Mar
19
Tue
Soil Series – How soil health affects pests volumes & food nutrition levels
Mar 19 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Soil Series - How soil health affects pests volumes & food nutrition levels

We have had soil wrong for a long time. Find out how to get it right! We know that soil is the fundamental building block for life on the planet, yet we have managed to lose two thirds of the glue, called humus, that holds our soil together and keeps it healthy. Soil health plays a major role in all manner of gardening challenges and successes and this session will enthuse you to actively grow soil. Soil humus levels should be at 5% of soil volume, but with an average level of a paltry 1.5%, we need to lift our game. Why? Lifting the humus level by just 1% will increase the water holding capacity of 1sqM of soil 200mm deep by 17 litres.

This talk will explain how increasing the humus levels not only helps water retention in the soil you grow your vegetables in, but can affect the amount and frequency of pests that invade your patch and the density of nutrients in the food that you produce. The hour-long session will also show you some simple ways you can test the health of your soil and provide you with some practical approaches you can incorporate to help your crops be pest free, nutrient dense and full of real flavour.

This session is taken by Craig Castree and is part of a Masterclass Series “Growing the Foundation Soil Series”. Other topics include – Perennial Food Growing, No Dig Gardening and Mulch and Organic Matter Application Explained, Biochar 101.

About the presenter – Craig Castree is an award-winning Horticulturist of 45 years’ experience at growing his own food organically and creating edible gardens. He is a Published author 5 books all pointed toward being self sufficient on an urban block. You will have no doubt seen him on channel 7TWO on Vasilis Garden as one of the regular presenters, or heard him speaking on 3AW, and on 88.3 Southern FM, or read his articles in the Royal Horticultural Gardeners Gazette. Now see him here…..

Mar
21
Thu
Soil Series – Biochar 101
Mar 21 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Soil Series - Biochar 101

In this Biochar 101 session we will explore the history, use, creation and application of this material to keep soil healthy and grow food. Discovered in the Amazon, biochar soil called Terra Preta (black soil) helped the indigenous civilisation maintain soil fertility in largely infertile soils. So this form of charcoal which is becoming increasingly popular is nothing new, its has been used for 1000’s of years to help implore soil fertility.

This session will explain why, what we can learn from this and how to use biochar in our own gardens. More specificaly, this workshop will explain the benefits biochar provides for both plants and soil, how you can make it at home, will point to some good references and discusses the potential for its use at a larger scale in agriculture including how it can help reverse global warming.

This session is presented by Adrian Whitehouse and is the last in the Masterclass Series “Growing the Foundation Soil Series”. Other topics include – No Dig Gardening, Perennial Food Growing and Getting deep with soil – How soil health effects water retention, pests and produce nutrition.

About the presenter – Adrian is a climate campaigner, permaculturalist and keen organic gardener with a strong interest in food growing and tree propagation. Adrian’s interest in biochar began when he saw a doco about it on TV. Since then he has attended numerous biochar conferences, visited large scale working plants in Australia, as well as making and using biochar at home and running biochar workshops. Adrian formally trained as a botanist at Melbourne University.

Apr
4
Thu
Understanding Nature Series – Intro to Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden
Apr 4 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Understanding Nature Series - Intro to Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden

Learn how to become a ‘Champion for Wildlife’ by incorporating food sources, water, shelter and nesting places in your garden for our indigenous animals. Topics covered include – the key elements of a habitat garden (food, water, shelter, nests); garden structure; indigenous plants; the impact of pesticides and herbicides; pets and wildlife; protecting your crops from maraduring munchers. We may, just may, mention possums!!

This one hour session is great for those new to wildlife gardening or those looking to set one up a wildlife space in their garden and will be delivered by Teresa Day )see bio below).

It is one of four in a Masterclass Series “Understanding Nature in Your Garden Series”. Other topics include – How Citizen Science Can be Used in the Garden; Getting native bees and other pollinators in your garden and Boom Time for Bully Birds.  Book the Series Package for discount.  Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on Master Class full price tickets. You can become a Friend of SGA here. Green Garden Professional (GGPs) receive a 30% discount on full ticket prices.

Apr
16
Tue
Understanding Nature Series – Using Citizenscience in Gardening
Apr 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Understanding Nature Series - Using Citizenscience in Gardening

Learn about the fascinating world of Citizen Science and discover how you can actively contribute to conservation efforts and how this data can help you in your garden. This engaging workshop is divided into three parts, each offering valuable insights and practical knowledge on how to get involved and how to find, use and apply information.

First, we’ll provide an introduction to Citizen Science, exploring its significance in understanding and protecting biodiversity. Discover how individuals like you can make a real impact through participation in scientific research.

Next, we’ll delve into one of the world’s most popular Citizen Science Apps, iNaturalist. Learn how to effectively use this powerful tool to document and identify various species in your area. Unlock the wonders of the natural world as we guide you through the app’s features and functionalities.

Lastly, we’ll empower you to organise your very own BioBlitz activity. A BioBlitz is a biological inventory, where participants work together to identify and document as many species as possible within a designated area and time frame. Gain valuable insights on planning, executing, and maximizing the success of your BioBlitz, while fostering a deeper connection with nature and biodiversity.

This one hour session is delivered by Helen Charles (see bio below) and is great for those new to citizenscience wanting to know how you can use it as a gardening tool, to understand what is going on in your patch and really connect with those animals around you.

It is one of four in a Masterclass Series “Understanding Nature in Your Garden Series”. Other topics include – Introduction to Wildlife Gardening; Getting native bees and other pollinators in your garden and Boom Time for Bully Birds.  Book the Series Package for discount.  Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on Master Class full price tickets. You can become a Friend of SGA here. Green Garden Professional (GGPs) receive a 30% discount.

Apr
22
Mon
Understanding Nature Series – Getting native bees and other pollinators in your garden
Apr 22 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Understanding Nature Series - Getting native bees and other pollinators in your garden

This third masterclass in the ‘Understanding Nature in Your Garden’ series, will introduce you to the captivating world of native bees and their vital significance in the ecological balance of our surroundings, and why we should all care for them.

With an emerging need to increase insect biodiversity, our gardens have a significant collective role in providing food, materials, shelter, and nesting sites to build local populations. Geared towards gardeners of all levels of expertise and applicable to gardens of various sizes, this masterclass will discuss the essential role your garden has in supporting local biodiversity and the important role native bees play in pollination for plant health and reproduction.  Explaining UV colours and foraging trips, this session will guide you on what is needed to create a bee attracting garden, with landscaping and plant selection tips and provide a deeper understanding of the negative impacts of pesticides and how advocating for a bee-friendly approach that may require letting go of conventional notions of a ‘perfect’ garden.

The masterclass will guide you on the co-evolution of bees with flowering plants, providing you with knowledge about the appearance of common native bees, comparative identification with wasps and flies, insights into their life cycles, and an exploration of the various types of pollination they facilitate.

The session will conclude discussing the role of native bee hotels, how to build one to cater for their nesting behaviours, the session will explore the need to provide suitable native bee habitat.

This session is taken by Katrina Forstner (see bio below) and is great for those who really want to turn their garden into a pollinator haven and learn about the different ones you are likely to entice.  Note the session will be SE Australian based in terms of species.

It is one of four in a Masterclass Series “Understanding Nature in Your Garden Series”. Other topics include – How Citizen Science Can be Used in the Garden; Introduction to Wildlife Gardening and Boom Time for Bully Birds.  Book the Series Package for discount.  Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on Master Class full price tickets. You can become a Friend of SGA here. Green Garden Professionals (GGPs) receive a 30% discount.

May
2
Thu
Understanding Nature Series – Boom Time for Bully Birds
May 2 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Understanding Nature Series - Boom Time for Bully Birds

The ‘Understanding Nature in Your Garden’ series would not be complete without this topic – Problematic bully birds!. As many keen bird watchers and gardeners alike may have noticed, the birds that share our suburbs have changed over time. We are now seeing fewer small bush birds and more aggressive species in our urban parks and gardens.

So, what is driving this change? Why do some species thrive in our backyards while others struggle? And what can we do to better support the more sensitive species? To answer these questions, we’ve invited Jacinta Humphrey from La Trobe University to share her findings on what makes a garden bird-friendly.

This session is taken by Jacinta Humphrey (pictured) and is great for those who are having issues with some of the problematic birds in our environment, or those wanting to understand the issue more deeply and as a result, incorporate some different gardening practices.

It is one of four in a Masterclass Series “Understanding Nature in Your Garden Series”. Other topics include – How Citizen Science Can be Used in the Garden; Getting native bees and other pollinators in your garden and Introduction to Wildlife Gardening.  Book the Series Package for discount.  Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on Master Class full price tickets. You can become a Friend of SGA here. Green Garden Professional (GGPs) receive a 30% discount.

Image Credit –  Justin McManus