LFC News March 9 2022

Mar 092022
 

Thanks to the people who have contributed to this week’s newsletter: Bruno Tigani, Karen Olsen, Nick Rose, Nicole Johnston and Olwyn Smiley.

Successfully receiving our newsletter if you are a Gmail user

As I have discussed before, Google has this weird approach towards Gmail email addresses whereby, as a default on your phone or in your browser, it sets up multiple inboxes and then, whenever someone is sent an email, Google looks at that email and decides which of the inboxes to put it in. When someone sends you a personal email, Google usually puts it into your ‘primary’ inbox. When someone sends you a newsletter, however, Google sometimes puts it into your ‘promotions’ or ‘updates’ inboxes rather than your ‘primary’ inbox. How many people actually see a newsletter depends on which of the inboxes Google puts it in because, as a default, your phone or browser often only shows you the contents of your ‘primary’ inbox. For example, Google put last week’s (2nd March) newsletter into the dreaded ‘promotions’ inbox for many (but not all) people and the result is that only half the normal number of Gmail newsletter readers actually saw it. For those of you who didn’t see it, you can (as always) read it on our website, together with any of our previous newsletters.

There is no method to Google’s madness here. I have spent hours sending myself test emails and they get placed in the various inboxes at random. This happens regardless of the contents, timing or method and therefore I can’t do anything to control it.

But you can do something to control it. First, in whatever software you are using to access your emails, you can turn off all the inboxes other than the primary one, which then forces Google to put all emails (other than spam) that are sent to you into your ‘primary’ inbox, which then becomes your only inbox (other than spam). Alternatively, you can look in your ‘promotions’ or ‘updates’ inboxes, find one of our emails and move it into your ‘primary’ inbox. With a bit of luck, Google will then ask you where it should put future newsletters from us and you can answer “primary inbox please”. Finally, you can click any link in any of our newsletters and then, again with a bit of luck, Google will understand that you actually want to see our newsletters and will start putting them into your ‘primary’ inbox.

Let’s hope that Google doesn’t put this newsletter into ‘promotions’ so that you can actually read the words above!

Every newsletter needs a good picture

Tjalf Sparnaay is a dutch artist who specialises in hyperrealistic paintings of food.

Oakhill Farm

Oakhill Farm (aka Oakhill Food Justice Farm) is “a community space and food forest in the heart of Preston“. It is an initiative by Sustain who, in June 2021, took on a 2-year lease of the St Mary’s vicarage and gardens at 233 Tyler Street. Whilst I am not clear about the current status of the food growing at the farm / food forest, it is clear that they have started organising some events. More specifically here is a list of their upcoming events, namely:

NERP at Eltham Farmers’ Market

North East Region Permaculture (NERP) invite you to go along for a chat with them on the 2nd Sunday of each month at Eltham Farmers’ Market. Each month they will be focussing on a different theme to showcase the variety and versatility of permaculture practice. Upcoming dates and themes are:

  • Involving kids in permaculture on Sunday, 13th March.
  • Herbs and medicinal plants on Sunday, 10th April.
  • Backyard beekeeping and growing bee-friendly plants on Sunday, 8th Mary.

When you visit them, you can sign on to their email list to be kept in touch with the activities of this grassroots community group.

Bulleen Art & Garden’s autumn harvest festival

All produce plants are 20-50% off until 14th March. There will be a number of free 30 minute talks: Wednesday, 9th March, 11:30am – growing from seed;
Thursday, 10th March, 1:30pm – backyard chooks; and Friday, 11th March, 1:30pm – backyard beekeeping.

Want some free leek seedlings?

Newsletter reader and commercial seed seller Bruno Tigani has given me a substantial number of leek seedlings to give away to newsletter readers. Variety: Exeter. Thanks, Bruno! 10-20 seedlings per person. More if you are a community garden. Pick up from my house in Eltham. If interested, email me to arrange.

Yes, (a few of) you did (sort of) know!

Fungal issues

Last week, Louise Nolan discussed her widespread fungal issues and her hypothesis that a bale of pea straw was the original source of her problems.

Olwyn Smiley has responded: “As I understand it, fungal diseases are specific to particular plant types so, whilst fungus in pea straw may affect pea plants, it is unlikely to cause the range of fungal diseases described by Louise. However, warm, humid weather is perfect for just about every type of fungal organism, and we have had weeks of warm, humid weather! It also seems to have been a bumper season for white fly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum or Bemisia tabaci species probably) and passion vine hopper (Scolypopa australis).”

Rat infestation

Last week, Sarah Houseman asked what could be done about her rat infestation. Here are two responses.

Olwyn Smiley: I have tried just about every trap, deterrent and also poison. The latter is a last resort, but what else can one do if rats are in the ceiling? Rats have eaten the bait from multiple varieties of snap traps and left them un-snapped (a snap trap in one of those black ‘wildlife-safe’ boxes also unfortunately caught a blue-tongue lizard); an expensive ‘nooski’ trap failed utterly but is not a bad receptacle for wildlife-safe bait; and expensive and complex cage traps have been unsuccessful. The best solution for me has been a simple cage trap that a friend found on hard rubbish (see photo right).

If using poisons then, according to Birdlife Australia, the chemicals which do not affect wildlife should they eat a poisoned rat are Warfarin and Coumatetralyl.

Karen Olsen: Get a terrier or other ‘ratter’ dog. Don’t get a cat as they will often go for native fauna species first. Kookaburras also deal with a lot of our rats (but not all), so please don’t use poisons on rats as they are a common food source. The supposedly eco-‘friendly’ rat poisons appear to only have a little less toxicity, so large predator birds will just take longer to build up the same levels of toxicity in their systems from poisoned food sources.

Welcome to Piggly Park!

[A food-related poem by John Jenkins, from Kangaroo Ground]

We’ve been invited to Piggly Park
To be met by Lord Grunt at the gate,
We’re having an afternoon mud bath with him,
So bring soap and do not be late!

At Piggly Park you are welcome to dine
At a nice picnic spot by the lake.
Lord Grunt eats a bucket or two of stew
And mixes his meals with a rake.

Lord Grunt likes turnips and pink fizzy gin
And he wears a bow tie and top hat.
Admire his moustache and big double chin,
But please don’t tell him he’s fat!

Read more local food-related poems on our website.

Which link was clicked most times in the last newsletter?

The most popular link in the last newsletter was the map of the various community gardens in Nillumbik.

Related to the map, a number of the community gardens in Nillumbik are organising events on Saturday, 19th March, including:

Joke (or pun) of the week

Waiter: “Welcome to the Karma Cafe.“
Me: “What do you sell here?“
Waiter: “Just desserts.“

Read more jokes.

Regular activities over the coming week

Farmers’ markets
Food swaps
Community gardens

Upcoming face-to-face events – correction

The plant sale at Gunyah garden (Karen Sutherland’s garden in Pascoe Vale South ) is on Saturday, 12th March, 1-5pm (not on the Sunday as previously reported).

Upcoming face-to-face events – not cooking

Panton Hill Community Garden drop in; Saturday, 19th March, 9-11am; free; Panton Hill.

Chat to the volunteers and plant seedlings.

Thrive Community Garden tour; Saturday, 19th March, 10am-2pm; free; Diamond Creek.

Take a tour of Thrive community garden, attend a food swap, participate in a seed planting activity for children or eat from the sausage sizzle.

Community garden tour and seed saving workshop; Saturday, 19th March, 10am-2pm; free; Greensborough.

Take a tour of the garden. Take part in a food swap from 10-11am or a seed saving workshop at 1pm.

Tequila & Mezcal Festival; Saturday, 19th March, 5.30pm-midnight; $38; Preston.

There will be presentations about tequila, mezcal and agave distillates plus 4 tequilas to sample. There will also be food and live music.

Suburban permaculture garden tour; Tuesday, 22nd March, 5-6.30pm; $5; Kilsyth.

The property features a solar system, multiple water tanks, a glasshouse, a seed saving box, a pond, a vegetable patch with wicking beds and fruit trees, chickens, beekeeping and a food forest. Organised by Permaculture Yarra Valley.

The Prosecco (and Sparkling) Festival; Saturday, 26th March, 11am-8.30pm; $70; Abbotsford.

There will be 35 different proseccos to taste and all tastings are included in the ticket price. There will also be food and music.

Seed harvesting; Saturday, 2nd April, 10.30-11.30am; free; Eltham.

Kathleen Tants will discuss harvesting, storing and sowing your fruit, vegetable and herb seeds from previous crops.

Farming for our future; Thursday, 21st April, 10am-midday; free; CERES.

Discover the beasts, bugs and plants that make our farming world go round. Tour the Honey Lane Organic Farm and meet their chickens. Make a recycled pot and propagate your own plant to take home.

Community seed library workshop; Thursday, 21st April, 7.30-9.30pm; $51 ($26 per hour); $25 concession; Preston.

The workshop will discuss the importance of seed saving and then teach participants the basics of how to save seeds, as well as storage & sowing. Attendees will then have the opportunity to select, illustrate and annotate their own seed packets to take home. Presenter: Shani Shafrir. Organised by Oakhill Farm.

Brewers Feast Festival; Friday, 22nd April, 5-11pm and Saturday, 23rd April, midday-11pm; $18; Abbotsford.

Brewers Feast is a boutique craft beer and food festival, made by beer and food lovers for beer and food lovers. It will feature around 30 breweries (including cider, wine and gin as well as beer). There will also be food and live music. Throughout the day, there will be craft beer education classes, exploring the tastes and flavours of beer pairing with food, cheese, confectionery and other foods. Enjoy free samples while learning more about your beer.

Native fruit; Thursday, 28th April, 6.30-9pm; $50 ($20 per hour); Bulleen Art and Garden (BAAG).

What you will learn: the A-Z of growing native fruit; handy hints and tips from an experienced native fruit grower; and when to harvest native fruit, and different ways to use it. Presented by Karen Sutherland, of Edible Eden Design. Native produce plants – or bush food – are becoming increasingly popular. Whilst many native fruits can’t be grown in Melbourne, some can. You’ll learn how to grow, harvest and use such fruit, with a particular focus on what can be grown in pots.

Organic vegetable gardening; Saturday, 30th April, 10am-3pm; $115 ($23 per hour); CERES.

What you will learn: how to get the most from your garden and have an abundance of vegetables, fruits and herbs; insights into seasonal produce growing; and the skills and knowledge to create an abundant and productive garden. Presenter: Donna Livermore.

Edible weeds walk; Saturday, 30th April, 10.30am-12.30pm and again at 1.30-3.30pm; $25 ($13 per hour); Brunswick East.

Join Adam Grubb, co-author of The Weed Forager’s Handbook, for a fascinating walk on the wild side, foraging for edible weeds.

Urban food gardening (8 sessions); Tuesdays, 10am-2.30pm starting 3rd May; $60 for all 8 sessions (Government subsidised fee); Eltham.

This course is for people who love gardening and the outdoors, are considering a career in horticulture, would like to learn more about growing their own food successfully or who would like an introduction to aspects of working in the industry before choosing a specific course/study pathway. The course will be run by Justin Calverley.

In March
In April
Regular events

Upcoming face-to-face events – cooking

Pasta sauces from your garden; Sunday, 27th March, 1-4pm; $25 ($8 per hour); Forest Hill.

Scott Hitchins will prepare several vegetarian sauces in this interactive demonstration. You will then sample the sauces.

Easter thermomix workshop; Sunday, 9th April, 2-4pm; $25 ($13 per hour); Eltham.

The menu includes: Lime Grapefruit Cooler; Easter Carrot Cheese Dip; Honeycomb; Honeycomb Butter; Lemon Curd Easter Biscuits; Traditional Hot X Buns (& premade Gluten Free Hot X Buns); Warm Aussie Potato Salad; Salmon with Ginger Sauce & Spiced Cashews; and Hokey Pokey Ice Cream. Everything will be available for tasting. Presenters: Jodie Hodgett and Tess Murray.

Gluten free gnocchi making masterclass; Sunday, 24th April, 11am-1.30pm; $199 ($40 per hour); Northcote.

Edoardo Nicita, from Shop 225, will show you have to make and shape gnocchi dough plus two accompanying sauces. At the end, you will eat the creations with your new found foodie friends!

Sourdough bread workshop; Saturday, 30th April, 9-11.30am; $185 ($74 per hour); Brunswick East.

What you will learn: ways to create and look after your own sourdough starter culture; the flour to use for the best nutrition and results; ways to knead sticky high hydration dough for a more authentic sourdough loaf; the equipment needed to produce a great looking and tasting sourdough tin loaf at home; and ways to bake sourdough bread using a bread tin in a home oven. Organised by Bee Sustainable.

Chocolate discovery class; Saturday, 30th April, 11m-midday; $48 ($48 per hour); Yarra Glen.

This class includes indulging in a range of chocolate and truffle tastings, the chance to learn about how chocolate is made, and finding out about the inspiration behind each of their specialty ranges with their European Chocolatiers. Your chocolate education concludes with the chance to create your own personal chocolate bar and delve in giant lollipop making fun. Organised by Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.

Artisan bread making; Sunday, 1st May, 8am-2pm; $220 ($37 per hour); Abbotsford.

What you will learn: experimenting with bread; the bread baking process with each step explained; and how to replicate the process at home. What you will get: 1 kilo of organic flour to take home; and savoury calzone for lunch, which you make, eat and take home. The focus will be on ciabatta and turkish breads.

Introduction to fermenting at home; Sunday, 1st May, 10am-1pm; $70 ($23 per hour); CERES.

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. Presenter: Monique.

Sri Lankan street food experience; Sunday, 1st May, 2-4.30pm; $99 ($40 per hour); Fitzroy.

MasterChef Contestant Dee Williams will take you through her personal spice range which you will be encouraged to smell, touch and taste. These include a Roasted Chilli Powder, Sri Lankan Unroasted Curry Powder, Sri Lankan Roasted Curry Powder and Sri Lankan Dark Roasted Curry Powder. She will then show you how to make roti bread from scratch, a Spicy Coconut Sambal and a Sri Lankan Dhal. Once you have created your masterpieces, you will then plate and devour your creations with your new found foodie friends!

In March
In April
Regular classes
In Richmond

Read about the upcoming cooking classes in Richmond.

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