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.
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 –...
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...
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.