Mac’s tip of the week

“This week, my topic is that iconic plant called Rosemary. Tough, hardy, colourful, historical, culinary, medicinal, and (although not native) a very Australian plant. It comes to mind now because it can be found growing wild on the Gallipoli peninsula. But it also grows very well in the ‘soils’ of Nillumbik! Plant it now, water in well, and never water it again! And it will be one of your favourite garden battlers for years to come.

“Rosemary is believed to have properties to improve the memory, so the link with Anzac Day and Remembrance Day continues. Remembering our past, especially wrongs of our past, can only guide us to new understanding, and approach, to our future. ‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them’.

“So, there are many reasons to plant a rosemary in your garden.”

View all of Mac’s tips.

Which potting mix is best?

One of the best local blogs is Leaf, Root & Fruit’s. Earlier this month, they posted the results of their experiments with different potting mixes. As they concluded: “There is a huge variation in the performance of each of the potting mixes.” and thus “Never underestimate the importance of good quality soil in growing your fruit and veggies. Interestingly, price isn’t always a good indicator of quality.”

Previously, Leaf, Root & Fruit had written about their experiments with bagged and unbagged potting mixes where one of their conclusions was: “despite one bagged potting mix being 5 times more expensive than the cheap bagged potting mix, there was virtually no difference in performance“.

What to plant in May (click here for more details)

Here is a list:

Broad beans Carrot Chickpea Chives

Coriander Fennel Garlic Lettuce

Mizuna Mustard greens Onion Oregano

Pak choy Peas Radish Rocket

Shallot Silverbeet Spinach

As winter draws nearer, the list of what can be planted grows shorter. But, if you want to try something different, now is a good time to plant chickpeas.

Pruning raspberries

Vera Herman wrote in to ask how her raspberries should be pruned. Here’s my answer. If anyone else has something to add (or correct), just email me.

There are two types of raspberry:

• ‘Summer bearing’, which fruit once a year, on 2nd year canes in summer.
• ‘Everbearing’, which fruit twice a year, on 2nd year canes in summer, and on 1st year canes in autumn.

Now is a good time to be pruning your raspberries because, whichever type you have, it will have finished fruiting for the year. However, the two types should be pruned differently. If you haven’t yet worked out which type you have, prune them as though they are ‘summer bearers’.

For the ‘summer bearers’: cut all the canes that have fruited down to the ground (because they won’t fruit again). If you don’t know which canes have fruited, they are the longer and thicker ones, and they often have multiple lateral branches. Thin the others to 5-7 per plant, shorten them as desired, and tie the ends to your trellis.

For the ‘everbearers’: you can prune them like the ‘summer bearers’, in which case you will get two crops (in summer and autumn), neither of which will be prolific. Alternatively, you can sacrifice next summer’s crop for a better autumn crop by simply cutting all the canes down to the ground. Clearly, the second approach would not be good if your raspberries are, in fact, ‘summer bearers’ as it will result in no fruit next year! But it is (arguably) the best approach if you want raspberries in the autumn, and it is also the quickest.

I rather like the Wikihow raspberry pruning page.

Food appeal to kick off next week

Look out for the launch of Leader’s biggest annual campaign, the Feed Melbourne Appeal, in your Leader newspaper next week. The month-long appeal raises money to help re-direct surplus food away from landfill and get it to charities that help needy families across Melbourne. Every dollar donated to the appeal goes to food charities helping people in need. The appeal was co-founded by Leader News and food charity FareShare, and is supported by Newman’s Own Foundation and Woolworths. There are lots of ways to get involved – find out how at feedmelbourne.org.au

Community gardening news

Eucalypt Community Garden at Wollert – progress report

Alicia Davenport writes in to say they have now built 6 raised beds, planted out 3 of the garden beds with donated seedlings, completed their herbarium, and started both an arbor and a compost bay.

St Pius X Community Garden working bees

When: Saturday, 20th May, 9am-1pm and Saturday, 17th June, 9am-1pm.
Where: St Pius X Community Garden, Waterdale Road, Heidelberg West.
Proposed jobs: build chicken run; continue clean up; dismantle propagating hot house; and removal of fence. Enjoy a BBQ lunch and chat to other members of your local community.

6 Asian recipes

Kelly Meredith, from Under The Pickle Tree, has submitted 6 recipes: Burmese barbecued pork shoulder, pad thai, Thai chicken ball green curry, Thai pumpkin soup, Thai red curry fish cakes and Vietnamese mango salad with coconut vinegar dressing. Thanks, Kelly!

Surprising pics that show how food looks before it’s harvested

These 30 pictures of ‘unusual’ fruit and veggies (across 3 pages) are quite interesting. Thanks to Paul Gale-Baker for pointing it out. How many of them have you grown and with what success? I have grown 11, 4 successfully (asparagus, globe artichoke, peanut and pomegranate), 1 unsuccessfully (brussels sprouts) and 6 works in progress (almond, avocado, banana, jabuticaba, kiwifruit and pineapple).

Joke of the week

This week’s joke has been submitted jointly by Lynne Gough and Dave Richards (aka Blue Tango): Why does Elton John never eat cos lettuce? Coz he is more of a rocket man. Thanks Lynne and Dave!

New events – Darebin Homemade Food & Wine Festival

Celebrate food traditions and sustainable food practice at the Darebin Homemade Food and Wine Festival. The week-long program (29th May to 4th June) features workshops, seminars, demonstrations and special events which will have you exploring culture through food and getting you inspired about all things homemade. For more information, contact Emily Fuller of Darebin Council by phone (8470 8593) or email.

A Mexican feast

What: Popular for her monthly taco nights, Juanita from Juanita’s Kitchen will teach you how to make (and eat!) a Mexican meal, including perfect tortillas from scratch. Plus tips and ideas for creating quick and easy dips and salsas, recipes and a goodie bag to take home.
When: Monday, 29th May, 5.45-7.30pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: $59.
Bookings: Darebin website or phone .
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Local legends series: Maria Echevarria-Lang – Chato: Spanish

What: Join Maria to journey through the origins of tapas whilst she cooks some traditional and some variations to this very Spanish way of eating. Salmon, jamon, chorizo and some other not so well known dishes. She may even throw a paella into the mix.
When: Monday, 29th May, 6.30-8pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: Free, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Learn about Lentil as Anything

What: Lentil as Anything. Ever wondered how a pay-as-you-feel, volunteer-run restaurant operates? Join them for a tour of the Thornbury restaurant and Common Ground community space and learn more about the history, philosophy and vision of Lentil as Anything and how you can get involved. After the tour, join them for a vegan community feast.
When: Monday, 29th May, 5-6pm and Saturday, 3rd June 11.30am-midday.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: Pay-as-you-feel, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Vegan dips workshop

What: Lentil as Anything’s vegan chef Aimee will show you how to make the trio of dips entrée.
When: Tuesday, 30th May, 3.30-4.30pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: Free, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sweet persian delights – dessert masterclass

What: Free to feed Chef Hamed will share the secrets behind delicious Iranian desserts including rosewater baghlava, sholezard (saffron rice pudding with roasted rhubarb) and Persian nougat gaz(a sticky candy originating from Isfahan in Iran). Hamed will also show how to make his gorgeous sour cherry jam and all participants will take a sample jar home to enjoy.
When: Tuesday, 30th May, 6.30-8.30pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: $70.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Bangers and beers v2.0

What: Learn how to make Italian style sausages from start to finish with Marco Finanzio (Umberto Espresso Bar) and James Mele (The Meat Room). Then feast on the freshly-made produce matched with Italian craft beers.
When: Tuesday, 30th May, 7-9pm.
Cost: $63.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sri Lankan cooking traditions

What: Lentil as Anything’s diverse community is reflected in the food that they serve. They have a particular connection to Sri Lankan culture through founder Shanaka Fernando and their many Sri Lankan chefs, who will share some of their traditional recipes.
When: Wednesday, 31st May, 3.30-4.30pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: Pay-as-you-feel, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Kimchi workshop

What: Lentil as Anything’s catering chef Chase will show you how to make kimchi, a traditional Korean side dish made of fermented cabbage. Bring a large jar.
When: Wednesday, 31st May, 6-8pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: Pay-as-you-feel, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Explore Indian spices

What: Join Raman Nakul from Thornbury’s Spice Alley to explore cooking with Indian spices at home. Raman will show you how to cook traditional Indian dishes including turmeric chai and daal bhaat – with a focus on de-mystifying the use of spices along the way.
When: Wednesday, 31st May, 6.30-8pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: $10.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Local legends series: Yoko Inoue – Shoku Iku: Raw Organic

What: Everyone knows we need to eat more real whole foods. Does it mean boring tasteless meals? Yoko from Shokuiku will show you how to make delicious raw vegan meals with ingredients that deliver all the nutrients and enzymes right to your body. Gluten-, dairy- or refined sugar-free, these recipes include zucchini pasta with creamy kale and dairy-free parmesan cheese, as well as a decadent chocolate truffles.
When: Wednesday, 31st May, 6.30-8pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: Free, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Maria’s homemade pasta secrets

What: The Umberto Espresso Bar has been serving pasta for nearly a decade. Maria Serra has been supplying pasta to Melbourne restaurants and cafes for many years. She will show you her homemade pasta secrets and you will be able to sample it on the night.
When: Wednesday, 31st May, 7-9pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: $63.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Make your own kombucha

What: Kombucha is a fermented probiotic drink that has been consumed for thousands of years and has numerous health benefits. Chef Chase will show you how to make your own, no starter kit needed, just bring a small jar.
When: Thursday, 1st June, 6-8pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: Pay-as-you-feel, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Local legends series: Angela Nicolettou, Angela’s Kitchen – Crete

What: Join Angela from Angela’s Kitchen and be inspired by the food of the beautiful Greek island of Crete – food that is grounded in the Mediterranean diet – lots of veghies, olive oil, seafood and a touch of sweetness. Dishes will include wild greens with potatoes, baked eggplant dip, Cretan salad, grilled octopus and, to finish, baked seasonal fruit with thick honeyed yoghurt.
When: Thursday, 1st June, 6.30-8pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: Free, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Vegetable ferments and cultured condiments

What: Not sure what to do with your surplus garden produce? Want to add some probiotics to your diet? Join Darcy Watson-Russell to learn the basic lacto-fermentation technique for vegetables. This workshop will covers sauerkraut, kimchi, cultured tomato and chilli sauces, as well as an introduction to fermenting theory and troubleshooting tips.
When: Thursday, 1st June, 6.30-8.30pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: $10.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

How to make kolache

What: Learn the history of this traditional Czech pastry and hear the story behind Kolache Cravings’ modern twist. Kolache Cravings’ pastry chef Van will take you step-by-step through the process of making this artisan pastry. Try out your own sweet or savoury flavour, sample your creation and take some home.
When: Thursday, 1st June, 7-8.30pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: $10.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

The art of perfect roti

What: Learn the secret to making the perfect soft roti while exploring Indian food traditions. Himanshi from Foodie Trails will demonstrate how to make roti while sharing her love of everyday Indian food. Born and bred in Mumbai, Himanshi brings a wealth of knowledge passed down through the family kitchen. At the end of the session, enjoy a tasting portion of delicious potato curry and rice.
When: Friday, 2nd June, 2-3.30pm.
Where: Reservoir.
Cost: Free, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sri-Lankan pop-up dinner

What: Melbourne chef Laura Neville is teaming up with Charu from Free to Feed to bring you a Sri Lankan feast, re-creating recipes from Charu’s family kitchen. Charu is a former chef/restaurateur from Colombo, Sri Lanka and is currently seeking asylum in Australia. Expect authentic, heart (and belly) warming dishes with a contemporary twist.
When: Friday, 2nd June, 7.30-10.30pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: $60.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

(Come, eat) II: the art of homemade sambal

What: Where does the food we eat come from? Uncover and savour the diverse intricacies of homemade sambal and the web of social histories that comes with each recipe at this showcase of recipes of local sambal lovers. Visit the exhibition and join in the storytelling over lunch or dinner.
When: Friday, 2nd June and Saturday, 3rd June, both 1-2pm and 7-8pm.
Where: Northcote.
Cost: $30.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Homemade wine making with Home Make It

What: Presented with Home Make It. The session will cover wine basics and equipment, crushing and fermentation, pressing, malotatic fermentation and storage, racking, oak, finings and barrels, wine adjustments, fault and blending, filtration and bottling. Everything you need to know to get started.
When: Saturday, 3rd June, 11.30am-1pm.
Where: Northcote.
Cost: Free, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony

What: A unique opportunity to experience a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. The team from Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar will teach you how to roast, cook and pour. This event will also feature yummy tastings and traditional Ethiopian music from Ambassa Band.
When: Saturday, 3rd June, midday-3pm.
Where: Northcote.
Cost: $10.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Meet the makers showcase

What: Meet the makers showcase celebrates the local home wine makers and includes an awards ceremony for wine, passata, avjar and olives entered into the Darebin Homemade Food & Wine Festival competition. Features wine tastings and an opportunity to meet the local home wine makers. Free cooking demonstrations on the day will include pancetta, coppa colla and okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake). Thee will also be information stalls, coffee and music.
When: Saturday, 3rd June, 1-4pm.
Where: Northcote.
Cost: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Okonomiyaki demonstration with Yuka

What: Yuka, Disco Beans, is best known for her take on the authentic Japanese food she grew up with, making predominantly vegan meals and including nutritious grains that aren’t usually used in Japanese cooking. Her recipes and methods result in healthy, speedy, no fuss dishes that anyone can achieve. Okonomiyaki is a popular Japanese savoury pancake that can be made with many different ingredients and are a great way to use leftovers.
When: Saturday, 3rd June, 1.30-2pm.
Where: Northcote.
Cost: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Olive preserving – mediterranean style

What: Sam Ferraro and Jessica Ridout (winner of the Darebin Homemade Food & Wine Festival’s 2015 best preserved olives) will show you how easy it is to preserve your home-grown olives. You will also take home with you a jar of preserved olives that you make on the day.
When: Saturday, 3rd June, 2-4pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: $30.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Pancetta and coppa colla

What: Presented with Home Make It. Learn the art of making your own homemade cured meats – pancetta and coppa colla. Be taught the processes involved including the best part of the pig to use, seasoning and (most importantly) curing. Everything you need to know to get started.
When: Saturday, 3rd June, 2.30-3.30pm.
Where: Northcote.
Cost: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Galette demonstration with Florian Dijuet

What: Florian (Le Café Flo) will demonstrate the rustic French Galette, an adaptable sweet or savoury tart that can be served as both a main course or as a dessert.
When: Saturday, 3rd June, 3-3.30pm.
Where: Northcote.
Cost: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Home-grown smoked trout

What: Avid home food gardeners Robbie and Elena will demonstrate the art of smoking rainbow trout, fresh from Robbie’s aquaponics system. Learn the basic principles and benefits of aquaponics, where trout and vegetables are grown in a mutually dependent relationship that enables both to thrive.
When: Sunday, 4th June, 10am-midday.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: $10.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Morning tea with Grandmas of Melbourne Talk Food

What: Grandmas of Melbourne Talk Food invite you and your grandparent to a delicious morning tea. Spend a morning together, share a favourite recipe or food traditions story, sit for a photographic portrait to take home and meet other local grandparents interested in food and cooking.
When: Sunday, 4th June, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Preston.
Cost: Free, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Urban quail keeping and year round veggies

What: Quail are the perfect choice for ethical, golden-yoked eggs in a small garden or courtyard. In this workshop, Kat Lavers will discuss quail’s food and housing needs, including tips to reduce maintenance. You will also learn how to grow vegetables all year round, and taste some delicious eggs and other produce.
When: Sunday, 4th June, 1-3pm.
Where: Northcote.
Cost: $10.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Cheese and yogurt 101

What: Cheese maker Janet Clayton will show you how you can make fetta and yoghurt at home. The workshop will cover what type of milk to use as well as sanitisation, pasteurisation and maturation. Find out about starter bacteria and rennet and how and why they are used. Includes information sheets to take home.
When: Sunday, 4th June, 2.30-4pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: $10.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Local legends series: Silvio Serpa – Campionato pizza maker

What: A rare opportunity to learn the secrets of traditional Italian pizza making from Preston pizza maker Silvio Serpa. The demonstration will focus on perfecting a basic pizza dough and exploring authentic toppings and flavour combinations. From his pizzeria Pizzaly, Silvio was placed first at last years’ Campionato Mondiale Della Pizza – World Pizza Championships in Parma, Italy.
When: Sunday, 4th June, 4-5.30pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: Free, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Momo making

What: Learn the art of Tibetan momo making with Fiona and Samdup. Samdup grew up in Amdo, Tibet and will share a traditional family recipe handed down with love for generations. Using fresh organic ingredients, Samdup will teach participants how to make the dough, the fillings and demonstrate a variety of ways to cook these delicious dumplings. Kids welcome.
When: Sunday, 4th June, 4-5.30pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: $35.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Darebin community welcome dinner

What: Get to know your neighbours at this welcome Dinner that connects newly arrived migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and international students with established Australians over a shared meal. As it is the month of Ramadan, they will be breaking the fast together (Iftar) and learning more about the diverse cultural and faith traditions in Darebin from a Muslim community leader. Bring your favourite dish or one traditional to your culture to share. Alcohol-free event.
When: Sunday, 4th June, 5-7pm.
Where: Reservoir.
Cost: Free, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Syrian supper

What: Syria was once renowned for its generosity and warm hospitality. Join them in celebrating this Syria of old with a meal prepared by Free to Feed chef, Nayran. In this Syrian supper, Nayran will be re-creating dishes from the menu of her own Damascus restaurant. A unique opportunity to experience authentic Syrian cuisine and meet a resilient and entrepreneurial refugee woman, who is trail-blazing Syrian cuisine and culture in Melbourne.
When: Sunday, 4th June, 6.30-9.30pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: $60.
Bookings: Darebin website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Food without Borders launch

What: You are invited to the official launch of Lentil as Anything’s Food without Borders, their new food rescue and waste reduction enterprise. An information evening on food waste in Melbourne and Australia and how you can join them in working to combat this problem. Vegan nibblies will be provided.
When: Sunday, 4th June, 7-9pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: Pay-as-you-feel, bookings essential.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

New events – other

Journey through the world of tea with Sarah Colwell

What: Join Melbourne Tea Sommelier Sarah Cowell as she takes you on a tasting journey through the world of specialty tea. You will taste unique teas from different countries and learn about the various cultures and customs that accompany them, weaving stories from Sarah’s tea travels throughout Asia. Sarah began her journey making and brewing tea with tea masters in Taiwan and Korea, before becoming Vue de Monde’s first tea sommelier. She later travelled to tea fields in Japan and China to deepen her knowledge and then returned to teach about specialty tea in Australia. As well as tea, Sarah also enjoys teaching herbal wellbeing and sharing tea ceremony. Bookings essential.
When: Thursday, 4th May, 2.30-3.30pm.
Where: Mooroolbark Library.
Cost: $5.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Cultural and seasonal cooking: Lebanese silverbeet style

What: Amne will delight both your ears and your taste buds with tales and a traditional Lebanese dish made with the silverbeet that grows in profusion across Joe’s Market Garden.
When: Saturday, 6th May, 10-11am.
Where: Joe’s Market Garden, Coburg.
Cost: by donation, $10 suggested.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

A fertile Yarra, celebrating Glenda M Lindsay

What: This walk will take you through the heart of Fitzroy, taking in a public housing community garden, a street community garden and a well established food swap. You’ll also hear a story of a community composting project that grew into a five council wide food waste avoidance project. You’ll finish at Tram Stop 22 garden, a great example of one woman and her neighbours claiming precious space to grow food in the city. The route: Atherton Gardens Community Garden; Condell Street Garden; various cafes; Fitzroy’s monthly foodswap; and Tram Stop 22.
When: Saturday, 6th May, 10-midday.
Where: Fitzroy.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.

Preparing your Autumn/Winter garden

What: In this talk, Robin Gale-Baker will cover soil preparation for autumn/winter vegetables, how to raise seedlings, which vegetables to plant, when to plant and when to harvest. Timing your planting is particularly important as, with the advent of climate change, conventional guides and books are becoming outdated.
When: Saturday, 6th May, 2-3pm.
Where: Watsonia Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Dandelions with Monique Eve Miller

What: Dandelions are everywhere, and they are a very useful plant.
Monique Miller will walk you through identifying dandelions, the ecological, medicinal and culinary uses of dandelions. You will also get to try dandelions prepared for you from Joe’s market garden.
When: Saturday, 13th May, 10-11.30am.
Where: Joe’s Market Garden, Coburg.
Cost: $15.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Food-know-how session: how to create food gardens in small spaces

What: Learn how to create a food garden in small spaces with Karen Sutherland from Edible Eden Design. Bookings are essential.
When: Thursday, 18th May, 11am-midday.
Where: North Fitzroy Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Vietnamese cooking demonstration

What: Nga Diep from BANH Cultural Catering will demonstrate how to make vietnamese rice paper rolls. You will have the opportunity to practice, and also sample, the dishes. Bookings essential.
When: Sunday, 21st May, 2.30-4pm.
Where: Fitzroy Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Food-know-how session: winter warming soups

What: Learn about winter warming soups with Jen and Gaby from PlanBuyCook. Bookings are essential.
When: Thursday, 15th June, 6.30-7.30pm.
Where: North Fitzroy Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Italian street food with Paola Bacchia

What: Join Paola Bacchia as she takes you on a journey delving into the backstreets of Italy’s best kept dishes. Paola has just recently returned from a research trip through Italy, investigating the latest hidden gems tucked away behind town squares and down laneways. Her book, Italian Street Food is filled with recipes for authentic polpettine, arancini, stuffed cuttlefish, cannolis and fritters plus tips on perfecting your gelati-making skills with authentic Italian flavors such as lemon and basil, aperol and orange. Bookings essential.
When: Thursday, 15th June, 6.30-7.30pm.
Where: Fitzroy Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Fermenting

What: Go along to enjoy this fermenting workshop with Marie from Rie’s Kitchen as she prepares traditional giadiniere.
When: Tuesday, 20th June, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Diamond Valley Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sourdough bread making workshop

What: Tutor Jenna Farrington-Sear. This workshop will cover basic theory as well as the tactile pleasure of all the steps of making bread from milled flour. Suitable for both novices and those who want to expand their bread making repertoire. Topics to be covered: the essential ingredients and tools of the trade; the principal steps of bread making; baker’s percentage and hydration; mixing, kneading and folding dough; shaping loaves, scoring and baking; and maintaining a starter. You will take home: a piece of dough which can be baked at home; and a sourdough starter.
When: Saturday, 24th June, 10am-1pm.
Where: Living & Learning Nillumbik at Panton Hill.
Cost: $59.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Food, family and culture for refugee week – SisterWorks

What: SisterWorks supports women who are migrants, asylum seekers or refugees to become financially independent and happily settled in Australia. SisterWorks Creative Cooking is one part of the SisterWorks social enterprise focused on sharing food, recipes and stories from all over the world. Two chefs from SisterWorks Creative Cooking will be putting on a food demonstration; they will demonstrate how to make dishes unique to their homelands. They will also discuss their cooking techniques, while sharing stories from their homeland and their experiences in Australia. Visitors will have the opportunity to taste the dishes. Bookings essential.
When: Saturday, 24th June, 12.30-2pm.
Where: North Fitzroy Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Italian Wine + Food Festival

What: The festival has food and drink, entertainment and information to suit everyone. Journey through Italy with over 200 wines to taste, meet winemakers and importers, or attend an Italian wine masterclass. Feast on pizza, pasta and Italian snacks, while Melbourne’s top Italian chefs share their joy for cooking on the main stage. Taste your way through the Italian market, brimming with salumi, cheese, pasta, coffee, olive oil, bread, fruit and veg, pastries, gelato and more! Sip on an Italian cocktail from the Negroni Bar and relax in one of the festival wine gardens.
When: Sunday, 25th June, 11am-9pm.
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens.
Cost: varies.
Bookings: Eventbrite.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week

• How to design a clean food growing system: Wednesday, 26th April, 7-9pm.
• Olive magic – preserving olives: Friday, 28th April, 9.30-11.30am.
• Become a junior chocolatier: Saturday, 29th April, 9-9.45am.
• Native herbs for the kitchen and garden: Saturday, 29th April, 9.30-10.30am.
• Introduction to horticulture – 9 session course: Weekly, starting Saturday 29th April, 9.30am-3pm.
• Sourdough bread making workshop: Saturday, 29th April, 10am-1pm.
• Native plant sale: Saturday, 29th April, 10am-4pm.
• Nettles with Monique Eve Miller: Saturday, 29th April, 10.30am-midday.
• Really Really Free Market Preston: Sunday, 30th April, 10am-3pm.
• Keeping backyard chooks: Saturday, 29th April, 11am-midday.
• Edible weeds walk: Saturday, 29th April, 11am-1pm.
• Chocolate discovery class: Saturday, 29th April, 12.45-1.45pm.
• Edible weeds walk: Saturday, 29th April, 2-4pm.
• Soil improvement workshop: Saturday, 29th April, 2-4.30pm.
• Introduction to horticulture – 9 session course: Weekly, starting Monday, 1st May, 9.30am-3pm.

Over the next month

• Journey through the world of tea with Sarah Colwell: Thursday, 4th May, 2.30-3.30pm.
• Seed – The Untold Story (film): Thursday, 4th May, 6.45-10pm.
• Cultural and seasonal cooking: Lebanese silverbeet style: Saturday, 6th May, 10-11am.
• Mediterranean cooking with Angela: Saturday, 6th May, 10-11am.
• Kellybrook Cider Festival: Saturday, 6th May, 11am-5pm.
• Preparing your Autumn/Winter garden: Saturday, 6th May, 2-3pm.
• Raw living whole foods with Valentina Rise: Saturday, 6th May, 3-6pm.
• How to grow veggies the Italian way!: Sunday, 7th May, 10am-1pm.
• Food forest working bee: Sunday, 7th May, 10am-3pm.
• Kellybrook Cider Festival: Sunday, 7th May, 11am-5pm.
• Beekeeping – a taster: Sunday, 7th May, 1-3.30pm.
• Sustainable living and gardening – Felicity Gordon: Wednesday, 10th May, 7-9pm.
• Safe preserving techniques – bottled fruit, jams, pickles & relishes: Thursday, 11th May, 10am-1.15pm.
• Beekeeping workshop: Saturday, 13th May, 9-11am.
• Natural pest control with companion planting: Saturday, 13th May, 9.30am-midday.
• Dandelions with Monique Eve Miller: Saturday, 13th May, 10-11.30am.
• Italian cooking workshop (flavours of Naples): Saturday, 13th May, 10am-1pm.
• Backyard chooks for beginners: Saturday, 13th May, 1-3pm.
• Set up and maintain a worm farm: Saturday, 13th May, 2-3pm.
• Winter apothecary and open studio: Saturday, 13th May, 2.30-4.30pm.
• Introduction to beekeeping: Tuesday, 16th May, 11.30am-12.30pm.
• Beginners’ Italian cheese making class: Tuesday, 16th May, 6.30-8.30pm.
• Food-know-how session: how to create food gardens in small spaces: Thursday, 18th May, 11am-midday.
• Become a junior chocolatier: Saturday, 20th May, 10-10.45am.
• Edible weeds walk: Saturday, 20th May, 11am-1pm.
• Vietnamese cooking demonstration: Sunday, 21st May, 2.30-4pm.
• A journey through the world of tea: Tuesday, 23rd May, 11am-12.30pm.
• Bush foods & herbs for courtyards & balconies: Thursday, 25th May, 6.30-7.30pm.

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

Read some help on how to view the calendar selectively (e.g. search for events in a given suburb or set of suburbs).

The world’s best marmalade is still made in Wonga Park

J.B. Shackleton’s, a local marmalade maker from Wonga Park, won Double Gold medal for the best traditional marmalade in the 2017 World’s Original Marmalade Competition in the UK! Their winning marmalade was “Luxury Grapefruit Marmalade with a hint of Honey”. In addition, they won silver medals for their Tahiti Lime and Orange marmalades, and a bronze medal for their Tangelo marmalade.

Following the awards, Lachlan Shackleton-Fergus was interviewed in the April edition of the Warrandyte Diary.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie feature in The Age

An interview with Ian and Leanne Neeland, the founders of Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery in Yarra Glen, was published in the 10th April edition of The Age.

Celebrities visit Yarra Valley Poultry in Eltham

Who: Karen and Ros from My Kitchen Rules (and also Diamond Creek).
Where: Yarra Valley Poultry, Eltham.
When: Wednesday, 5th April.

‘Grow Free’ is coming to Melbourne

‘Grow Free’ is a movement “dedicated to making our food locally grown, organic and free” and they are currently “all about growing and giving away free organic, heirloom veggie/herb/flower seedlings for people to get their garden going“. The movement started out in Adelaide but is now coming to Melbourne. One of their carts can be found at 42 Zina Grove, Mooroolbark. To find out more, either join their Facebook group or listen to a ten minute interview with their founder.

‘Crop Swapping’ has come to North East Melbourne

Yarra Valley Crop Swap is a closed Facebook group which started in December and which already has 770 members. As they say “if you have fruit, veggies, eggs, honey, crafts, plants, etc that you’d like to swap, post your offerings and trade for something you need.” Its two co-founders live in Croydon North and Wandin East. They were interviewed in the 7th April edition of The Leader. Thanks to Tess Gardiner for bringing the group to my attention.

Crop Swap Melbourne is a public Facebook group which started in February and currently has 320 members. As they say “We are building local community, reducing food waste & eating better, for less. Join us to meet your neighbours, swap excess produce and fairly barter with other like-minded people for fresh, local and delicious food, edible plants, seeds or gardening goods.

So, if you are a home grower with a surplus, you now have a plethora of options:

• The crop swaps on Facebook – Melbourne and Yarra Valley.
• The 29 food swaps in the area.
• The Community Market Stall at Eltham Farmer’s Market.
• The food swapping websites – RipeNearMe and Spare Harvest.
• The Food is Free places – Ringwood East and Warrandyte.
• The Grow Free cart at Mooroolbark. (posted April 12)

EverGreen – a nature program for older residents in Banyule

Banyule City Council is currently piloting a new gardening program for older residents who no longer have the ability to be physically active in the garden. The program is designed to bring together people interested in gardening or being in nature, who are looking to meet new people. Two programs are being offered in May. Places are limited. If you are interested contact Sian Gleeson by phone (9457 9828).

Workshop 1
What: floral arrangements, potting of plants with school children, creating an autumn wreath, and morning tea. To participate, you must be able to navigate approximately 50m with or without walking aids.
When: Tuesday, 2nd May, 9.30am-midday.
Where: St Pius X Primary School, 419 Waterdale Road, Heidelberg.

Workshop 2
What: a small 100m nature walk, autumn seed cleaning, floral arranging, building nesting boxes, and morning tea. To participate, you must be able to navigate approximately 50m with or without walking aids and not have balance concerns.
When: Thursday, 4th May, 9.30am-midday.
Where: Old Shire Offices, 60 Beverley Road, Heidelberg.

City of Yarra Urban Agriculture Advisory Committee

Do you want to help shape and implement City of Yarra Council’s urban agriculture policies and actions, including the delivery of the Yarra Urban Agriculture Strategy? Expressions of interest are invited from people who want to join the Yarra Urban Agriculture Advisory Committee (YUAAC). Follow this link for more information and/or to download the application form. Expressions of interest close on Thursday, 20th April.

Pumpkin growing competition in Diamond Creek

There will be prizes for the biggest, prettiest and ugliest pumpkins. The weigh-in will take place at 2pm, Saturday, 29th April at Ellis Cottage, 10 Nillumbik Square, Diamond Creek. To enter, email elliscottage@gmail.com by Monday, 17th April. Enquiries Frank Phipps by phone (9715 0146) after 5pm.

Sylvester Hive Community Garden in Preston is up and growing

Sylvester Hive Community Garden (Pavilion School grounds, corner Dean St & Gray St, Preston) was built in a partnership between Darebin Council, The Pavilion School and local residents on land generously provided by the school. The garden was launched in November 2016. The garden committee meet regularly Thursdays at 7pm and Saturdays at 9am to plan working bees and organise community events in the space. If you are interested in being involved with the garden, please contact Hendrik Falk by phone (0420 353572) or email. For more information, see their Facebook page.

Pentridge Community Garden in Coburg is planned

Corner of Murray Road and Stockade Avenue, Coburg. If you would like to become involved, register your interest by email or on their Facebook page.

Mac’s tip of the week

“If you haven’t already, now is a good time to prune your apricot trees. Winter pruning of apricots is not recommended because the dreaded gummosis (aka dead arm) disease can enter your tree via the pruning ‘wounds’ if the tree is dormant. Rather, always prune when the sap is still flowing. Until next time, remember: dirty hands are good hands and better than sticky hands.”

Click here to view all of Mac’s tips.

Is now really the right time to plant garlic?

In this month’s excellent Sustainable Macleod’s newsletter (click here to read the newsletter or click here to sign up for future newsletters), Robin Gale-Baker ruminated about whether the recent warm weather means that we should be deferring our garlic planting. She and I have subsequently debated the subject in more detail. It is a tricky issue, with no clear answer. The salient facts are:

1. In Melbourne, garlic is usually planted in April.
2. Robin thinks that the soil is currently too warm for garlic planting.
3. According to Gardenate, it is ok to leave the planting until May (or even June).
4. Like onions, garlic plants are sensitive to the length of the day, with the start of bulb formation (and the end of leaf growth) being triggered by a day length exceeding X hours. (This website says that X=13 and this website says that this will happen on 13th October.)

If you plant too early (i.e. when it is too warm), a risk is apparently that the resulting bulbs don’t divide into separate cloves. If you plant too late, a risk is apparently smaller bulbs (because, per day length, the garlic starts trying to form bulbs when it is too young). One potential way around this paradox is to keep the garlic in the fridge for 30-40 days before planting. I am going to try all the possible options and will report back in due course.

Incidentally, plants whose behaviour depends on day length are called ‘photoperiodic’. One way that they ‘know’ the length of the day (or, more accurately, the length of the night) is because they produce substances (X) in the dark which degenerate to other substances in the light so the night length is proportional to the maximum daily concentration of X. For many plants, day length is at least as important as temperature and this is one reason why so many plants can be grown over so much of the world. This subject is discussed in Chapter 9 of Science and the Garden: The Scientific Basis of Horticultural Practice.

Even more incidentally: as per the article above, one of the plants that is most sensitive to light is soy beans. Indeed, if there is any street lighting in the vicinity, they apparently consider it to be daylight and often never flower. So, if you live in urban Melbourne, it seems unlikely that you can ever grow soy beans.

Not food but useful – critter identification

Last week, I saw a strange spider on my apple tree. I like to know the identify of all the animals in my garden so I took advantage of the free ‘ask the experts’ facility of Museums Victoria by sending them a photo. Within a few days, they provided a comprehensive reply, not only identifying the spider (garden orb-weaver, Eriophora biapicata) but also telling me all sorts of things about it. What a fantastic service!

Joke of the week

We don’t have any more vegetable jokes. If you have one, lettuce know.

Corrections and clarifications

Lucinda Flynn is rapidly becoming the unofficial proofreader of the newsletter. Maybe, in future, we should ask her to proofread it before it gets circulated rather than after. Anyhow, as she has pointed out, the home brewing workshop discussed last week had the wrong description. The corrected event, with the right description, is given below. Thanks, Lucinda!

Home brewing with Paul Rigby

What: What you will learn: make your own beer; all about full grain brewing; and the fermentation process. What you will get: samples of different beers; and recipes to take home. The workshop will be a practical demonstration of full grain brewing covering ingredients (including malt, hops, yeast and water), equipment, brewing theory, and (most importantly) the brewing process (including mashing, lautering, boiling, sanitation, fermentation and packaging). Samples will be available for tasting.
When: Sunday, 4th June, 10am-2.30pm.
Where: CERES.
Cost: $75.
Enquiries: CERES by phone (9389 0100).
Bookings / further information: WeTeachMe.

New events

Edible weeds walk

What: What if many of the weeds in our garden were just as edible as the vegetables we tend beside them? What if some of these these free, all-too-easy-to-grow uninvited guests were so nutritionally dense that they are just about the healthiest things you could possibly eat? What if many of them also had medical traditions dating back centuries? Well it’s all true! And if you know what to choose, they also taste great. Join Adam Grubb, co-author of The Weed Forager’s Handbook, for a fascinating walk on the wild side.
When: Saturday, 29th April, 11am-1pm and again at 2-4pm.
Where: Merri Creek Trail, Northcote.
Cost: $25 ($20 concession).
Bookings / Further information: their website – different pages for the 11am start and the 2pm start.

Winter apothecary and open studio

What: Learn to make simple and safe homemade recipes that help support us during winter, strengthen our immunity and protect us from general ailments. You will also have an opportunity at the end of the workshop to view/experience selected works from Rasha Tayeh’s previous art exhibitions, including audio portraits from “On Food & Memory” and short film screening “Growing Food Project” – with an opportunity to ask questions about her creative practice and the research behind “Spice Trails & Trade Routes”.
When: Saturday, 13th May, 2.30-4.30pm.
Where: MESMA Studio, Coburg.
Cost: $35.
Enquiries: Rasha Tayeh by phone (0403 843923) or email.
Bookings: TryBooking.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week

• Seed raising with Felicity Gordon: Tuesday, 18th April, 11.30am-12.30pm.
• Introduction to home wine-making: Tuesday, 18th April, 6.30-8.30pm.

Over the next month

• The joy of backyard chooks: Thursday, 20th April, 6.30-9pm.
• Artisan pasta – fettuccini: Friday, 21st April, 10am-12.15pm.
• Mead making workshop (three sessions): starting Saturday, 22nd April, 9am-midday.
• Olive magic – preserving olives: Saturday, 22nd April, 9.30-11.30am.
• Free plants day: Saturday, 22nd April, 1-4pm.
• Apple tasting at Petty’s Orchard: Saturday, 22nd April, 11am-1pm.
• Herbal workshop – using food as medicine: Saturday 22nd April, 3.30-5pm.
• Growing garlic at home with Penny Woodward: Sunday 23rd April, 12.45-3pm.
• How to design a clean food growing system: Wednesday, 26th April, 7-9pm.
• Olive magic – preserving olives: Friday, 28th April, 9.30-11.30am.
• Become a junior chocolatier: Saturday, 29th April, 9-9.45am.
• Native herbs for the kitchen and garden: Saturday, 29th April, 9.30-10.30am.
• Introduction to horticulture – 9 session course: Weekly, starting Saturday 29th April, 9.30am-3pm.
• Sourdough bread making workshop: Saturday, 29th April, 10am-1pm.
• Nettles with Monique Eve Miller: Saturday, 29th April, 10.30am-midday.
• Keeping backyard chooks: Saturday, 29th April, 11am-midday.
• Edible weeds walk: Saturday, 29th April, 11am-1pm.
• Chocolate discovery class: Saturday, 29th April, 12.45-1.45pm.
• Edible weeds walk: Saturday, 29th April, 2-4pm.
• Soil improvement workshop: Saturday, 29th April, 2-4.30pm.
• Introduction to horticulture – 9 session course: Weekly, starting Monday, 1st May, 9.30am-3pm.
• Seed – The Untold Story (film): Thursday, 4th May, 6.45-10pm.
• Mediterranean cooking with Angela: Saturday, 6th May, 10-11am.
• Kellybrook Cider Festival: Saturday, 6th May, 11am-5pm.
• Raw living whole foods with Valentina Rise: Saturday, 6th May, 3-6pm.
• How to grow veggies the Italian way!: Sunday, 7th May, 10am-1pm.
• Kellybrook Cider Festival: Sunday, 7th May, 11am-5pm.
• Beekeeping – a taster: Sunday, 7th May, 1-3.30pm.
• Sustainable living and gardening – Felicity Gordon: Wednesday, 10th May, 7-9pm.
• Safe preserving techniques – bottled fruit, jams, pickles & relishes: Thursday, 11th May, 10am-1.15pm.
• Beekeeping workshop: Saturday, 13th May, 9-11am.
• Natural pest control with companion planting: Saturday, 13th May, 9.30am-midday.
• Italian cooking workshop (flavours of Naples): Saturday, 13th May, 10am-1pm.
• Backyard chooks for beginners: Saturday, 13th May, 1-3pm.
• Set up and maintain a worm farm: Saturday, 13th May, 2-3pm.
• Winter apothecary and open studio: Saturday, 13th May, 2.30-4.30pm.

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events. Click here for help in how to view the calendar selectively (e.g. search for events in a given suburb).