Do you have an unwanted tree or bush?
Velyne is after a small tree or large bush to fill a space in front of a window. Have you got one that she could have? She is happy to dig it out and take it away. Contact Velyne by email.
Mooroolbark Urban Harvest in the news
Mooroolbark Urban Harvest are in the June issue of Living Today.
Have you any reusable bags you could give Eltham Farmers’ Market?
In line with the Plastic Free July initiative, Eltham Farmers’ Market is aiming to become plastic bag free. As a first step, we have introduced hessian bags for sale. To complement this, we plan to investigate setting up a ‘Boomerang Bags’ bag-share box: the box will be available at the market and will be stocked with re-usable bags for customers to borrow if they have forgotten to bring their own, hopefully returning them at the following market. It would be brilliant if you could help us set this up by donating any spare fabric or other reusable bags. Or by donating any spare fabric from which we can make some bags. Please contact Felicity Gordon by email.
Do you want to manage a fortnightly compost bin at Eltham Farmers’ Market?
The market generates a fair amount of compostable waste material which currently gets put in a standard bin. We would like to establish a compost bin. The idea is that the contents of the bin would be available to someone to take home after each market (within, say, 24 hours of the market), so long as they committed to doing so over a period of markets. Could you be that someone? Please contact us by email.
Local food producer news
Warrandyte-based PoppySmack are taking a temporary break from the Eltham Farmers’ Market. But they will continue to be at Warrandyte Community Riverside Market and Hanh has also organised for her Asian sauces to be available from: Bolton Street Deli & Liquor, Eltham; Eltham Deli; and Fish Pier, Doncaster East.
Talking about Bolton Street Deli & Liquor, they are now stocking Wonga Park-based J.B. Shackleton’s marmalade. As some of you will know, Lachlan Shackleton-Fergus won two Gold medals in the 2015 World’s Original Marmalade Competition and his marmalade really is delicious.
Bolton Street Deli & Liquor now stocks products from 20 local food producers around North East Melbourne. That is more than double the number of any other shop!,
The origin of crops
Have a look at this interactive map of the origin of crops. Or have a look at the non-interactive graphic on the right. The original version did not include the all-important macadamia nut(!), but thankfully this has been included in the interactive version. Thanks to Montmorency Community Group for the link.
New events
Winter fruit tree maintenance and pruning
What: It’s hard to learn how to look after trees from diagrams and descriptions in books so come along to this suburban garden which boasts over 30 fruit trees of different varieties, all in varying stages of maturity. From traditionally grown trees to espaliered and vines, the garden in Donvale provides a valuable teaching tool to discuss winter fruit tree maintenance. This includes pruning, as well as the regimes used for keeping pesky insects and fungal issues at bay. You will help prune various trees as you start to recognise unproductive wood, fruiting spurs and cross-overs, so you get to take home this experience to work on your own trees at home. See how to make up sprays and learn how to use them for maximum effectiveness in conjunction for caring for the soil. They will also discuss the difference between pruning in winter and in summer and when to do what.
When: Sunday, 17th July, 1.30-4.30pm.
Where: Donvale.
Cost: $50.
Enquiries: Maria Ciavarella by phone (0424 083057) or email.
Creating Eden in small spaces
What: Do you only have a small garden or no garden at all? Would you still like to grow your own food? Karen Sutherland, from Edible Eden Design will show you different options – such as pallet gardens – as well as information about plant choices, space-saving plants and combining both productive and ornamental plants.
When: Tuesday, 19th July, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Greensborough.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Dione Fisher by phone (9434 3809) or email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Preserving basics: make your own jams, pickles and relishes
What: Learn how to preserve fruit and veggies safely, using a variety of techniques. These techniques can be used on most fruit and veggies so that you will learn to make your own preserves, with no artificial additives and nasty numbers. No preserving background is assumed as they go through how to prevent food spoilage using the preserving methods of bottling, jam-making, pickling and making relishes. Dehydrating is also demonstrated. They cover the jars and lids to use, safe storage and use. The workshop is fully hands-on, where you are involved from the processes from start to finish. All the preserves made on the day get taken home by everyone.
When: Friday, 22nd July, 10am-1pm.
Where: Donvale.
Cost: $70.
Enquiries: Maria Ciavarella by phone (0424 083057) or email.
Preserving with citrus
What: Winter brings an abundance of citrus so now is the best time to make preserves that will see you through the rest of the year. If you like marmalades and have never tried to make them before, now is the time! They will be using a variety of techniques with seasonal citrus. No preserving background is assumed as they go through how to prevent food spoilage using the preserving methods. They will cover the jars and lids to use, safe storage and use. The workshop is fully hands-on, where you are involved from the processes from start to finish.
When: Wednesday, 10th August, 10am-1pm.
Where: Donvale.
Cost: $70.
Enquiries: Maria Ciavarella by phone (0424 083057) or email.
Aquaponic gardens
What: Join Paul Jonas from Grow Aquaponics as he advises plants and fish to use in aquaponics and the exciting future of food production.
When: Tuesday, 16th August, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Greensborough.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Dione Fisher by phone (9434 3809) or email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Common garden medicine making
What: Led by qualified Naturopath, Naabi Methe. Learn how to harvest and prepare a variety of common garden herbs, weeds and kitchen ingredients to make and take home your own home remedies to soothe everyday complaints. Materials supplied.
When: Saturday, 20th August, 1-4pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: $50 ($40 concession).
Enquiries/Bookings: Naabi Methe by phone (0431 893577).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Winter garden maintenance
What: Winter is a great time to think about the maintenance of your fruit trees – it’s not all about pruning. Join Maria Ciavarella, from My Green Garden, to find out how to prevent those pesky insects and diseases which can afflict your fruit trees.
When: Tuesday, 23rd August, 11am-midday.
Where: Watsonia.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Watsonia Library by phone (9088 3417).
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Summary of upcoming events
Over the next week
- Cooking with winter vegetables – Italian style: Wednesday, 22nd June, 6-8pm.
- Change makers (Banyule): Wednesday, 22nd June, 6-9pm.
- Backyard chooks for beginners: Saturday, 25th June, 10am-midday.
- Composting workshop and solstice afternoon tea: Sunday, 26th June, 1-4pm.
- Winter in the veggie garden: Wednesday, 29th June, 7-9pm.
Over the next month
- Bush tucker: Friday, 8th July, 2-3pm.
- Soil matters: Saturday, 16th July, 2-4.30pm.
- Winter fruit tree maintenance and pruning: Sunday, 17th July, 1.30-4.30pm.
- Creating Eden in small spaces: Tuesday, 19th July, 11.30am-12.30pm.
- Preserving basics – make your own jams, pickles and relishes: Friday, 22nd July, 10am-1pm.
- Winter garden party: Sunday, 24th July, 11am-3pm.