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.


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


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.


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.


Understanding Nature in Your Garden Series

Book into the entire Master Class series on 'Understanding Nature in Your Garden'.  Made up of a series of four one hour sessions on the following dates and topics -

Thurs 4/4/24 6pm Introduction to Attracting Wildlife into your Garden - Teresa Day

Tues 16/4/24 6pm Using Citizen Science in Gardening - Helen Charles

Mon 22/4/24 7pm Getting native bees and other pollinators in your garden - Katrina Forstner

Thurs 2/5/24 6pm Boom Time for Bully Birds - Jacinta Humphrey

Links to sessions will be sent out two days before the session date and recordings made avaialble for two weeks after.

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 price tickets.


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.


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.....


Soil Series - Perennial Edibles in Building Soil Health

Often overlooked, perennials food growing makes so much sense for the health of your garden and a changing climate. Deep rooted, sturdier and easier to grow than the popular annuals, perennials are the best addition to a food growers garden.
This Master Class will discuss how perennial food gardens create more shade, more cooling, provide stunning vistas in your patch and with less soil disturbance, help build healthy soil and store more carbon under our feet. This session will introduce you to whole new range of edibles that are more resilient, flavorsome and nutritious. Many aren’t recognised by pests and are just left well alone. The gardeners dream.
With a need to broaden the variety of food we grow to improve both resilience and nutrition, there is no better time to introduce yourself to perennial edibles.
This session is presented by Teresa Day of SGA.  Part of a Masterclass Series "Growing the Foundation Soil Series". Other topics include – Mulch and Organic Matter Application Explained, No Dig Gardening, and Getting deep with soil - How soil health effects water retention, pests and produce nutrition. Biochar 101.
About the presenter - Teresa has been responsible for the delivery of the community training program at SGA for over two years. She is a sustainable design professional with experience in community development and environmental education.  A home gardener for over 20 years and a chicken keeper and forager she has a particular interest in personal sustainable choices and lifestyle changes individuals can implement within their home and garden to reduce their carbon footprint and connect better with their local community. She has slowly been incorporating more edible perennials into her garden over the last 5 years.

Soil Series - Mulch & Organic Matter Applications Explained

Dig deep into the world of soil enrichment with our masterclass, where we unveil the two key actions for cultivating healthy soil: applying mulch and adding organic matter. If you've ever wondered which type of mulch to use and how much to apply, or if you're curious about application volumes of compost and natural fertilizers, this session is just for you.
Geared towards gardeners with basic experience across all garden sizes, the masterclass will unravel the secrets of safeguarding and nourishing your soil. From exploring mulch options for food, ornamental, and indigenous garden beds to mastering the art of maintaining steady growth through the right compost, manure and other organic soil applications, this session has it all. Transform your garden into a budget-friendly, environmentally savvy space that's both beautiful and productive. You’ll come away really appreciating how by nurturing your soil your plants thrive effortlessly. The key to a flourishing garden begins beneath the surface—discover the goodness that awaits in this masterclass session.
This session is presented by Karen Sutherland. It is one of five in a Masterclass Series "Growing the Foundation Soil Series". Other topics include – No Dig Gardening. Biochar 101, Perennial Food Growing and Getting deep with soil - How soil health effects water retention, pests and produce nutrition. The entire series can be booked here . FOSGA and GGP receive discount to Master Classes.
About the Presenter
Karen Sutherland has been growing food since she was 8 years old and has had 40 years training and experience in horticulture, specialising in edible gardening for the last 15 years. She teaches, writes, and consults on edible gardening, with an emphasis on native Australian plants for food and health. She co-authored the award-winning book ‘Tomato, Know Sow Grow Feast’ in 2018.

Soil Series - No Dig Gardening

Put away your shovel and create a garden that's easy to maintain, easy on your back and will nurture your soil! In this workshop we will explore no-dig gardens - what are they are, why they are good, how they work and how you make them.
You will learn
  • 10 reasons why you should create a no-dig garden
  • how to build the layers of a no-dig garden in a pot, raised bed or in the ground
  • where to source the materials to build one
  • the importance of mulch in the no dig gardening method.
This webinar is taken by Donna Livermore and is suitable for beginner gardeners and those with a more experience.   This session is of a Masterclass Series "Growing the Foundation Soil Series". Other topics include – Mulch and Organic Matter Applications Explained, Perennial Food Growing and Getting deep with soil - How soil health effects water retention, pests and produce nutrition, Biochar 101. The entire series can be booked here . FOSGA and GGP receive discount to Master Classes.
About the presenter - Donna Livermore is an experienced educator and food grower with a background in biology, permaculture, wildlife and conservation education. She is passionate about living a life of good health and food resilience by growing high quality, nutrient dense food and has many years of experience garden farming on tiny urban sites, and more recently on a larger block in Central Victoria. One of Donna’s main goals is to help people understand the connection between soil, plant, human (animal) and planetary health through growing a productive food garden. Donna is reimagining what it means to live a good life and shares this with others in her local community and more widely through her Instagram page, A Good Life in the City & Town.

Resolution #5 - Sustainable bounty - growing enough

Unlock the secrets of sustainable gardening in this masterclass, "Sustainable Bounty - Growing Enough" where we explore 'what is enough' andhelp you plan your crops. Perfect for beginners or intermediate gardeners, this final session of our New Year, Greener Garden series, led by Karen Sutherland, will guide you in determining the right amount to grow for your family or how much you could realistically grow in the space you have.

Are you curious about how many seeds to sow or the normal yield of a zucchini plant? Wondering about the growth duration of cauliflower? Pondering the necessity of six cucumber plants? Or maybe you find yourself overplanting your small space and want to know what to plant and how many to have a healthy productive space. This masterclass is designed to answer some of these questions and guide you through the intricacies of planning crops and optimizing your food garden.

Our expert-led session will help you understand the quantity of seeds to plan your perfect crop, identify the must-have vegetables that are super producers, ensuring a bountiful supply to fill your family's dinner plates.

By the end of the session, you'll not only have a better understanding of "what is enough" but also be equipped with the knowledge that gardening isn't just about frequent trips to the nursery melting the credit card, it's about careful nurturing and mastering the basics and this doesn't have to cost a fortune.

Join us for the final instalment of the "New Year, Greener Garden" series, and embark on a journey towards a more sustainable and rewarding gardening experience.

Presenter - Karen Sutherland

Karen Sutherland has been growing food since she was 8 years old and has had 40 years training and experience in horticulture, specialising in edible gardening for the last 15 years. She teaches, writes, and consults on edible gardening, with an emphasis on native Australian plants for food and health. She co-authored the award-winning book ‘Tomato, Know Sow Grow Feast’ in 2018.

This session is one of five in a Masterclass Series "New Year, Greener Garden". Other topics include - Establishing a compost; Garden Journalling: Slowing down and tuning in; Water-Wise Gardening: Thriving with Less; Resource Smart - Minimizing waste, through recycling and other thrifty approaches.

Book the Series Package for discount.  Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on all Master Classes. You can become a Friend of SGA here and GGPs receive a 30% discount.


Resolution #4 -Water-Wise Gardening: Thriving with Less

We all appreciate the crucial role of water in garden success. Especially in Australia, the driest habitable continent, where water availability is historically constrained. In this masterclass session, let us help you achieve your incredibly important resolution to use less water.  But still grow ample.

Explore the art of capturing, storing, diverting, and efficiently using water, especially in times of drought and flood. By managing water wisely, we not only ensure healthy, productive gardens but also secure our water sources for the future. We will explain how the role plant play in the water cycle.

This session unravels the principles of garden zoning, the characteristics of plants thriving in dry climates, and the importance of organic material and mulch in enhancing soil's water-holding. Discover the most efficient irrigation methods and gain insights into capturing and storing rainwater with swales, rainwater gardens and downpipe conversions. Learn about the ins and outs associated with greywater usage.

Leave this session with the knowledge to create a water-savvy garden that reduces your water use and prepares you and your garden for extreme weather conditions, be it intense heat or excessive rainfall. This session is one of five in a Masterclass Series "New Year, Greener Garden". Other topics include - Establishing a compost; Garden Journalling: Slowing down and tuning in; Resource Smart Gardening - Being Thrifty; Sustainable bounty - growing enough.

Discounts - Book Series Package for discount $5.  Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on all Master Classes. You can become a Friend of SGA here and GGPs receive a 30% discount.

Presenter - Teresa Day Learning & Training Manager SGA. A home gardener for over 20 years, a chicken keeper and forager she has a particular interest in personal sustainable choices and lifestyle changes individuals can implement within their home and garden to reduce their carbon footprint and connect better with their local community.


Resolution #3 - Resource Smart Gardening

Let us help you on a sustainable gardening journey with our inspiring session, perfect for those resolving to use fewer materials and create less waste this New Year. Understand nature's waste-free principles and apply them to cultivate a beautiful, eco-conscious garden that light on material use.

Discover practical tips on becoming more thrifty by eliminating single-use items, repurposing materials, and even crafting your own. The session emphasizes the importance of prioritizing 'Reduce and Reuse' before 'Recycle' and explores how simple, reclaimed materials can inform creative garden ideas and projects. Learn to source quality materials and avoid potentially harmful ones, and understand the significance of using the Earth's limited resources in your garden wisely. The session will showcase a number of platforms you can use to source materials, saving them from landfill and reducing the need to buy new materials embodied with energy and carbon. Join us on this thrifty venture, to transform your garden into a sustainable oasis, making a positive impact on both your garden and the environment.

This session is one of five in a Masterclass Series "New Year, Greener Garden". Other topics include - Establishing a compost ; Garden Journalling: Slowing down and tuning in; Water-Wise Gardening: Thriving with Less; Sustainable bounty - growing enough.

Presenter - Teresa Day Learning & Training Manager SGA. A home gardener for over 20 years, a chicken keeper and forager she has a particular interest in personal sustainable choices and lifestyle changes individuals can implement within their home and garden to reduce their carbon footprint and connect better with their local community.

Book the Series Package for discount.  Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on all Master Classes. You can become a Friend of SGA here and GGPs receive a 30% discount.


Resolution #2 - Garden Journalling - Slow down and tune in

If your new years resolution to spend more quality time in the garden, then look no further. This masterclass on 'Garden Journalling' is your key to unlocking a deeper connection with your very own patch. In this 90 min long immersive experience, we invite you to set aside your gardening tools and embrace the art of garden journaling. By slowing down and tuning in to the nuances of your patch, you'll discover a wealth of insights waiting to be unearthed. Gardens, as silent teachers, impart lessons in patience, perseverance, and perception, along with a profound understanding of the surrounding environment and all living things within it.

This masterclass will encourage you to record your observations, creating a personal chronicle that will transform you into becoming an aware gardener. The process will help you recognize mishaps, pitfalls and patterns that will empower you to make informed decisions for the upcoming gardening seasons and whatever they may bring.

Bring your own garden treasures—wander through your garden and grab a seed pod, leaf or flower, pick up any items to make a mark - pencil, ball point pen - anything you have and get ready to be inspired by garden journal extraordinaire Bethan Burton to start a journal that is visually stunning and an informative masterpiece.  It will fast become an essential tool to help you on your gardening journey throughout 2024 and beyond.

Join us on this creative venture, to see what can happened when we pause to appreciate the wonders within our own patches of earth. Let's make 2024 a year of mindful and meaningful gardening.

 

Presenter: Bethan Burton is an artist and environmental educator from Brisbane. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Conservation Biology and a Master of Environment majoring in Education for Sustainability. Bethan is the founder of International Nature Journaling Week and the host of Journaling With Nature podcast. She teaches nature journaling to all age groups and is passionate about connecting people with the natural world.

 

This session is one of five in a Masterclass Series "New Year, Greener Garden". Other topics include - Establishing a compost ; Minimizing waste, through recycling and other thrifty approaches; Water-Wise Gardening: Thriving with Less; Sustainable bounty - growing enough.


Resolution #1 - Establishing a compost that works

So you've decided that 2024 is the year you will finally get to grips with composting.  This session will set you on your way and teach you how to set up a compost bin, how to look after it and what do when things get smelly or go awry. Great for beginner gardeners, but also very useful to anyone who wants to get their compost super productive and quickly.

We will cover what is compost, how it is made, the role of the Carbon : Nitrogen ratio and provide you with a basic compost recipe, including what to do and add to accelerate the composting process.  We will also dig a little bit deeper ito the alchemy of composting to ensure you keep your pile productive and problem free.  But just incase, we will identify the most common problems and remedies, setting yourself up to succeed with your first new years resolution!

Further details on booking listing. This session is one of five in a Masterclass Series "New Year, Greener Garden". Other topics include - Garden Journalling; Minimizing waste, through recycling and other thrifty approaches; Water-Wise Gardening: Thriving with Less; Sustainable bounty - growing enough.

Presenter - Teresa Day Learning & Training Manager SGA. A home gardener for over 20 years, a chicken keeper and forager she has a particular interest in personal sustainable choices and lifestyle changes individuals can implement within their home and garden to reduce their carbon footprint and connect better with their local community.

**Book the series package and receive discount. Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on all Master Classes. You can become a Friend of SGA here and GGPs receive a 30% discount.**