With food prices set to continue to escalate over the coming years, it’s an important time to start taking the issue of food security to heart. Food security is something we can all participate in, by gardening at home, in community gardens and as small-scale producers. The Growing Abundance workshop series has something for everyone this spring with Permaculture College Australia.

In late July through to end September the Growing Abundance spring workshop series begins again at Djanbung Gardens. The program starts with an introduction to botany and plant identification for the keen gardener, seed saver and plant enthusiast with Robyn Francis, and continues as a series of short courses on a range of practical themes for growing and planning a year round food supply. The Food Forests and Orchards workshop with Janelle Schafer introduces growing and management approaches for a diverse range of temperate and subtropical species, and includes a pruning workshop .

The series continues with a 2-day workshop on Seed Saving and Community Seedbanks, where you'll learn about selecting suitable plants, seed collection, cleaning and storage techniques and important tips for managing a personal or community seedbank. Janelle Schafer will conduct the Integrated Organic Pest and Weed Management Pt 2 workshop - a must for any serious gardener - packed with useful information and practical tips.

In September, Robyn Francis returns from teaching in South France to conduct the Integrated Small Crops Production short course on growing vegies, herbs, spices and other small crops for personal food security and small-scale commercial production. This course also covers crop rotation, companion planting and planning for a year-round food supply. The popular Post Harvest Food Storage and Preservation short course will introduce you to traditional methods of crop storage and post-harvest as well as a wide range of conserves, preserves, how to make herbal vinegars, oils and ointments, and making flour from tubers like cassava and arrowroot.

The Growing Abundance workshops and short courses can be taken as individual programs or for those registering for 2 or more modules enquire about our discounts.

For more information please check out the Short Courses program or our Calendar in the What's On menu above.