For those who like fresh healthy food, the veggie patch is an important part of life. But what is the most sustainable way to grow veggies? When do they grow best? What conditions do they like most?
Starting Your Own Vegie Patch
If you would prefer to just focus on designing and starting a vegie patch rather than a whole garden, here is a description of how to do it - even on…
Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes, Ipomoea batatas. are often under-appreciated in the sustainable garden because of their vigorous vines, yet this misunderstood…
Malabar Spinach Research Project
A great spinach to grow in summer as an alternative to English spinach, which can struggle in the heat, is Malabar spinach, also known as Ceylon…
Overwintering Capsicum
One of SGA's staunch supporters and volunteers, Gianni Montalto, tells us his experience with growing capsicum. "Over the last few years I have…
Growing Parsnips
I love parsnips — great roasted, great in soups, and great when they're fried like chips! I have been growing parsnips in the Southern Highlands of…
Your Health and Red-Purple Veggies
You may have heard how eating red/purple/blue fruit can improve your health. Most focus has been on cherries, black grapes (and, therefore, red wine)…
Home Grown Pumpkins All Year
By planting a careful mix of the right varieties of pumpkins it is possible to keep your larder supplied with pumpkins from mid-January right through…
Globe Artichoke
There are two unrelated plants called artichoke – Globe Artichokes – Cynara scolymus and Jerusalem Artichokes – Helianthus tuberosus. Different parts…
Farmers’ Markets
The first farmers’ market started in Victoria in 1998 in the Yarra Valley. There are now at least 180 farmer's markets across Australia, around half…
Nettles – Friend or Foe
The hairy, dark green, finely toothed leaves are a real sign of winter. Although it is regarded as a weed by many and needs to be prevented from…
Silverbeet
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…