Some ideas are good, but others are less so. Some ideas are successful, but others are less so. Some ideas are both good and successful. For example, the boomerang bags at the market: people use them, (usually) appreciate them and (quite often) bring them back. And we also have people who replenish our stocks. Thanks Carol, Felicity and Sue!

Some ideas, whilst equally good, are less successful. The market’s Community Market Stall is an example: whilst everyone agrees that it is a good idea, we have recently had real difficulty finding people who want to sell their surplus produce at it. Now that Spring is coming, this situation will hopefully change. If you are a serious home grower, or you have some established fruit trees, read about the stall, have a think about whether you might have some substantive surpluses, and contact me if you are interested. Everyone who has sold their stuff at the stall thus far has enjoyed it!

Helen Simpson writes about how to grow cucurbits

It is now time to be planting the summer crops: cucumbers, sweetcorn, tomatoes, etc (and to be thanking God that we can soon be eating something other than kale!). Helen’s article for the month of October covers how to grow many of these crops, namely those in the cucurbitaceae (aka gourd) family. As she says in her introduction: “Have you ever had the experience of seeing a small zucchini on your zucchini plant one day, then coming back a few days later and finding something the size of a baseball bat? Or having so many zucchinis that your friends and neighbours look slightly frazzled when they see you coming with another armful to share? Zucchinis belong to the cucurbitaceae family, which consists of a wide variety of plants – the most well known being cucumbers, gourds, pumpkins, rockmelons and watermelons.” For each of these, she then goes on to discuss when to plant, where to plant, different varieties, hand pollination and harvesting. Read the full article.

Mac McVeigh’s tip of the week

“Ok, so you’ve now weeded, fertilised and mulched … well done!

If your peaches and nectarines have curly leaf (and you didn’t read my earlier tip on August 3rd!), pull off all the affected leaves and bin them. It’s too late to spray now but, even if you almost defoliate your trees, they should start to grow uninfected leaves as the season progresses.

“It is pretty much spring planting time so look at which of your winter crops are coming to their end and can make room for your summer harvest. For those of you that have already planted tomatoes, well done! For those of you that haven’t, don’t worry as the temperatures aren’t warm enough yet for real growth, but best to start soon. [Editor’s note: would you support a petition to change the aphorism from ‘plant your tomatoes on Cup Day’ to ‘plant your tomatoes on Grand Final Day’?]

“Dirty hands are good hands.”

Another builder of planter boxes, wicking beds and raised garden beds

Paul Morland, aka morLandscapes, from Bellfield. Contact Paul by phone (0413 998900 or 9440 9247) or email.

For the full, updated list, see the local resources page of the website.

A new farmers’ market in Mooroolbark

4th Saturday of every month, 8am-1pm. At Mooroolbark College, 186 Manchester Road. Run by the same people (Regional Farmers’ Markets) as the Bundoora Park, Croydon and Heathmont Farmers’ Markets.

A 10% discount at selected shops

Here is a neat, little scheme: you go into local shop X, quote local business Y, and get a discount of Z. So, you get a discount, shop X gets a sale and business Y gets some publicity. More specifically, the discount is 10%, the business is Blue Pear Pantry, and the participating shops are: Dynamic Vegies, Eltham; Yarra Valley Poultry, Eltham; Webbs Butchery, Research; Mountainview Select Meats, Nunawading; Organic Origins, Warrandyte; and Blue Pear Pantry, North Warrandyte. But each shop only offers the discount on particular days so you will have to go to Blue Pear Pantry’s Facebook page for the latest details.

Time Out Food Awards 2016

Several North East Melbourne places featured in the Time Out Food Awards 2016. Most notably, the Second Home cafe in Eltham won best cafe (i.e. the best cafe in the whole of Melbourne!). Jo Barrett, from Oakridge Winery in Coldstream, won the hot talent award. And three places in Fitzroy won awards (Mukka, Smith & Daughters and Jimmy Grants).

New events

Gardening on a shoestring

What: Maria Ciavarella, an experienced presenter from My Green Garden, will lead this session on seed sowing, which includes a hands-on activity.
When: Tuesday, 4th October, 7.17-9.15pm.
Where: Hurstbridge Community Hub.
Cost: $4.
Enquiries: Cheryl Lowe by phone (0481 362242) or email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Local food launchpad: pitch night

What: City of Melbourne has partnered with Doing Something Good and Open Food Network to offer the ‘Local Food Launchpad’ program to organisations, individuals and communities interested in improving our food system and growing our local food economy. Go along to this event to hear participants’ ideas for a healthier, sustainable, resilient and socially inclusive food future. These will include social enterprises, mini-documentaries, workshops, campaigns, growing projects and small-scale farming opportunities. Many address key issues facing the most vulnerable, including the long term unemployed, refugees and homeless people.
When: Thursday, 13th October, 6-9pm.
Where: Birrarung Marr, Melbourne.
Cost: free.
Bookings / Further information: Eventbrite.

Macleod big veggie swap plus green & local auction

What: Occasionally the Macleod Veggie Swap is transformed into a mega swap, including an auction of green and local products. This is the next such mega swap. So, if you ever go to any of the food swaps, go to this one. The veggie swap will be at 11am, there will be a silent auction from 11-11.30am (for items with a value of less than $50), and a live auction (led by auctioneer, Robert Stringer) starting at 11.45am (for items above $50). The event aims to support Macleod shops and services, bring people to the Macleod shopping strip, and raise money for the Macleod Organic Community Garden. Go and join in the fun, buy some interesting items and support three worthy causes. All items need to be paid for in cash and collected on the day. Items to be auctioned include donations from local shops and businesses and members of Sustainable Macleod. Most items are new and include: 2 cases of beer from Kooinda Boutique Brewery; a 2 week voucher from Salts of the Earth in Rosanna; 2 x $80 vouchers for classes from Bulleen Art and Garden; 2 garden assessments and garden plans from Urban Shepherd; vouchers for gardening and decluttering from our members; plants; crockery; art supplies; a Christmas ham; and vouchers for a number of cafes.
When: Saturday, 15th October, 11am-1pm.
Where: Macleod.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Robin by email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Edible weeds walk

What: What if many of the weeds in our garden were just as edible as the vegetables we tend beside them? What if some of these these free, all-too-easy-to-grow uninvited guests were so nutritionally dense that they are just about the healthiest things you could possibly eat? What if many of them also had medical traditions dating back centuries? Well it’s all true! And if you know what to choose, they also taste great. Join Adam Grubb, co-author of The Weed Forager’s Handbook, for a fascinating walk on the wild side.
When: Sunday, 16th October, 11am-1pm.
Where: Merri Creek, Brunswick East.
Cost: $25.
Bookings: Very Edible Gardens website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Bellfield Community Garden open day

What: They are having an Open Day so that you can see their mosaics, mural, kids play area and enjoy this space reclaimed by the local community. It is on the same day that Ivanhoe Garden Club are having their FESTA (plants, seedlings, children’s activities, Devonshire teas and sausage sizzle).
When: Sunday, 23rd October, midday-4pm.
Where: Bellfield Community Garden.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Paul Morland by phone (9440 9247) or email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Wild food foraging workshop

What: Forage, prepare, cook and eat from nature’s abundance! Discover the wild urban parklands along Maribyrnong River and learn to identify a variety of edible plants, get to know their characteristics and culinary uses. You will learn to harvest wild edible plants safely and appropriately (with respect for the land around us). You will find nutritious wild plants and use them to create a unique wholesome spring menu. You will also learn to make traditional Italian ricotta gnudi featuring nettles; herb burnt butter sauce, wild greens spring salad and enjoy refreshing herbal infused drinks. Includes gluten-free options. Limited to 10 people.
When: Saturday, 29th October, 9.30am-3.30pm.
Where: Maribyrnong.
Cost: $90.
Enquiries: Gemma Macri by phone (0431 233420) or email.
Bookings: Trybooking.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Garden tour and workshop – setting up a community garden

What: The hour-long session is a combination of 30-minute guided tour and 30-minute interactive workshop. You will see one of the first community gardens established in Australia (1977). The Nunawading Community Garden provides a space for the local community to grow food in a friendly environment and promote long-term sustainable living by sharing knowledge and skills. You will learn about: why and how to set up a community garden; what to include in a community garden; and how to overcome some of the challenges.
When: Saturday, 5th November, 11am-midday.
Where: Nunawading Community Garden.
Cost: $20.
Enquiries: Sustainable Gardening Australia by phone (8850 3050) or email.

Garden tour and workshop – compost making

What: The hour-long session is a combination of 30-minute guided tour and 30-minute interactive workshop. You will see one of the first community gardens established in Australia (1977). The Nunawading Community Garden provides a space for the local community to grow food in a friendly environment and promote long-term sustainable living by sharing knowledge and skills. The garden practices organic gardening and encourages turning green waste to organic fertiliser that feeds your garden soil with nutrients and microorganisms that will improve plant growth. You will learn about: different ways that gardeners make compost; using compost to improve soil conditions; and the ‘hot composting’ process in short timeframes.
When: Saturday, 5th November, 2-3pm.
Where: Nunawading Community Garden.
Cost: $20.
Enquiries: Sustainable Gardening Australia by phone (8850 3050) or email.
Bookings / Further information: Weteachme.

Italian cooking workshop

What: Discover the authentic taste of Mediterranean cuisine, using the freshest ingredients. A tasty three-course menu (antipasto with a difference; salmon lasagne; roasted chicken alla siciliano (deboned and filled) with contour of vegetables; and festive panettone with ice cream and meringue) will be prepared and enjoyed for lunch afterwards.
When: Saturday, 19th November, 10am-1pm.
Where: Living & Learning Nillumbik at Panton Hill.
Cost: $72.
Enquiries: Living & Learning Nillumbik by phone (9433 3744) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Urban Agriculture Forum (two day)

What: Join them in bringing together practitioners and policy-makers from across the urban and peri-urban food landscape to build a shared understanding of what urban agriculture is, and the benefits and opportunities that it can offer in the Australian context. Jointly organised by Sustain, 3000 acres, Cultivating Community, Moreland Food Gardens Network, Port Phillip EcoCentre, the University of Melbourne and the City of Yarra.
When: Sunday, 20th November and Monday, 21st November, both 8.30am-4.30pm.
Where: Burnley Campus, University of Melbourne.
Cost: $100-280 (depending on who you are).
Enquiries: Nick Rose by phone (0414 497819) or email.
Bookings: Trybooking.

Preserving with Marie

What: Learn all about preserving lemons and how to prepare berry jam in this workshop with Marie Vasallo from Rie’s Kitchen.
When: Tuesday, 22nd November, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Diamond Valley Library .
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Dione Fisher by phone (9434 3809) or email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Cultural tea tasting

What: Journey through the world of tea with Sarah Cowell from Teasense. Listen to stories from the tea fields as Sarah brews teas from around the world and talks about their origins.
When: Thursday, 24th November, 6.30-7.30pm.
Where: Doncaster Library .
Cost: free.
Bookings: Doncaster Library website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week

• Starting a patch from scratch: Wednesday, 28th September, 7-9pm.
• Tomato planting workshop for kids: Thursday, 29th September, 11am-midday.
• Great Southern Beer & Cider Festival: Friday, 30th September 11am-5pm.
• Sourdough workshop: Saturday, 1st October, 10am-1pm.
• Gardening on a shoestring: Tuesday, 4th October, 7.15-9.15pm.

Over the next month

• Artisan pasta – fettuccini: Saturday, 8th October, 10am-midday.
• Sourdough bread making workshop: Saturday, 8th October, 10am-1pm.
• Backyard Honey apiarists: Saturday, 8th October, 10am-2pm.
• Soil matters: Saturday, 8th October, 2-4.30pm.
• Chemical-free edible gardening: Tuesday, 11th October, 6.30-8pm.
• Fermenting workshop: Tuesday, 11th October, 7-9pm.
• Preserving basics: make your own jams, pickles and relishes: Wednesday, 12th October, 10am-1.15pm.
• Local food launchpad: pitch night: Thursday, 13th October, 6-9pm.
• Cooking for one can be fun!: Friday, 14th October, 10am-midday.
• Macleod big veggie swap plus green & local auction: Saturday, 15th October, 11am-1pm.
• FareShare kitchen garden – open day: Saturday, 15th October, 11am-2pm.
• Open Cellars of the Artisan Hills: Saturday, 15th October, 11am-5pm.
• Wild food and medicine walk: Saturday, 15th October, midday.
• Biodynamic course (two day): Saturday, 15th October and Sunday, 16th October, 9.30am-4.30pm.
• Introduction to natural beekeeping (two day): Saturday, 15th October and Sunday, 16th October, both 10am-4pm.
• Open Cellars of the Artisan Hills: Sunday, 16th October, 11am-5pm.
• Practically Green Festival: Sunday, 16th October, 11am-5pm.
• Love food, hate waste cooking demo: Sunday, 16th October, 11-11.45am.
• Edible weeds walk: Sunday, 16th October, 11am-1pm.
• The Rogue Ginger – zero waste living: Sunday, 16th October, 12.30-1.30pm.
• Backyard chooks: Sunday, 16th October, 1.45-2.30pm.
• Veggie seedling propagation: Sunday, 16th October, 2-2.45pm.
• Worm farming: Sunday, 16th October, 2.45-3.30pm.
• Permablitz turns ten!: Sunday, 23rd October, 11am-4pm.
• Bellfield Community Garden open day: Sunday, 23rd October, midday-4pm.
• East Reservoir Community Food Sharing Festival: Sunday, 23rd October, 1-4pm.
• Composting and worm farming: Wednesday, 26th October, 7-9pm.
• Green space health benefits: Thursday, 27th October, 11am-midday.
• Backyard chooks for beginners: Saturday, 29th October, 10am-midday.

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

Another new source of free coffee grounds

Nourish Me Cafe, 131 Burnley Street, Richmond, tel: 9429 4477. Thanks, Adrian O’Hagan! Click here for the full, updated list of sources.

So, are coffee grounds actually helpful to growing veggies? Marina Bistrin thinks that the answer is “yes” and has submitted into evidence a paper evaluating a trial in Vietnam which concludes that coffee husks are a good addition to compost. In an article published by Sustainable Gardening Australia, Sarah Hardgrove agrees re compost but warns against adding uncomposted coffee to the garden.

Marina is rapidly becoming a regular contributor to this newsletter. This week, she has also reviewed a book entitled The Intelligent Gardener – Growing Nutrient Dense Food, which is particularly relevant for those with clay soils. Read her review on our website.

Rock dust

Stuart Rodda writes in: “An ‘organic’ source of many minerals, including potassium, is finely ground rock dust, particularly basalt rock. There are various suppliers of rock dust-based soil additives, such as Munash, but most of them have other additives to enhance the overall effect and are thus quite expensive (upwards of $2/Kg). If one just wants basalt rock dust, it can be bought at some local garden suppliers, but it is often quite coarse and would take a long time (decades) for the larger grit to break down in the soil and release its nutrients. Thus it is quite important that it is finely ground. I have one source of quite fine basalt rock dust and, while it is dearer (per cubic metre) than a lot of other garden soil additives, it is much cheaper than specially manufactured and packaged ‘rock dusts’. It is from Mercuri Garden and Building Supplies at 2, The Concord, Bundoora, and costs about $105 per cubic metre. This equates to around 10 cents per litre and, because it is quite dense (heavy), this is less than 5 cents per Kg, or thus a tiny fraction of the cost of packaged rock dusts. I am not sure what they would charge for small quantities but, for people like me with larger gardens who buy loose materials by the trailerload, it is a bargain.”

Do you, or can you, hatch chickens?

Sherborne Primary School in Briar Hill is looking for help to hatch some chickens. They have a budget for outside assistance. If you are potentially interested, email me and I’ll put you in contact with the relevant person.

Mac McVeigh’s tip of the week

“After good winter and early spring rainfall, it is now time to spread a bit of fertiliser. I prefer organic, pelletised for slow release or powder for a quicker supply of nutrients if your plants are crying out. Organic not only feeds your plants, but also your soil micro-organisms which then, in turn, help your plants.

Yes, it depends on what you are feeding. Natives may need nothing … or a light sprinkle of blood and bone. Yellowing native leaves might call for a shot of Iron chelate. For fruit trees, perhaps ample slow release pellets. Vacant veggie beds could have cow manure and/or mushroom compost/pellets dug through for future spring plantings.”

A Local Baker St Andrews with some news

A Local Baker St Andrews is now a cafe as well as a bakery.

Some local food organisations in the news

Old Evropa in the 14th September edition of The Weekly Review.
Nature’s Harvest Hurstbridge in the 7th September edition of The Weekly Review. They sell products from a number of local food producers: Hildebrand Grove (olive oil), Organic Times (chocolate) and Under The Pickle Tree (relishes, sauces and pastes).
Blue Pear Pantry in the September edition of The Warrandyte Diary.

 

New events

Special information session for Victorian schools and centres with Stephanie Alexander

What: Stephanie Alexander and Foundation CEO Ange Barry will be delivering groundbreaking news on the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation’s (SAKGF’s) collaboration with the Victorian State Government, aimed at giving more schools and learning centres access to pleasurable food education. Learn about the Foundation’s new Pleasurable Food Education Package, subsidised by funding from the Victorian Department of Education and available to Victorian schools and early learning centres from mid-September. The Package is a heavily subsidised complete kitchen garden toolkit of educational resources, professional development and support that gives you all the information you need to start growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing fresh, seasonal, delicious produce, and delivering a range of health, learning and wellbeing benefits to children and communities. Everyone is welcome to attend, whether you are an early years educator, teacher, principal, school administrator, volunteer or interested family member.
When: Wednesday, 14th September, 5.30-6.30pm.
Where: Collingwood College, Collingwood.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: SAKGF by phone (8415 1993) or email.
Bookings / Further information: SAKGF website.

Burnley bees and Backyard Honey

What: The Friends of Burnley Gardens invite you to join them for a talk with Peter Dyer, from Backyard Honey. Go along and learn how to cultivate your own hive. Peter has developed an innovative apiary service to provide local city dwellers with the skills and equipment necessary to host bee hives and obtain pure local honey from their own backyards. Their own ‘Burnley honey’ will be for sale.
When: Wednesday, 14th September, 7.30-8.30pm.
Where: University of Melbourne, Richmond.
Cost: $15.
Enquiries/Bookings: Friends of Burnley Gardens by phone (9035 6815) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Moving feast – entree

What: Celebrating the cultural diversity in the Whittlesea community, your libraries are bringing the flavors of the world to you, with progressive cooking demonstrations and tastings. Enjoy tasty treats at Whittlesea Library at 11am and/or delicious dishes at Mill Park Library at 1.30pm.
When: Saturday, 17th September, 11am-midday.
Where: Whittlesea Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Jack Chan by phone (9437 8189) or email.
Bookings: Yarra Plenty Library website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Moving feast – main meal

What: Celebrating the cultural diversity in the Whittlesea community, your libraries are bringing the flavors of the world to you, with progressive cooking demonstrations and tastings. Enjoy tasty treats at Whittlesea Library at 11am and/or delicious dishes at Mill Park Library at 1.30pm.
When: Saturday, 17th September, 1.30-3pm.
Where: Mill Park Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Jack Chan by phone (9437 8189) or email.
Bookings: Yarra Plenty Library website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Edible weeds walk

What: What if many of the weeds in our garden were just as edible as the vegetables we tend beside them? What if some of these these free, all-too-easy-to-grow uninvited guests were so nutritionally dense that they are just about the healthiest things you could possibly eat? What if many of them also had medical traditions dating back centuries? Well it’s all true! And if you know what to choose, they also taste great. Join Adam Grubb, co-author of The Weed Forager’s Handbook, for a fascinating walk on the wild side.
When: Saturday, 24th September, 2-4pm.
Where: Merri Creek, Brunswick East.
Cost: $25.
Bookings: Very Edible Gardens website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Backyard Honey apiarists

What: Display hive, apiary information and bee nutrition plus raw unheated mutlifloral Melbourne honey and Victorian varietals honey tastings.
When: Saturday, 8th October, 10am-2pm.
Where: Bunnings, Brunswick.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Jane Dyer by phone (0425 727987) or email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sourdough bread making workshop

What: This workshop will cover basic theory as well as the tactile pleasure of all the steps of making bread from milled flour. Suitable for both novices and those who want to expand their bread making repertoire. Topics covered: the essential ingredients and tools of the trade; the principal steps of bread making; and Baker’s percentage and hydration. During the workshop you will be hands on: mix, knead and fold the dough; shape loaves; score and bake; and maintain a starter.
When: Saturday, 8th October, 10am-1pm.
Where: Living & Learning Nillumbik at Panton Hill.
Cost: $45.
Enquiries: Living & Learning Nillumbik Panton Hill by phone (9433 3799) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Permablitz turns ten!

What: Join them for an afternoon in the sun as they thank the founders, the designers, the former hosts, the Collective members from both then and now, those that inspired them and, of course, the volunteers that make it all possible. There will be food, drinks, music and games. And it wouldn’t be a Permablitz event if they didn’t have some workshops.
When: Sunday, 23rd October, 11am-4pm.
Where: PepperTree Place, Coburg.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Permablitz Melbourne by email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Open Cellars of Nillumbik Wineries

What: Visit any or all of 16 small family-owned wineries in Nillumbik, each with an individual style, where the grapes are hand-picked and hand-crushed by family and friends in the traditional style, with wines developed on site. This is a chance to sample exquisite wines from the artisan wine-makers of the western Yarra Valley, at wineries not always open to the public. You will also find excellent food to complement the wine, as well as live music and artworks from local artists at some venues. There is no entry fee, or tasting fee, at any of the venues. The 16 wineries participating in 2016 are: Buttermans Track, Diamond Valley Vineyards, Hildebrand Ridge Organic Vineyard, Kings of Kangaroo Ground, Massaros, Naked Range Wines, Nillumbik Estate, Panton Hill Vineyard & Winery, Punch – Yarra Valley, Shaws Road Winery, Stockman Wines, Swipers Gully Vineyard, Watson’s Creek Wines, Wedgetail Estate and Yarrambat Estate Vineyard.
When: Saturday, 15th October and Sunday, 16th October, both 11am-5pm.
Where: various around Nillumbik.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Nillumbik Tourism Association by phone (1300 660072).
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Introduction to permaculture (two day)

What: 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 will be beneficial to those new to the concept of permaculture or for those thinking of undertaking a permaculture design course (PDC).
When: Saturday, 19th November and Saturday, 26th November, both 10am-4pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: $85 for the two days.
Enquiries: Edendale by phone (9433 3711) or email.
Bookings / Further information: Edendale website.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week

• Preparing your garden for summer vegetables: Wednesday, 14th September, 10am-1pm.
• Special information session for Victorian schools and centres with Stephanie Alexander: Wednesday, 14th September, 5.30-6.30pm.
• Make your idea a reality in Box Hill: Wednesday, 14th September, 6.30-8.30pm.
• Burnley bees and Backyard Honey: Wednesday, 14th September, 7.30-8.30pm.
• Weed control: know your enemy: Thursday, 15th September, 11am-midday.
• Boroondara Sustainable Living Festival: Saturday, 17th September, 8am-1pm.
• Traditional Italian pizza: Saturday, 17th September, 10am-1pm.
• Moving feast – entree: Saturday, 17th September, 11am-midday.
• Moving feast – main meal: Saturday, 17th September, 1.30-3pm.
• Vegetable seedling propagation: Saturday, 17th September, 2.30-4.30pm.
• Traditional Italian pizza: Saturday, 17th September, 10am-1pm.
• Garden tour – orchard garden at the Eltham South Gallery: Sunday, 18th September, 2-4pm.
• Introduction to natural beekeeping (two day): Saturday, 17th September and Sunday, 18th September, both 10am-4pm.
• Composting and worm farming: Wednesday, 21st September, 7-8.30pm.

Over the next month

• Lebanese feast: Thursday, 22nd September, 1-2pm.
• 3000acres Spring Fling Festival: Saturday, 24th September, midday-4pm.
• Love food, hate waste (Edendale): Saturday, 24th September, 1.30-3.30pm.
• Edible weeds walk: Saturday, 24th September, 2-4pm.
• Starting a patch from scratch: Wednesday, 28th September, 7-9pm.
• Tomato planting workshop for kids: Thursday, 29th September, 11am-midday.
• Great Southern Beer & Cider Festival: Friday, 30th September 11am-5pm.
• Sourdough workshop: Saturday, 1st October, 10am-1pm.
• Gardening on a shoestring: Tuesday, 4th October, 7.15-9.15pm.
• Backyard Honey apiarists: Saturday, 8th October, 10am-2pm.
• Sourdough bread making workshop: Saturday, 8th October, 10am-1pm.
• Soil matters: Saturday, 8th October, 2-4.30pm.
• Chemical-free edible gardening: Tuesday, 11th October, 6.30-8pm.
• Cooking for one can be fun!: Friday, 14th October, 10am-midday.
• FareShare kitchen garden – open day: Saturday, 15th October, 11am-2pm.
• Open Cellars of Nillumbik Wineries: Saturday, 15th October, 11am-5pm.
• Biodynamic course (two day): Saturday, 15th October and Sunday, 16th October, 9.30am-4.30pm.
• Open Cellars of Nillumbik Wineries: Sunday, 16th October, 11am-5pm.

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