TALGA SEMINAR FIELD DAY 6 & 7th APRIL 2024 – LILYDALE VICTORIA 

On Saturday 6th April TALGA welcomed members and new participants to York on Lilydale for a day seminar and site visit to Larkman Nurseries. 

The day was opened by TALGA President Louise Bickerton who gave us an overview on what the board has been working on and an introduction of Board Members and their roles. After a Morning Tea full of catch ups and cuppas we knuckled down to listen to Tim Manders, Agronomist with Browns Fertiliser. Tim talked us through in great detail soil testing and what to look for and understand when we receive our soil test results. The information provided enabled us to understand our soil test results, the components of our soil and what may be required for great soil and plant health. Tim also covered extreme weather conditions, microbial activity and broad and general advice on weed control. 

After Lunch the Grower Panel discussion focused on Post Harvest Plant Care. The Question and Answer session panel utilised the growing experience of Fiona Glover, Annemarie Manders, Louise Bickerton and a little input from Matt Oxenford. Always a lively and interesting part of the seminar with lots of great questions and experienced answers. 

After lunch we made our way to Larkman Nurseries at Wandin North. We were warmly welcomed by Clive, Di and Simon to their growing facilities. We were treated to an entertaining tour by Clive with some insight into the workings of the nursery and how we end up with our lavender plants. Generously the Larkmans provided happy hour drinks which we enjoyed while participating in a question and answer session and a quick overview of product from Seasol. Many of us took the opportunity to collect plant orders after which was greatly appreciated. 

The day was rounded off with a casual dinner and catch up at York on Lilydale. 

On Sunday 7th we were invited by Annemarie & Peter to Warratina for a most enjoyable Farm Visit. We were lucky enough to have Annemarie give us a guided tour of her equipment, plants & site and hear of her long growing history which she shared generously. The hospitality didn’t end there as Annemarie generously provided us all with a complimentary Devonshire Tea before we all started our journeys home! 

As usual the generosity of time & information gathering by TALGA to organize such wonderful opportunities of information, networking, new friendships and great fun is very much valued. I personally would like to Thank Louise and the Board for their hard work in enabling these opportunities. 

We look forward to the conference in 2025! 

Kellie Oxenford 

Leven K Farm