It's Autumn, with beautiful warm days and nights turning chilly. Good growing weather, they say...
We have Ed's garlic in at present for any of you wishing to grow some of your own garlic. It's the Italian White variety and very nice. We also have a supply of Russian (or Elephant) garlic in suitable for growing as well. The Italian garlic is stronger in flavour and the Russian variety is milder, even suitable raw, in salads.
Bill of Beulah Organics has been harvesting some beautiful red capsicums and eggplant. He sent down some tomatoes last week for us to try (beautiful!) and always has terrific Lebanese cucumbers. We reckon he polishes them, they look so good, but have actually heard this rumour may be correct! Whenever polishing, he does so with just a cloth, that is - no chemicals or waxes!
Those Gala apples from Kirkconnell are fabulous and members are raving over them. Remember if you want a supply of them for munching and school lunch boxes, order a half or full crate of them in the fortnightly bulk orders. The latest bulk order form will be sent out to members over the weekend.
We're receiving a number of new enquiries as the interest in chemical free and safe food increases. People are (rightly) concerned about what is sprayed on their food but also what is added to the soil in which it is grown.
If you have found our blog and want to trial an organic food box, please email FIG on info@fig.org.au.
See you at the co-op!
Showing posts with label growing food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label growing food. Show all posts
25 April 2013
26 October 2012
Food MythBusters video-- Do we really need industrial agriculture to feed the world?
We've just seen this new video on the issues of industrial agriculture. It's about seven minutes long and we encourage you all to watch it.
Here at FIG we're all about supporting the small, mixed farms and the families who farm the land, and believe they CAN feed the world...
Enjoy, and please share...
Here at FIG we're all about supporting the small, mixed farms and the families who farm the land, and believe they CAN feed the world...
Enjoy, and please share...
05 October 2011
Catching up on what's happening...
We had a smaller but successful day at Ourimbah yesterday, with our combined co-op due to the public holiday Monday. A number of members were away on school or uni holidays so it was a quieter and less-busy day than usual, made more so due to there being no school finishing time to get people out the door and off to FIG before collecting their children!
Co-op days and venues shall be back to normal next week, and it seems the rain will continue to be with us most of the time between now and then. Rain is important however also presents a challenge to farmers and backyard growers when it's heavy and consistent.
At Wyong, we are trialling a shorter opening time as most of our members have been and gone by about 4pm or shortly after. We are therefore now closing at 5pm, however packing up sees us there till about 5.30pm anyway, to catch anyone popping in making new enquiries. We shall see how that goes and if Wyong members continue to have been through and collected their produce earlier in the day, we may look at closing even earlier.
On the produce front, we have been a bit sad to learn that our local supply of eating apples has come to an end. Many of our members have commented that these have been The Best apples they have ever tasted, so we look forward to being on the receiving end of them again next year. We have a few apples left however from next week, the major supply will begin coming in from the organic wholesaler and our apples will come from further away.
We have been really pleased to have been offered some surplus produce from members new and old. Some of their produce you will find in the FIG boxes, some of it on the extras table. Thank you to all concerned.
Our FIG article writer and delicious recipe generator is moving away! We are therefore putting the call out for those members who like to cook and maybe also to write, to occasionally put together a few recipes and/or article for the blog or the website. Please email us at FIG if this seems like something you could do.
 |
| Some of the crops at Champion Mountain Organics which have ended up in our FIG boxes! |
FIG is looking at having a stand at the Mangrove Mountain Fair on 22nd October, and one of the aims of the day is to talk to local farmers and encourage more to grow organically. For FIG to grow and to buy more local produce, we need more organic farmers!
That's all for today. See you at the co-op!
08 October 2010
A few October updates...
When you become a FIG member you receive weekly email updates of what’s happening, produce tips, etc, however this week we simply had too much to share! Once again there is information and also some events happening which Figgies like to know about, so here are a few of them, in this, the National Organic Week! (Updated Friday evening 8th Oct)
One FIG member is a Naturopath and she has given us the following information on detoxing for Spring...
A Spring clean!
I wonder if you would like to inform your people, through your newsletter, of the importance of this spring season to start cooking up their organic garlic and lemons... The formula is 30 cloves of organic garlic and 5 whole lemons: chop as small as possible or use a food processor, then add 1 litre water; bring to the boil and turn off. You may eat as is or strain off. 30 Mls for adults to consume daily and 10-20 mls for children. Keep in the fridge once cold, and take a dose each day anytime. In 3 weeks, one''s blood and arteries may be unblocked and as well the lungs being clearer of mucus as the liver also gets assistance of blood purifying from the sourness combined with the pungent, to clean us out. Repeat this process again in Autumn.
Three weeks is usually enough however, if you wish to do again, break a week after the 3 weeks and cook up again another batch for another 3 weeks, especially if you are suffering from high cholesterol.. This detox does not interfere with any medication, nor does it leave any bad odour or garlic smell as the boiling process with the lemons skins and all make it taste rather nice, with no after taste or smell of the garlic on the breath.
From your friendly local naturopath, Catherine.
(Note: FIG has ordered extra garlic and lemons for this coming Monday if you want to try this, and will do so in future weeks on request).
Woytopia Festival
Woy Woy's festival of Sustainability, Arts, Music & Community
Where: Woy Woy South Primary School - Woy Woy - Entrance via Waterloo Avenue
Date : Sunday 31st October 2010
Time : 10am - 4pm
The co-op is not in the business of telling anyone what and how to eat!
However, we do encourage the eating of more vegetables and fruit, grown, of course, minus the chemicals! Whether you’re a vegan, raw foodie, you eat meat twice a day or twice a year, or prefer cooked food and only eat an occasional salad, the consensus amongst many in the health profession seems to be that the more fresh plant food we can consume, the better. We’re finding all sorts of information, all the time, and even found this: a short clip of former USA President, Bill Clinton, whom has experienced heart problems in the past with by-pass surgery highly reported in the media world-wide and more to insert some stents, and who has now been following the advice of two medical doctors, Esselstyn and Ornish, and eating a diet rich in plant-based foods.
We encourage you to make your own enquiries about your health and to learn what’s best for YOU and your family.
One FIG member is a Naturopath and she has given us the following information on detoxing for Spring...
A Spring clean!
I wonder if you would like to inform your people, through your newsletter, of the importance of this spring season to start cooking up their organic garlic and lemons... The formula is 30 cloves of organic garlic and 5 whole lemons: chop as small as possible or use a food processor, then add 1 litre water; bring to the boil and turn off. You may eat as is or strain off. 30 Mls for adults to consume daily and 10-20 mls for children. Keep in the fridge once cold, and take a dose each day anytime. In 3 weeks, one''s blood and arteries may be unblocked and as well the lungs being clearer of mucus as the liver also gets assistance of blood purifying from the sourness combined with the pungent, to clean us out. Repeat this process again in Autumn.
Three weeks is usually enough however, if you wish to do again, break a week after the 3 weeks and cook up again another batch for another 3 weeks, especially if you are suffering from high cholesterol.. This detox does not interfere with any medication, nor does it leave any bad odour or garlic smell as the boiling process with the lemons skins and all make it taste rather nice, with no after taste or smell of the garlic on the breath.
From your friendly local naturopath, Catherine.
(Note: FIG has ordered extra garlic and lemons for this coming Monday if you want to try this, and will do so in future weeks on request).
Permaculture Central Coast, Tuesday, 19th October
Ecological Thinking and Action - Healthy Living Soils = Healthy Living People
Ecological Thinking and Action - Healthy Living Soils = Healthy Living People
Peter Rutherford will be talking about the health of soils and the food we grow in those soils directly in relation to the health of us. Promises to be a fabulous talk, and begins at 7pm in the Tuggerah Hall, 9 Anzac Road, Tuggerah. Entry by donation.
The topic for next week's Insight program on SBS will be on Organic produce – 7.30pm on Tuesday 12th October, repeated at 1.30 Friday.
The Sydney Food Fairness Alliance presents two lively and thought provoking Q&A style forums as part of the Sydney International Food Festival!
When food systems collide
When Food Systems Collide is a Q&A style forum, moderated by Daily Telegraph restaurant critic Simon Thomsen, that will explore the costs and benefits of our current food system and examine the value of alternative models of production and distribution. The audience is invited to ask challenging questions of a panel of experts including CEO of Garden Organic UK, Myles Bremner; new Green member of the NSW Legislative Council, Cate Faehrmann; Woolworths Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Andrew Hall; and Founder of the Organic Traders' and Consumers' Network, Catriona Macmillan.
When: 6.30pm on Wednesday 13 October 2010
Where: Sydney Mechanics School of the Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Cost: $15 or $10 for members or concession (cash only on the night)
Helping Ourselves
Restaurant critic for the Daily Telegraph Simon Thomsen will moderate this Q&A style forum that will explore the innovative ways that people are providing for themselves and debate how to best work to foster access to enough, healthy food for all Sydneysiders. Audience members are invited to asks questions of a panel of experts including The Reverend Bill Crews from The Exodus Foundation; Ronni Kahn from Oz Harvest; and Simon Gregory from Food For Life community supermarket.
When: 6.30pm on Thursday 21 October 2010
Where: Sydney Mechanics School of the Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Cost: $15 or $10 for members and concession (cash only on the night)
Refreshments from Agape Restaurant, Iggy's Bakery and B-d Paris Creek Farm will be served at both these functions.
Think Global, Eat Local
TAFE Outreach, Wyong, is holding a 6 week course from Thurs 28th Oct until 2nd Dec, 9.30 - 2.00pm. Learn more about Permaculture, and how it can provide some solutions to living more sustainably. Have you always wanted to grow your own vegies? The focus will be on local food production, and developing practical skills to create your own vegie and herb garden. For bookings in this FREE course, ring 4350 2370.
Woytopia Festival
Woy Woy's festival of Sustainability, Arts, Music & Community
Where: Woy Woy South Primary School - Woy Woy - Entrance via Waterloo Avenue
Date : Sunday 31st October 2010
Time : 10am - 4pm
Junkbusters!
The marketing of unhealthy food to children has been recognised as a probable causal factor in childhood overweight and obesity. With one in four Australian children and adolescents either overweight or obese it is time to take action. Cancer Council NSW has launched Junkbusters, a one stop shop to help parents navigate the complex food marketing regulations. Junkbusters helps concerned people take action against inappropriate food marketing targeting children. The Junkbusters website will collect information reflecting public concern about food marketing to children, and record outcomes from formal complaint processes. This information will provide an independent indicator of the effectiveness of current regulations and identify if there's a need for national statutory regulation to reduce children's exposure to unhealthy food marketing. Be a Junkbuster!
Aussie kids aren't guinea pigs, label GM Now
Independent testing conducted by Greenpeace has discovered that some of Australia's leading brands of infant formula are contaminated with traces of genetically modified (GM) organisms. These GM organisms have never been proven safe for people to eat; and have certainly never been proven safe for babies to eat. Because these products carry no GM label, Australian parents currently have no idea they are feeding GM to their babies. Please help stop this from happening. Demand that all GM foods be labelled. Visit http://www.greenpeace.org.au/gmbaby and take action now!
Vegie growers concerned about imports:
See here for full article: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/vegie-growers-worried-about-imports-20100929-15wmm.html Not to mention the questionable growing methods in some other countries or the spraying of produce upon arrival in Australia!
Organic farmers try to get a bite of the apple
“Rural Australia is really hurting. And the cuts to services really hurt. Health services are cut, banks close, schools close, farmers suicide. Areas have 21% unemployment. We are bleeding people in the country… Yet organic farming is a sunrise and success story going against the trend,” said Andre Leu, a tropical fruit farmer from northern Queensland, chair of the Organic Federation of Australia (OFA) and vice-president of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). Read the full article here, http://blogs.crikey.com.au/rooted/2010/08/27/organic-farmers-try-to-get-a-bite-of-the-apple/ which also includes: “Moving from conventional to organic farming takes a few years, but results in more drought hardy soil with better water absorption, thanks to increased humus content. Carmel Righetti, a Victorian sheep farmer who supplies organic wool to luxury fashion labels Metalicus and Gorman, says “conventional farmers need to be freed from the burden and oppression of big multinationals”, who often control supply, debt and pesticides used by conventional farmers. Australia has more hectares of land used for organic production than any other nation in the world. Global organic sales are worth $50 billion annually, and the beggest markets are the US and Europe, although the Asian market is growing 15-20% annually.
Free workshops in the Lake Macquarie district
New Waste Not Want Not Workshop
Find out ways to reuse and recycle in more ways than you thought imaginable! Create something new from reclaimed items
When: Friday 15 October 2010
Where: Charlestown Mulit-purpose Centre
Time: 11am - 2pm
Cost: Free
Delightful Decomposition
Come and learn how to break things down with worms and compost, only to build things up again in a no-dig vegie patch
Workshop 1
When: Wednesday 3 November 2010
Where: Charlestown Swim Centre
Time: 8:30am -11:30am
Cost: Free
Workshop 2
When: Saturday 13 November 2010
Where: St Luke's Church Belmont
Time: 8:30am -11:30am
Cost: Free
Last but not least, a few words from Dr Max Gerson: "Our modern food, the 'normal' food people eat is bottled, poisoned, canned, color added, powdered, frozen, dipped in acids, sprayed--no longer normal. We no longer have living, normal food, our food and drink is a mass of dead, poisoned material, and one cannot cure very sick people by adding poisons to their systems.”
And he said that a few decades ago! Time to revert to a natural way of eating, methinks...
Thanks to our members who have submitted some of the information and links for this post today… See you at the co-op!
18 July 2010
Welcoming ‘Sprinter’ in our gardens
I've been thinking to write an article titled "How is your garden growing?", with some suggestions on how we can be tending and caring for our gardens, soil and plants through this restorative and restful period of the year. I was planning to share with you how over-grown and neglected our little garden space has been over this period and how desperately we needed to get out into our yard and tend to our gardens. But as I now do actually sit here to write, there has been a shift in our gardens. Haven't the last few days been very unseasonably warm? Yesterday, our family actually frolicked around in the yard in short sleeve tee shirts! Dare I say that we may be approaching that un-official season of 'Sprinter'? I think it appears that we may well be heading into this time of our year.
My plan for this article was to share with you one of the primary focus’ we should have in our gardens at this restorative time of year. Our soil. Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) has a beautiful section on soil; Healthy Soil - boring, but important!
Haven't we had a very wet Winter? One of the wettest I remember for a long time. And whilst this higher rainfall is wonderful for our commercial farmers around the country, it has made getting out and about in our own little patches, for those home space gardeners of us - a little difficult, especially if you have a yard like us, that has turned into a mini swimming pool with all this rainfall!
Over the past few days whilst amongst our garden space; removing spent plants, pottering and tending to the renewing of this space - I have discovered many little Winter treasures that have been quietly growing and producing along their way through Winter. We have dandelion chicory, rocket, sorrel, geraniums, cape gooseberry, mandarins, spinach and chards, winter salad leaves, beets, a few missed pumpkins from our Autumn harvest that were hiding under the over grown Winter garden, brassica's that are finally looking like they may produce some veggies for us (after nearly being wiped out by multiple attacks of the white cabbage moth caterpillars!), some wonderful winter shallots, beautiful celery, various Winter herbs and a MOUNTAIN of worm wee! Isn't worm wee just the most amazing nutrient boost for the gardens! We have a very basic, but very effective homemade worm farm and I am planning for you, that the article following this one, will be a piece about how to create your own worm farm with free materials! You will need to purchase the correct type of worms for your farm, but there are quite a few folk on our local LETS community that offer a tub of worms for a very reasonable shell rate. Around 20 shells I think when at most local hardware stores, the worms to start the farm (just the worms by themselves, no farm materials) are around $100, from what I have been told. If you do not as yet have a worm farm yourself, but would like to use some of this nutrient rich worm wee on your gardens during this restorative time - to feed your soil, then there are also many folk on the CC LETS network that offer a 1-2L bottle of worm wee for around 2-4 shells. If you are not a member of LETS - why not? It is such a wonderful community where you can share in a very generous, friendly and supportive community of folk, and have access to many new and exciting things one may not otherwise be aware of. Just this week we ate our first yacon from a community member and have some tubers to plant once they sprout!
So, I have digressed...let’s get back to the topic at hand… restoring our gardens during this restful time of year. I once heard some very wise words "never feed your plants - only ever feed your soil" - and soil is what it is all about in this restorative time of year, well, it's always about the soil I guess, but in this restorative time of year, we need to put the focus of our energies into this aspect of our gardens. The SGA website has a wealth of information about soil. The link to their index of soil info is here.
I have a great little book simply titled 'Grow Vegetables' - this Australian version is wonderful. My favourite part is the section that has a month by month plan of what the home gardener wanting to produce their own vegetables, needs to be doing at that particular time. At the moment, as you would guess, most of the advice stems around restoring our patch and nourishing our soil. Some of the mid-Winter suggestions are; clear away remains of any plants that have finished cropping, spread well rotted compost over beds, PH test soil (some great info here on SGA about adjusting the acid/alkaline balance of our soil), cover selected areas with whatever material you prefer to start warming the soil and avoid soil becoming water logged, dig over garden beds. If we have been hard working little home gardeners, we may well be harvesting; cauliflower, brussels, leeks, kale, radishes, salad leaves, cress, mibuna, mizuna, parsnips and celeriac, along with other Winter herbs. To stay on track with our produce, now is the time to; plant garlic, sow onion seeds, plant out our first shallots and onions if it is not too wet, buy seed potatoes and start to 'chit' them, 'force' rhubarb and order seeds. The SGA site has a great month by month section as well, which details tasks to undertake at the relevant time of the year. Check out June and July to see what we should be doing now in our gardens and once you've accomplished all that, have a nice warm cup of herbal whilst you read and prepare for the tasks of August!
My plan for this article was to share with you one of the primary focus’ we should have in our gardens at this restorative time of year. Our soil. Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) has a beautiful section on soil; Healthy Soil - boring, but important!
Haven't we had a very wet Winter? One of the wettest I remember for a long time. And whilst this higher rainfall is wonderful for our commercial farmers around the country, it has made getting out and about in our own little patches, for those home space gardeners of us - a little difficult, especially if you have a yard like us, that has turned into a mini swimming pool with all this rainfall!
Over the past few days whilst amongst our garden space; removing spent plants, pottering and tending to the renewing of this space - I have discovered many little Winter treasures that have been quietly growing and producing along their way through Winter. We have dandelion chicory, rocket, sorrel, geraniums, cape gooseberry, mandarins, spinach and chards, winter salad leaves, beets, a few missed pumpkins from our Autumn harvest that were hiding under the over grown Winter garden, brassica's that are finally looking like they may produce some veggies for us (after nearly being wiped out by multiple attacks of the white cabbage moth caterpillars!), some wonderful winter shallots, beautiful celery, various Winter herbs and a MOUNTAIN of worm wee! Isn't worm wee just the most amazing nutrient boost for the gardens! We have a very basic, but very effective homemade worm farm and I am planning for you, that the article following this one, will be a piece about how to create your own worm farm with free materials! You will need to purchase the correct type of worms for your farm, but there are quite a few folk on our local LETS community that offer a tub of worms for a very reasonable shell rate. Around 20 shells I think when at most local hardware stores, the worms to start the farm (just the worms by themselves, no farm materials) are around $100, from what I have been told. If you do not as yet have a worm farm yourself, but would like to use some of this nutrient rich worm wee on your gardens during this restorative time - to feed your soil, then there are also many folk on the CC LETS network that offer a 1-2L bottle of worm wee for around 2-4 shells. If you are not a member of LETS - why not? It is such a wonderful community where you can share in a very generous, friendly and supportive community of folk, and have access to many new and exciting things one may not otherwise be aware of. Just this week we ate our first yacon from a community member and have some tubers to plant once they sprout!
So, I have digressed...let’s get back to the topic at hand… restoring our gardens during this restful time of year. I once heard some very wise words "never feed your plants - only ever feed your soil" - and soil is what it is all about in this restorative time of year, well, it's always about the soil I guess, but in this restorative time of year, we need to put the focus of our energies into this aspect of our gardens. The SGA website has a wealth of information about soil. The link to their index of soil info is here.
I have a great little book simply titled 'Grow Vegetables' - this Australian version is wonderful. My favourite part is the section that has a month by month plan of what the home gardener wanting to produce their own vegetables, needs to be doing at that particular time. At the moment, as you would guess, most of the advice stems around restoring our patch and nourishing our soil. Some of the mid-Winter suggestions are; clear away remains of any plants that have finished cropping, spread well rotted compost over beds, PH test soil (some great info here on SGA about adjusting the acid/alkaline balance of our soil), cover selected areas with whatever material you prefer to start warming the soil and avoid soil becoming water logged, dig over garden beds. If we have been hard working little home gardeners, we may well be harvesting; cauliflower, brussels, leeks, kale, radishes, salad leaves, cress, mibuna, mizuna, parsnips and celeriac, along with other Winter herbs. To stay on track with our produce, now is the time to; plant garlic, sow onion seeds, plant out our first shallots and onions if it is not too wet, buy seed potatoes and start to 'chit' them, 'force' rhubarb and order seeds. The SGA site has a great month by month section as well, which details tasks to undertake at the relevant time of the year. Check out June and July to see what we should be doing now in our gardens and once you've accomplished all that, have a nice warm cup of herbal whilst you read and prepare for the tasks of August!
03 July 2010
More courses and information
Well after that superb article on Kohlrabi this week, it seems there may not be any next Monday! We were under the impression they would be available for a few weeks however perhaps the next crop just isn't ready yet. If we do happen to find some, they'll be on the extras table.
The severe frost earlier this week has affected local green leafy vegetables so some adjustments will need to be made to the orders over the weekend, as usual! The red mustard greens will be turning up again and some of the co-op members wonder how to prepare them. Kel, the farmer, advises they can be eaten in salads but if you don't like the "heat", can be sauteed or popped in stir frys or any dish you would normally use spinach and silverbeet in, and it loses the bite.
This is the time of year for citrus and and we have chemical free oranges, mandarins and lemons coming in from Mangrove Mountain, Dooralong and Hawkesbury districts, as well as lemons, limes and grapefruit from co-op members. Vitamin C is important for general health and wellbeing, especially so at this time of year to help ward off or lessen the impact of colds, so keep up with the oranges and the kiwi fruit we have at present from Ourimbah, which is an excellent source of Vitamin C. If you would like some kiwi fruit in larger quantities, please see us at the desk to arrange.
In keeping with passing on information to our members about learning to grow their own food - the freshest and the best option of all! - we are pleased to advise of the following:
~ Workshops at Purple Pear Organics, via Maitland, are being held on Propagation and Seed Saving on 24th July and Making Compost and Worm Farming on 25th July. As Purple Pear make some of the best compost in the world, book in and learn their methods!
~ Permaculture Design Certificate held over five weekends at Purple Pear, beginning 7th August.
~ TAFE Outreach, Wyong, is going to be running some free courses in growing your own food, Permaculture, Eco Food Shopping and many others and enquiries can be made with Kerry on 4350 2370. These fill up fast so ring asap.
~ Interested in Aquaponics and growing fish and vegies in your backyard? One of our highly talented FIG members runs Tank To Table Aquaponics and will be holding an information session for FIG co-op members on a Saturday in August, with workshops following in Spring for those who want to take it further. Please email your expressions of interest in joining us on the day to fig.centralcoast @ gmail.com (minus the spaces).
We have added in some new links on the left in regards to buying seeds and growing information and update the blog quite regularly, so please call back soon and have a look around.
See you at the co-op....
Maree
The severe frost earlier this week has affected local green leafy vegetables so some adjustments will need to be made to the orders over the weekend, as usual! The red mustard greens will be turning up again and some of the co-op members wonder how to prepare them. Kel, the farmer, advises they can be eaten in salads but if you don't like the "heat", can be sauteed or popped in stir frys or any dish you would normally use spinach and silverbeet in, and it loses the bite.
This is the time of year for citrus and and we have chemical free oranges, mandarins and lemons coming in from Mangrove Mountain, Dooralong and Hawkesbury districts, as well as lemons, limes and grapefruit from co-op members. Vitamin C is important for general health and wellbeing, especially so at this time of year to help ward off or lessen the impact of colds, so keep up with the oranges and the kiwi fruit we have at present from Ourimbah, which is an excellent source of Vitamin C. If you would like some kiwi fruit in larger quantities, please see us at the desk to arrange.
In keeping with passing on information to our members about learning to grow their own food - the freshest and the best option of all! - we are pleased to advise of the following:
~ Workshops at Purple Pear Organics, via Maitland, are being held on Propagation and Seed Saving on 24th July and Making Compost and Worm Farming on 25th July. As Purple Pear make some of the best compost in the world, book in and learn their methods!
~ Permaculture Design Certificate held over five weekends at Purple Pear, beginning 7th August.
~ TAFE Outreach, Wyong, is going to be running some free courses in growing your own food, Permaculture, Eco Food Shopping and many others and enquiries can be made with Kerry on 4350 2370. These fill up fast so ring asap.
~ Interested in Aquaponics and growing fish and vegies in your backyard? One of our highly talented FIG members runs Tank To Table Aquaponics and will be holding an information session for FIG co-op members on a Saturday in August, with workshops following in Spring for those who want to take it further. Please email your expressions of interest in joining us on the day to fig.centralcoast @ gmail.com (minus the spaces).
We have added in some new links on the left in regards to buying seeds and growing information and update the blog quite regularly, so please call back soon and have a look around.
See you at the co-op....
Maree
22 May 2010
Knowing when to plant what in our gardens
Central Coast Biodynamic farmer and FIG supplier, Michael Champion, spoke at this week's Permaculture Central Coast meeting on local food systems, Slow Food and so forth.
One thing he said (and repeated) was that if you want really fresh, nutritious food, the best thing to do is to grow it yourself.
Some of us are beginner gardeners and don't know what's in season and when to plant what. The following link may help you in determining what to plant at this time of year.
Gardenate lists which seeds to plant at various times of year and whether they are to be sown directly in the ground or raised in seed boxes for a few weeks. Click on the names of the vegetables and up comes growing and cooking information. You can also subscribe to Gardenate and have a list emailed to you at the beginning of each month for sowing tips.
The Central Coast, we've found, can be divided up into two of Gardenate's zones - both sub tropical and temperate, depending on where you live and if you experience frost in your area. Sometimes we read information for both zones.
Don't forget that some of our members would like to start up a seed swap within FIG so let us know if you would like to join in.
One thing he said (and repeated) was that if you want really fresh, nutritious food, the best thing to do is to grow it yourself.
Some of us are beginner gardeners and don't know what's in season and when to plant what. The following link may help you in determining what to plant at this time of year.
Gardenate lists which seeds to plant at various times of year and whether they are to be sown directly in the ground or raised in seed boxes for a few weeks. Click on the names of the vegetables and up comes growing and cooking information. You can also subscribe to Gardenate and have a list emailed to you at the beginning of each month for sowing tips.
The Central Coast, we've found, can be divided up into two of Gardenate's zones - both sub tropical and temperate, depending on where you live and if you experience frost in your area. Sometimes we read information for both zones.
Don't forget that some of our members would like to start up a seed swap within FIG so let us know if you would like to join in.
11 April 2010
Free course in backyard organic food growing
For anyone interested in learning how to grow their own food, there is a course starting soon with Wyong TAFE Outreach. Details as follows, but be quick, places are filling fast!
My Productive Backyard
Wyong TAFE Outreach offers you attendance at this FREE course.
Date: 29th April
Venue: K Block
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm
Teacher: Jeanette Bunter, Permaculture Central Coast President
A series of practical workshops on organic gardening and sustainable backyard food production..... including chooks and much more.
Come along, gain more knowledge, meet like-minded people and enjoy yourself.
For further information and to reserve a place, contact Kerry Bryant - Tafe Outreach Coordinator Wyong on 4350 2370. Please contact Kerry ASAP as places fill fast for these free courses.
My Productive Backyard
Wyong TAFE Outreach offers you attendance at this FREE course.
Date: 29th April
Venue: K Block
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm
Teacher: Jeanette Bunter, Permaculture Central Coast President
A series of practical workshops on organic gardening and sustainable backyard food production..... including chooks and much more.
Come along, gain more knowledge, meet like-minded people and enjoy yourself.
For further information and to reserve a place, contact Kerry Bryant - Tafe Outreach Coordinator Wyong on 4350 2370. Please contact Kerry ASAP as places fill fast for these free courses.
09 April 2010
FIG updates 9th April, 2010
Thanks for all the favourable comments about the produce. They have been passed on to our farmers who are quite appreciative, actually.
We have added a section to the FIG blog, for those who have requested it, which you'll be able to click on after 8pm Sunday night to see what produce is expected for the FIG boxes the following day. You'll find this information in the sidebar to the left, under the title "What's in the FIG box this week?". As mentioned previously, there can be last minute changes such as the eggplants this week which many of us were eagerly anticipating and which did not arrive, sending the FIG folk into a whirl of what to substitute! Edited 10.4.10
We were delighted to have some fresh produce from local gardens again this week and some chilli and herbs set out to be taken for free. A big thanks to our members for providing these. Next Monday we will have Ruby Grapefruit - if you tend to drop by late and would like us to put some aside for you, please email FIG at fig.centralcoast @ gmail.com (minus the spaces).
Did anyone try that beautiful Ourimbah honey this week? Very delish! And how more local could it be?
Tonight we have been invited to a talk with the Central Coast Plant Society, given by Dr Tim Entwisle of the University of Sydney and the Botanic Gardens Trust on The Seasons of our Region. This is of relevance to the gardeners and food growers amongst us, and will be held at 8pm this evening at the Narara Research Station.
On Tuesday 20th April, Permaculture Central Coast will be holding their next Information Evening at Tuggerah with April Sampson-Kelly of Permaculture Visions as guest speaker. If you are keen on growing your own food and wish to live a more sustaining life, have been wanting to complete a Permaculture Design Course but cannot get to one, then April conducts courses by distance education which may suit.
One of our members is building a rammed earth and strawbale home at Ourimbah and is going to be conducting some working bees. If you are interested in helping out and even learning from this experience in view to building your own home, please contact FIG and will we pass your details on.
Don't forget the management meeting next Monday, due to start as soon as we're packed up and swept up after co-op has finished for the day. The end of the financial year is looming which represents the end of an official FIG year too, with only two meetings left to go after this one. We think this is a good time to reassess our method of operation and whether we bring in any changes from July. If you are a member and would like to be included in on the discussion, please come along.
See you at the co-op...
We have added a section to the FIG blog, for those who have requested it, which you'll be able to click on after 8pm Sunday night to see what produce is expected for the FIG boxes the following day. You'll find this information in the sidebar to the left, under the title "What's in the FIG box this week?". As mentioned previously, there can be last minute changes such as the eggplants this week which many of us were eagerly anticipating and which did not arrive, sending the FIG folk into a whirl of what to substitute! Edited 10.4.10
We were delighted to have some fresh produce from local gardens again this week and some chilli and herbs set out to be taken for free. A big thanks to our members for providing these. Next Monday we will have Ruby Grapefruit - if you tend to drop by late and would like us to put some aside for you, please email FIG at fig.centralcoast @ gmail.com (minus the spaces).
Did anyone try that beautiful Ourimbah honey this week? Very delish! And how more local could it be?
Tonight we have been invited to a talk with the Central Coast Plant Society, given by Dr Tim Entwisle of the University of Sydney and the Botanic Gardens Trust on The Seasons of our Region. This is of relevance to the gardeners and food growers amongst us, and will be held at 8pm this evening at the Narara Research Station.
On Tuesday 20th April, Permaculture Central Coast will be holding their next Information Evening at Tuggerah with April Sampson-Kelly of Permaculture Visions as guest speaker. If you are keen on growing your own food and wish to live a more sustaining life, have been wanting to complete a Permaculture Design Course but cannot get to one, then April conducts courses by distance education which may suit.
One of our members is building a rammed earth and strawbale home at Ourimbah and is going to be conducting some working bees. If you are interested in helping out and even learning from this experience in view to building your own home, please contact FIG and will we pass your details on.
Don't forget the management meeting next Monday, due to start as soon as we're packed up and swept up after co-op has finished for the day. The end of the financial year is looming which represents the end of an official FIG year too, with only two meetings left to go after this one. We think this is a good time to reassess our method of operation and whether we bring in any changes from July. If you are a member and would like to be included in on the discussion, please come along.
See you at the co-op...
25 February 2010
FIG CHARTER
Originally posted September, 2008
· To provide affordability and accessibility to safe, nutritious, fresh, whole food to people in our community.
· To create relationships with and support our local farmers and businesses.
· To reduce our carbon and environmental footprint by buying/growing local, buying/growing organic/biodynamic produce, buying in bulk and storing foods (dry goods).
NOTE: An order for bulk, dry goods will be made in October....please go to http://www.pulse-cc.blogspot.com/
· To educate and share knowledge and wisdoms with each other in relation to recycling, reusing (ie: using our own food containers), long term food storage, food preparation, nutrition, permaculture, organics/biodynamics and healthy sustainable living.
· For members to participate and volunteer at all levels.
· To provide affordability and accessibility to safe, nutritious, fresh, whole food to people in our community.
· To create relationships with and support our local farmers and businesses.
· To reduce our carbon and environmental footprint by buying/growing local, buying/growing organic/biodynamic produce, buying in bulk and storing foods (dry goods).
NOTE: An order for bulk, dry goods will be made in October....please go to http://www.pulse-cc.blogspot.com/
· To educate and share knowledge and wisdoms with each other in relation to recycling, reusing (ie: using our own food containers), long term food storage, food preparation, nutrition, permaculture, organics/biodynamics and healthy sustainable living.
· For members to participate and volunteer at all levels.
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