New guide to buying local fruit
Like Vladimir, I have been waiting for a latter day Godot to write some guides to local fruit and veggies. But unlike Vladimir I have become impatient with waiting and, stimulated by a weekend visit to some of the local fruit growers, I have decided to write the guides myself. This month’s guide covers fruit and next month’s will cover veggies (unless Godot turns up).
To summarise the local fruit situation: there are around 10 local fruit farmers and, collectively, they grow a full range of fruit. Most, however, specialise in growing one or two fruit, with only 2 farms (Just Picked and Kookaberry Strawberry Farm) growing a wide range. The net result is that, whilst each farm has particular outlets where its produce can be purchased, there are only a few places where a wide variety of local fruit can be obtained: notably the Just Picked farm gate and Eltham Farmers’ Market (Apteds, Just Picked, Spirli Strawberries and The Cherry Boys).
Two bonus byproducts, both effectively extracted from The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia by Louis Glowinski (available from most bookshops):
Finally, read the other guides to local food: cheese, chocolate, marmalade/jam, mushrooms, seedlings and wine.
New signage at the planter box on Main Road, Eltham (outside Nillumbik Health)
The new signage is thanks to Felicity Gordon, a local artist and longstanding member of Local Food Connect. Pretty swish, eh?
Note the green germinating seedling to the left of the “eat well for health” words, and as a separate picture above on the right. This is the copy of a stencil which is also on some of the other local planter boxes and community gardens. The idea is that the use of a common symbol symbolises for the public that all the community gardening initiatives are related. As discussed on our website there are 7 other supporting stencils, which illustrate various veggies and fruit, and we also have various coloured paints that can be used. Please email us if you would like to use these stencils.
New recipe: oaty and fruity muesli bar
Fay Loveland has sent in another recipe, this time for oaty and fruity muesli bars.
The recipe uses dried fruit. Our Fowlers Ultimate Dehydrator is currently available for free if you would like to dry any fruit.
New events
Decorating Easter treats – demonstration
What: Irene Williams, from the Victorian Cake Decorating Society, will provide tips and tricks on decorating Easter cupcakes and Easter eggs.
When: Thursday, 17th March, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Thomastown.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Thomastown Library by phone (9464 1864) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Vietnamese cooking and costume show
What: Enjoy a taste of Vietnamese culture with a cooking demonstration with the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association, followed by a Vietnamese traditional costume show.
When: Monday, 21st March, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Thomastown.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Thomastown Library by phone (9464 1864) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Hurstbridge Garden Club 2016 speakers and topics
What:
2 Feb 2016: Lydia Heap on frolicking frogs.
2 Mar 2016: Ryan Young on healthy soils.
5 Apr 2016: Sue Evans on healing herbs of the 1st Fleet.
3 May 2016: Ian Culbard on permaculture design and practice.
7 Jun 2016: Cheryl on miniature landscaping with succulents.
5 Jul 2016: Speaker from the Clivea Society on clivea clues.
2 Aug 2016: Short talks from local speakers; AGM and 11th anniversary.
6 Sep 2016: Bill Aitchison on acacias for the home garden.
4 Oct 2016: Maria Ciavarella on seed saving and hands-on sowing.
1 Nov 2016: pelargonium and geranium show’n’share.
6 Dec 2016: Melissa Thomas on garden art; Christmas party.
When: first Tuesday of each month, 7.15-9.15pm.
Where: Hurstbridge.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Cheryl Lowe by phone (0481 362242) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Summary of upcoming events
Over the next week
- Permablitz 177 (Surrey Hills): Sunday, 24th January, 9am-4.30pm.
Over the next month
- Backyard chooks for beginners: Saturday, 6th February, 10am-midday.
- Watsonia Home Gardening Group inaugural meeting: Saturday, 6th February, midday-2pm.
- Romance month – who loves chocolate?: Tuesday, 9th February, 11am-midday.
- Yum Cha cooking demonstration: Tuesday, 9th February, 7-8.30pm.
- Cheese-making demonstration: Wednesday, 10th February, 11am-midday.
- West African cooking with Desiree: Wednesday, 10th February, 2-3pm.
- Compost concoctions: Thursday, 11th February, 11am-midday.
- Soil matters: Saturday, 13th February, 2-4.30pm.
- Let’s cook, the Chinese way: Monday, 15th February, 1-2.30pm.
- Jane Edmanson – preparing for winter planting: Tuesday, 16th February, 11.30am-12.30pm.