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.
What to plant in December in Melbourne
Plant in punnets It is too late to raise most summer vegies in punnets because, by the time they are big enough to fruit, the season will be almost over. The following quick growing vegies and herbs are the exception: lettuce, rocket, and salad greens mustard greens...
Native mint bush: A beautiful native alternative to a polygala
Native mint bush: A beautiful native alternative to a polygala Polygalas are flowering at the moment. With its purple pea flowers, they are a lovely looking large shrub often known as Sweet Pea Shrub (but not to be confused with annual Sweet Peas), Butterfly Bush or...
The BANSIC Christmas Hamper Appeal
As the holiday season approaches, The Banyule Support and Information Centre is seeking your support to fill our Christmas hampers, which are distributed to individuals and families in need. December is our busiest month, and our dedicated volunteers are hard at work...
Everyone on board to save UK pollinators
In the UK in the last 80 years, lowland meadows which are the prime source of wildflowers for pollinators, have decreased by 97%. In actual terms that is a reduction from 13 million hectares to just 100,000 hectares. Almost too late, people have realised how serious...
Ditch the car and plane – take the train
High-speed train travel Imagine travelling between Melbourne and Sydney without having to spend more than 8 hours (plus rest breaks and perhaps an overnight stop), in a car, or catching a plane, with all the inconvenience and cost involved. What if the journey took...
Sustainability – the new buzz word in the UK and Europe
In July, August and September, my husband Paul and I travelled extensively in the UK and Europe. We were amazed and pleased with the emphasis on climate change action everywhere we went. We could not look side ways without seeing the word 'sustainability' or hearing...
Visiting the Chelsea Physic Garden in London
I recently visited the Chelsea Physic Garden in London and have written here about what a wonderful experience it was. The Chelsea Physic Garden was established 351 years ago in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London. It resides by the Thames River...
The epic migrations of our local eels
The Birrarung (Yarra River) is home to the much-maligned, but fascinating short-finned eel (Anguilla australis). These unremarkable-looking eels make two epic migration journeys, spanning thousands of kilometers.Short-finned eels begin their lives in the Coral Sea...
A Banyule bicycle revolution
It's time for a bicycle-led transport revolution. The cost of living crisis, rising petrol prices and increased road congestion should have us all on our bikes. A recent visit to London and Strasbourg was a reminder of what a remarkable form of transport the bicycle...
Defeat citrus gall wasp (and Queensland Fruit Fly) with kaolin clay!
Citrus gall wasp, an Aussie wasp originally from Queensland, can affect all citrus but seems most prevalent in lemon, lime, cumquat and grapefruit trees. The galls result from the injection of eggs by the adult wasp into the soft stems of citrus trees in spring. Here...
Misunderstood mistletoes
Mistletoes are a fascinating group of parasitic plants that have evolved to depend on their host trees for water and nutrients. They play a significant yet often misunderstood role in the natural environment. These plants are not just parasites or Christmas...
Electric driving in the UK
Having driven an electric vehicle in Australia for over two years, a recent trip to the UK gave us an opportunity to see how drivers in other countries are managing the electric transition. We also wanted to see how distance driving in the UK compared to our two trips...
Sustainable Macleod’s Tomato List 2024
16 varieties for you to choose from The following tomato varieties are being grown by Sustainable Macleod for the 2024 season. Financial members are entitled to 6 FREE plants on Saturday 14 September - Tomato Gala Day. Come to the Sustainable Macleod Community Garden...
Bad companion plants in the vegie garden
What vegetables are bad companions? Good companion plants are those that benefit each other or one benefits the other. Bad companion plants are those that negatively affect each other or one the other. The effect generally comes through chemicals given off by a...
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.