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.
The beetles bringing some Christmas bling

The beetles bringing some Christmas bling

Christmas beetles are a delight to see. They usually appear close to Christmas time and their shimmery, shiny exoskeletons decorate flyscreen doors wide and far as they flock towards any light. Some are metallic green, others golden and bronze. All are incredibly...

read more
Banyule Urban Food Strategy Launch

Banyule Urban Food Strategy Launch

The Banyule Urban Food Strategy was officially launched on November 23, 2023, at the Bellfield Community Hub with an audience of community members and community organisation representatives. On the day, a tour of Bellfield Community Garden and the next door Farmraiser...

read more
Clean Energy Expo Report

Clean Energy Expo Report

The Sustainable Macleod Clean Energy Expo on November 19 saw engaged residents able to get the most up-to-date information on improving the energy-efficiency of their homes and reducing energy costs. Thanks to Macleod College, we had an excellent space to showcase the...

read more
It’s time to renew your Sustainable Macleod membership!

It’s time to renew your Sustainable Macleod membership!

That time of year has arrived! Membership of Sustainable Macleod is due on 1 January 2024 for the calendar year 2024. People who have joined since 1st October will have their membership rolled over to 31st December 2024. Sustainable Macleod membership costs $30 and...

read more
Wasps we should welcome

Wasps we should welcome

At primary school I had a teacher who was very concerned we’d swallow a wasp in a can of soft drink. He often told us to use a straw (before single-use plastics became recognised as an environmental disaster). He was worried about the aggressive invasive European...

read more
Hilling all root vegetables

Hilling all root vegetables

'Hilling' or 'hilling up' of potatoes is a well-known technique for producing more tubers and preventing 'greening', which is toxic to potatoes. Less well-known is that hilling up all root vegetables will lead to better produce and prevent shoulder greening of...

read more
BANSIC Christmas Appeal

BANSIC Christmas Appeal

Can you help with donations of cash, food, toys, toiletries? I've been sitting in the front of my computer feeling teary as I read the recent BANSIC Donor Update. Life is, sadly, so challenging for many people in the Banyule community that BANSIC has gone from giving...

read more
No tea bags or coffee pods in the green bin!

No tea bags or coffee pods in the green bin!

We have now covered 3 items in the last 2 newsletters that don't go in the FOGO* green bin in Banyule, Darebin and Manningham Councils. These are: stickers on fruit and vegetables bin liners including compostable ones food packaging. This month it is tea bags and...

read more

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.

Join us