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.
Lose the lawn – ditch mowing forever
How natural is your nature strip? What role does your lawn play in reducing carbon in the atmosphere - the CO2 which wreaks havoc with the climate? Lawns and tidy nature strips can look attractive and appear to be part of the natural world, but what is the reality?...
Tough little locals
As you may remember from my previous articles, the best time to plant natives and indigenous (locally occurring natives) is in autumn or early winter. But, if that didn’t happen, you’re still able to plant in October - you’ll just need to give it some extra water and...
Why handling tomato stems is a bad idea
Tomato stems, if you take a close look, are covered in very tiny hairs. They are called trichomes. Trichomes are important in providing a protective structure that helps plants survive and adapt to their environment including deterring insects, moderating extreme...
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...
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 Macleod. 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 depth of...
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...
Why “many planted for every one removed” doesn’t add up
The removal of 300 trees as part of the Macleod rail level crossing removal has left many residents shocked, not only by the scale of the clearing itself, but because the number of trees to be removed wasn’t declared until very late in the process. Very few of us...
How to charge your EV
Here's the scenario: you've just bought a new EV and you're trying to understand how to charge it in the most efficient and cost-effective way. Fundamentally it's quite straightforward. An EV is an electrical appliance with wheels, so you plug it in as you would any...
Growing ginger, turmeric and galangal
Top tips use Australian produce only begin preparation in September leave the crop in the ground for 2 years cure your produce before storing Ginger (zingiber officinale), turmeric (Curcuma longa) and galangal (Alpinia galanga) are all members of the ginger family,...
July – September: key months for garlic success!
Now that the shortest day has passed, garlic planted in the autumn will have developed a strong root system and healthy green shoots but what next? How do we support the swelling of the bulbs into good-sized, healthy heads? Action taken from July to September is key...
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 taken 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. Ceratrap is a protein bait that attracts both males and...
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.