Golden Plains Shire Council is excited to announce a new Health and Wellbeing project as part of the Golden Growers initiative: Edible Gardens.
Local residents are invited to join a free webinar series with Craig Castree, a qualified horticulturist with 45 years of experience in creating edible gardens and growing his own food organically. Participants will learn how to turn an existing garden into an edible and attractive space delivering fresh home grown produce without chemicals in a few short weeks.
Craig is passionate about finding practical, easy and affordable solutions to help people start on their gardening journey. Addressing common challenges for gardeners including constraints on time and space, and difficult growing climates, Craig will offer solutions to these issues and more in the online events.
The Zoom webinars are suitable for beginners and those wishing to improve their gardening skills, and will take place on 4, 11 and 18 August at 6.30pm. To register, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/edible-gardens or email [email protected].
The first 15 people to register will also receive a free gardening starter kit including a variety of seedlings, a trowl, organic fertiliser and a copy of Craig’s Edible Gardening book.
Mayor Cr Helena Kirby encourages aspiring gardeners in Golden Plains to take part in the online series.
“The three Edible Gardens webinars with Craig Castree are perfect for beginners to learn more about how to create their own sustainable and productive garden at home. All community members are welcome to register for the upcoming sessions and learn from Craig’s 45 years of horticultural experience.
“The sessions are free and the first 15 residents who register will even receive an exciting gardening starter kit.
“Last year, we asked our community about their gardening habits and what they wanted they wanted to know more about when it comes to gardening. This feedback has informed this initiative, with Craig to answer their questions and more with his expertise.”
In July and August 2020, 32 community members took part in Council’s Golden Growers survey to find out more about the level of gardening experience and knowledge in the community. When asked what gardening tip they wished they knew when they started growing, the top responses were: the importance of soil composition; what fertiliser to use; reading books instead of hoping for the best; and the best approach to pest control without harsh chemicals.