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.
Urgent jobs in the garden for November
Put out fruit fly lures and protein traps. Queensland fruit fly is already here in Macleod this season. Net your fruit trees with fine net, tying tightly at the base to prevent Queensland fruit fly entry and to protect from birds. Put out lures for codling moth in...
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...
Possums raiding my vegie patch
Possums raiding suburban Melbourne home vegetable gardens is a common occurrence. While they are native to our areas, both ringtail and brushtail possums are in larger numbers than they would have been pre-colonisation - and they have less to eat in winter. The...
Nuclear energy – taboo no more?
Environmental activists have long opposed the introduction of nuclear energy to Australia. With the planned shutdown of coal-fired power stations possibly by 2034, what are the options for generating power, and should nuclear energy be considered? Recent talk of...
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...
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...
It may be pretty but is it delicious? The dangers of cross-pollination
When your pumpkins ripened, you may have noticed that what grew was not what you thought you had planted. Did you, for example, grow a long, green or bluish-striped pumpkin when you thought you planted a round Kent or even a Queensland Blue? Cross-pollination is the...
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.