Around Altona 138

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ISSUE 138 MAY 2020 Distributed throughout Altona with distribution points in Altona North, Seaholme and Altona Meadows LIKE Around Altona on Facebook! Stay informed and view the paper online faster: www.facebook.com/AroundAltona HOW TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN SEEMINGLY YOU CAN’T

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HOW TO GET THROUGH YOUR DAY WHEN YOUR FAMILY IS DRIVING YOU CRAZY

HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES FROM SCRAPS

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A NATURAL WAY TO STRENGTHEN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Honey: Learn how it’s made, why local is best, and 15 fascinating facts about honey bees.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to take extra care of your health. One delicious way to supplement your food is with honey. Bees give us the gift of honey - a wonderful food that is completely natural. It may possibly be the only food known to us that does not go off.

It is full of goodness with its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. What’s more, it contains pre-biotics which is beneficial to the microflora in our gut for a stronger immune system. For good health.

Not all honey is the same When you can, source local honey. That’s because often the bees are feeding from the very flowers that produce the pollens leading to allergies or hay fever. By doing this, they make the biotics and antihistamines that help with easing the reaction - and in some cases stopping it.

Honey is not the only gift bees bring us: They also bring us the gift of pollination.

How pollination works Pollination is the movement of male pollen to the female part of the flower (stigma), the first step in successful seed and fruit production by the plant. Once the plant has been pollinated, the male contribution fuses with the egg in the continue page 3

PLEASE DO NOT DISCARD - Give this paper to a friend or neighbour to read.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Hello from the other side!

Without speculating too much, I am tipping that you are in some form of isolation. The entire world has come to a standstill – a pause if you will.

Depending on your perspective and circumstances, it may be a welcome pause, giving us all a chance to slow down, in this endlessly fast paced world.

The flipside might mean you find yourself alone and without work. Wondering how you might make ends meet.

You might be home schooling 2 children and working 3 jobs from the home office, struggling to cope without the social network you’ve so tirelessly built for yourself...

Whatever your situation, there are difficulties across the board. Loneliness, anxiety, boredom, depression. These are just some of the emotions you may be experiencing. There might also be moments of gratitude, joy, peace and quiet.

The pandemic has impacted us all, even rendering our little paper “digital only” for the time being. We are very sorry to anyone that relies on the physical copy – we hope to be back at it as soon as we can.

The truth is, I experience this full range of emotions on most days.

In the meantime, enjoy the efforts of our writers, who have spoiled us with recipes and tips on how to get through these strange days...

Enjoy!

See you Around – online.

Melissa Longo www.inkcloud.co

I remind myself to feel grateful, while simultaneously feeling the strain of my four walls and my little family closing in on me.

WINE RIME As I sit here seeking a rhyme I am thinking of things I know: For instance the German word “nein” Translates into English as “no”.

At times when I am feeling low, Troubles aplenty on my mind, When I have debts but not much dough, Juice of the grape helps me unwind.

“No” is a word I’ll not utter When offered a glass of vino.

Red or white doesn’t matter; It puts “go” in my “get up and go”.

After a long and tiring day, I’ll not say “No, Nix, Non or Nein” To a cool glass of Chardonnay.

After six I’ll sing “Auld Lang Syne”.

Wine I know is juice of the grape, Of which a glass I’ll ne’er decline.

It’s my preferred means of escape; I like “Chardy” but Claret’s fine.

Too much though will loosen the mouth: You might say stuff that’s out of line, Causing things to go so far south That you’ll find yourself in a bind.

A glass or two fires up the mind, Lets flow my creative juices.

It aids digestion when I dine, And has several other uses.

Well let’s all give thanks to Bacchus, Ancient Greek and Roman divine, Still honoured by many of us For this gift he gave to Mankind.

Jack Nystrom

0408 659 940 or aroundsell@gmail.com

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from page 1 ovary, the process known as fertilisation. After fertilisation, the fruit and seeds develop and mature.

About two-thirds of the food Australians eat is the direct result of pollination by insects, and a very large part of that is the result of pollination carried out by the European Honey Bee. Honey bees fly up to two kilometres from their hive to collect pollen and nectar, so as you can imagine if you have a hive at home, they don’t have to work very hard at all to pollinate whatever is flowering at your place.

The fantastic bonus is that you also get floral honey from them, which is often the sweetest honey of them all. There are a number of businesses out there who will host a hive at your place - if you are not interested in becoming an apiarist (a bee keeper) then this may be an option for you. Most of the companies will leave you a little honey for your trouble and of course, you get great pollination.

As an apiarist having a hive in my backyard, I’m very aware of how fragile bees are - and how heavily we rely upon them for much of the food we eat. It reminds me every day just how important it is not to spray and use chemicals around my backyard.

Instead, it’s better to use companion planting and more natural sprays like chilli and garlic, (I discuss this more in my book Edible Gardens: A Practical Guide).

15 Fascinating facts about honey bees 1. Bees account for 87% of all pollination of our food.

1. If the bee disappears from Earth we only have four years left to live.

2. Australia is the only country left that does not have the Varroa mite that kills bees.

3. Household sprays contribute to Colony Collapse Disorder in bee hives.

4. Honey bees literally work themselves to death.

5. Queens are twice the size of all the other bees.

6. A queen bee can lay up to 2000 eggs a day.

7. The queen bee can live for up to three to five years.

8. Drones are male and do nothing but mate with the queen and cannot sting.

9. The worker bees are female and only live for six weeks.

10. The average worker bee produces about one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime.

11. It takes nearly forty-eight bees their entire lifetime to make two tablespoons of honey.

12. There are sixteen kinds of honey bees.

13. A bee hive swarms every year in spring to found a new colony when a new queen is born.

14. Bees are deaf.

Highly recommended flowering, bee-attracting plants 1. Lavender 2. Lemon balm 3. Borage 4. Echium 5. Sunflowers 6. Oregano 7. Allyssum 8. Thyme 9. Passionfruit 10. Marigold 11. Calendula 12. Artichoke Strengthen your immune system the natural and delicious way, with honey.

Got any questions, shoot me an email, I’d love to hear from you: craigcastree@optusnet.com.au Craig Castree Craig loves talking to people about how to set up their own edible gardens and make healthier, more sustainable choices.

He is also a cheesemaker, an apiarist, Published Author of “Edible Gardens: A Practical Guide”, and presented on ‘Vasili’s Garden to Kitchen’ program on Channel 44 and 7 TWO. Website: www.craigcastree.com.au

TO ADVERTISE IN AROUND ALTONA COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER Contact

Daniel - M: 0408 659 940 E: aroundsell@gmail.com Will - M: 0449 834 359 E: will@aroundaltona.com.au Issue 138

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HOW TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN SEEMINGLY YOU CAN’T

How to stay connected when seemingly you can’t? It’s a good question. Many of us have family and friends scattered afar.

Time and space, and now social distancing rules, along with restrictions on non-essential travel, have conspired to make staying connected seem difficult.

WE NEED TO BE CONNECTED We don’t normally live in isolation. We’re connected to others through our family ties, friendships, work, church, sport or community activities. Such connections with others are vital for our health and wellbeing. Togetherness strengthens us.

It brings comfort and promotes individual and collective happiness.

Most of us have an instinctive need to be connected to others.

This sense of being linked, helps us to flourish. It counters the feeling that we’re alone and have to manage everything in life on our own. Through our connectedness to those around us, we can share encouragement and support. It’s why staying connected to others is worth our best efforts in these difficult times.

TIPS TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN SEEMINGLY YOU CAN’T • Think laterally. Acts of connectedness are wonderfully varied. You can Skype, Zoom, Messenger, Facetime or phone family or friends to stay in touch or have a catch-up. In tough times, it’s encouraging for someone to know they’re being

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thought of, to have a listening ear, share helpful ideas, or enjoy a happy conversation. Such interactions go a long way to staying connected when seemingly you can’t.

• Seek fresh ideas. Don’t think there’s nothing you can do to stay connected to people you care about. We all have access to a divine Mind – the source of all good ideas. Turning to this infinite Mind can lead us to find unique avenues to stay connected. Seeking and finding fresh ideas shows that “We are all capable of more than we do”. Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health p. 89.

• Get creative. Distance doesn’t have to dampen family activities. Although living far apart, it’s possible to have all the family cook the same meal, sit at their own table and eat together via Zoom. Or, grandparents can play fun card games online with their overseas grandkids. Nothing is impossible. With a good dose of inspiration, you can shakeup your creativity and work out how to stay connected when seemingly you can’t.

• Be love impelled. Let your loving heart move you to stay connected to others. Divine Love cares for you, yours, and all. Allow that tender Love to guide your actions. Through it you can renew old connections, establish new ones, and enjoy being connected to others. “Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.”

Bible. Colossians 3:14.

– Beverly Goldsmith writes on the connection between spirituality and health and is an experienced Christian Science practitioner and teacher.

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Photo page “Around” looks a little different at the moment, but no less beautiful. In some instances – more so! Home schooling, zoom meetings, pop up parks and lakes to ourselves, homemade pizzas and long walks to fill in the days. However you are getting through, take a moment to appreciate the little things – it helps...

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HOW TO GET THROUGH YOUR DAY WHEN YOUR FAMILY IS DRIVING YOU CRAZY My daughter was wailing because I had accidentally elbowed her in the hallway while putting my jumper on. My husband had his music turned up loudly in the lounge. He moved to the bedroom after I told him I was about to do a yoga session, but still, the music was loud. All I wanted was a few minutes of quiet.

I grabbed my mat and laid it out on the grass in the backyard, my insides seething and my mind anything but calm, while my yoga teacher spoke in soothing tones, guiding us into stretches. I felt like yelling and crying at the same time.

The end of many weeks homeschooling and I feel like a yoyo. Many days I have an awesome time playing Italian cafes (to help my daughter learn Italian), making rainbow butterfly streamers with friends online, and celebrating that my 7-year old finally learned how to tell the time in between o’clocks and half pasts.

Then there are those days she drives me mental. I’m exhausted, angry and frustrated. And my hubby is leaving us to it, retreating into the study all day.

I’m an introvert — this situation feels unbearable.

All I want to do is get into my car and head to a gorgeous rock climbing wall outdoors with mates — because choosing which crevice to place my feet and whether that bit of rock sticking up will turn out to be a decent hold — well it’s one of the only activities that truly focuses my mind and gives me a

brief hall pass from being a 24/7 mum and wife.

Of course, I can’t run away from this, none of us can. Instead, we’ve got to explore ways to manage those days when the family is driving us crazy: 1. Look inward How things are can be a reflection of what’s going on inside you. Are you tired? Do you feel well? Are you worried about how you’re going to lift your income or keep your job?

These feelings show up as impatience, anger, and irritation directed at our families. For instance, when my daughter has a sore tummy she doesn’t respond to what we ask her to do.

When I get irritated that I don’t get enough time to work, I get angry with my husband for not doing the dishes.

When we look deep inside ourselves, we discover the source of the irritation, anger, and impatience. Simply being aware of it is helpful.

2. Communicate Often when we feel bad, it’s easier to clam up, bang doors, and make snarky comments. This doesn’t create a nice environment at home though. And when we’re here all day together, it helps to get along.

Telling our family how we feel can be a first step to easing tension. I find this is easier for us after we’ve taken time out by ourselves first, to change our mood and get perspective.

Then simply saying “Sorry I didn’t mean to be cranky, I’m just tired today” or “I can’t hear the yoga instructor with all that noise” can help the family understand — and remind them to be more considerate next time. Of course, this doesn’t always work despite our best intentions. All we can do is try.

Letting go of ego, focusing on how you feel rather than flinging blame around can be a good way to begin. My daughter sometimes asks “Can we start the day again, Mum?” This is also a great way to reset and start communicating better.

3. Find gratitude With all the negativity surrounding us in the news, then being cooped up inside — such an unnatural situation — there’s so much to whine about. What helps me is to find gratitude regularly.

A simple way to do this is a morning positivity and gratitude meditation. I find it easier to follow a guided morning meditation for positivity and gratitude soon after I wake up in the morning. Journaling also helps. When you have the intention to be grateful in writing, it’s quite therapeutic, puts daily life into perspective, and gives you a little nudge to follow through.

4. Move How do you feel when you’ve sat in one position for hours? Our bodies weren’t meant to be still. My daughter reminds me of that every minute she’s awake. She wriggles while eating at the table, darting off to dance to the music, kicking her feet back and forth, jumping, climbing, bouncing, running, walking, and wriggling all day.

Move more and see how you feel after a brisk walk around the block or 20 star jumps in your lounge. Do a 15-minute yoga session and notice the difference. There’s a good reason for this: moving raises our feel-good hormone oxytocin. That warm feeling throughout your body from even 10 minutes

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of exercise can help you feel more positive, happy, and empathetic.

Our regular activities at the moment are running, riding, yoga, playing footy, and strength training (using bodyweight and household items). We aim to get outdoors at least once a day — I’ve discovered many of my friends are doing the same.

What do you enjoy doing? Get into it. Move more and move daily.

5. Call a friend This is one of my go-tos when I’m feeling really down and can’t shake out of it. I call a friend I know will be sympathetic yet positive, someone who knows me well and someone who I can be honest with and don’t have to put on a happy voice for.

Someone I can count on to lift me up.

You know that friend. Give them a call or text. Have a cry, chat, and laugh together. Find out how they’re doing too, and care about their reply. Perhaps they are going through something you can help them with too. Giving is as good a therapy as receiving. It also helps to take our minds off our own lives for a little while, which is a great way to change our mood.

6. Be kinder to yourself Have you ever noticed that when you’re feeling off, it’s as if you’re running an open house party for negative thoughts?

I can’t do this. What’s the point? I’ll never get that good. It’s too hard.

When I feel this way, I stomp around the house unhappy and snappy. Until I realize this isn’t helping me — or the family.

Try this: Change: “I can’t do this,” to “I’m just gonna give it a go and see.”

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Change: “What’s the point?” to “This is worth it, it’s important to me.”

Change: “I’ll never get that good,” to “I’ve got to start somewhere.”

Change: “It’s too hard,” to “It will get easier if I keep going.”

Feelings are signals. Acknowledge them. Embrace them.

Let’s analyze them. And then, let’s choose how we want them to work for us, rather than against us.

We will get through these crazy days.

Perhaps you’re going as bonkers as I am each week at the moment. We are only human. Let’s be grateful that no matter what we lose physically, we always have a choice, even though it doesn’t feel like it. We always have the choice to stop whining, feeling sorry for ourselves, and dwelling on ‘what ifs’ and ‘buts,’ or focusing on what we’ve lost.

It’s the end of my crap, crazy day that turned out perfectly, because here I am doing what I love: Caring for my family.

Writing for love, for peace, for calm. And hoping sanity for tomorrow when the family starts driving me crazy again.

Words and Illustration by Cynthia Marinakos.

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www.carissprinting.com.au Issue 138

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A MESSAGE FROM THE CHERRY LAKE WARD COUNCILLORS We understand these past few weeks have been an incredibly challenging time for Hobsons Bay residents and their families. Since the Coronavirus pandemic started to become more serious, Council has been working hard to find meaningful ways to support our local people. We want to support local businesses that have taken such an unprecedented hit and our hearts go out to the traders who are the lifeblood of our local economy.

We are also thinking of our vulnerable communities who may not only be struggling for essential food and supplies but are also feeling isolated. Local sporting groups, community organisations and young families... absolutely everyone has had their lives upended by this pandemic and we are doing our best within our capacity to assist.

We’d like to thank our local health care workers, emergency service operators and all of those in our community who continue to work hard to provide essential services to our people. Please remember the four reasons to go out under Stage 3 restrictions, be kind to each other and stay safe.

Deputy Mayor Sandra Wilson and Cr Tony Briffa How our essential services are adapting A range of our services will continue as normal and some with various changes. We are committed to providing these services for as long as possible, based on requirements from the federal and state governments. For example: • Our face to face customer service at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre in Altona is closed until further notice.

However, you may still contact customer service by phone on 03 9932 1000 or by emailing customerservice@ hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Alternatively, you can live chat with one of our officers – just click on the link at the bottom of our website’s homepage.

• Immunisations will continue and also increase but bookings will need to be made online at www.hobsonsbay. vic.gov.au/immunisation • Meals on Wheels Food Services will continue to deliver ‘meals on wheels’ to registered residents, combined with wellbeing checks and the provision of toilet paper for each client. Eligible new clients wanting to apply for meal delivery services will be fast tracked.

• Libraries are altering services to provide ‘Book a book’ library home delivery service, access to electronic books from http://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/collections and online storytime presented LIVE on the Hobsons Bay Libraries Facebook page.

For a list of amended Council services, as well as a range of FAQs, visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/coronavirus Community support packages Council has released two community support packages to

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help the people of Hobsons Bay during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. These packages focus on alleviating financial pressure on businesses, community groups and sporting clubs, as well as helping some of our most vulnerable residents. Just some of the highlights include: Local businesses • Full rental rebate until 30 June 2020 for eligible small business tenants paying rent in a Council-owned building • Refund of food premises registration fees and outdoor trading permits already paid in 2019-20 • Interest free deferral of the next two quarterly rates payments for eligible local business • Waived planning application fees for next six months for new start-ups • Establishment of a business roundtable and crisis support mentoring network (listed above) Email Council at business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Sporting clubs and community groups • Full rental rebate until at least 30 June 2020 for eligible groups paying rent in a Council-owned building • Waiver of winter ground allocation fees • Financial assistance towards sporting club utility fees, eligibility applies. To get in touch, email Council crichards@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Vulnerable communities • Identifying more vulnerable households, while conducting wellbeing checks via phone • Combined ‘meals on wheels’ delivery with wellbeing checks and toilet paper • Eligible new clients applying for meal delivery services will be fast tracked • Ongoing access to immunisation services via online bookings • Syringe disposal kits distributed to planned activity group (PAG) clients • Online new parent groups, playgroups and youth counselling. Contact Council on 9932 1000 or at customerservice@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Coronavirus for more on Council’s community support packages Deputy Mayor and Cherry Lake Ward Cr Sandra Wilson Contact details: 9932 1044 (BH) 0419 287 117 (AH) or swilson@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Cherry Lake Ward Cr Tony Briffa, JP Contact details: 9932 1044 (BH) 0418 398 906 (AH) or tbriffa@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Council’s website – www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

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NOT WHAT ANYONE EXPECTED

I do believe you have been living under a rock if you’re not fully aware of the global health crisis we find ourselves part of right now. Whether you like it or not, nobody is immune from the flow-on effects of the virus that is spreading like our recent bush fires, across not only the globe, but here in our own backyard.

Sadly, in the time that elapses between writing this article and you reading it, so many things will have changed.

Businesses will have closed, people will be unemployed and citizens will be in some type of mandatory lockdown.

And sadly, thousands of people globally will have lost their lives. Otherwise, healthy people with no underlying conditions who were looking forward to spending Easter, Mother’s Day, birthdays, Father’s Day and Christmas are tragically no longer with us.

I know we have heard it all before, and when you hear something non-stop, it’s impact can often diminish, but this has become a matter of life or death. Please. Stay home. Stay safe. And stop the spread of COVID-19.

On a stranger and slightly more light-hearted note, the supermarkets have become the arena of modern day combat in some municipalities and basic items such as butter and cream, tissues and paper towel are as scarce as hen’s teeth, as my Gran would say. Normally sane people are fighting over Sorbent and rations have been imposed on rice and pasta. It’s crazy.

A few weeks ago, whilst in Coles I genuinely thought our Woodend Branch of the CWA must have been holding a baker’s convention, as I strolled past empty shelves where I would usually find flour, yeast, sugar and other baking essentials, until news stories appeared showing people panic buying for fear of enforced isolation and diminished grocery supply. It was then I also realised that I clearly live in a town of very few coeliacs, who are going to bake their way through self-isolation.

So, if you are one of the lucky ones able to secure some of those baking products that are such a hot commodity right now, I have a few tried and tested recipes that you might be interested in trying. We are all in this together, so let’s stay home, wash our hands, and get back to basics in the kitchen!

Dee One Cup Cake 1 cup Self Raising Flour (or 1 cup Plain Flour, 1 ½ tsp baking powder & ½ tsp bicarb soda) 1 cup shredded coconut 1 cup white sugar 1 cup milk 1 large egg Method Pre-heat oven to 160C fan forced (or 180C non-fan)

Mix everything together really well with a wooden spoon and pour into a loaf tin. Sprinkle with coconut and bake for 40-45 minutes until a skewer comes out clean. *Use almond milk and omit the egg for a vegan variation *Get creative and mix it up by adding 1 grated apple OR the zest & juice of a lemon OR 1 cup blueberries OR 1 cup any dried fruit (sultanas, dried apricots or mixed fruit) Wholemeal Bread 1 pkt of Tandaco dry yeast (1½ teaspoons) 2½ cups wholemeal Plain flour 1 teaspoon salt 1½ teaspoons brown sugar 1½ teaspoons skim milk powder 1 tablespoon margarine 250ml tepid water Method 1a. If you have a bread maker, add all the ingredients into your bread pan in the order listed and use the dough only setting.

1b. Alternatively you can throw everything (in that order) into your stand mixer and using the dough attachment mix for about 20mins until a smooth ball forms. Cover and let rise for 30mins, then knead again for 10mins.

Cover and let rise for 20mins.

2. For both methods now roll your dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 30 seconds, shape into a load tin or freeform onto a baking tray.

Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with poppy seeds and bake on 200’c for about 30 mins. The loaf is cooked when you tap the top and it sounds hollow.

Ricotta Gnocchi 450g ricotta 230g Plain Flour 80g parmesan cheese ½ tsp nutmeg ½ tsp salt Method *Throw everything into your stand mixer and using the dough attachment mix for about 5-7mins until a smooth ball forms *Turn out onto floured surface and divide into 5 equal portions *Roll each portion into a long ‘snake’ and cut into equal sized pieces *You can cook them at this point, or roll them down a gnocchi board to create ridges, or create ridges with a fork *Cook gnocchi in a pot of salted boiling water. (Do not add gnocchi until water has reached a rolling boil.) When they rise to the surface, they are cooked *Remove, drain and add to the sauce of your choice. Serve with freshly grated parmesan

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EDIBLE GARDENS WITH CRAIG CASTREE

HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES FROM SCRAPS

In these trying times with the COVID-19 crisis, a lot of people have been trying to either buy seeds or seedlings to start growing their own food. Unfortunately, shelves of seeds and seedlings have been wiped clean in plant nurseries, supermarkets, and hardware stores. In the meantime, seed merchants and seedling growers are working around the clock to supply the extra demand.

If you manage to get seeds and seedlings, here’s what to plant now: Broccoli, Broccolini, Cabbage, Brussel sprouts, Cauliflower, Bok choy, Pak choy, Celery, Mizuna, Garlic, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Onions, Beetroot, Carrots, Endive, Lettuce, Fennel, Mustard greens, Parsley, Peas, Snow peas, Radish, Shallots, Spring onions, Silverbeet, Turnip.

While you are waiting for the shelves to be restocked: Did you know that you may have been throwing away vegetables that would grow again? So for example, when you buy spring onions and cut the root end off, don’t throw them away. If you plant them in the ground again or into pots or some sort of container, they will regrow a new spring onion.

Now at the outset, if they are to be planted into pots you must use potting mix. Don’t be tempted to use your own garden soil. It won’t drain properly and it will all end in tears. There are also other vegetables you can regrow this way.

Celery: When you cut your bunch or even half bunch, make sure you leave a little stem about 50mm or two inches in the old scale from the bottom (root end) of the bunch. Take it out into the garden and dig a shallow hole for it. Plant it root end first of course and bury it to around half way - it will be quite shallow about 25mm or 1 inch deep. Water it in and keep an eye on it. Don’t overwater it but don’t let it dry out either. In a week or so you will start to see movement from the centre and you will know that you are well on the way to grow your own celery.

Fennel, leek, bok choy, or pak choy: do exactly the same thing as celery.

Garlic bulbs: It’s the perfect time of the year to grow garlic.

Break a bulb of garlic into individual cloves (don’t bother peeling them). Plant them in holes 50mm deep with the

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pointy end facing up in your garden - or it’s easy to grow in pots or containers. You will harvest the bulbs in December. If you are like me, I use heaps of garlic and I always grow my own, so give it a go.

There are many other vegetables you can grow this way such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, and more, too many to list. Give these a try and you will kick yourself for all those times you have thrown them out. Think of the money you will save.

Handy tip Don’t pull them out of the ground. Cut the top off as described and leave the root end in the ground and yep, you guessed it you will grow more without having to replant. The image in glass cups shows what you can do. They do better in soil of course. You will only be able to do this once as the next time around they go quite woody.

For more info like this, grab a copy of my book at www. craigcastree.com.au or you could book a video consultation with me, no matter where in Australia you live. To book, call: 0411 720 283 Consultations include a copy of my book for the first session, mailed out to you.

Craig Craig loves talking to people about how to set up their own edible gardens and make healthier, more sustainable choices.

He is also a cheesemaker, an apiarist, Published Author of “Edible Gardens a practical guide”, and regularly appears on ‘Vasili’s Garden to Kitchen’ program on Channel 44 and 7 TWO. Website: www.craigcastree.com.au

Issue 138

Commu unitty Bank • Altona

We're here for you Your local Bendigo Bank branch remains open to help see you through COVID-19.

If you need to see us in person, we're asking you to: • Visit only if you're feeling well • Call ahead to book a time if possible • Practice safe distancing Call us on 9398 8922 or search Bendigo Bank Altona.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178, AFSL 237879 A1389134, OUT_1138525, 01/04/2020 Issue 138

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