Blog
Our blog features a variety of gardening and sustainablity articles on topics such as soil biology, composting, grafting, pruning, water-saving and irrigation clean energy, waste and biodiversity. 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.
Hop to it! Join Australia’s biggest frog count
When you hear frogs calling after rain, you’re listening to one of nature’s best health checks. Frogs are sensitive to pollution, temperature changes and habitat loss, so when they are calling it’s usually an indicator that our local ecosystems are doing okay too. ...
Growing exceptional eggplant and capsicum
Top hints for growing eggplants and capsicum Use Dipel (an organic bacterium available from nurseries) to prevent caterpillar poo trails in eggplant and insert fruit into net bags, tying tightly around the calyx, to prevent caterpillars burrowing into the fruit Plant...
Compost activators, accelerators, starters, boosters, inoculators – do you need them?
First let's define what terms like activators and accelerators mean. This is not easy because most people, including commercial manufacturers of such products, use these terms interchangeably and do not define what they mean. Manufacturers do not detail the actual...
Thumbs up to e-bikes
As mentioned in my previous article: Driving emissions targets, a very significant reduction in transport emissions is critical if Australia is to reach the government target of a 62%-70% reduction in emissions by 2035. Bicycles, particularly electric bikes, have the...
November Garlic Hint
November is the time to assess if your garlic is ready to harvest. This can be done in 2 ways. Either dig down around a bulb or two and decide whether they are large enough or harvest when 4 -6 of the lower leaves have withered. This is easier said than done as the...
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...
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...
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...
Growing exceptional tomatoes – SM Plant to Harvest
Top hints for growing tomatoes Plant tomatoes deeply – at least half way up their stems. (You can leave the lower leaves on or twist them off.) Deep planting anchors the plant; the buried stem will put out roots, taking up more water and nutrients and producing more...
Driving emissions targets
The Australian Government has announced the 2035 emissions targets, with a reduction of 62-70% from 2005 levels. To achieve this target, reductions in a number of areas will be essential. A great deal of attention has been focused on the replacement of fossil fuel...
South African weed orchid threatening local wildflowers
Spring in Macleod and surrounding suburbs is a time when our bushland and reserves come alive with native wildflowers. Unfortunately, a growing threat is emerging that could outcompete these much-loved plants: the South African Weed Orchid (Disa bracteata). This...
October Garlic Hint
Water your garlic twice weekly. Most rain will be insufficient to do the job especially if less than 10mm so water directly onto the soil, avoiding water splashing onto the leaves. Refrain from fertilising with a nitrogen-based fertiliser but continue to spray the...
What to plant in October in Melbourne
First, any seeds planted in September 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 October. For the best site (sun, partial sun, partial shade) in the garden for...
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...
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.