Blog
Our blog features a variety of gardening and growing tips on topics such as soil biology, wicking bed construction, composting, grafting, pruning, water-saving and irrigation. Plus we regularly post recipes to help you make the most of the ‘seasonal glut’ and tips on how to live in a more sustainable way.
Queensland Fruit Fly alert – April
As in March, your winter fruit is at risk. At risk right now are persimmons, guavas, feijoas, pomegranates (despite their tough skin) and citrus, but any fruit including berries is susceptible. This is the time to put out Wild May again because the females are dying...
Why autumn is the best time to plant indigenous species
It’s been a long dry summer. According to the Bureau of Meterology, during December, January and February Viewbanks’s mean temperature was 2.1 degrees above average and rainfall was about 80%. And March has hardly been cool. If you’ve struggled to keep exotic plants...
Soil amendments and fertilisers: are they the same?
The terms ‘soil amendment’ and ‘fertiliser’ are sometimes used interchangeably, but in fact mean quite different things. However, some substances such as compost and aged manures can function as both. Amendment Soil amendment refers to a substance that conditions...
How can your solar panels be remotely turned off?
In last month's clean energy article, I explored the impact a nuclear energy industry would have on homeowners' rooftop solar. This month I follow on with an explanation of exactly what the mechanism would be that would allow this to happen. Let me begin by saying...
Indigenous grasses: summer blooms for your garden
When you think of flowers in late summer, grasses probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. But Melbourne’s locally native (indigenous) grasses put on a beautiful show at this time of year, with delicate flowers that shimmer in the sunlight and attract all...
What would nuclear policy mean for your solar panels?
What would nuclear policy mean for your solar panels? Have you considered what the introduction of nuclear energy would mean for your solar panels? You have, no doubt, installed solar or are considering doing so, to lower your energy costs, to reduce cost-of-living...
Electrifying my home with Goodbye Gas
It’s been an interesting journey to make my 25-year-old home more sustainable. Originally, I installed a 1 kW solar system, and solar boost for my original gas hot water system. I added a thermal assessment of my home, draught proofing, and extra insulation. More...
Urgent jobs in the garden for March
Save seeds from the garden. Net fruit trees including citrus, guava, feijoa, pear, apple, quince, loquat, persimmon, grape and olive. Also net tomatoes, eggplants, capsicums and chillies. Use fine net, tying tightly at the base to prevent Queensland Fruit Fly entry...
March garlic hint
March is the time to prepare your beds for planting in March or April depending on garlic varieties chosen. Choose a site with full sun which is well drained. If not well drained or the soil is heavy, build a raised bed. Do not grow garlic where you have previously...
What to plant in March in Melbourne
Planting in March March is the time to put all your effort into preparing your soil for heavy-feeding winter crops which are best planted in April. Once upon a time, March signalled the beginning of autumn, and cooler weather, but climate change has altered this and...
Harvesting, curing and storing pumpkins
Pumpkins are planted in spring and harvested in autumn. That means they take up space for anything from 4-6 months so harvesting, curing and storing them carefully is a must if we are not to waste that long growing period and have our own supply throughout winter. How...
Urgent jobs in the garden for February
Check Queensland Fruit Fly lures for fruit flies. Net your fruit trees including guava, feijoa, pear, apple, quince, loquat, persimmon, grape and olive plus tomatoes, eggplants and capsicums with fine net, tying tightly at the base to prevent Queensland Fruit Fly...
What to plant in February in Melbourne
February is the time to maintain your summer garden with good watering but also to begin preparations for your autumn/winter garden. It is a tricky month, often hot without much rainfall. Cool weather, autumn crops are best grown in punnets, potted on, kept well...
Planning your garlic crop – start in February!
Although it may be several months before we plant out garlic, preparations must start now. There are 2 reasons for this. Firstly, you may need to order in garlic heads, and secondly you may wish to give your garlic a false winter (vernalisation) by placing it in the...
Join Sustainable Macleod
Become a member and get access to the community garden, the tool library and our seed library. We welcome all members of the community and have regular events and workshops to enjoy.