LFC News March 4 2020

Judy has interviewed Georgia Tracy from Kevin Heinze GROW in Doncaster

If you have never been to Kevin Heinze GROW in Doncaster then you have missed out on seeing one of the best food gardens in North East Melbourne. The garden provides therapeutic programs for people with disabilities and is also open to the public during working hours, with visitors being asked to report to the Main Office upon arrival. Judy Vizzari recently visited the garden and interviewed Georgia Tracy, who is the Kevin Heinze GROW Marketing & Fundraising Manager (as well as a newsletter reader). As Judy says in her writeup: “during the late ’70s, Kevin Heinze visited England and was inspired by a visit to a garden for children with disabilities. He returned with the belief that people with disabilities would benefit from horticulture-based therapy and decided to introduce a similar project here.” and “The centre is a registered ACFE provider and also offers NDIS GROW On (its ‘core program’), GROW ON Transition (for secondary school students), Grow Well (for children who have experienced trauma), CHSP (a Commonwealth Home Support Program for older people with an interest in social and recreational gardening), and a range of clinical services such as OT, speech therapy and counselling.“

Read Judy’s full writeup.

A good time to visit the garden (which is at 39 Wetherby Road, Doncaster) would be on Saturday, 21st March between 9am and 3pm when they are holding their annual Autumn Fair and Open Day. On this day, they will also be selling a wide variety of perennials, succulents, herbs, fruit trees and vegetable seedling. To encourage you, we are giving away a $50 voucher redeemable on the day to a randomly chosen person who correctly answers the following question: What milestone birthday did Kevin Heinze Grow celebrate last year? (Hint: the answer is in Judy’s writeup.) Email your answer.

As well as their Doncaster open day, Kevin Heinze GROW is also holding a similar Autumn Fair and Open Day at their site at Peppertree Place, 512 Sydney Road, Coburg. The $50 voucher will be at either the Doncaster site or the Coburg site (but not both!).

Do you know?

Tracey Bjorksten writes in: “Most planting guides say that you should plant Brussels sprouts at the same time as other brassicas (i.e. around now) but that sounds suspiciously late to me. For those of you who have grown Brussels sprouts successfully, when did you start their seed and when did you transplant out?” Email your answer.

Local sources of free manure, coffee grounds, etc

Someone wrote in to say that they could not find the page on our website which listed some local sources of free manure, coffee grounds, etc. The answer is www.localfoodconnect.org.au/community-gardening/resources and it is in the community gardening section.

Home Harvest Picnic 2020

The annual home harvest picnic at Edendale was, as usual, well attended. Thanks to newsletter readers Richard Rowe and Pam Jenkins for their leading roles in its organisation.

  

Want some empty passata jars?

Karen Olsen has a substantial number (around 30) of empty passata jars to give away. Pick up in Eltham. Text Karen on 0419 541440 and say how many you want. First come, first served.

Joke of the week

She danced like nobody was watching. But people were watching and she looked like bees were attacking her.

Brought to my attention by Ona Henderson.

Read more jokes.

New events – not cooking

Garlic Bread Festival: Saturday, 21st March, midday-10pm; Welcome To Thornbury.

What: A whole day dedicated to eating and celebrating garlic bread. Expect garlic bread burgers, garlic bread gozleme, fancy garlic bread and good ol’ classic garlic bread.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.

Taco & beer masterclass: Saturday, 21st March, 12.30-2.30pm; 3 Ravens Brewery, Thornbury.

What: What you will learn: taste your way through spring beers from The 3 Ravens under the expert guidance of one of their brewery team; see behind the scenes of a fully functioning craft brewery; and learn The 3 Ravens approach to craft beers. What you will get: brewery tour; tacos from La Tortilleria; and a guided tasting of the latest releases from 3 Ravens.
Cost: $70 (includes a meal).
Bookings: WeTeachMe.

Introduction to horticulture (6 sessions): 6 sessions between 31st March and 9th April, each 10am-2pm; Whittlesea.

What: To be eligible for this course, you must have a green Medicare card, not be currently enrolled in mainstream secondary school, and either an Australian citizen or permanent resident. This course will provide you with the exposure you need to make the best long term study decisions about permaculture and horticulture. The training is provided by Jesuit Social Services.
Cost: free.
Bookings: by phone (9716 3361).

Silverdale (garden tour): Saturday, 4th April and Sunday, 5th April, both 10am-4.30pm; Eaglemont.

What: This permaculture garden includes hived bees, chooks, compost, water harvesting, recycling, renewable energy, wicking beds and seasonal vegetables. For much the year, the home runs off grid.
Cost: $8.
Bookings: just turn up.

Bee keeping for beginners: Thursday, 23rd April, 6.30-9pm; Bulleen Art and Garden.

What: What you will learn: the A-Z of keeping your own bees; the equipment you’ll need to do so; and handy hints and tips from an experienced bee keeper. Presented by Karen Sutherland, of Edible Eden Design. This class will help you understand the decisions needed before you start, and the amount of work involved.
Cost: $50 ($20 per hour).
Bookings: WeTeachMe.

FOGO community launch party – with Costa: Friday, 24th April, 6-8.30pm; Camberwell.

What: The Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) program will allow residents on Boroondara to put both food waste and garden waste in the same bin for a weekly collection. Go to this night of celebration. In addition to Costa and FOGO talks, there will be food, drinks and music.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Edible weeds walk: Saturday, 25th April, 10.30am-12.30pm and again at 1.30-3.30pm; Merri Creek.

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 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, foraging for edible weeds.
Cost: $25 ($20 concession).
Bookings: their website (10.30am, 1.30pm).

Pruning and care of fruit trees: Sunday, 26th April, 10am-3pm; CERES, Brunswick East.

What: What you will learn: how to grow a variety of fruit and nut trees in your backyard; pruning techniques; and pest and disease management. Presenter: Justin Calverley.
Cost: $110 ($22 per hour).
Bookings: Humanitix.

Introduction to therapeutic horticulture workshop: Friday, 1st May, 9.30am-1pm; Kevin Heinze GROW, Doncaster.

What: This workshop will cover the history and rationale of therapeutic horticulture, the importance of nature for our well-being, some practical tips and how to design a program using therapeutic horticulture principles. The workshop will be presented by horticultural therapists, Dr Chris Reed, Mel Holmes and Kate Eekhof.
Cost: $150 ($43 per hour).
Bookings: TryBooking.

Native plants for food and medicine: Saturday, 2nd May, 9.30am-12.30pm; Bulleen Art and Garden.

What: What you will learn: traditional Indigenous lifestyles and healing practices pre European settlement; traditional ways of using various Indigenous plants for medicinal purposes; and promising new research into their potential medical applications. Presented by Gaby Harris.
Cost: $55 ($18 per hour).
Bookings: WeTeachMe.

New events – cooking

Kids in the kitchen – easy pizza: Tuesday, 31st March, 10am-12.30pm; Coburg.

What: School holiday activity for primary school aged kids. Learn how to make your own pizza with all your favourite toppings (gluten free dough available). Then sit down and enjoy a lunch.
Cost: $20 per child ($8 per hour) ($15 concession).
Bookings: TryBooking.

Kids in the kitchen – breadmaking: Thursday, 2nd April, 10am-12.30pm; Coburg.

What: School holiday activity for primary school aged kids. Learn how to make your own bread. Then sit down and enjoy a lunch.
Cost: $20 per child ($8 per hour) ($15 concession).
Bookings: TryBooking.

Sprout Fest: Sunday, 5th April, 10am-3pm; Coldstream.

What: A family day out at Adams Farms with a community market, farm tours, cooking demos, petting zoo and carnival activities.
Cost: $1.
Bookings: just turn up.

Kids in the kitchen – rice paper rolls: Tuesday, 7th April, 10am-12.30pm; Coburg.

What: School holiday activity for primary school aged kids. Learn how to make your own rice paper rolls with all your favourite fillings (gluten free and vegetarian options available). Then sit down and enjoy a lunch.
Cost: $20 per child ($8 per hour) ($15 concession).
Bookings: TryBooking.

Gluten free kitchen skills: Sunday, 26th April, 10am-3pm; CERES, Brunswick East.

What: Presenter: Melanie Leeson, from Mettle + Grace. After an introduction to gluten-free flours and their texture, taste and how to use them, you will have the opportunity to cook a collection of recipes, including: a cake using your own gluten-free flour blend; crackers to pair with a seasonal dip; pizzas; and a short-crust pastry dough for quiche. At the end, the class will sit down to eat lunch together.
Cost: $110 ($22 per hour).
Bookings: Humanitix.

Asian flavours in your thermomix: Tuesday, 28th April, 7.30-9.30pm; Chirnside Park.

What: Their demonstrations will include spring rolls and laksa. Tastings will be available.
Cost: $25 ($13 per hour).
Bookings: EventBrite.

Dumplings masterclass: Saturday, 2nd May, 11am-3pm; Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre.

What: Join Angie, from The Humble Dumpling, as she takes you through how to make the perfect dumpling. Topics to be covered will include: introduction to ingredients and the world of dumplings; how to make the dough by hand; how to make 3 types of filling including: meat, seafood and vegetarian; how to fold, pleat and cook the dumplings using different methods; and how to share the joys of making and eating food together. Enjoy a simple meal at the end of your dumpling experience.
Cost: $125 ($31 per hour).

Fermentation: Sunday, 3rd May, 10am-midday; CERES, Brunswick East.

What: What you will learn: the basics to successfully start fermenting vegetables at home; ideas about creating your own fermented condiments; and how to use fermented products in day to day life. What you will get: two jars of vegetables that you will prepare in class and take home to ferment; and samples of fermented products to taste in class. Presenter: Monique.
Cost: $70 ($35 per hour).
Bookings: Humanitix.

Love food hate waste workshop: Wednesday, 6th May, 6-7.30pm; South Morang.

What: Make the most of food scraps and leftovers to turn them into meals. Presenter Kirsty Bishop-Fox, from Sustainable Pathways, will share her simple tricks to make the most of the food you purchase. Go and be surprised at what small changes you can make to reduce food waste, save money and feel good playing your part in the war on waste.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Summary of upcoming events – not cooking

Over the next week

Over the next month

Summary of upcoming events – cooking

Over the next week

Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.