March against Monsanto

Mission Statement

by March Against Monsanto (Notes)

On 25 May, activists around the world will unite to March Against Monsanto.

Preserving seed freedom

On Monday 6 May 2013 a draconian new law was put before the European Commission, which creates new powers to classify and regulate all plant life anywhere in Europe. This law would make it illegal to ‘grow, reproduce or trade’ any vegetable seeds that have not been ‘tested, approved and accepted’ by a new EU bureaucracy named the EU Plant Variety Agency. It is called the Plant Reproductive Material Law, and it attempts to put government in charge of virtually all plants and seeds.

Tips from 50 years of backyard vegetable growing

At the recent One Planet Market we were treated to a talk by Andrew Skinner.  I say ‘treated’ because it is always a delight to hear about how seasoned gardeners have gone about their passion of growing good, fresh, healthy food in the city.  Admittedly Andrew and his family have the benefit of a tennis court size garden but based on his talk they make good use of every square inch.  The chooks roam between the vege plots helping clean up the potential pests and fertilizing as they go.   The excess produce is shared with others or preserved for leaner times.

Growing kang kong in the kitchen

by Pauline Muir

I’m interested in establishing some perennial vegetables in my garden and I came across kang kong or Chinese watercress, an Asian perennial vegetable, which tastes much like spinach. It is highly nutritious and never gets bitter.

What I read on the internet suggests that kang kong will grow just in water with added fertiliser. A kind of no dig spinach if you like. It is related to sweet potato and grows as a vigorous vine in tropical conditions and in places like Florida has become an invasive weed. Setting this up this has turned into an interesting experiment.

Essential Edibles Urban Orchard: Sunday 7 April

What better way could there be to spend a sunny autumn morning than attending Essential Edibles Urban Orchard?

You will have the chance to meet other backyard fruit and veggie growers, may glean a few tips and hints, and will go home with beautiful, local home-grown produce.

Essential Edibles is on next Sunday, 7 April at Joslin Reserve (between Third and Fourth Avenues).

The event begins at 9am and the swap takes place at 10am sharp. You can bring anything home-grown – fruit, vegetables, seedlings, flowers, herbs, preserves – or just bring yourself.  All are welcome to attend.

Essential Edibles is an initiative of the Joslin group of Sustainable Communities SA.

For further information contact Kate.

Be meat free for a week

I have been vegetarian for about 5 years now.  Initially I became pescatarian and then vegetarian for environmental reasons. My decision to be fully vegetarian was strengthened by books such as Eating Animals by Jonathon Safron Foer and movies such as Food Inc which discuss the horrible conditions in which animals are kept in factory farms.

Essential Edibles Urban Orchard: Sunday 3 March

The next Essential Edibles Urban Orchard is on Sunday 3 March at Joslin Reserve (between Third and Fourth Avenues) and all are invited.

Come and meet other backyard fruit and veggie growers, preservers and local food lovers. The event begins at 9am and the swap will take place at 10. All are welcome, newcomers especially.

For further information contact Kate: 0400 854885 or visit our Facebook Page.

Essential Edibles Urban Orchard is an initiative of the Joslin Community Group of Sustainable Communities SA.

Essential Edibles Urban Orchard: Sunday 3 February

A reminder that Essential Edibles Urban Orchard is on Sunday 3 February at Joslin Reserve (between Third and Fourth Avenues).

Come and meet other backyard fruit and veggie growers, preservers and local food lovers.

The event begins at 9 am and the swap will take place at 10. All are welcome,especially newcomers.

For further information contact Kate: 0400 854 885

Essential Edibles Urban Orchard is an initiative of the Joslin Community Group of Sustainable Communities SA.

Waterwise veggie garden & edible native plants

For a few years I have been thinking that it would be good to find out more about edible native plants as they are adapted to our soil and climate and thus are likely to good options for a sustainable food garden. Research is also showing that many of these plants are nutritionally superior to the standard commercially grown fruit and veg.

With this blistering dry summer I have begin to seriously rethink what I plant in my veggie patch. Coincidetnly I was recently given Simon Bryant’s Vegies cookbook which features many native plants. His blog on Going Native is a good argument for the incorporation of native plants into every veggie garden. The Outback Pride website provides a good starting list on what edible native plants. What I have found difficult is finding places that stock these plants. There are a number of native plant nurseries in SA (for list see Native Growers List BFWSept12). But I have not been able to find one that specialises in edible plants.

What veggies do you find survive best in our summers? Have you had any experience in growing bush tucker plants? I would be interested to hear how other SCSA members thoughts on this.

Warrigal greens (Tetragonia tetragonioides) – a leafy groundcover grown for edible leaves.

Essential Edibles Urban Orchard: Sunday 6 January 2013

The first Essential Edibles Urban Orchard for 2013 will be held on Sunday, 6 January.

You can bring home-grown vegetable, fruit, herbs, flowers, seedlings, preserves, or just yourself.  All are welcome, and first-timers are most welcome of all.

Where: Joslin Reserve (between Third and Fourth Avenues)
When: Sunday, 6 January 2013
Time: From 9am.  The swap will begin at 10am sharp

For further information please contact Kate on 0400 854 885.