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.
Sustainable Macleod North East Link interview
The North East Link (‘NEL’) will have a huge impact on the community of Macleod and surrounding communities. In December 2021 I interviewed Michelle Giovas about the NEL, including the current design and implications for local residents. Michelle is one of the...
Productivity Commission ‘Right to Repair’ Report
The Productivity Commission handed down its final report to the Australian Government on 29 October 2021. It was released to the public on 1 December. This is potentially good news for consumers as it includes the right to competitive pricing for repairs and choice of...
FREE mesh bags to prevent Queensland Fruit Fly attacking your fruit!
Mesh bags with a fine weave are an excellent tool to combat Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF). The bags, which have a drawstring, can be slipped easily over bunches of fruit and secured around the branch. It's a good idea to place a circle of wire or a stick within the bag...
Five indigenous pollinator-attracting daisies
If you’re growing vegetables and fruit, you probably understand the benefits that pollinators bring to your garden. Many plants, particularly the cultivated varieties we grow for food, are self-fertile (don’t need other plants to pollinate them) but you’ll usually get...
Summer pruning of fruit trees
Why prune in summer? The simple answer is to reduce the height of out-of-control trees or to make netting and harvesting easier and safer. The more complex answer is to do with when trees are most likely to replace all the wood taken off. When pruned in winter, spring...
Remove unwanted fruit trees to help eliminate Queensland Fruit Fly
Removing unwanted fruit trees is of huge importance in combating Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF). In some states, this has been ordered by councils (including in Cobram, Victoria) and has had a positive effect in reducing QFF numbers. It is also a way of assisting the many...
Queensland Fruit Fly Blog #6 – Essential Action Now
Now is the time to net your fruit trees and vegies as pollination has taken place. When netting trees, secure the bottom of the net to the tree trunk or ground and make sure there are no holes. When using net bags make sure the fruit is not against the mesh as it can...
New videos about Sustainable Macleod!
Two new videos have been posted on the Sustainable Macleod YouTube channel: 'Sustainable Macleod: More than a garden' and 'Sustainable Macleod Community Voices 2021'. These were funded by a Banyule City Council grant to the Transition Banyule Network for upskilling of...
Could your next car be electric?
The advantages of choosing to drive an electric vehicle (EV) are clear. They can be charged at home, preferably from solar panels, they have zero emissions (once built) and they have fewer moving parts, requiring considerably less maintenance. It will shortly be...
Masters of disguise – the Tawny Frogmouth
Tawny Frogmouths are one of our most popular native birds. They recently came runner-up for the second time in 3 years in the Guardian/BirdLife Bird of the Year poll. In this article is some interesting information about these much-adored birds and some advice about...
Queensland Fruit Fly Blog #5
A reminder to put out your protein baits for Queensland Fruit Fly. These kill male and female flies. The Wild May lures are less critical now as they primarily tell you when QFF are around and plenty of people are catching them! It is a good idea to continue to use...
Soil and Climate Change Part 2
In her previous article, Bev described the importance of looking after agricultural soil in order to store more CO2. In this article, she looks at the impact of regenerative farming techniques on improving soil. While still a small percentage of all farmers,...
Profile: Robin Gale-Baker
Sustainable Macleod members would know Robin Gale-Baker from the monthly Newsletter, her videos produced for Sustainable Macleod and her guidance and mentoring at Macleod Organic Community Garden. Others would recognise her for the wide range of sustainable projects,...
The art of watering
Imagine for a moment that you are parched with thirst. Would a teaspoon of water quench that thirst? Or a tablespoon? Or would you need at least a full glass? Chances are that it will be the latter and yet often we do not apply the same principle to plants –...
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.