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.
The passionate vine! Top tips for growing passionfruit
Top tips for growing passionfruit: plant new vines in spring build a strong trellis before planting plant bee-attracting flowers as an understory maintain yearly. Passionfruit vines are South American in origin and in Australia were originally a tropical plant, grown...
Eating the humble radish
I remember my mother made radish roses for the salad on Sundays during the summer with the other produce from our garden. Lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, spring onions and beetroot were the mainstays. We also grew peas and beans, but they were only eaten with meat and...
Sustainable Macleod Kids
Sustainable Macleod Kids, a group for parents, grandparents, other family members and associated kids, is about to be launched on Facebook today. This is a private group for paid (adult) members of Sustainable Macleod to join on behalf of themselves and their kids,...
Queensland Fruit Fly Strategy Blog #4 – Put out protein bait NOW!
In September the temperature at sunset, on some days, will reach 16C and Queensland Fruit Fly WILL MATE. Initially, they will sting and lay eggs in citrus fruit and any fruit left on trees from last season, then they will infest stone fruit, apples, quinces and pears...
Your plastic free ideas and resources
Last month we posted 31 daily tips, resources and ideas from members for Plastic Free July on our social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram). We appreciate that not all members use social media, so here is a wrap-up of some of the ideas and resources for...
Ribbit ribbit, what frog is that?
As spring approaches, more and more frogs can be heard calling. Because they’re so good at camouflaging themselves, you’re much more likely to hear a frog than see one. There are plenty of frogs local to Macleod. Once you know the sounds you’re listening for, it’s not...
Solar – who’s got your back?
Residential solar power is a great way of saving money and making a significant contribution to reducing the CO2 that Banyule produces. Banyule City Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, with the goal of making Banyule carbon neutral by 2040 and household...
Growing great spuds part 2 – eating
Wonderful things about potatoes include their varied skin and flesh colours, textures, tastes and variety of culinary options. No longer is a potato 'just a potato'. They are now known by name and carefully selected for their characteristics and uses. They are even...
Growing great spuds part 1 – cultivation
Top tips for growing potatoes in Melbourne Grow in rich soil in full sun Grow in well drained soil Leave potatoes beneath ground for good storage Start harvesting when plants flower July and August are the perfect months to plant potatoes in our Melbourne climate....
Dirt and climate change
Sustainable Macleod member Bev Middleton gave a terrific workshop on dirt and climate change, showing how it is possible for farmers to put carbon back into the soil. As well as helping deal with climate change, farms that follow the practices described are able to...
Successful seeds
This is a recording of the successful seeds workshop, presented by Robin Gale-Baker and hosted by Sustainable Macleod. Learn how to successfully select, store and grow edibles from seed. Robin is a founding member of Sustainable Macleod and a former owner of the first...
Queensland Fruit Fly Strategy Blog #3 – take action NOW!
There are 2 things to do right now beginning in the first week of August: Put out your pheromone lures to monitor when Queensland Fruit Fly arrives in your garden. The lures, if you use the Wild May attractant available from the community garden, will also drown the...
Kaolin clay: part of the solution to controlling Queensland Fruit Fly
Originally used on fruit trees to prevent sunburn on fruit, you may know kaolin clay is tremendously beneficial as an organic deterrent to Citrus Gall Wasp. It turns out that kaolin clay is also proving to be very effective at protecting fruit against Queensland Fruit...
Can electric cars go the distance?
To reach the very modest target of net zero worldwide emissions by 2050, a serious shift away from petrol driven vehicles is essential. ‘Net zero emissions’ refers to achieving an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions...
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.