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.
QFF: Put out Wild May and protein lures NOW
September is when Queensland Fruit Fly will begin mating and sting your fruit and vegetables. Take action to prevent this. Put out: Wild May in lures to attract the males Ceratraps or other protein lures to attract females and males Then: Place the lures 1.5 to 2m...
Common myths about EVs
Despite a more than doubling of the numbers of electric vehicles on Australian roads in the last year, misconceptions and misunderstanding about EVs persist. The infamous 'end the weekend' line from the previous government still colours the perception some people have...
What to plant in September in Melbourne
What seeds to plant in September in Melbourne and how to plant them Tips by Robin-Gale Baker. First, any seeds planted in August in punnets that have reached the 4-leaf stage can be picked out and planted in potting mix in trays or pots. These can be planted in the...
September garlic hint
In September, garlic bulbs will be swelling. This is the time to make sure they are watered deeply twice a week, well mulched and weed free. Spray with a seaweed solution (not a nitrogen based fertiliser) such as Seasol about every 3 weeks. Protect from cockatoos with...
Urgent jobs in the garden for September
Make compost. Add potash or wood ash (both potassium) to soil to increase flower and fruit set. Tie hessian or cardboard around apple, pear and quince tree trunks for codling moth to lay in (remove and burn in 4 weeks then replace). Sow seeds in punnets and/or plant...
Getting to the bottom of insulation – Sustainable Houses
We are all interested in making our houses more comfortable, while reducing power bills. Many of us live in houses built decades ago, which are harder to heat and cool than well-built recent houses. A great example of an energy-efficient houses Richard Keech's...
Tasty bushtucker treats around our streets
Walking around my Macleod neighbourhood the other day, I came across a street tree absolutely covered in fruit. While there are definitely lots of olive trees on our streets, that’s not the tree I’m talking about. I’m talking about an Australian native lilly pilly...
Begin your Queensland Fruit Fly Prevention strategy NOW!
Now is the time to begin your campaign against Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF). Don't delay! This pest is already the scourge of fruit and vegetable growers throughout the northern suburbs, but without doubt will extend its reach southward and to the east and west this...
Preparing a spring/summer vegetable garden
The first section here covers soil preparation, watering tips and site selection. With these covered, not much can go wrong! Below this section, are 7 families of vegetables and herbs with specific guidelines for each. It is worth reading the whole article to get a...
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...
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...
August garlic hint
This hint covers the end of winter and the beginning of spring which have slightly different requirements. The first thing to do is observe your garlic plants and note whether there is any yellowing on the tips or on older leaves. If there is, spray with fish emulsion...
Sustainable Macleod receives 2 grants!
Sustainable Macleod is the proud recipient of 2 environmental sustainability grants from Banyule City Council. One will fund the clean energy expo in November at Macleod College. Paul Gale-Baker ran this last year for Banyule Clean Energy and this year will run it for...
Start now to prevent brown rot of stone fruit in Spring!
Start now to prevent brown rot of stone fruit in Spring! Top tips: Remove all fruit including mummified fruit Clean out crotches Remove all vegetative material beneath trees Spray up to 4 times before buds open and leaves appear Brown rot of stone fruit is the scourge...
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.