Montrose Gardeners presents All about Herbs

Bernadette Touhy is a long-time enthusiastic member of the Herb Society of Victoria. She has been growing and using herbs for many years and is always inspired and excited by the diverse world of herbs.

Bernadette will bring lots of fresh herbs to demonstrate their aesthetic, sensory, medicinal & culinary qualities, many of which have been in use for hundreds of years.

The Herb Society of Victoria was formed more than thirty years ago by a small group of enthusiasts, and has grown over the years to a large organisation with branches throughout the state.

Tea & Coffee provided

When: Tuesday 15th November 1pm
Where: The Bridge Community Garden Centre, 49 Durham Road, Kilsyth
Cost: Gold coin donation
Bookings essential phone 97251932 (The Bridge) 9728 4224 (Montrose Library) or book online - Herbs

Cheers, webgurl

Hop on the Gully Gardeners annual bus trip to visit an amazing garden

Join us on our annual bus trip - this year we are going to visit the incredible garden of Karen Meeuwissen, a finalist in the Gardener of the Year for ABC Gardening Australia. Antique roses are her passion, but her enthusiasm for constructions, whether pergolas, archways or pathways shows in her property.  Karen is only too happy for us to take cuttings from any of her many plant series. Karen spoke to our group about salvias in July 2010.

• BYO picnic
• secateurs and plastic bags for cuttings

When: Monday 24th October 10am
Where: Meet at Coonara House at 10.00am - 22 Willow Road, Upper Ferntree Gully 3156 - Mel Ref: 74 D7
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92948140

Cheers, Maryanne

Photography Focus - achieve great travel photos with minimal fuss

Paul Lucas who is a well-known local photographer will present some of his gardening and travel photographs from around the world.  He will share his hints and tips to achieving great photographs with a minimal of fuss.

When: Thursday 13th October 2:30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92948140 or book online - Photography Focus

Cheers, Maryanne

Friday @ your library – an insight into herbs with Ann Creber

Herbs can make an ordinary dish something special. Ann Creber will show you how to use culinary herbs to create that memorable meal.

Ann Creber is a food consultant, author, broadcaster on both Radio National and 3MDR and importantly a herb grower.

Join us for a fascinating insight into the world of culinary herbs. 

When: Friday 30th September 12noon
Where: Knox Library, 425 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 98011422vor book online - Herbs

Cheers, Maryanne

Montrose Gardeners presents Chrysanthemums - how to grow this popular perennial

Learn the "how to's" of growing this popular perennial, from William Orange, a member of the Chrysanthemum Society of Victoria.

Chrysanthemums are symbolic of Mothers Day, and greatly revered in Japan - so much so in fact that Japan has a National Chrysanthemum Day, also known as the "Festival of Happiness". They are one of the most popular flowers in the world, next only to roses, with varieties including daisy-like, decorative, pom poms and buttons. They are an easy-care perennial that can be grown in garden beds or in pots; they are also one of the best long-lasting cut flower varieties.

Tea & coffee provided.

When: Tuesday 20th September 1pm
Where: The Bridge Community Garden Centre, 49 Durham Road, Kilsyth
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 9725 1932 or 9728 4224 or book online - chrysanthemums

Cheers, Maryanne

The Eastern Regional Library Show 10th August 2011

Library staff members Lyn Baines, Jessica Bonner and Pia Butcher run a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 98.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show. Tune in next week for a great show.

On Wednesday's show

Jess Bonner reviewed a new book about safe plants for gardening by Nicole O'Kane called Poisonous 2 Pets. This brightly coloured handbook has a wealth of important information about identifying what plants are safe or dangerous to our pets. It also details symptons and what to do in emergencies should our pets come in contact with toxic plants. A fantastic reference for people wanting to get back out in the garden (well, when the weather is being nice...)

Dean Koontz's final book in his Frankenstein series, The dead town, was also reviewed. Being a modern update Mary Shelley's work, it is set 200 years after the original classic. Victor Frankenstein has survived the last couple of centuries by applying his research to extending his own mortaility and continues his work in creating life-forms for his own purposes. Frankenstein's monster, known as Deucalion, having come to a better understanding on the nature of being human also works to stop the doctor from completing his nefarious plans. A chilling, yet fast paced novel, Dean Koontz does a wonderful job at bringing the final confrontation between these two pivotal characters to an end.

Music today was:
Sweet One from Katie Noonan & the Captains
In these Hands from The Butterfly Effect

---- Jess

This week at Gully Gardeners there's a seeds, seedlings and produce swap

Have you packets of vegetable and flower seeds hidden in a dark cupboard? Have you surplus seedlings that you would like to share? Why not come to our fun gardening day and share your surplus seeds and seedlings with other people. Also why not share your surplus winter vegetables.

Refreshments provided.

When: Thursday 7th July 2:30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Gold coin donation please
Bookings essential phone 92948140 or book online - Gully Gardeners

Cheers, Maryanne

Winter gardening with Gully Gardeners - find out what to plant now

The keen gardener never stops gardening - not even in Winter. In fact Winter is the time to rug up, put on the gloves and gumboots, and start preparing and planning for Spring. Darren will help to keep you inspired with suggestions of what you can plant now - new varieties of roses, fruit trees, flowering ornamental trees - and how to prepare for Spring planting of new annuals, perennials & vegetables.

Refreshments provided.

When: Thursday 2nd June 2:30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Gold coin donation please
Bookings essential phone 92948140 or book online - Gully Gardeners

Cheers, Maryanne

Got a favourite plant? Tell us about your garden at the Mooroolbark Growers and Weeders:

Would you like to tell us about your garden? Your favourite plant, your garden design, how your garden developed, a favourite place in the garden. We would love to hear about it!

Come along and enjoy a casual afternoon with other local gardeners, swap a plant or two and have a cuppa and a chat.

All Welcome. Tea and Coffee provided

When: Wednesday 25th May 2pm
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark
Cost: Free event 
No bookings required. Enquiries - Helen 9726 8200

Cheers, Maryanne

What are the benefits of attracting wildlife to your garden?

Come along to hear Irene from the Knox Environment Society talk about the pleasures and benefits of attracting wildlife to your garden. Book a free garden assessment and receive 20 free plants from the Knox Environment Society Nursery.

When: Friday 13th May 2pm
Where: Boronia Library, Park Crescent, Boronia
Cost: Gold coin donation please
Bookings essential phone 97624099 or book online - wildlife

Cheers, Maryanne

Learn how to build a raingarden with Gully Gardeners

Did you know raingardens are a great way to save water?

Building a raingarden is a simple way to help the environment and the health of our local waterways while providing a self-watering garden for your backyard.

A raingarden is a specially prepared garden designed to receive and filter rain run-off from roofs and hard surfaces such as driveways or paving. You can even create a raingarden in a planter box, positioning it to collect water from a disconnected downpipe or rainwater tank overflow.

Come and meet Danielle Gerente, the Water Sensitive Cities Project Engineer from the Knox City Council and find out how you can build one.

When: Thursday 5th May 2:30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92948140

Cheers, Maryanne

Have you got an unusual garden? Bring a photo along to the Mooroolbark Growers & Weeders meeting

Why not add some charm and character to your garden with some unusual plants, ornaments and pots.

Bring along an unusual plant or photo of an unusual garden if you have one, join in the fun of gardening and share in some creative ideas.

You are welcome to join us! Refreshments provided

When: Wednesday 30th March 2pm
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97268200

Cheers, Maryanne

At the next Growville Growers - Learn all about Bonsai

Join us for an informative talk as we host speakers from the Waverley Bonsai Club at our Growville Growers' November meeting.

When: Friday 5th November 2pm
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92941300

Cheers, Maryanne

Gully Gardeners growing heirloom vegetables

Graeme George from Earthcare Permaculture, will talk about the advantages of growing tradition heirloom vegatables in the home garden, rather than the hybrid commercial varieties. These are the hardy, tasty varieties that have stood the test of time, that are still around because home gardeners prefer to grow them. Varieties suitable for our cool temperate climate will be emphasised. There will also be seeds available for purchase.

When: Thursday 4th November 2:30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Gold coin donation
No need to book, come along, all welcome.

Cheers, Maryanne

Gully Gardeners - Learn to create a 'No Dig Garden'

Meryl from Pakenham Garden Club will demonstrate how to create a no dig garden.  No dig gardening or a raised garden bed, consists of layering organic materials on top of the soil to create a nutrient rich environments for your plants.

When: Thursday 7th October 2:30pm
Where: Coonara House, 22 Willow Road, Upper Ferntree Gully, 3156
Cost: Gold coin donation
Bookings essential phone 9294 8140

Cheers, Maryanne

Cooking from the garden with Ann Creber

Join us for a special luncheon as Growville Growers hosts Ann Creber for the October session. Note the special time of 12:30pm and there will be a charge of $7.50 to cover lunch. All welcome.

When: Friday 1st October 12:30pm
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville
Cost: $7.50 (includes lunch)
Bookings essential phone 92941300 or book online - Ann Creber

Cheers, Maryanne

Growville Growers presents sustainable gardening using Permaculture

Discover how to make the best use of your available space and the free resources of nature to develop a productive garden. All welcome.

When: Friday 6th August 2pm
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville
Cost: Gold coin donation appreciated
Bookings essential phone 92941300

Cheers, Maryanne

Montrose Gardeners presents Darren Jackson from Colchester Nurseries - Winter in your garden

The keen gardener never stops gardening - not even in Winter. In fact Winter is the time to rug up, put on the gloves and gumboots, and start preparing and planning for Spring. Darren will help to keep you inspired with suggestions of what you can plant now - new varieties of Roses, fruit trees, flowering ornamental trees - and how to prepare for Spring planting of new annuals, perennials & vegetables.

When: Tuesday 3rd August 1pm
Where: The Bridge Community Garden Centre, 49 Durham Road, Kilsyth
Cost: Gold coin donation please...Light Refreshments available
Bookings essential phone Montrose Library - 9728 4224 or The Bridge - 9725 1932

Cheers, Maryanne

Growville Growers: All about herbs

All about herbs with Judith from the Herb Society, including growing and different uses. Selection of herbs, Herbal oil and creams for sale.
When: Friday 9th April 2pm
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92941300

Cheers, Maryanne

Bonsai @ the library

Want to know how to look after your bonsai plant? The Yarra Valley Bonsai Group is coming to the library to pass on lots of handy tips & knowledge.

When: Saturday 27th March  10:30am-12noon
Where: Boronia Library, Park Crescent, Boronia
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97624099

Cheers, Maryanne