LFC News May 31 2017

May 312017
 

Mac’s tip of the week

“It’s probably time to cut back your asparagus. When the foliage has turned yellow, or even brown, it’s time to cut it back to ground level. If this has not happened already, expect it over the next few weeks. In late winter / early spring (I suggest Thursday, 17th August at 2.40pm), spread blood and bone or cow manure to feed the-soon-to-emerge spears. Until next time, remember: dirty hands are good hands.“

Read all of Mac’s tips.

Helen Simpson interviews Julie French

Some of you will know Julie through her involvement in the Montmorency Community Group, the Montmorency Food Swap, her cooking classes or her time as a cook at the Little Organic Shop, Hurstbridge. Well, Helen has now interviewed Julie as a home grower. Here is the first paragraph: “Most people grow their fruit trees and veggies in their backyard but Julie, and her husband David, have gone against this traditional approach. Instead they have created a bountiful front garden full of produce, much to the delight of passers’ by who often admire their progress and stop for a chat. Julie tells me that she grew up eating lots of seasonal fresh food, with both her grandfather and mother growing fruit and veggies at home. With an interest in both food and cooking, especially with fresh, seasonal produce, Julie decided to start her own vegetable garden around 10 years ago.” Read the full interview.

Brownie points for St Helena Secondary School students

I recently organised for some students from St Helena Secondary School to spend a day working at St Johns Riverside Community Garden, Heidelberg. Katrina Philip reports back that: “It was great having St Helena Secondary School students working in our garden – they are marvellous at digging holes for new fruit trees and spreading mulch. Their youthful and willing engagement with the garden brightened everyone’s day!” A fellow gardener added: “What a delightful group of young people. They did a great job – and were still hard at it when I left.“

If you know of a school where the students do occasional voluntary days, email me and I’ll try and match them up with a nearby community garden.

Want to get involved in community gardening in Eltham?

I recently visited the community veggie garden at the Eltham Living & Learning Centre and spoke with the two main people involved, Trevor Roberts and Karyn Kamminga. As a result, there is now a page about the garden on the website and it is now 1 of 10 community gardens in the Local Food Directory. Thanks for the info, Trevor and Karyn!

The garden comprises several, large, raised beds. It is membership-based but membership is free. They meet every Thursday, 9.30-11am. Some of their longstanding gardeners have recently moved from the area and they are looking for new members. Regular attendance is not required; rather, you can drop in when you like. You can join at any time and they just need you to register once. If interested, or for further information, contact Karyn by phone (9433 3743) or email.

 

A new pie maker in the Local Food Directory: Gourmet Pies

Gourmet Pies is a maker of pies who are based in Brunswick and sell their pies at a range of markets around Melbourne, including Carlton Farmers’ Market, Slow Food Melbourne Farmers’ Market and Yarra Glen Racecourse Market. Read their Local Food Directory entry. Welcome George!

Local food producer news

Australian Harvest / Bio Grape, from Coldstream, are now selling their products online.

Blue Pear Pantry, from North Warrandyte, are now offering a 10% discount to all ABN holders.

Eltham Deli now stocks Blue Pear Pantry’s meals.

Mama Bakes Naturally, from Ringwood East, now have a website.

Poppysmack, from Warrandyte, now have their sauces in Jefferies, Croydon Hills.

What to plant in June

Here is a list:
Broad beans
Coriander
Garlic
Lettuce
Mustard greens
Onion
Peas
Radish
Shallot

The list continues to shrink. It’s your last chance to plant broad beans and garlic, and arguably too late for them.

‘Crowd harvest’ spices for the Solstice

What better way to keep warm than to add a bit of spice to life. We all buy spices, but do we use them all? How many times has your cumin, turmeric or paprika reached its used by date? Middle Eastern refugees in Melbourne would love your excess spices. From 14th June to 28th June, you can drop them off at any of The Alphington Community Centre, CERES or Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. Any questions, contact Cath Lyons (aka Tiny Trowel) by phone (0401 814679) or email.

Kobi Ruzicka in the news

Of FoodService’s Next Generation Top Aussie Chefs, 2017, 10 are cooking in North East Melbourne. Most of these are from the inner city (1 Carlton, 1 Collingwood, 3 Fitzroy, 1 Richmond), but 2 are from Coldstream (both Oakridge), 1 is from Brunswick (Host Dining) and 1 is from Eltham (Little Drop of Poison). The Eltham person is Kobi Ruzicka and, as I understand it, he spends half his time at another restaurant, Dier Makr in Hobart. Anyhow, Kobi featured in this week’s Sunday Tasmanian.

Whilst researching this, I saw that Kobi’s Facebook page happens to include an extraordinary little video of some coffee dog art.

Joke of the week

Submitted jointly by Dave Richards and Lynne Gough (Blue Tango): Where do cantaloupes go for their summer holidays? John Cougar’s melon camp.

And, as a bonus, here is an Autumn joke submitted by Sue Sedelies: What did one leaf say to the other? I’m falling for you.

Read all of this year’s jokes.

New events

Seasonal cooking: collard greens with Monique

What: Monique Miller (market gardener at Joe’s Market Garden) will talk you though collard greens and give you a bowl of goodness at the end.
When: Saturday, 3rd June, 10-11am.
Where: Joe’s Market Garden, Coburg.
Cost: $10 donation suggested.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Composting hub and worm farming workshop

What: Join the war on waste! PepperTree Place is a local composting hub where people from Moreland can bring their organic waste to be composted instead of going into landfill. Learn about the newly renovated composting hub and register as a participant. This is also a hands-on worm farming and composting workshop to learn about how you can turn organic waste into gardening gold.
When: Saturday, 3rd June, 11am-midday.
Where: PepperTree Place, Coburg.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Introduction to native bees plus making a bee hotel

What: This workshop, to be run by Buzz and Dig, will provide an introduction of local bees and how to create a bee friendly garden to increase pollination for your backyard flowers, fruit and vegetables. Particular topics will include great bee friendly flowers, making a bee hotel with participants, buzz pollination, how to ID a bee, and how to encourage them to stay in your garden.
When: Wednesday, 14th June, 7-9pm.
Where: Watsonia Neighbourhood House.
Cost: gold coin donation.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Winter solstice celebration: make your own seed bombs

What: Celebrate the coming of the sun again by creating your own seed bombs that will grow and flourish as the days grow lighter again. Seed bombs can be used to create bright places in waste areas, make lovely gifts, be sprouted in your own garden or window sill, or be planted in your local bald-spot-on-the-nature-strip. Learn a little about seed germination and seed saving during the process.
When: Saturday, 24th June, 11am-midday.
Where: Joe’s Market Garden, Coburg.
Cost: $5.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Herbal teas

What: What you will learn: learn about herbal teas; understand how to grow your own tea; and learn about using native plants for herbal teas. What you will get: tastings of several of the teas. Presented by Karen Sutherland, of Edible Eden Design. Herbs have been used for centuries for health benefits and one of the most common ways of taking them was through teas. Karen will guide you through their cultivation requirements and how to use them in herbal teas. Sip your way through some teas during the class to discover some new favourites, including some Australian native herbs.
When: Saturday, 1st July, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $45.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Winter fruit tree pruning workshop

What: Go along to learn the basics of Winter fruit tree pruning. Facilitated by experienced grower (and pruner) Justin Calverley.
When: Sunday, 23rd July, 9am-midday.
Where: Murundaka, Heidelberg Heights.
Cost: $5.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Mooroolbark Growers & Weeders present: “the secret is in the mix”

What: Over the years, methods of creating the ‘best’ mix of soil for seed-raising have changed and evolved. Peter Douglas, from Scotsburn Nurseries, will let you into some of his ‘secrets’ of successful plants in pots & hanging baskets – great for the balcony or small backyard. Bookings essential (by phone). Refreshments provided.
When: Tuesday, 25th July, 2-3pm.
Where: Mooroolbark Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: by phone (9800 6480).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Safe preserving techniques: preserving with citrus

What: What you will learn: how to use the seasonal abundance of citrus in a variety of preserves; how to select and re-use suitable jars and how to sterilise them; and how to make marmalades, preserved lemons and citrus curds. What you get: recipes all of the preserves made; fruit prepared on the day to take home and continue the processes learnt in the workshop; and jars of all the preserves made on the day – simple orange marmalade, lemon curd (butter) and preserved lemons. Winter brings an abundance of citrus so now is the best time to make preserves that will see you through the rest of the year. You will be using a variety of techniques with seasonal citrus. No preserving background is assumed as you go through how to prevent food spoilage using the preserving methods. You will cover the jars and lids to use, safe storage and use. The workshop is fully hands-on, where you will be involved from the processes from start to finish.
When: Wednesday, 26th July, 10am-1pm.
Where: Donvale.
Cost: $75.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Smarter living – why we should ‘give a fork!’ about waste

What: Cassie Duncan is the Co-founder and General Manager of Sustainable Table, a not-for-profit organisation that empowers people to use their shopping dollar to vote for a food system that is fair, humane, healthy and good for the environment. Cassie is passionate about building a resilient local food system and believes that providing people with the tools and information to support their local producers, reduce food and packaging waste, reduce meat and seafood consumption, grow a little at home and embrace the seasons is a gigantic step in the right direction. Cassie will share her insights on the state of the planet’s food systems, mindful meat eating, sustainable seafood and practical things you can do to reduce your environmental impact through the food you eat.
When: Wednesday, 26th July, 7-9pm.
Where: Manningham Civic Centre.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Winter fruit tree maintenance

What: What you will learn: how to look after your fruit trees when they are dormant; Winter pruning of deciduous fruit trees to balance fruiting and tree size; and how to prepare sprays and organic techniques for the control of insect and fungal pests. It’s hard to learn how to look after trees from diagrams and descriptions in books so come along to this suburban garden which boasts over 30 fruit trees of different varieties, all in varying stages of maturity. You will help prune various trees as you start to recognise unproductive wood, fruiting spurs and cross-overs, so you get to take home this experience to work on your own trees at home. See how to make up sprays and learn how to use them for maximum effectiveness in conjunction for caring for the soil. You will also discuss the difference between pruning in winter and in summer and when to do what.
When: Saturday, 29th July, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Donvale.
Cost: $60.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Beekeeping Q&A

What: Join Sue Zuber, from Buzz of the Bees for this question and answer session on beekeeping. Bring along your questions on the legal requirement and practical aspect of keeping bees.
When: Saturday, 29th July, 10.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Whittlesea Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Organic market garden tour with Emily Connors

What: Want to know more about Joe’s Market Garden and the history of the garden? Want to know what we are growing and how we go about it? Want to know what our plans for the future are? Join head market gardener Emily Connors for a farm tour. You can read about Joe’s Market Garden on the CERES website. They hold a farmgate stall each Saturday which stocks their produce grown onsite and a few other local organic producers.
When: Saturday, 29th July, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Joe’s Market Garden, Coburg.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

Read some help on how to view the calendar selectively. For example, search for events in a given suburb or set of suburbs. Or search for event of a given type, such as markets).

LFC News May 24 2017

May 232017
 

Mac’s tip of the week

“It’s probably time to harvest your olives. Here’s how to tell: when your olives start to change colour from green to black, it’s time to harvest. Yes, you can wait until they go completely black but they are ripe when they start to go black. Here’s another way to tell: 20 corellas or parrots visit your tree, scoff all the olives and make a complete mess of your garden. Until next time, remember: dirty hands are good hands.”

Editor’s note: there are several different ways of curing olives. For example, see wikiHow or My Green Garden.

Read all of Mac’s tips.

A new maker of meat products in the Local Food Directory: La Villa Salumi

La Villa Salumi, from Montrose, make pork sausages, bacon and smoked smallgoods which they sell at markets. Their sausages contain no preservatives, gluten, rice, rusk or filler; their bacon is slow-cured with maple syrup and brown sugar, then double-smoked in-house; their franks are made using the same quality pork as the sausages; and their kielbasa (polish garlic sausage) is made with pork, beef, fresh garlic, herbs and spices. They will be at Wonga Park Farmers’ Market on Saturday, 27th May. Read their Local Food Directory entry. Welcome Anna and Ben!

There are now 4 makers of meat products in the Local Food Directory.

Two newish markets on the upcoming weekend.

The second Wonga Park Farmers’ Market: Wonga Park Primary School, Saturday, 27th May, 9am-1pm.

The second Really Really Free Market Preston: Railway Reserve Bike Path, Sunday, 28th May, 10am-3pm.

Reservoir Community Pantry

I recently visited the Reservoir Community Pantry and was told all about it by Vicki and Angie. As a result, I have added the pantry to the Local Food Directory.

The phrase ‘community pantry’ means different things to different people. Some are not-for-profit shops whilst others are seemingly part of major food relief programs.

Reservoir Community Pantry is neither of these things. Rather, it is simply an open cupboard fixed to the outside wall of Reservoir Neighbourhood House to which people can either donate, or freely take, any non-perishable food. In practice, most of the food is bought from a local supermarket using monies from a local grant. It appears that most of the food is taken within a few hours of being placed there. In response, although the Neighbourhood House staff buy most of the produce on a Monday morning, they spread out the timing of its placement in the pantry. Anyone can take anything that they want whenever they want and they don’t need to interact with the Neighbourhood House staff to do so.

On Mondays and Thursdays, the Neighbourhood House also gives away free bread (some of which comes from Watsonia). In addition, on Mondays, there is free soup. And, finally, there is a free monthly lunch on the 4th Wednesday of every month, midday-1pm.

Thanks for all the info, Vicki and Angie!

Arguably, ‘community pantries’ are to non-perishable food what ‘food is free’ sites are to perishable food. The community pantry is therefore complementary with Food is Free Reservoir, which happens to be in the same street (Cuthbert Street).

Local producer news

Blue Pear Pantry meals are now available from the Lettuce Inn, Hurstbridge. Deb also had a stall at the recent Yarra Glen Racecourse Market.

Spice Fusion are back at Park Orchards Farmers’ Market

Sugarloaf Produce are now selling their mushrooms at St Andrews Market.

If you are a local producer and have some news that you would like others to know, email me.

An ode to local mushrooms

From Pam Jenkins:

There’s an amanita phalloides in my veggie patch,
A coprinus comatus in my drive,
One is out to kill me,
The other helps me thrive.

Amanita phalloides
the death cap		 Coprinus comatus
the shaggy ink cap

 

Warrandyte Food Swap in the news

Warrandyte Food Swap featured in the May edition of the Warrandyte Diary. Well done Carol, Tess, Liz and Elise!

Joke of the week

Submitted by Gillian Essex: What did one potato say to the other potato on their honeymoon? Let’s have a chat. (Editor’s note: chat potatoes are baby potatoes.)
Read all of this year’s jokes.

New events

Transition Darebin convivial garden – olive harvest

What: Join them for the annual harvest and pick some for yourself whilst talking and sharing all things olives. They will discuss pruning for greater fruit harvest, different varieties and great ways to pickle and eat olives. Take a bucket or basket for your olives (about 3-4 kg capacity) and gardening gloves (if you need them). The cost includes a couple of preserving recipes and a few tasters on the day. Maximum 10 places.
When: Saturday, 27th May, 2-4pm.
Where: Reservoir.
Cost: $10.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar.

Chutney workshop

What: Lead by their cook, Catherine.
When: Tuesday, 13th June at 12.30pm.
Where: SPAN Community House, Thornbury.
Cost: small.
Bookings: by phone (9480 1364) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar.

Seed: The Untold Story (film)

What: Few things on Earth are as miraculous and vital as seeds. They have been worshipped and treasured since the dawn of humankind. SEED: The Untold Story follows passionate seedkeepers protecting our 12,000 year-old food legacy. During the last century, 94% of our seed varieties have disappeared. As biotech chemical companies control the majority of our seeds, farmers, scientists, lawyers and indigenous seed keepers fight to defend the future of our food. In a harrowing and heartening story, these reluctant heroes rekindle a lost connection to our most treasured resource and revive a culture connected to seeds. SEED features Vandana Shiva, Dr. Jane Goodall, Andrew Kimbrell, Winona Laduke and Raj Patel. Note that this film showing will only go ahead if 60 or more tickets are sold.
When: Wednesday, 14th June, 6.30-9.45pm.
Where: Palace Westgarth, Northcote.
Cost: $22.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar.

Herbal workshop – using food as medicine

What: Using food as medicine is an excellent and empowering way to keep you and your family well through the year. Join Libby Shaw, Naturopath, Herbalist & Nutritionist, in exploring these traditional methods to nourish your body and deepen your relationship with the wonderful qualities of herbs. Learn how easy it is to incorporate them into your every day life. She will show you how to make: a herbal infused vinegar for gut and immune health; herbal infused bliss balls; and herbal syrup to support you through colds and flu.
When: Saturday, 17th June, 3.30-5pm.
Where: Nature’s Harvest, Hurstbridge.
Cost: $30.
Bookings: by phone (0407 338647).
Further information: LFC calendar.

Gluten-free cooking demonstration

What: Guest chef Mimi Biggadike will demonstrate how to make three meals from scratch using gluten-free ingredients: lemon meringue pie with sweet pastry; raw vegan cake with pecan crumb base; and choux buns with fillings.
When: Monday, 19th June at 11am and again on Thursday, 22nd June at 7pm.
Where: Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
Cost: $70.
Bookings: by phone (9846 5375).
Further information: LFC calendar.

The Rogue Ginger – zero waste living

What: Listen to Erin Rhoads – aka the Rogue Ginger – as she shares her journey to living a zero waste life.
When: Sunday, 2nd July, 1-2pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Trybooking.
Further information: LFC calendar.

Biochar gardening with Ian Culbard and Adrian Whitehead

What: Join Ian Culbard (the CERES Energy Education Coordinator) and Adrian Whitehead (an educator at CERES) to discover more about this mysterious and highly beneficial soil additive. What it is, a brief history of its use, why it works, and how to use it to benefit soil fertility at home. Also, take some home to try it out for yourself. Biochar is the carbon-rich ‘hull’ of a plant that remains when it is burnt by pyrolysis (without oxygen). This has long been used as a soil enhancer to retain water, improve soil biodiversity and enhance available nutrients that can boost plant growth and potentially utilises agricultural wastes.
When: Saturday, 22nd July, 2-4pm.
Where: CERES.
Cost: $30.
Bookings / Further information: Weteachme.

Introduction to permaculture (two day)

What: A two-day workshop, with the first day being on 17th March and the second day being on 24th March. Developed by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, permaculture (permanent agriculture) is a whole system approach to ecological planning and design for sustainable living. This workshop, spread over two weekends, will be beneficial to both those new to the concept of permaculture and for those thinking of undertaking a permaculture design course. You will be introduced to permaculture and gain a basic understanding of the principles and design methods associated with permaculture.
When: Saturday, 22nd July and Saturday, 29th July, both 10am-4pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: $115 for the two days.
Bookings: Trybooking.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

Read some help on how to view the calendar selectively. For example, search for events in a given suburb or set of suburbs. Or search for event of a given type, such as markets).

LFC News May 17 2017

May 172017
 

Mac’s tip of the week

“Its time for you to start thinking about what bare-rooted fruit trees you want to purchase this year, from whom, and when. Mid June is the best time to buy bare-rooted trees but the risk is that your favoured source might have sold out by then, or at least sold their best specimens. So, perhaps you should try and place a forward order with them.

“When you purchase, you must not let the bare roots dry out. Some suppliers will have covered the roots with damp newspaper or sawdust (a process called ‘heeling in’), or even have them potted up in potting mix for you – this means a lot and is good. Otherwise heeling them in yourself can do the trick for a time but it is still best to get them into the ground asap. And don’t sit them in a tub of water until you get around to them – even though dormant, the roots still need access to air.

“Hard pruning in the first year leads to more vigorous growth and better framework. So, try and get the tree pruned at the time of purchase by someone who knows what they are doing. Note that, if the tree in question is an apricot, the pruning should be deferred until leaf sprout to avoid gummosis.

“When planting, look at the colours of the root system and trunk to try and discern the line where the tree was previously planted up to. If in doubt, don’t plant too deep.

“Finally, note that bare rooted almond trees are notorious for not coming out of dormancy. So, keep your receipt!

“Until next time, remember: dirty hands are good hands.”

Read all of Mac’s tips.

Eastern Region Food Co-Operative (ERFCO)

Working in partnership with Transition Towns Maroondah, ERFCO is seeking new members to join up and benefit from a combined buying power. Five times a year, non-perishable food like dried fruit, nuts, grains, flour, sugar, beans, lentils, and also honey and peanut butter, are bought in bulk, mainly from NSM Food Wholesalers in Brunswick. Food co-op members order what they need – the quantity can be small or large. The collection point is in Croydon South or Heathmont. You bring your own containers or bags, plus scales, and weigh out the food you have ordered. For more information, email Lloyd.

The Community Grocer is now at Fitzroy every Tuesday

With the recent addition of Fitzroy, The Community Grocer now has four locations:

  • Fitzroy: every Tuesday, from 2-6pm at Atherton Gardens public housing estate, 125 Napier Street.
  • Fawkner: every Wednesday, from 9am-12.30pm at the Community Hub, 79-83 Jukes Road.
  • Mernda: every Thursday, from 9am-midday at Mernda Central P-12 College, 70 Breadalbane Avenue.
  • Carlton: every Friday, from 9am-midday at the public housing estate, 510 Lygon Street.

The Community Grocer aims to improve access for people living on a low-income to fresh, affordable food. They do this by running weekly fruit and vegetable markets. Everyone is welcome.

Winter pumpkin carbonara

Every three months at Eltham Farmers’ Market, healthAbility partners with a local chef to show how easy it is to plan and prepare quick and simple healthy meals, which can be made at home using fresh, seasonal produce. At the 14th May market, the chef was Mimi Biggadike and her dish was Winter pumpkin carbonara. Read the Winter pumpkin carbonara recipe.

Joke of the week

How do you handle dangerous cheese? Caerphilly.

Read all of this year’s jokes.

New events

Seasonal cooking: choko (chayote) with Pascale

What: Choko, chayote, winter zucchini … it’s a diverse, easy-to-grow veggie that can be used in anything from soup to apple crumble. Join Pascale as she creates a choko dish. Of course, you get to try it too.
When: Saturday, 20th May, 10-11.30am.
Where: Joe’s Market Garden, Coburg.
Cost: donation on the day.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Thrifty gardening

What: Maria Ciavarella, from My Green Garden will talk about thrifty gardening and savings in the garden. Preston Garden Club meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month. Everyone is welcome. Supper is provided. And there is a monthly plant competition.
When: Wednesday, 24th May, 8-10pm.
Where: Preston Shire Hall.
Cost: membership is $15 per year.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Worm farming

What: Felicity Gordon will explore the benefits and necessities for setting up your own worm farm.
When: Monday, 5th June, 1-2pm.
Where: Rosanna Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Change makers (Banyule)

What: How does your connection to nature influence your passion for environmental change? This event will help to energise and connect Banyule residents passionate about protecting the environment. It will be led by HumaNature Connect, with lots of opportunity for thoughtful and action-based discussion on key themes of sustainability. Bookings essential.
When: Thursday, 8th June, 6.15-9.30pm.
Where: Heidelberg.
Cost: free.
Bookings: TryBooking.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

The world of tea

What: Sarah Cowell, former tea sommelier at Vue de Monde, will provide a tasting and explore tea culture, history, equipment and etiquette from China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Sri Lanka and India.
When: Monday, 13th June, 11am-midday.
Where: Rosanna Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Wild fermentation and sauerkraut workshop

What: Learn about sauerkraut, wild fermentation and how to make your own sauerkraut to ferment at home. Includes cabbage and all ingredients to make your own batch of sauerkraut. Learn the stages of fermentation, how fermentation works, what fermentation is anyway, and why fermented foods are important to humans. You will also receive a comprehensive handout about sauerkraut and fermentation. Please byo large (up to 900ml) wide-mouthed jar, apron, pen (if you’re a note taker) and gumboots (it gets muddy at the garden).
When: Saturday, 24th June, 2-4pm.
Where: Joe’s Market Garden, Coburg.
Cost: $50.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Mooroolbark growers & weeders present: “home bakers’ Q & A”

What: A panel of four CWA members will answer your queries on all aspects of baking, from cakes, biscuits and slices, to breads and pastries. Bring along your favourite recipes to swap with like-minded bakers. Sample some delicious baked goodies over a cuppa. Bookings essential. Refreshments provided.
When: Tuesday, 27th June, 2-3pm.
Where: Mooroolbark Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

Read some (recently updated) help on how to view the calendar selectively. For example, search for events in a given suburb or set of suburbs. Or search for event of a given type, such as markets).

LFC News May 10 2017

May 102017
 

Mac’s tip of the week

“Frosty mornings normally begin from about now so it’s time to start thinking about whether or not any of your plants will be needing any form of protection (moving into the greenhouse, shade cloth, etc). Until next time, remember: dirty hands are good hands and gloves keep them warm.”

Read all of Mac’s tips.

Which commercial fertiliser is best?

In the 26th April newsletter, I discussed two interesting posts by Leaf, Root & Fruit, one on which potting mix is best and the other on the importance of soil. Well, they have now published a third in the series, on which commercial fertiliser is best. Interestingly, their main conclusion is that: “even with the best quality fertilisers, terrible soil is difficult to improve“.

The Australian Fair Food Forum

The Australian Fair Food Forum is a new forum for discussing how to build a fairer food system in Australia. It’s a place both to ask questions and to share resources and lessons learned. The forum is launching with support from a wide range of food organisations across the country including: Open Food Network; The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance; Right to Food Coalition; Food Connect; Melbourne Farmers’ Markets; the Fair Food Challenge; Farmer Incubator; 3000 Acres; the Youth Food Movement Australia; Sunraysia Local Food Future; and the Organic & Regenerative Investment Co-operative.

Some important pages on the website you might not be aware of

Just about every week, I find out about a new food organisation or website, sometimes local and sometimes national, and put something in the newsletter about them. But newsletters (like blogs and Facebook) are ephemeral and any entry quickly gets lost in the mists of time. By contrast, website pages, if well organised, can be lasting reference sources. So, I have always duplicated the newsletter material on the following pages:

Want some free soil/compost?

For reasons that are too complicated to explain here, the four wicking beds at Eltham Farmers’ Market have to be dismantled. So, good homes are being sought for their various components: the soil/compost/manure mix, the pond liner, the scoria, etc. Pick up in situ. If interested, contact Bev Robertson by phone (9439 1421) or email to arrange the logistics.

Want some pomegranates?

Cath Lyons will be selling pomegranates at the Community Market Stall at Eltham Farmers’ Market on Sunday, 14th June.

We need more people to come forward to sell their surplus produce at future Community Market Stalls. You win, the public wins, it’s good fun, so what is there not to like. If potentially interested, email me.

Want some discounted compost bins, worm farms or bokashi bins (Boroondara residents)?

To celebrate International Compost Awareness Week, the City of Boroondara has partnered with Compost Revolution to make the following offer to Boroondara residents during May: a 50% discount on compost bins, wormfarms and bokashi bins plus free delivery to your door.

Out of interest, I had a look around the Compost Revolution website. First, I typed my home address in and was told that I qualified for a 25% discount off RRP, So the Boroondara offer above is actually a 33% (1-0.5/0.75) discount compared to usual prices. Second, I saw that, to claim the offer, one has to first do a tutorial and then answer a quiz – a rather weird, interesting, but potentially irritating, approach. Finally, I read that the initiative is a social partnership involving around 40 Councils, but only 1 (i.e. Boroondara) from North East Melbourne.

Calendar: community gardening events

The people at the Garden of Plenty, Greensborough have written in to say that they meet every Monday, 2-3pm, to share tips and ideas and to maintenance of the community garden. These meetings have been added to the community gardening section of the website calendar.

Currently, the calendar only contains community gardening events for gardens in Nillumbik and Banyule. But this is only because other community gardens haven’t (yet) told me about their regular events. If you live in Boroondara, City of Yarra, Darebin, Manningham, Maroondah, Whitehorse, Whittlesea or the western part of Yarra Ranges and know or any regular events at your local community gardens, email me.

Calendar: farmers' markets

Someone asked for a schedule of the local farmers’ markets. Our website article on the local farmers’ markets contains such a schedule.

How to eat (or not eat) an avocado seed (part 2)

Ralf Humphries has written in to say that, from his understanding, it is not yet clear that avocado seeds are actually suitable as human food. Googling confirms that the jury is still out on this subject. Thanks for the heads up, Ralf!

Random fact of the week (gleaned from googling): most fruit serve the function of seed dispersal, accomplished by their consumption by animals. But what could possibly eat an avocado seed (apart from you after watching last week’s video!)? The answer is apparently megafauna, such as giant ground sloths, which have now gone extinct. In other words, the avocado is an ‘evolutionary anachronism’. See the discussions on the Wikipedia and Smithsonian websites. Or watch and listen to a video of someone called Connie Barlow singing a song entitled Ghosts of Evolution (which is actually worth watching).

Joke of the week

What cheese is made backwards? Edam.

Read all of this year’s jokes.

Picture of the week

For ‘technical reasons’ to do with Facebook, every newsletter has to have at least one good picture. Here is this week’s: a very hungry caterpillar.

New events

Creating a wicking bed

What: Join Peter Daams as he creates a new wicking bed or two at Thrive Community Garden. Peter will explain the theory behind how wicking beds work and their methods of construction. He will then proceed, with your assistance, to demonstrate how to create one. Tickets are $10 but free to paid-up members of Local Food Connect. Click here if you would like to become a paid-up member of LFC, or renew your membership (from $10 pa). Members will be sent a booking code to book free tickets to the workshop. If you have not received your code, please email us.
When: Sunday, 21st May, 1-3pm.
Where: Thrive Community Garden, Diamond Creek.
Cost: free (LFC members) or $10 (non-members).
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Transforming your yard into an edible oasis – with Vasili

What: Interested in creating your own edible oasis, but don’t know how to go about it? Join TV and radio personality and gardening guru Vasili Kanidiadis, from Vasili’s Garden to Kitchen, for this practical workshop to learn the steps to help you design your garden to grow your own vegetables, fruit and herbs. Following Vasili’s presentation, there will be shorter talks on a topic of your choice, either learn about how to keep bees in your own backyard including seeing a live demonstration hive in action, or watch a hands on fruit tree pruning demonstration to learn the best ways to go about your winter pruning.
When: Sunday, 4th June, 10am-12.30pm.
Where: Box Hill Town Hall.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Cooking to save money and avoid food waste with PlanBuyCook

What: Learn how to whip up tasty and healthy meals without the waste. PlanBuyCook’s Jen and Gaby will give you great recipes and meal planning know-how to save time, money and stress in the kitchen, as well as eliminate food waste. Includes cooking demonstrations, giveaways and prizes to help you reduce food waste. Bookings are essential.
When: Tuesday, 13th June, 10-11.30am.
Where: Preston City Hall.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Masterclass series for absolute beginners to vegetable growing (3 sessions)

What: What you will learn: how to experience success by getting the basics right from the start – soil, sun, siting; how to select suitable and seasonal plants to grow from seedling and seed; and how to do it organically and sustainably – composting, worm farming, pest control. This series of workshops will take place over 3 sessions. Session 1 – setting up a vegetable garden: you will cover the basics for success from the start: soil improvement, siting your veggie patch, sunshine needed, plant nutrition needs. No-dig gardens vs traditional veggie patches will be demonstrated. Session 2 – which veggies should I grow? Knowing what to plant when helps you get it right. You will cover the seasonal nature of planting and then look at which are the easiest to get right. Some vegetables are best grown from seed and you will go through the tips and techniques to ensure you have success with all types of planting. Session 3, part 1 – when things go wrong: you will look at some low-impact ways of dealing with the pests that sometimes plague our gardens and encouraging the ‘good guys’ into your garden. Session 3, part 2 – making great compost and setting up your worm farm for ongoing soil fertility.
When: Session 1 – 15th June or 17th June; session 2 – 29th June or 1st July; session 3 – 13th July, or 15th July; all 10am-12.30pm.
Where: Donvale.
Cost: $150.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Winter fruit tree maintenance

What: What you will learn: pruning – formative and maintenance of new and established fruit trees. Also, selection and planting of new fruit trees; Winter fruit tree maintenance practices for pest and disease prevention, control and treatment; and Pruning tool maintenance. Presented by Angelo Eliades. The aim of this demonstration class is that you will leave it feeling confident to maintain your fruit trees. The preparation that is done in the colder months pays mighty dividends in the growing and harvesting seasons to come. Learn all of the pruning techniques and needs of individual fruit trees from apples and plums to persimmons and pomegranates. And hear about what not to do. Discover how to reduce and prevent pest and diseases that compromise your fruit production. Learn how to treat problems with different methods – organic/permaculture and conventional. They will also cover buying new fruit trees and will demonstrate how to clean and sharpen your pruning tools and other edged garden tools (spades etc).
When: Saturday, 17th June, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $45.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Fruit tree pruning

What: Learn the why, when and how of deciduous fruit tree pruning. As well as the theory around pruning, some of this workshop will be spent in the Edendale orchard where there will be hands-on pruning practice. So bring along your secateurs and wear some suitable outdoor boots, clothes and gloves.
When: Wednesday, 21st June, 10am-2pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: $60.
Bookings: Trybooking.
Further information: Edendale website.

Artisan pasta – ravioli and cannelloni

What: What you will learn: how to make a basic egg pasta to use for filled shapes; how to make ravioli using free-form techniques, as well as molds for a more uniform shape; and how to make cannelloni with a variety of fillings, including vegetarian options. What you get: lunch of the cannelloni made on the day, with a glass of wine; the ravioli made on the day; and handouts with recipes and techniques for the pasta and the fillings. Cook like an Italian when you join them to make home made egg-based pasta and then use it to make ravioli and cannelloni. You will start from scratch with just some basic ingredients. The ravioli will be filled with a variety of fillings, including vegetarian options; and take on different shapes when you see how they are made free-form or using special molds.
When: Sunday, 2nd July, 10am-2pm.
Where: Donvale.
Cost: $90.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

DIY grafting

What: What you will learn: why we graft or bud trees and bushes, and the principles behind grafting and budding techniques; how to select and store appropriate scion for grafting; and how to do a cleft graft and a whip-and-tongue graft. Presented by Angelo Eliades. Find out how and why we graft fruit trees (and any others). This is a hands-on class where you will practise grafting techniques and prepares you to go out and do your own collecting and storing of scion, and be confident in grafting your own trees. There will be lots of tips to improve your success rate. You will have the background to attempt more complicated grafts and discover that you have nothing to lose if you give it a try. Please bring a grafting knife and secateurs if you have them (not essential).
When: Saturday, 8th July, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $45.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Love food, hate waste cooking demo with lunch

What: Did you know Victorians waste 25% of the food they buy? Learn how to avoid food waste and use leftovers more creatively. Local chef Duang Tengtrirat, from Real Food Catering, will provide a cooking demonstration and tips’ session. Get creative, make the most of your leftovers and show them the love they deserve!
When: Friday, 14th July, midday-2pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Trybooking.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Growing fruit and veggies in small spaces

What: What you will learn: which produce plants are suitable to grow in small areas; coping with shade and sun for produce growing; and how to make the most of any available space for growing produce. Presented by Angelo Eliades. Do you only have a small garden or no garden at all? Would you still like to grow your own food? This class will inspire you to get started. Topics will include fruit, vegetables and berries for small spaces, growing produce in pots and containers, maximising productivity in any size space and plant selection.
When: Saturday, 15th July, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $45.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

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

LFC News May 3 2017

May 022017
 

Really Really Free Market Preston – a brief review

I went to the first Really Really Free Market Preston last Sunday. It’s an unusual concept so I thought that you might be interested in a brief review. The main point to make is that it really was as it purported to be: everything was free! So, for example, there were free massages (more accurately, Bowen therapy), free yoga lessons, free use of a sewing machine and free food. And they were completely free: no donation options, no swapping or anything. My (free) lunch comprised dahl, roast potatoes, a green salad and chocolate cake. There were 5 marquees and around 100 people were there whilst I was there. The majority were the younger side of 40 and most did not seem to know each other. Kudos to both the organisers and everyone who contributed stuff. My understanding is that they intend to repeat the event on the last Sunday of each month, so the next one will be on 28th May. I’ll post more details as and when I know them.

According to the Anarchist Cookbook, the first Really, Really Free Market took place in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2001.

Finally, on the subject of free stuff, the Free Stuff Melbourne Facebook group has 74,000 members!

Feed Melbourne appeal

The Feed Melbourne appeal has now started. Read about it in the picture right. There are three ways to donate:

  • Via the Feed Melbourne Appeal website.
  • By phone (9428 0044), Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, using your credit card.
  • By cheque (Feed Melbourne Appeal, FareShare Foundation, 1-7 South Audley Street, Abbotsford, 3067).

‘Crowd harvest’ for Mother’s Day

Is your garden producing more than you need? Would you like to be able to help others who are experiencing food crisis and insecurity? People are invited to donate their homegrown excess over the next week or so (up until Mother’s Day, 14th May) to DIVRS, Preston. They will then distribute, either fresh or preserved, through their food relief programs. Any questions, contact Cath Lyons (aka Tiny Trowel) by phone (0401 814679) or email.

Mac’s tip of the week

“If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to turn your irrigation off. Until next time, remember: sometimes the best tips are the shortest ones.”

Read all of Mac’s tips.

Do you have an olive press?

Eltham-based Colin Cook has lots of olives this year. Do you have an olive press that he could use? If so, email Colin.

Darebin Homemade Food & Wine Festival

You can now view/download a pdf of the full program.

Golden Ball dessert

As reported in The Leader, Michelle Lukman, from Box Hill, apparently wowed the MasterChef Australia judges with her Golden Ball dessert.

Pruning raspberries (part 2)

Heather has written in with a few points about my words from last week’s newsletter. Thanks, Heather!

First, she points out that an alternative name for ‘everbearing raspberries’ is ‘autumn bearing raspberries’ (although, strictly speaking, ‘summer and autumn bearing raspberries’ would be more accurate) [Ed: and, in my case, ‘summer and autumn bearing raspberries which didn’t bear much fruit this year and look a bit skanky all year round’ would be even more accurate!].

Second, her ‘autumn bearing raspberries’ haven’t yet finished flowering and fruiting and she is seeing big sweet berries every day at the moment. Last year, she picked her final fruit for the season on 30th July! (although they were not as sweet as the earlier ones). So it’s too early to cut these productive canes back. What she has done is tip prune them where the fruiting top segments of the canes have died but where more fruit is developing lower down these same canes. She has also removed other canes which were dead all the way down. And given the remaining canes some light fertiliser.

In talking about pruning raspberries in late Autumn, I was effectively following Louis Glowinski from his book The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia. But, as several people from Permaculture Victoria have suggested, the pruning is actually easier if you leave it until after all the leaves have dropped off (i.e. some time in Winter).

Surprising pics that show how food looks before it’s harvested (part 2)

This time, I thought that I would include the actual hyperlink(!): 30 pictures of ‘unusual’ fruit and veggies (across 3 pages). How many of them have you grown and with what success?

How to eat an avocado seed

Did you know that the seed of an avocado is the most nutrient-dense part of the fruit? I didn’t until I watched this video. Thanks to Marina Bistrin for the link.

Proverb of the month

Walnuts and pears you plant for your heirs. Meaning: think long-term and look after future generations. From the 17th Century and obviously based on the supposedly long time before pear or walnut trees bear fruit. The contemporaneous he that plants trees loves others beside himself arguably has a similar meaning.

Incidently, “apples and pears” is cockney rhyming slang for “stairs“. So, they (the apocryphal, archetypal cockneys) then drop the “and pears” and say “I’m going up the apples” to mean “I’m going up the stairs“.

Joke of the week

I’ve just written a song about tortillas – actually, it’s more of a rap.

Read all of this year’s jokes.

New events

Kalorama Chestnut Festival

What: Savour the abundant chestnuts, gourmet food, Devonshire tea, coffee, artisan beer and mulled wine. Explore the diverse range of stalls showcasing locally-made handcrafts and produce. Children can enjoy the fun rides and adventure play space. The activities will include: delicious roasted chestnuts; poffertjees; Devonshire tea and home made cakes; sausage sizzle; local restaurant food stalls; artisan beer (including chestnut beer!) and mulled wine; coffee, tea and chai; bungy jump trampolines; train rides’ flying swings; petting zoos; old-fashioned kids games; raffles; local handmade crafts; local produce; and live music and performances.
When: Sunday, 7th May, 10am-4pm.
Where: Kalorama Memorial Reserve.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: their website.

International Permaculture Day – introduction to edible forest gardening

What: To celebrate International Permaculture Day, you are invited to a presentation on edible forest gardening. The presentation will be given by John Ferris of Edible Forest Gardens Nursery. John will talk about the layers of a forest system and how to implement some of these ideas into your garden/property. He will also introduce you to some unfamiliar perennial plants that he is really passionate about.
When: Sunday, 7th May, 1-3pm.
Where: Edible Forest Gardens, Wonga Park.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their Facebook page.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Keeping chooks in the suburbs

What: Have you you always wanted to keep chooks in the suburbs? This workshop will go through how to feed and care for your poultry, the local laws, housing and your neighbours. You will also cover diseases, predators and pets. Also, how to handle your chook correctly (live chickens) and which heritage breed to buy and from where.
When: Tuesday, 9th May, 7-9.30pm.
Where: North Ringwood Community House.
Cost: $25.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Nillumbik community wellbeing expo

What: Discover, and engage with, all the local activities, groups and services in Nillumbik that can support your wellbeing. The expo will comprise exhibitors, presentations, interactive spaces and demonstrations, healthy food stalls and a ‘kids zone’. The expo will include a gardening workshop with Vasili from Vasili’s Garden, probably at 1pm. By rumour, someone from Local Food Connect will also be making a presentation.
When: Sunday, 21st May, 10am-3pm.
Where: Eltham High School.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Fruit trees

What: Have you always wanted to grow your own fruits at home but weren’t sure where to start? Let them take you through the basics of fruit and berry growing. This workshop will cover: selecting the ideal fruit; growing berries, fruit trees, nuts and vine fruits;, improving soil fertility; controlling pests and diseases without chemicals; and pruning and propagation methods.
When: Tuesday, 13th June, 6.30-9.30pm.
Where: North Ringwood Community House.
Cost: $30.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

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