Backyard Harvest Festival calendar
The annual Backyard Harvest Festival (previously called the Darebin Backyard Harvest Festival) is taking place 18-26 November and will include gardens and workshops from Moreland as well as Darebin. All the garden tours and workshops in the calendar below cost $10 ($5 concession).
The Community Grocer aims to improve access for people living on a low-income to fresh, affordable food. They do this by running some weekly fruit and vegetable markets. Everyone is welcome.
Meet with like-minded gardeners in their sustainable garden to swap ideas, plants, listen to lectures and watch demonstrations on all things gardening.
Click here to read about the garden.
Every Thursday during school terms.
The Food Collective Market is a social enterprise aiming to address food insecurity by increasing community access to healthy, affordable and locally grown food. The market offers fresh fruit and vegetables that are culturally appropriate and affordable.
oin Jane, dietician from CoHealth, to learn new tips and tricks for cooking healthy and delicious meals, even without all the bells and whistles of a full kitchen. This is a social, no cost session where all experience levels are welcome. Go and cook your lunch, and then eat it too.
The cook provides a home style, two course meal.
Guests can enjoy a substantial nutritious two-course meal.
Food Not Bombs Melbourne is part of a worldwide movement that cooks and distributes vegan food to anyone and everyone, without restriction. It gathers leftover fruit and vegetables from Queen Victoria Market and elsewhere, gives some to worthy causes, then cooks up the rest and serves it on the streets of Melbourne.
They would welcome more people to help them cook the meals (you can cook what you like or help someone else cook). The cooking starts at 4pm at Collingwood Neighbourhood House, 253 Hoddle Street.
First Tuesday of every month except for January.
2024 Speakers and topics
Feb: Ben Moore on bees in our gardens.
Mar: Helen Lovel on soil improvement.
Apr: Members Q&A.
May: Betsy-Sue Clarke on gardens from the heart.
Jun: Ros Houston on forest cactus.
Jul: Julie Temple on garden technology.
Aug: Jeff White on ecological psychology and deep nature connection. Also, the AGM
Sep: Garden Express on summer flowering bulbs.
Oct: Jenny Lau on local birds.
Nov: Jenny Hedley on propagating native plants.
Dec: Sandra Verdam and Julie Temple on growing microgreens.
2023 Speakers and topics
Feb: Jane Tonkin on winter and spring bulbs.
Mar: Barbara and Dee on preserving the harvest.
Apr: Fiona and Rown Williams on West Australia wildflowers.
May: Emma Powell on a winning garden design.
Jun: Jenny Lau on local birds.
Jul: Matt Barnes on living soil and biochar.
Aug: Rod Heather on growing and grafting fruit trees.
Sep: Charlotte Harrison on indoor plants.
Oct: Miriam Ford on prostantheras.
Nov: Fiona Williams on pelargonium and geranium swap night.
Dec: Christmas themed evening.
2022 Speakers and topics
Feb: Ben Waite & Barbara Marshall on summer pruning & espalier.
Mar: Robert Dobson on streptocarpus and hosta.
Apr: Jane Tonkin on bulbs.
May: John Harris on Eltham copper butterfly.
Jun: Ravi Sommerhalder on sharpening garden tools.
Jul: Chris Scrase on fuchsias.
Aug: Dusty on rock walls in landscaing & AGM.
Sep: Paul Kirkpatrick on tools for sale.
Oct: Penny Woodward on pest repellent plants, herbs & other organic solutions.
Nov: Flowering plant and veggie seedling swap night.
Dec: Jennifer Sheridan on Christmas wreaths.
2021 Speakers and topics
May: opening your garden/fruit trees and espalier.
Jun: pest repellent herbs and other organic solutions- Penny Woodward.
Jul: garden craft e.g. stone painting – labels, animals.
Aug: AGM and fuchsias – Chris Scrase.
Sep: tomatoes – Penny Woodward.
Oct: inspiring gardens visited.
Nov: seeds, in house/hands on.
Dec: a plant delicious Christmas.
2020 Speakers and topics
4 Feb: Fiona Williams on irises and scented pelagonia.
3 Mar: Robert Boyle on landscape design.
7 Apr: Al & Hazelk Veevers on patterns in nature.
5 May: Travel gardens.
2 Jun: Angelo Eliades on pruning fruit trees – espalier.
7 Jul: Sandi Kogtevs on making scarecrows.
4 Aug: Chris Scrase on fuchsias; AGM.
1 Sep: Penny Woodward on tomatoes.
6 Oct: Sarah Watson on clematis and flowering climbers.
3 Nov: Hands on – sowing, maintenance, potting on.
1 Dec: Helen Lovel on neutrog and biological fertilisers.
2019 Speakers and topics
5 Feb: John Ferris on edible landscapes.
5 Mar: Kathleen Tants on wees and weed control.
2 Apr: Brendan Curtis on zoo horticulture.
7 May: Paul Gale-Baker on wicking beds.
4 Jun: Caleb Armstrong on pharmaceutical herbs.
2 Jul: Lyndall Shaw on proteas and flower arranging.
6 Aug: Barbara Marshal on colour theory and colour combinations in planting; AGM.
3 Sep: Kevin Ritchie on unusual hanging baskets.
1 Oct: Norm Gerraty on growing begonias.
5 Nov: Sandra Verdam on bee-related hands-on activity.
3 Dec: Garden Club on a succulent Christmas.
2018 Speakers and topics
6 Feb: Lydia Heap on re-creating Indigenous Panton Hill; Julie Temple on growing yam daisies.
6 Mar: Michael Tanner on soils – pH and restoration.
3 Apr: Paul Kirkpatrick on potagers – plus specialised tools.
1 May: Robyn Harris on African violets – care and propagation.
5 Jun: John and Joy Quinn on bulbs.
3 Jul: Titch – Flemings on bare-rooted trees.
7 Aug: Steven Wells on therapeutic gardens; AGM.
4 Sep: Hazel and Al Veevers on birds in the native garden.
2 Oct: Cade on beer – from hop seeds to drink.
6 Nov: Pat Anderson facilitating a tomato veggie herb swap.
4 Dec: Mitre 10 Diamond Creek on new garden products.
2017 Speakers and topics
7 Feb: Rachel Bishop on worm farming; Chloe Thomson on the organic products that OCP have on the market.
7 Mar: Bob Yeoman on growing dahlias from seed.
4 Apr: Ryan Young on habitat gardening.
2 May: Attila Kapitany on succulents.
6 Jun: Vaughn Greenhill on landscape design – working with nature.
4 Jul: Pete the Permie on berry fruits.
1 Aug: Jan Morris on protective garden accessories.
5 Sep: Maria Ciavarella on thrifty gardening.
3 Oct: David Redfern on natives grown at Cranbourne – suited to our local area.
7 Nov: Arja Toivanen on taking cuttings (hands-on propagation workshop).
5 Dec: Mark Ludlow on bonsai; Christmas party.
2016 Speakers and topics
2 Feb: Lydia Heap on frolicking frogs.
1 Mar: Ryan Young on healthy soils.
5 Apr: Sue Evans on healing herbs of the 1st Fleet.
3 May: Ian Culbard on permaculture design and practice.
7 Jun: Cheryl on miniature landscaping with succulents.
5 Jul: speaker from the Clivea Society on clivea clues.
2 Aug: short talks from local speakers; AGM and 11th anniversary.
6 Sep: Bill Aitchison on acacias for the home garden.
4 Oct: Maria Ciavarella on gardening on a shoestring.
1 Nov: pelargonium and geranium show’n’share.
6 Dec: Melissa Thomas on garden art; Christmas party.
2015 Speakers and topics
3 Feb: Peter Miller on mounting plants on boards.
3 Mar: Ken Walker on native & exotic bees.
7 Apr: Sue Aldred on native plants: why & how.
5 May: Maurice Kellet on bromeliads.
2 Jun: Loretta Childs on an iconic local garden.
7 Jul: Local speakers on learning From gardening mistakes.
4 Aug: Greg Bolderson on underground treasures / rare bulbs.
1 Sep: Geoff Crowhurst on a search for old roses around Victoria’s cemeteries.
6 Oct: Doris Pozzi on Nature’s supermarket.
3 Nov: Richard Lee on growing & using Asian greens.
1 Dec: Fun night with trivia games, DVDs & Christmas party.
Feel free to drop by to have a look at the garden, to find out more and to meet the garden volunteer coordinator, Trevor.
Click here to read about the garden.
A drop-in gardening session, facilitated by the DIVRS Urban Food Program, which everyone is welcome to attend. There is always plenty of weeding, watering, planting and harvesting to do!
Click here to read about the garden.
Jane Coleman, from Earth and Soul Permaculture, will explain permaculture including what zones are plus the concepts and resources that you need to start your permaculture experience.
No garden of your own? Would you like be able to share some fresh produce? Go along and join Span’s gardening team. Wheelchair accessible, fun and supportive. You just need your skills, or want to develop skills.
Click here to read about the garden.
This is a free, rescued and donated groceries market.
Really Really Free Market (RRFM) is a food rescue collective based on the principles of mutual aid, which gathers and re-distributes as much food as possible to the wider community. It aims to shed light on both food waste and alternative models of distributing resources. RRFM is an open organisation that encourages anyone with capacity to join in and help with the collection and distribution on food.
Currently, food rescue runs are on Tuesdays – meet at the rear garden of Catalyst Social Centre at sunset.
A two course home-cooked meal is shared in their dining room with other friendly community members. Go along for company, conversation and support. A great opportunity to find out what’s available in the neighbourhood. RSVP for catering and dietary requirements to Span Community House by phone (9480 1364) or email (info@spanhouse.org).
Click here to read about the garden.
The meal is provided undercover at the front of the church by either New Community Ringwood Church or UrbanLife. It consists of soup, then BBQ hamburgers with bread rolls and salad, followed by dessert (usually a selection of cakes). Tea and coffee is available through the night.
Food Not Bombs Melbourne is part of a worldwide movement that cooks and distributes vegan food to anyone and everyone, without restriction. It gathers leftover fruit and vegetables from Queen Victoria Market and elsewhere, gives some to worthy causes, then cooks up the rest and serves it on the streets of Melbourne. They would welcome more people to help them cook the meals (you can cook what you like or help someone else cook). The cooking starts 2 hours before the serving times.
You will learn what spores are exactly and what their prints mean before moving on to tools and techniques for efficient and environmentally-conscious mushroom hunting and correct foraging etiquette. Then you will learn how to identify wild mushrooms, the common species that you’re likely to come across, which edible mushrooms you can use in cooking, and medicinal species, as well as hallucinogenic species and the downright dangerous. Finally, you will learn about ways to cook mushrooms, preservation techniques and tincture preparation, before ending with a tasting of some wild mushrooms.
Presenter: Jess (Fraulein Fungi).
Second Wednesday of every month except for January and December. Everyone welcome. Parking is available at the rear off Leeds Street.
2024 speakers and topics
14 Feb: Keith Edwards on soil health.
13 Mar: James Wall on growing vegetables in pots.
10 Apr: Kat Lavers on permaculture kitchen garden design.
08 May: TBA.
12 Jun: Matthew King, from Ryset International.
10 Jul: Kristen Stewart on FOGO from council.
14 Aug: Felicity Gordon on Queensland fruit fly.
11 Sep: Kristen Stewart, from Council, on worm farms.
09 Oct: John Harris on habitat hardening in the backyard.
13 Nov: Kathleen Tants on preparing your garden for Summer.
2023 speakers and topics
08 Feb: Silkie roses.
08 Mar: Penny Woodward on knowing, growing and curing garlic.
10 May: Seila Hierk on Asian winter vegetables.
14 Jun: James Wall on the life and times as a nursery man.
12 Jul: John Hassal on vertical gardening.
09 Aug: Joseph Stanley on orchids.
12 Sep: Julie Kos, from Kossies Free Range Egg Farm, on smoked eggs.
11 Oct: Seila Hierk on bees in the garden.
08 Nov: Yarra Valley Water on recycled water.
2022 speakers and topics
09 Feb: Guy Palmer on local food activities around Manningham.
13 Apr: Nigel Philpot on the Doncaster Hill Community Garden and Felicity Gordon on Queensland fruit fly traps.
11 May: Helen Lovel from Neutrog, a fertiliser company.
08 Jun: Pete the Permie, aka Peter Allen, will be selling dwarf fruit trees.
14 Sep: Felicity Gordon on Queensland Fruit Fly.
12 Oct: Seila Hierk of Childplay Permaculture on Asian summer vegetables.
09 Nov: Dan from Seeds of Plenty on minature tomatoes.
2021 speakers and topics
12 May: Robin Gale-Baker on growing vegetables.
14 Apr: Angelo Eliades on sustainable gardening and permaculture.
2019 speakers and topics
13 Nov: Karen Sutherland on Edible Eden Design’s tomatoes.
09 Oct: Janine Kay on pelargoniums and geraniums.
11 Sep: Steve Morris on circular food.
14 Aug: Jainie on Neutrog’s ‘Who Flung Dung’.
10 Jul: Brendan Curtis on Japanese gardens.
12 Jun: Jim Poulter on traditional Aboriginal use in Manningham.
08 May: Paul on French ornamental vegetable gardens.
10 Apr: Seila Hierk on how to grow Winter Asian vegetables.
13 Mar: Mike Dodson from Betta Grower Organic Fertilisers on potting mixes.
13 Feb: Dwight King on dahlias.
Benefits of joining Doncaster Garden Club:
- Eleven monthly newsletters per year.
- Speakers each monthly meeting.
- Discounts on selected products (e.g. wholesale at Ryset Industries).
- Club trading table.
- Part of a friendly and informative club.
Click here to read about the garden.
Looking to feel productive, stay healthy, and contribute to local food resilience? Go along to the community garden on any Thursday morning to meet others for an informal catch up and low-energy gardening session. No experience is required, just a willingness to get your hands dirty and help your fellow community members to sow, plant, harvest, weed, compost, and chat (heavy on the chatting, really). Take yourself, a pair of gloves, and learn how you can help grow food and community.
Click here to read about the garden.
Second Thursday of every month except for January and December.
Meet their volunteer gardeners to share tips and ideas, contributing to the maintenance of the community garden.
Click here to read about the garden.
For children of all ages. Harvest and eat produce, water the plants, make art with flowers, dig in the soil or see how many ladybugs you can find.
Everyone welcome. Help them continue to transform their garden into an edible, beautiful and educational sanctuary for all who pass through their gates.
Click here to read about the garden.
The Open Table crew collects surplus food and it is used to create a hearty, vegetarian meal. This event is for everyone, from those who don’t have much to those who have plenty. It’s a celebration aimed at connecting diverse people in the area of Brunswick.
On Thursdays from 18th April, 12.30-4.30pm. However, this is a continuing program so people can join any time.
Learn the foundations of growing plants by working in a fun and relaxed environment.
Organised by Reynard Street Neighbourhood House.
They provide a safe, welcoming space where food is eaten and friendships are made.
Learn how to set up, utilise and maintain various food waste recycling systems.
FoodStop creates a safe and positive environment for those needing a meal and/or social interaction.
Whilst FoodStop is usually located at the entrance to the Lilydale Showgrounds, in the colder months (mid May to mid September), it is in The Chapel at 42-44 Castella Street, Lilydale.
Learn the ins and outs of IPA from Mark Schipano, including how it has evolved over time and the 5 styles of IPA.
The monthly meetings include guest speakers, demonstrations, display bench, a trading table, and information about coming open gardens and shows. The evenings end with supper and our members take opportunity to chat over tea and coffee. In addition to gardening and horticulture, they are interested in tree preservation.
The club was founded around 1930 by the Vermont Scouts and was named the Carrot Club, as they were busy growing vegetables in response to the difficulties caused by the Great Depression Australia was experiencing. It then changed its name to the Vermont Horticultural Society and Garden Club, thus enabling it to hold horticultural shows. Another change in the name came when horticultural shows were no longer held and the club became the Vermont Garden Club, as it is known today.
The Community Grocer aims to improve access for people living on a low-income to fresh, affordable food. They do this by running some weekly fruit and vegetable markets. Everyone is welcome.
On Fridays, 10th May and 14th June, each 9am-midday.
Learn how to prepare simple meals with other blokes under Shawn’s guidance. Enjoy a shared meal and conversation to finish the session.
Organised by Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre.
14 sessions over a period of a 14 weeks.
The topics to be covered will include: permaculture; fruit production; soil preparation; beekeeping; composting, worm farming and fertilisers; vegetable growing; propagation; seed collection; pest & disease management; bushfoods & berries; chooks; and community gardens.
Presenter: Justin Calverley.
Join them to pickle excess rescued food over a cuppa.
Organised by Greenhills Neighbourhood House.
Just turn up.
The farmgate is open on Fridays 10am-2pm and Saturdays 9am-midday, opposite 12 Perkins Avenue, Bellfield.
As well as veggies, they stock bread, seasonal fruit and preserves.
No need to come every week or stay the whole time or even do any gardening, you can just come along, say hello and sit about and enjoy the view and have a cuppa. Everyone welcome.
Click here to read about the garden.
Fiona will guide you through the process of making different types of dumplings, including pork and vegetable options. From folding techniques to creating flavourful fillings, you’ll learn all the secrets to making perfect dumplings every time. Stay for lunch to enjoy your own creations.
Organised by Clota Cottage Neighbourhood House.
Go for a lunch and stay for the conversation and activities.
These meet ups happen during school terms only. You have to become a member, but membership is free and you can join at any time. Bother experienced gardeners and absolute beginners welcome.
Each week, a horticulturalist will talk about some aspect of edible gardening.