LFC News November 15 2017

Nov 152017
 

Mac’s tip of the week

“With the recent burst of hot weather, it’s all about keeping water levels up on your veggie patch. If you have an irrigation system in place, it’s time to switch it on. If not, you need to be on the end of a hose most mornings if temperatures are forecast to be above, say, 25. Sure you can water in the evenings after work, which is a nice way to unwind, but humidity overnight can sometimes encourage fungal problems. Water thoroughly, rather than a light mist. Wilting at the end of a hot day is normal – it’s what your plants look like in the evening and morning that counts. Regular moisture levels is the key; to check, a finger in the soil is better than a stick.”

Editor’s note: check out the following article that Mac wrote for the SGA website a few years ago: a busy person’s guide to watering systems for vegetable gardening. Also, check out the following article that Robin Gale-Baker, from Sustainable Macleod, contributed to our website: the art of watering.

Read all of Mac’s tips.

Incredible Edible Eltham news

The edible food garden on the railway station platform is now officially open! The opening event featured a veritable panoply of speakers:

  • Vicki Ward, local MP.
  • Peter Clarke, local Councillor and Mayor.
  • Sean Spencer, CEO, healthAbility.
  • Chris Chapple, President, Local Food Connect.
  • Felicity Gordon, project artist.
  • Paul Gale-Baker, lead builder.
  • Paul Morland, lead builder.

The first produce (a radish) has been harvested! It was given to Vicki Ward in appreciation of her support!

Last week, I was interviewed on Plenty Valley FM. If you want to listen to the interview, go to the Incredible Edible Eltham page on our website and click the play symbol on the second line. Incidentally, the person who interviewed me, Bill McGillivray, is also (I think) President of Nillumbik Garden Club.

After an Eventbrite event finishes, they send the organiser an ‘official sales recap’. Ours said: “Your top cities for ticket buyers are Adelaide, Melbourne and Heidelberg. Focus your future marketing efforts in these top cities.” As Meat Loaf could have said: one out of three ain’t bad.

Park Orchards Market is now 8 years old

Park Orchards Market will be celebrating its eighth birthday on Saturday, 18th November. The festivities will include a cake ceremony, children’s entertainment, lolly bags and balloons.

Other local food news

Backyard Honey, from Surrey Hills, will be at the Crafty Christmas Market in Collingwood on Sunday, 26th November. They will be selling their raw, unheated Melbourne multi-floral honey and Victorian varietal honey plus their 500g bees wax blocks. You can also order the bees wax blocks by email.

PoppySmack, from Warrandyte, will be at the SpringFeast Food & Market Festival on Sunday, 26th November.

That’s Amore Cheese, from Thomastown, will be at the Night Market at Queen Victoria Market for the next five months.

Sugarloaf Produce, from Strathewen, will no longer be a stallholder at St Andrews Market: “The St Andrews Market Association decided we would be too much of a threat to the existing fruit and veg sellers at the market if we were allowed to sell everything we grow. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t profitable enough for us with the restricted range. We are pretty gutted as Wal’s dad sold at the market for many years and we were keen to keep the tradition going.”

FoodChecker

FoodChecker is a new online way to assess foods and drinks against Victorian food and drink guidelines. You can assess your existing menu, products and recipes, or use FoodChecker to plan future menus and find GREEN and AMBER products. Thanks for the heads up, healthAbility.

Which link was clicked most times in last week’s newsletter?

Produce with a Purpose’s Spring garden party.

Joke of the week

Did you hear the joke about the butter? I can’t tell you, you might spread it.

Read all the jokes.

New events

Design a potager garden (two sessions)

What: Learn general design principles suitable for making a community garden. In this workshop, Elspeth Brock will take a look at potager gardens: garden spaces that are both useful and aesthetically pleasing. She will also touch on permaculture kitchen garden designs and food forests. All three garden designs are suitable for both community gardens or for trying out at home.
When: Saturdays, 18th & 25th November, both 10am-12:30pm.
Where: Brunswick Neighbourhood House.
Cost: $35 ($30 concession).
Bookings: Brunswick Neighbourhood House by phone (9386 9418) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Cooking master class

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: prawn pasta salad; tangy tamarind salmon; and berry & passionfruit Eton mess.
When: Friday, 24th November, 7-9pm.
Where: Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
Cost: $42.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Gardening for biodiversity and tour of LaTrobe Wildlife Sanctuary

What: Learn how to create an indigenous garden at your place. Then take a guided tour of the LaTrobe Wildlife Sanctuary.
When: Saturday, 25th November, 10am-1pm.
Where: La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary.
Cost: free.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Local Fine Foods celebrates one year

What: The activities will include: tastings by Maya ‘Xala Honey and Under The Pickle Tree; Karen and Ross, from My Kitchen Rules, cooking up a storm; sausage sizzle; and, for the kids, face painting, balloons and a big bubble station. All proceeds will be donated to the family of a 6-year-old girl just diagnosed with cancer.
When: Saturday, 25th November, 11am-1pm.
Where: Diamond Creek.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Cooking master class

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: Moroccan couscous salad; honey citrus chicken; and banana puff pastry tart.
When: Thursday, 30th November, 7-9pm.
Where: Gourmet Living, Templestowe.
Cost: $42.
Bookings: EventBrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Plan, buy, cook – how to avoid food waste this Christmas

What: Avoid festive season stress with good mean planning. Learn how to shop with minimal waste, cater for Christmas parties, store leftovers, and serve Christmas meals whilst minimising food waste. Get some great tips about safe food handling and edible gifts. Gaby and Jen from Plan Buy Cook will show you how. Bookings essential.
When: Wednesday, 6th December, 6.30-8.30pm.
Where: Epping.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Sylvia Turk by phone (9401 0509).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

View the complete calendar of upcoming events.

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