Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes, Ipomoea batatas. are often under-appreciated in the sustainable garden because of their vigorous vines, yet this misunderstood…
Garden like a Natural Farmer
Who is the best person to advise how to grow food naturally? A Natural Farmer of course! They grow food for a living and if they get it wrong they…
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…
November In Your Patch
We’re always being told to eat more fruit and veggies and get more exercise with this diet or that exercise program. If the thought of donning the…
Good Flies
Not all flies are bad! We are used to being concerned when we see a blowfly, thinking it carries disease, or being annoyed by those pesky common…
Wildlife in a Tangle
An Australia-first law about fruit tree netting is proposed to protect wildlife. See…
Artificial Tree Hollows for Animal Habitat
There are many benefits in keeping dead trees. However, in the modern age, trees are usually viewed in terms of amenity and safety, with unsafe…
October In Your Patch
With the weather warming up nicely, there’s no better place to be than the backyard. October is a huge month in the patch. With so many varieties to…
Will SGA be lost to the North East Link (NEL) Freeway Land Grab?
Do you the want the SGA office to be engulfed by a road? Our office has been designated within the construction zone for this big freeway. We are…
Sweet Corn
Zea mays Is there anything sweeter than home grown corn? Corn on the cob, done on the barbie is a stunner, and adds some real height and interest to…
The Pros and Cons of Hydroponic Growing
Hydroponic farming is one of the biggest trends in home gardening. But where this growing method is really making waves is in industrial agriculture.…
Codling Moth
If you want to protect your apple or pear trees prepare for this pest! He introduces himself here: Hi, my name is: Codling Moth Describe yourself:…
September In Your Patch
September is fantastic for gardeners! So much to plant in most regions of the country. In southern parts, the chill is almost gone from the…
A School’s Sustainable Gardening Adventure
One way to teach children about sustainable gardening practices is by developing a community garden on school grounds. An example of this comes from…
Greening Cities
Beautiful suburban gardens are disappearing as old houses are pulled down to make way for new large ones, dual occupancies or apartment blocks built…
Non-invasive Alternatives to Weedy Plant Species
Weeds (invasive plant species) reduce biodiversity as well as having other have significant impacts such as loss of habitat, increased fire risk and…
August In Your Patch
Days are getting longer, but not yet much warmer. Plants sense the changes in day length so, in temperate regions they are waking up, but further…
The Things People do . . . . . . . . . . to Trees!!!
Given the splendour and usefulness of trees in the urban environment, it is really amazing what otherwise sensible and apparently sane people do to…
Habitat – A Practical Guide to Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Australian Garden
As we book-loving gardeners know, there’s always enough room on the shelf for one more. Well, if you haven’t already done so, you should make sure…