Ann visits the garden of Olwyn Smiley, from Heathmont
Some of you may know Olwyn through her business The Backyard Vegetable, where she helps people to establish their own veggie patches. Others might know her through her involvement in Bedford Park Community Garden. Ann Stanley has now visited Olwyn’s garden and talked to her as a home grower.
As Ann says in her writeup: Olwyn’s garden “has around 30 fruit trees, thriving vegetable beds, vines and chooks. There is a potting area, a grey water system and winding paths. Both the back and front yards are heavily cultivated, as is the land beyond the property’s boundaries between the bike path and train tracks (this is with Council approval!). It is Olwyn’s ‘zone 5’ (for those who speak permaculture), and she and her husband, Lloyd, have planted indigenous plants there.“
And “To attract beneficial insect predators, she aims to have something in flower at all times of the year to feed them. She has observed, as I have, that blue-banded bees love salvias. When I ask her what she loves best about gardening, Olwyn says that it’s making a whole meal from food that her garden has produced and ‘getting to know the insects’.“
One of the (many) things that I like about Ann’s articles is the links that she provides for enthusiastic readers to explore issues in more depth. For example, this article includes links to The Facebook group Amateur Entomology Australia, Retrosuburbia, Victorian Strawberry Fields and the American Environmental Working Group (EWG) (who produce the annual dirty dozen and clean fifteen lists.)
Mac’s blast from the past
“With the wattles in bloom signalling a change of season from winter to spring, it’s a good time to start sowing your tomato seeds. They will still need protection from possible frosts so indoors on a window sill, or in an igloo or glass house, is ideal. Or you can use the bottom half of a soft drink bottle over a 14cm pot. Seed raising mix makes all the difference.“
Read more of Mac’s tips from 2017.
Want some spent coffee grounds for your garden?
One of the cafes in Eltham has contacted me to say that they would like to give away their spent coffee grounds to anyone willing to pick them up. Ditto their tea leaves. If interested, contact me by email (guy@localfoodconnect.org.au).
If you don’t live in Eltham but still want spent coffee grounds or husks, our website lists a number of cafes and coffee roasters who offer such material for free.
Finally, if you know of any other cafes who would like to offer such material, tell me about them.
Know anything about lunch boxes?
Local Food Connect is working with the Eltham Leisure Centre through their Tiger Paw program to develop a parent’s guide to healthy lunch boxes. They are looking for good photos, tips and recipes. If you can help, email them. Some produce from Eltham Farmers’ Market will be given to the best responses.
Want to run to fund raise for a worthy cause?
FareShare, in Abbotsford, cook and give away 6,000 meals a day but this generates a huge electricity bill that they have to pay. To help them fund this cost, they are participating in the 2019 a2 Upstream Challenge on 9th November. The idea is that you raise funds for them by doing either a 20km or 50km walk. Read more.
In Darebin, you can soon put food scraps into your green waste bin
In the 26th June newsletter, we reported that residents of Moreland and Nillumbik can put their food scraps into green waste. From 1st October, they will be joined by residents of Darebin, as reported in The Leader (picture right).
Grant opportunities now open
Junior Landcare grants
Woolworths, in partnership with Junior Landcare, is inviting primary schools and early learning centres to apply for funding for environment projects. The grants are up to $1K and can be used for activities such as: planting a vegetable garden; habitat restoration projects; planting bush tucker gardens; and running a composting or recycling project. Closing date: 6th September.
Community gardening news
St Johns Riverside Community Garden in Heidelberg have been awarded a grant of $4,200 from Bendigo Bank and others to help pay for a gazebo.
Local producers in the news
Imbue Distillery, from Research, have featured in The Leader newspaper (see picture right).
How to prune grape vines
Newsletter reader Angelo Eliades has written another article, this time on how to prune grape vines. It is as comprehensive as are all of Angelo’s articles. There are lots of useful graphics, including the two below.
Read more food-growing articles by Angelo.
Which link was clicked most times in the last newsletter?
How to cut each shape of cheese.
Joke of the week
Submitted by David Hicks: If you boil a funny bone, it becomes a laughing stock. That’s humerus.
New events – not cooking
Winter pruning workshop: Saturday, 24th August, 9-11am; All Nations Kitchen Garden, Northcote.
What: Bring your pruning questions and learn how to correctly prune your fruit trees in this practical demonstration. The All Nations Kitchen Garden is a multi-layered garden of fruit trees, edible understory and ground cover. Click here to read about the garden.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
The French wine and cheese masterclass: Wednesday, 28th August, 7-10pm; Northcote.
What: Anthony Nania has picked some of the greatest value wines from each region of France and will help give you an appreciation of not only the personality and quality of each of these wines but will also help demystify the labelling conundrum that is normally associated with French wines.
Cost: $54.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Australian plants expo: Saturday, 14 September and Sunday, 15 September, both 10am-4pm; Eltham Community & Reception Centre.
What: A two-day event by the Australian Plants Society – Yarra Yarra. Sales of native & indigenous plants, books on related subjects, native flower displays, environmental displays, talks, demonstrations, workshops, giftware and refreshments. The plant sellers are likely to include: APS Yarra Yarra growers; Friends of Melton Botanic Gardens nursery; Goldfields Revegetation nursery (see plant list); La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary nursery; Natural Plantscape nursery; Sunvalley Plants Nursery (see plant list); and Vaughan’s Australian Plants.
Cost: $5.
Bookings: just turn up.
Mulch, manure & plant sale plus roving refills: Sunday, 15th September, 1.30-4pm; Pentridge Community Garden, Coburg.
What: Pentridge Community Garden is throwing open its doors for an afternoon of fun featuring: environmentally friendly cleaning products for sale from Roving Refills (BYO container); straw & manure for sale; produce swap; plant sale; and an opportunity to see what’s growing in their organic communal garden. This event also marks the public debut of their composting toilet! Click here to read about the garden.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Native pollinators: Monday, 7th October, 7.30-9pm; Nunawading Civic Centre.
What: Karen Thomas, Regional Agriculture Facilitator for the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA) will explore the actions that we can take as gardeners to boost pollinator biodiversity and keep plants fruiting and setting seed. All participants will receive an insect attracting plant to take home.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.
New events – cooking
Tea making: Thursday, 15th August, 11am-midday; Diamond Valley Library.
What: Discover the healing benefits of tea using the herbs or produce in your garden including lemon balm, lemon verbena, rosemary, and a locally made chai.
Cost: free.
Bookings: their website.
Cook Indian by the creek: Friday, 6th September, 6.30-8.15pm; Diamond Creek.
What: Menu (vegan): street food (chaat) plus gulaab jamun (doughnuts). Cook Indian by the creek came into existence with the idea of breaking the myth that Indian cooking is complex and difficult to nail. In each session, they will share their traditional recipes and go through the step by step cooking process. The classes are held in a private kitchen.
Cost: $65.
Bookings: by email (cookindianbythecreek@gmail.com).
Cooking master class – ‘foodie favourites of 2019’: Wednesday, 25th September, 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: gnocchi pesto bake; quick simple chicken cacciatore; and chocolate mousse tart.
Cost: $42.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Diabetes and diet: Tuesday, 15th October, 7-8.30pm; Hawthorn Community House.
What: Join their resident dietitian for increased knowledge, awareness and understanding about diabetes, the resources and tools to help prevent type 2 diabetes, and how to manage diabetes well.
Cost: $25.
Bookings: TryBooking.
Christmas hamper cooking: Tuesday, 15th October, 7.30-9pm; Kilsyth.
What: Homemade goodies to give to teachers, coaches, friends, family or just for yourselves. This class will go through their personal favourites, new ideas, gift wrapping hamper items and how to cook these goodies. Get organised this year and make your Christmas gifts early.
Cost: $21.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Summary of upcoming events – not cooking
Over the next week
- Beeswax wrap workshop: Wednesday, 14th August, 6-8pm; Balwyn North.
- 2040, Join the Regeneration (film): Wednesday, 14th August, 7-8.30pm; Greensborough.
- Jainie on Nuetrog’s ‘Who Flung Dung’: Wednesday, 14th August, 7.30-10pm; Doncaster Garden Club.
- Living The Change (film): Thursday, 15th August, 7-8.30pm; Watsonia Library.
- Mould – a cheese festival: Friday, 16th August, 4-8pm and on Friday, 16th August and Saturday, 17th August, 11am-8pm; Meat Market, North Melbourne.
- The art of espalier: Saturday, 17th August, 9.30am-midday; Bulleen Art and Garden.
- Tree planting day for the Warr Park Food Forest: Saturday, 17th August, 10am-midday; Brunswick Neighbourhood House.
- Beekeeper buzz: Saturday, 17th August, 11am-2pm; Bunnings, Ringwood.
- Beeswax wraps: Sunday, 18th August, 10am-midday; Park Orchards.
- Kitchen gardens for schools and the community: Sunday, 18th August, 10am-3pm; CERES, Brunswick East.
- Supermarket tour: Monday, 19th August, 4-5.15pm; Surrey Hills.
- 2040, Join the Regeneration (film): Monday, 19th August, 7-8.30pm; Northcote.
Over the next month
- Raised garden beds are for everybody: Thursday, 22nd August, 10.30-11.30am; Fawkner Library.
- Winter pruning workshop: Saturday, 24th August, 9-11am; All Nations Kitchen Garden, Northcote.
- Growing fruit and veggies in small spaces: Saturday, 24th August, 9.30am-12.30pm; Bulleen Art and Garden.
- Beekeeping workshop: Saturday, 24th August, 2-4.30pm; Bee Sustainable, Brunswick East.
- Healthy productive compost and worms: Sunday, 25th August, 9.30am-12.30pm; Bulleen Art and Garden.
- Healthy eating and nutrition: Tuesday, 27th August, midday-1pm; Doncaster East.
- Espresso coffee making workshop: Wednesday, 28th August, 1-4pm; Coburg.
- The French wine and cheese masterclass: Wednesday, 28th August, 7-10pm; Northcote.
- Beeswax wraps and candlemaking workshop: Thursday, 29th August, 10am-midday; Wonga Park.
- Making composting and worm farming easy: Thursday, 29th August, 7-8.30pm; Mill Park Library.
- Organic propagation of vegetables and herbs: Saturday, 31st August, 10am-3pm; CERES, Brunswick East.
- Edible weeds walk: Saturday, 31st August, 10.30am-12.30pm; Merri Creek Trail.
- Edible weeds walk: Saturday, 31st August, 1.30-3.30pm; Merri Creek Trail.
- Beeswax food wraps and candle making workshop: Saturday, 31st August, 2-4pm; Kilsyth.
- Set up and maintain a worm farm: Saturday, 31st August, 3-4pm; Edendale.
- Introduction to horticulture – 9 session course: every Saturday for 9 weeks, starting 31st August, 9.30am-3pm; Edendale.
- Supermarket tour: Sunday, 1st September, 10-11.15am; Surrey Hills.
- Chook keeping and Chooks4Charity: Tuesday, 3rd September, 4.30-6.30pm; Chirnside Park.
- Intermediate fluid art workshop – cheeseboard and coasters: Saturday, 7th September, 9.30-11.30am; Yarra Glen.
- No Waste Cook Club: Saturday, 7th September, 10am-midday; Fitzroy North.
- Taste of Thomo Food Festival: Saturday, 7th September, 10am-2pm; Thomastown Library.
- Bees wax wraps: Saturday, 7th September, 1-3pm; Hurstbridge.
- KABUU working bee: Saturday, 7th September, 1-5pm; Research.
- Portable wicking bed demo and plant sale: Sunday, 8th September, 11.30am-12.30pm; Northcote Library.
- Home composting workshop: Sunday, 8th September, 2-4.30pm; Edendale.
- Organic vegetable gardening (two days): Sunday, 8th September and Sunday, 15th September, both 10am-3pm; CERES, Brunswick East.
- Backyard beekeeping for beginners: Monday, 9th September, 6-7pm; Coburg Library.
- Steve Morris on Circular Food: Wednesday, 11th September, 7.30-10pm; Doncaster Garden Club.
- Bush foods & herbs for courtyards & balconies: Thursday, 12th September, 6.30-9pm; Bulleen Art and Garden.
Summary of upcoming events – cooking
Over the next week
- Tea making: Thursday, 15th August, 11am-midday; Diamond Valley Library.
- Cookie cake and fondant cookies with Emelia Jackson: Thursday, 15th August, 7-9pm; Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
- Miso cooking: Friday, 16th August, 11am-1.30pm; Preston.
- Cooking for one (5 sessions): 5 sessions starting Friday, 16th August, 1-3pm; Chirnside Park.
- Sausage making workshop: Friday, 16th August, 5.30-7pm; Kitchen Warehouse, Preston.
- Cook Indian by the creek: Friday, 16th August, 6.30-8pm; Diamond Creek.
- Cookie cake and fondant cookies with Emelia Jackson: Friday, 16th August, 7-9pm; Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
- Mozzarella and ricotta cheesemaking workshop: Saturday, 17th August, 9-11.30am; Bee Sustainable, Brunswick East.
- Sourdough bread making with Nadine Kemp: Saturday, 17th August, 10am-2.30pm; Lower Templestowe.
- Men in the kitchen: Saturday, 17th August, 11am-1pm; Wonga Park.
- Miso cooking: Saturday, 17th August, 11am-1.30pm; Preston.
- Miso cooking: Sunday, 18th August, 11am-1.30pm; Preston.
Over the next month
- Fermented foods – sauerkraut workshop: Friday, 23rd August, 6-8pm; Surrey Hills.
- Cooking master class – ‘lamb lovers’: Friday, 23rd August, 7-9pm; Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
- Sourdough bread: Saturday, 24th August, 9.30am-12.30pm; Park Orchards.
- Basic knead – beginners to bread: Saturday, 24th August, 10-11.30am; Kitchen Warehouse, Preston.
- Tapas – taste of Spain: Saturday, 24th August, 10-11.30am; Kitchen Warehouse, Box Hill South.
- Seafood paella: Saturday, 24th August, midday-2pm; Kitchen Warehouse, Box Hill South.
- Kinesiology food testing – customise your nutrition: Thursday, 29th August, 7-8.30pm; Wonga Park.
- Cooking master class – ‘meat lovers’: Thursday, 29th August, 7-9pm; Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
- Nonna & Mum’s homestyle cooking class: Thursday, 29th August, 7.30-10.30pm; Thornbury.
- Cook Indian by the creek: Friday, 30th August, 6.30-8pm; Diamond Creek.
- Cooking master class – ‘meat lovers’: Friday, 30th August, 7-9pm; Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
- Pickling basics and techniques: Saturday, 31st August, 10-11.30am; Kitchen Warehouse, Box Hill South.
- Fermenting basics: Saturday, 31st August, 10-11.30am; Kitchen Warehouse, Preston.
- Homemade preserves and jams: Saturday, 31st August, 12.30-2pm; Kitchen Warehouse, Box Hill South.
- Italian cheesemaking workshop: Sunday, 1st September, 1.30-3.30pm; Kitchen Warehouse, Preston.
- Men in the kitchen: Monday, 2nd September, 6.30-9pm; Yarra Glen.
- Delicious desserts (thermomix): Tuesday, 3rd September, 7.30-9pm; Kilsyth.
- Ladies day in the kitchen: Thursday, 5th September, 9.30am-midday; Yarra Glen.
- Asian cooking demonstration: Thursday, 5th September, 11.30am-1pm; Bayswater North.
- Cooking master class – ‘Spring salads’: Thursday, 5th September, 7-9pm; Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
- Seafood paella: Friday, 6th September, 5-7pm; Kitchen Warehouse, Preston.
- Sausage making workshop: Friday, 6th September, 5.30-7pm; Kitchen Warehouse, Box Hill South.
- Cook Indian by the creek: Friday, 6th September, 6.30-8.15pm; Diamond Creek.
- Cooking master class – ‘Spring salads’: Friday, 6th September, 7-9pm; Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
- Knockout gnocchi: Saturday, 7th September, 10-11.30am; Kitchen Warehouse, Preston.
- Miso cooking: Saturday, 7th September, 11am-1.30pm; Preston.
- Handmade pasta workshop: Saturday, 7th September, midday-1.30pm; Kitchen Warehouse, Preston.
- Miso cooking: Sunday, 8th September, 11am-1.30pm; Preston.
- Vegan and gluten-free cooking class: Sunday, 8th September, midday-4pm; Smiths Gully.
- Vegetarian cooking: Tuesday, 10th September, 7-8.30pm; Hawthorn Community House.
- Fermenting community garden produce: Thursday, 12th September, 10am-1pm; Coburg.
- Feastival cooking demonstration: Thursday, 12th September, 11am-midday; Thomastown Library.
- Cooking master class – ‘gluten free’: Thursday, 12th September, 7-9pm; Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
- Cooking master class – ‘gluten free’: Friday, 13th September, 7-9pm; Gourmet Living, Templestowe.