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.
Sustainable Macleod Clean Energy Expo 2023
Sustainable Macleod Clean Energy Expo 2023 Sunday 19 November, 11am - 3pm Climate-proof your home, save money and help the planet! Would you like to reduce your home's energy consumption but don't know where to start? Have you wondered what it's like to own an EV?...
Buy eggplant, chilli and capsicum seedlings
Eggplant, chilli and capsicum need a high soil temperature to germinate. They will not germinate in low temperatures. As it will be late in the season in the Melbourne climate before soil temperatures achieve sufficient warmth, it is wise to purchase these seedlings...
Testing your seed for viability
It can be disappointing to sow seed and none of it comes up. There's an easy way to check whether your seed is viable and how viable it is. Now is the time to test any seed you might want to sow this spring. Seeds have varied lifespans. Parsnip and angelica for...
Gang-gangs are becoming gone-gones
Gang-gang cockatoos are commonly seen in Melbourne’s suburbs. Often they are seen eating the red berries of cotoneaster or other introduced plants. If you’ve seen them - as I have fairly regularly - it might surprise you to know that gang-gangs have recently been...
How NOT to contaminate the FOGO bin!
It's amazing how much we are all into recycling but how little care is taken NOT to contaminate waste whether it be the yellow bin or the green bin. For the next few months our 'Waste' article in this newsletter will focus on easy ways to keep waste 'clean'. How NOT...
QFF: Put out Wild May and protein lures NOW
September is when Queensland Fruit Fly will begin mating and sting your fruit and vegetables. Take action to prevent this. Put out: Wild May in lures to attract the males Ceratraps or other protein lures to attract females and males Then: Place the lures 1.5 to 2m...
Common myths about EVs
Despite a more than doubling of the numbers of electric vehicles on Australian roads in the last year, misconceptions and misunderstanding about EVs persist. The infamous 'end the weekend' line from the previous government still colours the perception some people have...
Getting to the bottom of insulation – Sustainable Houses
We are all interested in making our houses more comfortable, while reducing power bills. Many of us live in houses built decades ago, which are harder to heat and cool than well-built recent houses. A great example of an energy-efficient houses Richard Keech's...
Tasty bushtucker treats around our streets
Walking around my Macleod neighbourhood the other day, I came across a street tree absolutely covered in fruit. While there are definitely lots of olive trees on our streets, that’s not the tree I’m talking about. I’m talking about an Australian native lilly pilly...
Begin your Queensland Fruit Fly Prevention strategy NOW!
Now is the time to begin your campaign against Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF). Don't delay! This pest is already the scourge of fruit and vegetable growers throughout the northern suburbs, but without doubt will extend its reach southward and to the east and west this...
Sustainable Macleod receives 2 grants!
Sustainable Macleod is the proud recipient of 2 environmental sustainability grants from Banyule City Council. One will fund the clean energy expo in November at Macleod College. Paul Gale-Baker ran this last year for Banyule Clean Energy and this year will run it for...
Start now to prevent brown rot of stone fruit in Spring!
Start now to prevent brown rot of stone fruit in Spring! Top tips: Remove all fruit including mummified fruit Clean out crotches Remove all vegetative material beneath trees Spray up to 4 times before buds open and leaves appear Brown rot of stone fruit is the scourge...
Electrify Everything – starting at home
The fall in prices for solar panels is good news for those wanting to electrify their home and reduce their power bills. A report by Climate Energy Finance predicts a 10% drop in the cost of panels, helping make solar installation more affordable. According to the...
The Burning Question
We may love a cosy winter fire at home, and enjoy the cheer, warmth, and of course, the pizza, when we fire up the pizza oven at the community garden, but we do need to be aware of best practice when burning and whether our wood comes from a sustainable and legal...
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.