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.
What to plant in April in Melbourne
Planting in April Your beds should by now be prepared for autumn planting. Check the weather forecast as far ahead as possible and wait until after any very warm/hot weather to plant to avoid seedlings bolting. Autumn/winter vegetables thrive in cool air and cool...
At last – an Australian fuel efficiency standard
The Australian Government plans to introduce a Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which is expected to come into effect from January 2025. This standard will bring Australia into line with Europe, the USA and Japan. The Coalition proposed a similar standard in 2016 and...
Five reasons why you should plant Billy Buttons
Summer is full of amazing flowers - dahlias, alyssum, chamomile, sweetpeas, cosmos, grevilleas, banksias, echinaceas, zinnias, marigolds and so the list goes on. Sunflowers are a long-time favourite summer stunner, but I reckon Billy Buttons are also at the top of my...
Growing exceptional mustard greens
While some mustard greens are widely used (especially in Asian cuisine), most are not well known in Australia. This is a pity as they are healthy, tasty, quick growing, and definitely best when harvested fresh from the garden. Just as mustard has quite a bite, so do...
Banyule Community Gardens Network
Banyule City Council has taken the initiative to explore setting up a Community Gardens Network. This has been welcomed by community gardens across Banyule. The Community Gardens Network met on February 2 for the first time on Zoom. Sustainable Macleod was represented...
Urgent jobs in the garden for March
Save seeds from the garden. Net fruit trees including citrus, guava, feijoa, pear, apple, quince, loquat, persimmon, grape and olive. Also net tomatoes, eggplants, capsicums and chillies. Use fine net, tying tightly at the base to prevent Queensland Fruit Fly entry...
March garlic hint
March is the time to prepare your beds for planting in March or April depending on garlic varieties chosen. Choose a site with full sun which is well drained. If not well drained or the soil is heavy, build a raised bed. Do not grow garlic where you have previously...
What to plant in March in Melbourne
Planting in March March is the time to put all your effort into preparing your soil for heavy-feeding winter crops which are best planted in April. Once upon a time, March signalled the beginning of autumn, and cooler weather, but climate change has altered this and...
Take action now to prevent QFF in your garden next season
If you were hit by an outbreak of Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) this season, now is not the time to give up. In fact, now is the time to get busy and reduce your risk of an outbreak next season. The key task is to prevent QFF larvae from pupating in the soil. If no QFF...
The joy of thornless berries
Do you love berries but groan at the price, despair at how quickly they can become mouldy and dislike being pricked as you harvest them? The answer may be to grow a thornless variety - you'll have an abundance of berries at no cost and harvesting them will be a joy...
Getting to net zero with rooftop solar
The Australian government has a target of 82% renewable energy by 2030. In 2022, 32% of energy was renewable. Clearly, a very significant increase in renewable energy is needed if the 2030 target is to be met. Large scale projects, such as the 20 projects which are...
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...
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...
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.