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.
Native mint bush: A beautiful native alternative to a polygala
Native mint bush: A beautiful native alternative to a polygala Polygalas are flowering at the moment. With its purple pea flowers, they are a lovely looking large shrub often known as Sweet Pea Shrub (but not to be confused with annual Sweet Peas), Butterfly Bush or...
The BANSIC Christmas Hamper Appeal
As the holiday season approaches, The Banyule Support and Information Centre is seeking your support to fill our Christmas hampers, which are distributed to individuals and families in need. December is our busiest month, and our dedicated volunteers are hard at work...
Everyone on board to save UK pollinators
In the UK in the last 80 years, lowland meadows which are the prime source of wildflowers for pollinators, have decreased by 97%. In actual terms that is a reduction from 13 million hectares to just 100,000 hectares. Almost too late, people have realised how serious...
Ditch the car and plane – take the train
High-speed train travel Imagine travelling between Melbourne and Sydney without having to spend more than 8 hours (plus rest breaks and perhaps an overnight stop), in a car, or catching a plane, with all the inconvenience and cost involved. What if the journey took...
Sustainability – the new buzz word in the UK and Europe
In July, August and September, my husband Paul and I travelled extensively in the UK and Europe. We were amazed and pleased with the emphasis on climate change action everywhere we went. We could not look side ways without seeing the word 'sustainability' or hearing...
Queensland Fruit Fly alert – November
The most important action in November is to get your insect seclusion netting in place. QFF will be active in Macleod and surrounds already. (It is so small you won't see it). Net: tomatoes at planting time as they are self fertile capsicum, chillies and eggplants as...
What to plant in November in Melbourne
Seeds planted in October in punnets that have reached the 4-leaf stage can be pricked out and planted in potting mix in trays or pots. These can be planted in the garden late November. Plant in punnets Capsicum and chilli, cucumber, eggplant, endive, lettuce and all...
Urgent jobs in the garden for November
Put out fruit fly lures and protein traps. Queensland fruit fly is already here in Macleod this season. Net your fruit trees with fine net, tying tightly at the base to prevent Queensland fruit fly entry and to protect from birds. Put out lures for codling moth in...
Visiting the Chelsea Physic Garden in London
I recently visited the Chelsea Physic Garden in London and have written here about what a wonderful experience it was. The Chelsea Physic Garden was established 351 years ago in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London. It resides by the Thames River...
The epic migrations of our local eels
The Birrarung (Yarra River) is home to the much-maligned, but fascinating short-finned eel (Anguilla australis). These unremarkable-looking eels make two epic migration journeys, spanning thousands of kilometers.Short-finned eels begin their lives in the Coral Sea...
A Banyule bicycle revolution
It's time for a bicycle-led transport revolution. The cost of living crisis, rising petrol prices and increased road congestion should have us all on our bikes. A recent visit to London and Strasbourg was a reminder of what a remarkable form of transport the bicycle...
Queensland Fruit Fly October alert – Cera Trap, netting, kaolin clay options
Despite recent cold weather, Queensland Fruit Fly have been reported as active for quite a few weeks in the Yarra Valley. By now your Cera Traps should be in place and it won't hurt to continue to top up Wild May lures. Remember Wild May lures only take liquid to a...
Defeat citrus gall wasp (and Queensland Fruit Fly) with kaolin clay!
Citrus gall wasp, an Aussie wasp originally from Queensland, can affect all citrus but seems most prevalent in lemon, lime, cumquat and grapefruit trees. The galls result from the injection of eggs by the adult wasp into the soft stems of citrus trees in spring. Here...
Urgent jobs in the garden for October
Remove non-compliant netting if you have not done so and fold it up so birds can't get tangled in it if it is lying around. This net is illegal from 1 September.* Add potash or wood ash (both potassium) to soil to increase flower and fruit set. Tie hessian or...
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.