More on how to keep your worms cool
In last week’s newsletter, Fay gave some tips about how to keep the worms in your worm farm cool. Jane Trikojus responds: “Another simple way to get worms through heat waves is to remove the bottom liquid-collecting tray and place the worm farm on the soil. The worms will travel down into the much cooler dirt when necessary and up again to feed. Should be in the shade for summer.”
Buy some delicious mangoes and support a worthy cause
Each year Hurstbridge Learning Co-operative organises a mango fundraiser. In a nutshell – $25/box, each box 6kg, delivery some time in December (confirmed closer to the time). $5 from each box sold goes to Hurstbridge Learning Co-operative Primary School).
New ‘urban harvest share-meet’ at Box Hill South
Whitehorse Urban Harvest are starting a new, monthly ‘urban harvest share-meet’ at Box Hill South – take your homegrown produce, plants, seedlings, etc to share with other local food gardeners. 11am-12.30pm, every 3rd Saturday in the month, Neighbourhood House, 47 Kitchener Street, Box Hill South.
They will also be continuing at Forest Hill: 10am-midday, every 3rd Saturday in the month, Horticulture Centre, 82 Jolimont Road, Forest Hill.
New events
Angelo Eliades free talks
What: Throughout October and November, Angelo Eliades, from Deep Green Permaculture, will be giving a free talk every Thursday at 11am: Oct 15 – succession planting; Oct 22 – achieving a bountiful harvest; Oct 29 – tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes (and basil); Nov 5 – growing herbs indoors; Nov 12 – maintaining beneficial insects in the garden.
When: Each Thursday in October and Novermber, 11am-midday.
Where: Bulleen Art & Garden Nursery.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: BAAG by phone (8850 3030).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Moreland Community Gardens mega tour
What: Tour 6 quite different community gardens and see a variety of approaches to growing food in the community. At each stop on the tour, you will hear about the garden setup, people and story then have a wander around and a chance to ask questions. The 6 gardens are: Mulberry Garden, Glenroy; West Brunswick Community Garden and Food Forest; Saxon Street Community Garden, Brunswick; Luscombe Street Community Garden, Brunswick; CERES Community Garden, East Brunswick; and Merri Corner Community Garden, East Brunswick.
When: Saturday, 24th October, 10.30am-3pm.
Where: Mulberry Garden, Glenroy.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: by email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Food swap at Wonga Park primary school fair
What: This once-off food swap is part of Wonga Park Primary School’s School Fair which is, in turn, part of the school’s 120 Year Celebration. The swap will be held in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden area. The fair itself will have an extensive market area, other food stalls, plant stall, preserves stall, rides, circus entertainment, children’s craft activities, pony rides and will culminate in a beautiful lantern parade. As it is the celebration of their 120th anniversary, there will be lots of historic photos and memorabilia.
When: Saturday, 24th October, 3-5pm.
Where: Wonga Park Primary School.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Jenny Kelly by email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Growing vegetables in your garden
What: Presented by Maria Ciavarella from My Green Garden. Learn to put your garden to good use to grow some delicious summer vegies. Maria will give you advice on how to get your veggie patch started as well as tips on the best vegies to grow over the warmer months. Be prepared to get your hands dirty as you will take home some seeds to get growing in your own garden.
When: Monday, 9th November, 10.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Thomastown Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Thomastown Library by phone (9464 1864) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Summary of all upcoming events
Over the next week
- Succession planting: Thursday, 15th October, 11am-midday.
- Spring fair & plant sale: Saturday, 17th October, 9am-3pm.
- Sourdough bread making workshop: Saturday, 17th October, 10am-1pm.
- Open Cellars of Nillumbik Wineries: Saturday, 17th October, 11am-5pm.
- The Rabbit Ramble meets Practiculture Picnic: Sunday, 18th October, 10am-3pm.
- Practically Green Festival: Sunday, 18th October, 10am-4pm.
- Open Cellars of Nillumbik Wineries: Sunday, 18th October, 11am-5pm.
- Vegetable seedling propagation (Diamond Valley Library): Tuesday, 20th October, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Over the next month
- Achieving a bountiful harvest: Thursday, 22nd October, 11am-midday.
- Successful and sustainable vegetable gardening: Thursday, 22nd October, 2-3pm.
- Hurstbridge Learning Coop Primary School permablitz: Saturday, 24th October, 9am-4.30pm.
- Biodynamic farm visits: Saturday, 24th October, starting at 9am.
- Melbourne Cheese Festival: Saturday, 24th October, 10am-5pm.
- Moreland Community Gardens mega tour: Saturday, 24th October, 10am-3pm.
- Authentic Asian cooking: Saturday, 24th October, 11am-1pm.
- Food swap at Wonga Park primary school fair: Saturday, 24th October, 3-5pm.
- Setting up and maintaining a worm farm: Saturday, 24th October, 3-5pm.
- Plant identification workshop: grasses: Sunday, 25th October, 1-3pm.
- Wicking bed workshop: Sunday, 25th October, 2-4.30pm.
- Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes (and basil): Thursday, 29th October, 11am-midday.
- Backyard chooks for beginners: Saturday, 31st October, 2-4pm.
- Growing and using Asian greens: Tuesday, 3rd November, 7.15-9.15pm.
- Growing herbs indoors: Thursday, 5th November, 11am-midday.
- Growing vegetables in your garden: Monday, 9th November, 10.30am-12.30pm.