agricultural Institute has recently returned from a study tour in France and the UK which has helped him confirm at least 30 cider apple varieties are growing in Australia," she said.
"He’ll have information on cider apples which are available to local growers and will be able to answer questions about cider apple production.
"Visitors to the field days will be able to take five as they sample a variety of green teas.
"A Garden Clinic too is planned, where people can bring their pest and disease problems for NSW DPI staff to identify and answer questions.
"Olive pruning and harvesting, rose pruning and grafting, a no-dig garden, grapevine pruning for production, pome and stone fruit tree pruning and hazelnuts - in the garden, hedge and kitchen are all on our lecture program."
Recycled organics for use as compost and mulch, mulching to control weeds and conserve moisture, and lawn management will also feature.
To find out more about the NSW DPI horticultural program for this year’s Mudgee SFFD contact Ms Marte, (02) 6372 4700 or check out the field days’ site www.arec.org.au
Mudgee SFFD which will be held on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19 at the Australian Rural Education Centre on Cassilis Road.
Digital pictures available from bernadette.york@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Media contact: Bernadette York, (02) 6391 3936 or 0427 773 785