Centennial Parklands Foraging Workshop, March 16
Centennial Parklands Foraging Workshop, March 16
Take a walk in the park and discover the edible and medicinal plants living around you.
Sunday, 16th of March - 10am-12:30pm
Wild edibles identification workshop
- the art of foraging.
You will never look at weeds in the same way again after taking part in this workshop.
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 and pet-friendly stroll in the park, dress for the weather and bring a camera and notebook if you wish to retain the information.
This workshop has been organised in consultation with the Centennial Parklands Education Team and is designed to provide participants with solid skills in plant identification, re-learning old stories while paying respect to public and ancient resources.
Each participant will receive a booklet detailing 16 of the most common wild edibles of Sydney and a host of additional resources will be emailed after the event.
People can come on the day with samples of weedy plants they have in their garden for possible ID.
Typical plants we discuss at this time of the year include dandelion, flatweed, sowthistle, wild fennel, blackberry, scurvy weed and more.
About your host:
Diego is an edible weeds advocate based in Sydney, most famous 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. Diego is the author of the best-selling book EAT WEEDS and has been featured in a substantial amount of media including articles in Collective Hub, Marie Claire, GQ Australia, LonelyPlanet, SMH, ABC Radio and TV and SBS Radio and TV.
WHERE:
Departing from the back of Queens Park Kitchen
Darley Rd, Queens Park
NSW 2031
WHEN:
Sunday 16th of March, 10 am to 12:30 pm
COST:
Adult $60
Concession/Child/Pensioner $40
Friends in forage (two adults) $100
If you cannot afford the costs please get in contact as we have sponsorships available.
CONTACT DETAILS: Diego info[at]diegobonetto.com
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) before the event. This voucher can be used against any workshop of 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.
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?
Unfortunately this particular workshop is not suitable for less mobile people. Please check the other workshops as they are better suited.
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?
Rain is good and plants love it. If there is a chance of rain I will let you know and we will go ahead, just bring an umbrella. Plants are so much happier when it rains, it will be the chance for you to look at species when they are at their best. If it is scheduled to rain hard or have strong wind 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 who 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 endeavor to provide you with answers or follow up with links that would help in your quest.
Diego Bonetto takes Gardening Australia on a forage in his backyard and down the park. Learn how to harvest edible wild foods in your surroundings.
“I have made an observation about what I have learned from you. By introducing the dimension of the different tastes of the different plants into my experience I’m am relating to my environment in a totally different and much richer way. When I walk into my backyard I no longer see different shaped green things, I am distinguishing between plants by look and taste.
Thank you for giving me those eyes.”
“Thank you so very much Diego! It was such a pleasure to meet you and I really enjoyed the workshop. I loved it so much I am going to tell lots of people about it. Very informative and very fun!
Thanks for sharing these resources and thanks for opening my eyes to the world of weeds :)”
“Hello Diego,
I just wanted to thank you for the great workshop on Saturday, I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to pursuing this more. It is certainly astonishing to think how ignorant most of us are of all of this opportunity around us.... I’m constantly looking at my feet now to see if I can spot any edible weeds!
Thank you for making it a fun morning.”
“Fantastic experience!! Diego shared his knowledge with us in a way that was very enlightening, respectful to nature and fun to our hearts! Highly recommended it!!”
I acknowledge the original custodians of the land where this workshop will take place, the Cadigal people of the Eora nation, and would like to pay my respect to elders past, present and future. May your wisdom thrive.
