Grow your own pineapples from tops 🍍

Did you know that pineapples contain a compound called bromelain and eating a fresh pineapple full of bromelain induces a feeling of well being? We all know that homegrown tastes even better so why not try your hand at propagating your own from tops?
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Moss House Swap & Foraging Tour with Diego Bonetto – 7 May, 2017

This International Permaculture Day, member Margaret Mossakowska kindly re-opened her garden to the Crop Swap community. This large suburban food garden features eleven raised vegetable beds (seven of which are self-watering), large composting bays and worm farms, a chicken forest, native stingless bees, insectary gardens and a habitat pond.
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When life gives you lemons…

Why not use the peels to make your own chemical free, enzyme cleaner?  This recipe lifts dirt, grime, and odors without introducing harmful chemicals into the equation. Member Raelene kindly shares her recipe and knowledge with us.  This is definitely one to try.
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Pocket City Farms Swap – 8 April, 2017

This month’s swap was all about citrus.  The amount of fruit brought along meant that bags and bags were donated to The Food Pantry who kindly distributed it to those in need.
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Lane Cove Family Swap – Feb 25, 2017

For our first Lane Cove swap we partnered with Lane Cove Council for a very special family event. The Living and Learning Centre was a great venue on a rainy Saturday morning and produce was aplenty.  We’re always excited to hear where and how people are growing and on this occasion spoke to swappers from[…]

Pocket City Farms Swap – Feb 11, 2017

Our February swap at Pocket City Farms was set to be a HOT one – with weather forecasts predicting 38 degrees, the farm kindly offered us the use of the air conditioned common room. Despite the heat, a small but dedicated crowd turned up to swap.  We even had growers travel from as far as Wolli creek, North Strathfield and Pyrmont!

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Manly Vale Crop Swap & Native Honey Tasting – Jan 15, 2017

This event signified our first on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and visitors came from far and wide.  One family even travelled from near Hurstville to swap with us! On arrival, their arms brimmed with huge pesticide free zucchinis, flavoursome onions and freshly harvested beetroot.
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Carlingford Permaculture Crop Swap – Dec 3, 2016

On December 3rd we managed to squeeze one last afternoon swap in before the silly season set in.  Set under a marquee in the beautifully planned garden of a Permaculture Sydney North member, attendees sipped refreshing homemade cordial (made using garden ingredients), tips and recipes were exchanged, and the owner conducted a tour.  The garden buzzed with blue banded bees, new figs were spotted, hot rasperries were eaten straight from the bush and all marveled at the beautiful pomegranates on their way.
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All About Heirlooms

Have you ever eaten rainbow corn, purple carrots or pink radishes? Varieties such as these, that sound too magical to be true, are known as heirlooms or old cultivars.  In recent years they have become highly sought after for their superior taste, interesting appearance or because they are uncommon in supermarkets.  For these reasons, they are perfect for the backyard veggie patch, and your dinner plate!
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Berowra Crop Swap – Nov 6, 2016

Join us at Club Berowra as we swap on the newly renovated Sky deck.  Meet locals, exchange recipes and chat about growing tips over tea and coffee. This venue is very family friendly with plenty of space and children’s play areas to keep everyone entertained.  A kids menu is also available should you wish to[…]

Pocket City Farms Swap – Nov 5, 2016

We’re excited to announce that our first Inner West crop swap will be held at Pocket City Farms at Camperdown Commons. Come along and swap in the grounds of the former bowling greens which have now been transformed into a 1200m2 market garden. These are accompanied by 180m2 of community food forest, a chicken coop,[…]

Grower Profile: Tonys $1 a day Food Challenge

Crop Swap Sydney member Tony Tang is a well-travelled family man, who cultivates his own mushrooms and wears a suit to work.  As the son of an engineer and a good cook, gardening was always in his blood, but it was his interest in education, food insecurity and waste, that lead him to undertake a month long, $1 a day food challenge.  Not only did he succeed, but he also managed to raise $3,350 for the charity, Second Bite.
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Grower Profile: Sophia’s Self-Sufficient Journey

Crop Swap Sydney member Sophia and her family have been working towards becoming self-sufficient for the past 4 years.  Their Turramurra backyard is a cleverly designed and integrated system which includes aquaponics, soil beds, chickens, ducks and bunnies.  It’s the kind of magical place where kids can explore and experience a taste of farm life, but it’s just outside the city. The ‘homestead’ has been lovingly grown from scratch but they are now starting to taste its delicious dividends.  Here Sophia tells us a little about her sustainable journey.
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Moss House Sustainable Swap – Sept 11, 2016

Last weekend Moss House opened to the public for Sustainable House Day, and served as the venue for our first swap of the  season.  This property is a great example of a working permaculture garden on a suburban scale, and was an inspiration for many members who were able to see elements of sustainable permaculture food garden design in action.
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