Photosynthesis is the method by which plants use sunlight to convert water and air to sugar. It is an essential process that, in one way or another, supports all life on Earth. This workshop in the Science of Edible Gardening Series, looks at the three inputs into photosynthesis:

• Sunlight
• Water
• Air

Explore how light changes throughout the year and how it may impact your garden. Most edible plants require full sun, but learn about a few that can cope with shade. Explore options for using plants to make your home and outdoor spaces more comfortable during extreme weather events.

Delve into the world of irrigation and the pros and cons of different irrigation methods. Understand tanks and rainwater capture. Perform some calculations to see what sort of methods (if any) you can use to capture rainwater on your property.

Discover how airflow can influence the garden, and then use this knowledge to design windbreaks or channel air through your garden.

Topics:

• Photosynthesis and how it Influences our Garden
• Fruit Thinning
• Sunlight and Shade
• Airflow and Windbreaks
• Designing Gardens for Comfort
• Shade Tolerant Edibles
• Watering and Irrigation
• Capturing Rainwater in Tanks

The class involves a combination of theory in a classroom setting, demonstrations and hands-on practical activities including:

• A tour of our 6-acre property to observe and discuss how the plants influence the garden
• Thinning of fruit on fruit trees
• Demonstrations of different irrigation systems and options
• Analysing your current property and rainfall catchment options

"Fantastic session. Plenty of information that was well explained and easy to understand. Good amount of topics covered and time for questions/discussion as well as time outside to view particular examples. I think a few people might have struggled slightly with the part on irrigation fittings and how to install them but you explained it really well. That was one of the areas I didn’t know much about and feel I know a lot more now."

Liam H.

Workshop participant

By the end of the class you will have a greater understanding of how sunlight, air and water can all influence your garden. You will have an appreciation of the different irrigation methods available and what is involved with setting them up. You will feel confident with enhancing or deflecting external light and wind influences in your garden to make it more productive and comfortable.

What to Bring:

• Enthusiasm for learning
• Your lunch
• Water bottle
• Notebook and pen
• Closed toed, practical shoes
• Appropriate Clothing as Kyneton can be cold and wet or stinking hot in spring

The Science of Edible Gardening workshop series

This event is one in an eight-part series called the Science of Edible Gardening. You can book in for each workshop individually, but most attendees end up completing the entire series. There is no start or finish to the series – the workshops can be completed in any order and don’t need to be completed consecutively. If life gets busy, or you can’t make a particular session, then you can always come to the same session another year.

The series has been designed to give you an overview of how plants grow and interact with the environment. This understanding makes decision making, planning and garden maintenance straightforward. Observation and understanding of natural ecosystems and phenomena can help you to be a more successful and fulfilled gardener.

“Lots of ah-ha moments. I particularly enjoy the scientific framework that informs the workshops. Digestible and relevant information that is easy to apply in the home garden.”

Lynne F.

Workshop participant

Each workshop is based on themes that are common to the entire series. There is minimal repetition across the workshops, although certain important ideas will be revisited from time to time.

The eight workshop topics are:

🧪 Soil Testing and Fertilisers: Growing Nutrient-dense Foods (each March)

🐛 Garden Pests and How to Control Them: Population Ecology (each April)

🌱 Fruit Tree Grafting, Seed Saving and Pollination: Plant Propagation (each May)

✂ Fruit Tree Pruning and Plant Manipulation (each June)

📅 Garden Planning, Seasonality and Timing (each July)

💩 The Art of Compost: Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles (each August)

🌳 Controlling Weeds: Ecological Succession and Soil (each September)

💧 Garden Irrigation, Rainwater Tanks and Sunlight (each November)

More information about the Science of Edible Gardening workshop series can be found here:

https://www.leafrootfruit.com.au/science-of-edible-gardening-workshop-class/

About the facilitator

I’m Duncan Cocking and I’ve been growing fruit and vegetables since I was four years old. I support others to grow food and reconnect with nature through my business Leaf, Root & Fruit. I'm passionate about reconnecting you to nature via gardening. I write about growing food and living sustainably. I'm a cool-temperate gardener and permaculture educator with 10 years of experience hosting workshops.

During my classes, I focus on the science behind how gardens grow. This gives you an understanding of the built-in resilience of plants. Rather than always finding problems to fix with sprays and other products, you will have a renewed focus on relaxing, observing your garden, and enjoying it. Understanding “why” minimises the amount of work you have to do in your garden.

“Fabulous workshop. You know your material so well and are able to deliver it in easily digestible form. I learned things I didn’t realise I needed to know. I loved having the science explained to counter some of the gardening folklore I’ve accepted without questioning…”

Wendy P.

About the facilities

In 2019 my young family and I moved from Melbourne to make a tree change to Kyneton, a small town 80 km north-west of the city in Victoria, Australia. Since then, I have been busy developing a permaculture-inspired garden ecosystem.

The property has an onsite classroom, with heating supplied by a wood burner. A split system acts as a back-up source of heating and cooling. The light filled, colourful classroom is kitted out with a large screen for running presentations (I promise that these presentations are almost entirely pictures and rarely contain words). The classroom has basic tea and coffee making facilities, ample car parking and a dedicated toilet.

My demonstration orchard contained within a netted enclosure provides opportunities for workshop participants to explore all aspects of growing fruit trees, and contains many examples of espaliered trees. I have designed and planted an extensive berry patch, market garden beds and edible forest gardens. The kitchen garden demonstrates food growing in a more typical backyard setting. 

Participants from all over the state attend our workshops. I look forward to hosting you at this exciting event.