LFC News September 6 2017

Sep 062017
 

Mac’s tip of the week

“So it’s officially Spring according to the calender. However, to state the obvious, it’s still like Winter out there. Although you can now purchase tomatoes and other Spring seedings in certain outlets, my tip is not to rush in yet. To get growth you need a run of warmer days to heat the soil and, from a person with dirty hands, I can tell you that the soil is still very, very cold. Let’s wait and see but maybe this year Spring planting time should be closer to Melbourne Cup. It’s a great time to prep. the patches though.”

Local food news

My Little Country Kitchen, from Kinglake West, will have a stall at the Diamond Creek Rotary Town Fair on Saturday, 9th September.

Backyard Honey’s pure, raw, natural beeswax is currently for sale at $16.50 per kilo (not $15 per kilo, as previously stated).

Volumes Cafe, in Eltham, has closed down.

More on your salt intake

Tilly Velthuis has written in to suggest that not all medical scientists agree that high salt intake is a health hazard, citing this article.

For those of you who, like me, are interested in the underlying statistical issues, have a look at the Wikipedia articles on correlation does not imply causation and the Hill’s criteria for causation.

Incredible Edible Todmorden (continued)

Last week, I said that the two co-founders of Incredible Edible Todmorden, Pam Warhurst and Mary Clear, are both brilliant public speakers and provided a link to a video of Pam. Here is a link to a video of Mary giving a very amusing talk (13 minutes).

Urban agriculture’s role in resilient city food systems

Sophie Jackson, from the Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL) at The University of Melbourne, is working on project that asks home or community gardeners to answer a simple survey about what food they grow, how much they grow, and what kind of inputs they use to grow it. Your garden doesn’t need to be amazing to participate, they are interested in all food gardens, of all sizes, and of any level of productivity. For more info, and to complete the survey, visit their website.

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

Unpack the salt.

Every newsletter needs a good picture

Giuseppe Arcimboldo was an Italian painter who, although he lived during the Renaissance, painted in a completely different style, focussed on portrait heads made entirely of fruits and vegetables. Many of his paintings are reversible, meaning that they look completely different upside down.

This painting, plus others from previous newsletters, have now been brought together into a food art page.

Gardening quote of the month

Submitted by Sue Sedelies: To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow., by Audrey Hepburn.

Joke of the week

Why was the cheesemonger lopsided? Because she only had one Stilton.

Read all the jokes.

New events

Making waxed food wraps

What: Apart from protecting food, what can they be used for? Suggested donation $5 if you are taking home a few wraps. You can bring your own favourite materials or use those provided.
When: Wednesday, 13th September, 7-9pm.
Where: Watsonia Neighbourhood House.
Cost: gold coin donation.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Teen cooking – gingerbread house

What: Learn how to make your own gingerbread cookie dough. Build a great gingerbread house and decorate it yourself. Take it home with the recipe and share the eating with your family and friends.
When: Thursday, 28th September, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Living & Learning Nillumbik at Diamond Creek.
Cost: $43.
Bookings: their website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Australian City Farms & Community Gardens Network annual gathering

What: The Australian City Farms & Community Gardens Network (ACFCGN) organises an annual gathering of city farmers and community gardeners to share stories, network and renew friendships. Program highlights: 10:00am — What is ACFCGN — benefits and history; 10:20am — Garden introductions from those present; 11:45am — Workshop session 1 (options – bees in the community garden; chooks in the community garden; and governance style session to be decided on in the morning) and 2:00pm — Workshop session 2. On the following day (Sunday), there will be a tour of community gardens around Geelong. On the previous evening (Friday), there will be a Tamil feast, at which Costa Georgiadis will be present.
When: Saturday, 7th October, 9.30am-4.45pm.
Where: CERES.
Cost: $48.
Bookings / Further information: Eventbrite.

Span Community House open day

What: A new community compost program will be launched in Span’s community garden. Free workshops and taster classes will be held (bookings required – ring 9480 1364), including a workshop on making an insect hotel as well as health and wellbeing activities such as yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates. A dog show will be held at midday. There will be market stalls, cooking demonstrations, food, a sausage sizzle, art exhibitions, kids activities and tennis coaching. Also, check out Span’s community garden and learn more about what Span has to offer. If you wish to run an activity or a free stall please contact Span.
When: Saturday, 14th October, 10am-2pm.
Where: Thornbury.
Cost: free.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

The age old art of preserving – bottling, jams, pickles & chutneys

What: What you will learn: how to select, re-use and sterilise suitable jars; how to use standard kitchen equipment to make preserves, without needing to buy specialist items; and how to bottle fruit, and make jams, pickles and relishes and the science behind the techniques. What you will get: recipes all of the preserves made; and small (new) jars of the 4 preserves made on the day. Learn how to preserve the seasonal abundance of fruits and veggies safely, using a variety of techniques. These techniques can be used on most fruit and veggies so that you learn to make your own delicious preserves, with no artificial additives and nasty numbers. No preserving background is assumed as you go through the science of how to prevent food spoilage using the preserving methods of bottling, jam-making, pickling and making relishes or chutneys using beautiful seasonal produce. Dehydrating is also demonstrated.
When: Saturday, 21st October, 10am-1.15pm.
Where: Donvale.
Cost: $75.
Bookings / Further information: WeTeachMe.

Introduction to horticulture – 9 session course

What: Every Monday for 9 weeks. This 9-week hands-on course will introduce you to a range of topics in the field of horticulture. Places in the course are government-subsidised, so it is a great starting point for people thinking about turning their passion into a career in horticulture, or simply for home food growers who want to learn more – only $130 for a 9-session course! No prior experience is necessary. Working as a team with fellow participants, you will gain a broad overview and practical, hands-on experience such topics as: introduction to plant recognition; propagation; planting; soil properties; environmentally sustainable work practices; and career pathways/further study in the horticulture industry. You will spend a lot of time outdoors (getting your hands dirty!) under the leadership of an experienced trainer and horticulturalist, along with some time in the classroom learning basic theory and exploring study pathways. The course will be run by Justin Calverley.
When: Mondays, 23rd October to 18th December, 9.30am-3pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: $130 for all 9 sessions ($73 concession).
Bookings: their website.
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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