Garden program becomes an annual

GOLDEN Plains Shire’s Edible Gardens online webinar series is set to return this month as part of the municipality’s Golden Growers initiative.

After previously taking place in August and November last year, the events will comprise three online workshops with a focus on sustainable, home-grown gardening techniques.

The program will be hosted by horticulturalist Craig Castree, and mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said it will be a great helper to both seasoned and amateur growers.

“Council received great feedback from participants following the Edible Gardens webinars last year and it’s great to have Craig Castree returning to the program to share his valuable experience in growing environmentally-friendly edible gardens,” he said.

“Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, this is the perfect time to learn how to build an edible garden and grow delicious, healthy produce sustainably in your own backyard.

“As the cooler months are approaching, the free webinars will help local gardeners adapt and prepare their edible gardens for a winter harvest, tailored to the Golden Plains environment.”

Attendees of all three webinars will be eligible to win a copy of Mr Castree’s book, Growing and Grafting Fruit Trees for the Aussie Backyard.

The third session will comprise a Q&A with Mr Castree, who said the topics covered will provide a “good all-round scenario” for growers to live off their own land.

“The focus is on encouraging people to use their garden as a place to grow food without necessarily needing a vegetable garden,” he said.

“Particularly, we’re looking to grow the leafier greens over the cooler months but a heavy focus will also be on soil and the benefits for it with composting and worm-farming.”

Visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/edible-gardens or email [email protected] to register attendance.