Create Plants

Propagating Edible Plants Workshop

​Learn to grow more of your own food...

WHY? 
  • 41% of Melbourne's food currently comes from our food bowl. Projections for 2040 is 20% to feed 7 million which is not sustainable.  An increase of 25% sustainable food production is the projection target to feed the world in 2050. (A Foodprint Melbourne report December 2015 article here) ​
  • Increase biodiversity and resilience
  • ​Healthier, fresher, more nutrient dense and tastier food to help prevent malnutrition, starvation, obesity and related diseases
  • Reduce food packaging, processing and distribution time
  • Reduce food miles/transportation, refrigerated trucks/planes
  • Reduce urban island heat effect by increasing tree and vegetation cover lowering surface and air temperatures by providing shade and cooling through evapotranspiration. Trees and vegetation can also reduce stormwater runoff and protect against erosion.  (The annual mean air temperature of a city with 1 million people or more can be 1.8–5.4°F (1–3°C) warmer than its surroundings. In the evening, the difference can be as high as 22°F (12°C). Heat islands can affect communities by increasing summertime peak energy demand, air conditioning costs, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, heat-related illness and mortality, and water quality.-www.epa.gov)
  • Reduce energy use from storage/cool rooms
  • Sequester carbon
  • Reduce food waste. Closed loop with onsite waste production management reducing methane
  • Reduce storm-water, enhance filtration before moved off site. 
  • Create ecological soil and plants resilient withstand adverse climatic conditions and repercussions of climate change
  • Biophilic and health benefits (research links) exercise, stress-relief, satisfaction, awe, purpose, connection to Country, home, cultural identity...
  • Increase biodiversity and resilience with Indigenous and Heirloom plants (self-pollinating, greater opportunity to continue species and provide food)
  • Save money. Particularly beneficial to low socioeconomic percentage or residential care facilities
  • No pesticides/know what chemicals are on a,d in your food
  • Pass on knowledge, skills, wisdom
  • Increased understanding and value of our food web
  • Empowering action (Any empowering environmental action assists with Climate Change concerns!)

Day/Time: On request. 
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Time: 2.5-3 hour min.

Suitability: Adults and adolescents, groups

Location: Any ordinary backyard, community centres, community gardens, festivals. Melbourne, Australia. Glen Eira district and surrounds.

Fee:  Individuals from $65 per person or contact for family or group quote.
 
Inclusions: Equipment to grow seasonal vegetables from seeds and herbs/perennials from cuttings.  Instructions and worksheets to repeat activity. 

Exclusions: Location considerations/travel time ($30 extra for up to 1 hr travel time)

Facilitator: Deborah Punton

Methods may include: Applied Ecopsychology (Natural Attractions), horticultural activities, art/craft techniques, play, mindfulness and visualization.  
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Greensong Ecopsychology