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.
Green, green (fake) grass of nightmare proportions
Artificial turf looks good if you love neatness and a smooth green vista. On sporting fields, it is seen as a reliable way to guarantee a consistent surface. The convenience is a lure, too. No more mowing or watering! But there is much, much more to the story of...
The ‘devil bird’ has arrived
In the mid-2010s when I lived in Indonesia, I learnt the distinctive call of the Eastern Koel (Eudynamys orientalis). The Eastern Koel (also sometimes known as the Common or Pacific Koel) migrates from eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to Australia’s...
Urgent jobs in the garden for February
Check Queensland Fruit Fly lures for fruit flies. Net your fruit trees including guava, feijoa, pear, apple, quince, loquat, persimmon, grape and olive plus tomatoes, eggplants and capsicums with fine net, tying tightly at the base to prevent Queensland Fruit Fly...
What to plant in February in Melbourne
February is the time to maintain your summer garden with good watering but also to begin preparations for your autumn/winter garden. It is a tricky month, often hot without much rainfall. Cool weather, autumn crops are best grown in punnets, potted on, kept well...
Planning your garlic crop – start in February!
Although it may be several months before we plant out garlic, preparations must start now. There are 2 reasons for this. Firstly, you may need to order in garlic heads, and secondly you may wish to give your garlic a false winter (vernalisation) by placing it in the...
Urgent jobs in the garden for January
Spray summer vegetables with seaweed solution. Spray eggplant fruit with Dipel to prevent caterpillar infestation. Water citrus trees once or twice a week especially in extreme heat as they are shallow rooted and need water near the surface. Water, weed, and mulch all...
What to plant in January in Melbourne
January is a month in which I sow very little and plant out very little. Instead I put my attention into watering, weeding, and mulching to support the vegies already planted. It is too late to plant out vegies that have a long growing season. By the time they fruit,...
The beetles bringing some Christmas bling
Christmas beetles are a delight to see. They usually appear close to Christmas time and their shimmery, shiny exoskeletons decorate flyscreen doors wide and far as they flock towards any light. Some are metallic green, others golden and bronze. All are incredibly...
Banyule Urban Food Strategy Launch
The Banyule Urban Food Strategy was officially launched on November 23, 2023, at the Bellfield Community Hub with an audience of community members and community organisation representatives. On the day, a tour of Bellfield Community Garden and the next door Farmraiser...
Clean Energy Expo Report
The Sustainable Macleod Clean Energy Expo on November 19 saw engaged residents able to get the most up-to-date information on improving the energy-efficiency of their homes and reducing energy costs. Thanks to Macleod College, we had an excellent space to showcase the...
No animal faeces, nappies and hygiene pads in the green bin!
No faeces whether human or animal belong in the green bin. Animal droppings should be wrapped or bagged and placed in the red waste bin as should nappies and hygiene pads. Nappies and hygiene pads contain plastic. Anyone reading this column will appreciate by now,...
Beat the heat wave with quick, easy and temporary shade structures
When the temperature soars, it's time to shade our fruit and vegies, but how? We can build permanent structures that come at a hefty price and will be permanent, but that may not suit our garden year-round or our pocket. Here's some tips on using what you have or...
Worried about your plants over summer? Here’s what to do!
Are you planning on being away for a few days during the hotter weather, and are worried about whether your vegies will survive and be productive? There are things you can do such as using a timer with drip line to water, and building a quick shade structure if the...
It’s time to renew your Sustainable Macleod membership!
That time of year has arrived! Membership of Sustainable Macleod is due on 1 January 2024 for the calendar year 2024. People who have joined since 1st October will have their membership rolled over to 31st December 2024. Sustainable Macleod membership costs $30 and...
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.