Wollongong Botanic Garden’s Discovery Centre isn’t just teaching people how to create ideal conditions to grow tomatoes, but what to do when it’s time to bring the crop in.

The Centre, which is tucked away in the extensive gardens, has launched its Seasonal Kitchen courses. The mid-summer course is on this Saturday, 11 February, and will be followed by a winter harvesting course later in the year.

Course participants will learn about backyard sustainability, plants that should be planted now for winter crops, and a chef will be on hand to demonstrate how to make a traditional Italian-style tomato sauce.

It’s the first time the Seasonal Kitchen course has been run, and it’s a combination of a number of courses previously run at the Discovery Centre.

“We regularly run courses through the Discovery Centre and this year decided to do something a little different with two courses focused on getting things from the back garden to your plate,” Wollongong Botanic Gardens Coordinator of Education Michael Connor said.

“So for our Seasonal Kitchen courses we’ve brought together aspects of garden preparation, care and what to do with the produce you grow. We’re confident this course will be as popular as the others we run throughout the year.”

Other workshops scheduled for this year include habitat gardening, wormfarming, chicken care and composting. There are also sessions on permaculture, bushwalk groups and recycled jewellery.

“I’d really encourage everyone to look into some of the courses and workshops on offer at the Discovery Centre in Keiraville.

There’s so much going on here and it would be great to see more people using this terrific resource,’’ Mr Connor said.
For more information on the Discovery Centre’s community program check out Council’s website, or call the Discovery Centre on (02) 4225 2636.