Wondering about Permaculture?

Image from http://permacultureprinciples.com/principles.php.




'Permaculture' is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot, but not everyone is sure what it means. Is it organic? Is it mysterious? Does it involve bizarre composting rituals? There are quite a few permaculture practitioners and experts in Victoria. A few of them are offering what looks like a good learning opportunity for someone who is serious enough to want to spend $200 for a comprehensive look at permaculture.

This two-day intensive workshop will be offered on April 23-24th in Victoria. Included in the price is:

1. -a copy of the book ‘Introduction to Permaculture’ by Bill Mollison
2. -16 hours of Permaculture Design theory & applied Organic Gardening techniques
3. -Certificate of Attendance
4. -coffee, tea & a delicious lunch both days!

Sounds like you'll learn about compost tea, vermiculture, the soil food web, and much more. For more information, visit the website or e-mail hatchetnseed@gmail.com.

-Fiona Gilsenan

Green Drinks @ UVIC

Here's an event that isn't listed on the usual Green Drinks website. There should be some interesting folks there from the Office of Community-Based Research and other UVIC groups. They are currently hosting Wendy Brawer, the founder of www.greenmap.org in NYC. I bet there will be lots of chatter about sustainability, food security, and local food production. All up our alley!

The Mayor is Coming to Fairfield

Tonight, Wed. March 16th, Mayor Dean Fortin will be in our neighbourhood to talk about budget issues. You'll find him in the Garry Oak Room at the Fairfield Community Association from 7:30 to 9 pm. I wonder if anyone will raise some of the issues that matter to gardeners in Fairfield, such as the City's Community Garden Policy, which is due for a revamp.

-Fiona Gilsenan

The Dirt in Fernwood

City Councillor Philippe Lucas and Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South and Agriculture Critic for the NDP, is hosting an event in Fernwood tonight, March 15th @ 7 pm, and it sounds like a great time.  Here's what the invite says.

You are invited to a FREE screening of Dirt the Movie!

An award-winning documentary and an Official Selection at Sundance Film Festival, Dirt! the Movie tells an amazing and little known story of the relationship between humans and living dirt

Watch this trailer and you'll see why this movie has gotten rave reviews!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8_dN5YWnyc

Co-hosted by MLA and Ag Critic Lana Popham and City Councillor Philippe Lucas. After the film we'll have tea and snacks and a presentation by farmer and local-food advocate Bob Maxwell.

See you at the Fernwood Community Association tonight (1923 Fernwood Road).

Love Tools?

 These lovely old pruners belong to Mathew Augustus

The Victoria Horticultural Society's monthly meeting takes place next Tuesday, March 1 @ 7:30. As always, it's help at the Garth Homer Centre in Saanich. They've have Ann Roy and Lynne van der Have talking about the yummy tools you can get from Lee Valley. I've always had a soft spot for Lee Valley because they are a Canadian-based company and because they sell these marvellous watchmaker's cases that are so handy for many things.

For VHS members, there's also free entry to the Doris Page Winter garden at Glendale Gardens next week. And as it actually is winter at the moment, it might be worth a visit.

-Fiona Gilsenan

Seedy Saturday is here!

We're off to Seedy Saturday to mingle with gardeners, buy some seeds, and find out what's new and exciting in the gardening world. Oh yes, and we'll be talking to people about the proposed Fairfield Community Gardens as well!

There are some interesting speakers at the event. Carolyn Herriot will be talking about the Zero Mile Diet, Dr. Michelle Gorman will tell us how to outsmart pests, and Lynda Dowling from Happy Valley Herbs is going to talk about --what else? herbs. There's a full list of speakers here. See you there!

-Fiona Gilsenan

Looking for Green Happenings?

Want to learn a new skill this month? (iStock photo)

A great resource for gardeners and lovers of things green in Victoria is the EcoNews Green Diary, hosted by EarthFuture.org. For instance, just this month in Victoria you could

• remove invasive species from native habitat
• join an organic farming work party
• learn about composting
• take your kids on a slug walk
• go to an Ancient Forest Fundraiser
• see a multi-media presentation on bullfrogs
• find out more about beekeeping

Plenty to do, see, and learn! There's even a handy pdf you can download and put on your bulletin board at the beginning of each month.

-Fiona Gilsenan

Mushrooms 101

Photo courtesy of Cannor Nurseries.

Cannor Nursery in Royal Oak has what sounds like a good event this weekend. On Sun. Feb. 6th @ 10:30, Gary Hagel will be talking about growing and harvesting mushrooms. There were so many mushrooms in the woods this winter and I found myself wishing I knew more about them. So here's a chance to learn a bit more.

He will demonstrate the use of a mushroom kit and discuss some the local mushrooms found in Victoria and around the rest of British Columbia!

They say to call 250.658.5415 or e-mail cannorclub@cannorvictoria.com to register. The event is at 4660 Elk Lake Drive.

update: Here's a great overview of the workshop by Rhona McAdam's wonderful blog, Really Random Garden.

-Fiona Gilsenan

Urban Gardening Event

Spotted in an Oak Bay window

Seems there are a few more opportunities to learn about urban gardening in Victoria in January. This conference will be presented on Sat. Jan 29, 2011 up at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. Speakers include Marilyn Soames (chickens!), Brenda Jager (bees!), Carol Miles (veggies!), Don Genova (food!), and Tom Baumann (berries & fruits!). Lunch, workshops, silent auction, and more.

For more information, contact mixingitup2011@gmail.com.