Garden activities for kids, Our environment

Darebin Backyard Harvest Festival to blossom this May

Posted on by Erica
03
Apr

Passionate gardeners from across Victoria will be lining up to take guided tours of some of Darebin’s abundant and productive food gardens and getting expert advice from local horticulturalists during the annual Backyard Harvest Festival this May.

 

Across 19 sustainability-focused garden tours and workshops, talented hosts will provide tips on a diverse range of subjects, including seedling propagation, keeping chickens, quails and bees, fruit tree maintenance and grafting and natural pest management.

 

Four new gardens have been added to this year’s program, along with two workshops especially designed for families and children – a first for the Festival.

 

The Productive Gardening with Kids Workshop at Poppy’s Patch in Reservoir will show how budding gardeners can have fun while meaningfully participating in gardening activities.

Continue reading →

Other, Our environment, Recipes, Vegie on View

Bush Tucker – Warrigal Greens

Posted on by Erica
01
Jun

Warrigal green quiche
What better way to celebrate National Reconciliation Week than with a popular bush tucker plant and recipe.
Back when I was in school, we were taught that Australian history began when Captain Cook “discovered” Australia.  And celebrations of Indigenous culture were almost non-existent. Thank goodness things have changed!
Nowadays, we have a Welcome to Country ceremony at most official functions. Children are immersed in Indigenous culture from their pre-school days.  And at school, Australian history begins long before 1770.
Bush tucker is becoming increasing popular and many of the plants are super easy for kids to grow. In this blog, we will highlight a bush tucker plant that you will probably have seen growing wild and thought it was just a weed. Continue reading →

Compost and worm farms, Garden activities for kids, Our environment, Pests and Weeds, School garden, Uncategorized

Gardening and Sustainability Curriculum Resources

Posted on by Erica

IMG_8419 (2)

Bad News for Teachers:            There are less than 3 weeks before kids go back to school!
Good News for Teachers:        Sustainability “How to Guides” and full lesson plans are available on the Landcare Australia website.
Good News for Parents:          The How to Guides are a wonderful resource that can be used in your home garden or natural environment as well. We loved the natural pesticide recipe!
Based on the 2015 Australian Curriculum, the lesson plans include engaging and easy-to-understand teaching and learning sequences.  The lessons plans and How to Guides cover a range of gardening and nature based activities and have been to assist Primary School teachers across Australia. Continue reading →

Garden activities for kids, Minibeast of the moment, Our environment

Where have all the Christmas Beetles Gone?

Posted on by Erica
24
Dec
Christmas Beetle
Christmas Beetle
As a child, I remember hundreds of Christmas Beetles arriving on Christmas Eve.  It was always very exciting as it meant that Santa would be arriving soon, but I did wonder how did these beautiful shiny beetles knew that it was Christmas time? Sadly, their numbers are declining in many urban areas.
In this blog, we share some interesting Christmas Beetle facts and provide 5 Christmas Beetle Challenges for Kids.  Continue reading →

FREE stuff, Other, Our environment

National Water Week 2014

Posted on by Erica
21
Oct
Bottle Top Waterer
Bottle Top Waterer
National Water Week 2014 Free Bottle Top Waterer.
Growing up, water was seen as an endless resource. We played under the sprinkler for hours, hosed down our drive ways and dual flush toilets were unheard of. I can still remember my father’s disgust at the introduction of water usage charges, that’s right, it used to be free!
Nowadays, things are very different. We have come to our senses and realised that water is a very valuable resource and we all have to be sensible with its use.  Many households have water tanks and grey water systems. My husband plumbed our shower so the water goes straight out on to our garden; the plants that receive this shower water are some of the healthiest in my garden.
This week, 19-25 October, is National Water Week, an event that has been running since 1993. The aim of National Water Week is to inspire individuals, communities and organisations to work together to raise awareness and understanding around water issues. This year’s theme is “Water Sources: There are more than you think”.  Continue reading →

Garden activities for kids, Our environment

The Natured Kids' Play Outside Day Challenge

Posted on by Erica
29
Apr

Australia Play Outside DayMay 4th is the Australian Conservation Foundation’s National Play Outside Day. ‘Natured Kids’ all around Australia will be building special shelters in their front and back yards, on their nature strip or in a little bit of nearby nature. Continue reading →

Garden activities for kids, Our environment

Increase Biodiveristy in your Garden

Posted on by Erica
23
Sep

Lizard Lounge Signage
The Department of the Environment explains “Biodiversity has been described as the ‘web of life’, ‘the variety of living things’ or ‘the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and ecosystems of which they are a part’”. Teaching our kids about the importance of protecting, celebrating and increasing biodiversity is essential. The great thing is that most kids have a natural fascination with biodiversity and are eager to learn more about and increase the number of plants and animals in their environment. There are numerous gardening projects you and your kids can do to help increase biodiversity in your family’s garden and help your kids learn about the wonderful world around them. Here are ten ideas to help get you started:  Continue reading →

Our environment

Connecting Children to Nature Around the World

Posted on by Erica
13
Sep

Connecting kids to nature.
I love meeting fellow nature lovers who enjoy connecting children to nature.  Over the last few years I have made some truly wonderful connections with people from around the world who share my joy. I am always inspired by those who work hard to teach children about the wonders and the fragility of our earth. Their work encourages younger generations to think and act in a more environmentally sustainable manner and that has to be a good thing.
I was honoured to be contacted by the Children & Nature Network and asked to provide information and photos for a presentation they would be showing at the 2013 Grassroots Gathering in California. Continue reading →

Garden activities for kids, Our environment, School garden

How to Build a Lizard Lounge in Your Garden

Posted on by Erica
06
Sep

lizard loungeDo your kids love seeing animals in the garden? Do you want to teach your kids about biodiversity?  Building a lizard lounge ticks both boxes and is a great way to increase biodiversity in your garden. They are easy to make, the kids can use their imagination and creative flair and best of all you will be providing a home for some of our most vulnerable creatures.
To make a lizard lounge in your garden you will need: Continue reading →

Our environment

The Best Trees for Kids

Posted on by Erica
19
Jul

National Tree Day 2012I love trees! I always have and always will. I really enjoy teaching children how respect and enjoy trees.  When it comes to picking my absolute favourite tree for kids I find it incredibly tricky as there are so many! So, I decided to ask some of Australia’s leading tree lovers and fellow kids gardening enthusiasts what their favourite tree is for children and why. As you will see, even some of them had trouble come up with just one.
Prunus Snow Fountains in leaf
Understandably, Wes Fleming from Fleming’s Nurseries and award winner at 2013 Chelsea Flower Show, could not pick just one tree. Continue reading →