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Onion weed is taking over

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Allium Triquetrum, commonly known as Onion Weed or Angled Onion, has been declared a noxious weed in Yarra Ranges Council Shire. A weed, in general, is a plant which is growing in the wrong place. A noxious weed, by definition, is a plant that causes environmental or economic harm or that has the potential to cause such harm. They can also present risks to human health. Onion weed is a noxious weed for most of the southern parts of Australia.

Onion weed is a perennial (reoccurring) and has thin green strappy leaves growing from a small white round bulb. When cut or crushed it gives off an onion smell. White bell-shaped flowers grow at the top of a long stalk in Spring and form seeds in the Summer months.

The weed is spread by the wind blowing the seeds into new areas, as well as the formation of small bulblets attached to the parent bulb. It thrives in damp, semi shaded conditions, which is why the Yarra Ranges is so susceptible to it. In our area, it is easily spotted in gardens, lawns, roadside, ditches and paddocks, the white flowers tells us that the bulbs are dividing and new onion weed is spreading.  It grows easily and quickly chokes the ground, impacting on the other plants. Weed identification and control are important parts of environmental management.

One positive about onion weed is that it is classed as an edible weed. All parts of the onion weed are edible- flowers, stems and bulbs. The stems and leaves have a mild spring onion or leek flavour, whilst the bulb has a mild garlic flavour. Each of these parts can be used in cooking such as stir fries, soups and salads.

Interested in Gardening? Green Thumbs Galore at Cire Community Hub in Yarra Junction runs weekly, where participants will not only tend to the garden but also have a space to share skills and knowledge and, together, learn how to grow and harvest various herbs, fruits, and vegetables.

In the vegetable garden

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As the seasons change from summer to autumn, it’s time to think ahead to what winter vegetables you’d like to harvest in the coming months to add to your dinner menu. Now is the perfect time to get to it and start planning, preparing and planting your vegetable gardens for this coming winter.

There are a number of winter harvest vegetables that can be planted from mid-February and into March. Plants such as garlic cloves, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, leek, winter cabbage and Brussels sprouts can be planted as seedlings now in order for them to have time to mature.

Now Brussels sprouts may not be everyone’s idea of the go to vegetable, but even children (who at times are rather fussy eaters) have learnt to love Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts can be steamed, pan fried with a drizzle of olive oil with lashings of freshly ground black pepper and a handful of diced bacon thrown in for good measure. Resulting in a delicious home grown side dish that even the sceptics will grow to love.  If the Brussels sprouts can be a family dinner winner why not try growing them this year in the garden and add them to your winter menu.

Although this summer hasn’t been a scorcher; in many areas it has been a dry summer period with low rain fall. The soil could possibly benefit from some additional nutrients; for example chook or horse manure, click here for the ABC Gardening Australia Fact Sheet on manure nutrients. Paddock horse manure can be added to the vegetable garden beds and perhaps a bit of compost. Adding back to the soil doesn’t need to cost a fortune nor require man-made chemicals. Horse or chook manure is often seen for sale on the side of the road by some enterprising young person costing around 2 or 3 dollars per bag. Why not pick up a few bags next time you’re out and about, and combine well using a fork or spade with the soil? Don’t forget to water in the manure afterwards to make sure it mixes well together.

Planning ahead is the key to success in the vegetable patch. Some winter vegetables can take from 12 weeks to 20 weeks to fully develop. By planting some varieties over the next few weeks hopefully this will ensure that by mid-June and into July you should have some vegetables ready to harvest for the table.

If you are thinking about sowing seeds this coming weekend, you could consider using a small bench top greenhouse or seed tray (purchased or home made), this video will help you get started. Sowing seeds this way helps offer additional protection from weather extremes and makes thinning out the developed seedlings prior to planting easier at bench level rather than bending or crouching down in the garden itself. I would recommend this method particularly if you plan on sowing seeds rather than planting out seedlings.

So whether you have a backyard entirely dedicated to a vegetable garden, have a small plot in a community garden or perhaps you have a few pots out on your verandah, no matter the size or shape of your vegetable garden why not start planning, preparing and planting out your space this weekend in readiness for a bumper winter harvest in the coming cooler months.

If you would like to take your interest in gardening further and make a career out of it? Why not enrol in our Certificate II in Horticulture – AHC20410. This course is the first step to getting a job in horticulture, click here for further details.

A wander and a chat in the ECOSS gardens

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Last Wednesday I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit the UYCH Community College Horticultural Industry Taster course students at ECOSS in Wesburn. I found the students in the herb garden where they had just started a learning activity about biodynamic treatments for soil. The trainer explained, “The students need to mix the treatment by hand, stirring continuously for one hour, in order for the treatment to activate correctly.” Students who were not mixing, closely timed each person and swapped ‘stirrers’ after every five minutes or so.

David from ECOSS walked me around the property pointing out the fabulous activities that the students had completed and continued to tend to this term.

The main garden had an impressive compost production centre the students had helped to construct during the term; the rich compost has already been used on several of the ECOSS garden plots.

Not too far from the composting area there were newly constructed keyhole gardens. David and Shaun had the students experiment with either, a brick and concrete design or a rock and concrete design. Gardeners will now be able to reach all areas of the garden with ease, what a great garden design. There were even a few little vegies growing in the beds with some of the handmade, home (ECOSS) grown compost giving those little vegies an extra nutrients boost.

To the side of the keyhole garden beds, there was a bamboo pole tepee that measured well in excess of two metres.

David explained, “A few weeks ago the students planted snow and sweet pea seeds directly into some of the ECOSS made compost, which makes up the informal garden bed at the base of the teepee, and now the peas are climbing and weaving their way up the bamboo stakes. It really won’t take too long for there to be an entire canopy of snow and sweet peas covering the large framework. It sure will make for a brilliant little hideout for some visiting children to discover.”

David pointed me in the direction of the vegetable plot and left me to explore alone as it was his turn to mix the biodynamic treatment. I wandered over to the vegie plot where Glen, one of UYCH’s students, had just finished turning over an area of rich and very fertile soil. There were still some remaining winter vegies growing, which had lovely vivid colours of greens and purples. I’m certain, the last of the winter vegie crops, have by now made a welcome addition to someone’s menu creations.

I found my way back to the herb garden where the stirring and mixing had continued, along with lots of chatter and laughs from the students. I would have loved to have stayed all day and shared in their laughter and learning.  It definitely was a superb way to start the day with a wander and chat in the ECOSS garden.

Article by Nina Bekker – Team Leader Pre-Accredited

If you enjoy getting your hands dirty and working outdoors, then click here for further information on how UYCH can help you kick start a career in horticulture.

 

Learn locally – kick start your career

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The following article appeared in the Mail newspaper (Education Week feature) – Tuesday 12th May 2015

Upper Yarra Community House  has recently partnered with ECOSS in Wesburn, close to both their Yarra Junction and Mount Evelyn Campuses.

This is a great opportunity for people who want to learn locally and are looking to start a career in this rewarding sector.

Both UYCH and ECOSS are committed to delivering quality training along with excellent facilities in the heart of the Yarra Valley, which is known for its outstanding produce and agriculture.

By partnering with ECOSS there will also be a strong emphasis on organic and sustainable agriculture techniques.

UYCH are one of the main providers in the outer east offering the Certificate II in Horticulture, a newly developed course that is highly regarded by industry experts.

It’s a great hands on course which will not only enrich the learning experience, but it’s a great opportunity to further promote sustainable living within our local community.

Short but informative’ Introduction to Horticulture’ courses are also being run.

Partnering with another local not for profit organisation, like ECOSS, ensures that UYCH can further enhance education opportunities for our local community.

For further information on Certificate II in Horticulture and  Introduction to Horticulture short courses click here or call 1300 835 235.

If you would like to know more about ECOSS visit www.ecoss.org.au