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.
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...
Biodiverse planting for pest control in the orchard and vegie garden
One of the best strategies for preventing insect attack in the fruit and vegie garden is to plant a wide array of flowering plants that attract beneficial insects. Beneficial insects are great at disposing of 'bad bugs', usually defined as sap sucking or leaf chewing...
Under Threat: A rare tree that’s been hiding in plain sight – Studley Park Gum
Image courtesy of Banyule City Council. If you’ve ever walked through Cherry Street Reserve in Macleod you’ll have seen one of the endangered unique trees we’re lucky enough to have growing on our doorstep. You might not have realised though. The Studley Park Gum...
Why used coffee grounds might harm your plants
Why sprinkling used coffee grounds on your plants might be harming them - ABC Everyday This is a must read article and I am very glad to have read it. Last year for the first time my tomatoes looked tatty and produced less than usual - that is, the ones which I added...
World Environment Day: “Let’s get active, not anxious”
June 5 was World Environment Day. This year's theme is REIMAGINE. RECREATE. RESTORE. It also marked the start of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. ‘This is our moment. We cannot turn back time. But we can grow trees, green our cities, rewild our gardens, change...
Crowns – rhubarb, strawberry, asparagus and horseradish
Some fruit and vegetables are grown from crowns and these require careful planting. A crown is defined as a part of a plant where stem and roots meet. Examples are rhubarb, strawberries, asparagus and horseradish. For rhubarb and strawberries, it is important that the...
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.