Some good news from the European Union this week where a two year restriction on the use of neonicotinoid chemicals, the world’s most used insecticide has been introduced to take effect from 1st December 2013. This decision is a result of strong community lobbying based on increasing scientific evidence that links the use of neonicotinoid chemicals to the serious decline in bee populations across North America and Europe. Continue reading »
Lactuca sativa
Lettuce – a reliable summer favourite, salad filler and sandwich staple! But it can be grown year round, with very little tender loving care after making sure that there is adequate feed. With a large variety of types and therefore flavours, lettuce isn’t just reduced to your Cos or iceberg! Available as seedlings, but also germinates readily from seed. Sprinkle in some seed at any time of year and this quick growing vegetable will be ready in weeks. Continue reading »
Australia is the driest inhabited continent in the world, yet we use more water per capita than any other country. By reducing the amount of water we use in the garden, we can significantly save water and prevent the need to build more dams’. There are many ways gardeners can use water wisely to maintain a healthy garden. Continue reading »
Beta vulgaris L. Cicla
Time and space-poor gardeners might find vegetables that can be picked or cut continuously over time a better option than ‘once off’ crops. Silverbeet definitely measures up, and, it easy to grow and can be sown almost all year round in most regions. What more could you ask for! Continue reading »
Scaevola – groundcover species
What a popular garden plant this has become, and quite rightly so. The splendid fan flowers that give the genus its common name can be absolutely vivid, ranging in hue from white to blue and purple (rarely yellow). Continue reading »
Despite the few very hot days we experienced in Melbourne the vegetable garden survived. I used shade cloth during the day and by the evening the plants sprung back from their limpness during the hot day. Continue reading »
Its been a long hot dry summer in the southern parts of Australia and the garden is really starting to feel it. Adding some mulch to your patch can not only help with conserving precious moisture in the soil, it has a range of other great benefits as well. Continue reading »
There are a few contenders for the most popular variety of various fruits, but there is little competition about the most versatile. Grape vines provide us with fresh grapes, dried fruits, oils, juice and, best of all, wine! But the most exciting thing about grapes is how easy they are to grow at your place. For summer shade, winter sun and a bounty of fruit from February onwards, these deciduous perennial vines are a perfect planting in your patch. Continue reading »
A warm summer evening, a little bit of moisture, a shady spot in the garden – sounds like a recipe for powdery mildew! Powdery Mildew is a warm weather fungus that will flourish in shady spots with little air circulation and damp conditions. But few simple steps early in the season and a good watering routine will help reduce the risk of this disease attacking your patch or at least lessen the impact if it does. Continue reading »
Ficus carica
The fabulously delicious fig – known to the Egyptians as the “Tree of Life” – is a wonderful addition to most backyards (and kitchens). A large, deciduous, well-shaped tree, the fig is an excellent shade specimen for small to medium sized backyards. They can be trimmed and trained into a manageable size, grown as a hedge or even espaliered like the one on the wall of the SGA office Continue reading »
