Garden Club visits local jojoba farm

by publicity officer

Members were invited to Clare Felton-Taylor’s jojoba farm for our June meeting.

Clare gave a very interesting talk on the history of the jojoba plant, and the family jojoba farm near Goondiwindi, originally established after the big drought in the 1980s when it was decided that a drought-proofing crop was needed for the farming enterprise.

The jojoba trees, having originated in the deserts of Southern USA and Northern Mexico, needing less rain, and, with the harvest time more flexible, were the ideal choice.

In 2020, Clare purchased the property at Narrabri with a view to establishing a new plantation.

After initial setbacks with propagation of cuttings, COVID and rains, a crop was planted, and now, three years later, using organic fertilisers and without the use of insecticides and fungicides, Clare has harvested her first crop.

It is interesting to note that it is not an oil that is produced, but a wax.

Clare value adds by making various jojoba products on farm, such as moisturisers, soaps, lip balms etc.

After having our shoes sprayed to maintain bio security integrity, Clare conducted a walk down to the plantation and showed the young trees in situ, where the seeds, having dropped from the tree, are harvested manually.

This will become a mechanical process as the plantation develops.

She explained the ratio of the planting of male to female trees and how to tell the difference, the mounding of the rows, the spacing of the rows to allow for machinery, and the direction of the rows to best manage the natural flow of water for irrigation.

It was evident that Clare is very passionate about growing jojoba and has plans for expansion over the next few years.

Thanks for having us Clare, it was a very interesting morning.

Our bloom competition was won by Julie and Allan Alberts with some very pretty Grevillea flowers, and with Lindy McMicking taking second place with a rose – no easy feat in June.

Points are awarded to the winners each month with the highest point scorer at the end of the year taking home the Jean Harris Memorial trophy.

Ruth White and Ronald Hardy won the monthly raffle, taking home jojoba products made by Clare on the farm.

Our July meeting will be Wednesday, July 9, at Kimmi&Co Teahouse, 210 Maitland Street, commencing at 10am (see classifieds).

Kimmi has extended her teahouse to a covered area behind the existing coffee shop, where we can sit and enjoy the sunshine in a sheltered area.

Please order and pay for your own morning tea from the delicious selection available.

Our guest speaker will be Alison Young, the area co-ordinator for Northern Slopes Landcare.

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings, so feel free to come and join us.

For any queries, please contact Sue on 0459 629 190 or Noeline on 0427 922 340.