Sep 252019
 

Ann visits the garden of Zofia Di Stefano in Mount Waverley

As Ann Stanley discusses in her write up, Zofia’s garden has many facets: a garden with links to the past (Zofia’s parents were Polish migrants); a garden that produces food (veggie patch, herb bed and fruit trees); a garden that makes art of hard rubbish (ceramics, parasols and lanterns); a garden that builds fertility from organic waste (compost bins and worm farms); and a garden that has roots and branches in the community (contributors, volunteers and neighbours). Here’s an example quote that caught my eye: “Zofia, like me, is a lover of hard rubbish, and Waverley Council still has a special day on which every household can put their unwanted items on the nature strip for collection. Zofia’s daughter calls it a hard rubbish festival and it is – I’ve gleaned from it with my own hands! … If you have any moral reservations about gleaning and salvaging, there is much reading you can do which elevates it to the level of high moral, aesthetic and even religious practice. See this article that links the practice of gleaning to ‘slow looking’.Read Ann’s full write up.

Robin’s tip of the month – mulch crisis!

With the drought has come high prices for organic mulch, that indispensable item for the home gardener. Pea straw and sugar cane mulch have risen steadily over the past few years and are now the most expensive they have ever been. What are we to do? Mulch is important for several reasons. Most importantly, it stops the soil surface drying out and retains moisture in the soil. It also prevents weeds growing and seed germinating, and adds organic material to the soil, improving its health and aeration. It insulates the soil, keeping the soil temperature consistent. And it prevents compaction caused by heavy rain.

There are many materials that can be used for mulching. Some are suitable for the veggie garden which generally needs a pH of 6-7, some for trees, and some for acid-loving plants requiring a pH of 5.5 or below:

  • Pea straw is high in nitrogen, significantly improves soil microbiology and provides excellent worm food. Spread it 4-10cm deep on new beds and 2-4cm if refreshing beds previously mulched.
  • Sugar cane mulch has a low pH and should be mixed with some dolomite to balance it. It is quite fine and can mat, providing a bedding for creeping weeds such as chickweed but, as it breaks down rapidly, it does benefit the soil microbiology quickly. It is more expensive in the long run than pea straw because of its rapid decomposition. Spread it to a depth of between 4-10cm.
  • Fruit trees do well with wood chip. At this time of year, pull back any mulch to the dripline of the tree and ring the dripline with 6-8cm width and height of woodchip. This encourages fungi, plus worms which take the mulch underground and shred it, thus creating a soil food web.
  • Acid-loving plants, such as blueberries and passionfruit, require an acid mulch. Pine needles when aged are suitable but, when unaged, contain terpenes, which are chemicals that are toxic to many plants. Cedar chips also contain these.
  • Kelp seaweed is my favourite mulch but unfortunately is almost impossible to get, and it is illegal to collect it from beaches. It provides sodium, boron (which soils in our area are deficient in) and other trace elements plus nitrogen and potash.
  • Growing a green manure crop is a cheap and quick form of mulching. Once matured, cut the plants at ground level and spread them. Leave the roots in and they will provide runnels for water to enter the soil.

Other readily available mulches – often free – include grass clippings, leaves and coffee grounds and husks. All must be applied very lightly as they can mat and also produce an unpleasant odour.

  • Grass, which will add nitrogen as it breaks down, should be dried and spread thinly. Avoid grass clippings with dog faeces and lawns that have been sprayed with pesticides to kill weeds. As a green material, grass clippings will support soil bacteria.
  • Leaves break down slowly and, to prevent matting, they need to be spread very thinly. If green, they support bacteria; if brown, fungi.
  • Coffee husks by themselves are a disaster turning into a heavy, rancorous mat but with coffee grounds rubbed through them by hand – a somewhat tedious job – they are usable and will improve the soil.
  • Wood shavings and sawdust rob the soil of nitrogen (good for keeping paths weed free for that reason) and should be avoided, though they can be added to the compost bay.

Macleod Organic Community Garden has free wood chip mulch from Banyule City Council. Turn up at the garden with bags, tubs or trailers on Wednesdays or Saturdays between 1pm and 4pm and take as much as you like. Bring a fork or spade! Read more of Robin Gale-Baker’s tips.

Guy replies to reader questions

Stephen Brennan has written in: “All of my cauliflowers look like this. Heaps of leaves but no white cauliflower. What is wrong?” Here’s my reply: “Cauliflowers are quite prone to not developing heads. It is usually a sign of stress but that stress can be of different types including: inconsistent moisture; weather that is too warm; or a lack of nutrients. I think you’re now too late to do anything about it this year – try again next year, and make sure you read this article about growing cauliflowers on our website.” If you have any questions, feel free to email me with them. Either I’ll answer them or I’ll pass them on to a higher authority (such as Robin Gale-Baker).

Got any room for any more fruit trees?

Telopea Mtn Permaculture & Nursery (aka Pete the Permie) will be making their last appearance of the season at next Sunday’s Eltham Farmers’ Market (i.e. on 29th September) to sell their bare-rooted fruit trees. As a special, they will be selling their dwarf 2 metre size apricots, peaches and nectarines at a 33% discount.

Want to swap food for trade services?

Neil Jamieson is a licensed plumber, gasfitter and drainer. He also welds and repairs things. He wants to swap these trade services for good quality food. Contact Neil by phone (0419 331560) or email.

Want to job?

Moreland Community Gardening are looking for a Community Gardening Coordinator to facilitate the development and coordination of our community gardens. The role will involve running community events, helping to evaluate the effectiveness of their gardens, and working towards their vision of a Moreland where everyone can grow food, garden and build connected communities. 5 hours per week, $50 per hours, fixed term contract until December 2020. Closing date: Friday, 27th September. Read more and apply.

What seeds to plant in October

Here is a list (see the planting guide for more detail):

Cucurbits

Cucumber
Gourd
Pumpkin
Rockmelon
Watermelon
Zucchini

Other warm season veggies

Beans
Okra
Peanut
Sweetcorn

Leafy greens

Lettuce
Mustard greens
Parsley
Rocket
Silverbeet

Roots

Beetroot
Carrot
Jerusalem artichoke
Parsnip
Potato
Radish

Other veggies

Asparagus
Celery
Chives
Globe artichoke
Rhubarb
Spring onions
Sweet potato

Compared with September, the solanums (capsicum, chilli, eggplant and tomato), basil and coriander drop out of the list, whilst the cucurbits (cucumber, gourd, pumpkin, rockmelon, watermelon and zucchini) stay in. Note, however, that these lists are the months that it is ideal to plant particular seeds and that you can sometimes plant in other months. So, for example, if your tomato seeds didn’t germinate in September, it’s better to try again in October (or buy some seedlings) rather than face the prospect of no homegrown tomatoes. Helen Simpson has previously written ‘how to grow’ articles about many of the warm season veggies, namely: basil, chilli, cucurbits and tomatoes. Robin Gale-Baker has previously written about how to grow eggplants and capsicums. And Helen has written more generally about Spring veggie garden preparation.

Not food but interesting

Yarra Valley Plant Fair & Garden Expo. Saturday, 26th October and Sunday, 27th October, both 10am-5pm. Plant displays, demonstrations and talks, with special guests Jane Edmanson and Phillip Johnson. Entry fee: $12. Romantic Nursery, 125 Quayle Road, Wandin. Succulents and cacti show. Saturday, 26th October, 10am-5pm and Sunday, 27th October, 10am-3pm. Entry fee: $7. Mount Waverley Community Centre.

Which link was clicked most times in the last newsletter?

Judy’s visit to St Johns Riverside Community Garden.

Proverb of the month

Take with a pinch of salt. Meaning: accept something while maintaining a degree of scepticism about its truth. In 77 AD, Pliny The Elder published a recipe for a poison antidote which can be translated as “Take two dried walnuts, two figs, and twenty leaves of rue; pound them all together, with the addition of a grain of salt.” The suggestion is that a grain of salt can ameliorate the injurious effects of consuming poisons. Or, less starkly, that some food is more palatable if seasoned with salt. The figurative meaning, applying the phrase to truth, didn’t enter the language until much later, namely the 20th Century, where ‘pinch of salt’ also became a variant. The New Food Lover’s Companion apparently considers a pinch to be 1/16 of a teaspoon, while a dash is “somewhere between 1/16 and a scant 1/8 of a teaspoon“. The Traditional Oven website says that a grain of salt in cooking is 1/88 of a teaspoon. So, there are around 5.5 grains in a pinch, and somewhere between 1 and 2 pinches in a dash. Read more proverbs.

Gardening quote of the month

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” An anonymous ancient Greek person. Read more quotes.

Joke of the week

Submitted by Vince Rozmiarek: I call my horse mayo and sometimes mayo neighs. Read more jokes.

New events – not cooking

Spring in the veggie garden – preparing for your Summer harvest: Wednesday, 2nd October, 7-8.30pm; Kilsyth.

What: Listen to tips on how to prepare your garden for spring and receive a bumper harvest over Summer and Autumn. You will learn about what you can plant, how to care for your soil and plants over summer, and how to use water wisely. Cost: free. Bookings: EventBrite.

Green at Kathleen – summer veggie garden success: Tuesday, 8th October, 3.30-5pm; Kathleen Syme Library.

What: They will talk through the tips and tricks to plant your patch and keep it thriving through the warmer months, including advice about individual crops such as tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, zucchinis and capsicums. They will cover taking plants from seeds all the way up to getting the most out of your harvest. Cost: free. Bookings: EventBrite.

Chocolate and cheese pairing event: Wednesday, 9th October, 7-8.30pm; Ratio Cocoa Roasters, Brunswick.

What: Start with an indulgent hot chocolate on arrival, followed by matching four artisan cheeses with four single origin chocolates. This masterclass will open your palate to new combinations and tastes. Hosted by Matt Steele, from Cornelius Cheesemongers and Debb Makin, from Ratio Cocoa Roasters. Cost: $47. Bookings: EventBrite.

Rushall Community Garden open day: Saturday, 12th October, 11am-1.30pm; Rushall Community Garden, Fitzroy North.

What: Go and learn about community gardening and meet gardeners engaged in active gardening. This event will feature: cakes, jams & preserves; seedlings & fresh garden produce; gardening books; raffles; composting demonstrations; and BBQ & refreshments. Click here to read about the garden. Cost: free. Bookings: just turn up.

Australian native food harvest: Saturday, 12th October, 2-3.30pm; Lilydale Library.

What: Julie Weatherhead, from Peppermint Ridge Farm, will present an ‘aromatic’ talk on native food plants for the home gardener. Learn which plants grow best in your garden, how to propagate them, and how to use these plants in the home kitchen. Cost: free. Bookings: their website.

Sustainable gardening course (8 sessions): starting Monday, 14th October, 10am-2pm; Fawkner Food Bowls.

What: Learn how to grow your own organic fruit, herbs and vegetables. Join CERES horticulturist Lizzie Bickmore as she teaches the skills and knowledge to confidently propagate seedlings, save seeds and grow vegetables. Cost: $490 full; $65 ACFE. Bookings: by phone (0449 694711) or email.

Knowing and growing great tomatoes: Wednesday, 23rd October, 7-8.30pm; Montrose.

What: Penny Woodward will share her knowledge on the many varieties of heirloom tomatoes available to gardeners, and tips on how to ensure you get a bumper tomato crop this summer. Cost: free. Bookings: EventBrite.

Bees wax wraps: Thursday, 31st October, 10am-midday; Mount Evelyn.

What: Holly from Holly’s Backyard Bees will show you how to make bees wax wraps and will have a selection of Christmas fabrics for you to choose from. Cost: $50. Bookings: by phone (9736 1177).

Open Table Spring fundraising feast: Thursday, 7th November, 6.30-9pm; North Fitzroy Library.

What: Join Open Table for their first fundraising feast. Enjoy a three course vegetarian dinner prepared and served by their dedicated team. There will be a silent auction and the opportunity to learn more about Open Table’s story from Reground’s Kaitlin Reid. Open Table “take surplus food that would otherwise be thrown away, and turn it into nutritious meals to share with the community, in order to reduce food insecurity and food waste“. Cost: $49. Bookings: EventBrite.

Green at Kathleen – beekeeping 101 and build your own native bee hotel: Wednesday, 13th November, 5.30-7pm; Kathleen Syme Library.

What: They will cover keeping honey bees in urban Melbourne, how to help the bees even if you don’t keep them, and how to build a native bee hotel. Re keeping bees, they will talk about the time and cost commitment, as well as what you can expect from your hive. Re supporting bees, they will discuss what to plant to attract these essential pollinators. Re bee hotels, there will be some materials and equipment for you to construct your own simple bee hotel for the backyard. Cost: free. Bookings: EventBrite.

Edible native plants for small gardens: Monday, 18th November, 7-8pm; Coburg Library.

What: Facilitated by Karen Sutherland. Find out what local plants you can grow and how to use them. Select appropriate plants for your space, such as lemon myrtle or desert lime, and create safe habitats for local fauna. Cost: free. Bookings: EventBrite.

New events – cooking

Miso paste making: Saturday, 12th October, 11am-1.30pm; Preston.

What: Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and koji (the fungus Aspergillus oryzae). You will learn about different types of miso, taste various miso dishes, make rice miso and learn how to use miso in you daily cooking. Cost: $95. Bookings: by email (hello.cookingwithkoji@gmail.com).

Nuka zuke – rice bran pickling: Sunday, 13th October, 11am-1pm; Preston.

What: Nuka zuke is a famous Japanese fermented pickling technique using rice bran. In this workshop, you will make your own Nuka medium/bedding so that you can keep pickling at home for years and years! Cost: $95. Bookings: by email (hello.cookingwithkoji@gmail.com).

Sourdough bread making workshop: Saturday, 19th October, 10am-1pm; Living & Learning, Panton Hill.

What: Tutor Jenna Farrington-Sear. This workshop will cover basic theory as well as the tactile pleasure of all the steps of making bread from milled flour. Suitable for both novices and those who want to expand their bread making repertoire. Topics to be covered: the essential ingredients and tools of the trade; the principal steps of bread making; Baker’s percentage and hydration; mixing, kneading and folding dough; shaping loaves, scoring and baking; and maintaining a starter. You will take home: a piece of dough which can be baked at home; and a sourdough starter. Cost: $58.

Truffle workshop at Ratio Cocoa Roasters: Saturday, 19th October, 10.30am-midday; Ratio Cocoa Roasters, Brunswick.

What: A behind-the-scenes tour of the 10 step chocolate making process at Ratio Cocoa Roasters. Followed by a guided chocolate tasting. Then make your own milk or dark truffles with a selection of toppings. Cost: $75. Bookings: EventBrite.

Truffle workshop at Ratio Cocoa Roasters: Saturday, 9th November, 10.30am-midday; Ratio Cocoa Roasters, Brunswick.

What: A behind-the-scenes tour of the 10 step chocolate making process at Ratio Cocoa Roasters. Followed by a guided chocolate tasting. Then make your own milk or dark truffles with a selection of toppings. Cost: $75. Bookings: EventBrite.

Summary of upcoming events – not cooking

Over the next week
Over the next month

Summary of upcoming events – cooking

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

Sep 182019
 

Judy visits St Johns Riverside Community Garden in Heidelberg

St Johns Riverside Community Garden recently installed a new type of wicking bed called FoodCubes and Judy Vizzari and I were invited to the installation event. As Judy says in her writeup: “there are 12 bins in total, each a metre square, connected by a pipe which extends the full length of the row and maintains a level of water in the reservoirs in each base. On top of each base is a moulded upper container with four hollow legs. The upper bins are filled with potting soil which is also packed into the hollow legs extending down into the reservoir below to enable water to be drawn upwards as required by growing plants. This system provides a constant water source adjusted by a single overflow valve serving all bins. Curved rods are placed into slots to support shade cloth or netting which will prevent insects and animals from ravaging crops.

We took advantage of the opportunity to look round the rest of the garden and talk with the ten or so members who were there on the day. As Judy discusses in her writeup, we were shown the extensive composting facilities, the beehives that the garden shares with The Beekeepers Club Inc and the varied artwork, as well as the veggie beds and fruit trees.

Read Judy’s full writeup.

Claire Hetzel, from 3000acres, discusses carbon farming

In August, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a report entitled Climate Change and Land. Along with presenting some stark figures on agricultural emission rates, it discusses how changes to agricultural practices can help to produce healthier land, healthier food and healthier people, while also acting to reverse climate change.

It is not alone in seeing the potential for practice change to manage risks and reduce vulnerabilities in land and food systems. Close to home, there are some examples of regenerative agriculture initiatives that not only reduce emissions but also utilise living systems to capture carbon from the atmosphere. These include Gippsland farmer Niels Olsen, who is even getting paid for his efforts!

On a smaller scale, even our choices around local food production practices can potentially support reduced emissions and active drawdown of carbon. As research demonstrates, allotment soils in cities can show higher concentrations of organic carbon than arable soils.

So, as we tend our gardens this Spring, it would seem that we can cultivate more than food through simple practices like using living mulches, incorporating compost and diversifying annuals with perennials. Happy carbon farming!

Local food organisations in the news – Kevin Heinze GROW

Kevin Heinze GROW, in Doncaster, featured in a 5(!) page spread in the latest issue of Gardening Australia magazine.

            

Kevin Heinze GROW’s 40th Anniversary Spring Festival is on Saturday, 19th October, 9am-3pm at 39 Wetherby Road. If you go to the festival, make sure that you also have a walk around their amazing community garden.

Eltham Wine Show

The Eltham Wine Show is on Sunday, 17th November, 10.30am-2.30pm at the Veneto Club, 191 Bulleen Road, Bulleen. If you have never been before, it is a unique event, partly because of the large numbers of wines to taste and partly because of the large numbers of people who attend. It is Australia’s largest amateur wine show!

If you are a winemarker and would like your wine to be included, the closing date for applications is 20th October. Download the application form.

Does your Council have a ‘no spray’ register?

In Moreland, you can choose not to have any chemically-based herbicide spraying outside your property – see their website.

Two more articles from Angelo Eliades

Formative pruning, vase form – how to prune young fruit trees in the first three years.

Garden arches, vertical gardening for more growing area in small spaces.

Read more of Angelo’s food-related articles.

Which link was clicked most times in the last newsletter?

ASRC’s food collection points.

Joke of the week

Submitted by Vince Rozmiarek: I saw a baguette at the zoo. It was bread in captivity.

Read more jokes.

New events – not cooking

Eating for energy masterclass: Thursday, 3rd October, 6.30-8pm; Chirnside Park Community Hub.

What: Led by Rosie Chehade. This class will provide an information session of the power of pure energy, clean eating 101, and 5 health hacks that will change your life. Learn about the power of real food as medicine, gain a balanced perspective of all things health and ditch the diet forever! Includes a mini smoothie demo.
Cost: $35.
Bookings: TryBooking.

Just Eat It (film): Thursday, 3rd October, 6.30-8.30pm; Preston.

What: Join them to mark the launch of Darebin’s food waste recycling service. Around 38% of the household waste bin in Darebin is food. From 7th October, Darebin residents will be able to add food waste to their existing green waste bin, along with garden waste. This includes fruit and vegetable scraps, meat and bones, bread, cheese and even those uneaten leftovers. Just Eat It is a documentary film about food waste and food rescue. We all love food. As a society, we devour countless cooking shows, culinary magazines and foodie blogs. So how could we possibly be throwing so much of it in the trash?
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Citrus care workshop: Sunday, 6th October, 2-5pm; Sylvester Hive, Preston.

What: Presented by Kaye Roberts-Palmer. The workshop will cover citrus botany (i.e. different types of citrus, organic pest control strategies and nutrient deficiencies. It will also include a shape pruning demonstration. Click here to read about the garden.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Macleod Organic Community Garden tour and talk: Wednesday, 9th October, 2-3.30pm; Macleod Organic Community Garden.

What: Robin Gale-Baker will give a tour of the garden and discuss adjusting planting schedules and plant care in the light of climate change. Afternoon tea at 3pm.
Cost: free.
Bookings: by phone (0408 733683) or email.

Getting a harvest – Summer vegetables: Sunday, 20th October, 9-11am and again at midday-2pm; Camberwell.

What: Learn all you need to know to grow fresh produce at home in Summer. What you will learn: planning your Summer veggie garden – what to plant and when; soil maintenance in the Summer months; smart watering and managing hot weather; feeding and maintaining the patch for a great harvest; mulching; introducing sustainable ways to improve productivity – crop rotation and companion planting; starting with seeds and seedlings; tips for sustainably avoiding and managing pests and diseases; and harvesting.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite (9am, midday).

Bellfield Community Garden Festa 19: Sunday, 20th October, midday-4pm; Bellfield Community Garden.

What: Jointly organised by Bellfield Community Garden and Ivanhoe Garden Club. Demonstrations will include: growing Asian vegetables, composting, beekeeping, making insect hotels, making your own seed pots, flower arranging and bonsai pruning. Stalls will include: plants & seedlings, homemade preserves, local honey and Roving Refills. Also, wood-fired pizza, sausage sizzle and Devonshire tea.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.

Children’s day at Macleod Organic Community Garden: Saturday, 26th October, 10am-midday; Macleod Organic Community Garden.

What: Children and their families are invited for a morning of gardening, healthy food and learning about sustainable living. Click here to read about the garden.
Cost: free.
Bookings: TryBooking.

Advanced mushroom growing: Saturday, 9th November, 10am-12.30pm; Central Ringwood Community Centre.

What: Led by Sena. The workshop will include topics such as: propagation of pure culture spore & clone; spore print and tissue culture; making agar master bank; agar to agar inoculation; making grain spawn; master & second generation sterilisation; laboratory equipment; and how to build and use your homemade lab.
Cost: $50.
Bookings: by phone (9870 2602).

Native fruit: Thursday, 14th November, 6.30-9pm; Bulleen Art and Garden.

What: What you will learn: the A-Z of growing native fruit; handy hints and tips from an experienced native fruit grower; and when to harvest native fruit, and different ways to use it. Presented by Karen Sutherland, of Edible Eden Design. Native produce plants – or bush food – are becoming increasingly popular. Whilst many native fruits can’t be grown in Melbourne, some can. You’ll learn how to grow, harvest and use such fruit, with a particular focus on what can be grown in pots.
Cost: $50.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Bees wax wraps: Thursday, 14th November, 7-9pm; Mount Evelyn.

What: Holly from Holly’s Backyard Bees will show you how to make bees wax wraps and will have a selection of Christmas fabrics for you to choose from.
Cost: $50.
Bookings: by phone (9736 1177).

Beekeeping workshop: Saturday, 16th November, 10am-1pm; Central Ringwood Community Centre.

What: Ben Moore from Ben’s Bees get you to suit up and learn about: cast systems; swarm control; disease identification & management; how to harvest bee products such as honey, pollen, bees wax & propolis; and how to grow a bee-friendly garden.
Cost: $100.
Bookings: by phone (9870 2602).

Farm tour and garlic harvest: Saturday, 16th November, 10.30am-midday; Sugarloaf Produce, Strathewen.

What: Sugarloaf Produce is a small non-certified organic farm located in Strathewen. Learn how they grow vegetables, fruit, mushrooms and eggs without the use of synthetic chemicals, and how they produce compost using a mixture of farm green waste, manure, and other organic materials.
Cost: $5.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Bee hive tour: Saturday, 16th November, 10.30am-12.30pm; Yarrambat.

What: Your tour, led by Nathan Stewart, a professional Doreen-based beekeeper from Maya ‘Xala Honey, will include suiting up in protective gear, lighting a bee smoker, and spending two hours as real life beekeeper. Initially, Nathan will give you some tips on what to look for inside a hive including how to spot the Queen and where to look to potentially witness the birth of a new worker bee. Then, together you will lift the lid of a busy hive, watch bees at work creating honey, pull out a frame of honey ready for extraction, and get up close with more than 100,000 bees! After the lid is closed, you will sample some of the honey direct from the hives while enjoying a refreshing honey tonic.
Cost: $75 (plus various packages for families).
Bookings: their website.

Farm tour and Spring planting: Saturday, 16th November, 2-3.30pm; Sugarloaf Produce, Strathewen.

What: Sugarloaf Produce is a small non-certified organic farm located in Strathewen. Learn how they grow vegetables, fruit, mushrooms and eggs without the use of synthetic chemicals, and how they produce compost using a mixture of farm green waste, manure, and other organic materials.
Cost: $5.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Native edibles – walk, talk, taste: Saturday, 16th November, 2-4.30pm; Karen Sutherland’s garden, Pascoe Vale South.

What: Presented by Karen Sutherland. There are many edible native plants that are easy to grow in urban gardens and pots. Karen’s own garden grows around 40 native edible plants and is a great place to see how they grow. You will look at lemon myrtle, her lesser known cousin cinnamon myrtle, native pepper, a range of salt bushes and some native fruits.
Cost: $55.
Bookings: TryBooking.

Spring food forest – walk, talk, taste: Sunday, 17th November, 10am-12.30pm; Karen Sutherland’s garden, Pascoe Vale South.

What: Presented by Karen Sutherland. Take a guided tour of Karen’s garden. Taste some new and interesting plants. You will receive a packet of seeds saved from the garden.
Cost: $50.
Bookings: TryBooking.

Eltham Wine Show: Sunday, 17th November, 10.30am-2.30pm; Bulleen.

What: Australia’s largest amateur wine show: around 700 wines available for tasting; wine awards and presentations; artisan olive oil sampling & sales; and free tasting glass.
Cost: $17.
Bookings: just turn up.

Introduction to permaculture (two sessions): 2 consecutive Sundays, 17th and 24th November, 10am-4pm; Edendale.

What: Facilitator: Donna Livermore. Developed by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, permaculture (permanent agriculture) is a whole system approach to ecological planning and design for sustainable living. This workshop, spread over two weekends, will be beneficial to both those new to the concept of permaculture and for those thinking of undertaking a permaculture design course. You will be introduced to permaculture and gain a basic understanding of the principles and design methods associated with permaculture.
Cost: $125 for the two days.
Bookings: TryBooking.

New events – cooking

Ombre cake decorating workshop: Saturday, 12th October, 1-3pm; Chirnside Park Community Hub.

What: In this class you will learn: the ombre buttercream icing technique; the colouring buttercream method; the smooth buttercream icing technique; and flower placement & arrangement. The class includes: double dark chocolate mud cake; buttercream & flowers; and a
box for transportation home.
Cost: $95.
Bookings: TryBooking.

Cooking master class – ‘BBQ salads’: On Thursday, 24th October, 7-9pm and again on Friday, 25th October, 7-9pm; Gourmet Living, Templestowe.

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: chilli sesame chicken salad; lamb fillet & roast veg salad; and banana, caramel & meringue salad.
Cost: $42.
Bookings: EventBrite (Thursday, Friday).

National dumpling day workshop: Saturday, 26th October, 6-8pm; Chirnside Park.

What: Learn how to roll, wrap, tuck and steam. Sample your masterpieces at the end. All proceeds will go towards the Treak community centre in Cambodia.
Cost: $10.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Indian cooking – Punjabi (two sessions): Tuesday, 12th November and Tuesday, 26th November, both 6.30-8.30pm; Hurstbridge Community Hub.

What: Tutor Taariq Hassan. Learn how to cook a healthy North West Indian vegetarian meal from scratch using authentic ingredients. Menu for the first session: daal (spiced lentil stew); raita (seasoned yoghurt based dip with chopped salad vegetables); and muttar chaaval (basmati rice boiled with peas
Cost: $90.

Veggies in desserts with Mettle + Grace: Saturday, 16th November, 10am-3pm; CERES, Brunswick East.

What: What you will learn: foods which make your brain brighter; how to incorporate brain powering foods easily into your daily diet; and foods that can build and protect your gut microbiome and clear brain fog. Presenter: Melanie Leeson, from Mettle + Grace. Learn how to create healthier versions of your old favourites. The desserts are dairy-free and gluten-free using a variety of ingredients: nuts, seeds, vegetables, whole grains, fats, spices, legumes and unrefined sugars. The menu includes: chocolate kidney bean slice; spiced pumpkin donuts; rich chocolate beetroot truffles; lime + spinach cake; strawberry + cauliflower cheesecake; and sweet veggie mousse.
Cost: $100.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.

Summary of upcoming events – not cooking

Over the next week
Over the next month

Summary of upcoming events – cooking

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

Sep 112019
 

Want some cheap mushroom blocks?

Simon Hughes from Heidelberg Heights has written in: “I have a lot of spent mushroom blocks I will sell for $5 each. Some are $10 as they’ve only had one flush of mushrooms and will keep producing for the next couple of months.” If interested, contact Simon by phone (0468 306615) or email (grow@urbanfarmingcollective.com.au).

Using (or not using) gravel in pots – an update

Following last week’s article, Tracey Bjorksten has written in: “This is a topic that always seems to get people talking, I think because the physics feels counter-intuitive to many. This old research paper has some pictures that illustrate the phenomenon of the perched water table. The degree to which the raising of the perched water table by a layer of gravel is going to cause a problem will vary according to pot size, shape, particle size of potting mix used, watering habits, the tolerance of the plant to waterlogging, etc and I suspect this is a reason why people are reluctant to give up their gravel.”

Angelo Eliades has also weighed in: “The short answer is that generally it’s a bad idea to use gravel at the bottom of plant pots. For a longer answer, see the new article on my website, which goes heavily into the science, delving into the physics and physical chemistry.

Got any excess fruit?

Dassana wrote in to ask where she could donate her excess tangelos (see picture). I spoke with the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre (ASRC) and they said they would be delighted to receive them. ASRC’s various collection points are listed on their website.

As Dassana said after dropping off the tangelos: “It was a good thing to do. Good for me. Good for the people collecting the donations. And good for the people receiving the donations.

Free spent coffee grounds for your garden – another update

A third Eltham cafe has now contacted us to offer their spent coffee grounds: Organic Fix, 937 Main Road. Just visit and pick up from Lynn-eva.

It seems like many cafes would like to give their spent coffee grounds away. So, if you want some, my suggestion is that you simply call in at your local cafe and ask.

Community gardening news

SEEDs Communal Garden in Brunswick has published a video about their garden.

There are now videos of 43 different local food producers on our website. Plus 12 videos of different home growers

Food swap news

Peppertree Food Swap

The Peppertree Food Swap in Coburg is back! Saturday, 5th October, 10am-1pm.

St Andrews Food Swap

St Andrews Food Swap has moved and is now at A Local Baker, 83 Burns Street.

Want to look after some bees?

Viola Pythas has posted on Facebook: “I’m posting on behalf of my elderly father, George, who has been a passionate registered beekeeper for approx. 20 years. He has 15 hives between 2 sites in the Donvale/Warrandyte area that he needs assistance to manage this year. He’s offering anyone who would like to learn beekeeping an opportunity for free mentoring to build confidence and experience by helping with spring inspections, splits, harvesting etc. All equipment provided. Just need to be available approximately 1-2 days per week (weather dependent) and eager to learn/help. There’ll definitely be some honey benefits. Please message me if interested.

Applications for the 2019 Fair Food Week are now open

Fair Food Week will run from 12th to 19th October. You can apply to organise an event. Read more and apply.

The Community Grocer stall in Heidelberg West

As the picture illustrates, the first Community Grocer stall in Heidelberg West passed off successfully. I bought some mandarins, which were yum. The stall is every Saturday, so the next stall is next Saturday.

Not local but interesting – Knox Community Gardens

Knox Community Gardens in Boronia will be celebrating their 35th birthday on Sunday, 13th October, 9am-4pm. There will be market stalls, community stalls, kids activities, workshops, music and guest speakers, with more detail hopefully available on their Facebook page nearer the time. The gardens are substantial, with around 150 plots and raised beds of various sizes.

Not food but interesting – Banyule carbon emission reduction plans

Fay Loveland has written in to point out that Banyule Council is running two focus groups to discuss how to reduce carbon emissions, one in Heidelberg on 10th September at 6.30-8.30pm and the other in Greensborough on 12th September at 6.30-8.30pm. Registration is free but essential. As Fay says, “ It would be great if Banyule-based newsletter readers could head along and tell the Council about all the food-related initiatives they are doing to reduce carbon emissions – like growing food at home, buying locally grown food at farmers’ markets, composting waste, etc.

Permablitz hero of the month – lettuce

Lettuce is an annual plant, most often grown as a leaf vegetable, and is most often used for salads – yum!Read the article.

Read more Permablitz heroes of the month.

Which link was clicked most times in the last newsletter?

Leaf, Root & Fruit’s Spring planting guide.

Joke of the week

Submitted by Cally Beaton: I regret rubbing ketchup in my eyes but that’s Heinz sight.

Read more jokes.

New events – not cooking

Preparing a Spring/Summer veggie garden: Saturday, 14th September, 12.30-2pm; Buna Reserve Community Garden, Heidelberg West.

What: Facilitated by Robin & Paul Gale-Baker and organised by Transition 3081. There are groups of vegetables that comprise the spring/summer veggie garden. Each needs different soil preparation and pH, some are planted from seedlings and some direct, and they have different watering requirements. This workshop will cover soil preparation, how to test and rectify pH problems, and give tips for the successful growing of each family of spring/summer vegetables.
Cost: $15.
Bookings: Humanitix.

Edible weeds: Thursday, 19th September, 3-4.30pm; Heide, Bulleen.

What: Join weed forager Adam Grubb and Heide Head Gardener David Murphy for a guided tour of edible weeds in the Heide gardens. Finish with garden-inspired canapes and glass of wine.
Cost: $32
Bookings: EventBrite.

Peppertree Food Swap: Saturday, 5th October, 10am-1pm; PepperTree Place, Coburg.

What: The Peppertree Place Food Swap is back! Listen to live music, enjoy coffee and food from the cafe, pick up a plant from the nursery and don’t forget to bring your empty containers because Roving Refills will be there too. You can also learn more about Kevin Heinze GROW and their therapeutic horticulture model available onsite at Peppertree.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.

The art of watering: Saturday, 12th October, 12.30-2pm; Bellfield Community Garden.

What: Facilitated by Robin Gale-Baker and organised by Transition 3081. Learn how to assess the watering needs of vegetables, herbs, fruit trees and bushes, and plants in pots. Both under-watering and over-watering are a waste of water and it is important to water such that plants grow healthily whilst also conserving water as much as practicable.
Cost: $15.
Bookings: Humanitix.

Urban chickens 101: Saturday, 12th October, 2-4pm; Central Ringwood Community Centre.

What: Presented by Olwyn Smiley from The Backyard Vegetable and Jess Ness from Bedford Park Community Garden. With so many varieties of chooks, there’s a chook for every size of yard. They are enormously rewarding pets so if you’ve ever considered having them, or perhaps you’ve recently purchased chooks and need a little advice, go along for a discussion on the basics of urban chook raising.
Cost: $15.
Bookings: by phone (9870 2602).

Kevin Heinze GROW 40th Anniversary Spring Festival: Saturday, 19th October, 9am-3pm; Kevin Heinze GROW, Doncaster.

What: Perennials, herbs, succulents, natives, fruit trees and vegetable seedlings for sale. Also, homemade cakes & preserves, Devonshire teas, secondhand book stall, kids’ corner with face painting, coffee cart, BBQ, jazz band, flower stall, icy poles and KHG merchandise. There will also be a series of workshops: 10-10.30am – worm farming for beginners; 11-11.30am – growing great tomatoes; 12-12.30pm – the art of composting; 1-1.30pm – live lighter – waste and recycling; and 2-2.30pm – fruit tree pruning.
Cost: Free to attend. Workshops are $5 each online or $10 on the day.
Bookings: TryBooking.

Backyard beekeeping: Monday, 21st October, 6-7pm; Coburg Library.

What: Morgan from 3000 acres will discuss keeping honey bees in urban Melbourne and how to help bees even if you don’t keep them. This session is for bee beginners.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Make your own beeswax wraps with Emma Grace: Saturday, 9th November, 10am-2pm; CERES, Brunswick East.

What: What you will learn: how to make and maintain their own beeswax wraps; learn skills that are transferable to the home environment; and bundling techniques. What you will get: take home your beeswax wraps. Presenter: Emma Grace. You will learn how to make and maintain their own beeswax wraps for keeping food fresh and hygienic without the use of single-use plastics such as cling-wrap. This is a hands-on workshop where participants will make their own washable and re-usable ready-to-use beeswax wraps.
Cost: $70.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.

Intro to permaculture (3 sessions): on Saturdays 9th November, 23rd November and 7th December, each 10am-4pm, 10am-4pm; Park Orchards.

What: Trainer: Cass Groves. Learn about permaculture design principles to make your garden more sustainable and abundant. The course includes a brief history of permaculture, zone planning, soil health, companion planting, energy and water harvesting.
Cost: $195 ($85 ACFE funded).
Bookings: their website.

Chooks in the city: Sunday, 10th November, 10-11am and again 12.30-1.30pm; Northcote.

What: Led by Jessamy Miller, this workshop will explain all about keeping well-nourished, safe and happy chooks in an urban garden.
Cost: $45.
Bookings: TryBooking.

Kitchen medicine – the garden farmacy: Sunday, 10th November, 2-4.30pm; CERES, Brunswick East.

What: What you will learn: an introduction to herbal medicine making; plant identification; guidelines for foraging and wild-crafting; medicinal uses for plants; and how to introduce medicinal herbs into the kitchen for medicine. What you will get: a remedy and a seedling. Presenter: Lisa Hodge. Take a walk through the CERES garden beds and bring the wisdom of traditional herbal medicines into a modern context. During this workshop, you will explore traditional and modern uses of the plants and how to introduce these plants into the kitchen as medicine. You will make an item to take home as well as a seedling.
Cost: $70.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.

Beeswax wrap workshop: Wednesday, 13th November, 6-8pm; Balwyn North.

What: Learn how to make eco-friendly beeswax wraps. The wraps are made with all-natural ingredients and can be used instead of plastic bags or cling wrap. You will make 4 wraps on the day (2 x small, 1 x medium, 1 x large) and learn how to make more at home. Notes will be provided.
Cost: $55.
Bookings: their website.

New events – cooking

Lunchbox made easy in the Thermomix: Monday, 30th September, midday-2pm; Chirnside Park.

What: Learn how to make veg and cheese scrolls at a fraction of the cost, healthy muesli bars and muffins. Be a lunchbox warrior. Tastings available on the day. Kids are welcome they will have a playdough station set up on the day.
Cost: $20.
Bookings: EventBrite.

One meal many ways: Thursday, 3rd October, 10-11am; healthAbility, Eltham.

What: Join healthAbility’s resident qualified chef Mel us for a cooking demonstration and find out how you can create a basic meal into multiple recipe options. Followed by morning tea.
Cost: free.
Bookings: by phone (9430 9100).

Kids in the kitchen: Friday, 4th October, 10.30am-1.30pm; Panton Hill.

What: Facilitated by Kerry Meredith from Under The Pickle Tree. Get your kids in the kitchen for spring school holidays. Learn how to make delectable Vietnamese spring rolls ha noi style. Whereas southern rolls are slim, the northern version is fat and filling. Also make an authentic Vietnamese dipping sauce, homemade Vietnamese lime sodas and finish with a coconut ice-cream sundae. Your kids will learn about food safety and hygiene and cook you a delicious meal.
Cost: $50.
Bookings: their website.

Cook and feast with Audra Morrice: Saturday, 5th October, 11am-12.30pm; Kitchen Warehouse, Preston.

What: Join Audra Morrice, former MasterChef Australia finalist, as she cooks up recipes from her new book Cook and Feast.
Cost: $20.
Bookings: their website.

Thermomix eat well – demonstration-style cooking class: Tuesday, 8th October, 6.30-8.30pm; Eltham.

What: The recipes to be demonstrated are all gluten free and will include: mango muesli with plain yoghurt; seeded tahini crackers; turmeric, lemon and ginger tea; either steamed salmon or hunters stew; white bean dip with chimichurri; quinoa with mixed greens and yoghurt dressing; smoky Mexican bean soup; carrot cake bliss balls; and ricotta and pistachio cheesecake. Tastings will be available throughout the evening. You will also receive a copy of all the recipes.
Cost: $50.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Vegan cooking demonstration: Thursday, 31st October, 7.45-8.45pm; Brunswick Library.

What: Are you vegan or thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle? Learn how to cook some Italian vegan and gluten-free dishes with Head Chef Edoardo from Shop 225.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Authentic Mexican with Matt Baker from Whe-Eat: Saturday, 9th November, 10am-3pm; CERES, Brunswick East.

What: What you will learn: Mexican cuisine; improve your culinary skills; and work with seasonal ingredients. Presenter: Matt Baker from Whe-Eat. Menu: blackened chicken thighs with quinoa; Mexican corn on the cob; Mexican white bait fritters tortillas with salsa crude; cactus and tomatillos salsa; crispy pulled pork carnitas; and dark chocolate mole.
Cost: $100.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.

Vegan cheese making with Nase Supplitt: Sunday, 10th November, 10am-3pm; CERES, Brunswick East.

What: What you will learn: how to make your own vegan cheese; and how to make vegan milks, creamy spreads and dairy-free desserts. Presenter: Nase Supplitt.
Cost: $100.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.

Yoghurt and kefir making: Tuesday, 12th November, 7-8.30pm; Hawthorn Community House.

What: Yoghurt and kefir can be a healthy part of our everyday diet. Learn how to make your own fresh yoghurt and kefir, how use it in smoothies, ice-cream, dips or to make kefir cheese. There will be a yoghurt and milk kefir starter to purchase on the day (cost $10 for the yoghurt and $15 for the milk kefir).
Cost: $25.
Bookings: TryBooking.

Healthy summer eating (thermomix): Tuesday, 12th November, 7.30-9pm; Kilsyth.

What: Don’t wait for Summer to get here before you develop good eating habits. Make the most of the seasonal fruit and vegetables with this summer healthy eating class.
Cost: $21.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Summary of upcoming events – not cooking

Over the next week
Over the next month

Summary of upcoming events – cooking

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

Sep 042019
 

Want some cheap limes?

Wayne Tonissen, from Weeping Grevillea Nursery in Kangaroo Ground, has written in to say that he currently has a serious surplus of Tahitian limes which he is selling at $4 per Kg or $40 for a 20 litre drum. Their address is 355 Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Road, and they are open on Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 4pm. They also have various other citrus fruit for sale.

In passing, as their name suggests, Weeping Grevillea Nursery’s main business is growing and selling weeping grevilleas. These are prostrate grevilleas grafted onto robust grevillea stock which, over time, then grow down to the ground (see the example picture right, which is one that I bought from them some time ago). You have a choice of heights and species.

Want some casual work?

Newsletter reader Susan is looking for a couple of energetic people to spread some mulch around her garden in Eltham. $30 per hour. Around 60 cubic metres. Timing will depend on when the mulch is actually delivered. Email me and I’ll pass your message on.

Want some veggie scraps?

Deb Graham, from North Warrandyte, is looking for someone to take her veggie scraps. If interested, email Deb.

Community gardening news – Willsmere Kitchen Garden

Willsmere Kitchen Garden, in Kew, now has its own page on our website. The garden is located in Yarra Bend Park – the largest area of natural bushland near the heart of Melbourne. The garden is membership-based, where membership is a $50 one-off fee plus a yearly subscription fee depending on the size of the garden beds you have access to. They welcome everyone in the community to enjoy the garden, but ask that you respect the produce of individuals. Read about Willsmere Kitchen Garden. Welcome Cam and colleagues!

In passing, the garden is very close to Melbourne’s main colony of fruit bats. If you have never seen these bats at dusk, you really should do so: watching thousands of them leave their tree roosts and fly in all directions in search of food is a unique experience. A good viewing place is the Bellbird Park picnic area. [Before publishing these words, I wanted to check that the bats are still there. They are and the picture on the far right that I took proves this.]

Food swap news

On Saturday (7th September), Warrandyte Food Swap will be celebrating its 4th birthday. There will be both live music and cake.

Food justice news

The first Community Grocer market in Heidelberg West will be taking place on Saturday (7th September) at Bell Street Mall, corner of Oriel Road & Bell Street. There will be live music, kids’ activities and an official opening with speeches.

A new maker of sweet treats – Esme and Marj

Esme and Marj, from Briar Hill, make cupcakes, macarons and brownies. Currently, the only place where you can buy their stuff is Eltham Farmers’ Market on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. So, they should be there this coming Sunday. Welcome, Rachel!

Local food producers in the news

Lawrence Chang, Managing Director of Eltham-based Organic Times has been interviewed by The Fashion Advocate. Organic Times make Certified Organic chocolate & other products and Lawrence discusses various aspects of their organic and sustainability philosophy.

2040, Join the Regeneration, Greensborough on Wednesday, 9th October

As discussed later, XR Nillumbik is trying to organise a screening of the film 2040, Join the Regeneration (film) in Greensborough on Wednesday, 9th October, 7-8.30pm. $22 per ticket – click here to purchase. Two points. First, in order for the screening to go ahead, they need to reach a ‘tipping’ point of 59 tickets sold by the 27th September; so, purchase your tickets now rather than in October. Second, a limited number of free tickets are available for people who would like to go but do not have the financial means to; if you are in this situation, email Tina.

Some gardening tips

Can worm farm worms survive in the garden?

Brenda has written in to ask if you can transfer worms from worm farm into the garden. Her worm farm is full and she needs to empty it. Will the worms survive?

Here’s my answer: it depends. Compost worms are not the same as garden earthworms and, unlike earthworms, they stay on the surface. So, they can only survive if you have a surface layer of fresh organic material like manures and mulch which both provides them with food and gives them a moist environment.

How to get more broccoli/cauliflower

Here is a tip from Good Life Permaculture (also see picture right): when you harvest heads of broccoli or cauliflower, cut the main stem into quarters. This encourages four smaller heads to grow back.

Some articles

A Spring planting guide

Leaf, Root & Fruit's Spring planting guide for Melbourne discusses how to grow capsicums, cucumbers, eggplants, pumpkins, sweetcorn, tomatoes watermelons and zucchini.

Using (or, rather, not using) gravel in potted plants

Like many other people, I habitually put gravel into the bottom of pots in the belief that it will improve drainage. Well, according to this article, it's a myth. Read the article and email me with your thoughts.

Not food but important

Major Roads Project Victoria is planning a major change to the Fitzsimons Lane / Main Road roundabout intersection in Eltham, including replacing the current roundabout with traffic lights. For some reason, the public consultation period went unnoticed by most people. Read more on the Major Roads Project Victoria website. In part due to the preliminary design of the proposed intersection on the Major Roads Project Victoria website (see graphic right), Eltham Community Action Group (ECAG) have concerns about the environmental impact of the project – Read ECAG’s views.

Which link was clicked most times in the last newsletter?

The visit to the garden of Emily Willocks.

Joke of the week

Submitted by Vince Rozmiarek: Why do cows have hooves? Because they lactose.

Read more jokes.

New events – not cooking

Introduction to mindful eating: Tuesday, 24th September, 7-8.30pm; Heidelberg Heights.

What: Tired of overeating, dieting or both? Ready to break your eat-repent-repeat cycle? Join licensed Am I Hungry facilitator and dietitian (APD) Tess Gardiner for an introduction to mindful eating. Learn how you can develop the effective thoughts and positive feelings necessary to make decisions about eating, physical activity, and self-care that support your optimal health. This inside-out approach changes thoughts and feelings first, so changes in behaviours will last.
Cost: $6.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Mental Health Week – food for every mood: Wednesday, 9th October, 6-9pm; Kathleen Syme Library, Carlton.

What: Food has the ability to impact our emotional and mental well-being in a variety of ways. Whether it is seeking ‘comfort food’ when you’ve had a bad day or cooking to relieve stress, food and our eating habits really do affect our mood. In this workshop, you will learn about a few ways that food is connected to emotional and mental health, and you’ll leave equipped to more effectively utilise the relationship between food and your mental health. Of course, there will be food there to be shared!
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.

2040, Join the Regeneration (film): Wednesday, 9th October, 7-8.30pm; Hoyts, Greensborough.

What: In 2040, director Damon Gameau (That Sugar Film) embarks on journey to explore what the future could look like by the year 2040 if we simply embraced the best solutions already available to us to improve our planet and shifted them rapidly into the mainstream. Structured as a visual letter to his 4-year-old daughter, Damon blends traditional documentary with dramatised sequences and high-end visual effects to create a vision board of how these solutions could regenerate the world for future generations. Watch a trailer. In order for the screening to go ahead, they need to reach a ‘tipping’ point of 59 tickets sold by the 27th September. Organised by XR Nillumbik.
Cost: $22.
Bookings: their website.

Worm farms and composting systems: Tuesday, 22nd October, 7-9pm; Manningham Civic Centre.

What: Learn how to recycle your organic waste at home with a compost bin or worm farm. Recycling organic materials has environmental and gardening benefits including: improved soil quality; reduced waste going to landfill; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; improved water savings; and cost savings. You will also learn how you can get 60% off the retail price of a compost bin, worm farm, or bokashi bin plus free delivery.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.

Bee hive tour: Saturday, 2nd November, 10.30am-12.30pm; Yarrambat.

What: Your tour, led by Nathan Stewart, a professional Doreen-based beekeeper from Maya ‘Xala Honey, will include suiting up in protective gear, lighting a bee smoker, and spending two hours as real life beekeeper. Initially, Nathan will give you some tips on what to look for inside a hive including how to spot the Queen and where to look to potentially witness the birth of a new worker bee. Then, together you will lift the lid of a busy hive, watch bees at work creating honey, pull out a frame of honey ready for extraction, and get up close with more than 100,000 bees! After the lid is closed, you will sample some of the honey direct from the hives while enjoying a refreshing honey tonic.
Cost: $75 (plus various packages for families).
Bookings: their website.

Native edibles for companion planting: Thursday, 7th November, 6.30-9pm; Bulleen Art and Garden.

What: What you will learn: a range of edible natives that are easy to grow in Melbourne; basics of companion planting; and which plants to choose in your garden planning, and how to grow and care for them. Presented by Karen Sutherland, of Edible Eden Design. Non-indigenous Australians are waking up to the edible plants around us and wondering why we didn’t use them before. Knowing what will grow and also produce a harvest, as well as how to use it, is difficult as most of us aren’t yet familiar with apple berries or native mint. In this class, you will learn how to incorporate some easily grown edible native plants into your garden so that they work in harmony with your existing plants, as well as a variety of ways to use these plants in your kitchen.
Cost: $50.
Bookings: WeTeachMe.

New events – cooking

Maltese sweets: Thursday, 19th September, 7-8.30pm; Mill Park Library.

What: Author of Traditional Sweet Recipes from Malta, Sharon Spiteri will discuss the significance of traditional Maltese sweets with demonstrations and tastings.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their website.

Cooking master class – ‘festive faves’: Wednesday, 16th October and again on Thursday, 17th October, both 7-9pm; Gourmet Living, Templestowe.

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: asparagus & ham puff tart; mustard roast pork loin; and pudding ice cream.
Cost: $42.
Bookings: EventBrite (Thursday, Friday).

Tapas – taste of Spain: Sunday, 3rd November, 11am-12.30pm; Kitchen Warehouse, Box Hill South.

What: Learn how to prepare and perfect the flavours of a variety of Spanish tapas, from the traditional to the modern.
Cost: $30.
Bookings: their website.

Knockout gnocchi: Sunday, 3rd November, 11am-12.30pm; Kitchen Warehouse, Preston.

What: Time to broaden your culinary expertise and meet pasta’s famous pillowy brother: gnocchi! They will show you how to make gnocchi at home through simple ingredients. From traditional potato to creamy ricotta and spinach, learn every nook and cranny that makes this classic Italian dish a favourite.
Cost: $30.
Bookings: their website.

Handmade pasta workshop: Sunday, 3rd November, 1-2.30pm; Kitchen Warehouse, Preston.

What: They will show you how to make pasta dough by hand and turn it into a variety of pasta types. They may even throw in sauce-making secrets for good measure.
Cost: $30.
Bookings: their website.

Summary of upcoming events – not cooking

Over the next week
Over the next month

Summary of upcoming events – cooking

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.