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.
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...
Urgent jobs in the garden for October
Important tips for October! Add potash or wood ash (both potassium) to soil to increase flower and fruit set. Tie hessian or cardboard around apple, pear and quince tree trunks for codling moth to lay in (remove and burn in 4 weeks time, then replace). Sow seeds in...
Urgent jobs in the garden for September
Make compost. Add potash or wood ash (both potassium) to soil to increase flower and fruit set. Tie hessian or cardboard around apple, pear and quince tree trunks for codling moth to lay in (remove and burn in 4 weeks then replace). Sow seeds in punnets and/or plant...
September garlic hint
In September, garlic bulbs will be swelling. This is the time to make sure they are watered deeply twice a week, well mulched and weed free. Spray with a seaweed solution (not a nitrogen based fertiliser) such as Seasol about every 3 weeks. Protect from cockatoos with...
What to plant in September in Melbourne
What seeds to plant in September in Melbourne and how to plant them Tips by Robin-Gale Baker. First, any seeds planted in August in punnets that have reached the 4-leaf stage can be picked out and planted in potting mix in trays or pots. These can be planted in the...
Queensland Fruit Fly September alert – put out Ceratrap now
As early as possible in September, hang Ceratrap lures in the canopy of trees such as lemons. This is in addition to Wild May which should have been in place during August and attracts overwintering males only. Word from the Yarra Valley QFF project is that this is an...
Indigenous Plant Nursery Map released
Nature Strip Planting Guide released for Banyule – supported by Indigenous Plant Nursery map The recent release of the Nature Strip Planting Guide for Banyule has been met with great enthusiasm—and it comes at a perfect time with the availability of a valuable new...
Growing exceptional corn
Let's start with terminology. Are maize and corn the same? In the paddock, the crop is called maize but when it is harvested it is called corn. Maize comes in soft and hard varieties and this results in some corn being harvested at the soft (or milk) stage, and this...
Sustainable Travel
Can travel be truly sustainable? One Australian company is attempting to prove that it can. Based locally in Alphington, Intrepid Travel run tours with the goal of achieving sustainable travel through small group tours. With a stated purpose that seeks to 'create...
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.