Gardening Australia has now visited Eltham
Watch the video of Millie visiting the Eltham garden of Christine and Stuart Rodda to discuss their use of spent coffee grounds.
The coffee grounds are delivered to the Roddas free by Reground. If you want some, contact Ninna Larsen at Reground by either phone (0466 242575) or email. Note that their minimum delivery quantities are 2 bins if you live in inner Melbourne or 7 bins if you live in outer Melbourne.
Reground are 1 of 5 free, local suppliers of spent coffee grounds/husks listed on our community resources page.
Petition to save Peppertree Place
Peppertree Place is under threat of immediate closure. As well as a volunteer run nursery and cafe, it includes both a community garden and a monthly food swap. Click here to read, and then sign, a petition to save Peppertree Place.
The 2018 Australian Food Awards (cont)
The Vinegar & Dressing section of the 2018 Australian Food Awards have just been announced and local producer Kookaberry Strawberry Farm, from Wandin, won 4(!) golds for their raspberry balsamic vinegar, their raspberry vinegar, their strawberry balsamic vinegar, and their strawberry vinegar.
Our caption competition – results
The winner is Yuki Cameron for:
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inspired by |  |
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| Snack time – let the wild rumpus begin! |
And the winner of the (previously unannounced) short story section of the competition is Cathy Romeo for:
Boy with cupcakes: “Hey, Admiral Apples, emergency at sea! A junk full of sick kids, enslaved by Sly, Sailor Sugar and Pirate Preservative!“
Boy with apples: “But, Captain Cupcake, how to help them with no doctor on board?“
Girl with watermelon: “Easy peasy, Admiral Apples. Midshipman, Maiden Water Melon to the rescue with Crew of Fresh Fruit and Veg.“
Pick My Project
Listed below are all the food-related Pick My Project projects in North East Melbourne. If I have missed any, please email me.
| Local authority | Suburb | Project |
| Banyule | Bellfield | Waratah Urban Farm Fundraiser |
| Heidelberg | Community growing and sustainability hub – Yarra Trail, Heidelberg | |
| St Helena | ‘The Veggie Empire’ Community Food Plant Nursery | |
| Boroondara | Camberwell | Young Foodie Game |
| Kew | Willsmere Kitchen Garden – resurrecting a historic community garden | |
| City of Yarra | Abbotsford | 200,000 free, nutritious meals for vulnerable Victorians |
| An inclusive food growing hub for Abbotsford | ||
| Community Vegetable Garden in Abbotsford for families and residents | ||
| Wurundjeri Bush Food & Bioceuticals Business | ||
| Carlton North | Community dinners from around the world | |
| Fitzroy | A Fitzroy Community Garden for everyone! | |
| Community Market Champions | ||
| Fitzroy Food Forest | ||
| Open Table community food hub | ||
| Fitzroy North | Celebration of Community and Culture | |
| Darebin | Alphington | We Love Bees! Bee School & Darebin Bee Shed |
| Northcote | School lunch program | |
| Preston | Coffee Cups to landfill? NO MORE! Share the knowledge. | |
| East Preston Community Garden | ||
| The Compost Depot | ||
| Reservoir | You’re welcome for dinner: eating the food we grow together | |
| Thornbury | Solar panels for Melbourne’s first pay-as-you-feel rescued food market | |
| Manningham | Donvale | Community Industrial Kitchen |
| Templestowe | Cultural Food Festival | |
| Moreland | Brunswick | Brunswick Food Forest: Growing Strong Communities |
| Eco-Skills Festival | ||
| Wellbeing and Food Produce Garden | ||
| Brunswick East | Growing Our Community Gardening Future | |
| Spring Fling Festival at the Veggie Spot | ||
| Coburg | VegiePonic Eggsellence | |
| African Australian friendship garden | ||
| Fawkner | Community Market Champions | |
| Composting Moreland | ||
| The Hothouse – A Food Hub for Fawkner | ||
| Maroondah | Bayswater North | Update our Community Cafe |
| Ringwood | Bedford Park Garden & Sustainability Hub | |
| Ringwood East | MMIGP Indigenous Foods & Cultural Presence at Local Community Events | |
| Nillumbik | Diamond Creek | Build a bespoke community eco-building at Thrive Community Garden |
| Eltham | Kids in the Kitchen – Eltham Primary School Kitchen Garden | |
| Hurstbridge | Hurstbridge Community Garden | |
| St Andrews | Open Farm Day | |
| Whitehorse | Blackburn North | Kitchen Garden Education Program |
| Whittlesea | Lalor | Links Sustainability Park (Lalor) |
| Little Kitchen | ||
| Thomastown | Thomastown Community Garden and Gathering Space |
Which link was clicked most times in the last newsletter?
The flyer for home compost doctors in area 3081.
Joke of the week
Why can’t you trust tacos? Because they tend to spill the beans. Read all the jokes.
New events
What’s in your green bin?
What: You can make nutritious compost from everything in your green bin if you really want to. It’s up to you to decide how much time and space you have to do this – Marina Bistrin will give you some tips on easy methods of dealing with garden waste in your own home. Bring any weeds or prunings you would like to work out how to compost or use. This talk follows the Warranwood Food Swap at 10am.
When: Sunday, 19th August, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Warranwood Primary School.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Marmalade making workshop by Convivial Kitchen
What: This is an event for local Darebin people to come together and connect while learning some new home cooking skills. All ingredients will be supplied and participants will receive tuition and a small jar of marmalade to take home.
When: Sunday, 19th August, 2-4pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: $30 ($20 concession).
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Mycelium mushroom growing in the city (multiple sessions)
What: You will: create your own take home mushroom grow kit; grow oyster mushrooms on coffee grounds and waste paper; understand how mycelium mushrooms work as nature’s internet; learn the life cycle of mushrooms; discover the exciting possibilities of teaming with fungi; learn how to grow mushrooms in the garden and in your bathroom; and turn waste cardboard, paper and coffee grounds into mycelium fungi. You will also take home two diy mushrooms kits plus one mushroom garden kit.
When: 5 sessions on consecutive Thursdays, from 30th August to 27th September, each 10.30am-4.30pm.
Where: Brunswick.
Cost: $30.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Bees on the move
What: Whether you’ve ever dreamt of keeping bees in your own backyard, or you’re new to beekeeping and want to prepare for spring, meet local apiarist Peter Dyer and learn the basics from him. Includes honey and bread tastings, and a jar of Backyard Honey to take home.
When: Wednesday, 29th August, 6-7.30pm.
Where: The Honey Thief Bakery, Blackburn South.
Cost: $30.
Bookings: by phone (9878 5084).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Cooking master class
What: Enjoy 3 tasting size courses cooked by chef Bek McMillan, from Gourmet Living, who will demonstrate step by step. All recipes are included. Menu: grilled asparagus bruchetta; rose harissa chicken ragu; maple sugared banana tart.
When: Friday, 31st August, 7-9pm.
Where: Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
Cost: $42.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
FEASTival: making jams with Marie
What: Marie, from Rie’s Kitchen, will provide tips on making jam. Take along any jars that “aren’t quite right” and Rie will give you tips on how to improve. Take a jar.
When: Monday, 3rd September, 1-2.30pm.
Where: Mill Park Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
FEASTival: Asian cooking with Jean
What: Join Jean from Jean’s Asian Cooking as she demonstrates delicious Asian dishes. Followed by tastings.
When: Thursday, 6th September, 7-8.30pm.
Where: Mill Park Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Sprouting and microgreens with Michelle
What: Sprouting is benchtop organic vegetable gardening. Microgreens are an exciting, colourful, gourmet alternative to sprouts. These green wonders provide a nutrient-rich hit, in a tiny, crunchy package! Learn how to grow them in your own home or garden. You will take your own little sprouting starter kit.
When: Saturday, 8th September, 10.30am-midday.
Where: Lilydale Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Food know how – Edible Eden Design
What: Join Karen from Edible Eden Design to learn how to make the most of your garden, whether it’s shady, sunny, or all in pots.
When: Monday, 17th September, 11am-12.30pm.
Where: North Fitzroy Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Plan Buy Cook – rules for meal planning
What: Jen and Gaby from Plan Buy Cook will show you how to cook healthy, tasty meals which are quick to make and take advantage of leftovers. You will learn to save on your food bill, how meal planning can save on food waste, and how to shop wisely.
When: Monday, 17th September, 2-3pm.
Where: Bulleen Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Autumn moon dumpling making
What: Dumplings are cheap, easy, beginner- and kid-friendly, and quick. Learn how to make these traditional treats with local cooking legend Jenny Chua, from Cooking with Jenny in Melbourne. Just in time for the Autumn Moon Festival.
When: Saturday, 22nd September, 11am-midday.
Where: Nunawading Library.
Cost: free. Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Autumn moon Chinese bao buns
What: Celebrate the Autumn Moon Festival with a cooking display. Jenny Chua, from Cooking with Jenny in Melbourne, will demonstrate making traditional Chinese bao buns, with savoury vegetarian and meat options, as well as sweet fillings. And there will be some to taste.
When: Saturday, 29th September, 11am-midday.
Where: Box Hill Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Beer – from hop seeds to drink
What: A monthly talk at the Hurstbridge Sow & Grow Garden Club.
When: Tuesday, 2nd October, 7.15-9.15pm.
Where: Hurstbridge Community Hub. Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Essential coffee with Hugh Kelly
What: Australians consume 6 billion cups of coffee every year. This ever growing caffeine addiction and the convenience of disposable cups and coffee pods are creating serious environmental problems. In this workshop, two times winner of the Australian Barista Championship and head of research and development at ONA coffee, Hugh Kelly, will demonstrate the tips and tricks to making award winning coffee from your home espresso machine. Also hear from Sarah Hardgrove on how to use your spent coffee grinds safely in your garden.
When: Wednesday, 3rd October, 7-9pm.
Where: Manningham Civic Centre.
Cost: free.
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. 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: Thursday, 4th October, 6.30-9pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $55.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Summary of upcoming events
Over the next week
- ‘Spring sensations’ cooking master class: Thursday, 16th August, 7-9pm.
- ‘Spring sensations’ cooking master class: Friday, 17th August, 7-9pm.
- Indigenous plants for food and medicine: Saturday, 18th August, 9.30am-12.30pm.
- Cellar beer masterclass: Saturday, 18th August, 12.30-2.30pm.
- Creating a food forest in your backyard: Saturday, 18th August, 2-3pm.
- Set up and maintain a worm farm: Saturday, 18th August, 3-4pm.
- 3 Ravens Brewery tour and tasting: Saturday, 18th August, 4-5pm.
- What’s in your green bin?: Sunday, 19th August, 10.30-11.30am.
- Edible weeds walk: Sunday, 19th August, 11am-1pm.
- Marmalade making workshop by Convivial Kitchen: Sunday, 19th August, 2-4pm.
- Edible weeds walk: Sunday, 19th August, 2-4pm.
- Permaculture Design Course (12 sessions): Tuesdays, 9am-4.30pm, starting 21st August.
- Microgreens: Tuesday, 21st August, 11.30am-12.30pm.
- Creating a permaculture garden for beginners: Tuesday, 21st August, 2-3.30pm.
- Grafting workshop: Wednesday, 22nd August, 9.30am-12.30pm.
- Grafting workshop: Wednesday, 22nd August, 1-4pm.
- Breads, jams and chutneys in your Thermomix: Wednesday, 22nd August, 7.30-9.30pm.
Over the next month
- Plant-based midweek cooking class: Thursday, 23rd August, 6.30-8.30pm.
- Ultimate cheese and wine matching masterclass: Thursday, 23rd August, 6.30-9.30pm.
- Cooking master class: Thursday, 23rd August, 7-9pm.
- Miso paste making: Friday, 24th August, 10am-12.30pm.
- Miso paste making: Friday, 24th August, 2-4.30pm.
- Winter fruit tree maintenance: Saturday, 25th August, 9.30am-12.30pm.
- Become a junior chocolatier: Saturday, 25th August, 10-10.45am.
- Plant propagation: Saturday, 25th August, 10-11am.
- No Waste Cook Club Carlton: Saturday, 25th August, 10am-midday.
- Growing mycelium (mushrooms) in the city: Saturday, 25th August, 10.30am-4.30pm.
- Edible weeds walk: Saturday, 25th August, 11am-1pm.
- Edible weeds walk: Saturday, 25th August, 2-4pm.
- Beeswax wrap workshop: Saturday, 25th August, 3-5pm.
- Annual agribusiness dinner: Saturday, 25th August, 6-10.30pm.
- Food forest workshop: Sunday, 26th August, 9am-5pm.
- Grafting workshop: Saturday, 26th August, 9.30am-12.30pm.
- Miso paste making: Sunday, 26th August, 10am-12.30pm.
- Planting traditional indigenous food, fibre and medicine plants: Sunday, 26th August, 10am-1pm.
- Healthy lives plant-based cooking: Sunday, 26th August, midday-4pm.
- Miso paste making: Sunday, 26th August, 2-4.30pm.
- All about composting, worm farms and reducing food waste at home: Tuesday, 28th August, 2-3pm.
- Heidi garden club: Wednesday, 29th August, 10am-midday.
- Bees on the move: Wednesday, 29th August, 6-7.30pm.
- Summer-proof your garden: Wednesday, 29th August, 7-8.30pm.
- Mycelium mushroom growing in the city (multiple sessions): starting Thursday, 30th August, 10.30am-4.30pm.
- The art of espalier: Thursday, 30th August, 6.30-9pm.
- Amazake making and cooking: Friday, 31st August, 10am-12.30pm.
- TKW cooking school – winter wonders: Friday, 31st August, midday-2.30pm.
- Amazake making and cooking: Friday, 31st August, 2-4.30pm.
- Cooking master class: Friday, 31st August, 7-9pm.
- Become a junior chocolatier: Saturday, 1st September, 10-10.45am.
- No Waste Cook Club Fitzroy: Saturday, 1st September, 10am-midday.
- Chocolate discovery class: Saturday, 1st September, 11.30am-12.30pm.
- Pruning workshop: Saturday, 1st September, 2-4.30pm.
- Grafting workshop: Saturday, 1st September, 3-5pm.
- FEASTival: making jams with Marie: Monday, 3rd September, 1-2.30pm.
- Plant-based midweek cooking class: Thursday, 6th September, 6.30-8.30pm.
- FEASTival: Asian cooking with Jean: Thursday, 6th September, 7-8.30pm.
- The art of macarons with Emelia Jackson: Friday, 7th September, 7-9pm.
- Veggie gardening for beginners: Saturday, 8th September, 9.30am-12.30pm.
- Preparing your productive garden for Spring: Saturday, 8th September, 10-11.30am.
- Sourdough bread making workshop: Saturday, 8th September, 10am-1pm.
- Sprouting and microgreens with Michelle: Saturday, 8th September, 10.30am-midday.
- Save our citrus: Saturday, 8th September, 11am-midday.
- Green at Kathleen – edible gardening in small spaces: Saturday, 8th September, 11.30am-1pm.
- Home composting workshop: Saturday, 8th September, 2-4.30pm.
- Grafting workshop: Sunday, 9th September, 10am-1pm.
- Healthy lives plant-based cooking: Sunday, 9th September, midday-4pm.
- Nillumbik FEASTival: Tuesday, 11th September, 6-7pm.
- Soul foods: Wednesday, 12th September, 1-2pm.
- Grow productive lemons, limes and oranges: Thursday, 13th September, 6.30-8pm.
- Growing tomatoes organically: Thursday, 13th September, 6.30-9pm.
- Build your own poly/shade tunnels: Saturday, 15th September, 10am-2.30pm.