LFC News June 27 2018

Jun 272018
 

Robin’s tip of the month – tending the raspberry patch

Now that winter is here, it’s time to tend the raspberry patch. First, you will need to know whether your raspberries are autumn varieties (e.g. Autumn Bliss, Autumn Heritage) or summer (e.g. Chilicotin, Chiliwack, Willamette) as they are treated in different ways. Both require wire supports. Autumn varieties prefer 2 sets of parallel wires each with 3 strands at intervals of 60cm and the taller summer varieties a single set of parallel wires with 4 strands at an interval of 50cm.

Autumn varieties fruit on first year canes called primocanes and are usually pruned to ground level after leaf fall – pruning earlier or much later than leaf fall reduces the crop the following season. After pruning, add well composted manure to the bed. Then, in the spring when the canes reach 60cm in height, tip prune them and tie them to one of the horizontal wires – this will result in branching and more berries.

Summer varieties fruit on second year canes called floricanes and are more complicated to prune. Canes that have fruited won’t fruit again, so look for dry, brown canes and prune these back to ground level. At the same time, look for new shoots or canes which will be green and tie them to your horizontal wire. Then tip prune them and fertilise with well composted manure.

Both autumn and summer raspberries sucker. The suckers should be removed to keep the strength in the main cane. Cut the suckers rather than pull them.

If you want to read more, Helen Simpson has an article about growing raspberries on our website.

Robin has also just written an article about growing apricots, which is on the Sustainable Gardening Australia website.

Read all of Robin’s tips.

What to plant in July

Here is a list (see the planting guide for more detail):
Coriander
Lettuce
Mustard greens
Onion
Peas
Radish
Shallot

The shortest list of the year.

Community gardening news

Margot Meredith has sent in an update about the Watsonia Library Community Garden: “For the past few years, people interested in growing food with, and for, others in the community have been meeting weekly at Watsonia Library (4 Ibbottson Street) to plant, harvest, weed, chat, share knowledge, meet and make friends. Starting in July, this group will meet on Tuesdays (i.e. not Thursdays, as currently) between 10 and 11am. The library garden offers a relaxing place for people of all ages and we generally finish with a cuppa in the garden (or looking at it from the library).”

Want a job?

A Local Baker St Andrews is looking for “a passionate, hard working, baker with a love of wild fermentation and wood fired baking“. Apprentices and novices welcome. Hours negotiable. Award wages. If interested, phone Sachin on 0430 535494.

A sad story

Dani Venn is well known in the local food community. For example, earlier this month she was at Greensborough Plaza teaching children how to make tzatziki. And she once produced a video about Sachin Verma from A Local Baker St Andrews. Anyhow, it appears that Dani has recently been the victim of a major fraud. Briefly, she sold her house in Smiths Gully and the money was put into Australia’s new online property transfer system (called PEXA). Then, before she could remove the money, someone hacked her conveyancer’s email account, used this to reset the password to PEXA, then accessed PEXA and diverted the money ($250,000) into their bank account. Surprisingly, the owners of PEXA (which include the Macquarie Group, the big banks and the State government) are denying any liability. Even if she eventually recovers the money, she is faced in the short term with defaulting on the property that she and her family were buying with the monies from their sale. Read more. Donate to their fighting fund.

Which link was clicked most times in the last newsletter?

Helen’s article on growing ginger and turmeric.

Karen Sutherland sent in the following comments.

Re ginger: “a Sri Lankan friend, Ranjana, gave me this tip – he said he remembers his mother storing harvested ginger in dry sand in a glazed ceramic pot on the kitchen bench (or in the laundry, etc). He does this with his harvested ginger (he now lives in Brisbane).”

Re turmeric: “I tried keeping my harvested turmeric last year in some damp, but not wet, potting mix in a 40 cm plastic pot, hoping it would keep some humidity around the tubers, and it worked really well. They lasted until the ones I hadn’t used were ready to plant again in spring.”

Re galangal: “I’ve grown galangal for many years in my garden. The plants are healthy, although the tubers are smaller than tropically grown. I grew the original plant from a tuber that I bought and sprouted on my kitchen windowsill. I planted into a 20cm pot then, when the plant was fully established (in 6-12 months), I planted it out without dividing it. I find if I plant small pieces individually they die, so I use this method instead.”

Proverb of the month

The apple of my eye. Meaning: something, or more usually someone, cherished above others. ‘Apple’ here refers to the pupil of an eye. This is a phrase that illustrates the age of the English language as it dates back to a work attributed to Alfred the Great of Wessex titled Gregory’s Pastoral Care and published in 885, where the phrase was probably meant literally. It was subsequently used in something like its current figurative meaning by Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and in the King James Version of the Bible (Deuteronomy 32:10, Book of Psalms 17:8, Proverbs 7:2, Lamentations 2:18 and Zechariah 2:8). Popularised by Walter Scott in 1816 (in the novel Old Mortality) and brought to my attention by Stevie Wonder in the 1970s (in You Are the Sunshine of My Life).

Incidentally, the word ‘pupil’ for the aperture in the eye comes from the Latin ‘pupilla’, meaning ‘little doll’ and referring to the tiny reflection one sees of oneself when looking into another person’s eyes. Note that ‘pupil’ meaning ‘a learner under the supervision of a teacher’ has a completely different etymology.

Read all the proverbs.

Gardening quote of the month

“Sweet, sane, still nakedness in nature! Ah if poor, sick, prurient humanity in cities might really know you once more!” by Walt Whitman in Specimen Days, 1882.

Read all the quotes.

Joke of the week

How does a farmer mend his trousers? With cabbage patches.

Read all the jokes.

New events

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: Tuesday, 3rd July (9am, 10am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm); Wednesday, 4th July (9am, 10am, 11am, midday, 1.30pm, 2.30pm); Tuesday, 10th July (9am, 10am, 11am, midday, 2.30pm); Wednesday, 11th July (9am, 10am, midday, 1.30pm, 2.30pm); Saturday, 21st July (9am); and Saturday, 25th August (10am).
Where: Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, Yarra Glen.
Cost: $48.
Bookings and further information: their website.

Winter gardening

What: Learn all about: what to plant and when; soil preparation and maintenance; pest management; and harvesting tips & tricks.
When: Saturday, 7th July, 10am-12.30pm.
Where: Brunswick Neighbourhood House.
Cost: free.
Bookings: by either phone (9386 9418) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Cooking master class

What: Enjoy 3 tasting size courses cooked by chef Bek McMillan, from Gourmet Living, who will demonstrate step by step. All recipes are included. Menu: caponata bruschetta; chicken ratatouille; and chocolate mousse tart.
When: Thursday, 12th July, 7-9pm.
Where: Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
Cost: $42.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Convivial Kitchen’s sourdough breadmaking demo

What: This is an event for Darebin people to come together and connect while learning some new home cooking skills. Join them for a slow food afternoon as she demonstrates sourdough breadmaking, from preparing the grain to baking bread.
When: Sunday, 15th July, 2-5pm.
Where: Northcote.
Cost: $30.
Bookings: by email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Cookie cake and fondant cookies with Emelia Jackson

What: You will learn: how to make the perfect sugar cookie that won’t shrink; an introduction to fondant – how to colour it, roll and cut it out to perfectly fit your cookie; how to decorate with watercolour painted fondant, marble fondant, embossed lettering and gold / silver leaf; how to make your own stencils and cut out a large cookie cake; and how to decorate and fill a large cookie cake. Snacks & sparkling on arrival, tart & bruschetta to eat while you watch, and cookies.
When: Friday, 20th July, 7-9pm.
Where: Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
Cost: $64.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Boilermaker masterclass

What: What you will learn: taste your way through beers from The 3 Ravens range under the guidance of one of their brewery team; see behind the scenes of a fully functioning craft brewery; and learn 3 Ravens’ approach to boilermakers. Includes a sharing sit down style feast from A1 Bakery Fairfield.
When: Saturday, 21st July, 12.30-2.30pm.
Where: 3 Ravens Brewery, Thornbury.
Cost: $65.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Chocolate discovery class

What: This class includes indulging in a range of chocolate & truffle tastings, the chance to learn about how chocolate is made, and finding out about the inspiration behind each of their specialty ranges with their European Chocolatiers. Your chocolate education concludes with the chance to create your own personal chocolate bar and delve in giant lollipop making fun.
When: Saturday, 21st July, 12.45-1.45pm.
Where: Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, Yarra Glen.
Cost: $48.
Bookings and further information: their website.

3 Ravens Brewery tour and tasting

What: What you will learn: see behind the scenes of a fully functioning craft brewery; taste your way through the The 3 Ravens range under the guidance of one of their brewery team; and learn what goes into beer, how it’s produced and how it gets in your glass.
When: Saturday, 21st July, 4-5pm.
Where: 3 Ravens Brewery, Thornbury.
Cost: $35.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Mexican – tortilla making

What: Ana and Gaby are Mexican Aussies with a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience in cooking Mexican dishes. Immerse yourself in Mexican cooking techniques and culture. This workshop will cover tortilla making: making fresh tortillas and tacos y quesadillas.
When: Saturday, 28th July, 10am-12.30pm.
Where: Living & Learning Nillumbik, Diamond Creek.
Cost: $63.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Cookbook roadshow

What: Join Tim White from Books for Cooks, Australia’s only bookshop dedicated to new and old books about wine, food and the culinary arts, as he talks about how cookbooks document social history. Bring along any cookbooks you think might be of value (or that just have an interesting story) and get them appraised.
When: Wednesday, 2nd August, 2-3pm.
Where: Carlton Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Microgreens

What: Learn all about microgreens from KABUU, who are local aspiring ecological urban farmers committed to growing sustainably. Find out about their micro-nursery where they grow vegetables, herbs, baby salads and microgreens and see their produce for yourself.
When: Tuesday, 21st August, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Diamond Valley Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Winter fruit tree maintenance

What: What you will learn: pruning – formative and maintenance of new and established fruit trees. Also, selection and planting of new fruit trees; winter fruit tree maintenance practices for pest and disease prevention, control and treatment; and pruning tool maintenance. Presented by Angelo Eliades. They will also cover buying new fruit trees and will demonstrate how to clean and sharpen your pruning tools and other edged garden tools (spades etc).
When: Saturday, 25th August, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $45.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
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 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, 25th August, 11am-1pm and again at 2-4pm.
Where: Merri Creek Trail.
Cost: $25 ($20 concession).
Bookings: their website (11am and 2pm).
Further information: LFC calendar entry (11am and 2pm).

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

LFC News June 20 2018

Jun 202018
 

News about local community gardens, food swaps and markets

Eucalypt Community Garden (Wollert)

Alicia Davenport has sent in an update about the Eucalypt Community Garden in Wollert: “Our water tanks are in and they are full. We have planted our winter crops. We are now going to establish regular garden days on the 3rd Sunday of every month. Time start from 10am. Dates until the end of the year are: 15th Jul, 19th Aug, 16th Sep, 21st Oct, 18th Nov and 16th Dec.” Thanks for the update, Alicia!

It would be great to receive updates from some of the other local community gardens. Just email us.

Hurstbridge

There are apparently plans to start a community garden at Allwood Neighbourhood House in Hurstbridge. An initial meeting is being held on Saturday, 23rd June, at 11am. Read more.

Preston/Thornbury food swap

The South Preston food swap has a new name (Preston/Thornbury food swap) and a new location (corner of Pender Street and High Street, Thornbury).

The Really Really Free Market Preston

(Sadly) The Really Really Free Market Preston has ceased in its current guise as a monthly market. The organisers say, however, that it will re-appear bigger and better as a quarterly market – dates to be announced.

News about local food producers

AVS Organic Foods, from Watsonia North, maintain a list of vegan products. It covers more than 3,000 products and is searchable by supermarket category.

Bomba Wood Fired Pizza, from Eltham, will be selling their ready-to-eat pizzas at the Vegetarian and vegan food truck event in Preston on 22nd, 23rd and 24th June.

A one-time opportunity to buy locally-grown ginger

One of the most popular pages on our website is growing ginger and turmeric in Melbourne – can it be done?. Well, the page’s author, Helen Simpson, has now shown that the answer is a definitive ‘yes’: “we (The Mushroom Shed) will have a limited amount of freshly dug ‘Montmorency ginger’ for consumption at Eltham Farmers’ Market on Sunday, 24th June. Very intensely flavoured! This will be the only market we will have it at. No sprays/chemicals.” Thanks for the heads up, Helen!

Want a job?

Leaf, Root & Fruit Gardening Services are looking to hire a Junior Permaculture Designer. Starting at 2 days per week but (perhaps) moving to full-time over time. Requirements include a Permaculture Design Certificate and experience with CAD. Based in Burwood. Closing date for applications: 9th July.

‘Responsible cafes’

Responsible cafes is an Australian website which aims to reduce the number of single-use coffee cups and lids that are used. It includes a map where you can type in an address and it tells you which local cafes offer a discount for byo cups. So, for example, the nearest for Eltham residents are Platform 3095 (Eltham), BP (Eltham), Health Bar Melbourne (Research), Boots & Barley Cafe (Montmorency) and The Milkbar Cafe & Patisserie (Montmorency).

Food swap article

Thanks to everyone who sent in the link to an article on the ABC website about food swaps. As Fay Loveland said: “ABC Brisbane have a well written article about a food swap west of Brisbane which discusses the benefits of food swapping and community building.”

Joke of the week

What’s worse than finding a worm in your apple? Finding half a worm in your apple!

Or: what’s worse than eating a meal cooked by [insert name of acquaintance]? Eating two meals cooked by [insert name of acquaintance].

New events

Hurstbridge community garden project

What: The GreenHeart Trust is about to start a community garden project at Allwood Neighbourhood House in Hurstbridge. The purpose of this meeting is to get everyone that has an interest in the garden in the same space to discuss your thoughts on their plans plus how you could potentially get involved.
When: Saturday, 23rd June, starting 11am.
Where: Allwood Neighbourhood House, Hurstbridge.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Sylvester Hive – Winter celebration

What: Go along for a social gathering and enjoy the afternoon with hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows and mulled wine. Take a plate to share lunch together and BYO drinks.
When: Sunday, 15th July, midday-3pm.
Where: Sylvester Hive Community Garden, Preston.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.
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.Incubator volunteers will help organise facilitated group discussion where the topics will be selected by you.
When: Sunday, 19th August, 11am-1pm and again at 2-4pm.
Where: Merri Creek Trail.
Cost: $25 ($20 concession).
Bookings: their website (11am and 2pm).
Further information: LFC calendar entries (11am and 2pm).

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

LFC News June 13 2018

Jun 132018
 

There is a new ‘grow free’ cart at Rosanna

‘Grow Free’ is a movement “dedicated to making our food locally grown, organic and free” and they are currently “all about growing and giving away free organic, heirloom veggie/herb/flower seedlings for people to get their garden going“. The movement started out in Adelaide but it now has a foothold in Melbourne, with a new cart in Rosanna (at the Fire Station Community House). Join their Facebook group.

There are now a total of 9 entries in the ‘food is free’ section of the Local Food Directory (plus discussions are underway with a 10th).

News about local food producers

Old Evropa Bakery, Shop 7/906 Main Road, Eltham (in Eltham Village), has an opening for a casual position for front of house. “Immaculate presentation and attention to detail will land you a job in a beautiful environment surrounded by amazing organic products.” If interested, email your CV to oldevropa@bigpond.com.

Crepe Collective, from Eltham, will be serving their savoury galettes and sweet crepes at the Winter Solstice Festival in Eltham on 23rd June.

Juanita’s Kitchen, from Preston, will be serving their Mexican and West African sauces at Connect: Darebin’s Big Night of Business in Preston on 14th June.

Want to do some pickling?

Sylvester Hive Community Garden (Preston) have sent in some pickling recipes: pickled beans (or cucumbers), pickled chillis and infused chilli oil (peperoncini sott’olio). Thanks Hendrik, Michelle, Sylvia et al!

Eltham Food Swap needed a bit of help

Thanks to David, Monique, Sabi and Yeokie for volunteering.

Every newsletter needs a good picture

Gillian Essex has sent in a photo of enormously long zucchina lunga, as spotted in a market in Italy whilst on holiday. Thanks, Gillian!

Recipe for cabbage
(a poem by Christina Spry, from Montmorency)

Take one large cabbage
Cut in half – slice thinly

We battle the melee of people jostling
At Dad’s favourite vegetable stall
he always chooses the biggest
the best cabbage
thick and heavy –
lots of dark green outside leaves

Take one large cabbage
Cut in half – slice thinly
Bring the water to the boil

At home Dad cuts the cabbage in half
separating the leaves to wash vigorously
shaking in a clean bowl of water
sometimes he’ll find a green
caterpillar nestling among the leaves
I throw it in the bin

Take one large cabbage
Cut in half – slice thinly
Place slice cabbage in water

Dad hands me the big knife
I put the leaves on the wooden board
and cut each one into thin slices
fill the saucepan with cold water
add some salt and bring to the boil
pop the leaves into the boiling water

Take one large cabbage
Cut in half – slice thinly
Add salt boil for twenty minutes

I arrive home from school
and let myself in the front door
the smell is overpowering
this means boiled cabbage for tea
(or maybe it’s Brussels sprouts?)
wonder what delights we’ll have with it?

Take one large cabbage
Cut in half – slice thinly
Eat with potatoes meat and thick gravy

Thanks, Christina!

Newsletter readers Pam Jenkins and Gillian Essex have previously sent in some food poetry. Read their poems.

Which link was clicked most times in the last newsletter?

Pete the Permie’s article about avocados.

Joke of the week

As submitted by Atika Rea: What did the boiled egg say when it got cracked? Ha ha haaaa! Thanks, Atika!

And here is the corollary: What happens to an egg when it laughs too hard? It cracks up!

Or: Would you like to hear an egg yolk? I have a dozen of them. When you hear them, you’ll crack up.

Or: My eggcellent egg yolks crack everyone up. If you don’t like them, you’re just hard boiled.

Read all the jokes.

New events

Mexican – delicious everyday meals

What: Ana and Gaby are Mexican Aussies with a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience in cooking Mexican dishes. Immerse yourself in Mexican cooking techniques and culture. This workshop will cover red rice, fijoles (traditional Mexican beans) and tortilla soup.
When: Saturday, 23rd June, 10am-12.30pm.
Where: Living & Learning, Panton Hill.
Cost: $63.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Farmer Incubator urban farm tour – Spoke & Spade

What: Previously a standard suburban house block, Spoke & Spade is now an urban farm that has been transformed by Sim, a farmer on a mission to inspire, reconnect and recreate our connection with community through food. During this day-long event, you will get to learn first hand about the Spoke & Spade enterprise along with all its history, tips, challenges and vision as Sim takes you on a tour of the farm. You will enjoy a home-cooked meal with produce from Spoke & Spade and Days Walk Farm. After lunch, Farmer Incubator volunteers will help organise facilitated group discussion where the topics will be selected by you.
When: Saturday, 7th July, 10am-5pm.
Where: Spoke & Spade, Heidelberg West.
Cost: $90.
Bookings: TryBooking.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Thrifty and recycled gardening

What: Learn from Maria Ciavarella, of My Green Garden, how to garden inexpensively and by recycling.
When: Thursday, 5th July, 10.30am-midday.
Where: Whittlesea Community Garden.
Cost: free.
Bookings: by phone (9716 3361) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Composting success

What: Learn from Maria Ciavarella, of My Green Garden, how to compost successfully.
When: Thursday, 12th July, 10.30am-midday.
Where: Whittlesea Community Garden.
Cost: free.
Bookings: by phone (9716 3361) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Thermomix Christmas in July class

What: Whether you have a Thermomix or not, this class is packed full of recipe ideas and meals to indulge in. Join them for an evening of demonstrations.
When: Thursday, 26th July, 7-9pm.
Where: Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
Cost: $42.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Spring veggie garden

What: Join Robin Gale-Baker to learn how to prepare your soil for spring vegetable planting and how to select the best veggies for your needs.
When: Saturday, 28th July, 2-3pm.
Where: Watsonia Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Asian fusion cooking demonstration

What: Learn how to cook an Asian inspired 3 course meal in just 2 hours. Modern, gluten-free, nut-free and easy recipes that cook in minutes.
When: Thursday, 2nd August, 1-3pm.
Where: North Ringwood Community House.
Cost: $10.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Growing fruit and veggies in small spaces

What: What you will learn: which produce plants are suitable to grow in small areas; coping with shade and sun for produce growing; and how to make the most of any available space for growing produce. Presented by Angelo Eliades. Do you only have a small garden or no garden at all? Would you still like to grow your own food? This class will inspire you to get started. Topics will include fruit, vegetables and berries for small spaces, growing produce in pots and containers, maximising productivity in any size space and plant selection.
When: Saturday, 11th August, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $45.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Tea appreciation 101

What: Immerse yourself in the steamy world of tea, from its roots in China around 59 BC to its contemporary iterations. Discover how one plant species has led to six families and hundreds of individual pure leaf teas. By the end, you will know how to cup, brew and identify quality tea. There will be plenty of sample flavours to match you with your favourite. They will cover both eastern and western brewing styles, history and equipment. And, finally, they will discuss the burgeoning Melbourne tea scene, where to source quality leaves and which cafes steep the best cuppa.
When: Saturday, 11th August, 10am-1pm.
Where: Fitzroy.
Cost: $70.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Green at Kathleen – preparing for spring harvest

What: How to prepare for a spring harvest including: garden maintenance and preparation; selecting what to plant and when to plant it; and growing spring veggies in pots.
When: Saturday, 11th August, 11.30am-1pm.
Where: Kathleen Syme Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Invisible Farmer project

What: Invisible Farmer is the largest ever study of Australian women on the land. It aims to create new histories of rural Australia, reveal the hidden stories of women on the land and document the diverse, innovative and vital role of women in agriculture. Learn more about the project from curators Liza Dale-Hallett and Catherine Forge. Please bring your stories, photos and family heirlooms and share the stories of rural women in your family history.
When: Monday, 13th August, 11.30am-1.30pm.
Where: Whittlesea Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Indigenous plants for food and medicine

What: What you will learn: traditional Indigenous lifestyles and healing practices pre European settlement; traditional ways of using various Indigenous plants for medicinal purposes; and promising new research into their potential medical applications. Presented by Gaby Harris. Indigenous Australians have been using native plants and animals for tens of thousands of years as sources of food and medicine. With European settlement much of this knowledge was lost or ignored, but there is now growing interest in relearning these traditional healing methods. More research is being carried out to see how we can grow, harvest and utilise our Indigenous plants for foods, medicines, cosmetics and more. This class will introduce you to some of the well-known, as well as some more obscure, Indigenous Australian plants, teach you how they were once used, and how you can use them now. You will be able to see, smell and taste a variety of these amazing plants and learn where you can find them and how to cook with them.
When: Saturday, 18th August, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $45.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Creating a food forest in your backyard

What: Join permaculture designer and avid home food grower Ian Culbard for a presentation about the benefits of having a food forest in your garden and how to get one started.
When: Saturday, 18th August, 2-3pm.
Where: Watsonia Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

LFC News June 6 2018

Jun 062018
 

Eltham Food Swap needs a bit of help

Eltham Food Swap runs on the 4th Sunday of each month, from 10am to 11am, at Eltham Farmers Market. Fay and Bev run the swap and they are putting the call out for another volunteer or two to help them on 24th June and 22nd July while Bev is ‘on leave’. If you’re able and willing to talk with food swappers and greet people, please email me and I’ll pass your message on to Fay.

Every newsletter needs a good picture

As per the picture right, the red foliage on Leaf, Root and Fruit’s blueberry plant.

Permablitz’s hero of the month – avocado

For the second time in a year, avocados are Permablitz’s hero of the month. This time guest writer Pete the Permie shares all the tricks to grow avocados in your garden area, with tips to give you the greatest chance of success. Read Pete’s article.

Read all of Permablitz’s heroes of the month.

Which link was clicked most times in the last newsletter?

Judy’s visit to Lucinda Flynn’s garden.

Joke of the week

What happened to the cannibal who was late to dinner? They gave him the cold shoulder.

Read all the jokes.

New events

Vegetarian and vegan food truck event

What: Showcasing the best in meat-free and plant-based street food. The line up will be announced on Facebook.
When: Friday, 22nd June, 5-10pm; Saturday, 23rd June, midday-10pm; and Sunday, 24th June, midday-9pm.
Where: Preston Food Truck Park.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Permablitz 208 (Rosanna)

What: Mala is a permablitz regular, and is finally having her own. She started gardening when her daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, and has found that it’s really helped her family through the difficult years. Mala want her kids to know where their food comes from and be able to eat their own home grown produce. The main activities for the day will be constructing and planting out lasagne style raised garden beds reusing materials found onsite for edging, and setting up a three bay compost system using recycled pallets. They are also hoping to re-pot and re-site some fruit trees. There will also be some workshops on how to make raised lasagne-style garden beds as well as simple three bay composting systems.
When: Sunday, 24th June, 10am-2pm.
Where: Rosanna.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Make sense of food labels

What: Tour a supermarket and learn how to accurately read and understand food labels and choose healthy foods that are suitable for the whole family. You will also receive a show bag with information sheets and a healthy shopping guide booklet. The tours are led by healthAbility’s qualified dietitian and open to anyone interested in healthy eating.
When: Thursday, 28th June, 9.30-11pm.
Where: Eltham.
Cost: $15 (includes a healthy shopping guide booklet).
Bookings: by phone (9430 9100).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Thermomix lunchbox workshop

What: They will be doing scrolls, muesli bars, bliss balls and more. They will have a cookkey and cookidoo station so that you can learn how to create a playlist for your lunchbox items. Children are welcome to attend for free and they can a have a bit of fun at the playdough station and decorating a biscuit to take home.
When: Sunday, 15th July, 2-4pm.
Where: Eltham.
Cost: $25.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

The joy of backyard chooks

What: What you will learn: how to get started with keeping chickens in a suburban backyard; how to house and protect chooks from predators; and how chooks can be used to improve your garden and soil. Presented by Maria Ciavarella. A couple of chooks in the backyard were once a staple part of the suburban quarter acre block and their eggs a healthy part of the diet. Smaller backyards needn’t mean an end to keeping these most versatile of creatures. Join their class to find out how easy it is to keep a few hens as pets and as the ultimate garden recyclers in a sustainable household. They will cover housing, protection, feeding and varieties, as well as practical ideas on how to live harmoniously with them in your garden.
When: Saturday, 28th July, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $45.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Healthy productive compost and worms

What: What you will learn: the importance of compost for soil health; how to fix common composting problems; and setting up and looking after a worm farm. Presented by Maria Ciavarella. Learn how to make great compost, the essential ingredient for a thriving and healthy garden. You will also look at worm farms and Bokashi as other options. You will also be shown how to make a DIY worm farm using recycled products.
When: Saturday, 4th August, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Bulleen Art and Garden.
Cost: $45.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Taste of Thomo Food Festival

What: Go and meet the local producers and sample free tastings made right in Thomastown. Plus monthly market, coffee cart and free children’s activities. There will also be an opportunity to listen to David Holmgren, permaculture co-originator, present his Aussie Street multi-media event.
When: Saturday, 4th August, 10am-1pm.
Where: Thomastown Library.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up (although you will need to book by phone – 9217 2377 – to listen to David Holmgren.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Grafting and tree sales day

What: Learn techniques for grafting or budding fruit trees. Select suitable rootstocks. Have new trees grafted or budded by Heritage Fruits Society members. Buy heritage fruit tree scion wood for home grafting. Buy one-year-old grafted trees. Discuss your fruit tree needs. Their current focus is on apple varieties, so lots of 1-y-o trees and scion from all of their trees. They will also have a few stone fruit trees for sale.
When: Sunday, 5th August, 10am-1pm.
Where: Pettys Orchard, Templestowe.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

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