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.
Growing cucurbits – cucumber, zucchini and pumpkin
Position Plant in September in punnets, or from October to December outside. Choose a site with full sun and shelter from wind. Soil Preparation Plant cucurbits as seed or seedlings on mounds of compost with a base of well rotted animal manure. The manure should be...
Botany for home gardeners
Did you know we all use botanical theory in our garden, even if we don't realise it? By learning more about how plants work, we can make the most of how we manage our gardens. In this workshop we share interesting snippets of botany and how we can apply the...
The how and why of wicking beds
A comprehensive workshop on the how and why of wicking beds, including detailed explanation and notes on how to put together these water-saving, high-cropping beds. Learn: How to decide if wicking beds are right for you What materials are required How to assemble...
Re-opening the community garden
Many of you have asked about when Macleod Organic Community Garden will be reopened for Members. Sustainable Macleod takes its duty of care to members seriously and will be taking all necessary steps to reopen safely. We are all keen to be able to get back into the...
Net Zero Homes
Looking around our area, it is surprising, for example, how few homes are oriented to capture winter sun and exclude hot summer sun, or how many homes are connected to gas, which is both a fossil fuel and increasingly expensive. The move to a net zero building code is...
What actually is a weed?
At its most basic a weed is simply a plant in the wrong place. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the plants we call weeds, it’s just they have been introduced and are impacting what you’re trying to cultivate in your garden or farm, or they have invaded bushland...
The Banyule nappy
Image credit Designer BumsStylish, reusable cloth nappies = a zero-waste alternative Do you have a baby or toddler in nappies? Many parents believe they have no real alternative to the convenience of disposable nappies. But that’s not true. Now there is a new reusable...
Growing great tomatoes
How to plant tomatoes In this short video Robin Gale-Baker explains how to plant your tomatoes to ensure success! 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...
Cheesy garlic roasted asparagus
A quick and tasty side dish that the whole family will love! Ingredients 250g asparagus spears, woody ends removed 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon minced garlic (or 2 cloves garlic, minced) Sprinkle of salt and pepper ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese (or pre-packaged...
Sustainable Macleod’s 10 year anniversary celebrations
Sustainable Macleod's 10 Year Anniversary: 23 October This month is the 10 year anniversary of Sustainable Macleod and the 6th anniversary of Macleod Organic Community Garden. We will have a HUGE online celebration with lots of fun. As a special treat, Costa...
Fermenting vegetables for beginners
Eating fermented vegetables is as old as humanity, but has dropped out of many Australian diets for a long time. In this workshop, Jen Willis teaches us the basics of fermenting vegetables and the difference between pickling, canning and fermenting vegetables to...
Welcome baby ducklings
Have you got close to a pair of ducks lately and been hissed or flapped at? It’s a sure sign that Spring is here and nesting season, and the first of the ducklings are now appearing. I was recently riding along the main Yarra Trail at Banyule Flats and saw a pair of...
Soil and climate change – part 1
Emissions of carbon dioxide from agriculture constitute around 20% of Australia’s total CO2 emissions. Cow farts get a lot of publicity, but the real concern is in the degradation of our soil. Soil underpins the productive wealth of Australian agriculture. We rely on...
Bikes in Banyule
What an incredible machine the bicycle is. Using a relatively small expenditure of energy, it is possible to travel considerable distances for commuting or pleasure. Once the original machines, such as penny farthings were given a chain drive and two equal-sized...
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.