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.
Growing exceptional corn
Let's start with terminology. Are maize and corn the same? In the paddock, the crop is called maize but when it is harvested it is called corn. Maize comes in soft and hard varieties and this results in some corn being harvested at the soft (or milk) stage, and this...
Sustainable Travel
Can travel be truly sustainable? One Australian company is attempting to prove that it can. Based locally in Alphington, Intrepid Travel run tours with the goal of achieving sustainable travel through small group tours. With a stated purpose that seeks to 'create...
Which wattlebird is that?
It’s always a sign of spring being just around the corner when you hear the raucous calls of wattlebirds. The reason for the carry-on is that they are breeding which coincides with the flowering of grevilleas and bottlebrushes. These large honeyeaters are common...
Queensland Fruit Fly Alert – August
As early as possible in August, hang lures with Wild May in them (20ml of the liquid) 1.2 to 2 metres above the ground in the canopy of trees such as lemons. Wild May only attracts the males, and is vital to mop up those that are overwintering. Trapping the males also...
Tackling our energy dependence nationally and individually
Dependence on imported oil Australia relies on imported oil products for much of our energy needs. Electrification to replace the consumption of oil can reduce this dependence substantially. In 2023 there was an estimated 56 billion litres of transport petroleum used...
Prime time to plant a bed of asparagus
Asparagus is a perennial vegetable that's well worth growing. July is the perfect time to visit your local nursery and buy 2 year-old crowns. The bed you plant out now will produce fresh, succulent asparagus spears for the next 20 years. Asparagus grows extremely well...
Double danger of modern food packaging
Do you ever wonder which is the correct bin for food wrappers and resealable food packets? And have you ever considered that food within these may be contaminated with micro-plastics? Which bin? Most food packets and wrappers are made of polymers (plastics). The most...
What to plant in August in Melbourne
August is the month to plant spring seedlings in punnets and some direct into the ground. Should a frost be imminent, cover seedlings the night before with cloth. If the worst comes to the worst and you find frost on your plants the following morning, and the sun has...
Urgent jobs in the garden for August
Weed, weed, weed! As the weather warms in August, seed germinates and weeds take over. Make compost. Prune fruit trees once they have lost their leaves; remove all mummified fruit from the branches. Spray peach and nectarine trees a full 360 degrees to cover every...
Inspirational visit to Coranderrk
Courtesy of Banyule City Council's Community Garden Network, 30 people (including about a dozen Sustainable Macleod members) were privileged to visit Coranderrk in the Yarra Valley and spend 5 hours on country with Uncle Dave Wandin, in NAIDOC week. Coranderrk...
What to plant in July in Melbourne
A guide to what to plant in July can be found in self-sown plants in the garden. In my garden, there is an abundance of self-sown parsley, coriander, lettuce, other salad greens and tomatoes. Begin planting seeds in punnets for planting in late August/September (early...
Urgent jobs in the garden for July
Make compost. Plant out second crop of autumn/winter vegetables. Cut strawberry runners and pot up in potting mix. Cut back leaves of strawberries - you can even mow them down on a high blade - and dispose of them. Divide them in spring if they are too crowded....
Juvenile Foliage
What’s the point of different juvenile foliage? Walk through any patch of bushland Melbourne and you might notice that some young plants look surprisingly different from their mature counterparts. This is especially noticeable in eucalypts and wattles, where juvenile...
July Garlic Hint
Now that the shortest day has passed, garlic planted in the autumn will have developed a strong root system and healthy green shoots. But what next? How do we support the swelling of the bulbs into good-sized, healthy heads? Action taken from July to September is key...
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.