Good Organic Gardening

Common name: Scaly-breasted lorikeet Scientific name: Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus Even among that noisy, gregarious, riotously coloured tribe of little parrots known as lorikeets, the scaly stands out. That’s if you can actually spot one, as its mo

We gardeners are so lucky to share our home spaces with some of Earth’s most beautiful creatures. I mean, is there a better way to enjoy a morning cup of coffee or afternoon glass of wine than to sit outdoors watching rainbow lorikeets jostling for a

Jo is an environmental scientist, photographer and writer. She has worked in the environment movement for decades and is co-ordinator of the National Toxics Network, an organisation dedicated to creating a toxic-free future. She has written many arti

The coming generation is the future of the planet — so it makes sense that a new school gardening project places children at its centre. Research from the University of South Australia shows the simple act of gardening can deliver unique learning exp

Gum arabic is a naturally occurring gum harvested from a thorny tree native to sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the commercial harvest comes from war-torn Sudan. There may be no other natural additive that’s so pervasive in our lives yet barely noticed an

As you’ve walked across coastal dunes or down that sandy path to the beach, you may have admired the tenacity of a spreading succulent with vibrant magenta flowers that somehow survives in sand and salt winds. The flowers are short lived and seen mai

Artemisia is a large and diverse genus of interesting, highly fragrant plants. They belong to the daisy family, Asteraceae, and their strong scent comes from the concentrated essential oils within the foliage. Many are also grown for their fabulous s

Throughout history, some cultures have considered cabbage a poor man’s food while others prized it as something special. My Irish husband finds colcannon — boiled cabbage and ham on a bed of mashed potato — homely and comforting. Unfortunately, I can

With my husband Peter Axisa and our children Lacey (13), Elke (5) and newborn River, I live on 10 acres in Killabakh in the Manning Valley on NSW’s Mid North Coast. We moved to this challenging, steepsloped, overgrown property in 2014. It was complet

Twenty-two years ago, while Tracy Lansdell was studying naturopathy in the city, she and husband Mark began to feel a strong pull back to the country. Tracy had fond childhood memories of her grandparents’ farm near Yealering in the Western Australia

In a charming street in Toowoomba, on Queensland’s Darling Downs, you’ll find charming Lorea House and, hidden behind it, an even more charming garden. While the cottage itself is 115 years old, Leisa and Serge Rossignol began planning the flourishin

Late autumn is a great time in most regions to get brassicas and root vegies in the ground — and don’t forget the peas, including sugar snap and snowpeas Time to think about fruit trees and, although it’s a quieter time for planting vegies in cooler

These maps are simplified versions adapted from climate maps by the Bureau of Meteorology and are only a rough guide. Microclimates can occur anywhere. ■

KNOWN BY ITS RURAL ENGLISH FOLK NAME UNTIL FAIRLY RECENTLY, ASPARAGUS HAS BEEN CULTIVATED AND ENJOYED AS A VEGETABLE SINCE ANCIENT TIMES Asparagus is a quintessential spring vegetable, best planted in winter when the crown, or root system, is dormant

If you are searching for an easy-togrow, high-value vegie to harvest in winter and spring, don’t overlook broad beans. They grow readily from seed and produce a bountiful, nutritious crop in a small space. They have a short season and are expensive t

t’s not easy being green — particularly when you hear about a study that showed the commercial growing and transport of lettuce creates more greenhouse gases than the production of bacon. This astonishing figure is based on the calorific value of eac

Feijoa, also known as pineapple guava, is native to the highlands of South America. Its fruit ripens in autumn after most summerfruiting trees have finished, making it the perfect autumn snack. The sage-green, football-shaped fruit contains a soft, p

Loquats are better known in Asia than Australia where, despite more than 100 years of cultivation, they are still viewed as an exotic fruit. The trees are often seen in old, overgrown gardens, laden in late winter and early spring with yellow fruit.

Birds in the backyard not only help pollinate flowers, disperse seeds and keep insects under control — they bring a host of other benefits. The beautiful sound of birdsong can uplift the spirit and watching birds fly gracefully from flower to flower

The sight of a brightly hued butterfly fluttering through your garden is one of those delightful everyday encounters with nature that can make your day. But the joy we get from these beautiful creatures is overshadowed by the news that entomologists

When we make the decision to start growing our own food, often we are impatient to get plants in immediately so we can see results as soon as possible. This can be the novice gardener’s first big mistake. Before planting anything, it’s crucial to cre

Rose growers in the know swear by banana skins: just dig some in around the roots of your roses and watch them thrive. Banana peel is packed with goodies missing from many soils — phosphates, calcium, sulphur and magnesium — and your blooms will than

Plants that produce berries in autumn and early winter are a boon for birds, providing much-needed food as the weather cools. They also bring colour and interest to gardens at a time when many plants are winding down. The flip side of these bird-attr

Willows are fast-growing deciduous trees of the genus Salix. Mostly native to the temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, they grow in regions with moist soils but are adaptable to almost any soil conditions. Valued as shade trees, willows are al

Mention the word Hamburgh and what springs to mind for many people is an image of the sensational Silver Spangled Hamburgh. But there are other colour varieties as well: Gold Spangled, Silver and Gold Pencilled plus solid colours like black, white an

Have you ever wondered if one potting mix is better than another — and how would you know? Ever pondered whether it’s necessary to use specific potting mixes for particular plant types: for instance, succulents or indoor plants? It’s all just dirt, r

• If you haven’t already tried it, drop everything and start growing garlic, a slow but rewarding crop. A good rule of thumb: plant on Anzac Day, harvest around Remembrance Day. Simply stick separate cloves of organic garlic — skin on, pointy end up

Limes are hybrid citrus fruits and there are several varieties, categorised in two groups: acid or sour and acidless or sweet. The tangy fruit is often used in cooking to accentuate flavour and is integral in Southeast Asian and Mexican cuisines. The

Research has shown us that at least 30 per cent of the environmental impacts humans generate comes from the food we eat. For a new study, researchers surveyed young British adults. Subjects were asked questions about their understanding of what a sus

• Continue planting out brassicas — broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower — to ensure constant cropping through the cooler months before the cabbage white butterflies get busy. Consider some sage as a companion for brassicas as it’s said t

Both humans and animals have long used plants as medicines. About 80 per cent of our pharmaceutical drugs are derived from plants and the World Health Organization estimates that more than 70 per cent of the world’s people still use herbal remedies a

Apple, avocado, banana, cumquat, custard apple, dates, feijoa, grapes, kiwifruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, nashi, nuts (chestnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts), orange (navel), pear, persimmon, pomegranate, quince, rhubarb Asian greens, beetroot, brocc

DF, GF, VG SERVES 8 During religious fasting periods, many iconic Greek dishes are given a vegan makeover to eliminate animal products. This is my healthy and delicious vegan moussaka. You get all those familiar flavours, but instead of a creamy bech

DF, GF SERVES 4 Snapper is my favourite fish to cook whole because of its slightly sweet, delicate, juicy flesh and crispy skin. Not only does a whole piece of fish look super impressive as a dinner-table centrepiece, it requires minimal effort and o

DFO, GF SERVES 6 Crispy, golden gluten-free Turkish gözleme can be easily whipped up in less than 20 minutes, so it’s the perfect after-school snack. The dough comes together very quickly and, while it’s resting, you can quickly make your filling of

DF, GF, V SERVES 8–10 Of all the coiled pastry recipes my mother has taught me, this is probably my favourite. There are many different versions of Greek pumpkin pie (kolokithi meaning pumpkin and pita meaning pie), some sweet, some savoury. I’m obse

Common name: Common house gecko, Pacific (or Asian) house gecko Scientific name: Hemidactylus frenatus One morning last summer, when our resident gecko fell off the verandah ceiling and landed right in my coffee cup, I don’t know which of us was the

By Georgia Angus, Hardie Grant, $29.99 The world knows something about our weird and wacky mammals, but Australia also punches above its weight when it comes to the wonderful world of insects. Of the estimated 200,000-plus native species, only 62,000

The PestFree Cover system provides a fast and effective barrier to stop bugs, birds, possums and rabbits from eating your crops. Rather than unclip nets to access your beds, simply lift the whole frame off in seconds. Includes a full range of pipe, c

Occi O is an Australian sleepwear label ethically produced in beautiful Sri Lanka. Each piece is thoughtfully designed with both the wearer and environment in mind and crafted to make you feel comfortable as you sleep. BONUS PJ SET VALUED AT $159 CAL