Calendar of free once-off events

9 sessions on consecutive Fridays starting 11th February, each 9.30am-3pm. Free subject to ACFE eligibility.

Learn basic skills and gain knowledge necessary for working in the horticultural industry or progressing to further study. Subjects will include plant identification, propagation, planting and pruning. You will be given hands-on gardening experience during the course, understanding both gardening tools and OH&S considerations.

Enrol by either phone (9386 9418) or email (info@bnhc.vic.edu.au).

Learn how to pick, clean, boil, mash, sieve and bottle fresh tomatoes.

Relax and enjoy the music.

They recommend only wearing red – or clothes you are happy to get dirty in.

Kaye Roberts-Palmer from Blue Bee Garden Design will discuss what to plant and how to prepare your garden for Autumn.

Registrations essential.

This year’s Home Harvest picnic will be a BYO twilight event. Musical entertainment will be provided by Kimba Griffith Quintet, from Hurstbridge, who will play jazz music. Other activities planned include lawn games, a food swap, a seed library and a largest zucchini competition. Cafe Eden will also be open for great coffee and food.

Booking essential.

Autumn is the perfect time to save some of your summer vegetable seeds for re-planting in spring. Rachel Bishop will give you the basic knowledge and skills required to save your own true-to-type vegetable seeds. Seed selection, harvesting, processing and storing will all be covered.

Learn tips, tricks and the why, when and how of food forest and urban orchard gardening. Find out what’s involved, do some planning and get some handy resources to help with growing some of your food in an efficient way that mimics nature. Suitable for anyone interested in growing food.

This workshop is designed for Nillumbik residents who want to upskill in community wide management of Queensland fruit fly through leadership and capacity building. Some prior knowledge of, or experience with, Queensland fruit fly is required.

You will learn about a wide variety of control and management options for Queensland fruit fly that could be applied in your community. You will be given an information pack which includes information on products you can use in your own demonstrations and teaching. You will also be given access to a ‘library/borrowing’ kit with a selection of traps, bait and netting.

After the training, you will be provided with ongoing support to ensure that you are comfortable supporting others in Queensland fruit fly control.