Marina Bistrin writes about no dig gardening
On 15th May, Marina Bistrin ran a workshop at St Johns Riverside Community Garden on the subject of no-dig gardening. After reading her notes, I thought that they would be a worthy addition to the website and Marina has kindly agreed. As she says in her introduction “No-dig gardening was developed by Esther Dean in Australia – by sheet mulching and laying down layers of materials that decompose to make new soil. This is an easy and cheap way of growing plants over lawn (grass) or weeds – no digging is involved. It also uses waste products – rather than going into landfill or recycling (which involves extra energy expenditure and expense).” She then goes on to discuss: no dig basics; excluding light; laying cardboard down; difficult weeds; cover crops; paths as water reservoirs; and useful links. Read her full article.
A new egg producer – Belleview Farm
Belleview Farm have been added to the Local Food Directory. Located in Park Orchards, they sell chicken, duck, goose and quail eggs at their farm (weekends only), Park Orchard’s Farmer’s Market, Warrandyte Community Riverside Market and Yarra Valley Farmers’ Market. View their entry.
There are now three egg producers in the directory, the other two being Doreen Egg Farm and Top Hundred Acres.
Yummy Gardens – who sell live chickens – have also been added to the directory. The picture on the right is of two chickens – Milly and Tilly – that I recently bought from them, hoping to end our egg drought. View their entry.
No room at the homestead
The introduction to fruit trees workshop at Carome Homestead on 28th May is now fully booked so don’t go unless you have previously booked.
Organising a major event and want to advertise it across Melbourne?
Weekend Notes is a website & newsletter which covers all types of events across Melbourne. It usually costs $75 to list an event but “charity events with an average ticket price under $50 and free community-run events are eligible for submission to the suggestion box at no charge.“. It appears that quite a lot of people read Weekend Notes. For example, last year we submitted a free entry for Eltham Farmers’ Market’s 1st birthday and 1,500 people reportedly read the article.
Lesley Mitchell has recently submitted a review of Eltham Farmers’ Market to Weekend Notes which you might like to have a look at.
New events
Vegetarian and vegan food truck event
What: Bringing the best in Melbourne’s vegetarian and vegan street food vendors, this street food event is set to please all foodie lovers. Their lineup will include: Rice and Dice, Vegilicious, Woking Amazing, Boho Blends, Jerry’s Vegiburgers, Dolly’s Sister Vegan Cafe & Bar, Von’s Vegan Bake House, Bomba Wood Fired Pizza, The Butter Thief and Grace Café, Fitzroy.
When: both Friday, 3rd June, 5-10pm, and Saturday, 4th June, midday-10pm.
Where: Preston.
Cost: free entry.
Bookings: Just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Prune for June
What: The native citrus gall wasp has colonised citrus trees across Melbourne. Go along and find out how to prune your trees and learn about apprpriate disposal methods during the winter months.
When: Saturday, 4th June, 10-11.30am (Bayswater North); Sunday, 12th June, 2-3pm (Carlton); and Thursday, 16th June, 6-7pm (Carlton).
Where: Bayswater North and Carlton.
Cost: free entry (Bayswater North) or $2 (Carlton).
Bookings: Contact Kaye Roberts-Palmer by email.
Further information: Save Our Citrus Melbourne Facebook page.
Winter Wine Fest
What: Enjoy wine and food in warm and cosy settings. Celebrate with 5+ family-owned boutique Nillumbik wineries. The details are yet to be announced but the wineries are expected to include Hildebrand Ridge Organic Winery, Nillumbik Estate, Panton Hill Vineyard & Winery, Shaws Road Winery and Yarrambat Estate Vineyard.
When: both Saturday, 18th June, 11am-5pm, and Sunday, 19th June, 11am-5pm.
Where: various around Nillumbik.
Cost: free entry.
Bookings: Just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Summary of upcoming events
Over the next week
- Heide’s kitchen garden: Wednesday, 25th May, 11am-midday.
- Waste free, smarter living: Wednesday, 25th May, 7-9pm.
- Organic pest control: Wednesday, 25th May, 7-9pm.
- Winter gardening: Thursday, 26th May, 10.30-11.30am.
- Habitat gardens – how to attract birds and reptiles: Saturday, 28th May, 10.30am-1pm.
- Bees, beekeeping and a bee-friendly garden: Saturday, 28th May, 1.30-2.30pm.
- Permablitz 181 (Kilsyth): Sunday, 29th May, 9am-4.30pm.
- Worm farms: Monday, 30th May, 11.30am-1.30pm.