Oct 262016
 

Helen Simpson writes about how to grow mint

mintHelen’s article for the month of November is on how to grow mint. As she says in her introduction: “Mint (the Mentha genus) is well known for its rapidly spreading nature. But fewer people are aware that tens of species of mint – and hundreds of varieties – exist, many with their own distinctive properties. Mint is very aromatic, with the oil glands mostly on the underneath of the leaves. Rubbing or crushing the leaves gives off scent. Mint does well in a slightly shady position, although many varieties can be grown in sun, which creates a higher oil content in the leaves. Mint grows best in Spring, particularly with the ample rainfall we are currently experiencing. Come Summer and conditions are generally too dry for luxurious growth and the cold of Winter can cause some mint plants to be deciduous (but they are perennial and should re-grow in the Spring). Because of its invasive nature, many people grow mint in pots. But even in pots, it can sometimes spread due to its tendency to send out runners from the base of the pot.” She then goes on to discuss how to cultivate mint and the different types. Read the full article.

This is the 17th(!) growing guide that Helen has written for the newsletter and, perhaps not surprisingly, she is running out of veggies to talk about. She and I have discussed whether she should cover various leafy greens but have decided that there isn’t enough to say (coriander growing guide: plant the seeds, wait 4 months, then eat the leaves; rocket growing guide: plant the seeds, wait 4 months, then eat the leaves; silverbeet growing guide: plant the seeds, wait 4 months, then eat the leaves). So, instead, we are going to try something new: each month, Helen will interview a local home grower who we have reason to believe has something interesting to say and she will write up the results for the newsletter. So, we now need to find some local home growers who have interesting things to say. Can you help us? Just email me with some suggested names.

Mac McVeigh’s tip of the week

With the horse racing season upon us, I happened to be chatting to a jockey the other day at a gathering. I said it must be a wonderful feeling leading the pack but he said that, unfortunately, he mainly sees the backsides of the other horses. So, I turned the conversation to horse manure. Did you know that horse manure usually has more nutrients than either cow or sheep manure as horses are often fed supplements as well as grass? Also, mushroom compost typically starts its life as horse manure plus stable sweepings – and we know how good that is for our veggies. However, fresh horse manure often contains weed seeds and can burn roots. The trick is to use aged horse manure … and I don’t mean from an old horse! Heat from composting kills most weed seeds, and mixing horse manure into your compost gives great results. Ideally let it age 2-3 months. Until next time, remember: dirty hand are good hands.

Click here to view all of Mac’s tips on our website.

Do snails cross copper tape?

snailI don’t think that mine do but Evan Gellert has reason to believe otherwise. And he has photographic evidence! As Evan says “the photo is of a large snail that wasn’t bothered by the copper film tape I fixed to my raised veggie beds around 2 years ago. The copper tape is still in good condition (it can be seen just below the upper plank of the raised bed, with a couple of nails through it). Although it is discoloured and oxidised, the tape still has physical integrity. The snail trail from below makes it pretty clear that the snail passed over the tape, and didn’t simply do a U-turn from inside the veggie bed.

Do you live near Clifton Hill / North Fitzroy?

Clifton Hill / North Fitzroy Community Bank Branch is offering 20 $250 vouchers for Northcote Nursery to community gardens in the area. To qualify, both you and the garden have to be located in one of the following postcodes: 3054, 3065, 3066, 3067, 3068, 3070, 3071, 3078.

Pierross Pasticceria Italiana in the news

Pier Varel, owner of Pierross Pasticceria Italiana, was profiled in the 19th October edition of The Weekly Review. The best pizza I have ever had in Australia(!), but you can only buy it on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Coincidently, Pier will be making a rare public appearance on 13th December to demonstrate Italian Christmas cake decorating. Click here for the event details.

10 tips for eating locally and cutting the energy used to produce your food

Karyn Knight has written in to suggest that you might like to read this article.

New events

Vegetarian and vegan food truck event

What: Showcasing the best in meat-free and plant-based street food, their lineup will include: Babou Juice; Babu Ji; Bites On Wheels; Butterlake; CALIKO BBQ; Cheese & Bread; Grace Café, Fitzroy; Jerry's Vegiburgers; Lekker Lekker; Pasta Face; Pierogi Pierogi; Rice and Dice; Señor Churro; Dolly's Sister Vegan Cafe & Bar; Sweet Forbidden Journey; The Butter Thief; The Real Jerk Food Truck; Two Fat Indians; Vegilicious; Von's Vegan Bake House; VUTU Nepalese; Woking Amazing; and Yo India.
When: Friday, 4th November, 5-10pm; Saturday, 5th November, midday-10pm; and Sunday, 6th November, midday-9pm.
Where: Preston Food Truck Park.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Preston Food Truck Park by phone (1300 162636).
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Save Our Seeds screening with Seila Hierk

What: Join them as they view SOS – Save Our Seeds. Introduced by Seila Hierk, this documentary discusses the importance of saving seeds – for your garden and for a nation’s food security. Seila will also talk about his own experience as a school gardener, his wicking bed making skills and tips and tricks for saving your own seeds to get the best crop for your own garden.
When: Thursday, 17th November, 6.30-9.30pm.
Where: Coburg North.
Cost: note donation.
Enquiries: Permablitz Melbourne by email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: Permablitz website.

Joe’s market garden

What: In the run up to the Urban Agriculture Forum, this is one of several community gardening locations opening up to welcome visitors. 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, 19th November, 9am-1pm.
Where: Coburg.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Ceres by phone (9389 0100) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

FareShare garden

What: In the run up to the Urban Agriculture Forum, this is one of several community gardening locations opening up to welcome visitors. As well as the garden being open, there will be a session on integrated pest management from 10am to midday.
When: Saturday, 19th November, 10am-1pm.
Where: Abbotsford.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: FareShare by phone (9428 0044) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Ceres organic farm

What: In the run up to the Urban Agriculture Forum, this is one of several community gardening locations opening up to welcome visitors. Meet their propagators and market gardeners. Wander through their farm and learn about how they propagate and grow produce organically. A chance to get some garden advice and to participate in a propagation activity. Ceres organic farm consists of a certified organic market garden, a propagation enterprise that produces certified organic seedlings and is home to 200 Isa brown chooks. It is also utilised as an outdoor teaching space each week for hundreds of visiting school students.
When: Saturday, 19th November, 11am-3pm.
Where: Ceres.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Ceres by phone (9389 0100).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

3000 Acres Saxon Street garden

What: In the run up to the Urban Agriculture Forum, this is one of several community gardening locations opening up to welcome visitors. Includes a tour of the garden.
When: Saturday, 19th November, 1-3pm.
Where: Brunswick.
Cost: free.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sustainable food garden tour

What: Go along to a sustainable garden tour of the Lambert Residence, winner of the 2015 Whitehorse Sustainable Food Garden Award. During the garden tour, you will have the opportunity to learn how they have created a food forest garden, including: over 50 types of vegetables, fruit, herb and indigenous species; a variety of gardening and composting systems; a greenhouse; a beehive; poultry; a pond; insect hotels; a gabion wall; a wicking bed; a capillary watering table; and a two-bay compost system. Bookings essential. Light refreshments provided (BYO mug).
When: Saturday, 19th November, 2-4pm.
Where: Forest Hill.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Whitehorse Sustainability Officer, Amanda Swayn by phone (9262 6333) or email.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Rooftop honey

What: Go and hear the inspiring story of Rooftop Honey. They are beekeepers with a vision of bringing bees back to the city and suburbs. Their aim is to raise awareness of bees and the vital role that they play in our ecosystems and to be part of a global effort to help save the honey bee from the various threats of disease and human habitation. They will also have some of their produce for you to buy.
When: Wednesday, 23rd November, 7-8pm.
Where: Watsonia Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Watsonia Library by phone (9435 2397).
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Gingerbread sleigh for Christmas

What: Irene Williams, from the Victorian Cake Decorating Society, will demonstrate how to make, assemble and decorate a gingerbread sleigh which will make either a beautiful centerpiece for your Christmas table or a great gift to fill with treats.
When: Friday, 25th November, 2-3pm.
Where: Watsonia Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Watsonia Library by phone (9435 2397).
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Permablitz 191 (Richmond)

What: Dame Nellie Melba kinder, which just celebrated its 100 year anniversary, is located in a beautiful old house surrounded by garden and gum trees, has a very strong sustainability focus, has just put solar panels on the roof and is keen to get the garden beds planted out with edibles for the kids. So they are going to help them do it! Blitz activities on the day: building two bean teepees; constructing garden beds and propagation table; native garden beds and planting in the front and side of the property; and installing a new irrigation system. Workshops: propagation; and plant health and care.
When: Saturday, 26th November, 10am-4pm.
Where: Richmond.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Permablitz Melbourne by email.
Bookings / Further information: Permablitz website.

Crowd Harvest – Epping

What: Melbourne food relief providers are currently being met with higher demand for emergency assistance than they can cope with. FareShare provide 5,000 meals a day to people seeking assistance, yet they need to produce more. Liberty Church also provide a food relief service to Epping. Perhaps, if every individual contributes a little of their excess, food relief providers will have enough for everyone facing a crisis. If you would like to help, please bring any contribution to the FareShare refrigerated van outside Liberty Church.
When: Sunday, 27th November, 10am-2pm.
Where: Epping.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sylvester Hive Community Garden launch

What: Join them to celebrate community food gardening at the launch of the recently completed Sylvester Hive Community Garden. The garden is a joint project of the Pavilion School (recognised for their work with disengaged young people), Darebin Council and the local community. A ‘hive’ is a place where people meet and connect, and the garden will be a base for building relationships between school staff, students and local residents over time, as well as a place to grow delicious local organic food. Costa Georgiadis, from ABC Gardening Australia will give a talk about how growing food using permaculture can bring gardeners and non-gardeners alike together through the celebration of nature’s cycles and seasons, nurturing the soil and the soul. Costa will entertain and inspire through his personal anecdotes of other community gardens, schools and community groups and what makes growing food communally work. Bring a plate of food to share for lunch. Make your own free healthy, pedal powered smoothies with Bike n’ Blend. Free coffee and tea courtesy of Friends of Baucau – remember to bring your re-usable coffee cup or mug! This event is part of the Darebin Backyard Harvest Festival.
When: Saturday, 26th November, 1-2.30pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Darebin Sustainable Food Officer Lee Tozzi by phone (8470 8392) or email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Fruit tree propagating workshop

What: There is nothing more satisfying than propagating your own plants. In this workshop, Harry will demonstrate two propagating techniques: basic aerial layering and grafting for citrus and apple trees. You will gain an understanding of the tools and equipment and seasonal timing requirements for each technique as well as how to take care of grafts and propagated plants during their initial growing period. This event is part of the Darebin Backyard Harvest Festival.
When: Sunday, 27th November, 2.15-3.15pm.
Where: Northcote.
Cost: $10 / $5 Concession.
Enquiries: Tina Stagg by phone (8470 8673) or email.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Chocolate treats workshop with Santa

What: A great way for kids to get into the festive season! They will participate in a hands on facilitated workshop making a selection of Christmas chocolate treats to package and take home. Recipes are included as well as a visit from Santa himself! All materials provided. Suitable for primary school aged children. Note that this workshop requires a parent of guardian to be present.
When: Saturday, 3rd December, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Rivers of Yarrambat.
Cost: $27.
Enquiries: Rivers of Yarrambat by phone (9436 3215) or email.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Homemade Christmas

What: Join Maria Ciavarella, from My Green Garden, and learn how to make preserves using seasonal produce to give away as thoughtful Christmas gifts from the kitchen. She will show some simple preserving and bottling techniques, and you may even go home with a little gift.
When: Thursday, 8th December, 10.30am-midday.
Where: Eltham Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Eltham Library by phone (9439 9266).
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Italian Christmas cake decorating

What: Pier, from local cafe Pierross Pasticceria Italiana, will show you how to decorate a Christmas cake, with an Italian twist. Learn the techniques – you may be the lucky one to take it home.
When: Tuesday, 13th December, 7-8pm.
Where: Eltham Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Eltham Library by phone (9439 9266).
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
  • Composting and worm farming: Wednesday, 26th October, 7-9pm.
  • Green space health benefits: Thursday, 27th October, 11am-midday.
  • Vegan vegout: Thursday, 27th October, 5-11pm.
  • Become a junior chocolatier: Saturday, 29th October, 10-10.45am.
  • Backyard chooks for beginners: Saturday, 29th October, 10am-midday.
Over the next month

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).

Oct 192016
 

The 10-year history of Permablitz

permablitzAdrian O’Hagan has written in (using the valediction ‘warm rhubarbs’!) to provide a potted history of Permablitz to mark its 10-year anniversary: “For ten years, Permablitz Melbourne has helped people grow their own fruit and vegetables, all by transforming people’s yards and lawns into edible oases. It has now transformed almost 200 gardens Melbourne-wide. The Permablitz movement started in Dandenong back in 2006, and has thrived due to its reciprocal nature – recipients of a permablitz will first have volunteered their time to two or more other permablitzes. This, in turn, attracts new volunteers, and the cycle begins anew. The permablitzes are almost always designed by volunteers with a Permaculture Design Certificate. This gives the designer real-life experience working with a ‘client’ and the recipient (or ‘host’) gets a design tailored to their preferences, lifestyle and environment. Each permablitz event also contains workshops, which teach new skills to the volunteers, as well as having lots of fun. The concept has proven so successful that it has spread all over the world, with blitzes as far away as Hong Kong, Canada, the UK, India, Italy, Uganda and several other countries – as well as permablitzes held regularly across Australia.

As you will know if you both read and remember the 14th September newsletter(!), Permablitz is having a party to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. Sunday, 23rd October, 11am-4pm, at PepperTree Place, Coburg. Permaculture and gardening-based workshops, as well as games, live music and food. Free and no need to book. See the LFC calendar entry for further information.

Congratulations to St Helena Secondary College

A couple of weeks ago, Year 9 students from St Helena Secondary College spent a day volunteering at St Johns Riverside Community Garden in Heidelberg. As Katrina Philip reported back “Wow Guy, the St Helena students have been sensational in the garden – what a transformation they’ve brought about – and they all looked so satisfied as they worked. Thank you so much for coordinating this – sensational – and we’re very grateful!” Here are a couple of pictures from the day.
                        st_helena_1            st_helena_2

Some pictures from last weekend

There were many local events to choose from last weekend. Here are pictures of two of the events that I went to:

macleod just-picked-2
The Macleod Veggie Swap and auction A guided tour of the Just Picked farm
(for LFC members only)

 
Do you have any photos of local events that you have gone to that you would like to share? If so, email me.

A new recipe – seafood pad thai

seafood-pad-thaiTo celebrate her re-appearance at the next Eltham Farmers’ Market, Hanh Truong (aka Poppysmack) has provided us with her ‘secret’ recipe for seafood pad thai. And she will be demonstrating it at the 23rd October market. Click here to read the recipe.

As it is World Pasta Day next Tuesday, why don’t you try one of our pasta recipes: dairy-free vegetarian lasagne, fennel pasta, Doris’s pasta with ‘oasta’ sauce, tagliatelle with artichoke sauce or Warrigal greens and ricotta gnocchi.

Is Forest Hill Farmers’ Market no more?

An Internet search suggests that the Forest Hill Farmers’ Market is no more. Can anyone confirm? Just email me.

Mac’s tip of the week

OK, we have waited long enough for Spring to come. If you haven’t done so already, it is now time to plant those chillies, eggplants, tomatoes, zucchinis and other summer harvest delights. Yes, we had a frost last week … but days over 20°C are coming at last. Maybe add a dose of lime to help minimise blossom end rot (Calcium helps, but regular water is actually the key). Until next time, remember: dirty hand are good hands.

Helen has previously written growing guides for some of these veggies, namely: chillies, tomatoes and zucchinis (& other cucurbits).

Click here to read an SGA article on blossom end rot.

Click here to view all of Mac’s tips on our website.

New events

Mountain Goat Ocker-toberfest

What: Each $15 ticket will see you greeted with a free pint of your choice on arrival and a branded Summer Ale stubby holder, as well as entry into a raffle to win a Barrel Breed Imperial Stout prize pack. $5 Summer Ale and Fancy Pants tinnies will be available all day from the can-oo bar, perfect for putting in your new stubby holder. If you’re feeling peckish, there will be a free sausage sizzle as well as delicious pizzas. And, if all that isn’t enough, brewery tours will be running from midday to a backdrop of classic Aussie hits.
When: Saturday, 22nd October, midday-5pm.
Where: Mountain Goat Beer, Richmond.
Cost: $15 (includes a free pint).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

How to renovate a raised bed and make a wicking bed

What: Permaculturalists Seila Hierk and Mikoto Akari will demonstrate how to renovate a normal raised garden bed to create a wicking bed. Learn about the benefits of wicking beds in dry conditions, in clay and sandy soils, in low maintenance gardens, under big trees and to give your veggie garden a boost. They will also show you the composting system at the Olympic Adult Education kitchen.
When: Saturday, 22nd October, 2-5pm.
Where: Olympic Adult Education, Heidelberg West.
Cost: $10.
Enquiries: Suzanne Crellin by phone (0419 866171) or email.
Bookings: Trybooking.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Soil testing your property: planning

What: This is the first of two workshops that will guide you through what you need to know to undertake a representative soil test of your paddocks, how to interpret the soil test and learn how the various soil amendments interact and can change the chemical properties of the soil to better suit your enterprise. After this workshop, you will be encouraged to undertake a soil test and bring along its results for interpretation at a second workshop around the end of November (details to be arranged). The workshop will be led by Brad Costin and Lindsay Hyde from the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.
When: Monday, 24th October, 6.30-8.30pm.
Where: Wollert Hall.
Cost: free.
Enquiries / Bookings: Mark Williams by phone (9217 2471) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Vegan vegout

What: The food trucks offering vegan menus will include: Dolly’s Sister Vegan Cafe & Bar; Grace Café, Fitzroy; Happy Camper Pizza; Mr Burger; Pierogi Pierogi; The Little Mushroom Co.; and Woking Amazing.
When: Thursday, 27th October, 5-11pm.
Where: Welcome to Thornbury Food Truck Park.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Welcome to Thornbury by phone (9020 7940) or email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

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, 5th November, 2-4pm.
Where: Ceres.
Cost: $30.
Enquiries: Ceres by phone (9389 0100).
Bookings / Further information: Weteachme.

Whittlesea Show

What: With over 50,000 visitors over the weekend, it is one of Victoria’s largest agricultural shows. There will be lots of free activities and entertainment throughout the weekend, including:cattle and sheep on show; horse show; showjumping; livestock pavilion; animal nursery; wood chopping; vintage displays; arts and craft competition; photography competition; and alpacas & alpaca junior handler competitions. No dogs or alcohol allowed.
When: Saturday, 5th November and Sunday, 6th November, both 9am-5pm.
Where: Whittlesea Showgrounds.
Cost: $20.
Enquiries: Whittlesea Agricultural Society by phone (9716 2835) or email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: their website.

Friends of Eucalypt community event and membership drive

What: Friends of Eucalypt are looking for new members who are interested in being part of their community group to help build a community garden, farmers’ market and heritage project. They have been successful with two grant applications and would love more members of their community to be a part of these projects. At this event, there will be activities for everyone, including music, food, gelato, face painting.
When: Sunday, 13th November, midday-2pm.
Where: Third Place Cafe, Wollert.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Friends of Eucalypt by email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Food as medicine with Naturopath Erin Loughnan

What: What if we could use our food as medicine? Imagine how our bodies would feel! Join qualified naturopath, Erin Loughnan, as she explores the amazing medicinal qualities of food and demonstrates how each of us can truly live healthier lives. You will come away with a sound knowledge of how foods can heal our bodies and ensure we are striving, not just surviving.
When: Sunday, 27th November, 2-5pm.
Where: Ceres.
Cost: $50.
Enquiries: Ceres by phone (9389 0100).
Bookings / Further information: Weteachme.

New events – The Darebin Backyard Harvest Festival

The annual Darebin Backyard Harvest Festival will be taking place 19-27 November. In each case:
Cost: $10 / $5 Concession.
Enquiries: Lee Tozzi, Darebin Sustainable Food Officer by phone (8470 8392) or email.

Robbie’s aquaponics garden

What: Featured in his book Edible Garden Designs, Jamie Durie writes “This family is the very model of environmental awareness”. Robbie’s garden has also been in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, ABC Melbourne, 3AW, Good Organic Gardening and Sanctuary Magazine. Both front and back yards are devoted to food production, and feature two aquaponics systems in which trout and vegetables are grown in a mutually dependent relationship, enabling both to thrive. One system is homemade while the other is a purchased kit, and both are seamlessly incorporated into rest of the garden, which produces a huge variety of vegetables and herbs. Composting and free-range chickens also contribute to this garden’s sustainability credentials.
When: Saturday, 19th November, 10-11am.
Where: Thornbury.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Practical aquaponics with Robbie Kershaw

What: You are invited to participate in a workshop where Robbie will introduce you to the basic principles and benefits of aquaponics, provide an overview of backyard style designs, the equipment you will need and how to set up a system from scratch. He will also address the common problems with stabilising and establishing a new system, as well as ongoing maintenance.
When: Saturday, 19th November, 11.15am-12.15pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Lee’s generous sharing garden

What: Lee is passionate about sharing the health and well being benefits of tending to, and eating from, her bountiful garden in her social housing estate. She wanted to break down the perception that many of her neighbours had that food gardening is expensive, and is committed to making food gardening low-cost and accessible. She shares her surplus harvest, saved seeds and garden knowledge with her neighbours, friends, family and local community. Her garden features a wide range of fruit and veggies such as potato, pumpkin, tomatoes, leafy greens, strawberries kiwiberries and even a banana palm. The sense of achievement and satisfaction that Lee enjoys through growing something with her own hands and sharing / swapping seasonal excess with her neighbours is inspirational. Her garden demonstrates that growing and sharing food can bring the community together.
When: Saturday, 19th November, 12.45-1.45pm.
Where: Reservoir.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Fotios’ and Effy’s mediterranean garden

fotioWhat: Established 33 years ago, this garden is passionately tended by Fotios and Effy in their retirement. It features a cleverly grafted olive tree which produces 3 kinds of olives. Fotios believes in recycling, which is evident in the materials used to make the hot house and garden borders. This farm-let style garden produces fresh organic produce all year round, with tomatoes his speciality. Fotios believes his tomatoes are now a unique variety, because he has been saving seeds for 33 years. Seed saving selects for fruit best suited to local conditions, optimising flavour and quality, and helps preserve genetic diversity. The garden uses rain water tanks and homemade compost mixed with animal manure.
When: Saturday, 19th November, 2.15-3.15pm.
Where: Preston.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Damian’s biodiverse permaculture garden

What: Damian has been enthusiastically practicing permaculture since he attended a talk by permaculture co-founder Bill Mollison in 1977. He is also involved in replanting native vegetation on Herring Island in inner suburban Melbourne. What permaculture and bush regeneration have in common is that they both aim to establish biodiversity whether building up microbes in the soil, integrating chooks and fruit trees or attracting wildlife to the garden. The complex mix of species forms mutually beneficial relationships, all performing multiple functions such as nutrient cycling, pollination or pest control. Damian’s garden reflects his love of growing food for both humans and local native species.
When: Saturday, 19th November, 3.45-4.45pm.
Where: Reservoir.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Preserving Spring produce

What: Join Maria from My Green Garden in a delicious and practical workshop where she will and cook up some easy recipes using produce from a typical food garden in Spring, such as a pesto, dips, vegetable pickles and fragrant herb oils. The small kitchen garden at the centre will also be open for viewing.
When: Sunday, 20th November, 10am-midday.
Where: Alphington.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Steve and Georgia’s mini suburban farm

What: Steve and Georgia have transformed their home to a suburban mini-farm in just six years. Their garden includes over 90 fruit trees pruned to a range of forms, including espaliers, to increase productivity and make the most of spaces. It also features a front yard food forest, berries, raised veggie beds, bees and chickens. Companion planting is used to attract beneficial insects for organic pest control. The garden’s environmental footprint is reduced by using re-purposed materials as much as possible, and water efficiency measures, including grey water reuse. The garden is highly productive, and provides the bulk of the couple’s veggie, fruit, honey and egg needs year round.
When: Sunday, 20th November, 12.30-1.30pm.
Where: Reservoir.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Steve’s water efficient garden workshop

steveWhat: As Melbourne’s climate gets hotter and drier, keeping a productive garden thriving while minimising water use is a challenge. At this workshop, Steve will discuss simple, cheap, DIY techniques to use less water, and make the most of the water you do use, including: garden design and plant selection, mulching, efficient irrigation, rainwater capture and grey water re-use.
When: Sunday, 20th November, 1.45-2.45pm.
Where: Reservoir.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sharing homegrown food with Luigi and Emanuela

luigi-and-emanuelaWhat: From the moment you arrive, your gregarious and hospitable hosts Luigi and Emanuela will entertain you with gardening and food preserving knowledge and stories as they showcase their abundant Mediterranean inspired garden. Features include intensively cultivated vegetable beds, a home built hothouse, food preserving area and backyard pizza oven. Luigi will share his secret to growing the biggest eggplants you have ever seen!
When: Sunday, 20th November, 3.15-4.15pm.
Where: Reservoir.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Kat’s small scale urban farm

What: Kat Lavers is a passionate gardener, permaculture designer, trainer and facilitator. She coordinates the My Smart Garden program for Hobsons Bay City Council, runs Green Steps training for Monash University and has taught permaculture in Australia and Mongolia. Her house and garden, ‘The Plummery’, is a small-scale urban permaculture system. The 1/14 acre site produces almost all the veggies, herbs, fruit, mushrooms and electricity consumed by the household, as well as recycling all organic waste on site. There is also a retrofitted light earth studio made from on site clay and re-claimed materials.
When: Monday, 21st November, 6-7pm.
Where: Northcote.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Keeping quails with Kat Lavers

What: Keeping quails is a fantastic way to produce eggs in a small garden. They are quieter than chickens and hardy too. In this workshop, Kat will introduce you to her covey of quails and discuss their food and housing needs, including tips and tricks to reduce maintenance. And of course you will also taste some delicious quail eggs!
When: Monday, 21st November, 7.15-8.15pm.
Where: Northcote.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Kim’s recycled renters garden

kimWhat: The fact that Kim rents has not held her back from being an enthusiastic and creative food gardener who loves to experiment. She wants to encourage renters and non renters alike to try food gardening no matter how big or small a home they have. Kim’s garden reflects her love of recycled materials, gardening in tune with the changing seasons and growing what she loves to eat. Her garden is always evolving, with a range of tropical and temperate fruits, vegetables and herbs grown in her front and backyard, making use of the different micro-climates around her home. You will find Kim’s enthusiasm infectious as she shares anecdotes about her garden triumphs and failures, proving you don’t need to have a ‘green thumb’ to give it a go.
When: Tuesday, 22nd November, 6-7pm.
Where: Reservoir.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Angelo’s fertile food forest

angeloWhat: Angelo (Deep Green Permaculture) is a sustainable gardening and permaculture presenter, trainer and writer and passionate food forest advocate. His garden won a Darebin Sustainability Award in 2012, and was featured in the prestigious Open Gardens Australia event in 2014 and 2015. Angelo’s high density food forest garden produces a huge diversity of food – stone fruits, berries, herbs and vegetables. What appears to be a verdant tumble of vegetation is actually strategic placement to create synergistic relationships and enhance the micro-climate and growing conditions for each plant. This is also an effective pest control technique resulting in a wonderfully abundant organic garden.
When: Wednesday, 23rd November, 6-7pm.
Where: Preston.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

George and Marika’s mini market garden

george-and-marikaWhat: With higher density living, George and Marika’s backyard is an increasingly rare example of a large area completely given over to edible crops in the style of a mini market garden. George and Marika have nurtured their highly productive garden for over 5 years and are passionate promoters of home food growing. Their garden supplies them with virtually all their fresh food all year round – plus excess to share! This is one of the festivals largest and most prolific gardens, featuring an orchard, mature grapevines, large vegetable beds, and a composting system. George will generously share his pruning and creative organic pest control techniques during the tour.
When: Saturday, 26th November, 10-11am.
Where: Reservoir.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Antonis Greek garden

antonisWhat: This garden reflects a piece of Greek culture in Reservoir. A giant cactus (called a prickly pear) is a key feature of the garden landscape. Established in 1975, when Antonis first came to Australia and now devotedly tended in his retirement, this garden includes a variety of seasonal and perennial edible fruits and produce. It also features a brick oven used in the past for making bread, integral to Greek cuisine. The garden is sustained with natural fertilisers and rainwater from large tanks.
When: Saturday, 26th November, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Reservoir.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Michael’s cottage food garden

michaelWhat: Michael has lovingly turned the front and back yard of his rented home into an attractive and productive food garden without breaking the bank. Tidy garden beds, pretty brick baths, a rustic chook shed and greenhouse have all been built through the ingenious use of recycled materials. Chickens are integral, producing eggs and disposing of household scraps and providing valuable fertiliser, but are also cleverly managed to prevent them from decimating precious vegetables. The front garden is reminiscent of a European cottage garden with plenty of bee-attracting flowering plants among the herbs, while the rear is devoted to vegetables and fruit trees, including a feature fig. Vegetables and greens are carefully selected to ensure that the household has a supply of fresh produce all year round.
When: Saturday, 26th November, 2.30-3.30pm.
Where: Preston.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Maya’s exotic edible garden

What: Maya has created an edible garden that is as beautiful as it is fruitful. Decorative, highly productive hedges are formed from an extensive range of pruned and grafted fruit trees using a unique combination of espalier, cordon, ‘Bouche Thomas’ and dwarfing rootstock to create intriguing shapes and patterns. The garden features 28 apple trees of several varieties, a range of cane and bush berries, persimmons, cherry guavas, feijoas and citrus. Mature grape vines are trained against the house, helping cool it in summer and yielding delicious summer grapes. Maya practices organic and biodynamic gardening methods complete with recycled rain water and extensive composting systems. A netted chicken fence protects the rear garden from striking ‘Araucana’ chickens, originally bred in South America, who are kept as much for their wonderfully friendly nature as for their beautiful pale blue eggs. A home-built coffee roaster in the backyard completes the picture. This garden is a delight to all the senses, not just the tastebuds!
When: Saturday, 26th November, 4-5pm.
Where: Preston.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Backyard chook keeping workshop

What: Want healthy, happy and productive chooks as part of your sustainable backyard? Jessamy Miller has a monthly column and an online blog on backyard chooks for the ABC’s Organic Gardener magazine and holds regular online Q&A sessions answering poultry queries. She is also an editor for the Australasian Poultry and Grass Roots magazines. In this workshop, she will demonstrate how to set up your henhouse, integrate chooks into the garden, and manage your flock using organic methods. Get the lowdown on what to feed your birds, and how to deal with some common issues.
When: Sunday, 27th November, 10.30am-midday.
Where: Northcote.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Harry’s micro orchard garden

What: Harry is passionate about gardening in small spaces and has been lovingly tending his fully organic micro orchard garden for 12 years. At 72 square metres, this garden demonstrates you don’t need a large plot of land to grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Harry planned, constructed and planted the garden with his daughter to encourage science concepts through organic gardening. Clever grafting methods yield citruses, apples, pomegranates and stone fruits. The all year rotation of herbs and seasonal vegetables supplement the food requirements for a family of five.
When: Sunday, 27th November, 1-2pm.
Where: Northcote.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Food forests with Angelo Eliades

What: Passionate food forest advocate Angelo Eliades, from Deep Green Permaculture, will demonstrate how a conventional backyard has been transformed into a thriving, productive biodiverse demonstration permaculture food forest garden with 30 fruit trees, dozens of berries and multitudes of medicinal herbs, as well as plenty of exotic edibles from around the world and native bush food plants.
When: Sunday, 27th November, 3.45-4.45pm.
Where: Preston.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

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).

Oct 122016
 

The video stars competition – wrapup

The winners of both the fifth week’s competition (Kings of Kangaroo Ground) and sixth, and final, week’s competition (Sugarloaf Produce) have now been selected (by random draw). Congratulations, Julie Sutherland and Barb Whiter. Here they are collecting their prizes at Sunday’s market, together with the previous week’s winner, Sandra Rattray.

sarah-rattray julie-sutherland barb-whiter
Sarah Rattray (and family) Julie Sutherland (and daughter) Barb Whiter (and partner)

 
Sarah writes in: “I wanted to thank you for our prize today. It was extra special because we only have three more Eltham Farmers’ Market days before we move to Tasmania. We have decided to set up a homestead, living more self-sufficiently growing our own vegetables, chickens, quail, maybe a couple of sheep and eventually a house cow, for milk, cream, cheese, yogurt and, after today’s introduction to Quark, it is being added to the list. And bees … how could I forget bees for honey, wax, pollination and more bees. It has been a dream that has developed and ripened over the last year. My husband (Ben) and I have both quit our jobs and sold our Montmorency apartment, ready for departure at the end of November. It is going to be a massive learning curve for both of us, Ben has an engineering/business management background while I am a cardiac sonographer. But it will mean we get to spend more time with our daughter Rose and will be such a family adventure.

“We have loved visiting the Eltham Farmers’ Market most fortnights over the last year to buy the majority of our food. It has been so great eating with the seasons. It’s funny how apples can be such a treat when you know they won’t be available all year or how cream can change fat content/flavour as cows change to have calves. The Eltham Farmers’ Market has allowed us to experience this.

“Special shoutouts to: Schulz Organic Dairy (thank you for helping my 10 month old eat food … I have worked out that if she isn’t keen on something I just add a spoonful of your yogurt and she will eat more. I’m not kidding. And don’t get me started on the cream, it’s the best!); Little Feet Farm (thanks for the chats and introducing us to Paris Market carrots); Heidi Honey (thank you for the best chai and always asking how Rose is doing); and Hazeldean Forest Farm (we have really enjoyed trying all sorts of apples and persimmons and Sunday afternoon has regularly become apple eating and stewing time).

As well as the 6 videos of local farmers that we have produced, I have scoured the Internet and found videos about 13 of other local food producers. You can watch any or all of the 19 on a new local food producer videos website page.

Mac’s tip of the week

Unless you want the seeds or fruit, the time to prune is immediately after flowering. That goes for almost any ornamental plant: prune after flowering to skip the seed development phase and jump straight to the growth phase. If hedge trimming, prune on a dry day so that water weight does not affect the line of your cut. Until next time, remember: dirty hand are good hands.

You can now view all of Mac’s tips on our website – click here.

A thank you from STREAT and FareShare kitchen gardens

bec-scottCath Lyons (aka My Little Trowel) has written in to thank those newsletter readers who went to the STREAT open door for gardeners. As Bec Scott (pictured), CEO of STREAT, said: “thanks to all the gardeners who contributed to day. The herbs, veggies and fruit trees are all flourishing in the Collingwood Cafe area, helping to service their mission to empower homeless youth. Head down to the cafe and have a meal in the garden.

Cath has also provided more information about the FareShare kitchen garden – open day: Saturday, 15th October, 11am-2pm. FareShare is Australia’s largest charity kitchen. Sign up at www.fareshare.net.au/volunteer-registration to be a volunteer at any one of the three FareShare kitchen gardens.

A thank you from the Watch My Waste research project

Dianne McGrath, lead researcher on the Watch My Waste research project, has written in thank us for advertising their recent survey (see the 21st September newsletter): “some of our respondents have told us that they heard about our survey from your newsletter. So a HUGE thank you! You have helped contribute to the around 300 people who have done the survey, which has ensured the survey will be powered sufficiently for statistical significance.

Fitzroy Community Food Centre

Dana Thomson has written in to highlight the Fitzroy Community Food Centre project, which does indeed look rather interesting. In summary, “The Fitzroy Community Food Centre (FCFC) brings people together around food. The projects offered through the kitchen help people to access fresh food, learn about growing and preparing food and also provide opportunities to share food in a spirit of conviviality. The FCFC addresses issues of food security, healthy food education and skill building, social isolation, multicultural understanding, food waste and community connectedness.” and “This innovative concept will create the first centre of its kind in Australia”. The project is being undertaken by Cultivating Community and appears to be being led by one of our newsletter readers, Peta Christensen.

That Sugar Film: a must see film

Jill Fleming has written in to say that That Sugar Film is a must see film: “The film has had an amazing effect on everyone that I know who has seen it. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the effects of sugars on the health and wellbeing of our children and the community. I would also recommend organising a local screening, perhaps with Damon Gameau personally introducing it.” My wife (Susan Palmer) has also seen it and agrees. Is there anyone out there willing to organise a screening?

pirate-foundersInternational non-food days

Jenny Shaw has written in to point out that we have all just missed International Talk like a Pirate Day (19th September). Apparently, on that day one can choose ‘pirate’ as the language in a Google search! And it is a holiday for members of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (aka the Pastafarians) who, inter alia, assert that the cause of global warming is a decline in the number of pirates over the years.

Montmorency: volunteers wanted for Kitchen Garden Program

The Kitchen Garden Program at Montmorency South Primary School offers students the opportunity to grow and harvest food from their own school garden and then prepare that food, sharing it with their class. Their established garden and kitchen facility make this both an enjoyable and a rewarding learning environment for the children in years 3-6. The continuation of the program relies on the support of volunteers. You do not have to be a green thumb or a masterchef! You will work with a small group of children guiding them with either a garden task (1 hour) or cooking from a recipe (2 hours).

The program runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday over a fortnight rotation. You may want to volunteer once a week – or once a term. Note that a valid working-with-children check is required. If interested, contact either Jenna Farrington (garden) by phone (0406 738220) or Cathryn Hulme (kitchen) by phone (0419 322782).

Urban Agriculture Forum presentations now available for download

See their website – scroll down past all the self-spruiking until you get near to the bottom of the page.

top-hundred-acresTop Hundred Acres in the news

Top Hundred Acres were featured in the 11th October edition of The Leader.

New events

Co-op’s seedling sale and exchange

What: Support your community greenhouse. Buy seedlings real cheap or, in exchange for a couple of hours of hands-on fun work, people can take plants home for free. It is open to all in the local community and it is great fun for kids of all ages as there is an adventure playground to explore.
When: Saturday, 15th October, 10am-midday.
Where: Hurstbridge Learning Co-operative.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Michelle Labrin by phone (0402 400624) or email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Attack of the clones: a Pinot Noir master class

What: Pinot Noir has a finicky, thin skinned, slightly onerous and moody personality and it is a pain to work with. So, why bother making it? Because, according to Robert Parker, when it’s great, Pinot Noir produces the most complex, hedonistic and remarkably thrilling red wine in the world. This master class will explore all things Pinot Noir. There will be pre-release barrel tasting, museum stock and reserve wine open for tasting.
When: Saturday, 22nd October, 11am-12.30pm.
Where: Helen Hill’s Estate in Coldstream.
Cost: $35 (includes wine and matched share plates of food).
Enquiries / Bookings: Helen Hill’s Estate by phone (9739 1573) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Produce with a Purpose: Spring garden party

What: They will be planting spring veggies and harvesting beetroot, kale, rhubarb and snow peas.
When: Sunday, 23rd October, 11am-3pm.
Where: Produce With A Purpose, Lower Plenty.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Louise King by email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

What’s in your green bin? Edible weeds and composting weeds and prunings

What: Learn how to deal simply and chemical-free with different weeds so that they don’t grow again when put through your compost. Also learn about edible weeds. After this you will know how, with a little bit of time, weeds can easily be kept for your garden rather than put into the green bin. Even woody waste can be used as Hugel bed culture – forming a nutrition and moisture-holding base for garden beds – rather than being put into the green bin. You will also discuss efficient composting techniques and how to make your compost more nutritious, noting that Council compost often contains high proportions of wood-chip waste that does not have a lot of nutrition for your food garden but is fine for other garden areas. Notes will be provided.
When: Saturday, 5th November, midday-2pm.
Where: Watsonia Neighbourhood House.
Cost: $5 (kids are free).
Enquiries/Bookings: Marina Bistrin by phone (9434 6717) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sourdough workshop

What: Yvonne Ashby hopes that her passion for sourdough will inspire others to enjoy a good quality homemade bread and a great way to re-live a past time. This will be a hands-on workshop on how to make traditional sourdough bread with the 3 basic ingredients of flour, water and salt. The class will be limited to 6-8 people with a hands-on approach to all aspects of making sourdough, including the tasting for lunch from different variations of sourdough bread that use the basic sourdough recipe being learnt in the workshop (e.g. spelt, fruit & nut, seeded, wholemeal). The cost is inclusive of Yvonne’s continued support whilst the participant is making their own bread at home. The workshop is suitable for beginners who want to expand their bread making repertoire. You will: learn about the required ingredients and tools of the trade; discover the fermentation techniques to optimise the open crumb texture; and learn about the Baker’s Percentage and hydration. During the workshop, you will: mix, knead and fold the dough; learn shaping techniques; learn to score and bake; and learn how to maintain a starter.
When: Saturday, 12th November, 10am-1pm.
Where: Yallambie.
Cost: $85.
Enquiries: Yvonne Ashby by phone (0409 225774) or email.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Building veggie beds from pallets

What: Have you ever wanted to learn how to make things for your garden, how to use hand tools or how to reuse wooden pallets as a building material? In this workshop, you will learn about: how to source used timber pallets; using hand tools safely; how to breakdown timber pallets to basic building materials; veggie box design options; how to build a veggie growing box; wicking boxes — what they are and how they work; and how to convert a plain box into a wicking box. Workshop participants will be split into teams of 3 or 4 to build the veggie boxes.
When: Sunday, 4th December, 12.30-4pm.
Where: Templestowe College.
Cost: $49.
Enquiries: Sustainable Gardening Australia by phone (8850 3050) or email.
Bookings / Further information: Weteachme.

Christmas cookie decorating

What: With Christmas around the corner why not make your own packaged cookies to give as gifts to friends and family. Learn how to decorate cookies using fondant icing and different techniques. You will be provided with the cookies and equipment to decorate and package them.
When: Tuesday, 6th December, 2-3pm.
Where: Coburg Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Moreland Council by phone (9353 4000) or email.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Christmas cake decorating

What: Irene, from the Victorian Cake Decorating Society, will provide tips and tricks for decorating your Christmas cake. Bookings required.
When: Thursday, 8th December, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Thomastown Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Thomastown Library by phone (9464 1864) or email.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

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).

Oct 052016
 

Community gardens in Nillumbik and Banyule (and elsewhere)

One of my little projects has been to try and get all the local community gardens to give me some words and photos for the website. The latest response is for the Thrive community garden in Diamond Creek. There are now pages for 8 of the gardens:

Because it has taken longer than expected to get the Nillumbik and Banyule data, I have not proactively pursued further afield. But I would be more than happy to include any community gardens from anywhere in North East Melbourne. Just email me with some words and photos.

Mac’s tip of the week

Have you got aphids on your new spring growth? I have seen them thick on some roses and on the odd fruit tree. Step one is to simply rub them off with your fingers or squirt them off with the hose – as most don’t yet have wings, this it may do the trick. Check again in a week and then maybe apply a soapy water / neam oil / or pyrethrum spray if they are back. However, always hold off nuking them with stronger insecticides as before you know it the weather will change and populations will subside anyway. Also, lady bugs and lacewings eat aphids, so make sure none are in sight as pyrethrum is a contact (low impact) insecticide that will kill them too! Until next time, remember: dirty hand are good hands.

Macleod’s upcoming auction in the news

macleodRobin Gale-Baker and Chris Newman in the 28th September edition of the Leader. The event is on 15th October.

Parsley and pecan pesto

Do you, like me, currently have lots of parsley that you don’t know what to do with? If so, have a look at the new recipe from Pam Jenkins: parsley and pecan pesto. As I can personally attest, it tastes yummy. And, as Pam says, “it uses quite a lot of parsley to make quite a small amount of pesto”, which means the same as “making a reasonable amount of pesto will use up a huge amount of parsley”.

On the subject of cooking meals: as part of a project to eat my way through the Local Food Directory, I recently ordered a vegetarian shepherd’s pie from a local, online delivery organisation. Alongside the picture of the shepherd’s pie were the words “comes with potatoes, onions, garlic, lentils, mushrooms, celery, carrots, cashews & tomato paste”. It arrived this week and it comprised … some potatoes, some onions, some garlic, etc. That’s right: what they sent me was the ingredients for a shepherd’s pie, not the pie itself! Plus a printed recipe. Not quite the ‘ready meal’ I was expecting!

International food days

I got two emails this week about international food days, one about the lack of local events celebrating International Coffee Day (1st October) and the other about an upcoming event celebrating World Vegan Day (23rd October). That got me thinking: what other ‘official food days’ are there?

I soon discovered National Chocolate Day (7th July), where I sadly missed all the events that happened in the CBD in 2016. I then discovered that, although World Vegan Day is on 23rd October this year in Melbourne, it is usually on the last Sunday of October and, in the rest of the world (including Adelaide), it is on 1st November (apparently to coincide with the Day of the Dead).

In any event (sic), to make sure that you can plan your celebratory events for next year, here are some of the ‘official food days’ that have at least some profile in Australia:

  • hummusMarch 22nd: World Water Day.
  • 47 days before Easter: Pancake Day.
  • May 13th: International Hummus Day.
  • June 1st: World Milk Day.
  • June 18th: International Sushi Day.
  • May 6th: International No Diet Day.
  • May 28th: National Hunger Day.
  • May 28th: National Burger Day.
  • May (3rd Sunday): World Baking Day.
  • July 7th: World Chocolate Day.
  • July 21st: International Lamington Day.
  • August (1st Friday): International Beer Day.
  • October 1st: International Coffee Day.
  • October 1st: World Vegetarian Day.
  • October 2nd: World Farm Animals Day.
  • omeletteOctober 16th: World Food Day.
  • October 25th: World Pasta Day.
  • October (2nd Friday): World Egg Day.
  • November 1st: World Vegan Day (but see the discussion above).

Looking at this list, December is currently a gap and I have decided to appropriate December 1st for a new National Cheese and Onion Omelette Day. Start organising your events for that day now!

Salvador Dali’s cookbook is being re-printed

daliLes Diners de Gala is exactly the sort of thing one might imagine Dali producing. See the reviews at Colossal and Brain Pickings. Buy the book.

New events

Melbourne Salami Festa

What: Activities will include: salami tasting with some of Australia’s best artisan brands displaying and selling their product; a few of Melbourne’s top restaurants will also have mini pop up versions of themselves; various demonstrations that cover breaking down the pig, to making salami and mortadella; the makers who have entered the competition, where you will have the chance to meet the families competing, taste their wares and learn their secrets; and live music.
When: Saturday, 8th October, 10am-10pm and Sunday, 9th October, 10am-6pm.
Where: Northcote Town Hall.
Cost: $10-15 (workshops and demonstrations are extra).
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: their website.

Casserole Club: it’s great to share a plate

What: Do you love cooking and want to make a positive impact in your community? The Casserole Club, in conjunction with Ceres Tamil Feasts, will present an eggplant curry cooking demonstration where you will hear about how you can share a home-cooked meal with an older person in your neighbourhood. The Casserole Club connects people who love to cook with older residents who enjoy a home cooked meal.
When: Thursday, 13th October, 7-8pm.
Where: Coburg Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Moreland Council by phone (9353 4000) or email.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Become a junior chocolatier

What: In a 45 minute ‘parent-free zone’, children aged 6–12 years can learn from their chocolatiers how to make their very own chocolate creations. Includes personalised badge, chef’s hat and apron, graduation certificate plus take home three chocolate creations to enjoy.
When: Saturday 15th October at 9am, Saturday 22nd October at 10am, Saturday 29th October at 10am and Saturday 26th November at 10am, all for 45 minutes.
Where: Yarra Glen.
Cost: $40.
Enquiries: Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery by phone (9730 2777) or email.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Introduction to natural beekeeping (two day)

What: Suitable for beginners, and ideal for the backyarder, this two-day event will cover such subjects as: equipment, legislation, choosing the location, ongoing maintenance and harvesting. The event is being run by the Natural Beekeeping Group of Permaculture Victoria.
When: Saturday 15th October and Sunday, 16th October, both 10am-4pm.
Where: Mitcham.
Cost: $200 for members of Permaculture Victoria; $250 for non-members.
Enquiries/Bookings: Claire Smith by email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

World Vegan Day Melbourne

What: This event offers a broad and exciting range of examples of what it means to live vegan. Whether you are passionate about health and wellbeing, fitness, cooking, beauty and body care, fashion, kids and family activities, politics, business, animal rights, sustainability, self-sufficiency, music, creativity, or just love devouring delicious food and drinks – World Vegan Day has something for everyone. Regardless of whether you are already vegan or simply curious to find out more about the lifestyle, this event is an opportunity to explore what is on offer in this ever-more accessible lifestyle. The main attractions include: hundreds of exhibitor stalls; local, interstate and international speakers; food and drink vendors; cooking demo stage; and ancestral eating and gardening area.
When: Sunday, 23rd October, 10am-8pm.
Where: Royal Melbourne Show Grounds, Ascot Vale.
Cost: No entrance fee is mentioned.
Further information: their website.

Backyard irrigation workshop

What: Learn how to save water and water more effectively in this workshop on dripline irrigation for backyard gardens. The workshop will cover basic theory, installation, and maintenance of your irrigation system. Facilitated by Angelo Eliades from Deep Green Permaculture. Hosted by the Murundaka Cohousing Community.
When: Sunday, 23rd October, 2.30-5pm.
Where: Murundaka Cohousing Community, Heidelberg Heights.
Cost: $6.
Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

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).