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.
Bringing back balance with ecological burning
In Victoria’s dry forests and native grasslands, fire often gets a bad rap. But when used thoughtfully and respectfully, fire can be a powerful force for regeneration. Some people may have noticed smoke from Cherry Street Reserve in Macleod a few weeks ago. It wasn’t...
Queensland Fruit Fly alert – April
As in March, your winter fruit is at risk. At risk right now are persimmons, guavas, feijoas, pomegranates (despite their tough skin) and citrus, but any fruit including berries is susceptible. This is the time to put out Wild May again because the females are dying...
Why autumn is the best time to plant indigenous species
It’s been a long dry summer. According to the Bureau of Meterology, during December, January and February Viewbanks’s mean temperature was 2.1 degrees above average and rainfall was about 80%. And March has hardly been cool. If you’ve struggled to keep exotic plants...
Soil amendments and fertilisers: are they the same?
The terms ‘soil amendment’ and ‘fertiliser’ are sometimes used interchangeably, but in fact mean quite different things. However, some substances such as compost and aged manures can function as both. Amendment Soil amendment refers to a substance that conditions...
How can your solar panels be remotely turned off?
In last month's clean energy article, I explored the impact a nuclear energy industry would have on homeowners' rooftop solar. This month I follow on with an explanation of exactly what the mechanism would be that would allow this to happen. Let me begin by saying...
Indigenous grasses: summer blooms for your garden
When you think of flowers in late summer, grasses probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. But Melbourne’s locally native (indigenous) grasses put on a beautiful show at this time of year, with delicate flowers that shimmer in the sunlight and attract all...
What would nuclear policy mean for your solar panels?
What would nuclear policy mean for your solar panels? Have you considered what the introduction of nuclear energy would mean for your solar panels? You have, no doubt, installed solar or are considering doing so, to lower your energy costs, to reduce cost-of-living...
Electrifying my home with Goodbye Gas
It’s been an interesting journey to make my 25-year-old home more sustainable. Originally, I installed a 1 kW solar system, and solar boost for my original gas hot water system. I added a thermal assessment of my home, draught proofing, and extra insulation. More...
Harvesting, curing and storing pumpkins
Pumpkins are planted in spring and harvested in autumn. That means they take up space for anything from 4-6 months so harvesting, curing and storing them carefully is a must if we are not to waste that long growing period and have our own supply throughout winter. How...
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,...
Batteries on wheels, when cities become power plants
A key question for those who have solar panels installed is how to make the best use of the power they generate. The typical household uses most power later in the day, when the sun is lower (or set), and less (or no), energy is being produced by the solar panels. The...
Affordable new and vintage fabrics await!
The Resource Recovery Centre is a social enterprise founded by Katrina Naish, whose journey began when she was asked to clear fabric and sewing items from three estates within two months. Katrina was already running textile upcycling workshops, however, the fabric was...
English gooseberries – rare and underrated!
Top tips: incorporate organic material into the soil water deeply twice weekly in summer prune to a single stem or develop a vase shape prune every winter. Have you ever considered growing English gooseberries (Riba uva-crispa)? These delicious berries come in green,...
What does the term ‘nature positive’ mean?
If you follow federal politics, you'll have heard that the Greens and Labor are negotiating the government’s Nature Positive legislation. Do you know what that term means though? Nature positive refers to an apporach to environmental conservation and sustainable...
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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.