Now that the shortest day has past and there is the promise of spring in the air, we have launched our 2009 program of garden workshops, so come and join us!
As well as plotting and planning for the spring, there has been a lot of discussion and consultation about the Maribyrnong Council Plan, and now food security issues have been incorporated into the new document.
All this and more below - and please feel free to contact me, Pamela Morgan, Maribyrnong Fruit and Veg for All Project Coordinator, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings, on 9688 0169, or email pamela.morgan@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

This is the third year of the ‘Gardening in Maribyrnong program’. This year, we’ve included new workshops on sustainability, perennial gardening, fruit trees and grafting. Of course, we still have the old favourites like wood fired pizzas and veggie gardening but with some new twists that will make them interesting for everyone! There are a dozen workshops and activities on offer, so why not sign-up for one or two, or even all of them?

The Maribyrnong Council Plan 2009-13, and the Annual Action Plan 2009-10 adopted by Council on 30 June 2009, include references to food security, or access to healthy and affordable foods, and a number of strategies to improve access.

The annual VicHealth Food for All Forum was held in Swan Hill in July this year on the theme of ‘Securing the Future’.
Speakers and presenters covered themes of sustainable food supplies for healthy communities, future sustainability of food security programs in local government, and recent research in the field. All presentations are now available on the VicHealth website.

It is a bit hard to imagine just now, but the hot weather will return and we will have to start watering the garden again. An independent laboratory, Lanfax, has a report on the sodium and potassium content of washing machine detergents. Check the Lanfaz Report on Washing Machine Detergents (PDF Format 143 kb) to choose a safe option so you can recycle the water from your washing machine without causing damage to your soil.

The latest edition of the Urban Agriculture magazine, on the theme of Building Resilient Cities has an article by Australian authors, Kirsten Larsen and Fiona Baker-Reid. They advocate for guidelines for incorporating food production into urban planning (PDF Format 3.34 MB), following the model of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD).

The City of London has little vacant land, but particularly with the current economic crisis there are a number of vacant building sites. The Council are exploring the possibility of  using huge grow bags on these sites to provide garden allotment space in the city.

Very Edible Gardens have a range of courses over the coming months, running out of the Yarraville Community Centre. These include sessions on drought proofing your garden, starting with chickens, and a host more interesting topics. Fees are charged. Check their calendar.

Spring Cleaning: the eco-friendly way, Sunday 23 August, 11am-1pm,
Braybrook Community Centre
Gardening in Small Spaces and Containers, Sunday 6 September, 11am-3pm
Braybrook Community Centre
Cook Pizzas in a Wood Fired Oven, Sunday 20 September, 11am-3pm
Maidstone Community Centre – lunch included

Footscray Community Arts Centre. This group is really taking off – come and be part of it – all welcome. 6-8pm. Contact Melanie for more information - melhenkel@powvic.org
Visit their website at http://www.powvic.org.

Meet outside Grasslands Organic Grocery, 211 Nicholson Street, Footscray, first Saturday of every month, to swap any excess produce from your garden and share your secrets of success.

Permablitzes are starting to take off in the West. Come and help transform this garden, learn and have fun at the same time, and once you have helped at 3 you can put your own place forward for others to come and help you. Check the Permablitz website for details. http://www.permablitz.net/.

Monthly public workshops resume on the September 24th, after a break for the winter months.  6pm - 8.30pm. Cost $25. Light supper provided. Meet at Footscray Baptist church, 60 Paisley Street, Footscray. Find out more at http://www.ethical.org.au/swac.