The Backyard Farmer - With Justin Calverley

Next date: Tuesday, 21 July 2026 | 10:00 AM to 02:30 PM

Get practical, hands-on training in the essentials of growing your own food at home. Whether you attend a single session or commit to the full eight-week program, every class delivers clear, actionable skills you can immediately apply in your own garden.

Save more when you book multiple sessions

The more sessions you join, the greater your savings:

1 session: $85
2 sessions: 2.5% off
3–6 sessions: increasing discounts
7 sessions: 15% off
8 sessions: 20% off – best value $544 total

Bonus: Attend all 8 sessions and receive a Free 9th session.

Plus, the first five people to book the full eight-session program will receive a complimentary copy of Justin’s book, The Urban Farmer—the inspiration behind this course. (The book may also be available for separate purchase from Edendale’s shop, subject to availability.)

We aim to make this event as accessible as possible. Please contact us at edendale@nillumbik.vic.gov.au or phone 9433 3711 to discuss how we can make this event inclusive and accessible for you. Further information is available on our accessibility page

Week 1 – Permaculture: Designing edible gardens that work

Discover how permaculture thinking can shape healthy, productive spaces at any scale. Justin introduces the foundations of ethical, sustainable garden design and shows how these ideas can guide the way you build your own home food system.

Includes:

Ethics behind permaculture
Core design principles
Applying permaculture in everyday gardens

Week 2 – Composting, worm farms and fertilisers

Learn how to transform kitchen scraps, garden waste and natural materials into rich soil conditioners. Explore different composting systems and find out which ones suit your space, lifestyle and gardening style.

Includes:

Compost systems and setups
Methods for fast, healthy breakdown
How and when to use finished products

Week 3 – Understanding soils

Healthy soil is at the core of a thriving garden. This session unpacks what’s happening beneath your feet and how to create the right environment for strong and healthy plant growth.

Includes:

Soil structure and texture
Basic soil chemistry (made simple)
Practical soil improvement techniques

Week 4 – Growing vegetables successfully

Explore what vegetables need to flourish in your climate and backyard. Justin shares practical tips on choosing varieties, working with microclimates and growing a seasonal supply of fresh produce.

Includes:

Understanding plant needs
Using and creating microclimates
Companion planting for healthier crops

Week 5 – Managing pests, diseases & weeds

Learn how to prevent common garden issues before they appear—and how to manage them safely and naturally when they do. A great session for building confidence, reducing garden frustration, and learning about natural, low‑impact methods.

Includes:

Identifying common issues
Prevention strategies
Natural, low‑impact solutions

Week 6 – Fruit trees for urban gardens

Discover how to select, shape and care for fruit trees suited to smaller spaces. From buying the right tree to maintaining long‑term health, this session covers the essentials of a simple, productive backyard orchard.

Includes:

Choosing suitable varieties
Pruning and shaping for easy care
Maintaining tree health through the seasons
Managing Queensland Fruit Fly

Week 7 – Berries: Sweet, reliable home-grown harvests

Berries are a delicious and high value crop every food grower should consider. Learn how to set them up properly and keep them producing year after year.

Includes:

Choosing varieties
Setting up beds, canes and supports
Troubleshooting common problems

Week 8 – Bushfoods: Growing native edible plants

Explore the flavours and possibilities of Australia’s native edibles. This session looks at how bushfoods can be integrated into gardens while supporting local biodiversity.

Includes:

Design considerations for native edibles
Edible plant parts and harvest uses
Creating habitat-friendly plantings

Week 9 – Bonus Class: Choose your adventure

Work with Justin as a class to choose a topic for this bonus class.

Options include:

Keeping chooks in your backyard
Propagation from seed and cutting
Design part 2- review your own garden designs
Other

About Justin

Justin Calverley is a horticulturalist with more than 35 years' experience and is the author of the bestselling books, The Urban Farmer and The Urban Food Forester. He is a go-to expert for the media and in high demand on the presentation and public speaking circuit. Justin is a regular broadcaster on radio 3RRR Breakfast and ABC Evenings.

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