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

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

These events are being run as part of The Science of Edible Gardening Workshop Series from Leaf, Root & Fruit. 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.

Each workshop is based around a theme that will integrate into the entire series. There will be minimal repetition of content across each event, although certain important ideas will be revisited from time to time. We anticipate most attendees will complete the complete series. However, you can book in for each workshop individually to pick and choose the ones relevant to you.

The 8 workshop topics are:

Nutrients and Fertilizers: Growing Nutrient Dense Food (Held each March)
Population Ecology: Pests and How to Control Them (Held each April)
Reproductive Genetics: Seed Saving, Grafting and Pollination (Held each May)
Plant Physiology: Pruning and Plant Manipulation (Held each June)
Seasonality and Timing: Environmental Gardening Influences (Held each July)
Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles: The Science of Compost (Held each August)
Ecological Succession and Soil: Edible Forest Gardens and Weed Control (Held each September)
Photosynthesis: Irrigation, Rainwater Tanks and Sunlight (Held each November)

See our dedicated web page for more information on The Science of Edible Gardening workshop series:

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

Photosynthesis: Irrigation, Rainwater Tanks and Sunlight (as part of The Science of Edible Gardening Series)