Innerwest Foraging Workshop, July 14
Innerwest Foraging Workshop, July 14
Sunday 14th of July - 10am-12:30pm
Learn about the most common species growing in your garden, along the green belts, and in parks and reserves. Find out how they have been used for food, craft, and natural remedies. Discover ways to safely harvest from the urban 'wild' and enrich your diet with vitamins and minerals. This is a family, wheelchair, and pet-friendly stroll in the park, please dress for the weather with a hat and sunscreen. Bring a camera and notebook if you wish to retain the information.
We will discover and talk about 15 to 20 plants including dandelion, mallow, flickweed, wild dock, wood sorrel, rambling dock, African olives, flatweed, and the wonderful plantain.
Please note, this is not a harvesting outing, but a carefully designed workshop that would introduce you to up to 20 common edibles of the Sydney Basin, giving clear identification clues so as to confidently recognise them in your own surroundings. We will also cover important aspects of ethics, legalities, and safety.
All guests will be issued with a booklet detailing 16 of the most common species to take home with you.
In addition to that, we will also follow up with a package of reading materials and links for you to further your knowledge after the workshop.
About your host:
Diego is an edible weed advocate renowned for his offering of urban foraging workshops. Building on the knowledge acquired while growing up on a farm in Italy, Diego introduces people to the ever-present food and medicine plants that surround us. He collaborates extensively with chefs, herbalists, environmentalists and cultural workers promoting a new understanding of what the environment has to offer. Diego is the author of the best-selling book Eat Weeds.
Check a media review of Diego's works here>, his Gardening Australia segment here> and the appearance on Better Homes and Garden here>
WHERE:
Tempe Station Carpark
Richardson Crescent
Tempe, NSW 2044
WHEN:
Sunday, 14th of July, 10 am-12:30 pm
COST:
Adult $60
Friends in forage (two adults) $100
Underemployed/Concession/Child $40
Children 5 and under Free
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE FINALISING YOUR BOOKING.
This is an all-weather event. We will only cancel the outing in case of heavy rain or dangerously gusty winds, via email and phone call 2 days before the date, offering a place on another tour.
Refund Policy: Due to the nature of the event, we will not issue any refunds for unused tickets sold. Please make sure you are available to attend before you finalise your booking.
Reschedule Policy: If you need to reschedule we can offer you a Gift Voucher up to four weeks (4) to the event. This voucher can be used against any workshop to the same value, and is valid for three years. If less than four weeks notice is given you can pass on the ticket to someone else.
CONTACT DETAILS: Diego info[at]diegobonetto.com
A video created by Innerminute about Foraging instructor Diego Bonetto. Shot by the Cooks River, Innerwest Sydney, this tongue -and-cheek three minutes tease wants to bring some lightness to the practice. empowering people with key botanical information. Enjoy!
Frequent Asked Questions
Are we going to be harvesting plants?
No, we will learn about plants. We will only collect a few leaves and flowers here and there and with those, we will discuss ID features. The main aim of the workshop is to empower you with identification skills so that when you go back home you can recognise with confidence some useful plants in your own garden/surroundings.
Are we going to scramble in the wilderness?
No, no bush-bashing. We will walk on even ground and sometimes might walk up a grass field, that's it. Bring your walking shoes and you will be fine.
Is this suitable for elderly people or less mobile people?
Yes, this workshop happens along a footpath and is easily accessible. As a general rule, we will not walk far, only about 1 kilometre, and it will take us 2+ hours to do it, so plenty of rest along the way.
Can we try the plants?
Yes, I will offer samples of the plants we talk about for you to try. I believe taste memories are just as important as touch, smell and look.
Can I come with my dog?
Yes, as long as is well-behaved with the other guests.
Can I bring the weeds from my garden for you to identify?
Yes please, I love to help to identify treasures growing in your yard!
What if it looks like it’s going to rain on the day?
If there is a chance of rain we will go ahead, just bring an umbrella. Plants are so much happier when it rains and will be the chance for you to look at species when they are at their best. If heavy rain or strong winds are forecasted, I will cancel the workshop and either refund your ticket or move your booking to another date.
What if I change my mind or can no longer attend?
Please make sure you can attend before finalising your booking. I understand that unexpected events happen, so in case you can no longer come, pass on your ticket to a friend. See this as when you buy a concert ticket. If you cannot go anymore, give a present to someone you know they would enjoy it.
Can I ask specific questions on the workshop?
Absolutely. I love questions and if you have any burning ones just let me know in advance or on the day and I will endeavour to provide you with answers or follow up with links that would help in your quest.
“We all really enjoyed the workshop. I really liked what you said about the stories in us - my foraging journey started when I was “weeding” the garden and as I grabbed some sow thistle, I felt so strongly that it was food. I didn’t eat it straight away, I do have half a brain, but it made me realise how much more nature has to offer us than mere agriculture!”
“This was a truly wonderful experience. Diego is extremely knowledgeable, tells lovely stories that connect the present landscape to its indigenous past, present and historical land use, medicine and cooking and his own Italian childhood. All done in such a respectful and inclusive manner. We munched on native and introduced plants and I felt more earthed and embedded in my local area because of it. Highly recommended.”
“Wow I am still reeling in the feeling of Saturday’s walk, Diego is an excellent teacher, engager and entertainer.
I walked along the Cooks river yesterday evening and spotted many of the ‘weeds’ we got to know the day before abundantly growing and winking “I’m good to eat, I can change your world” at me.
Thank you all so much for the opportunity and I loved meeting so many great locals, what a cool community we have!”
“Thanks again for a wonderful morning spent foraging in the park! I really enjoyed the workshop and learnt so many fascinating things about “weeds”! Already I am finding myself looking at my surroundings with different eyes. ”
