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.
Plant identity alert – Calamint
Identity alert! Calamint is being mistaken for oregano once again. Some years ago it was given away at the vegie swap incorrectly identified. The plant in the first photo is calamint; the second is oregano. Note the rounded tips and deeper veins of the calamint. The...
Sustainable Macleod blitzing fruit fly!
Sustainable Macleod has made a bulk buy of Fruit Fly Eco-lures; these are sure to make a tremendous impact on the Queensland Fruit Fly which arrived in Macleod from the Yarra Valley last summer. Orders for 105 lures have been placed, mostly by Macleodians. With a...
Pruning: Thinning vs heading cuts
Heading cuts on a loquat tree Thinning cuts and heading cuts When pruning fruit trees there are two types of cuts and they produce vastly different results. There are thinning cuts which are the preferred cuts and heading cuts which are used for only three purposes:...
Broadbean nitrogen nodules: Costa replies to Kobie
Our member, Kobie Swart asked a question about nodules on the roots of her broadbeans on our Facebook page and received a detailed reply from Costa. (We are chuffed that Costa follows our page). Here's Kobie's question and photo (above) and Costa's reply. Kobie:...
Taking stock: the wonders of lovage
What is lovage? Making your own stock is a sure fire way of avoiding certain ingredients such as MSG, palm oil, wheat, emulsifiers, and flavour enhancers found in many commercial stock cubes and powders. Simply grow the culinary herb, lovage, in your kitchen garden...
Macleod Organic Community Garden Re-Opening
We are delighted to be able to announce that the Macleod Organic Community Garden (MOCG), will be able to open from Monday, November 2. The Sustainable Macleod Garden Management Team have been working with permits since the Garden closed, with produce going weekly to...
A glut of zucchini
Recipes for a glut of zucchini There must be 101 things you can do with zucchinis but some of the less obvious and most delicious include zucchini bread, chocolate cake, pickles, slices, chutney and piccalilli. Zucchini chocolate cake 1/2 cup butter1 1/2 cups sugar2...
Woolly aphid on apple trees
The photo shows woolly aphids on old wounds on an apple tree. What is Woolly Aphid? Woolly aphid generally appears late summer/early autumn. It looks a bit like white fairy floss. This three-dimensional presentation is one of the things that distinguishes it from...
Fight Queensland Fruit Fly this season!
Top tips for controlling Queensland Fruit Fly Use dual methods: pheromone traps and netting together are best. Pheromone traps - available from nurseries and Bunnings for about $20. Only one needed per backyard (covers 400 m) and it does not need to be cleared. These...
A glut of peas
Freezing your excess peas and pods It's quick and simple to freeze peas and pea pods but do blanch them as this preserves flavour, texture, colour, nutrients and provides a much longer shelf life than non-blanched. Shell peas or prepare pods. Wash in cold water. Boil...
What’s allowed in your Banyule yellow recycling bin… and other bin news
New Banyule yellow recycle bin rules Lids on? Lids off? Should I wash out the cans? What colour bin do we put out this week? These and other questions often spring to mind when we think about our bins. Even among the most devoted recyclers there is confusion about...
Driving down emissions
While much of the focus on reducing CO2 emissions has been on the reduction of fossil fuel use in electricity generation, transport emissions are the second-largest contributor to the problem, after electricity, and warrant attention. Road transport is responsible for...
Growing spectacular eggplants and capsicums
Top hints for growing eggplants and capsicum Use Dipel (an organic bacterium available from nurseries) to prevent caterpillar poo trails in the fruit. Always keep soil moist. Stake plants to support brittle stems and keep fruit off the ground and pest free. Position...
Swooping season
Have you been swooped by a magpie while walking or riding your bike recently? If so, you’re not alone – we’re in swooping season. Magpies are both loved and hated. A couple of years ago, Guardian readers voted them Australia’s favourite bird. They’re renowned for...
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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.