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 October in Melbourne
First, any seeds planted in September in punnets that have reached the 4-leaf stage can be pricked out and planted in potting mix in trays or pots. These can be planted in the garden late October. For the best site (sun, partial sun, partial shade) in the garden for...
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...
Winter awakenings in our bushlands
While most people associate spring with nature's revival, in fact our bushlands begin bursting back to life several months earlier; as autumn fades into winter. If you venture outdoors during the cooler months, you'll be treated to the awakening of a remarkable array...
Should there be a ban on fossil fuel advertising?
Likening the burning of fossil fuels to cigarette smoking, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a ban on fossil fuel advertising. Is a ban on this advertising necessary? Just as importantly: would it be effective? The reasoning behind a ban is twofold....
July – September: key months for garlic success!
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...
Glass recycling is coming (but we can’t tell you when)
The one constant about waste management and recycling is that more change is always on the horizon. We are urged to separate waste as much as possible, to make the most of resources, and to reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill. Over the past few years, most...
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.