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.
Fighting food waste beyond the fridge
Next time you open your fridge or cupboard, check one of those bottom shelves. Chances are you will find something past its ‘use-by date’, some stale biscuits, leftovers that someone forgot to eat, lettuce that didn’t get stored property and now it has to be thrown...
Festive ice bowl
Making a festive ice bowl to hold prawns, ice cream, or other frozen desserts can be a lot of fun, especially with children or grandchildren. Take: 2 stainless steel bowls of the same shape, one larger than the other fresh flower petals and leaves water Place one bowl...
Changing rain patterns affect Macleod
Many members of Sustainable Macleod have commented on the changing temperatures we are experiencing in Melbourne. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, 2019 was the warmest year on record, with severe and lasting droughts. Temperature rise is particularly evident in...
Cooling the heat island
Urban infrastructure (ie. roads, footpaths, buildings, and concrete driveways) contributes significantly to the build-up of heat in the environment. The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect can add 2-4 degrees Celsius in cities. Compared to rural areas the effect measures...
Which mulch?
Last year, prices for organic mulch were at record highs with lucerne bales $60 each. The news this year is better but by no means is mulch cheap. Lucerne is down to $32.95, pea straw $24.95, wheat straw $19.95 per bale and sugar cane mulch is $17.95 a pack. What are...
Your surprising best friend in dealing with snails
Blue-tongue lizards are one of the most iconic reptiles in Australia. They are not very timid, have gorgeous markings and that distinctive blue tongue. Actually there are six types of blue-tongues in Australia - including the Eastern Blue-Tongue Lizard (Tiliqua...
Shade cloth- need, purpose and options
Shade cloth structures, whether temporary or permanent, are likely to be ever more necessary for home gardeners as we experience more heat waves and higher temperatures. Even a single day of scorching heat can do irreversible damage to our edible gardens. Heat waves...
Sustainable Macleod Gift Vouchers
The ultimate sustainable gift! We are now selling $15 workshop vouchers and $25 membership vouchers! Simply click buy now and complete the checkout and your voucher will be emailed to you. Terms and conditions Workshop vouchers are valid until December 2021....
Dealing with pesky possums in your garden
There’s no doubt possums cause all kinds of problems for gardeners. In fact, I’ve had possum problems in every garden I’ve had. At my old rental house in Northcote the Common Brushtail Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) ransacked my lemon tree, herbs and roses. And rats...
Sustainable Macleod sustainable gift ideas
Here's a list of suggestions by members, for a very happy, sustainable Christmas! Vouchers for Sustainable Macleod membership or workshops - purchase here Bush Heritage Trust Bush giftcards other memberships local restaurants - help them after covid! experiences...
Banyule Community Climate Action Plan
Banyule City Council has released the final version of the Community Climate Action Plan in response to the declaration of a climate emergency by the Council in 2018. The Plan is a companion to the Banyule City Council's Corporate Emissions Reduction Plan which sets...
Oyster and shiitake mushroom bulk buy
Order your mushroom kit Sustainable Macleod is doing a bulk order of shiitake and oyster mushroom kits from Aussie Mushroom Company. Robin is taking orders for oyster and shiitake mushroom kits. Both are $15 which is half price. We need an order of 10 of each and...
The Walking School Bus
The recent pandemic lockdown and the subsequent return of children to schools have highlighted the need for other ways of getting children to school. The return to school has brought with it a very noticeable increase in traffic around schools, and on roads in Banyule...
Growing salad greens
Top hints for growing salad greens use seed that is less than a year old germinate in the light keep seed well watered until rooted grow in well prepared soil containing compost and nitrogen. What are salad greens? Salad greens include hearting, butterheads, cos and...
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.