CERES Environment Park

CERES Environment Park CERES Environment Park is an award winning, not-for-profit, environment and education centre and urb
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It’s time for tommies! 🍅 November is the traditional time to plant out your tom seedlings – particularly Melb Cup Day. I...
04/11/2024

It’s time for tommies! 🍅 November is the traditional time to plant out your tom seedlings – particularly Melb Cup Day. It’s earmarked by many as their tomato planting day.⁠

When you get your seedlings from make sure you get these four products for a great yield and delicious flavour. They will love you for it – and you will love yourself for it too!⁠

1. Seaweed Solution - to reduce transplant shock. Give seedlings a good water, preferably with seaweed extract, before you even think about planting them out. Pick a spot in the garden that gets a good amount of morning sun. ⁠

2. A Slow-release Fertiliser - your soil or potting mix should be enriched with well-aged compost and manure, and adding a little organic slow-release fertiliser or blood and bone will ensure a good plant. If you are growing in pots make sure they are at least 40cm in diameter and as deep. ⁠

3. An Organic Fertiliser - A natural fertiliser to help stimulate root growth, improve nutrient uptake and reduce plant stress. ⁠

4. A Straw Mulch - keeping it a little away from the stem. This keeps in moisture and stops weeds from popping up. ⁠

Sign up to our newsletter for monthly gardening tips just like these ones – link in bio! 🍅⁠

What a day it was! Last Saturday we hosted our Festival of Fava – a community celebration of the humble broad bean (fava...
01/11/2024

What a day it was! Last Saturday we hosted our Festival of Fava – a community celebration of the humble broad bean (fava) and the spring harvest at 🌱💚

In Italy, a Sagra is a local festival held to celebrate a specific ingredient or food, often linked to the moment of the year when that food is abundant. This seasonal way of eating, of enjoying an ingredient all the more for its limited nature is something many of us have lost touch with.

We had so many magical things going on that day – a celebration of food and culture through performances, music, workshops, demonstrations and kids’ activities.

A special shoutout to the Vic Gov Dept of Premier and Cabinet (2024-25 Multicultural Festivals and Events Program Round One) for their funding support!

Hello lovely Merri Cafe goers – we are closed today but we'll be back on deck tomorrow ready to serve up delicious treat...
20/10/2024

Hello lovely Merri Cafe goers – we are closed today but we'll be back on deck tomorrow ready to serve up delicious treats and good times! Happy Monday and see you tomorrow! ☕🧡

Think back to the last time you tried something new… fun, wasn’t it!? Heck yes. It’s time to get that feeling back – lea...
20/10/2024

Think back to the last time you tried something new… fun, wasn’t it!? Heck yes. It’s time to get that feeling back – learn something, make new friends, get out and about.

Take your weekends to another level with one or many of our workshops. We’ve got some epic ones in the pipeline: beeswax wraps, food for gut & mind, small space gardening, vegan cooking euro style + stacks more.

Check out the full list of upcoming workshops via the link in our bio. ✌️

Make a weekend of bird watching and connecting with the Merri Creek this weekend. Come along to our Bird Count Picnic  o...
14/10/2024

Make a weekend of bird watching and connecting with the Merri Creek this weekend. Come along to our Bird Count Picnic on Saturday and get familiar with our local neighbours.

Then on Sunday join artist, environmental educator and longtime CERES collaborator to learn how to capture their likeness and connect more deeply with the creek at our Nature Journaling workshop. Link in bio for tickets!

13/10/2024

If you’re anything like us at CERES, you’ll have some pruned branches lying about in your garden this time of year. 🪵🍃 Of course, you can pop them in the compost or create a teepee for your climbers but we think you should have a crack at making these sustainable plastic-free plant labels. They’re completely free, fun and the perfect addition to any garden.

If you want more sustainable tips like this comment a 🌻 below!

We have an exciting new role open at CERES HQ! Are you a finance whizz with a passion for social enterprise? Intro… our ...
09/10/2024

We have an exciting new role open at CERES HQ! Are you a finance whizz with a passion for social enterprise? Intro… our new opportunity of Senior Finance Officer.

You’ll manage the day-to-day operations of the CERES finance function – ensuring the timely and accurate processing of all finance-related transactions for all of CERES’ different areas.

If this speaks to you, head to our 'Careers at CERES' via the link in our bio to find out more.

Here's what you'll find at CERES on Grand Final Eve (27 Sep)CERES NurseryOpen 9-5 CERES GroceryClosed Merri CafeClosed C...
26/09/2024

Here's what you'll find at CERES on Grand Final Eve (27 Sep)

CERES Nursery
Open 9-5

CERES Grocery
Closed

Merri Cafe
Closed

CERES Fair Food
Closed

CERES Fair Wood
Closed

CERES Joe's Market Garden
Closed

CERES Visitor Centre
Closed

As always, the park is open for a stroll. Enjoy the extra day!

Add some oomph to your October with our workshops and courses! Whether you're looking to grow your own food, learn how b...
24/09/2024

Add some oomph to your October with our workshops and courses!

Whether you're looking to grow your own food, learn how bake sourdough at home, or do some journaling with nature, we have something for everyone. See the list below + check our site for the complete list.

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today: https://school.ceres.org.au/adult-learning/



🔴 Multi-week courses are marked with a red dot.

Comin' in hot with some course updates!Thinking about joining our popular Urban Farmer course but want a wee taster firs...
14/09/2024

Comin' in hot with some course updates!

Thinking about joining our popular Urban Farmer course but want a wee taster first? 🌱 We're stoked to introduce our Sustainable Gardening - Urban Farmer Basics course, starting Oct 7! Perfect for getting a feel before digging in.

Our Oct-Dec lineup is ripe with career blooming opportunities, including the Therapeutic Horticulture program, Sustainability Changemaker course, Intro to Working in Therapeutic Horticulture, and more!

🌻 Ready to grow? Tap the link to nab your spot: https://school.ceres.org.au/adult-learning/

Tawny frogmouth, Red-rumped parrot? Powerful owl!Magpie, magpie, magpie… This is an ode to some of our feathered friends...
11/09/2024

Tawny frogmouth,
Red-rumped parrot?
Powerful owl!
Magpie, magpie, magpie…

This is an ode to some of our feathered friends of the Merri Creek.

Come birding with us and spot some of your favs at our annual Bird Count Picnic on Sat 19 October. Bring your binos, your picnic blanket, and basket of tweets.

You’ll help gain an understanding of our local birds while also getting to know the wildlife on your doorstep!

Entry to the bird count is free, with the option of attending a paid bird language workshop and/or guided bird walk along the Merri. There will be a bird themed raffle, children's craft activity, music and more!

Head to the link for all the details and to register: https://events.humanitix.com/ceres-joe-s-bird-count-picnic-2024/tickets

Spring is in the air, and so is our next round of Nature Play!  We’ve just launched our Spring Sessions, perfect for lit...
05/09/2024

Spring is in the air, and so is our next round of Nature Play! We’ve just launched our Spring Sessions, perfect for little explorers who love to get their hands dirty and let their imaginations run wild.

Join us for 5 one-off Spring Sessions from Mon 30th September - Fri 4th October, each with its own unique theme:

Day 1 - Growing a Garden 🌱
Day 2 - Sun Showers ☀️
Day 3 - Fantastic Flowers 🌻
Day 4 - Nature Crafts 🌸
Day 5 - Wetland Wonders 🐸

TERM 4
Or go all in for 8 weeks on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday mornings. Kicking off on Mon 14th October.

Get your little ones out of the house and into nature. Book your spot for Nature Play: https://school.ceres.org.au/early-learning/nature-play/

Calling all local makers and artists! Showcase your handmade wares at Joe’s Christmas Market on Sat 14 December. Apologi...
05/09/2024

Calling all local makers and artists! Showcase your handmade wares at Joe’s Christmas Market on Sat 14 December. Apologies for using the c-word (Christmas!) so early in the year but we’re getting in early to find makers who can make our market extra spesh.

From gorg ceramics and pottery to delish preserves – we’re on the lookout for local talent to fill our stalls with goodies.

If this sounds like you, drop us a line at [email protected]. Please include a description and photos, or links to socials in your EOI.

05/09/2024

If you’ve ever strolled along the Merri Creek near the Harding Street Bridge, just south of Bell Street, you’ve probably noticed Joe’s Garden—a lush market garden growing vibrant flowers and fresh veggies on the creek bank. On weekends, you will find coffee being served, a market stall brimming with jams, pastries, and produce from the farm, and a lively atmosphere with music, kids, and dogs.

But did you know the story behind "Joe"?

Giuseppe "Joe" Garita, purchased this land in the 1940s with his father. For 65 years, Joe nurtured the land, feeding his family and selling his homegrown vegetables. Eventually, he passed the garden and his beloved tractor on to CERES Community Environment Park.

Joe was born in 1925 in Altomonte, Italy. At just 12 years old, he migrated to Australia with his mother and sister, joining his father who had already been here for several years. After living in various parts of Victoria, the Garita family spotted an ad in 1945 for a market garden for 350 quid - in 2012 he still had the original paper ad showing it in an interview with Gardening Australia.

Joe was 20 when he took on the farm, bringing his family's farming expertise to Melbourne. Ten years later, he married Jean Modica, and together they raised seven children in their home on Harding Street, working the land right down to the water’s edge.

As Melbourne expanded, Joe’s farm became the last remaining inner-city market garden in the city. In 2003, he began transitioning the garden's management to CERES Environment Park . For three years, Joe shared his deep knowledge of the land, soil, and growing conditions with CERES gardeners and volunteers, ensuring the legacy of his farm would continue.

Joe passed away at 90 in 2015, leaving behind a living legacy that continues to thrive at Merri Creek.

Being a young person can be tricky. 18-25 and feeling a bit blergh? Join our free 'Growing Together' program - connect w...
29/08/2024

Being a young person can be tricky. 18-25 and feeling a bit blergh?

Join our free 'Growing Together' program - connect with other young people through food in CERES farms & kitchens, learn new skills and get involved in your local community food system.

Interested? Express your interest via email at [email protected]

🫒 Mary coordinated with her neighbours to make the most of unwanted olives.“I knocked on people’s doors and they were re...
27/08/2024

🫒 Mary coordinated with her neighbours to make the most of unwanted olives.

“I knocked on people’s doors and they were really happy to share. My husband’s Italian so he’s really looking forward to it, we use it all the time in cooking”

This is the fourth and final part of our series as part of the CERES Olives to Oil Festival.

🫒 Callum, Jess and baby Sally picked olives from their cousin’s backyard in Coburg. “It was quite an undertaking to harv...
22/08/2024

🫒 Callum, Jess and baby Sally picked olives from their cousin’s backyard in Coburg.

“It was quite an undertaking to harvest 40kg of olives, but it was a perfect autumn activity for hanging out with the gang. It really brought the family together”

This is part three of series as part of the CERES Olives to Oil Festival.

Address

Corner Roberts And Stewart Streets, Brunswick East
Melbourne, VIC
3057

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61393890100

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Fall in love with the Earth again at CERES.

CERES is a community organisation dedicated to learning and action that connects people with each other and the Earth.

We do this in three main ways:


  • Education & training - providing environmental education for schools and communities.

  • Social enterprise - managing a collection of social enterprises that enable us to be financially sustainable and do good at the same time.

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