A lovely photo of Anne starting the process of planting up our new garden bed from last week. We’ve got a dwarf lime for the centre of this bed, and then we’re filling it up around the edges with herbs - parsley, sage and oregano. Under the lime we’ll put some shallow root flowers to add a bit of colourful cheer like nasturtiums and alyssum.

The back two beds will have a clump or two of permanent plants like heritage rhubarb (this donation from our friend Mark has struggled along out on the front nature strip) and pineapple sage (ideal for neighbourhood cocktails hey friends …) and then some leafy greens and other crops that we’ll rotate through seasonally - for cooking and salads etc.

Fun hey? We’re also in the process of putting in a little seed raising greenhouse and potting station.

So if you are interested and would like to do something community minded and outdoorsy on a Friday morning - you might like to join us in the garden. Come along from 10am. We’ll reward your hard work with morning tea at 11.30am!

Note this week we’ll be planting out these beds AND spreading tan bark. So all muscled-wheel-barrow-friendly-folk are particularly welcome!

Hi friends, exciting news across the street from us. The lovely river red gum at Alphington Station has been nominated as a mature (pre-settlement) tree for the National Trust ‘Tree of the Year’. But … to win it needs your vote.

HOW TO VOTE

Visit the National Trust Facebook page from Sunday 18 April to Sunday 2 May 2021 during the Australian Heritage Festival and “click like” on the tree you would like to win the ‘Tree of the Year’ title, or email your vote to conservation@nattrust.com.au.

Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Alphington Station

This river red gum is approximately 200-300 years old and contributes greatly to the urban Alphington station landscape. Thanks to passionate community members, this tree was saved from being removed as part of proposed carpark development in 2013 and holds significant importance for the local community.

And also thanks to local community volunteers, the area near the tree has undergone restoration and there are now a number of younger River Red Gums around it, creating a beautiful natural setting around the station.

This tree is significant at a Regional level as a mature indigenous tree in an urban landscape context, which provides a contribution to the landscape and railway setting.

The National Heritage Trust note that fittingly the wall opposite the tree is painted with "Save the trees".

Keen to find out more about the other trees nominated? Click here.

If you’ve been wondering what exactly is going on down at the Alphington Community Farmgate site on the corner Wingrove Street and Parklands Avenue, and are keen for a sticky beak, Miranda who is the lovely and enthusiastic founder and director of Melbourne Farmers Markets is running a site tour on Sunday 25 April from 9.30-11am.

You’ll be able to meet a range of growers, producers and community organisations all playing a role in supporting urban agriculture and a local food system. Visit The Mushroomery, Farmwall, 3000 Acres etc.

Following the tour there’ll be ample time to do your weekly shopping and soak up the atmosphere of Alphington Farmers Market. Here you can meet local Victorian farmers and small-scale producers, discover what's in season, see how seasonality influences flavour (and price) and discover new recipe ideas directly from the farmer.

The link to book is: https://www.trybooking.com/BQNIV

If you are not so keen to be out and about at nighttime in the city for whatever reason, but love classical music, did you know that you can sign up to get a whole series of Melbourne concerts streamed live to your lounge room (or bedroom or bathroom for that matter - perhaps we should just say to your device wherever that may be …).

Melbourne Digital Concert Hall offers a range of packs that enable you to support the arts and local artists from the comfort of home. They start at $24 for one concert (with $20 going directly to the artists) and could make a lovely gift for those family members or friends who really need nothing but enjoy experiences.

It is pretty amazing the way things have changed in the last year or so, isn’t it? And it’s fabulous to think that streamed concerts are now de rigueur - enabling so many more people to access our fabulous arts culture live, as it happens.

Chris Howlett and Friends 1 - Brahms Sonatas and Songs, 28 April

Hi Kalimna here.

I just booked myself a place in the upcoming Chai Tea Workshop which is on Saturday 8 May (the day before Mother’s Day).

I am a huge fan of chai tea so the idea of learning how to make it myself is really appealing.

Watch out friends - I suspect Kalimna’s Chai Blend may become the Christmas gifts for those I most love!

I am particularly interested in this workshop because I am fostering a beginners interest in Ayurveda, the worlds oldest holistic healing system. Developed in India it is the belief that health and wellness depend on the delicate balance of mind, body and spirit. I may never master yoga - but I am keen to embrace the understanding of eating for better health.

Here is a link to chai and why it can be good for you to drink according to ideals in Ayurveda.

I know Manu who is running the workshop from her volunteer work at the Community Centre and can attest to what an excellent cook she is through the Preserves Group (and sometimes she even brings us lunch - very lucky us!).

So I hope to see you there as we learn to blend and brew some lovely chai together.

Inspired? You can book in here.