5. Good Organic Gardening - September-October 2016 AvxHome.in
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grow naturally, eat fresh, live susta<strong>in</strong>ably<br />
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER<br />
JENNIFER<br />
STACKHOUSE<br />
BAMBOO SHOOTS, BURDOCK,<br />
SPAGHETTI SQUASH<br />
+ 4 VEGIES TO PLANT NOW<br />
GARDEN<br />
TO TABLE<br />
APPLES, ORANGES,<br />
HERBS, SPRING<br />
VEGETABLES<br />
CLAIRE BICKLE<br />
BENEFICIAL BUGS<br />
MEGG MILLER<br />
A GANDER AT GEESE<br />
MELISSA KING<br />
HERITAGE EGGPLANTS<br />
+ 2 FRUITS TO PLANT NOW<br />
A neighbourhood<br />
that gardens together<br />
HOW TO<br />
Set up a<br />
wick<strong>in</strong>g bed<br />
Vol. 7 No. 3<br />
SEPT/OCT <strong>2016</strong><br />
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CONTENTS<br />
48 42<br />
Contents<br />
8 Manag<strong>in</strong>g Editor’s Note<br />
What’s <strong>in</strong> our spr<strong>in</strong>g issue<br />
10 The Grapev<strong>in</strong>e<br />
When it comes to climatechange<br />
denial we’re trapped by<br />
“dragons of <strong>in</strong>action”. Jo Immig<br />
expla<strong>in</strong>s how it affects our world<br />
12 What’s Hot<br />
Melissa K<strong>in</strong>g profiles new plants<br />
to give your garden a lift<br />
14 & 16 Clever Crops<br />
Jennifer Stackhouse presents two<br />
<strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g clever crops: bamboo<br />
shoots and spaghetti squash<br />
18 Plant Profile<br />
Kerry Boyne profiles a jewel<br />
of a fruit that plays a starr<strong>in</strong>g<br />
role <strong>in</strong> Middle Eastern<br />
cuis<strong>in</strong>e: pomegranate<br />
22 Power Plant<br />
You may not have<br />
considered burdock<br />
yet, but it’s a herb<br />
that’s both nutritious<br />
and medic<strong>in</strong>al, says<br />
Jennifer Stackhouse<br />
24 Family Heirloomsoms<br />
If you th<strong>in</strong>k eggplant comes<br />
<strong>in</strong> only one shape and colour,<br />
take a look at Melissa<br />
K<strong>in</strong>g’s recommended<br />
heirloom varieties<br />
28 <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Folk<br />
A sailor sought a sea change<br />
but opted for a Sunsh<strong>in</strong>e Coast<br />
h<strong>in</strong>terland tree change <strong>in</strong>stead,<br />
writes Carrol Baker<br />
32 <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Folk<br />
Near the northern NSW village<br />
of Nundle, Er<strong>in</strong>a Starkey<br />
found a garden<strong>in</strong>g couple<br />
who are try<strong>in</strong>g their hand at<br />
truffle grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
36 <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Folk<br />
In Victoria’s historic<br />
gold-m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g country,<br />
this family has struck<br />
it rich <strong>in</strong> a different way,<br />
writes Jana Holmer<br />
70<br />
40 Time to Plant<br />
In the vegie patch: pumpk<strong>in</strong>,<br />
choko, spr<strong>in</strong>g onions and<br />
horseradish, by Jennifer<br />
Stackhouse; <strong>in</strong> the orchard: lime<br />
and grapefruit, by Melissa K<strong>in</strong>g<br />
50 Citrus Care<br />
Look after your citrus trees and<br />
they will reward you bountifully,<br />
advises Angie Thomas<br />
6 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
55 Pest Patrol: Fruit Fly<br />
There’s not much Mark Dann<br />
doesn’t know about fruit fly and<br />
how to deal with it<br />
58 Pest Patrol:<br />
<strong>Good</strong> Bugs Part I<br />
Claire Bickle profiles five of our<br />
favourite t<strong>in</strong>y garden dwellers<br />
62 Amaz<strong>in</strong>g Garden<br />
Come with Sandra Tuszynska<br />
to visit a whole Sunsh<strong>in</strong>e Coast<br />
neighbourhood co-operatively<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g food<br />
66 The Shed<br />
There are different ways to<br />
construct wick<strong>in</strong>g beds and<br />
one gardener shows Sandra<br />
Tuszynska how he did it<br />
70 Go Wild with the Natives<br />
Australian bush foods are<br />
nutritious and easy to grow. Carrol<br />
Baker lists some of our favourites<br />
74 Feed Them and They’ll<br />
Feed You<br />
Claire Bickle looks at the many<br />
28<br />
options for feed<strong>in</strong>g your plants<br />
and keep<strong>in</strong>g your soil healthy<br />
79 Feathered Friends<br />
Though not so suited to city<br />
backyards, geese are great for<br />
rural properties, says Megg Miller<br />
82 Short Shoots<br />
Innovative and imag<strong>in</strong>ative ideas<br />
for your garden from Er<strong>in</strong> Starkey<br />
84 Th<strong>in</strong>gs to Do<br />
Jennifer Stackhouse does a<br />
roundup of what needs do<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
your spr<strong>in</strong>g garden right now<br />
88 Garden to Table<br />
Cook<strong>in</strong>g and preserv<strong>in</strong>g five<br />
seasonal edibles, with chef<br />
Joanna Rushton<br />
99 Books<br />
New books for gardeners<br />
and cooks<br />
22<br />
102 What’s Hot from Our<br />
Advertisers<br />
Our Pick of the Crop of products<br />
and services<br />
32<br />
74<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 7
grow naturally, eat fresh, live susta<strong>in</strong>ably<br />
Editor Kerry Boyne<br />
Designer Connie Leung<br />
Contributors Carrol Baker, Claire Bickle,<br />
Mark Dann, Jana Holmer, Jo Immig,<br />
Melissa K<strong>in</strong>g, Megg Miller, Chris Stafford,<br />
Er<strong>in</strong>a Starkey, Jennifer Stackhouse,<br />
Angie Thomas, Sandra Tuszynska<br />
Food Photography<br />
Kerry Boyne<br />
National Advertis<strong>in</strong>g Manager<br />
Miriam Keen<br />
Ph: 02 9887 0604 | Fax: 02 9878 5553<br />
Mob: 0414 969 693<br />
Email: mkeen@universalmagaz<strong>in</strong>es.com.au<br />
Advertis<strong>in</strong>g Production Co-ord<strong>in</strong>ator<br />
Heather Smith<br />
Cover Photo Getty Images<br />
Welcome<br />
to the issue<br />
Chairman/CEO Prema Perera<br />
Publisher Janice Williams<br />
Chief F<strong>in</strong>ancial Officer Vicky Mahadeva<br />
Associate Publisher Emma Perera<br />
Associate Publisher Karen Day<br />
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Chelsea Peters<br />
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Whenever I f<strong>in</strong>d a new <strong>in</strong>sect <strong>in</strong> my<br />
garden that I haven’t seen before I<br />
take a photo and send it to my very<br />
knowledgeable garden<strong>in</strong>g friends<br />
to see if they can I.D. it. If they don’t know, I try<br />
the museum. The other th<strong>in</strong>g I usually want to<br />
know is whether it’s “good” or “bad”.<br />
Now, some people would argue there’s no such<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g as a “bad” bug. Just as a weed can be seen<br />
as a plant that’s <strong>in</strong> the wrong place, garden pests<br />
are <strong>in</strong>sects that happen to be — for us gardeners<br />
— <strong>in</strong> the wrong place at the wrong time. But they<br />
can also be an <strong>in</strong>dication that someth<strong>in</strong>g’s amiss<br />
or lack<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the soil and plants.<br />
Some bugs aren’t all that destructive and<br />
you just need to keep an eye out and keep the<br />
numbers down manually. However, as many of<br />
us know from bitter experience, there are a few<br />
that will ru<strong>in</strong> our crops to the extent of mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
them <strong>in</strong>edible. The fruit fly, for example. No fruit<br />
trees, you say? Well, they just love tomatoes,<br />
capsicums and eggplant, too, which we’re all<br />
plant<strong>in</strong>g around about now.<br />
So this issue we have some great <strong>in</strong>fo on what<br />
this little demon is, what plants it affects and ways<br />
to deal with it. We also have a roundup of some<br />
top beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects that prey on the not-sowelcome<br />
ones and how to attract them to your<br />
garden or even buy yourself an <strong>in</strong>stant population.<br />
When it comes to fruit, who doesn’t love citrus<br />
of all k<strong>in</strong>ds? I know I use more lemons and limes <strong>in</strong><br />
my cook<strong>in</strong>g, salads and … let’s call them beverages<br />
… than possibly most people. Yet there are so<br />
many pests and diseases that also love these<br />
wonderful trees, so we look at how to care for<br />
them so they rema<strong>in</strong> healthy and productive. Plus,<br />
we feature limes and grapefruit <strong>in</strong> Time to Plant.<br />
Speak<strong>in</strong>g of Time to Plant, regular readers<br />
might notice we’ve separated the grow<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
cook<strong>in</strong>g of seasonal edibles. This is because<br />
we’ve run out of th<strong>in</strong>gs that are ready to plant<br />
and crop at the same time — and it’s no use<br />
br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g you grow<strong>in</strong>g or cook<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>fo that’s out of<br />
season. So, while we’re plant<strong>in</strong>g pumpk<strong>in</strong>s, chokos,<br />
spr<strong>in</strong>g onions and horseradish <strong>in</strong> this issue, we’re<br />
cook<strong>in</strong>g with apples, oranges, asparagus and<br />
chives, and preserv<strong>in</strong>g spr<strong>in</strong>g vegies Italian style.<br />
Other plants featured <strong>in</strong> detail are gorgeously<br />
coloured heirloom eggplants and succulent<br />
pomegranates, while as usual Melissa K<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>troduces some new varieties of both ornamentals<br />
and edibles to consider for your garden. Plus there<br />
are five edible natives to plant — with recipes.<br />
For anyone th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g of sett<strong>in</strong>g up a new aboveground<br />
bed, or beds, why not go the wick<strong>in</strong>g way?<br />
No water wasted and no thirst stress on your<br />
plants. You can even go on holidays and know<br />
your plants won’t suffer. It’s someth<strong>in</strong>g that’s not<br />
hard to do at the plann<strong>in</strong>g stage but more difficult<br />
once the bed is set up, so we show from scratch<br />
how one gardener designed and constructed his<br />
wick<strong>in</strong>g beds.<br />
On top of all that we have Claire Bickle’s What’s<br />
on the Menu?, a comprehensive coverage of all<br />
the organic options you have for feed<strong>in</strong>g your<br />
plants and improv<strong>in</strong>g your soil <strong>in</strong> this excit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
time of growth and productivity <strong>in</strong> the garden.<br />
Until summer, happy garden<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Kerry<br />
We are a member of<br />
See us on facebook at www.facebook.com/<strong>Good</strong><strong>Organic</strong><strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>Magaz<strong>in</strong>e<br />
or contact us via email : <strong>in</strong>foGOG@universalmagaz<strong>in</strong>es.com.au
THE GRAPEVINE | News<br />
the grapev<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Environmental news and updates compiled by Jo Immig<br />
Trapped by dragons<br />
We are all climate deniers to some extent<br />
and, accord<strong>in</strong>g to psychologists, that’s<br />
understandable. What we bump up aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
<strong>in</strong> our attempts to grapple with the reality of<br />
climate change is the psychological barriers<br />
that simultaneously work to protect us from<br />
psychic pa<strong>in</strong> yet cripple our capacity to<br />
respond mean<strong>in</strong>gfully.<br />
Huge swathes of the Great Barrier Reef<br />
are dy<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> front of our eyes and severe<br />
weather anomalies are rock<strong>in</strong>g communities<br />
everywhere — and then we go out and buy a<br />
new car or book an overseas holiday!<br />
Most people are concerned about climate<br />
change and some have taken actions with<strong>in</strong><br />
their capacity but collectively we’re not do<strong>in</strong>g<br />
what’s required, not by a long shot. Accord<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to climate scientists, we’re right on track for<br />
serious climatic disruption.<br />
Elected representatives have failed<br />
us, treat<strong>in</strong>g climate change as a political<br />
playth<strong>in</strong>g rather than work<strong>in</strong>g collectively<br />
to address the real threat to our wellbe<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Our hopes have been raised then dashed as<br />
<strong>in</strong>ternational agreements and pledges come<br />
and go, while bus<strong>in</strong>ess cont<strong>in</strong>ues as usual.<br />
We keep hear<strong>in</strong>g Australia is on track to<br />
meet its m<strong>in</strong>imal greenhouse gas reduction<br />
targets yet meanwhile our government<br />
approves gigantic new coalm<strong>in</strong>es and gas<br />
fields guaranteed to belch out billions of<br />
tonnes of greenhouse gases for decades<br />
to come. How do we cont<strong>in</strong>ue to enjoy our<br />
lifestyle with the creep<strong>in</strong>g awareness that the<br />
biosphere that supports us is unravell<strong>in</strong>g?<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to psychologists, people tend<br />
to seek consistency <strong>in</strong> their beliefs and<br />
perceptions. So when one of our beliefs<br />
conflicts with another previously held belief,<br />
we feel uncomfortable and experience psychic<br />
stress. The term “cognitive dissonance”<br />
describes feel<strong>in</strong>gs of discomfort that result<br />
from hold<strong>in</strong>g two conflict<strong>in</strong>g beliefs.<br />
When there is a discrepancy between<br />
beliefs and behaviours, someth<strong>in</strong>g must<br />
change to elim<strong>in</strong>ate or reduce the dissonance.<br />
The greater the strength of the dissonance,<br />
the more pressure there is to relieve the<br />
feel<strong>in</strong>gs of discomfort.<br />
People I meet put on a brave face and<br />
chant, “Keep calm and carry on,” but just<br />
below the surface many are petrified and<br />
angry. They’re worried sick about the future.<br />
They feel anxious and depressed. And some<br />
are tipp<strong>in</strong>g over <strong>in</strong>to despair and desperation.<br />
In his journal article The Dragons of<br />
Inaction: Psychological Barriers that Limit<br />
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation,<br />
Robert Gifford identifies around 30 “dragons<br />
of <strong>in</strong>action” and groups them <strong>in</strong>to types of<br />
psychological barriers. It’s detailed work that<br />
needs more space to discuss, but here are<br />
some key barriers to consider.<br />
“Limited cognition” is a problem that<br />
arises through ignorance, uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty and<br />
environmental numbness. Climate deniers<br />
have been work<strong>in</strong>g the “uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty” factor.<br />
How do we cont<strong>in</strong>ue to<br />
enjoy our lifestyle with<br />
the creep<strong>in</strong>g awareness<br />
that the biosphere<br />
that supports us<br />
is unravell<strong>in</strong>g?<br />
Climate scientists, <strong>in</strong> their pursuit of certa<strong>in</strong>ty,<br />
are accused of downplay<strong>in</strong>g the seriousness<br />
of the problem or accused of overstat<strong>in</strong>g it —<br />
either way, we’ve lost valuable response time<br />
caught up <strong>in</strong> doubt.<br />
Ideologies such as religious or political<br />
views that clash with climate-change<br />
mitigation are very strong barriers to change.<br />
This works at both an <strong>in</strong>dividual and<br />
national level. Some of us leave<br />
responsibility for climate change to<br />
superhuman powers, absolv<strong>in</strong>g us<br />
from responsibility. Others believe<br />
<strong>in</strong> “technosalvation” and p<strong>in</strong> their<br />
hopes on mechanical <strong>in</strong>novation.<br />
The dom<strong>in</strong>ant neoliberal<br />
ideology believes the economic<br />
market will solve the problem, if<br />
there is one.<br />
“System justification” occurs<br />
when people have comfortable<br />
lifestyles and wish to reta<strong>in</strong> the status quo.<br />
Researchers have found if mitigation strategies<br />
can be part of the system it’s more likely they<br />
will be taken up.<br />
“Why should I change if they won’t<br />
change?” is a common barrier based on<br />
“perceived <strong>in</strong>equity”. Political leaders have<br />
used this to delay action, also tapp<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to<br />
that response <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dividuals.<br />
“Sunk costs” and f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>vestments<br />
can cause cognitive dissonance. If you’ve just<br />
bought a new car and then you’re asked to ride<br />
a bike or take a tra<strong>in</strong>, you’re unlikely to because<br />
you might feel you’re throw<strong>in</strong>g away money.<br />
If you’ve <strong>in</strong>vested <strong>in</strong> fossil fuels and hear they<br />
are caus<strong>in</strong>g climate change you can ignore it,<br />
disbelieve it or put your money elsewhere. If you<br />
mix sunk costs with uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty and mistrust,<br />
it’s easy to lead to active denial of the problem.<br />
“Behavioural momentum”, or habits, can<br />
produce a stable society, but it’s less benign<br />
when it stops people chang<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> necessary<br />
ways. “Conflict<strong>in</strong>g goals” can lead people to<br />
be supportive of change as long as they’re<br />
not pay<strong>in</strong>g for it.<br />
Judg<strong>in</strong>g by the strong statements one<br />
hears about climate change and proposed<br />
strategies to address it, it’s clear that<br />
emotions, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g fear, also play an<br />
important role <strong>in</strong> denial and <strong>in</strong>action. For<br />
some, the very idea they are mortal and the<br />
planet is changeable <strong>in</strong> ways not supportive<br />
of humans is too much to cope with.<br />
Take a moment to ponder your dragons.<br />
If you’re tipp<strong>in</strong>g over <strong>in</strong>to depression and<br />
despair, get help. Meanwhile, keep garden<strong>in</strong>g<br />
— organically, of course.<br />
∙ The Dragons of Inaction: Psychological<br />
Barriers that Limit Climate Change Mitigation<br />
and Adaptation, Robert Gilford, American<br />
Psychologist May–June 2011.<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
10 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
SCAN FOR FACT SHEET
THE SEASONAL GARDEN | With melissa k<strong>in</strong>g<br />
WHAT’S HOT RIGHT NOW<br />
Present<strong>in</strong>g some of the latest and greatest plants that will make<br />
excellent additions to your garden at this time of year<br />
Lavender ‘Ghostly<br />
Pr<strong>in</strong>cess’<br />
The plant: This new lavender is irresistible<br />
with ghostly silver foliage and pretty,<br />
scented, p<strong>in</strong>k flowers. It ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>s a neat,<br />
compact habit at just 70cm tall and wide,<br />
so it’s perfect for pots and decorative<br />
borders. It produces an abundance of<br />
blooms from late w<strong>in</strong>ter to spr<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g: For best success, plant ‘Ghostly<br />
Pr<strong>in</strong>cess’ <strong>in</strong> a sunny or partly shaded<br />
position with good dra<strong>in</strong>age. Cut it back<br />
by two-thirds <strong>in</strong> late summer and give it a<br />
good dose of slow-release fertiliser to keep<br />
it look<strong>in</strong>g its best. Plants will also benefit<br />
from the addition of dolomite lime.<br />
Design: Use it to create decorative<br />
formal or <strong>in</strong>formal hedges around flower<br />
and herb gardens or make a feature of<br />
it <strong>in</strong> pots on a sunny patio. It also<br />
comb<strong>in</strong>es beautifully with other<br />
w<strong>in</strong>ter–spr<strong>in</strong>g flower<strong>in</strong>g plants<br />
<strong>in</strong> a mixed border. ‘Ghostly<br />
Pr<strong>in</strong>cess’ is a great choice for<br />
tough coastal areas and waterwise<br />
gardens. pga.com.au<br />
Heirloom Ra<strong>in</strong>bow Collection<br />
The plants: I grow heirloom varieties of vegetables as much<br />
for their flavour as for the extraord<strong>in</strong>ary colour they br<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
the garden and table. The aptly named Heirloom Ra<strong>in</strong>bow<br />
Collection is a celebration of colour and showcases some of the<br />
best heirloom varieties to grow at home, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the gorgeous<br />
Beetroot ‘Chioggia’, with lollypop-like r<strong>in</strong>gs of white and p<strong>in</strong>k<br />
flesh, Bean ‘Speckled Cranberry’ with decorative hot-p<strong>in</strong>k and<br />
purple seeds, Pumpk<strong>in</strong> ‘Delicata’ with green and yellow-striped<br />
sk<strong>in</strong>, the cheery yellow- and burgundy-flowered Marigold<br />
‘Naughty Marietta’ and Eggplant ‘Listada di Gandia’, a French<br />
heirloom with beautiful white-and-purple-striped sk<strong>in</strong>.<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g: The vegetables and flowers <strong>in</strong> this mix will thrive <strong>in</strong> a<br />
sunny position with good dra<strong>in</strong>age, so prepare beds with compost<br />
and organic matter before plant<strong>in</strong>g. Sow the seeds <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g when<br />
the soil warms. Water and liquid-feed regularly and you will be<br />
rewarded with a bountiful summer and autumn harvest.<br />
Design: Many of the varieties <strong>in</strong> this mix are as colourful <strong>in</strong> the<br />
garden as they are on the plate, so give them pride of place <strong>in</strong> the<br />
kitchen garden or flower border. Why not throw a garden party at<br />
harvest time and show off with a colourful garden-<strong>in</strong>spired menu?<br />
diggers.com.au<br />
12 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
David Aust<strong>in</strong> Rose ‘Wollerton<br />
Old Hall’<br />
The plant: I’m a big fan of David Aust<strong>in</strong> roses, which comb<strong>in</strong>e the charm<br />
and perfume of old roses with the colour range and repeat flower<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of modern types. So I’m always excited when a new variety hits the<br />
Australian market. ‘Wollerton Old Hall’ is an absolute gem with plump<br />
buds that are blushed with red and stunn<strong>in</strong>g soft-apricot chalice-shaped<br />
blooms that fade to cream. It repeat flowers from spr<strong>in</strong>g right through<br />
to autumn and it’s up there among the most fragrant David Aust<strong>in</strong><br />
blooms (which says a lot!). The plant itself is good-look<strong>in</strong>g, too, and<br />
forms a bushy, upright-grow<strong>in</strong>g shrub to around 1.6m tall (though <strong>in</strong> my<br />
experience often taller <strong>in</strong> Australian conditions).<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g: Grow ‘Wollerton Old Hall’ <strong>in</strong> a sunny spot with good dra<strong>in</strong>age<br />
and prepare beds well with compost and organic matter before<br />
plant<strong>in</strong>g. Feed plants regularly throughout the grow<strong>in</strong>g season to<br />
promote an abundance of highly scented blooms.<br />
Design: ‘Wollerton Old Hall’ has charm<strong>in</strong>g softly<br />
coloured blooms that blend well<br />
with summer and autumn flower<strong>in</strong>g<br />
perennials <strong>in</strong> the mixed border. It<br />
can also be grown as a climber and<br />
draped over archways, arbours<br />
and fences. Be sure to plant it<br />
where you can really appreciate<br />
the gorgeous fragrance and don’t<br />
forget to cut a few flowers for<br />
country-style bouquets <strong>in</strong>doors.<br />
treloarroses.com.au<br />
Wobble-Tee<br />
Waters a large area up to 15m<br />
diameter, but can be adjusted at<br />
your tap to water smaller areas.<br />
Applies water slowly and evenly<br />
with a consistent droplet size<br />
at pressures from 15 to 40psi.<br />
Will also operate effectively<br />
from as low as 5psi.<br />
Will operate from a town<br />
water supply, pressure pump,<br />
overhead water tank, gravity<br />
fed system, recycled water,<br />
envirocycle system, effluent<br />
re-use, dam, bore or grey water.<br />
No mist<strong>in</strong>g on low-medium<br />
pressures.<br />
Average flow rate of 10 LPM.<br />
<br />
Add-On-Ability allows you<br />
to operate more than one<br />
spr<strong>in</strong>kler from the same tap.<br />
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Available from<br />
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Hardware, Hunter Irrigation,<br />
Landmark, Mitre 10, Plants Plus,<br />
Pursehouse Rural, Thrifty-L<strong>in</strong>k,<br />
Total Eden and True Value.<br />
Tomato ‘Sunrise Bumble Bee’<br />
The plant: There’s talk that ‘Sunrise Bumble Bee’ and its relatives from the<br />
Artisan series of tomatoes are the next big th<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the heirloom tomato world.<br />
I haven’t tasted one yet but, if the description is anyth<strong>in</strong>g to go by, this is a<br />
variety well worth try<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the garden. It’s reputed to be as sweet as ‘Tommy<br />
Toe’ and even more strik<strong>in</strong>g than ‘Tigerella’ and, if you’ve ever grown either of<br />
these stunn<strong>in</strong>g varieties, you’ll know that’s a recommendation <strong>in</strong> itself.<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g: Sow tomato seed <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g after the risk of frost has passed.<br />
Tomatoes enjoy a sunny spot with good dra<strong>in</strong>age so prepare the soil with<br />
compost before plant<strong>in</strong>g. If your soil is too acidic, add lime or dolomite.<br />
‘Sunrise Bumble Bee’ will require stak<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Design: ‘Sunrise Bumble Bee’ boasts a bumper crop of cherry-style<br />
tomatoes with decorative swirls of red and orange. The fruit is marbled on<br />
the <strong>in</strong>side, too, so enjoy their sweet, tangy flavour straight from the bush<br />
or use them as the centrepiece <strong>in</strong> a colourful heirloom tomato salad or<br />
tomato tart. diggers.com.au<br />
Ideal for small lawn areas<br />
and gardens with a water<strong>in</strong>g<br />
diameter of up to 8 metres.<br />
Low angle of trajectory<br />
reduces w<strong>in</strong>d drift.<br />
<br />
Operates on low and high<br />
pressure from 5 to 50psi.<br />
Average flow rate of 4 LPM.<br />
Adjustable angle base for<br />
uneven surfaces.<br />
Purpose shaped base for<br />
roof cool<strong>in</strong>g on work sheds<br />
and bird aviaries.<br />
Pressure regulat<strong>in</strong>g discs are<br />
provided for use <strong>in</strong> areas of<br />
high water pressure.<br />
Add-On-Ability allows you<br />
to operate more than one<br />
spr<strong>in</strong>kler from the same tap.<br />
T. 02 4975 3222 | www.wobble-tee.com.au<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 13
CLEVER CROP | Bamboo shoots<br />
Bamboo shoots<br />
Phyllostachys spp.<br />
Essentially a grass, bamboo is an evergreen<br />
that grows while you look at it. Its uses are<br />
almost limitless and its tender shoots delicious<br />
Words Jennifer Stackhouse<br />
Bamboo is one of the fastest-grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
plants around. There are choices for<br />
every climate and it thrives <strong>in</strong> a wide<br />
range of soils and light conditions.<br />
Given its versatility, this clever plant could<br />
possibly feed the world, not just the world’s<br />
pandas. The edible part of bamboo is the<br />
plump new shoot, but not every bamboo<br />
shoot is worth eat<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Many of the edible shoots come from the<br />
runn<strong>in</strong>g genus Phyllostachys, but there are<br />
more than 70 genera and more than 1500<br />
species. Some species are astr<strong>in</strong>gent and need<br />
a lot of cook<strong>in</strong>g to leach out the bitterness.<br />
Edible shoots<br />
The young tender shoots of edible bamboos<br />
are harvested as soon as they appear from<br />
the soil. Left even for a day and they become<br />
fibrous and <strong>in</strong>edible.<br />
The substance <strong>in</strong> bamboo shoots that<br />
makes them taste bitter is a cyanogenic<br />
glycoside known as taxiphyll<strong>in</strong>. This<br />
substance degrades <strong>in</strong> boil<strong>in</strong>g water, which is<br />
why it’s safer to eat bamboo shoots cooked<br />
rather than raw.<br />
Mature bamboo may not be edible, though<br />
pandas eat the foliage and tips, but it can be<br />
used for construction, floor<strong>in</strong>g, artefacts and<br />
utensils and can even be woven <strong>in</strong>to fabric.<br />
In gardens, bamboos are widely planted as<br />
fast-grow<strong>in</strong>g screen<strong>in</strong>g or shelter plants. With<br />
warm weather and good ra<strong>in</strong>, a bamboo shoot<br />
can grow more than a metre a day.<br />
This ability to grow, which can be so useful,<br />
also has its downside. Bamboo, particularly<br />
forms known as runn<strong>in</strong>g bamboo that<br />
<strong>Good</strong> eat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
These bamboos are grown and<br />
harvested for their edible shoots:<br />
• Phyllostachys atrovag<strong>in</strong>ata<br />
• P. dulcis<br />
• P. heterocycla f. pubescens<br />
• P. h<strong>in</strong>dsii<br />
• P. iridescens<br />
• P. nidularia<br />
• P. nuda<br />
• P. praecox<br />
• P. platyglossa<br />
• P. vivax<br />
• Qiongzhuea tumidiss<strong>in</strong>oda<br />
• Semiarund<strong>in</strong>aria fastuosa<br />
send out underground shoots, is extremely<br />
<strong>in</strong>vasive. A small clump can quickly spread<br />
across many metres and may <strong>in</strong>vade<br />
surround<strong>in</strong>g properties. It can also grow<br />
under paths, pav<strong>in</strong>g and foundations. The<br />
weedy black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra)<br />
is a runn<strong>in</strong>g bamboo that can become a<br />
problem <strong>in</strong> gardens.<br />
To enjoy the benefits of bamboo without<br />
the problems, grow it <strong>in</strong> a large conta<strong>in</strong>er<br />
elevated above the ground or <strong>in</strong> a raised bed<br />
with a root barrier <strong>in</strong> its base. If plant<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the<br />
ground, surround it on all sides to a depth of<br />
60–100cm <strong>in</strong>to the soil with a root barrier.<br />
Availability<br />
Ask at your local garden centre for edible<br />
species (see box above for a list of bamboos<br />
most widely harvested for cook<strong>in</strong>g) or search<br />
for specialist bamboo growers onl<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
Did you know?<br />
Depend<strong>in</strong>g on the species, bamboo<br />
flowers only once every 7–120 years.<br />
New shoots need to be harvested<br />
as soon as they appear<br />
Bamboo label<br />
Common name: Bamboo<br />
Botanical name: Phyllostachys spp<br />
Family: Poaceae (grass family)<br />
Requires: Full sun to part shade<br />
Dislikes: Dry<strong>in</strong>g out<br />
Suitable for: Screen, conta<strong>in</strong>er<br />
Habit: Large clump<strong>in</strong>g or runn<strong>in</strong>g grass<br />
Needs: Conf<strong>in</strong>ement<br />
Propagation: Offsets<br />
Difficulty: Easy<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
14 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
For all your plant<strong>in</strong>g needs<br />
Don’t forget the Seasol!<br />
www.seasol.com.au
CLEVER CROP | Spaghetti squash<br />
Spaghetti squash<br />
Cucurbita pepo<br />
This zucch<strong>in</strong>i-like fruit is the pasta you have<br />
when you’re not hav<strong>in</strong>g pasta<br />
Words Jennifer Stackhouse<br />
One of the most celebrated April<br />
Fools’ Day jokes of all time was<br />
a story broadcast <strong>in</strong> 1957 on the<br />
highly respected BBC currentaffairs<br />
show Panorama about the annual<br />
spaghetti tree harvest <strong>in</strong> Switzerland. The TV<br />
segment, which can be viewed on YouTube,<br />
showed a family supposedly gather<strong>in</strong>g long<br />
strands of pasta from their own trees.<br />
The joke fooled many and lots of viewers<br />
are said to have contacted the BBC for<br />
details on how to grow a spaghetti tree. While<br />
spaghetti is normally made from wheat flour<br />
and water mixed with egg, Panorama wasn’t<br />
completely bark<strong>in</strong>g up the wrong tree, so<br />
to speak, as it’s possible to grow your own<br />
spaghetti on a v<strong>in</strong>e, if not a tree.<br />
When cooked — baked,<br />
boiled or microwaved<br />
whole — the flesh can<br />
be scooped out <strong>in</strong> str<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
that resemble cooked<br />
strands of spaghetti.<br />
The spaghetti squash is grown much<br />
like a cucumber and is closely related to<br />
zucch<strong>in</strong>i. The vigorous v<strong>in</strong>e produces large,<br />
cyl<strong>in</strong>drical fruit that ripens to bright yellow.<br />
When cooked — baked, boiled or microwaved<br />
whole — the flesh can be scooped out <strong>in</strong><br />
str<strong>in</strong>gs that resemble cooked spaghetti.<br />
Simply serve with your favourite pasta sauce!<br />
It’s high <strong>in</strong> nutrients and low <strong>in</strong> calories.<br />
Plant<strong>in</strong>g & grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Plant the seeds of spaghetti squash <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g<br />
when the soil has warmed and all threat of<br />
frost has passed. Place the seeds directly <strong>in</strong> a<br />
prepared vegetable bed or plant <strong>in</strong>to a large<br />
conta<strong>in</strong>er at least 40cm across or larger. As the<br />
v<strong>in</strong>e sprawls much like a zucch<strong>in</strong>i, space seeds<br />
at 1–1.2m apart so the v<strong>in</strong>e has room to grow.<br />
Like all cucurbits, spaghetti squash has<br />
both male and female flowers, the female<br />
flowers produc<strong>in</strong>g fruit. The v<strong>in</strong>e takes<br />
around 15 weeks to produce mature fruit.<br />
Harvest the large fruits that have turned<br />
bright yellow. Cut the fruit from the v<strong>in</strong>e,<br />
leav<strong>in</strong>g a piece of stem attached. If kept<br />
watered, the v<strong>in</strong>e should cont<strong>in</strong>ue produc<strong>in</strong>g<br />
until the first w<strong>in</strong>ter frost. Plants may be<br />
attacked by powdery mildew towards the<br />
end of the grow<strong>in</strong>g season.<br />
Spaghetti squash<br />
label<br />
Common name: Spaghetti squash<br />
(vegetable spaghetti)<br />
Botanical name: Cucurbita pepo<br />
Family: Cucurbitaceae (squash family)<br />
Requires: Full sun<br />
Dislikes: Dry<strong>in</strong>g out<br />
Suitable for: All areas<br />
Habit: Spread<strong>in</strong>g annual v<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Needs: Room to spread or a trellis<br />
Propagation: Seed<br />
Difficulty: Easy<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
16 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
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PLANT PROFILE | pomegranate<br />
The gem-like arils <strong>in</strong>side the fruit<br />
18 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
pomegranate | PLANT PROFILE<br />
Ruby<br />
red<br />
If eggplant is the “crazy apple”,<br />
pomegranate is apparently the “seeded<br />
apple”, so named for its crimson jewel-like<br />
arils, the only edible part of the plant<br />
Words Kerry Boyne<br />
I’d been us<strong>in</strong>g pomegranate molasses <strong>in</strong><br />
recipes long before I ever bought a fresh<br />
pomegranate to throw its explod<strong>in</strong>g<br />
ruby-red seeds <strong>in</strong>to a salad. And what a<br />
revelation it was. It brought that salad alive.<br />
Perhaps luckily, this fruit has a limited season<br />
(late summer/autumn) because I’d run the<br />
risk of gett<strong>in</strong>g sick of it after putt<strong>in</strong>g the gemlike<br />
arils <strong>in</strong> just about every salad. I use them<br />
<strong>in</strong> desserts, too.<br />
Some favourite cookbook-writ<strong>in</strong>g chefs<br />
— Karen Mart<strong>in</strong>i and Yotam Ottolenghi, for<br />
example — use both the fresh fruit and the<br />
molasses a lot because both are <strong>in</strong>spired<br />
by Middle Eastern cuis<strong>in</strong>e: Australianborn<br />
Mart<strong>in</strong>i is from an Italian/Tunisian<br />
background, while Ottolenghi is Israeli by<br />
birth and now a famous UK restaurateur.<br />
A Persian staple, pomegranate (Punica<br />
granatum) orig<strong>in</strong>ated <strong>in</strong> the eastern<br />
Mediterranean, North Africa, Afghanistan and<br />
Iran. It became much more widespread, from<br />
the Middle East to the Americas to India and<br />
Asia. A Sri Lankan colleague recalls pick<strong>in</strong>g<br />
them from the tree as kids, break<strong>in</strong>g them<br />
open and eat<strong>in</strong>g them, their hands and faces<br />
sta<strong>in</strong>ed with the scarlet juice. Pomegranates<br />
can be messy for sure, but you become very<br />
adept at releas<strong>in</strong>g the seeds from the white<br />
pith without effort or mess.<br />
Pomegranates can be<br />
messy for sure, but you<br />
become very adept<br />
at releas<strong>in</strong>g the seeds<br />
from the white pith<br />
without effort or mess.<br />
In French, it's called grenade<br />
— hence the term for the<br />
military bomb that resembles it<br />
While its Lat<strong>in</strong> name translates as<br />
“seeded apple”, the pomegranate is actually<br />
a true berry, hence its colour (attributed to<br />
the presence of anthocyan<strong>in</strong>s) and sweet,<br />
tangy lusciousness.<br />
Health benefits<br />
Like all berries, pomegranates confer many<br />
health benefits. They are a very rich source<br />
of vitam<strong>in</strong> C and other antioxidants and have<br />
been shown to help protect aga<strong>in</strong>st Alzheimer’s<br />
disease and certa<strong>in</strong> cancers. The compounds<br />
<strong>in</strong> pomegranates responsible for most of the<br />
health benefits are punicalag<strong>in</strong>s, which are very<br />
powerful antioxidants, and punicic acid, the<br />
ma<strong>in</strong> type of fatty acid <strong>in</strong> the fruit.<br />
The pomegranate’s anti-<strong>in</strong>flammatory<br />
action makes it helpful <strong>in</strong> a range of diseases<br />
and conditions, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g arthritis, breast and<br />
prostate cancers, type 2 diabetes and heart<br />
Did you know?<br />
Though the name of the Spanish city<br />
of Granada comes from an Arabic<br />
term that has noth<strong>in</strong>g to do with<br />
pomegranate, its coat of arms features<br />
the fruit — <strong>in</strong> Spanish, granata.<br />
The juice has been found to improve memory<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 19
PLANT PROFILE | pomegranate<br />
Fruit form<strong>in</strong>g<br />
on the tree<br />
Pomegranate<br />
label<br />
Common name: Pomegranate<br />
Botanical name: Punica granatum<br />
Group: Shrub to small tree<br />
Requires: Full sun, well-dra<strong>in</strong>ed soil<br />
Dislikes: Poor dra<strong>in</strong>age<br />
Suitable for: Orchards, hedges,<br />
conta<strong>in</strong>ers<br />
Habit: Deciduous to semi-deciduous<br />
Needs: Long, warm grow<strong>in</strong>g season<br />
Propagation: Seed, suckers, tip cutt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Difficulty: Easy<br />
First come the waxy crimson<br />
flowers, then the fruit<br />
Regular consumption of the juice has even been<br />
shown <strong>in</strong> both animal and human studies to<br />
improve cholesterol and blood pressure numbers.<br />
disease. Regular consumption of the juice<br />
has been shown <strong>in</strong> both animal and human<br />
studies to improve cholesterol and blood<br />
pressure numbers. Plus, if you f<strong>in</strong>d you’re<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g memory problems, try dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g a glass<br />
of the juice a day.<br />
As for the molasses, so important to<br />
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-style dishes<br />
both sweet and savoury, it’s unclear if it has the<br />
same nutritious benefits as the fresh arils and<br />
juice, but one of the healthiest uses I’ve found<br />
for it is to add it to good olive oil and applecider<br />
v<strong>in</strong>egar for a delicious salad dress<strong>in</strong>g. It<br />
makes the ACV more than palatable.<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Pomegranate is a relatively small, long-lived,<br />
deciduous tree. By now, it has its bright-green<br />
foliage back and will soon be graced with its<br />
orange–scarlet, crepey-textured flowers. Its<br />
flashy fruit won’t form until late summer, with<br />
autumn the peak cropp<strong>in</strong>g period. The fruit<br />
has a leathery cream-to-red r<strong>in</strong>d surround<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the seeds with their juicy pulp.<br />
Later <strong>in</strong> autumn the leaves will yellow<br />
and fall until the follow<strong>in</strong>g spr<strong>in</strong>g, when the<br />
cycle starts aga<strong>in</strong>. W<strong>in</strong>ter is the time to prune<br />
lightly, bear<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d that fruit forms on the<br />
mature wood, so don’t cut too much off.<br />
The tree is hardy and frost and drought<br />
tolerant, mak<strong>in</strong>g it suitable for gardens almost<br />
anywhere <strong>in</strong> Australia. It’s not too fussy about<br />
soil and doesn’t m<strong>in</strong>d our long, hot summers,<br />
though it shouldn’t be allowed to dry out too<br />
much, especially dur<strong>in</strong>g the spr<strong>in</strong>g growth<br />
period. So give it plenty of sunsh<strong>in</strong>e and water<br />
well <strong>in</strong> dry periods and you shouldn’t have too<br />
many problems. Trees <strong>in</strong> fruit-fly-prone areas,<br />
however, will need protection (see page 55 for<br />
more on this pomegranate-lov<strong>in</strong>g pest).<br />
The popular varieties are ‘Wonderful’,<br />
‘Azerbaijani’, ‘Rosavaya’ and the large-fruit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
‘Ben Hur’, a new variety developed especially<br />
for the home garden. Spanish varieties ‘Elcite’<br />
and ‘Elche’ have yellower sk<strong>in</strong> and lightercoloured<br />
arils but equally luscious flavour.<br />
Make sure any tree you buy is a fruit<strong>in</strong>g one<br />
as there are ornamental pomegranates.<br />
I f<strong>in</strong>ally have my own tree now — it was the<br />
second fruit tree we planted after a lemon on<br />
mov<strong>in</strong>g to our Hunter Valley property — and<br />
with our clay soil, extended dry periods, high<br />
w<strong>in</strong>ds and light w<strong>in</strong>ter frosts I can confirm<br />
that it must <strong>in</strong>deed be an easy tree to grow.<br />
Perfection <strong>in</strong> a salad<br />
20 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
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POWER PLANT | burdock<br />
Stuck on you<br />
Burdock is more than just an annoy<strong>in</strong>g<br />
burr that catches on your clothes. It’s<br />
also a medic<strong>in</strong>al herb, tonic and food<br />
Words Jennifer Stackhouse<br />
If you have English heritage, or devoured<br />
UK adventure stories as a kid, the word<br />
burdock may lead you to recall an oldfashioned<br />
soft dr<strong>in</strong>k known as dandelion<br />
and burdock. If your background is Asian,<br />
you’ll know burdock as gobo, an edible herb.<br />
Whatever your upbr<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g, burdock or<br />
gobo (Arctium lappa) is a vigorous, weedy<br />
plant that’s nutritious and used for its<br />
medic<strong>in</strong>al properties. It’s part of the daisy<br />
family (Asteraceae) and grows readily from<br />
seed, which is planted <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g or autumn.<br />
Burdock is a biennial, mean<strong>in</strong>g it cont<strong>in</strong>ues<br />
to grow for more than a year. If left to grow to<br />
maturity, it reaches 1–2m high and 1m wide<br />
and produces tufty purple thistle-like flowers<br />
on top of a round, spiky capsule that turns<br />
<strong>in</strong>to a large, prickly and very cl<strong>in</strong>gy burr. (Its<br />
prickle was the <strong>in</strong>spiration for the <strong>in</strong>vention<br />
of Velcro.) To avoid a weedy problem, harvest<br />
the plants well before the flowers appear.<br />
Burdock has large, heart-shaped and<br />
slightly furry leaves that can be harvested<br />
young to add to salads or cooked like sp<strong>in</strong>ach.<br />
It’s the roots that are the ma<strong>in</strong> harvest,<br />
however, and these are at their best <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and autumn when they’re long (up to 60cm)<br />
and slender. Such deep roots need to be dug<br />
carefully from the soil so they don’t break.<br />
Edible roots<br />
The roots are brown to almost black on the<br />
outside, but beneath the sk<strong>in</strong> is white flesh.<br />
Young roots can be peeled and chopped<br />
to add to salads but mature roots are best<br />
cooked as a roast or stirfry. They’re also used<br />
<strong>in</strong> the Japanese vegetable dish k<strong>in</strong>pira gobo<br />
(see recipe).<br />
The roots can also be pickled or, better<br />
still, used <strong>in</strong> comb<strong>in</strong>ation with dandelion roots<br />
to make burdock and dandelion cordial or<br />
burdock and dandelion beer.<br />
Medic<strong>in</strong>al properties<br />
Burdock has long been celebrated <strong>in</strong> herbal<br />
medic<strong>in</strong>e — both Western and traditional<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>ese — for its anti-<strong>in</strong>flammatory and<br />
antibacterial properties. Recent studies also<br />
reveal it conta<strong>in</strong>s powerful antioxidants.<br />
As a deep-rooted plant, it’s able to m<strong>in</strong>e<br />
nutrients from the soil that may not be<br />
available to smaller plants.<br />
Warn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Make sure you correctly identify burdock<br />
before us<strong>in</strong>g any part of it. Grow<strong>in</strong>g your<br />
own from seed is a safe way to produce this<br />
fasc<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g edible weed.<br />
Seeds are available from Green Harvest<br />
greenharvest.com.au.<br />
K<strong>in</strong>pira Gobo<br />
(Braised Carrot &<br />
Burdock Root)<br />
Serves: 3–4 as side dish<br />
1 burdock root, peeled & julienned<br />
⅓ carrot, julienned<br />
Coconut oil, for fry<strong>in</strong>g<br />
1 tbsp sesame oil<br />
1 tbsp roasted white sesame seeds<br />
Ichimi togarashi (red pepper flakes — optional)<br />
Ito togarashi (dried chilli strands — optional)<br />
Season<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
¾ cup dashi (use kombu dashi for vegetarians)<br />
2 tbsp sake<br />
1 tbsp sugar<br />
1 tbsp mir<strong>in</strong><br />
1½ tbsp soy sauce<br />
Soak burdock <strong>in</strong> water or v<strong>in</strong>egar water (just<br />
one drop of v<strong>in</strong>egar would do). Change the<br />
water a couple of times until it becomes<br />
clean, then leave burdock <strong>in</strong> the water until<br />
ready to stirfry.<br />
In a fry<strong>in</strong>g pan, heat oil over a medium–<br />
high flame and stirfry burdock. Add carrot for<br />
a few m<strong>in</strong>utes.<br />
Add season<strong>in</strong>gs and cook until most of the<br />
liquid evaporates.<br />
When liquid is almost gone, add sesame<br />
oil and spr<strong>in</strong>kle sesame seeds and ichimi<br />
togarashi and/or ito togarashi if us<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Recipe adapted from one by Namiko Chen,<br />
justonecookbook.com<br />
Burdock label<br />
Common name: Burdock, gobo<br />
Botanical name: Arctium lappa<br />
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)<br />
Group: Biennial<br />
Requires: Sun to part shade;<br />
constant moisture<br />
Dislikes: Dry conditions<br />
Suitable for: Herb gardens, vegetable<br />
gardens, conta<strong>in</strong>ers<br />
Habit: Rosette-form<strong>in</strong>g herb<br />
Needs: Warmth<br />
Propagation: Seed<br />
Difficulty: Easy<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
22 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
DUNEIRA<br />
MT MACEDON<br />
Historic house and<br />
garden just<br />
50 m<strong>in</strong>utes from<br />
Melbourne<br />
We welcome private Tour Groups.<br />
Cater<strong>in</strong>g by arrangement.<br />
Spr<strong>in</strong>g Garden Events<br />
<br />
2, 6, 13, 20, 27, 30 <strong>October</strong>;<br />
3, 10, 17, 20, 24 November;<br />
1, 8, 15, 17 December<br />
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:<br />
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Visit Duneira<br />
Book<strong>in</strong>gs essential<br />
03 5426 1490<br />
www.duneira.com.au
FAMILY HEIRLOOMS | Eggplant<br />
Crazy<br />
apple<br />
Whether purple, black or white,<br />
versatile eggplant has as many names<br />
and varieties as it has cul<strong>in</strong>ary uses<br />
Words Melissa K<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Don’t overlook eggplant among<br />
the rich bounty of summer<br />
produce. It’s a wonderfully<br />
productive plant that deserves a<br />
place <strong>in</strong> the garden as much as on the plate,<br />
with its attractive grey-green foliage, pretty<br />
flowers and glossy fruit.<br />
On its own, eggplant can taste a little<br />
bland but the flesh soaks up flavours and<br />
spices beautifully and is a good meat<br />
substitute. Get some <strong>in</strong> the ground this<br />
spr<strong>in</strong>g and you’ll be rewarded with a banquet<br />
of fruit for months on end.<br />
Eggplants aren’t all big and purple. They<br />
can be long and th<strong>in</strong>, rotund or oblong,<br />
while sk<strong>in</strong> colour can range from white and<br />
yellow to green, purple and black, with all<br />
manner of variations <strong>in</strong> between.<br />
Some early varieties of eggplant were<br />
small, white and egg-like — hence their<br />
common English name. But it’s also variously<br />
known by its French name auberg<strong>in</strong>e<br />
(especially <strong>in</strong> England) as well as melongene<br />
<strong>in</strong> the Caribbean and br<strong>in</strong>jal <strong>in</strong> India<br />
and other parts of Asia. Its Italian name,<br />
melanzana, is sometimes rendered mela<br />
<strong>in</strong>sana, or “crazy apple”.<br />
Its Italian name, melanzana, is sometimes<br />
rendered mela <strong>in</strong>sana, or “crazy apple”.<br />
24 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Eggplant | FAMILY HEIRLOOMS<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 25
FAMILY HEIRLOOMS | Eggplant<br />
Shady reputation<br />
Eggplants belong to the Solanaceae or<br />
nightshade family, which <strong>in</strong>cludes tomatoes,<br />
capsicums and potatoes. Their affiliation with<br />
deadly nightshade saw them treated with<br />
caution throughout history. In medieval Europe,<br />
eat<strong>in</strong>g eggplant was thought to provoke an<br />
angry disposition and <strong>in</strong> the US, until the<br />
20th century, the fruit was used only for table<br />
decoration for fear of its poisonous relatives.<br />
Today, of course, eggplant is a treasured<br />
garden plant used around the world <strong>in</strong> a whole<br />
range of dishes: chargrilled, <strong>in</strong> casseroles and<br />
ratatouille, <strong>in</strong> the smoky dip baba ganouj or,<br />
most famously, <strong>in</strong> hearty moussaka.<br />
Varieties<br />
You might like to grow the heirloom variety<br />
‘Black Beauty’, which has been around s<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
1902 and for good reason, because it produces<br />
a heavy crop of big, glossy, dark-purple fruit<br />
that weigh up to 1kg each and are full of flavour.<br />
Or you could try the Italian heirloom<br />
‘Listada di Gandia’, which never fails to attract<br />
comment with its exquisite fruit streaked<br />
purple and white. It’s an almost seedless<br />
variety with lovely, smooth flesh that can yield<br />
up to 3.5kg of fruit per plant.<br />
In the beauty stakes, it’s also hard to resist<br />
‘Rosa Bianca’ with voluptuous round, white<br />
fruit blushed with p<strong>in</strong>k.<br />
White eggplants tend to be less bitter and<br />
the aptly named variety ‘Snowy’ is a bl<strong>in</strong>der<br />
with strik<strong>in</strong>g white cyl<strong>in</strong>drical fruits that ripen<br />
early <strong>in</strong> the season. Also keep an eye out for<br />
‘White Star’, which has a compact growth<br />
habit tailor-made for decorative pots.<br />
You’ll also love ‘Slim Jim’, with sk<strong>in</strong>ny,<br />
deep-purple fruits and decorative purple<br />
foliage that makes a wonderful contrast <strong>in</strong> the<br />
kitchen garden or flower border. It’s ready to<br />
harvest just 13 weeks from seedl<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
For someth<strong>in</strong>g really different, give ‘Thai<br />
Long Green’ a go. It produces heavy yields of<br />
long, pale-green fruit with a mild taste and<br />
smooth, spongy flesh that soaks up spicy<br />
flavours well and makes a wonderful addition<br />
to exotic Thai curries.<br />
‘Snowy’<br />
‘Black Beauty’<br />
‘Rosa Bianca’<br />
‘Listada de Gandia’<br />
Eggplant label<br />
Common name: Eggplant, auberg<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Botanical name: Solanum melongena<br />
Family: Solanaceae (nightshades)<br />
Aspect: Full sun<br />
Soil: Well dra<strong>in</strong>ed, neutral to<br />
slightly acid<br />
Climate: Warm conditions<br />
Habit: Erect<br />
Difficulty: Easy<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
26 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Eggplant | FAMILY HEIRLOOMS<br />
‘Slim Jim’<br />
‘White Star’<br />
‘Thai Long Green’<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Eggplants enjoy a long, warm grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
season. Seed can be sown <strong>in</strong>to seedl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
pots <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> temperate and subtropical<br />
areas and transplanted when the risk of<br />
frost has passed, or they can be sown<br />
direct <strong>in</strong>to warm soil. Seed can be sown all<br />
year <strong>in</strong> tropical areas.<br />
Grow your plants <strong>in</strong> full sun <strong>in</strong> rich,<br />
well-dra<strong>in</strong>ed soil that has been enriched<br />
with compost and organic matter. Feed<br />
with a complete liquid food throughout<br />
the grow<strong>in</strong>g season and keep the water<br />
up, particularly when the young fruit<br />
beg<strong>in</strong>s to develop. If eggplants are moisture<br />
stressed, the fruit can become bitter. Some<br />
of the taller or heavy-fruit<strong>in</strong>g varieties may<br />
need stak<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Harvest<br />
Pick your eggplants when they’re sh<strong>in</strong>y,<br />
firm and unwr<strong>in</strong>kled. Fruit that is past its<br />
prime can be bitter with tough sk<strong>in</strong> and<br />
large seeds. Eggplants are less likely to<br />
make your mouth pucker when the flesh is<br />
creamy and the seeds are the same colour<br />
as the flesh.<br />
To harvest, simply cut the ripe fruit from<br />
the plant, leav<strong>in</strong>g about an <strong>in</strong>ch of the<br />
stem attached.<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 27
GARDENING FOLK | Emma Carlos & Mark Simm<br />
Amaz<strong>in</strong>gly, Emma is new to grow<strong>in</strong>g plants<br />
glass house<br />
green house<br />
A sailor sought a sea change but opted for a tree<br />
change — and so Blackwattle Farm was born<br />
Words Carrol Baker<br />
Photos Carrol Baker & Emma Carlos<br />
After 15 years as a seafarer, when<br />
Emma Carlos decided to jump<br />
ship she very quickly learned<br />
to enjoy a landlubber’s life. She<br />
and partner Mark Simm bought an 18.5-acre<br />
(7.5 ha) property <strong>in</strong> Beerwah, a town tucked<br />
beh<strong>in</strong>d the Glass House Mounta<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> the lush<br />
subtropical Sunsh<strong>in</strong>e Coast h<strong>in</strong>terland.<br />
Blackwattle Farm is a B&B and farmstay<br />
offer<strong>in</strong>g a memorable berth for tourists. But<br />
the organic farm<strong>in</strong>g duo had a much bigger<br />
vision for their slice of rural paradise.<br />
“We wanted to aim to be as self-sufficient<br />
as possible,” says Emma. “We have a small<br />
herd of Dexter cows — the steers for meat<br />
and cows for milk<strong>in</strong>g — as well as chickens<br />
for eggs and some meat pigs, too. Plus, of<br />
course, our beautiful vegie patch.”<br />
The 30m×30m vegetable garden is rich<br />
<strong>in</strong> its diversity: broccoli, silverbeet, corn,<br />
tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, g<strong>in</strong>ger, turmeric,<br />
celery, sunflowers, eggplant, cucumber,<br />
zucch<strong>in</strong>i and sweet potato. Then there’s<br />
fruit <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g passionfruit, rosella, mangoes,<br />
mulberry and f<strong>in</strong>ger lime and, to spice<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs up a little, basil, chilli, kale, parsley,<br />
thyme, oregano, m<strong>in</strong>t, lemongrass, tarragon,<br />
rosemary, lemon balm, sage and coriander.<br />
It has been a steep learn<strong>in</strong>g curve for<br />
Emma, hav<strong>in</strong>g spent most of her adult life at<br />
sea and never grown anyth<strong>in</strong>g before, but one<br />
she has embraced wholeheartedly. It’s hard to<br />
believe that only months ago the vegetable<br />
patch was a bare, scrubby paddock.<br />
The fledgl<strong>in</strong>g farmers have achieved an<br />
enormous amount <strong>in</strong> a short space of time and<br />
Emma is quick to po<strong>in</strong>t out they didn’t go it<br />
alone. “Gary Hands from Kookaburra <strong>Organic</strong>s<br />
has given us <strong>in</strong>credible guidance and support,”<br />
she says. “He is my mentor and elder; without<br />
28 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Emma Carlos & Mark Simm | GARDENING FOLK<br />
him I wouldn’t have learned any of this.<br />
“I did one of his workshops and I was<br />
hooked,” she adds. “I was so <strong>in</strong>spired to learn<br />
more about organic garden<strong>in</strong>g.” Now Gary<br />
hosts organic workshops on Blackwattle Farm.<br />
Fresh is best<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ce go<strong>in</strong>g organic is more labour <strong>in</strong>tensive<br />
than us<strong>in</strong>g sprays, why does Emma prefer<br />
us<strong>in</strong>g organic garden<strong>in</strong>g pr<strong>in</strong>ciples?<br />
“Everyth<strong>in</strong>g has its place <strong>in</strong> the garden,<br />
from the plants themselves [to] the <strong>in</strong>sects<br />
and birds and frogs,” she says. “I know what<br />
has gone <strong>in</strong>to my garden and how it has been<br />
cared for and how old it is, too. I’m not eat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a six-week-old lettuce that’s been sprayed<br />
and kept <strong>in</strong> controlled conditions; I’m eat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and harvest<strong>in</strong>g my food fresh daily.”<br />
Harvest time is one of her favourite parts<br />
of the day: “I look forward to the afternoons<br />
when Mark and I make time to sit and share<br />
what has happened <strong>in</strong> our day and we pick<br />
from the patch what to have for d<strong>in</strong>ner.”<br />
The couple used raised beds so they<br />
could repurpose tanks that were already on<br />
“It’s hard to believe that<br />
only months ago the<br />
vegetable patch was<br />
bare, scrubby paddock.”<br />
Sett<strong>in</strong>g up new beds<br />
Emma’s build<strong>in</strong>g up the soil<br />
with organic material<br />
The garden is 30m by 30m<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 29
GARDENING FOLK | Emma Carlos & Mark Simm<br />
The birdlife is welcomed<br />
the property and no-dig gardens because of<br />
the poor soil quality. Emma is <strong>in</strong> the process<br />
of build<strong>in</strong>g up the soil profile layer by layer:<br />
cardboard and newspaper; manure from cows<br />
and alpacas, along with a quality mushroom<br />
compost; and mulch, a comb<strong>in</strong>ation of<br />
bamboo and sugar cane. The gardens are<br />
fertilised us<strong>in</strong>g a premium slow-release<br />
organic fertiliser and worm juice.<br />
Luckily, the property has ample water.<br />
Emma and Mark welcome wildlife <strong>in</strong>to<br />
the garden and have created a pond to<br />
encourage frogs and birds. There’s a post <strong>in</strong><br />
the garden for kookaburras, butcherbirds and<br />
magpies to perch on before swoop<strong>in</strong>g down<br />
to eat grasshoppers and bugs.<br />
To foil other garden pests, Emma uses<br />
companion plant<strong>in</strong>g and fruit-fly traps made<br />
from recycled plastic bottles filled with water<br />
and egg mix. To snare slugs, beer or cider<br />
traps are the go.<br />
The couple used raised<br />
beds so they could<br />
repurpose tanks that<br />
were already on the<br />
property and no-dig<br />
gardens because of the<br />
poor soil quality.<br />
30 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Emma Carlos & Mark Simm | GARDENING FOLK<br />
Emma and Mark have a small herd of<br />
Dexter cows for both meat and milk<br />
Lush brassicas<br />
There’s ample water on the property<br />
Emma’s top tips<br />
A colourful harvest<br />
Shar<strong>in</strong>g the bounty<br />
With the sudden abundance of produce<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>in</strong>ter greens and herbs, Emma has<br />
learnt to preserve, dry and freeze the excess.<br />
She makes delicious tomato chilli jam, rosella<br />
jam and f<strong>in</strong>ger lime jam, has milked her first<br />
cow and is learn<strong>in</strong>g how to make cheese and<br />
fresh crusty bread.<br />
One of the th<strong>in</strong>gs she loves about<br />
garden<strong>in</strong>g is be<strong>in</strong>g able to share with<br />
her neighbours and community: “If I<br />
have an abundance I will give it away to<br />
the neighbours — and normally there’ll<br />
be bananas or passionfruit outside my<br />
door the next day <strong>in</strong> exchange.” Guests<br />
at Blackwattle Farm are also welcome to<br />
harvest and cook whatever they like out<br />
of the garden.<br />
“Noth<strong>in</strong>g goes to waste: pigs, chooks and<br />
worms get all the scraps and the cows and<br />
alpacas readily help us create new beds with<br />
their manure,” says Emma.<br />
Emma and Mark are thoroughly enjoy<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the country lifestyle, says Emma. “I love that<br />
I can grow my own food and share it with<br />
others. I love know<strong>in</strong>g where my food comes<br />
from. It’s very satisfy<strong>in</strong>g.”<br />
For more <strong>in</strong>fo: blackwattlefarm.com.au<br />
• Spend time every day <strong>in</strong> the garden<br />
even if it’s just 15 m<strong>in</strong>utes to pull a few<br />
weeds. If you let jobs <strong>in</strong> the garden<br />
build up, it can get on top of you.<br />
• I’m a big believer <strong>in</strong> self-seed<strong>in</strong>g so I<br />
deliberately leave some th<strong>in</strong>gs like beans<br />
and tomatoes to go to seed; I crack them<br />
open and let them do their th<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
• Enjoy it — garden<strong>in</strong>g is good for your<br />
physical and mental health.<br />
• Set aside time to design and have a<br />
plan — but not one that’s set <strong>in</strong> stone.<br />
Let the garden evolve and work with<br />
nature, with just a little guidance from<br />
you. It takes a while to work out what<br />
grows where.<br />
• Everyone should have a worm farm!<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 31
GARDENING FOLK | Kay & Mark Delahunt<br />
The Delahunts have planted<br />
100 truffle-<strong>in</strong>oculated oak trees<br />
black<br />
gold<br />
Home growers Kay and Mark<br />
Delahunt try their hand at truffles<br />
Words & photos Er<strong>in</strong>a Starkey<br />
In the north of NSW, on the slopes<br />
of the Great Divid<strong>in</strong>g Range, lies the<br />
historic gold-m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g village of Nundle.<br />
Compris<strong>in</strong>g just a small handful of<br />
homesteads spread widely over graz<strong>in</strong>g hills<br />
and farmland, the town has developed a<br />
strong homegrown culture and no wonder.<br />
On weekends, fruits and vegetables are<br />
bartered <strong>in</strong> the street while seeds are<br />
donated and exchanged from the local library.<br />
Kay and Mark Delahunt run the local<br />
antique shop, a heritage-listed Art Deco<br />
build<strong>in</strong>g filled with old wares and f<strong>in</strong>e ch<strong>in</strong>a.<br />
“We’re very strong on recycl<strong>in</strong>g,” says Kay. “In<br />
many ways the antique bus<strong>in</strong>ess is a form of<br />
recycl<strong>in</strong>g itself.”<br />
Kay and Mark moved <strong>in</strong>to their Nundle<br />
cottage some 16 years ago. “It was on a very<br />
small, very dry and very bare block of land,”<br />
says Kay. “The first th<strong>in</strong>g we did was to plant<br />
trees everywhere. The small block now has<br />
more than 30 trees on it, our favourite be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a G<strong>in</strong>kgo biloba tree that was given to us as a<br />
wedd<strong>in</strong>g present.”<br />
They were just runn<strong>in</strong>g out of places<br />
to plant when the opportunity came up to<br />
spread onto the block next door. “For years<br />
we would look out from our deck at that<br />
block and plan what we would do with it if<br />
it was ours. We couldn’t believe it when the<br />
opportunity became available. It was literally<br />
a blank canvas with just a few carob trees,<br />
pecans and she-oaks around the perimeter.”<br />
After much consideration, they decided<br />
to use the two-acre (0.8 ha) block to start a<br />
small truffière. “I’m not sure why we decided<br />
to grow them. I th<strong>in</strong>k it is the challenge of<br />
achiev<strong>in</strong>g someth<strong>in</strong>g that is a bit out of the<br />
ord<strong>in</strong>ary and that has a higher degree of<br />
difficulty,” says Kay.<br />
While the hot summers and heavy<br />
32 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Kay & Mark Delahunt | GARDENING FOLK<br />
frost w<strong>in</strong>ters made Nundle a perfect site<br />
for truffles, the soil required some serious<br />
amendments before the trees could be set<br />
<strong>in</strong>. “Mark has worked tirelessly to improve the<br />
soil,” says Kay. “Despite two years of add<strong>in</strong>g<br />
organic matter and about 80 trailer loads of<br />
mulch and dolomite lime, currently only about<br />
half the block is usable.<br />
“The good news is that the soil is very<br />
responsive and the areas that have had<br />
organic matter added are produc<strong>in</strong>g well.<br />
There is enormous satisfaction <strong>in</strong> turn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
parched land <strong>in</strong>to a rich, fertile environment.”<br />
“The truffles are <strong>in</strong><br />
their second grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
season and it will be a<br />
few more years before<br />
we know if they have<br />
been successful. It’s<br />
an experiment.”<br />
Strawberries are close for easy pick<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Mark proudly shows off a pumpk<strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 33
GARDENING FOLK | Kay & Mark Delahunt<br />
They have s<strong>in</strong>ce planted 100 truffle<strong>in</strong>oculated<br />
oak trees <strong>in</strong> the soil-amended<br />
space. “The truffles are <strong>in</strong> their second<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g season and it will be a few more<br />
years before we know if they have been<br />
successful. It’s an experiment.”<br />
Now with space to spare, Kay and Mark<br />
have allowed their vegetable garden to<br />
sprawl over both blocks, so there’s plenty of<br />
extra produce to swap and share. They grow<br />
Corella and Paradise pears, olives, walnuts,<br />
Armenian cucumbers, oxheart tomatoes and<br />
white mulberries, with a pomegranate orchard<br />
on the way.<br />
Their garden is grown <strong>in</strong> mulch and<br />
fertilised with local horse manure and<br />
compost, which <strong>in</strong>cludes coffee grounds from<br />
the local cafe. “Our garden is a labour of love.<br />
We enjoy the time spent <strong>in</strong> it and are not<br />
try<strong>in</strong>g to cut corners. We want to produce the<br />
healthiest fruit and vegetables we can, for<br />
ourselves and the rest of the family,” says Kay.<br />
The garden receives further fertilisation<br />
The first th<strong>in</strong>g they did was plant trees everywhere<br />
Plump olives<br />
Luscious Corella pears<br />
A stylish bird feeder<br />
Chiilies to burn<br />
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Kay & Mark Delahunt | GARDENING FOLK<br />
<strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> tips<br />
1. Plant trees. If you move <strong>in</strong>to a new<br />
house, make plant<strong>in</strong>g trees the first<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g you do (yes, even before you<br />
unpack). It gives the garden structure.<br />
When the trees have grown, then<br />
smaller under-plant<strong>in</strong>gs can take place.<br />
2. Don’t be afraid to try new th<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> the<br />
garden. Grow varieties that <strong>in</strong>terest<br />
and excite you. Every garden is an<br />
experiment and every “mistake” is an<br />
opportunity to learn.<br />
Beautiful braided garlic<br />
Paradise pears<br />
from Emily, Charlotte and Anne, the family’s<br />
silver-laced Wyandottes that provide a<br />
constant supply of eggs. “The chooks are<br />
pets and are very tame. They get to spend<br />
a few hours each day runn<strong>in</strong>g free <strong>in</strong> the<br />
garden, hav<strong>in</strong>g dust baths and scratch<strong>in</strong>g<br />
around. We feed them fresh vegies as well as<br />
gra<strong>in</strong>. Their favourite food is watermelon.”<br />
Whenever Kay and Mark head to Sydney<br />
to visit their two daughters they come with a<br />
car loaded with fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs<br />
and homemade preserves, so their girls never<br />
forget the taste of homegrown goodness.<br />
Some of Kay’s prized preserves <strong>in</strong>clude<br />
bread-and-butter cucumbers, pickled walnuts,<br />
Home-preserved lemons<br />
Kay’s rose petal jam<br />
Native blackberries<br />
“Our garden is a labour<br />
of love, we enjoy the time<br />
spent <strong>in</strong> it and are not<br />
try<strong>in</strong>g to cut corners.<br />
We want to produce<br />
the healthiest fruit and<br />
vegetables we can, for<br />
ourselves and also the<br />
rest of the family.”<br />
green tomato pickles, Rajasthani cumquat<br />
pickle and preserved lemons.<br />
In the Nundle calendar, March is<br />
blackberry season and every year Kay and<br />
Mark spend their weekends pick<strong>in</strong>g buckets<br />
of berries, which are later simmered <strong>in</strong>to<br />
jam and neatly tucked <strong>in</strong>to pies. If there’s a<br />
period of heavy ra<strong>in</strong>, Mark will wake up early<br />
and forage for mushrooms <strong>in</strong> the forest,<br />
which Kay will turn <strong>in</strong>to a delicious breakfast<br />
to be enjoyed on the deck.<br />
“If the truffles work out … well, that’s great,”<br />
says Kay. “And if they don’t, we’ve still created<br />
the most beautiful view.”<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 35
GARDENING FOLK | David & Vivienne Warland<br />
Vegetarians David and Vivienne and<br />
grandson Toby live on their produce<br />
on<br />
golden<br />
pla<strong>in</strong>s<br />
A century after Victoria’s gold rush, this land is still produc<strong>in</strong>g<br />
riches of a more susta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g — and susta<strong>in</strong>able — k<strong>in</strong>d<br />
Words & photos Jana Holmer<br />
Staffordshire Reef, like much of the<br />
Golden Pla<strong>in</strong>s around Ballarat, was a<br />
goldfield for half a century after m<strong>in</strong>ers<br />
discovered the precious metal there<br />
<strong>in</strong> 1858. In the follow<strong>in</strong>g years the population<br />
swelled to 293 but by 1933 had decl<strong>in</strong>ed to a<br />
tenth of that number.<br />
David and Vivienne Warland have struck<br />
it rich <strong>in</strong> a different way <strong>in</strong> Staffordshire Reef.<br />
With their grandson Toby, they live on 200<br />
acres (81 ha) of which a quarter of an acre<br />
comprises fruit trees and a vegetable garden,<br />
all organically grown.<br />
Both David and Vivienne are former<br />
age-care nurses, though David learned<br />
landscap<strong>in</strong>g and tree plant<strong>in</strong>g while work<strong>in</strong>g<br />
as a gardener at a school. In 1995 he started<br />
a horticultural course at Ballarat’s Botanical<br />
Gardens, on Lake Wendouree.<br />
While David was a city boy — though he<br />
remembers his father grow<strong>in</strong>g plums, pears<br />
and apples — Vivienne has spent most of her<br />
life <strong>in</strong> the country. Her mother had milk<strong>in</strong>g<br />
cows and chooks as “the shops were 20 miles<br />
away”. Her dad and uncle went fish<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
hunted rabbits.<br />
“With the vegetables they grew they were<br />
pretty self-sufficient,” she recalls. “They had<br />
to be. There was a baker that would come<br />
around <strong>in</strong> a van and a butcher on horse and<br />
cart that would deliver meat. Earlier than that,<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g the Depression, when my grandmother<br />
was much younger, they had only what they<br />
could catch and grow.<br />
“My mother said I’d pull an onion out<br />
of the ground when I was a baby crawl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
around. This was my very first experience<br />
<strong>in</strong> garden<strong>in</strong>g.”<br />
Vivienne remembers as a teenager<br />
watch<strong>in</strong>g her father Les grow vegetables<br />
— carrots, onions, lettuce, tomatoes and<br />
strawberries — as well as apple and pear<br />
trees. Family, friends and visitors would all<br />
pitch <strong>in</strong> to pod his green peas.<br />
The land<br />
As vegetarians who eat all their own produce,<br />
it comes as no surprise that David and<br />
Vivienne are committed organic gardeners.<br />
David is no fan of chemicals — he even<br />
worries about the fallout from aeroplane<br />
chemtrails leach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to the soil — so the<br />
couple use their own compost, rock dust,<br />
sheep manure and seaweed on the garden.<br />
“We buy seaweed <strong>in</strong> a bottle and apply it<br />
to all the vegetables and fruit trees every two<br />
weeks <strong>in</strong> the grow<strong>in</strong>g period,” he adds.<br />
As for pest control, “Vivienne goes<br />
around at night and stomps on all the snails,<br />
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David & Vivienne Warland | GARDENING FOLK<br />
especially after it has ra<strong>in</strong>ed. The dead snails<br />
are left beh<strong>in</strong>d for ants to eat.” David erected<br />
a fence around the grapev<strong>in</strong>e “but the<br />
currawongs came <strong>in</strong>stead”.<br />
They put all food scraps, lawn cutt<strong>in</strong>gs,<br />
sheep manure and straw <strong>in</strong> the compost b<strong>in</strong>.<br />
“It’s reasonably big, at least a metre and a<br />
half square. We water it and we don’t let it<br />
get too dry.<br />
“There are plenty of worms <strong>in</strong> the<br />
compost b<strong>in</strong> and <strong>in</strong> the vegetable garden<br />
there are heaps.”<br />
Other susta<strong>in</strong>able measures <strong>in</strong>clude us<strong>in</strong>g<br />
fallen trees for the wood fire. “We also have<br />
a fairly large dam for water<strong>in</strong>g the fruit trees<br />
and vegetables. Tank water is used for the<br />
house to dr<strong>in</strong>k, wash dishes, shower and flush<br />
the toilet. We’re not on town water.”<br />
There are plenty of wild visitors here on<br />
the edge of the Enfield State Forest, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
foxes, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and<br />
possums. There used to be koalas but<br />
bushfires killed most of them two decades<br />
ago. “We haven’t seen any s<strong>in</strong>ce. We do have<br />
native bees — there must be beehives close<br />
by as they come around <strong>in</strong> summer.”<br />
Lush grapev<strong>in</strong>es<br />
Flower<strong>in</strong>g Russian garlic<br />
The harvest<br />
The soil is ma<strong>in</strong>ly clay with 15cm of topsoil.<br />
“Where we are, many years before our time,<br />
people use to have horse stables and barns,”<br />
says David. “A lot of people would swap their<br />
horses to travel long trips to Ballarat.”<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>gly, the couple grow their vegies<br />
<strong>in</strong> raised beds with sugar-cane mulch. Fruit<br />
trees are planted straight <strong>in</strong>to the ground<br />
and David uses a post hole digger to reach<br />
the fruit tree roots: “It gets so dry <strong>in</strong> summer, I<br />
need to get water <strong>in</strong>to the roots.<br />
“We mostly grow vegetables from heritage<br />
seeds; they usually grow better. We don’t<br />
want any GM seeds and we prefer not to have<br />
hybrids. We like to sow our own seeds.”<br />
“Vivienne goes around<br />
at night and stomps on<br />
all the snails, especially<br />
after it has ra<strong>in</strong>ed.”<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 37
GARDENING FOLK | David & Vivienne Warland<br />
The price of success is<br />
hard work, says David<br />
Blueberries are shared<br />
with friends and family<br />
Among their fruit trees:<br />
crisp P<strong>in</strong>k Lady apples<br />
The couple use a lot of their produce<br />
for juic<strong>in</strong>g and mak<strong>in</strong>g smoothies<br />
38 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
David & Vivienne Warland | GARDENING FOLK<br />
Water is not a problem on<br />
the 200-acre property<br />
“We mostly grow vegetables from<br />
heritage seeds; they usually grow<br />
better. We don’t want any GM seeds<br />
and we prefer not to have hybrids.”<br />
Among their vegetables are garlic, potato,<br />
pumpk<strong>in</strong>, carrot, green beans, artichokes,<br />
beetroot, tomato, capsicum and kale. They<br />
also grow herbs such as rosemary, comfrey,<br />
thyme, lemon balm, oregano and borage.<br />
The fruit crops are extensive, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
four varieties of apples — P<strong>in</strong>k Lady, Fuji,<br />
Bramley and Cox’s Orange Pipp<strong>in</strong> — as<br />
well as cherries, different varieties of plums,<br />
pears, feijoa and figs. They also grow grapes,<br />
boysenberries, raspberries and mulberries.<br />
Strawberries and blueberries do<br />
particularly well, says David: “Our soils are<br />
acidic; we apply lime and they thrive.” And<br />
their figs have had a good year, thanks to<br />
extended warm weather and the absence<br />
of frost.<br />
“Our garden always looks healthy,” says<br />
David with pride. “We keep the weeds down,<br />
keep up with the water<strong>in</strong>g and keep a<br />
watchful eye on everyth<strong>in</strong>g we grow.”<br />
And what do they do with all this wonderful<br />
produce? “We cook casseroles us<strong>in</strong>g legumes,<br />
beans, nuts, fruit, tofu and organic soy milk.<br />
We use Bramley apples for cook<strong>in</strong>g and make<br />
a special dish us<strong>in</strong>g strawberries that’s like<br />
apple crumble.<br />
“Vivienne dehydrates Bramley apples and<br />
tomatoes. I freeze tomatoes whole. When you<br />
want to use them you toss them frozen <strong>in</strong> the<br />
cook<strong>in</strong>g and you don’t worry about the sk<strong>in</strong>s<br />
— you need the sk<strong>in</strong>s.<br />
“We use our green vegetables to make<br />
smoothies: kale, lettuce and sp<strong>in</strong>ach mixed<br />
with fruit juice and banana, blended. Usually<br />
we dr<strong>in</strong>k it with any meal.”<br />
The excess bounty is given away to friends<br />
and family. David adds, “Our family come<br />
around Christmas time to pick the blueberries<br />
— cartons of them.”<br />
It sounds like an echo of an earlier generation<br />
when visitors helped to pod Les’s green peas.<br />
David and Vivienne’s<br />
top tips<br />
Keep mulch<strong>in</strong>g the garden.<br />
Keep the water up.<br />
Let strawberry runners grow until the<br />
bed is full; they keep the weeds down.<br />
Keep an eye on the pests and<br />
net if possible.<br />
On a large property, get some dogs to<br />
keep the foxes away.<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 39
TIME TO PLANT | Pumpk<strong>in</strong><br />
- <strong>in</strong> the -<br />
vegie patch<br />
Pumpk<strong>in</strong><br />
Cucurbita maxima<br />
This versatile vegie can be used<br />
<strong>in</strong> soups, salads, mash, roast<br />
d<strong>in</strong>ners and even desserts<br />
Tip<br />
If the soil is wet <strong>in</strong> autumn when<br />
pumpk<strong>in</strong>s are still on the v<strong>in</strong>e, slip<br />
a flat stone or tile under the fruit to<br />
keep it from touch<strong>in</strong>g the wet ground<br />
and perhaps rott<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Words Jennifer Stackhouse<br />
If you want to enjoy steam<strong>in</strong>g bowls of<br />
homegrown, homemade pumpk<strong>in</strong> soup<br />
to warm you through autumn and w<strong>in</strong>ter,<br />
spr<strong>in</strong>g is the time to get plant<strong>in</strong>g. Pumpk<strong>in</strong><br />
v<strong>in</strong>es grow readily from seed but the large<br />
spread<strong>in</strong>g plants that develop take months<br />
to produce a pumpk<strong>in</strong> that’s ready to harvest<br />
and turn <strong>in</strong>to soup.<br />
Gett<strong>in</strong>g started<br />
Pumpk<strong>in</strong>s are grown from seed planted <strong>in</strong><br />
late spr<strong>in</strong>g to early summer as temperatures<br />
warm. They can be grown year round <strong>in</strong><br />
tropical and subtropical zones that are frost<br />
free. Seeds are direct-sown <strong>in</strong>to the vegetable<br />
garden or started <strong>in</strong> punnets if the soil is still<br />
cold or there is any likelihood of frost.<br />
As v<strong>in</strong>es grow several metres across, they<br />
need to be planted where there’s lots of room.<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g them aga<strong>in</strong>st a fence, shed or other<br />
support can reduce the horizontal space they<br />
need as they can be encouraged to climb.<br />
‘Butternut’ is a good choice for a pumpk<strong>in</strong> that’s<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g to climb as the 1–2kg fruit can be held on<br />
a climb<strong>in</strong>g stem without risk of damage.<br />
In the vegie garden, plant seeds or seedl<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
with an eye to their mature size, spac<strong>in</strong>g them<br />
at least 100cm apart and plac<strong>in</strong>g each seed<br />
2cm deep. Use the space between the young<br />
plants for a quick crop of lettuce or rocket<br />
and spread mulch over the bare soil to reduce<br />
weeds. Corn is also a traditional companion for<br />
pumpk<strong>in</strong> as the v<strong>in</strong>e spreads happily among<br />
the grow<strong>in</strong>g stems of corn.<br />
Pumpk<strong>in</strong>s can also be sown <strong>in</strong> a mound of<br />
soil enriched with compost and well-rotted<br />
manure with several plants per mound.<br />
Pumpk<strong>in</strong>s may also self-seed <strong>in</strong> the compost<br />
heap. If there’s space available, leave these<br />
opportunists to grow as the rich conditions of<br />
the heap will produce vigorous plants.<br />
All that leafy growth and plentiful fruit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
means these are plants that like a rich grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
bed that conta<strong>in</strong>s plenty of organic matter<br />
such as compost and aged manure. Scatter<br />
extra organic fertiliser around the plants as<br />
they grow. Regular water<strong>in</strong>g is vital, with water<br />
applied at least daily as temperatures rise or<br />
when there are hot w<strong>in</strong>ds blow<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Varieties<br />
There are many different varieties of<br />
pumpk<strong>in</strong>s, from the smaller ‘Butternut’<br />
varieties through to the large, hard-sk<strong>in</strong>ned<br />
‘Queensland Blue’, which keeps well. ‘Sweet<br />
Grey’ is a medium-sized pumpk<strong>in</strong> that also<br />
stores well but is smaller and easier to cut<br />
than ‘Queensland Blue’.<br />
The many handsome heirloom varieties<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude ‘Turks Turban’, a boldly coloured<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
40 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Grow some different varieties<br />
and oddly shaped pumpk<strong>in</strong> that is more<br />
ornamental than edible.<br />
The comb<strong>in</strong>ation of a large sprawl<strong>in</strong>g size<br />
and a complement of large leaves on spiky<br />
stems makes pumpk<strong>in</strong>s less than ideal for<br />
conta<strong>in</strong>er grow<strong>in</strong>g, but there are small, bushy<br />
varieties such as ‘Golden Nugget’ that can be<br />
grown successfully <strong>in</strong> a conta<strong>in</strong>er or raised<br />
garden bed. They produce small, squash-like<br />
orange pumpk<strong>in</strong>s.<br />
Troubleshoot<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Apart from a susceptibility to mildew, which<br />
is a family fail<strong>in</strong>g for members of the cucurbit<br />
family, pumpk<strong>in</strong>s are disease free. Mildew may<br />
occur late <strong>in</strong> the grow<strong>in</strong>g season when plants<br />
are ready to be removed.<br />
Pumpk<strong>in</strong> beetle may also feed on the<br />
foliage of pumpk<strong>in</strong>s, often skeletonis<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
leaves but rarely damag<strong>in</strong>g the flowers or<br />
fruit. The easiest way to control this pesky<br />
beetle is by squash<strong>in</strong>g the adults and young.<br />
The 28-spotted ladybird, which is a<br />
leaf-eat<strong>in</strong>g ladybird and one of the few that<br />
damage plants, may also attack pumpk<strong>in</strong><br />
leaves <strong>in</strong> summer and early autumn. To reduce<br />
pest numbers, squash the ladybirds and their<br />
eggs, which are found under the foliage.<br />
The fruits may be attacked by rodents,<br />
especially mice, which gnaw on the sk<strong>in</strong> and<br />
can damage the fruit so it can’t be stored.<br />
To keep mice away from pumpk<strong>in</strong>s, make a<br />
protective cage or enclosure around fruits.<br />
Birds and bees<br />
Pumpk<strong>in</strong> flowers are either male or female<br />
and both are needed for fruit<strong>in</strong>g. Although<br />
both flowers are golden yellow, they are easy<br />
to tell apart as the male flower has pollencoated<br />
stamens and is held on a narrow stem<br />
while the female has a s<strong>in</strong>gle sticky pistil<br />
<strong>in</strong>side the flower, which has a swollen base<br />
under the bloom that becomes the fruit.<br />
The male flowers produce pollen that<br />
fertilises the female blooms, which can then<br />
form the pumpk<strong>in</strong> we eat. Bees and other<br />
poll<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>sects carry pollen from one<br />
flower to another. Fresh flowers open each<br />
day and usually nature gets it right, so there<br />
are enough male flowers around as well as<br />
bees to poll<strong>in</strong>ate that day’s crop of female<br />
flowers. However, as the flowers are generally<br />
only open for a day, tim<strong>in</strong>g is critical.<br />
Sometimes nature doesn’t get it right.<br />
There may be a lack of boy flowers when<br />
all the girls are flower<strong>in</strong>g or vice versa, or<br />
the bees may be tardy. Often male flowers<br />
are prevalent early <strong>in</strong> the season or when<br />
the weather is cool, with the female flowers<br />
bloom<strong>in</strong>g later as summer temperatures<br />
Pumpk<strong>in</strong> | TIME TO PLANT<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g them<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st a fence, shed<br />
or other support<br />
can reduce the<br />
horizontal space they<br />
need as they can be<br />
encouraged to climb.<br />
warm up. Tip prun<strong>in</strong>g a vigorously grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
pumpk<strong>in</strong> v<strong>in</strong>e can encourage more side<br />
growth, which can lead to the production of<br />
more female flowers. Usually, just wait<strong>in</strong>g for<br />
warmer weather br<strong>in</strong>gs a balance of male and<br />
female blooms and lots of fruit.<br />
When the bees aren’t do<strong>in</strong>g their job, help<br />
your crop along by hand poll<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g. This<br />
<strong>in</strong>volves transferr<strong>in</strong>g pollen from a male flower<br />
to a female one us<strong>in</strong>g a small, dry pa<strong>in</strong>tbrush<br />
or cotton bud. If male flowers are scarce,<br />
collect pollen from those that are open to<br />
use the next day to fertilise a bevy of female<br />
flowers that get their tim<strong>in</strong>g wrong. Save<br />
pollen <strong>in</strong> an airtight conta<strong>in</strong>er.<br />
Harvest<strong>in</strong>g &<br />
stor<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Pumpk<strong>in</strong>s are ready to harvest <strong>in</strong> autumn<br />
when the fruit is large and heavy. Expect the<br />
fruit to take around 14–16 weeks to reach<br />
maturity, depend<strong>in</strong>g on the variety and<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g conditions. The colour may change<br />
as the pumpk<strong>in</strong> ripens and it should sound<br />
drummy when rapped with your knuckles.<br />
To harvest, cut the pumpk<strong>in</strong> from the<br />
v<strong>in</strong>e, leav<strong>in</strong>g a portion of stem attached.<br />
Allow the sk<strong>in</strong> to “cure” or harden <strong>in</strong> the<br />
sun for a week or so but don’t expose it to<br />
frosty conditions. Undamaged pumpk<strong>in</strong>s<br />
can be stored <strong>in</strong> a cool, airy spot for several<br />
months. Check stored fruit regularly,<br />
monitor<strong>in</strong>g for rots or damage (for example,<br />
that caused by rodents).<br />
Pumpk<strong>in</strong> label<br />
Common name: Pumpk<strong>in</strong>, w<strong>in</strong>ter squash<br />
Botanical name: Cucurbita maxima<br />
Family: Cucurbitaceae<br />
Aspect and soil: Sun; deep, moist,<br />
fertile soil<br />
Best climate: All, but grow <strong>in</strong> the<br />
warmest part of the year<br />
Habit: Annual v<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Propagation: Seed, seedl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Difficulty: Easy<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 41
TIME TO PLANT | Spr<strong>in</strong>g onion<br />
- <strong>in</strong> the -<br />
vegie patch<br />
Spr<strong>in</strong>g onion<br />
Allium cepa var. Aggregatum<br />
Shallots, scallions, green onions —<br />
whatever you call them, spr<strong>in</strong>g onions<br />
are hard to p<strong>in</strong> down but easy to grow<br />
Words Jennifer Stackhouse<br />
Confusion reigns when it comes<br />
to nam<strong>in</strong>g onion relatives and<br />
the same names can mean very<br />
different vegetables. Names vary<br />
from country to country, but there’s also a<br />
difference between what’s written on a seed<br />
packet or seedl<strong>in</strong>g label and what they’re<br />
called at the greengrocer or supermarket.<br />
The humble spr<strong>in</strong>g onion is known as a<br />
shallot (and sold as this <strong>in</strong> supermarkets),<br />
but that name is also used for small onions<br />
or eschallots. Other names for spr<strong>in</strong>g onions<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude scallions (<strong>in</strong> the US), bunch<strong>in</strong>g onions<br />
and green onions.<br />
Spr<strong>in</strong>g onions have narrow, pencil-thick<br />
stems with green leafy tops, white bases and<br />
a fr<strong>in</strong>ge of small roots. They don’t have the<br />
swollen stem base of the onion or eschallot<br />
and are a type of immature onion.<br />
Although any onion can be harvested early<br />
as a spr<strong>in</strong>g onion, there are varieties that have<br />
been developed specifically for harvest when<br />
still young. These may be called spr<strong>in</strong>g onion<br />
or shallot bunch<strong>in</strong>g onion on the seed packet.<br />
‘Straight Leaf’ is a popular named variety<br />
of spr<strong>in</strong>g onion to grow as it stands straight<br />
and keeps its stem and leaves clear of the soil,<br />
reduc<strong>in</strong>g the chance of dirt <strong>in</strong>filtrat<strong>in</strong>g the stalks.<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Spr<strong>in</strong>g onions are easy to grow — much<br />
easier than other onions — and suit a wide<br />
range of climates and garden conditions,<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g conta<strong>in</strong>ers. They are grown year<br />
round <strong>in</strong> tropical and subtropical zones but<br />
planted from spr<strong>in</strong>g to autumn <strong>in</strong> other areas.<br />
Grow spr<strong>in</strong>g onions from seed or plant<br />
seedl<strong>in</strong>gs. To keep a supply on hand, stagger<br />
sow<strong>in</strong>gs, mak<strong>in</strong>g plant<strong>in</strong>gs around every four<br />
to six weeks.<br />
Spr<strong>in</strong>g onions are grown <strong>in</strong> rows 20–30cm<br />
apart but can be closely planted. Sow seeds<br />
5–6mm deep. Th<strong>in</strong> emerg<strong>in</strong>g seedl<strong>in</strong>gs to<br />
around 7–10cm apart.<br />
If grow<strong>in</strong>g from seedl<strong>in</strong>gs, soak punnets<br />
well and tease the f<strong>in</strong>e seedl<strong>in</strong>gs apart. Make<br />
a shallow furrow <strong>in</strong> the soil around 6mm<br />
The humble spr<strong>in</strong>g<br />
onion is known as a<br />
shallot (and sold as<br />
this <strong>in</strong> supermarkets),<br />
but that name is also<br />
used for small onions<br />
or eschallots.<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
42 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Spr<strong>in</strong>g onion | TIME TO PLANT<br />
It’s ma<strong>in</strong>ly the white part<br />
that’s used <strong>in</strong> cook<strong>in</strong>g<br />
deep, lay the seedl<strong>in</strong>gs along the trough, then<br />
gently backfill with soil to cover their roots.<br />
Water them <strong>in</strong> well.<br />
Keep spr<strong>in</strong>g onions grow<strong>in</strong>g strongly with<br />
organic liquid feed<strong>in</strong>g every seven to 10 days.<br />
Also keep them weed free by regular hoe<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and hand weed<strong>in</strong>g along the row.<br />
Little goes wrong with spr<strong>in</strong>g onions<br />
grown <strong>in</strong> well-dra<strong>in</strong>ed soil, although they may<br />
become <strong>in</strong>fested with aphids. Aphids can be<br />
wiped or hosed off the leaves or treated with<br />
a registered organic <strong>in</strong>secticide.<br />
Harvest<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
stor<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Spr<strong>in</strong>g onions are ready to harvest when they<br />
are pencil- or f<strong>in</strong>ger-thick and around 30cm<br />
high. They take around eight to 12 weeks to<br />
reach maturity, depend<strong>in</strong>g on the variety and<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g conditions.<br />
To harvest, simply pull as needed from the<br />
soil. Wash well and use immediately or store for<br />
several weeks wrapped <strong>in</strong> plastic <strong>in</strong> the fridge.<br />
Spr<strong>in</strong>g onions are used fresh ma<strong>in</strong>ly as<br />
a garnish for salads but also added to hot<br />
dishes such as stews or soups. They team<br />
very well with eggs.<br />
As with onions there<br />
are red varieties<br />
Spr<strong>in</strong>g onion<br />
label<br />
Common name: Spr<strong>in</strong>g onion, shallot<br />
Botanical name: Allium cepa var.<br />
Aggregatum<br />
Family: Alliaceae<br />
Aspect and soil: Sun; deep,<br />
well-dra<strong>in</strong>ed soil<br />
Best climate: All<br />
Habit: Annual vegetable<br />
Propagation: Seed, seedl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Difficulty: Easy<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 43
TIME TO PLANT | choko<br />
- OVER A -<br />
fence<br />
Choko<br />
Sechium edule<br />
There was a time when nearly every Aussie<br />
backyard had a choko v<strong>in</strong>e. Let’s reconsider<br />
this humble veg — which is really a fruit<br />
Did you know?<br />
In the West Indies, the choko<br />
is known as christoph<strong>in</strong>e after<br />
Christopher Columbus, who’s said<br />
to have <strong>in</strong>troduced the fruit from<br />
Central America.<br />
Words Jennifer Stackhouse<br />
The choko v<strong>in</strong>e is often to be seen <strong>in</strong><br />
old gardens where it can be found<br />
scrambl<strong>in</strong>g over the shed, outside<br />
dunny or back fence. This is a plant<br />
that is usually given little thought or attention<br />
until fruit appears.<br />
Want an easy harvest? Plant a choko. While<br />
other gardeners tend more troublesome<br />
crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and<br />
zucch<strong>in</strong>i, the choko v<strong>in</strong>e just grows and grows<br />
and, when other crops are fad<strong>in</strong>g, produces<br />
bountifully right through autumn.<br />
Love it or hate it<br />
Despite its generous growth and abundant<br />
fruit, the choko is a much-maligned vegetable.<br />
Many people dislike the flavour and texture of<br />
chokos, while for others they br<strong>in</strong>g back bad<br />
memories. This is because for some members<br />
of an older generation they stand for a time of<br />
deprivation. Like the rabbit, the choko served<br />
as a handy food dur<strong>in</strong>g tough times such as<br />
the Depression of the 1930s.<br />
Even without childhood memories of the<br />
Depression, chokos can be a confront<strong>in</strong>g<br />
vegetable. Left on the v<strong>in</strong>e to mature, they<br />
grow large and hard and are difficult to prepare.<br />
Older chokos can also become fibrous.<br />
Harvested young (at around 10cm long),<br />
the choko is a delicious vegetable with many<br />
uses <strong>in</strong> the kitchen as well as be<strong>in</strong>g a healthy<br />
source of vitam<strong>in</strong> C and fibre. Add slices to<br />
soups, stews or curries. Alternatively, it can be<br />
stuffed and baked, or chopped and used as a<br />
base for chutney.<br />
Room to spread<br />
Chokos are large, spread<strong>in</strong>g v<strong>in</strong>es. They need<br />
some support to clamber on, such as a fence,<br />
trellis or pergola. Left to their own devices,<br />
they’ll <strong>in</strong>vade trees or smother outbuild<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
Plants can reach 3m or more across and high.<br />
The spread<strong>in</strong>g v<strong>in</strong>e produces masses of<br />
large light-green fruit about the size of an<br />
avocado or large pear. Mature fruit has large<br />
crevices <strong>in</strong> the sk<strong>in</strong> and can be slightly prickly.<br />
Although used as a vegetable, the choko is<br />
technically a fruit, with an outer sk<strong>in</strong> and flesh<br />
around a large seed.<br />
Once established, the v<strong>in</strong>e regrows each<br />
spr<strong>in</strong>g, sprout<strong>in</strong>g from a tuber <strong>in</strong> the ground.<br />
The v<strong>in</strong>e grows through the summer. It does<br />
best <strong>in</strong> a sunny spot with fertile soil but grows<br />
and fruits just about anywhere.<br />
Gett<strong>in</strong>g started<br />
It’s rare to f<strong>in</strong>d a choko plant for sale <strong>in</strong> a garden<br />
centre, but fruit is available at greengrocers or<br />
farmers’ markets from late summer to w<strong>in</strong>ter.<br />
You may even be lucky enough to f<strong>in</strong>d a<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
44 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
choko | TIME TO PLANT<br />
neighbour giv<strong>in</strong>g away fruit <strong>in</strong> autumn.<br />
Save a mature fruit to plant as your own<br />
v<strong>in</strong>e. Plant by plac<strong>in</strong>g the fruit <strong>in</strong>to the ground,<br />
leav<strong>in</strong>g the po<strong>in</strong>ted tip exposed, as this is<br />
where the new shoot appears. The roots<br />
emerge from the base. If you keep one long<br />
enough <strong>in</strong> the fruit bowl it will start to shoot.<br />
Alternatively, start it off <strong>in</strong> a large pot<br />
(20–25cm across) <strong>in</strong> autumn and protect the<br />
emerg<strong>in</strong>g shoot from frost. Chokos can also<br />
be grown from tip cutt<strong>in</strong>gs taken <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g<br />
from established v<strong>in</strong>es.<br />
The v<strong>in</strong>es take four to five months to beg<strong>in</strong><br />
to produce fruit. As with other cucurbits<br />
such as pumpk<strong>in</strong>s and zucch<strong>in</strong>i, chokos have<br />
separate male and female flowers on the same<br />
v<strong>in</strong>e and the female flowers produce fruit.<br />
Troubleshoot<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Little can go wrong with a choko. Most v<strong>in</strong>es<br />
fruit prolifically, particularly when grow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
good soil with full sun and plenty of water. If fruit<br />
is scarce, it may be be<strong>in</strong>g eaten by nocturnal<br />
visitors such as possums and rats. V<strong>in</strong>es are<br />
killed off by frost, so <strong>in</strong> cold regions select a<br />
frost-free position to extend the harvest.<br />
Harvest<strong>in</strong>g &<br />
stor<strong>in</strong>g<br />
The larger the choko, the harder it is to<br />
prepare, so harvest chokos while they are<br />
young and smooth and around 7–10cm long.<br />
Chokos produce a sticky sap when peeled.<br />
This sap can be a sk<strong>in</strong> irritant, so handle them<br />
carefully or wear gloves.<br />
Like the rabbit, the choko served as<br />
a handy food dur<strong>in</strong>g tough times<br />
such as the Depression of the 1930s.<br />
Let it shoot before plant<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Chook food<br />
Don’t waste unwanted chokos. If they<br />
can’t be given away, boil them up as food<br />
for chooks. Boiled until soft, they make<br />
a welcome warm mash for backyard<br />
poultry <strong>in</strong> autumn and early w<strong>in</strong>ter.<br />
Choko label<br />
Common names: Choko, chayote<br />
Botanical name: Sechium edule<br />
Family: Cucurbitaceae<br />
Aspect and soil: Sun; deep,<br />
well-dra<strong>in</strong>ed soil<br />
Best climate: Temperate to tropical<br />
Habit: Spread<strong>in</strong>g v<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Propagation: Seed<br />
Difficulty: Easy<br />
Traditionally they’ve been grown<br />
over fences, sheds or chookhouses<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 45
TIME TO PLANT | Horseradish<br />
- <strong>in</strong> the -<br />
vegie patch<br />
Horseradish<br />
Armoracia rusticana<br />
A hardy perennial and a must with<br />
roast beef, peppery horseradish is<br />
the perfect cold-climate crop<br />
I<br />
Words Jennifer Stackhouse<br />
must be slow on the uptake; it took me a<br />
long time to realise why horses were so<br />
often named Radish. Despite its name,<br />
horseradish — that tangy condiment<br />
served with roast beef — has noth<strong>in</strong>g to do<br />
with horses, though it is related to radish.<br />
Horseradish is part of the vast Brassicaceae<br />
or mustard family that <strong>in</strong>cludes cabbages,<br />
kale and broccoli. This particular brassica is<br />
grown for its long taper<strong>in</strong>g root, which has a<br />
delicious fiery flavour that goes well with meat<br />
(particularly beef) as well as fish.<br />
In the case of horseradish, the word “horse”<br />
<strong>in</strong> its name means strong, so horseradish is<br />
a strongly flavoured radish. Native to Europe,<br />
it’s now also naturalised throughout the UK<br />
and also <strong>in</strong> parts of North America.<br />
It isn’t widely cultivated <strong>in</strong> Australian<br />
gardens but does grow <strong>in</strong> cooler zones.<br />
It’s one of those plants to <strong>in</strong>troduce to the<br />
garden with care as it spreads and persists.<br />
Its dimensions are usually given as reach<strong>in</strong>g<br />
around 60–90cm high, but its spread can be<br />
described as “<strong>in</strong>f<strong>in</strong>ite”.<br />
Horseradish grows with a long, taper<strong>in</strong>g<br />
root that’s usually about 5cm thick but can<br />
be up to 60cm long. Any part of the root<br />
left <strong>in</strong> the ground forms a new plant that will<br />
shoot <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Although horseradish is usually grown for<br />
its root, the leaves are edible and are at their<br />
best if picked young. They can be used fresh<br />
As horseradish roots<br />
grow deep <strong>in</strong>to the<br />
soil, they often access<br />
nutrients not tapped by<br />
other plants. Fresh roots<br />
can be rich <strong>in</strong> calcium,<br />
sodium, magnesium<br />
and vitam<strong>in</strong> C.<br />
Horseradish label<br />
Common name: Horseradish<br />
Botanical name: Armoracia rusticana<br />
Family: Brassicaceae<br />
Aspect and soil: Sun; deep,<br />
well-dra<strong>in</strong>ed soil<br />
Best climate: Cold to cool temperate<br />
Habit: Perennial vegetable<br />
Propagation: Root cutt<strong>in</strong>gs, division<br />
Difficulty: Easy<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
46 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Horseradish | TIME TO PLANT<br />
The root is grated and<br />
used as a condiment<br />
or dried. They have a slightly peppery taste<br />
that gives a leafy green salad a kick.<br />
As horseradish roots grow deep <strong>in</strong>to the<br />
soil, they often access nutrients not tapped<br />
by other plants. Fresh roots can be rich<br />
<strong>in</strong> vitam<strong>in</strong> C, calcium, sodium and magnesium.<br />
The hot flavour comes from volatile oils<br />
known as isothiocyanates, released by<br />
grat<strong>in</strong>g or cutt<strong>in</strong>g the root. The more f<strong>in</strong>ely<br />
the roots are grated, the stronger the flavour.<br />
To reta<strong>in</strong> the flavour, keep grated or chopped<br />
horseradish cool and away from the air.<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
conditions<br />
Horseradish is usually planted <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to<br />
enriched soil. As it’s a vigorous and somewhat<br />
<strong>in</strong>vasive plant, it’s best planted <strong>in</strong> its own<br />
space where it can grow and spread without<br />
gett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to other parts of the garden.<br />
It grows best <strong>in</strong> a sunny to slightly shaded<br />
spot with deep soil and regular moisture (it<br />
doesn’t like dry soil).<br />
Feed established plants through spr<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and summer with an organic liquid plant food.<br />
Add a mulch of aged manure around the<br />
emerg<strong>in</strong>g plants <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Cabbage white butterfly caterpillars can<br />
decimate horseradish leaves. Regularly<br />
check plants for caterpillars and remove and<br />
squash any that are found. Small snails also<br />
feed on the leaves.<br />
Creamed, it goes<br />
well with beef<br />
Harvest<strong>in</strong>g, stor<strong>in</strong>g<br />
& us<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Roots from an established clump are harvested<br />
whenever they’re needed. Alternatively, harvest<br />
some roots each autumn as the plant dies down<br />
for w<strong>in</strong>ter. Roots harvested <strong>in</strong> autumn tend to<br />
have a stronger flavour. The largest roots come<br />
from plants that are two to three years old.<br />
The roots can be stored like a root vegetable<br />
<strong>in</strong> a cool, dark spot or prepared as a sauce by<br />
grat<strong>in</strong>g or chopp<strong>in</strong>g. Horseradish root can also<br />
The other<br />
horseradish<br />
Wasabi (Eutrema japonicum) is a<br />
close relative of horseradish from<br />
Japan. Both are <strong>in</strong> the cabbage family<br />
and grown for their fiery and pungent<br />
flavour. It’s the stem of wasabi rather<br />
than the root that’s harvested,<br />
however, and either freshly grated<br />
or dried for use as a powder or<br />
paste. True wasabi is pale green <strong>in</strong><br />
colour and, like horseradish, conta<strong>in</strong>s<br />
isothiocyanates that give it its strong<br />
flavour. The plant has large leaves<br />
and grows <strong>in</strong> wet conditions, often<br />
with stems submerged. It’s widely<br />
grown <strong>in</strong> Japan but there are niche<br />
producers <strong>in</strong> Australia.<br />
be dried and stored. It isn’t cooked as it loses its<br />
flavour when heated. Preserve the hot flavour of<br />
horseradish by keep<strong>in</strong>g it either refrigerated or<br />
<strong>in</strong> the freezer.<br />
Grated <strong>in</strong>to cream as horseradish sauce is<br />
the traditional way to use the root but it can<br />
be added to other foods, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g chopped<br />
cabbage (coleslaw) or beetroot, or served with<br />
avocado. It can also be added to other sauces<br />
like mayonnaise or used to spice up a creamy<br />
dip or a simple cottage cheese.<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 47
TIME TO PLANT | Grapefruit<br />
- <strong>in</strong> the -<br />
orchard<br />
Grapefruit<br />
Citrus × paradisi<br />
A hybrid of orange and pomelo from Asia, this delicious<br />
fruit is, aptly enough, a tangy combo of sweet and sour<br />
Words Melissa K<strong>in</strong>g<br />
If sour lemon sucks your cheeks <strong>in</strong> and<br />
orange is candy sweet, grapefruit sits<br />
somewhere <strong>in</strong> between, a delicious<br />
comb<strong>in</strong>ation of citrus tang with a bitter twist.<br />
Grapefruit halves dusted with sugar are a<br />
breakfast favourite but this versatile citrus<br />
can be used to add a refresh<strong>in</strong>g z<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
everyth<strong>in</strong>g from seafood dishes and salads<br />
to sorbets and fruity cocktails.<br />
‘Marsh’s Seedless’ is a timeless yellow<br />
variety with medium to large fruit and a<br />
sweet, zesty flavour. It’s a vigorous tree that<br />
produces a big crop of juicy grapefruits from<br />
mid-autumn to w<strong>in</strong>ter.<br />
‘Wheeny’ (a pomelo hybrid) is another<br />
traditional variety, with big yellow fruit with a<br />
th<strong>in</strong>–medium r<strong>in</strong>d. It’s a strong, vigorous tree,<br />
so give it space to grow and you’ll be rewarded<br />
with a bountiful crop from late summer.<br />
I’m a fan of the red or p<strong>in</strong>k grapefruits,<br />
which tend to be sweeter than other varieties<br />
and add a rosy blush of colour to the plate.<br />
Keep an eye out for stunners like ‘Rio Red’<br />
with wonderfully coloured flesh, ‘Thompson’s<br />
P<strong>in</strong>k’ with few or no seeds, or the beautiful<br />
deep-red ‘Star Ruby’.<br />
Grapefruits are self-fertile, so just one<br />
tree will produce a good crop. They are one<br />
of the larger-grow<strong>in</strong>g citrus trees, often<br />
reach<strong>in</strong>g heights of 4–6m, but can be kept<br />
to a manageable size with prun<strong>in</strong>g and make<br />
lovely evergreen fruit<strong>in</strong>g screens or hedges.<br />
If you’re short on space, look out for<br />
varieties that have been grafted onto dwarf<br />
rootstock or try your skills at espalier<strong>in</strong>g one<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st a fence or wall.<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g conditions: Give grapefruit trees<br />
plenty of sunlight to grow and set a good<br />
crop of fruit — at least six hours of sun a day<br />
The p<strong>in</strong>k varieties are sweeter<br />
If short on space, look<br />
for varieties grafted<br />
onto dwarf rootstock.<br />
Grapefruits are self-fertile<br />
so you only need one tree<br />
is ideal. They prefer deep, well-dra<strong>in</strong>ed soil so,<br />
if dra<strong>in</strong>age is poor, dig <strong>in</strong> plenty of compost<br />
and organic matter before plant<strong>in</strong>g and break<br />
up clay or grow them <strong>in</strong> raised beds.<br />
Feed<strong>in</strong>g: Citrus trees love their food, so<br />
give them a boost throughout the grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and fruit<strong>in</strong>g season with regular doses of a<br />
complete organic citrus food.<br />
Plant<strong>in</strong>g tip: For best success, look for<br />
grafted trees of tried and trusted varieties.<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g tip: The ideal time to plant young<br />
citrus trees is now, <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g, after the risk of<br />
frost has passed.<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
48 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Lime | TIME TO PLANT<br />
- <strong>in</strong> the -<br />
orchard<br />
Lime<br />
Citrus spp.<br />
Whether you use its leaves, zest or juice, this<br />
<strong>in</strong>tense fruit adds z<strong>in</strong>g to any dish or dr<strong>in</strong>k<br />
Words Melissa K<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Limes are small, beautiful fruit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
trees with lush evergreen foliage and<br />
scented blossoms. In some areas the<br />
exotic fruit is expensive to buy, so why<br />
wouldn’t you plant one <strong>in</strong> the garden?<br />
It’s the Tahitian lime (Citrus × latifolia)<br />
with its small rounded fruit and zesty lime<br />
flavour that I use most, <strong>in</strong> everyth<strong>in</strong>g from<br />
Brazilian-style cocktails to Thai-<strong>in</strong>spired<br />
seafood dishes. It’s more cold-tolerant than<br />
other limes so is a good one for grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
further south. The lime flavour is most <strong>in</strong>tense<br />
when the fruit is green, but the juice is more<br />
generous as the fruit changes to yellow.<br />
For an <strong>in</strong>tense lime flavour, try the West<br />
Indian or Mexican key lime (C. aurantifolia). It<br />
thrives <strong>in</strong> warm frost-free areas so it’s one for<br />
tropical and subtropical gardeners. The fruit<br />
can be small and seedy but has a delicious<br />
true lime flavour.<br />
If you’re a fan of Asian cook<strong>in</strong>g, it’s worth<br />
plant<strong>in</strong>g a kaffir lime (C. hystrix), too, grown<br />
for its wonderfully scented leaves that flavour<br />
a variety of dishes, from stirfries to salads<br />
and curries. The juice of the small knobbly<br />
fruit isn’t generally used <strong>in</strong> the kitchen but its<br />
zest is full of flavour. The tree only grows to<br />
around 3m tall, mak<strong>in</strong>g it perfect for pots. But<br />
the branches are thorny, so keep well away<br />
from paths and entranceways.<br />
For someth<strong>in</strong>g different, try grow<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
Australian f<strong>in</strong>ger lime (C. australasica). The<br />
tree itself is sp<strong>in</strong>y and not much to look at but<br />
it produces long, slender, f<strong>in</strong>ger-shaped fruit<br />
filled with caviar-like balls that explode sour<br />
lime <strong>in</strong> your mouth. And the fruit comes <strong>in</strong><br />
many colours <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g green, yellow, purple<br />
and red (see page 70 for more).<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g conditions: Limes can be grown <strong>in</strong><br />
cooler areas <strong>in</strong> a warm, protected spot, but if<br />
they had a choice they’d prefer to be grown <strong>in</strong><br />
subtropical or tropical climates. Choose a sunny<br />
spot with good dra<strong>in</strong>age or grow them <strong>in</strong> pots<br />
or raised beds if dra<strong>in</strong>age is poor. Keep trees<br />
well watered, particularly when they are form<strong>in</strong>g<br />
young fruit, and give them regular doses of<br />
complete organic citrus food to susta<strong>in</strong> growth<br />
and promote an abundance of fruit.<br />
Health tip: Limes are a wonderful source of<br />
vitam<strong>in</strong> C. Historically, sailors sought out limes<br />
to protect themselves from scurvy.<br />
Kaffir lime is grown for the<br />
fragrant leaves but the zest of<br />
the knobbly fruit is used, too<br />
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WEEKEND GARDENING | Citrus tips<br />
CITRUS<br />
CARE<br />
All you need to know about<br />
car<strong>in</strong>g for your citrus trees —<br />
and how to combat pests that<br />
might attack them<br />
Citrus needs good soil moisture,<br />
particularly dur<strong>in</strong>g flower<strong>in</strong>g and fruit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Words Angie Thomas<br />
Citrus offer a fantastic comb<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
of lush green foliage and beautifully<br />
scented flowers. That alone<br />
would be enough to satisfy most<br />
gardeners, but citrus completes the trifecta by<br />
provid<strong>in</strong>g delicious, juicy and colourful fruit.<br />
Citrus could almost be called the perfect<br />
plant. From mandar<strong>in</strong>s, oranges and lemons<br />
to limes, tangelos and grapefruit, there’s a<br />
citrus to suit almost every climate and spot <strong>in</strong><br />
the garden, from a large spread<strong>in</strong>g tree to a<br />
potted dwarf variety on a sunny balcony.<br />
There are a few key tips to grow<strong>in</strong>g citrus<br />
successfully at your place.<br />
A sunny, welldra<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
spot<br />
Citrus does best with at least six hours of<br />
sunsh<strong>in</strong>e a day. Shaded citrus will not be as<br />
productive. Citrus trees also need well-dra<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
soil or they can be prone to root-rot diseases.<br />
In poorly dra<strong>in</strong>ed areas you can plant<br />
a citrus tree <strong>in</strong> a mound of improved soil<br />
to raise the roots above the exist<strong>in</strong>g soil.<br />
Dwarf citrus varieties can also be planted<br />
<strong>in</strong> large conta<strong>in</strong>ers us<strong>in</strong>g good-quality<br />
pott<strong>in</strong>g mix, bypass<strong>in</strong>g poor soil conditions<br />
altogether. This method ensures you can<br />
move them <strong>in</strong>to sunnier spots or take them<br />
with you if you move house.<br />
Plant<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>Good</strong> preparation will give a new tree the<br />
best start. Mix some well-composted organic<br />
matter, such as pelletised chicken manure, <strong>in</strong>to<br />
the hole before plant<strong>in</strong>g. This will help improve<br />
soil structure, reta<strong>in</strong> moisture around the<br />
roots and provide gentle, slow-release organic<br />
nutrients as the tree becomes established.<br />
Water<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
feed<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Citrus needs good soil moisture, particularly<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g flower<strong>in</strong>g and fruit<strong>in</strong>g. Water stress can<br />
lead to citrus dropp<strong>in</strong>g their develop<strong>in</strong>g fruit,<br />
or the quality of the fruit may suffer.<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
50 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Citrus tips | WEEKEND GARDENING<br />
Citrus trees have many shallow roots<br />
close to the soil surface and these can be<br />
prone to dry<strong>in</strong>g out. Mulch<strong>in</strong>g around citrus<br />
with an organic mulch will help to keep the<br />
soil moist and also protect the vulnerable<br />
roots from exposure to bak<strong>in</strong>g sun. A bonus<br />
is that organic mulches break down over<br />
time, add<strong>in</strong>g wonderful organic matter and<br />
nutrients to the soil. However, don’t mulch<br />
right to the trunk.<br />
Citrus plants are very hungry! Grow<strong>in</strong>g all<br />
that lush foliage and delicious fruit requires a<br />
lot of nutrients, so it’s important to keep your<br />
trees well nourished.<br />
Do this by feed<strong>in</strong>g with a “complete”<br />
fertiliser, one that conta<strong>in</strong>s the three<br />
ma<strong>in</strong> nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and<br />
Dwarf citrus varieties<br />
can also be planted <strong>in</strong>to<br />
large conta<strong>in</strong>ers us<strong>in</strong>g<br />
good-quality pott<strong>in</strong>g<br />
mix, bypass<strong>in</strong>g poor soil<br />
conditions altogether.<br />
potassium. Nitrogen promotes healthy<br />
green leaf growth while phosphorus helps<br />
create a strong root system and potassium<br />
encourages lots of flowers and fruit.<br />
Regular applications of organic composted<br />
chicken manure around the root zone will<br />
help provide citrus with the nutrients it needs<br />
to stay healthy and productive.<br />
Pest control<br />
Citruses are usually pretty tough plants and<br />
many will survive for years <strong>in</strong> the back corner<br />
of a yard without a second thought. Healthy,<br />
well-fed and well-watered trees are better<br />
able to withstand <strong>in</strong>sect attack.<br />
However, there’s a range of common pests<br />
and diseases that can plague citrus and<br />
severely impact on its health and yield if not<br />
controlled. Let’s look at the most common<br />
citrus problems.<br />
Citrus leafm<strong>in</strong>er The t<strong>in</strong>y citrus leafm<strong>in</strong>er<br />
moth lays her eggs on soft young foliage<br />
and the eggs hatch <strong>in</strong>to larvae that tunnel<br />
<strong>in</strong>to the leaves, distort<strong>in</strong>g them and caus<strong>in</strong>g<br />
silvery tunnels. The leaves look awful and<br />
if large numbers are affected it will reduce<br />
the amount of green leaf surfaces available<br />
for photosynthesis. Citrus leafm<strong>in</strong>er requires<br />
prevention rather than cure as, once the<br />
leaves are <strong>in</strong>fested and curled, the damage<br />
is done. Foliage that has been sprayed with<br />
oil deters the leafm<strong>in</strong>er moth from lay<strong>in</strong>g<br />
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WEEKEND GARDENING | Citrus tips<br />
Citrus leafm<strong>in</strong>er damage<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g all that lush foliage and delicious fruit<br />
requires a lot of nutrients, so it’s important to keep<br />
citrus trees well nourished.<br />
her eggs, thus prevent<strong>in</strong>g the damage. It’s<br />
important to spray the new foliage regularly<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g spr<strong>in</strong>g and autumn (when there are<br />
flushes of new growth) so that the leaves<br />
have a cont<strong>in</strong>ual protective cover<strong>in</strong>g of oil.<br />
There are organically certified oil sprays<br />
available to home gardeners, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
products based on vegetable oil.<br />
Aphids These pests can be green, black,<br />
brown or grey. They are small sap-suck<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>sects that deplete citrus of important<br />
nutrients and favour soft new foliage, caus<strong>in</strong>g<br />
young leaves to curl. Aphids can occur <strong>in</strong><br />
large numbers and should be controlled<br />
to prevent significant damage. Pyrethr<strong>in</strong>,<br />
a natural <strong>in</strong>secticide derived from the<br />
pyrethrum daisy, is useful for controll<strong>in</strong>g<br />
aphids <strong>in</strong> a targeted way so as not to affect<br />
other <strong>in</strong>sects. If us<strong>in</strong>g, spray late <strong>in</strong> the day<br />
when bees are not around. Look out for<br />
organically certified pyrethr<strong>in</strong> formulations<br />
that don’t conta<strong>in</strong> the synthetic synergist<br />
piperonyl butoxide (PBO).<br />
Scale These are also small sap-suck<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>sect<br />
pests that hide under a waxy “shell”. Often seen<br />
along the mid-ve<strong>in</strong> of leaves and along stems,<br />
scale can be white, p<strong>in</strong>k or brown and they<br />
deplete and weaken citrus trees. They can be<br />
controlled with oil sprays, such as those based<br />
on vegetable oil. Several thorough sprays are<br />
usually required for effective scale control.<br />
Suck<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>sects like scale and aphids<br />
also excrete a sticky sweet substance called<br />
honeydew. Honeydew attracts ants (ants are<br />
often an <strong>in</strong>dicator of suck<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>sects like scale<br />
and aphids) and also a fungus called sooty<br />
mould, which looks like a black ash film that<br />
covers leaves and stems. If scale and aphids<br />
are controlled, the honeydew will disappear<br />
and so will the ants and sooty mould.<br />
Bronze orange bug<br />
Citrus scale and sooty mould<br />
Andy Burton, Scot Nelson, Claire Bickle<br />
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WEEKEND GARDENING | Citrus tips<br />
Bronze orange bug On Australia’s East<br />
Coast, this is a serious citrus pest. Often<br />
referred to as a st<strong>in</strong>k bug, it sucks the<br />
sap from new foliage and also fruit stalks,<br />
caus<strong>in</strong>g the leaves to wilt and die and the<br />
young fruit to blacken and fall. Bronze<br />
orange bugs start their life as small, flat,<br />
green, oval-shaped bugs that gradually<br />
turn bright orange and then brown.<br />
Left untreated, bronze orange bugs can<br />
significantly affect new foliage growth and<br />
fruit yield. In small numbers, they can be<br />
picked off the tree by hand and squashed.<br />
For larger <strong>in</strong>festations on edible citrus, there<br />
is only one registered spray for bronze<br />
orange bug <strong>in</strong> Australia — thankfully, a<br />
certified-organic pyrethr<strong>in</strong> and vegetable<br />
oil-based spray. Be careful when deal<strong>in</strong>g with<br />
bronze orange bugs; they can squirt caustic<br />
orange liquid if disturbed, so it’s important to<br />
wear eye and sk<strong>in</strong> protection when treat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
citrus trees for these pests.<br />
Fruit fly The joy of homegrown citrus is<br />
quickly ext<strong>in</strong>guished when you cut open<br />
the fruit only to f<strong>in</strong>d it <strong>in</strong>fested with fruit-fly<br />
maggots. Fruit flies, both Queensland and<br />
Mediterranean, are serious pests of citrus<br />
fruit around Australia and home gardeners<br />
need to be vigilant to control this pest and<br />
protect their fruit. Control measures can<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude a variety of techniques, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
fruit-fly nett<strong>in</strong>g, bags and bait<strong>in</strong>g. Fruit-fly<br />
baits are a mix of irresistible bait (usually<br />
prote<strong>in</strong> and sugar) and an <strong>in</strong>secticide.<br />
<strong>Organic</strong>ally certified fruit-fly baits available<br />
for home-garden use are sprayed onto<br />
the lower foliage or trunk of citrus trees<br />
(not the fruit itself) or applied to a piece of<br />
wood and hung <strong>in</strong> the orchard. It’s vital to<br />
reapply these baits each week to ensure<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ued fruit-fly protection. See our next<br />
story for more detailed <strong>in</strong>formation on<br />
Queensland fruit fly.<br />
Citrus gall wasp Adult citrus gall wasps<br />
lay their eggs <strong>in</strong> young citrus stems <strong>in</strong><br />
spr<strong>in</strong>g. The larvae hatch and a woody “gall”<br />
forms around them. The health of heavily<br />
<strong>in</strong>fested trees can suffer. Home gardeners<br />
can use a comb<strong>in</strong>ation of traps and regular<br />
prun<strong>in</strong>g of galls to reduce damage and<br />
wasp populations.<br />
Citrus should be fed with a “complete” fertiliser,<br />
one that conta<strong>in</strong>s the three ma<strong>in</strong> nutrients:<br />
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.<br />
Citrus gall wasp damage<br />
Pia Scanlon, Canstockphoto<br />
The heady scent of citrus flowers is a bonus<br />
F<strong>in</strong>d room at your place for a citrus tree or two<br />
and you’ll be rewarded for many years with a<br />
very attractive tree, wonderfully fragrant flowers<br />
and, of course, some of nature’s most delicious<br />
and nutritious fruits. Happy grow<strong>in</strong>g!<br />
54 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Queensland fruit fly | PEST PATROL<br />
Queensland fruit fly<br />
NOT JUST IN<br />
QUEENSLAND<br />
The bane of gardeners <strong>in</strong> many parts of Australia, this<br />
destructive fruit lover can be controlled if you time it well<br />
James Niland CC<br />
Words Mark Dann<br />
Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera<br />
tyroni) is one of the most adaptive<br />
<strong>in</strong>sect pests <strong>in</strong> Australia. It is native<br />
to eastern Queensland and northeastern<br />
NSW and, until recently, Queensland<br />
fruit fly (QFF) damage was mostly found <strong>in</strong><br />
major commercial horticulture areas and<br />
home gardens <strong>in</strong> Qld, NSW and the NT, where<br />
commercial fruit growers have learnt to manage<br />
QFF extremely well over the past 30 years.<br />
Decades ago, it was noted <strong>in</strong> research<br />
on this pest that most adult flies would not<br />
survive the colder w<strong>in</strong>ters <strong>in</strong> Victoria, so the<br />
chance of it be<strong>in</strong>g a threat there would be low.<br />
However, QFF damage to commercial crops<br />
<strong>in</strong> Victoria is now <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> some areas as<br />
the pest adapts to colder climates.<br />
Many southern commercial fruit growers<br />
and home gardeners are afraid of what QFF<br />
may do to their crops. A large number of<br />
Victorian home gardeners I have spoken<br />
with say they will not plant fruit trees <strong>in</strong> their<br />
backyards due to the chance of hav<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
fruit damaged by QFF. Will Tasmania be the<br />
last bastion?<br />
For home gardeners with no experience <strong>in</strong><br />
identify<strong>in</strong>g this pest, by the time they realise<br />
they have damage it’s very often too late.<br />
Usually the first sign for the untra<strong>in</strong>ed eye is<br />
groups of white maggots (the larvae of the<br />
QFF) <strong>in</strong> their fruit or vegetables.<br />
Fruits & vegetables<br />
affected<br />
Some w<strong>in</strong>ter-produc<strong>in</strong>g crops <strong>in</strong> this list will<br />
have less pressure dur<strong>in</strong>g the colder months<br />
but still may be susceptible to some damage:<br />
avocados, all stone fruit (peaches, nectar<strong>in</strong>es,<br />
plums, apricots), custard apples, apples,<br />
pears, all citrus types, mangoes, passionfruit,<br />
bananas, lychees, figs, persimmons, kiwi<br />
fruit, guava, berry crops, pawpaw and<br />
other subtropical fruit, as well as tomatoes,<br />
capsicums and eggplants.<br />
Control measures<br />
While <strong>in</strong> the past many <strong>in</strong>organic chemicals<br />
that kill the adults, larvae, pupae and eggs<br />
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PEST PATROL | Queensland fruit fly<br />
Hygiene<br />
Don’t leave fruit on your trees or<br />
vegetables <strong>in</strong> the garden until they are<br />
over-mature as these conditions are<br />
ideal for QFF to lay <strong>in</strong>. Pick up any fallen<br />
fruit or vegetables that are no good,<br />
put them <strong>in</strong> a sealed bag and dispose<br />
of them <strong>in</strong> the b<strong>in</strong>. Don’t compost them,<br />
as you are only promot<strong>in</strong>g a suitable<br />
source for QFF to lay <strong>in</strong>.<br />
Beautifully netted fruit trees at Royal Mail<br />
Hotel kitchen garden <strong>in</strong> Dunkeld, Victoria<br />
have been the most effective control for<br />
commercial fruit growers, these chemicals<br />
also killed beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects that assist <strong>in</strong><br />
controll<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>sect pests and so those pests<br />
began to be hard to control. Many of these<br />
chemicals are no longer available for use.<br />
Other techniques to control QFF have been<br />
developed by proactive horticulturists and<br />
fruit growers and have been <strong>in</strong> use by some<br />
growers for 15 years. These are not harmful to<br />
beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects so they can now be used <strong>in</strong><br />
the home garden<strong>in</strong>g sector.<br />
The ma<strong>in</strong> control methods that will make<br />
the battle with QFF easier for the home<br />
gardener <strong>in</strong>clude the follow<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
Full exclusion nett<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Permanent structures or drape nets are<br />
the most successful control measures. It’s<br />
important that these nets be secured to the<br />
ground to prevent QFF gett<strong>in</strong>g underneath<br />
the nett<strong>in</strong>g. This should be <strong>in</strong> place before<br />
fruit and vegetables are half mature as QFF<br />
will sometimes st<strong>in</strong>g fruit and vegetables<br />
when they are still hard. They may not<br />
lay eggs at this time, but they will leave a<br />
p<strong>in</strong>-sized mark on the sk<strong>in</strong> that will cause<br />
a deformity, or the fruit or vegetable may<br />
drop off as it grows.<br />
Bait<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Prote<strong>in</strong> baits that attract both male and female<br />
fruit flies are applied to the lower foliage of<br />
plants and should also be used to bait the<br />
perimeter of your house block. Bait can be<br />
applied to any type of tree or shrub. This<br />
control measure should be used <strong>in</strong> conjunction<br />
with trapp<strong>in</strong>g male flies with female fruit fly<br />
pheromone attractant baits hung <strong>in</strong> traps.<br />
This process reduces the number of male flies<br />
available to mate with female flies.<br />
The whole process must beg<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> late<br />
w<strong>in</strong>ter to keep the numbers of flies down<br />
as they emerge with the warm<strong>in</strong>g spr<strong>in</strong>g<br />
weather. Please note that control measures<br />
of this type are difficult if your neighbours’<br />
untreated crops are hosts for QFF; hence<br />
even more reason to bait the perimeter of<br />
your own yard so flies will feed there first<br />
before mov<strong>in</strong>g to your fruit and vegetables.<br />
Queensland fruit fly maggots<br />
For home gardeners<br />
who have no experience<br />
<strong>in</strong> identify<strong>in</strong>g this pest,<br />
by the time they realise<br />
they have damage it’s<br />
very often too late.<br />
F<strong>in</strong>e mesh bags<br />
These can be purchased and tied around<br />
fruit and vegetables but they’re timeconsum<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to apply and therefore not really<br />
a good option for large numbers of fruit or<br />
vegetables. Unless vented, the plastic bags<br />
available for bagg<strong>in</strong>g create humidity and<br />
have been known to promote fungal diseases<br />
as the fruit or vegetable matures. Bags need<br />
to be clear so sunlight can penetrate to the<br />
fruit or vegetable sk<strong>in</strong> to give good colour and<br />
therefore good flavour.<br />
Tim<strong>in</strong>g<br />
QFF is most active from early spr<strong>in</strong>g through<br />
to late autumn.<br />
Fruit fly trap<br />
• For more <strong>in</strong>formation on fruit-fly control<br />
techniques and products consult PlantNet at<br />
plantnet.com.au<br />
Home remedies/<br />
attractants<br />
Please be aware there are many home<br />
remedies suggested for the control of<br />
QFF. It’s important that you learn to<br />
identify what QFF looks like as many of<br />
the suggested catch-and-kill remedies<br />
actually don’t attract QFF but do attract<br />
other <strong>in</strong>sects and flies, leav<strong>in</strong>g your<br />
crops vulnerable to damage by QFF.<br />
Kerry Boyne, Mark Dann, Jana Holmer<br />
56 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
PEST PATROL | Beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects<br />
THE FANTASTIC FIVE<br />
Just as there are <strong>in</strong>sects we’d rather not see <strong>in</strong> our gardens, there are<br />
many we welcome with open arms. Here are five of the best<br />
Words Claire Bickle<br />
Understand<strong>in</strong>g that not every<br />
bug <strong>in</strong> our garden is there<br />
to destroy our plants — and<br />
that some are even there to<br />
help — is a good start to develop<strong>in</strong>g an<br />
appreciation of the magical, mysterious<br />
world of <strong>in</strong>sects and creat<strong>in</strong>g a healthy<br />
environment <strong>in</strong> our own backyards.<br />
It’s all about balance and biodiversity with<strong>in</strong><br />
our backyard ecosystem, even those as small<br />
as 400 square metres.<br />
As gardeners, we should actually be grateful<br />
for the so-called bad bugs, as they are more<br />
often than not an important sign that someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
is amiss <strong>in</strong> the garden. Kill<strong>in</strong>g them all off can be<br />
a little like shoot<strong>in</strong>g the messenger, <strong>in</strong> a way.<br />
You could be hav<strong>in</strong>g a particular pest<br />
outbreak because you are grow<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
vegetable out of season or have <strong>in</strong>correct<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g conditions such as a lack of sun,<br />
<strong>in</strong>consistent water<strong>in</strong>g or poor dra<strong>in</strong>age — just<br />
a few of the many factors that can put stress<br />
on plants and make them more vulnerable to<br />
pest and disease attack.<br />
The presence of pests also means there’s a<br />
food source for beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects that prey on<br />
them. So it follows that if you remove all the<br />
pest <strong>in</strong>sects there will be no food source for<br />
the good guys.<br />
It also follows that, quite often, kill<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
bad bugs means kill<strong>in</strong>g the good bugs, too,<br />
especially if you are us<strong>in</strong>g non-selective<br />
<strong>in</strong>secticides. Even organic homemade and<br />
commercial sprays like pyrethrum may<br />
be harmful to some beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects.<br />
So who are these good guys of the garden<br />
that you should look out for, recognise and<br />
encourage to visit? In essence, they are a t<strong>in</strong>y<br />
army of workers <strong>in</strong> your environment that<br />
deserve respect and recognition.<br />
Beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects have a variety of positive<br />
attributes. They can be poll<strong>in</strong>ators, predators,<br />
parasites, waste removalists and more.<br />
Bugs to love<br />
Lady beetles; order: Coleoptera;<br />
family: Cocc<strong>in</strong>ellidae<br />
Easily one of the most recognisable <strong>in</strong>sects<br />
of all, the ladybird or lady beetle <strong>in</strong> your patch<br />
is actually one of some 6000-plus different<br />
species with<strong>in</strong> this family group.<br />
And not all have spots. They come <strong>in</strong> an<br />
array of colours and have vary<strong>in</strong>g numbers of<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
58 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects | PEST PATROL<br />
spots and patterns on their w<strong>in</strong>g cas<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
Both the larvae and the adult ladybirds<br />
love to feast on pests such as scale, aphids,<br />
mealybugs, mites and thrips. Some species<br />
even feed on unwanted fungus and mildews.<br />
There are two naughty ladybird varieties<br />
you need to know about, however: the 26-<br />
and 28-spotted leaf-eat<strong>in</strong>g species. They<br />
devour your plants rather than your pests.<br />
Some ladybird larvae even look like their<br />
prey, such as the Cryptolaemus that loves to<br />
eat mealybugs. To the untra<strong>in</strong>ed eye, their<br />
larvae look so similar they could easily be<br />
mistaken for mealybugs themselves.<br />
Mantids, pray<strong>in</strong>g mantis; order:<br />
Mantodea; family: Mantidae<br />
Mantids are the big guys <strong>in</strong> the world of<br />
<strong>in</strong>sects. They eat many of the larger <strong>in</strong>sect<br />
pests that may be <strong>in</strong> your garden, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
grasshoppers, crickets and large sapsuckers.<br />
The pray<strong>in</strong>g mantis is probably the bestknown<br />
of the mantis species.<br />
The sway<strong>in</strong>g action, amaz<strong>in</strong>g eyesight,<br />
180-degree head rotation, speed and stealthlike<br />
movements of the pray<strong>in</strong>g mantis make<br />
it a successful predatory <strong>in</strong>sect. As with the<br />
lacew<strong>in</strong>g, you have probably seen many egg<br />
sacs of a mantid species <strong>in</strong> your garden.<br />
Antlion, lacew<strong>in</strong>g; order: Neuroptera;<br />
family: Chrysopidae<br />
The lacew<strong>in</strong>g is a delicate, pale-green, w<strong>in</strong>ged<br />
creature that’s at its peak of pest removal <strong>in</strong><br />
larval form. It eats aphids, mealybugs, scale,<br />
thrips, mites, whitefly and even <strong>in</strong>sect eggs.<br />
One particular species is called the<br />
antlion <strong>in</strong> its larval stage. The antlion has an<br />
<strong>in</strong>genious way of captur<strong>in</strong>g its prey: it creates<br />
a slippery pit-like trap and sits at the bottom,<br />
hidden, wait<strong>in</strong>g for its prey to fall <strong>in</strong>.<br />
You have probably seen many of their eggs <strong>in</strong><br />
and around your garden and not even realised<br />
it. The eggs are carefully laid and attached to a<br />
long strand that holds them above the surface<br />
on which they have been laid. This is to keep<br />
them up and out of harm’s way as other <strong>in</strong>sects<br />
may have a taste for them, such as ants.<br />
Adult lacew<strong>in</strong>gs love nectar as their ma<strong>in</strong><br />
food source, one of the reasons it’s important to<br />
have flower<strong>in</strong>g plants throughout the seasons.<br />
Quite often, kill<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
bad bugs means kill<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the good bugs, too,<br />
especially if you are<br />
us<strong>in</strong>g an array of nonselective<br />
<strong>in</strong>secticides.<br />
Hoverflies; order: Diptera;<br />
family: Syrphidae<br />
In Australia alone there are nearly 200<br />
species of these beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects. Hoverflies<br />
pack a punch as a double act <strong>in</strong> the garden<br />
and <strong>in</strong> agriculture <strong>in</strong> general.<br />
Some species’ larvae feast on destructive<br />
sap-suck<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>sects such as aphids, thrips<br />
and others; then the adults become high-class<br />
poll<strong>in</strong>ators as they feed on pollen and nectar.<br />
Hoverflies can be easily recognised <strong>in</strong> the<br />
garden by their hover<strong>in</strong>g fly<strong>in</strong>g habit. They look<br />
a lot like wasps, which keeps them safe from<br />
predators such as birds and other bug eaters.<br />
James Douch CC, Kerry Boyne<br />
<strong>Good</strong> ladybird: Harmonia conformis<br />
Did you know?<br />
Some ladybird species can live for up<br />
to two years.<br />
Bad ladybird: Epilachna<br />
vig<strong>in</strong>tioctopunctata,<br />
28 spotted ladybird Pray<strong>in</strong>g mantis<br />
Predatory mites; order: Acari;<br />
family : Phytoseiidae<br />
These microscopic bugs are closely related to<br />
ticks and spiders, so are <strong>in</strong> the class Arachnida.<br />
Many pest species of mites are microscopic,<br />
which means they are often virtually unnoticed<br />
until the damage to plants can be seen and<br />
populations are well out of control.<br />
There are some larger species but even then<br />
they are also very successful <strong>in</strong> their attacks on<br />
plants, <strong>in</strong>sects and even animals.<br />
This is where the <strong>in</strong>sect world gets<br />
<strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g: enter the predatory mites, which eat<br />
the pest species. You could say they beat them<br />
at their own game — war <strong>in</strong> the micro world.<br />
The species Phytoseiulus persimilis is one<br />
the ma<strong>in</strong> consumers of pest mites, such as twospotted<br />
mites.<br />
Predatory mites are regularly used as a<br />
biological control <strong>in</strong> large-scale agriculture <strong>in</strong><br />
place of nasty miticide sprays, aga<strong>in</strong>st which<br />
many mites build resistance because of their<br />
fast breed<strong>in</strong>g cycles.<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 59
PEST PATROL | Beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects<br />
Other major<br />
players<br />
Here are some of the ma<strong>in</strong> beneficial<br />
<strong>in</strong>sect species, but there are probably<br />
hundreds of other good guys at work<br />
<strong>in</strong> your garden right now.<br />
• Bees<br />
• Spiders<br />
• Wasps<br />
• Damsel flies<br />
• Predatory beetles<br />
• Dragonflies<br />
• Butterflies<br />
• Assass<strong>in</strong> bugs<br />
Even flies and ants have important<br />
roles to play, believe it or not.<br />
Lacew<strong>in</strong>g eggs<br />
Attract<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
good guys<br />
Most <strong>in</strong>sects have various stages<br />
with<strong>in</strong> their lifecycles with vary<strong>in</strong>g food<br />
preferences; even then, a lot of adults like to<br />
have variety <strong>in</strong> their diets.<br />
This can be <strong>in</strong> the form of nectar and pollen<br />
as well as all those bad bugs they munch on.<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g a varied range of flower<strong>in</strong>g plants<br />
and provid<strong>in</strong>g habitat for them to live and rest<br />
<strong>in</strong> is the first step.<br />
I have always called myself an eclectic<br />
gardener. I like natives next to cottage<br />
perennials and succulents — especially the<br />
flower<strong>in</strong>g aloes dotted all over the place —<br />
along with edibles, all mixed <strong>in</strong> with flower<strong>in</strong>g<br />
annuals. It turns out that this accidental<br />
biodiversity I have is perfect for encourag<strong>in</strong>g<br />
beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects.<br />
Lacew<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Australian hoverfly<br />
Simosyrphus grandicornis<br />
Step 1: What to grow<br />
Annual flower<strong>in</strong>g plants: Alyssum, cosmos,<br />
l<strong>in</strong>aria, sunflowers, z<strong>in</strong>nias, nasturtiums,<br />
Queens Anne’s lace, marigolds, calendulas,<br />
poppies, heliotrope<br />
Perennials and shrubs: Daisies, buddleias,<br />
salvias, flower<strong>in</strong>g aloes and a good range<br />
of natives such as callistemons, grevilleas,<br />
melaleucas and more will br<strong>in</strong>g not only the<br />
good bugs but larger predators like birds and<br />
small animals.<br />
Herbs: Parsley, yarrow, dill, fennel, basil,<br />
thyme, coriander, tansy, lavender, rocket,<br />
mustard, chives, rosemary, thyme. You could<br />
actually have some “sacrificial herbs”, such as<br />
tansy, fennel and dill, which will attract aphids<br />
and so give ladybirds someth<strong>in</strong>g to eat.<br />
With most of these plant species it’s the<br />
flowers that do all the attract<strong>in</strong>g. But they<br />
will also work for you <strong>in</strong> many other positive<br />
ways <strong>in</strong> the garden. If scented, they will<br />
distract and confuse the bad bugs, as will a<br />
Phytoseiulus persimilis<br />
We should actually be grateful for the<br />
so-called bad bugs, as they are more often<br />
than not an important sign that someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
is amiss <strong>in</strong> the garden. Kill<strong>in</strong>g them all off<br />
can be a little like shoot<strong>in</strong>g the messenger.<br />
garden with a variety of shapes and sizes of<br />
plants and flowers. They will help disguise<br />
your prized edibles if <strong>in</strong>terplanted among<br />
them and attract a great array of poll<strong>in</strong>ators.<br />
Step 2: Habitat<br />
Plants are not the only key to attract<strong>in</strong>g<br />
beneficials. It’s important to create habitat<br />
with<strong>in</strong> your garden — for example, by<br />
leav<strong>in</strong>g leaf litter alone. Mimick<strong>in</strong>g nature is<br />
what it’s all about.<br />
Logs and stones make great hidey-holes<br />
for t<strong>in</strong>y creatures. Mulch can be a lot like<br />
leaf litter, provid<strong>in</strong>g shelter and habitat.<br />
Ponds, water features and even bog gardens<br />
will attract a great range of good bugs and<br />
even larger garden <strong>in</strong>sect predators such as<br />
frogs and lizards.<br />
Mick Talbot CC, Graham Wise CC<br />
60 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects | PEST PATROL<br />
In a way you are creat<strong>in</strong>g an <strong>in</strong>sectary and<br />
a haven for both good bugs and bad.<br />
Claire Bickle<br />
Step 3: No chemicals<br />
Don’t spray — delay, I say. At the first sign of an<br />
<strong>in</strong>sect attack on a favourite plant, don’t rush to<br />
grab the nearest spray to annihilate them.<br />
Stop spray<strong>in</strong>g any chemicals <strong>in</strong> the garden<br />
so you give the beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects time to<br />
build up numbers and reduce the bad <strong>in</strong>sect<br />
populations. You’ll be surprised at how nature<br />
will balance th<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> the end.<br />
Keep<strong>in</strong>g it organic will protect your<br />
beneficial <strong>in</strong>sect populations but you need to<br />
be aware that even organic sprays can kill the<br />
good with the bad. So if you must spray at all,<br />
be sure to target-spray the pest <strong>in</strong>sect and<br />
not do blanket spray<strong>in</strong>g across the garden.<br />
Step 4: Nature carers are nature<br />
observers<br />
Get your children <strong>in</strong>volved and bug watch<br />
with creeper keepers for closer <strong>in</strong>spection<br />
and identification.<br />
Observation is the key to understand<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and recognis<strong>in</strong>g not only what <strong>in</strong>sect species<br />
you have <strong>in</strong> your backyard but what their<br />
roles are with<strong>in</strong> a balanced environment.<br />
Biodiversity is paramount. Relax and let<br />
nature take its course.<br />
I found this hoverfly <strong>in</strong> my garden<br />
Bugs to buy<br />
You may not be aware that you<br />
can purchase beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects to<br />
establish a population <strong>in</strong> your garden.<br />
Bugs for Bugs supplies more than 10<br />
species of natural enemies, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
lacew<strong>in</strong>g, persimilis, t<strong>in</strong>y parasitic<br />
wasps, ladybirds and much more, as<br />
well as a comprehensive range of<br />
baits and traps for controll<strong>in</strong>g fruit fly.<br />
bugsforbugs.com.au<br />
Ecogrow supplies entomopathogenic<br />
nematodes to control pests such<br />
as lawn army worm and destructive<br />
weevils and beetles that often come<br />
<strong>in</strong>to your environment via pott<strong>in</strong>g<br />
mixes and turf. ecogrow.com.au<br />
Biocontrol Specialists<br />
Californicus & TSM (Image by Andrew Manners DAF Qld)<br />
Lacew<strong>in</strong>g Adult (Image by Tony Meredith & Dan Papacek)<br />
Lacew<strong>in</strong>g Larvae (Image by Dan Papacek)<br />
Cryptolaemus (Image by Denis Crawford)<br />
WE SHIP AUSTRALIA WIDE | PHONE: (07) 4165 4663<br />
www.bugsforbugs.com.au<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 61
AMAZING GARDEN | Urban Food Street<br />
Local children harvest<strong>in</strong>g produce on the verge<br />
The cost of a<br />
LIME<br />
The Urban Food Street project is a big,<br />
susta<strong>in</strong>able community food garden<br />
that’s all about grow<strong>in</strong>g and shar<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Words & photos Sandra Tuszynska<br />
Buderim, on Queensland’s Sunsh<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Coast, is home to an Australian<br />
first-of-its-k<strong>in</strong>d phenomenon: a<br />
whole neighbourhood grow<strong>in</strong>g an<br />
abundance of food on their street verges.<br />
Urban Food Street (UFS) sprouted <strong>in</strong> 2009<br />
from the desire of one couple to grow and<br />
share food with their neighbours.<br />
Duncan McNaught, an accomplished<br />
ornamental horticulturalist, and his neighbour<br />
John Cochran were shocked at the price<br />
of one lime. They bra<strong>in</strong>stormed an idea: if<br />
they could grow an abundance of limes on<br />
the street verge, with<strong>in</strong> a few years there<br />
would be hundreds of limes for the whole<br />
neighbourhood to share.<br />
Duncan’s partner Carol<strong>in</strong>e Kemp is a<br />
graduate architect and social scientist who’s<br />
passionate about quality urban design.<br />
Inspired by lead<strong>in</strong>g Australian architect Ken<br />
Maher’s call <strong>in</strong> 2009 for “an architecture that<br />
reflects life at a deeper level”, she and Duncan<br />
had a vision to create a suburban habitat that<br />
was active, engaged and brimm<strong>in</strong>g with life.<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g a stay <strong>in</strong> the West Village of<br />
Manhattan, the couple had experienced<br />
cultural spontaneity and a sense of ownership<br />
through co-operative urban food production<br />
as a daily part of liv<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
“These catalysts <strong>in</strong>spired us to create a<br />
different type of suburban liv<strong>in</strong>g, to grow food<br />
<strong>in</strong> the public doma<strong>in</strong> for the neighbourhood<br />
residents to enjoy. Diversity of produce is much<br />
greater than what can be grown <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dividual<br />
backyard gardens,” expla<strong>in</strong>s Carol<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
The citrus grove grow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> one residential<br />
street is only a small part of what is now a<br />
diverse and edible suburban landscape.<br />
Social<br />
transformation<br />
There are currently 11 streets encompass<strong>in</strong>g<br />
approximately 200 houses <strong>in</strong> the Urban<br />
Food Street neighbourhood. The project is<br />
br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g people out of their homes and onto<br />
the streets, co-operat<strong>in</strong>g and communicat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with one another. The barriers of conventional<br />
suburban liv<strong>in</strong>g, based on the each-to-their<br />
own mentality, have been deconstructed as<br />
the project has evolved.<br />
Duncan elaborates, “There are no rules, just<br />
a basic etiquette of take what you need. When<br />
it comes to buy<strong>in</strong>g herbs for a meal, you drive<br />
to the shops, pay up to $4 for a bunch, use only<br />
a little bit and the rest wastes away. With herbs<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g everywhere, you can pick what you<br />
need from your own street and have a chat to<br />
the neighbour you meet at a verge patch.<br />
“In the past two years especially, it has<br />
exploded. There has been a cultural shift <strong>in</strong><br />
62 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
In the even<strong>in</strong>g, whole families venture out onto<br />
the streets, children pick produce or play games,<br />
while neighbours <strong>in</strong>teract with one another.<br />
Urban Food Street | AMAZING GARDEN<br />
our neighbourhood. This has led to efficiency<br />
as people from the neighbourhood work<br />
together <strong>in</strong> pursuit of a collective outcome<br />
— towards the bigger-picture vision.”<br />
The couple have essentially created a<br />
formula for a susta<strong>in</strong>able transformation<br />
of extraord<strong>in</strong>ary social and environmental<br />
significance. There’s the children’s garden,<br />
where kids get together to plant food<br />
and take ownership of the verge while<br />
learn<strong>in</strong>g the vital skill of grow<strong>in</strong>g their own<br />
food. The children play together as their<br />
parents socialise.<br />
It’s obvious when walk<strong>in</strong>g around that<br />
Duncan knows every neighbour personally<br />
and there is a real sense of social cohesion<br />
<strong>in</strong> the neighbourhood. The socioeconomic<br />
impacts of this endeavour are tremendous.<br />
Duncan po<strong>in</strong>ts out that there needs to be<br />
an underly<strong>in</strong>g knowledge of the total habitat,<br />
Last year the neighbourhood<br />
produced 900kg of bananas<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g water, climate, landscape, crops and<br />
soils. “Resources are always around us. You<br />
just need to be aware of them.” Hav<strong>in</strong>g grown<br />
up on farms, he has learnt many skills and<br />
ways to work with the environment.<br />
The human resource cannot be<br />
underestimated, too. “There is noth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
like learn<strong>in</strong>g from the observations of our<br />
youngest or those of our oldest, who at<br />
90-someth<strong>in</strong>g knows it has been 25 weeks<br />
s<strong>in</strong>ce the banana tree <strong>in</strong> front of her house<br />
flowered,” Duncan says.<br />
Appreciat<strong>in</strong>g children’s hunger for<br />
knowledge, UFS is actively engaged with a<br />
local childcare centre, which frequently br<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
children to enjoy the bounty of these streets.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to Duncan, “They learn to use their<br />
senses and can tell from the taste of the food<br />
if it was grown at Food Street.”<br />
Why not grow fruit on every street?<br />
Tip<br />
• Actions speak louder than words:<br />
don’t spend weeks talk<strong>in</strong>g about<br />
it — do it.<br />
• Keep it simple.<br />
• Share what you grow.<br />
• Keep susta<strong>in</strong>ability <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d: recycle,<br />
compost, reuse.<br />
• Co-operate with others and learn<br />
from one another.<br />
• Create an aesthetically pleas<strong>in</strong>g<br />
habitat for people and wildlife.<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 63
AMAZING GARDEN | Urban Food Street<br />
Holistic urban<br />
design for people<br />
Carol<strong>in</strong>e and Duncan set out to challenge<br />
conventional urban design by retrofitt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
suburban landscapes as edible ones. As<br />
Carol<strong>in</strong>e expla<strong>in</strong>s, “Susta<strong>in</strong>ability is rarely<br />
understood holistically, to the scale of the<br />
suburban neighbourhood. We end up with<br />
car-centric outcomes.”<br />
There is, however, one significant<br />
advantage <strong>in</strong> this part of Buderim: the streets<br />
have reta<strong>in</strong>ed their historical precedent.<br />
Instead of channeled kerb<strong>in</strong>g, where water is<br />
directed to the ocean via creeks and rivers,<br />
they have grass swales right to the road’s<br />
edge. Swales enhance the susta<strong>in</strong>ability<br />
credential of this neighbourhood, as water is<br />
captured, slowed and filtered back <strong>in</strong>to the<br />
underground water table.<br />
This water is now be<strong>in</strong>g used on the<br />
fruit trees and gardens grow<strong>in</strong>g along the<br />
strip, significantly reduc<strong>in</strong>g irrigation costs.<br />
Says Carol<strong>in</strong>e, “We’ve retrofitted our urban<br />
environment for improved susta<strong>in</strong>ability.<br />
We’ve <strong>in</strong>troduced new purpose to the<br />
seldom-utilised ‘threshold’ space — that<br />
is, the great Australian nature strip — by<br />
<strong>in</strong>troduc<strong>in</strong>g edible plants.”<br />
This neighbourhood <strong>in</strong>itiative is a perfect<br />
example of the potential for “our suburbs<br />
to host tangible no-food-miles produce,<br />
through edible landscapes that are public <strong>in</strong><br />
nature”, Carol<strong>in</strong>e eloquently expla<strong>in</strong>s. Under<br />
the found<strong>in</strong>g pair’s guidance, the residents<br />
of UFS have collectively created a resource<br />
that is “grown rather than mown, offer<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
delightful taste of this suburban food bowl’s<br />
green urban future”.<br />
The streets of this unique neighbourhood<br />
have become pedestrian friendly. In the<br />
even<strong>in</strong>g, whole families venture out onto the<br />
streets, children pick produce or play games,<br />
while neighbours <strong>in</strong>teract with one another.<br />
Many yards are without fences. Instead, edible<br />
and ornamental gardens seamlessly bridge the<br />
gap between the front yard and the nature strip.<br />
The “edible landscape” is<br />
the green urban future<br />
Last year, Urban Food Street produced 900kg of<br />
bananas and 300 cabbages. There are at least 20<br />
fruit species of differ<strong>in</strong>g varieties and there are 46<br />
olive trees <strong>in</strong> total for future olive oil production.<br />
Recently, the neighbourhood children planted<br />
over 50 blueberry bushes.<br />
Pumpk<strong>in</strong>s are poll<strong>in</strong>ated<br />
by blue banded bees<br />
The fruit of a dwarf avocado tree<br />
Duncan and Carol<strong>in</strong>e with<br />
neighbours on Banana Street<br />
64 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Urban Food Street | AMAZING GARDEN<br />
Flowers for wildlife and bees<br />
produc<strong>in</strong>g honey<br />
The abundance of<br />
a pawpaw tree<br />
Spicy chilli — you only need one —<br />
and (below) cool as a cucumber<br />
Galangal — a future cash crop<br />
Duncan expla<strong>in</strong>s, “The <strong>in</strong>tegration<br />
between private and public space creates a<br />
habitat for wildlife and people which is both<br />
safe and pleasurable.”<br />
Co-operative yield<br />
Permaculture pr<strong>in</strong>ciples are evident at Urban<br />
Food Street. The raised garden beds are<br />
created by digg<strong>in</strong>g out the lawn and stockpil<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the soil, which is covered with lawn clipp<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
and allowed to sweat out. Over time, the<br />
grasses and weeds turn <strong>in</strong>to nutritious compost.<br />
Once the soil is ready for use, it’s mixed with<br />
grass-fed horse and cow manure, blood and<br />
bone and dolomite. The beds are dressed<br />
with barley straw. Compost is produced <strong>in</strong><br />
12 Aerob<strong>in</strong>s so strategically placed on the<br />
streets that one would barely know they are<br />
there. The neighbourhood deposits kitchen and<br />
garden scraps <strong>in</strong>to these b<strong>in</strong>s.<br />
Last year, Urban Food Street produced<br />
900kg of bananas and 300 cabbages. There<br />
are at least 20 fruit species of differ<strong>in</strong>g<br />
varieties. The impressive Banana Street hosts<br />
four different banana varieties, bought under<br />
licence, which is required by law <strong>in</strong> Queensland.<br />
There are 46 olive trees <strong>in</strong> total for future olive<br />
oil production. Recently, the neighbourhood<br />
children planted over 50 blueberry bushes.<br />
Plants are sourced from reputable suppliers<br />
and bought <strong>in</strong> bulk to maximise efficiency and<br />
save costs. The neighbourhood holds street<br />
eventswhere they sell their produce <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
honey, rais<strong>in</strong>g funds to f<strong>in</strong>ance the purchase of<br />
plants, hay, manure and other resources.<br />
The reason Urban Food Street is such<br />
a success is perhaps because the people<br />
are all about action. “We convert ideas <strong>in</strong>to<br />
actions, quickly, without the conventional<br />
formal structures,” says Duncan. There is no<br />
organisational structure, no rules or ownership.<br />
It’s an organic process where people simply<br />
understand the collective benefit of shar<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
It all h<strong>in</strong>ges on a couple of simple rules: you<br />
only take what you need for your next meal and<br />
there is no pressure on anyone to do anyth<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g it easy for people to contribute to this<br />
socially susta<strong>in</strong>able style of suburban liv<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 65
THE SHED | Wick<strong>in</strong>g bed design<br />
SET & FORGET<br />
In a wick<strong>in</strong>g bed your plants get their<br />
moisture as and when they need it — not too<br />
much, not too little — even when you’re away<br />
66 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Wick<strong>in</strong>g bed design | THE SHED<br />
Words & photos Sandra Tuszynska<br />
In the previous issue we covered Phil and<br />
Carmel Pate’s garden and <strong>in</strong> that story<br />
we mentioned Phil’s superb wick<strong>in</strong>g<br />
bed design. Phil is a jack-of-all-trades:<br />
plumber/gasfitter, builder and designer.<br />
Whatever Phil does he does with great care and<br />
precision. His wick<strong>in</strong>g beds are no exception.<br />
Wick<strong>in</strong>g beds are a great way to ensure<br />
constant and even water availability to garden<br />
crops. They elim<strong>in</strong>ate evaporation and are<br />
designed to deliver water to plants from below<br />
the roots. Their function<strong>in</strong>g is dependent on<br />
the water reservoir below the soil, which is filled<br />
with material able to transfer water to the soil<br />
through the process of wick<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Wick<strong>in</strong>g from the reservoir to the soil<br />
depends on capillary action of water, or the<br />
cohesion between water molecules and the<br />
surround<strong>in</strong>g medium, such as sand or organic<br />
material, which has m<strong>in</strong>ute spaces between<br />
its particles to allow water molecules to move<br />
through them, thereby creat<strong>in</strong>g a cohesive water<br />
column. If the spaces are too large, the water<br />
column fails to form and wick<strong>in</strong>g cannot occur.<br />
Wick<strong>in</strong>g of water is limited to 30cm <strong>in</strong> height.<br />
For this reason, the maximum depth of the<br />
water reservoir should be 30cm. The soil placed<br />
above it will likewise wick up to 30cm of water<br />
but its depth could be extended to 50cm, as<br />
plant roots take up water from the soil.<br />
There are several wick<strong>in</strong>g bed designs<br />
that work well, provid<strong>in</strong>g they have a water<br />
reservoir, a water delivery pipe that reaches the<br />
reservoir and an overflow pipe that prevents<br />
the soil from becom<strong>in</strong>g waterlogged. Phil has<br />
designed an elaborate but practical wick<strong>in</strong>g<br />
bed system that makes garden<strong>in</strong>g a snack.<br />
How Phil did it<br />
1, 2, 3, 4. Phil sourced some Colorbond steel<br />
roof<strong>in</strong>g to fit his 3m × 2m × 0.6m wick<strong>in</strong>g<br />
bed design. The beds are held by a hollow<br />
50mm × 50mm steel frame. The space is<br />
l<strong>in</strong>ed with some old carpet, fluffy side up,<br />
attached by tek screws all the way to the top<br />
of the frame. This provides protection for<br />
the polythene builder’s l<strong>in</strong>er, which forms the<br />
water reservoir for the wick<strong>in</strong>g beds. The l<strong>in</strong>er<br />
is further protected from above with another<br />
layer of carpet, this time fluffy side down.<br />
1<br />
2 3<br />
Wick<strong>in</strong>g of water is limited to<br />
30cm <strong>in</strong> height. For this reason,<br />
the maximum depth of the<br />
water reservoir should be 30cm.<br />
4<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 67
THE SHED | Wick<strong>in</strong>g bed design<br />
<strong>5.</strong> Phil uses crusher dust as the reservoir<br />
medium to hold the water below the soil. He<br />
likes that it conta<strong>in</strong>s water-soluble nutrients,<br />
which become available to the soil and plants.<br />
However, it’s important that the crusher dust<br />
particles are small to avoid creat<strong>in</strong>g large<br />
air spaces. For water to wick up through<br />
capillary action, very tightly packed particles<br />
are necessary, which is why sand is reported<br />
to be the most effective wick<strong>in</strong>g material.<br />
However, if there is no wick<strong>in</strong>g action, plant<br />
roots will travel down to access the water.<br />
6, 7, 8, 9. Phil has designed a unique system<br />
of pip<strong>in</strong>g to distribute water evenly across<br />
the bed. The delivery gutter pipe on one side<br />
of the bed is connected to 90cm perforated<br />
agricultural pipes radiat<strong>in</strong>g from a central<br />
reservoir box. Three of these pipes are placed<br />
across the bed to distribute water evenly.<br />
5<br />
6 7<br />
8<br />
9<br />
10<br />
10, 11. Two overflow dra<strong>in</strong>age pipes are placed<br />
at 30cm from the bottom of the bed, above the<br />
crusher dust, across either side of the bed.<br />
12. Additionally, Phil has <strong>in</strong>stalled a piece of<br />
a downpipe to feed the worms <strong>in</strong> the wick<strong>in</strong>g<br />
bed with food scraps. The worms aerate and<br />
distribute nutrients throughout the soil <strong>in</strong><br />
the beds.<br />
11 12<br />
68 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Wick<strong>in</strong>g bed design | THE SHED<br />
13, 14. Phil adds more crusher dust to the<br />
height of 30cm <strong>in</strong> total, cover<strong>in</strong>g the box, then<br />
adds geo-fabric (not shown) to separate the<br />
crusher dust from the soil, provid<strong>in</strong>g a barrier<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st soil travell<strong>in</strong>g down <strong>in</strong>to the reservoir.<br />
1<strong>5.</strong> Carmel and Phil water their wick<strong>in</strong>g beds<br />
once a week through the delivery pipe. The<br />
water conta<strong>in</strong>s worm juice obta<strong>in</strong>ed from their<br />
worm farm to <strong>in</strong>crease nutrient delivery to the<br />
soil and plants. The beds are filled to capacity<br />
when the water starts to overflow.<br />
16. Phil has also constructed a frame with<br />
a gate made of PVC pipes and attached<br />
shadecloth to the frame to protect the plants<br />
from the harsh summer sun. The shadecloth<br />
can be easily manipulated to open the beds<br />
up to the sun <strong>in</strong> the cooler months.<br />
13<br />
17. <strong>Good</strong> organic soil is a must <strong>in</strong> all<br />
wick<strong>in</strong>g bed designs. Creat<strong>in</strong>g a healthy soil<br />
ecosystem is necessary for healthy plant<br />
growth, and this depends on an abundance of<br />
soil micro-organisms and other soil creatures.<br />
The couple are delighted with their<br />
wick<strong>in</strong>g beds and say their vegies have<br />
never tasted better.<br />
15 16<br />
14<br />
17<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 69
WEEKEND GARDENING | Bush foods<br />
Bush tomato Solanum<br />
centrale; at right, the fruit<br />
GO<br />
WILD!<br />
Bush foods are easy to grow, are chock<br />
full of nutrients and you can turn them<br />
<strong>in</strong>to tasty tucker that will have even the<br />
fussiest eaters com<strong>in</strong>g back for seconds<br />
Words Carrol Baker<br />
An Australian native bush-food<br />
garden is low ma<strong>in</strong>tenance and<br />
very reward<strong>in</strong>g because you get<br />
to eat the fruits of your labour.<br />
Often referred to as bush tucker, native<br />
food plants are well adapted to our climate<br />
and their hard<strong>in</strong>ess and resistance to<br />
diseases and pests mean they’re perfect for<br />
organic gardeners.<br />
Here are some of our favourites:<br />
Native f<strong>in</strong>ger lime Citrus australasica As<br />
the name suggests, this thorny little tree<br />
produces a slender, f<strong>in</strong>ger- or sausageshaped<br />
fruit that breaks open to reveal petite<br />
caviar-like segments that pack a zesty punch.<br />
Plant: Full sun to part shade. Native to NSW<br />
and Queensland border ranges, but it’s frost<br />
hardy so will grow <strong>in</strong> cooler climates. Prune<br />
annually to remove dead wood. It can be slow<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g but it’s worth the wait.<br />
Size: To 6m.<br />
Dish it up: It adds z<strong>in</strong>g to salads and soups.<br />
Use as a seafood garnish or add segments to<br />
sparkl<strong>in</strong>g water for a burst of fresh flavour.<br />
Wattle seed Acacia victoriae This is the rock<br />
star of bush tucker because it’s so versatile <strong>in</strong><br />
cook<strong>in</strong>g and its flavour is one of the best.<br />
Plant: Grows well <strong>in</strong> hot, low-ra<strong>in</strong>fall areas.<br />
Harvest seed pods dur<strong>in</strong>g summer by tapp<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the tree with a stick (with some force). Gather<br />
seeds and pop them <strong>in</strong>to an oven to slowly<br />
roast. This releases the nutty flavour.<br />
Size: To 4m.<br />
Dish it up: Gr<strong>in</strong>d the seed to add to desserts<br />
or mix with other spices and add to seafood<br />
or meat dishes. Add the flowers (after<br />
remov<strong>in</strong>g the stalks) to omelettes or scones.<br />
Lemon myrtle Backhousia citriodora This<br />
versatile tree is a stunn<strong>in</strong>g ornamental with<br />
beautiful creamy-coloured flowers, but it’s the<br />
leaves that have the <strong>in</strong>tense <strong>in</strong>fusion of citral<br />
(the lemony fragrance).<br />
Plant: Grows <strong>in</strong> part sun/full shade <strong>in</strong> welldra<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
soil, thriv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> warmer climates. It<br />
also looks strik<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a pot or as a hedge.<br />
Size: To 6m. Potted, it grows thick and lush.<br />
Dish it up: Use fresh from the tree <strong>in</strong> Thai<br />
cook<strong>in</strong>g, chicken dishes and desserts for a<br />
lemon-lime flavour <strong>in</strong>fusion.<br />
Illawarra plum Podocarpus elatus This<br />
beautiful tree is related to the p<strong>in</strong>e, with fleshy<br />
purple fruit encas<strong>in</strong>g a hard seed. The fruit<br />
has a berry-like sticky consistency with h<strong>in</strong>ts<br />
of grape and p<strong>in</strong>e flavours. Plums are ripe<br />
when they fall from the tree <strong>in</strong> autumn<br />
and w<strong>in</strong>ter.<br />
Melburnian, Mark Marathon<br />
70 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Bush foods | WEEKEND GARDENING<br />
Illawarra plum Podocarpus<br />
elatus foliage and cones<br />
Plant: Likes an area with good dra<strong>in</strong>age.<br />
Prefers temperate climates.<br />
Size: To 5–10m <strong>in</strong> cultivation and also looks<br />
fabulous <strong>in</strong> a large pot.<br />
Dish it up: Adds a rich, unique flavour to<br />
sauces and mar<strong>in</strong>ades or poach with your<br />
favourite tipple.<br />
Bush tomato Solanum centrale When is a<br />
tomato not a tomato? When it’s the bush tucker<br />
variety. This rambl<strong>in</strong>g plant has pale silver-green<br />
foliage, t<strong>in</strong>y purple flowers and it fruits profusely.<br />
It belongs to the Solanaceae family. The small<br />
fruits can be eaten fresh or dried like rais<strong>in</strong>s.<br />
They taste a little like semi-dried tomato with a<br />
p<strong>in</strong>ch of brown sugar.<br />
Plant: In well-dra<strong>in</strong>ed soil, it grows liberally <strong>in</strong><br />
the wild <strong>in</strong> NT, SA and WA.<br />
Size: To 45cm.<br />
Dish it up: Adds tang to sauces and<br />
relishes, or serve <strong>in</strong> an antipasto with a<br />
selection of cheeses.<br />
Lemon myrtle<br />
Backhousia citriodora<br />
leaves dried and<br />
crushed<br />
Did you know?<br />
The humble lilly pilly has berries that<br />
you can use to make jam or jelly. The<br />
fruit of the quandong, or native peach,<br />
makes delicious chutneys and the blue<br />
flax-lily is a beautiful garden specimen<br />
e<br />
with sweet, succulent berries you can<br />
nibble straight off the plant.<br />
Fresh lemon<br />
myrtle leaves<br />
Peter Woodard, John Moss, CSIRO<br />
Lilly pilly Syzygium australe fruit<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 71
WEEKEND GARDENING | Bush foods<br />
Warrigal greens Tetragonia tetragonioides<br />
This native perennial with diamond-shaped<br />
leaves has a host of colloquial monikers<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g New Zealand Sp<strong>in</strong>ach, Warrigal<br />
Sp<strong>in</strong>ach and Botany Bay Greens.<br />
Plant: Grows along the east coast of Australia<br />
and is suited to sandy soils. As a groundcover,<br />
however, it can run rampant.<br />
Size: To 1m.<br />
Dish it up: Before eat<strong>in</strong>g, blanch leaves for a<br />
m<strong>in</strong>ute or two to remove the oxalic acid. It’s<br />
the perfect substitute for other leafy greens<br />
like sp<strong>in</strong>ach and bok choy. Chop some and<br />
add it to pasta dishes or leafy salads.<br />
Want to unleash your <strong>in</strong>ner chef? Here are<br />
some websites to get you started.<br />
• tasteaustralia.biz<br />
• sbs.com.au/food/cuis<strong>in</strong>e/nativeaustralian<br />
• aussiecook<strong>in</strong>g.com.au/category/recipes/<br />
australian-native-food-recipes<br />
A word of<br />
caution<br />
While many of our <strong>in</strong>digenous plants<br />
are edible, some are poisonous. Always<br />
identify bush tucker before you sample it.<br />
Warrigal greens<br />
Tetragonia tetragonioides<br />
Wattle Acacia victoriae flowers<br />
Chef Maggie Beer<br />
“Bush tomato is favourite of m<strong>in</strong>e. I love the<br />
sweet spic<strong>in</strong>ess it offers used <strong>in</strong> a salt rub for<br />
a lamb shoulder before roast<strong>in</strong>g, or as part of<br />
a mar<strong>in</strong>ade for barbecued meats. And wattle<br />
seed is another delicious <strong>in</strong>gredient when<br />
added to any dessert that would suit the<br />
depth of flavour roasted coffee would offer.”<br />
Macadamia & Wattle Seed Cake<br />
Cake<br />
8 egg whites<br />
1½ cups caster sugar<br />
1 cup macadamia nuts, f<strong>in</strong>ely chopped<br />
1 cup dates, f<strong>in</strong>ely chopped<br />
½ cup pla<strong>in</strong> flour, sifted<br />
2 tsp ground wattle seed<br />
120g dark chocolate, grated<br />
Wattle Seed Cream<br />
500mL thickened cream<br />
2 tbsp caster sugar<br />
1 tsp ground wattle seed<br />
To make cake, grease a round bak<strong>in</strong>g pan<br />
and l<strong>in</strong>e base with bak<strong>in</strong>g paper.<br />
Beat egg whites <strong>in</strong> a small bowl with<br />
electric beater until soft peaks form.<br />
Gradually add sugar, beat<strong>in</strong>g well until sugar is<br />
dissolved and whites are firm. Fold <strong>in</strong> macadamia<br />
nuts, dates, flour, wattle seed and chocolate.<br />
Spread mixture evenly <strong>in</strong> t<strong>in</strong>.<br />
Cook at 160°C for about 25 m<strong>in</strong>utes until firm.<br />
Cool for couple of hours and serve with<br />
lash<strong>in</strong>gs of wattle seed whipped cream.<br />
To make wattle seed cream, whip cream and<br />
sugar together until thick, then add the wattle<br />
seed. Let sit for a while for flavours to comb<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
Seeds of the<br />
wattle Acacia<br />
victoriae<br />
Harry Rose, Mark Marathon, CSIRO<br />
72 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Bush foods | WEEKEND GARDENING<br />
Chef Mark Olive<br />
“Bush tucker is a part of my identity and<br />
culture. It has been my passion to br<strong>in</strong>g<br />
this to a wider audience through a fusion of<br />
traditional and modern cuis<strong>in</strong>e.”<br />
Spiky foliage of f<strong>in</strong>ger lime<br />
Kerry Boyne, Shutterstock<br />
Kangaroo Burgundy Pie<br />
1kg kangaroo fillet, diced (or use beef)<br />
2 brown onions, diced<br />
1 sweet potato, cut <strong>in</strong>to 1cm cubes<br />
3 cups beef stock<br />
1 cup red w<strong>in</strong>e<br />
2 tsp mounta<strong>in</strong> pepper<br />
Salt & pepper<br />
⅓ cup flour<br />
375g puff pastry sheets<br />
2 tbsp olive oil for fry<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Pre-heat oven to 200°C.<br />
Heat oil <strong>in</strong> frypan and brown meat. Add<br />
onion, sweet potato, 2 cups of stock, w<strong>in</strong>e<br />
and mounta<strong>in</strong> pepper. Cover and simmer for<br />
1 hour or until meat is tender. Add salt and<br />
pepper to taste.<br />
Mix flour with rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g cup of stock and<br />
add to meat mixture, stirr<strong>in</strong>g cont<strong>in</strong>uously<br />
until sauce thickens. Set aside to cool.<br />
Lay pastry sheet over pie dish and trim.<br />
Pour <strong>in</strong> cooled meat mixture, lay pastry<br />
sheet over top, seal edge and trim away<br />
excess. Glaze top with egg wash and prick<br />
with a fork.<br />
Bake for 10 m<strong>in</strong>utes, then reduce the<br />
temperature to 180°C and bake for a further<br />
20 m<strong>in</strong>utes or until pastry is golden-brown.<br />
Serves 6.<br />
Smoked Salmon<br />
Wraps with F<strong>in</strong>ger<br />
Lime<br />
By Georgie MacDougall<br />
from Wild F<strong>in</strong>ger Lime<br />
Cucumbers, f<strong>in</strong>ely shredded<br />
Smoked salmon<br />
Wasabi or horseradish cream<br />
Capers, f<strong>in</strong>ely sliced<br />
Native f<strong>in</strong>ger lime<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ger limes<br />
Tahitian lime<br />
Lay out salmon slices. Place cucumber,<br />
capers, horseradish cream or wasabi and<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ger lime caviar on salmon slices<br />
and wrap.<br />
Squeeze a little Tahitian lime juice over and<br />
garnish with f<strong>in</strong>ger lime.<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 73
WEEKEND GARDENING | Feed<strong>in</strong>g for growth<br />
WHAT’S ON THE<br />
MENU?<br />
We sift through the smorgasbord of<br />
choices for feed<strong>in</strong>g your plants<br />
Words & photos Claire Bickle<br />
As the days lengthen and the<br />
weather warms, our plants are just<br />
wait<strong>in</strong>g for soil and air temperatures<br />
to rise so they can get grow<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
make the most of the spr<strong>in</strong>g season. You can<br />
help by ensur<strong>in</strong>g there are adequate nutrients<br />
<strong>in</strong> the soil for them to draw on.<br />
Fertilis<strong>in</strong>g, of course, will always be subject<br />
to a few specific <strong>in</strong>dividual needs and how<br />
often to apply it really depends on what<br />
you’re grow<strong>in</strong>g, what season it is and so forth.<br />
You can be pretty sure that most plants,<br />
however, are go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to new growth as they<br />
come out of w<strong>in</strong>ter and <strong>in</strong>to the warmer months.<br />
<strong>Organic</strong> is the way<br />
to go<br />
Healthy, biologically active soil will be more<br />
beneficial for plants because their roots will<br />
be able to access the nutrients you apply<br />
more readily and effectively.<br />
<strong>Organic</strong> fertilisers differ from synthetic<br />
fertilisers <strong>in</strong> that they not only feed your<br />
plants but also help build the life <strong>in</strong> the soil<br />
and improve the soil’s health.<br />
<strong>Organic</strong> fertilisers are derived from animal,<br />
mar<strong>in</strong>e and plant sources as well as rock<br />
m<strong>in</strong>eral powders. Soil microbes work at<br />
break<strong>in</strong>g these down so plants can take up<br />
the nutrients, thereby releas<strong>in</strong>g nutrients<br />
slowly, provid<strong>in</strong>g long-term feed<strong>in</strong>g, which<br />
<strong>in</strong> turn promotes constant growth <strong>in</strong>stead of<br />
fast, excessive, pest-prone growth.<br />
<strong>Organic</strong> fertilisers will also help the soil<br />
reta<strong>in</strong> moisture and nutrients more effectively,<br />
encourage earthworm activity and promote<br />
the growth of beneficial soil microbes and<br />
fungi. This all leads to healthier and strongergrow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
plants.<br />
Dry fertilisers<br />
Most dry fertilisers come either as a powder<br />
or <strong>in</strong> pelletised form. Usually, for new<br />
plant<strong>in</strong>gs they are broadcast directly over the<br />
soil surface and can be raked or turned <strong>in</strong>to<br />
74 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Feed<strong>in</strong>g for growth | WEEKEND GARDENING<br />
the top layer of soil. Small amounts can also<br />
be added to plant<strong>in</strong>g holes.<br />
For exist<strong>in</strong>g gardens, applications can be<br />
spread around on the surface of the soil as<br />
well as around the drip-l<strong>in</strong>e of larger plants<br />
and trees. This is called side dress<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
It’s advisable to water the area first, then<br />
apply the chosen fertiliser and water it <strong>in</strong>.<br />
Even when apply<strong>in</strong>g organic fertilisers,<br />
burn<strong>in</strong>g can be a possibility if they haven’t<br />
been watered <strong>in</strong> after application. Always<br />
follow the directions on the packag<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
What are the dry organic fertilisers?<br />
Hoof and horn: This is a mix of cattle hooves<br />
and horns that have been cooked then<br />
ground to a f<strong>in</strong>e powder, mak<strong>in</strong>g it very similar<br />
<strong>in</strong> nutrient content to blood and bone. The<br />
nitrogen and phosphorus <strong>in</strong> hoof and horn are<br />
slow to release, tak<strong>in</strong>g some 6–12 weeks to<br />
start to release and last<strong>in</strong>g up to 12 months.<br />
It’s basically an organic slow-release fertiliser.<br />
Hoof and horn will <strong>in</strong>crease both root and leaf<br />
growth, improve soil structure and even work<br />
as a compost activator.<br />
Blood and bone, seaweed, pelletised<br />
poultry manure, slow-release granular<br />
manure and rock dust m<strong>in</strong>erals<br />
Keep<strong>in</strong>g backyard<br />
chickens means lots of<br />
fresh eggs but it also<br />
means lots of manure,<br />
a great resource<br />
for the garden<br />
<strong>Organic</strong> fertilisers differ<br />
from synthetic fertilisers<br />
<strong>in</strong> that they not only feed<br />
your plants but also help<br />
build the life <strong>in</strong> the<br />
soil and improve<br />
the soil’s health.<br />
Just remember, most animal manures are too strong and will burn<br />
plants if applied fresh. It’s best to compost down any fresh animal<br />
manures over weeks, even months, before apply<strong>in</strong>g to the garden<br />
Blood and bone: A mix of animal<br />
byproducts from slaughterhouses, blood and<br />
bone is also full of valuable nutrients such<br />
as nitrogen and phosphorus. The nitrogen is<br />
available to plants relatively quickly but the<br />
phosphorus, as <strong>in</strong> the hoof and horn, is slowrelease.<br />
Be aware that both have very limited<br />
amounts of potassium <strong>in</strong> them so it would be<br />
advisable to add potassium <strong>in</strong> another form<br />
to make up for the shortfall.<br />
Compost: It goes without say<strong>in</strong>g that this is<br />
one of the most widely used fertilisers and<br />
soil conditioners among organic gardeners.<br />
It can be applied not only at the time of<br />
Digg<strong>in</strong>g through<br />
Composts, manures, worm cast<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
and the like can be dug <strong>in</strong>to the soil<br />
before or at plant<strong>in</strong>g time. They can<br />
also be applied after plant<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
used as a top dress<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 75
WEEKEND GARDENING | Feed<strong>in</strong>g for growth<br />
The real deal<br />
Look for organic certification symbols<br />
on packag<strong>in</strong>g if buy<strong>in</strong>g any fertiliser<br />
or soil conditioner.<br />
soil preparation and plant<strong>in</strong>g but as a top<br />
dress<strong>in</strong>g as well. Compost can be easily made<br />
from a variety of kitchen and garden refuse<br />
but, if you’re not an adept composter, you can<br />
easily buy compost already bagged and ready<br />
to go from garden centres, hardware stores<br />
and community gardens. The great th<strong>in</strong>g<br />
about compost, especially the homemade<br />
stuff, is it not only feeds your plants but it<br />
also adds beneficial micro-organisms and<br />
fungi to your soil. This will <strong>in</strong>crease earthworm<br />
activity and greatly improve your soil health<br />
and structure.<br />
Herbivore manures: Manures from animals<br />
such as cows, horses, chickens, sheep, alpacas<br />
and goats are great fertilisers for your garden.<br />
Be careful around phosphorus-sensitive<br />
natives like grevilleas and banksias, though.<br />
Caution! Fresh manures can very strong<br />
and may burn your plants when applied<br />
fresh. It’s always a good idea to compost<br />
any fresh manures for a few months before<br />
apply<strong>in</strong>g. Ideally, you’d mix straw and lucerne,<br />
for example, through it all while compost<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Avoid us<strong>in</strong>g manure from carnivorous animals<br />
such as cats and dogs, as pathogens can be<br />
passed on.<br />
Pelletised manure fertilisers: Most organic<br />
pelletised fertilisers are based on fowl manure<br />
with additional elements often added, such<br />
as potassium. These are the most readily<br />
available for home gardeners and are easy to<br />
apply at plant<strong>in</strong>g time or to exist<strong>in</strong>g gardens.<br />
Rock dust m<strong>in</strong>erals: These are the organic<br />
alternative to the commonly seen trace<br />
elements packaged <strong>in</strong> garden centres and<br />
hardware stores. Some will argue that trace<br />
elements are just chemical elements <strong>in</strong><br />
any case — however, I prefer to stick with<br />
rock dust m<strong>in</strong>erals that haven’t<br />
been synthetically formulated.<br />
Compost<br />
Lucerne mulch not only acts as<br />
a mulch, suppress<strong>in</strong>g weeds and<br />
help<strong>in</strong>g reta<strong>in</strong> soil moisture, but<br />
as it breaks down it adds vital<br />
nutrients to the soil — so it<br />
acts as a fertiliser, too<br />
Worm cast<strong>in</strong>gs: Full of valuable nutrients<br />
and, like compost, conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g beneficial<br />
micro-organisms that have come directly<br />
from the worms’ digestive systems, worm<br />
cast<strong>in</strong>gs can be easily accessed from a<br />
function<strong>in</strong>g worm farm or even bought<br />
bagged and ready to use.<br />
BD 500 preparation: A heavily<br />
diluted solution of fermented<br />
cow manure, this is one of the most<br />
popular of the biodynamic fertilisers.<br />
It’s made from manure that has been buried<br />
<strong>in</strong> cow horns and composted throughout<br />
the w<strong>in</strong>ter months before be<strong>in</strong>g dug up,<br />
diluted and used.<br />
Liquid fertilisers<br />
Generally, liquid fertilisers are not as<br />
concentrated as dry fertilisers. When applied,<br />
most liquid fertilisers will have <strong>in</strong>structions on<br />
how much they are to be diluted with water.<br />
Most can be easily applied with a water<strong>in</strong>g<br />
can to the roots of a plant as a root drench or<br />
applied as a foliar feed, us<strong>in</strong>g a sprayer.<br />
Foliar feed<strong>in</strong>g is a very effective way to<br />
get those fast-act<strong>in</strong>g fertiliser nutrients <strong>in</strong>to<br />
a plant’s system. Plants will absorb liquid<br />
fertiliser quickly if it’s applied either early <strong>in</strong><br />
the morn<strong>in</strong>g or late <strong>in</strong> the day.<br />
It’s also a good way to deliver quickly<br />
nutrients that may be lack<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the soil.<br />
76 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Feed<strong>in</strong>g for growth | WEEKEND GARDENING<br />
Apply<strong>in</strong>g liquid fertilisers on a fortnightly or<br />
monthly basis is quite common, but other<br />
critical times where plants benefit from liquid<br />
fertiliser applications can be at plant<strong>in</strong>g, after<br />
flower<strong>in</strong>g and/or dur<strong>in</strong>g fruit set as well as<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g periods of drought.<br />
Seaweed: Seaweed is more of a plant tonic.<br />
It doesn’t have a very high percentage<br />
of all the nutrients but it does have the<br />
capacity to encourage soil microbes and<br />
fungi to work <strong>in</strong> with plant feeder roots.<br />
This means that plants <strong>in</strong> the presence of<br />
seaweed can take up nutrients and water<br />
more efficiently, are more drought- and<br />
disease-resistant and even more tolerant of<br />
temperature fluctuations and extremes.<br />
Fish emulsion: This is made up of fish<br />
waste byproducts and is a valuable,<br />
nutrient-rich liquid fertiliser. With plants<br />
that have been transplanted or freshly<br />
Foliar feed<strong>in</strong>g is a<br />
very effective way to<br />
get those fast-act<strong>in</strong>g<br />
fertiliser nutrients<br />
<strong>in</strong>to a plant’s system.<br />
Liquid fertilisers are a great option not only for giv<strong>in</strong>g plants a<br />
fertilis<strong>in</strong>g boost but for the ease <strong>in</strong> apply<strong>in</strong>g a foliar feed. Plants can<br />
take up liquid fertilis<strong>in</strong>g very quickly when applied to the foliage. It’s<br />
best to do this either early <strong>in</strong> the morn<strong>in</strong>g or late <strong>in</strong> the afternoon<br />
(Lepp<strong>in</strong>gton) Pty Ltd<br />
ABN 36 001 123 726<br />
1675 The Northern Road Br<strong>in</strong>gelly NSW 2556<br />
Phone: (02) 4773 4291 Fax: (02) 4773 4104 Email: sales@lpcmilk.com<br />
www.organicfertilisers.com.au<br />
Suppliers of certified poultry and cow manures.<br />
Fresh or composted delivered <strong>in</strong> bulk.<br />
Great for all types of agriculture <strong>in</strong>dustries.<br />
Poultry manure which can be spread <strong>in</strong> residential<br />
areas, golf courses, sport<strong>in</strong>g ovals and parks.<br />
Also ask us about our reduced low odour.<br />
Member of Australian <strong>Organic</strong> Association<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 77
WEEKEND GARDENING | Feed<strong>in</strong>g for growth<br />
planted, fish emulsion reduces transplant<br />
shock and helps plants to settle <strong>in</strong> and<br />
get grow<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Liquid blood and bone: This is basically a<br />
liquid form of the powdered blood and bone<br />
and can be easily used on potted plants as<br />
well as the garden.<br />
Compost tea/liquid manure/weed tea:<br />
These homemade fertiliser options can be<br />
easily made by steep<strong>in</strong>g compost, manure<br />
or weeds <strong>in</strong> a bucket of water for however<br />
long you like, but the longer the better.<br />
Weed tea will take longer and require<br />
frequent stirr<strong>in</strong>g to help the decomposition<br />
of the weeds. Be sure to remove any weed<br />
seeds that may float to the top of<br />
the bucket.<br />
Liquid worm cast<strong>in</strong>gs: The liquid that<br />
collects at the bottom of the worm farm can<br />
be diluted down to the colour of weak tea and<br />
applied to all garden plants. Sometimes it’s<br />
amus<strong>in</strong>gly called “worm wee”.<br />
Well-composted stable manure<br />
Not too strong<br />
Homemade liquid fertilisers such as<br />
liquid worm cast<strong>in</strong>gs, compost tea,<br />
and liquid manure should be diluted<br />
to the colour of weak tea.<br />
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78 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Geese | FEATHERED FRIENDS<br />
A GANDER AT<br />
GEESE<br />
A real asset on farms and acreages,<br />
geese are not just for look<strong>in</strong>g at<br />
Geese are great orchard workers,<br />
clean<strong>in</strong>g up pests and fallen fruit<br />
Kerry Boyne<br />
Words Megg Miller<br />
It’s a common error to th<strong>in</strong>k that geese are just<br />
ornamental birds because they look fantastic<br />
glid<strong>in</strong>g around the dam. Geese have presence<br />
and exude tonnes of personality but they can<br />
also be an asset with grass and pest control.<br />
There are more dos and don’ts with geese<br />
than other poultry species because they are<br />
very <strong>in</strong>telligent and capable of remember<strong>in</strong>g<br />
unpleasant experiences or mishandl<strong>in</strong>g. As<br />
they can live for many years, most mak<strong>in</strong>g it to<br />
their late teens or early 20s and a few reach<strong>in</strong>g<br />
their 30s, it’s important that behaviour<br />
guidel<strong>in</strong>es are set from the start.<br />
Nice but nasty<br />
Whether you have three or 33 geese,<br />
anticipate the blokes <strong>in</strong> the flock start<strong>in</strong>g<br />
territorial behaviour <strong>in</strong> w<strong>in</strong>ter <strong>in</strong> read<strong>in</strong>ess for<br />
mat<strong>in</strong>g and sett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g. Even the nicestnatured<br />
gander can become very protective<br />
of his girl or girls. Fortunately, once the<br />
breed<strong>in</strong>g season is over he’ll become a gentle<br />
giant once more.<br />
As ganders have had to protect their mates<br />
and offspr<strong>in</strong>g from predators for centuries,<br />
the <strong>in</strong>st<strong>in</strong>ct is still strong. And it’s welcome on<br />
many small farms where geese largely fend<br />
for themselves.<br />
Relationship riot<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Geese are said to be monogamous and some do<br />
<strong>in</strong>deed form lifelong bonds. Generally, though,<br />
they are kept <strong>in</strong> trios and lighter breeds like<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>ese may be run with as many as five or six<br />
geese to one gander, so polygamy is common.<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g the breed<strong>in</strong>g season an appreciation<br />
of affiliations is essential. If a female dies or<br />
is taken by a fox, don’t expect to replace the<br />
bird until months later. Stories abound about<br />
the drastic measures taken aga<strong>in</strong>st new<br />
arrivals when hormones are high: they <strong>in</strong>clude<br />
attempts at drown<strong>in</strong>g, exclusion from the flock<br />
and feed — even kill<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 79
FEATHERED FRIENDS | Geese<br />
A rigid peck<strong>in</strong>g order exists and you will<br />
notice that flock members will defer until<br />
more dom<strong>in</strong>ant birds enter the yard or their<br />
shed. At eat<strong>in</strong>g time anyth<strong>in</strong>g is OK, though<br />
young birds can be driven out.<br />
In understand<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>tensity of emotion<br />
and rigidly ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed social structure, owners<br />
soon learn what’s bluff and what’s bully<strong>in</strong>g —<br />
and whether <strong>in</strong>tervention is warranted.<br />
Best breeds<br />
It’s surpris<strong>in</strong>g the variation <strong>in</strong> temperament<br />
and behaviour between breeds of geese.<br />
The Ch<strong>in</strong>ese is small-bodied, active and<br />
agile, and a prolific egg layer. Ch<strong>in</strong>ese are also<br />
<strong>in</strong>credibly noisy so could potentially annoy<br />
close neighbours. If you have lots of acreage<br />
they will get around it with ease and their<br />
watchdog ability outperforms other breeds.<br />
The Australian Settler (formerly Pilgrim)<br />
has handy auto sex<strong>in</strong>g, the males be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
white plumaged and females a soft grey with<br />
white on the face. Size-wise they are heavier<br />
than Ch<strong>in</strong>ese but smaller than Embden or<br />
Toulouse. They make an ideal small farm bird.<br />
Embden are upright white geese, bossy,<br />
active and bigger eaters than the previous<br />
breeds because of their large size. Toulouse<br />
are also big-bodied birds but with more placid<br />
natures and a tendency to stay close to home<br />
because their short legs and low carriage<br />
preclude lots of wander<strong>in</strong>g. Both these birds<br />
will work satisfactorily <strong>in</strong> orchards and around<br />
sheds or driveways.<br />
Utility Toulouse<br />
There are more dos and don’ts with geese<br />
than other poultry species because they are<br />
very <strong>in</strong>telligent and capable of remember<strong>in</strong>g<br />
unpleasant experiences or mishandl<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Geese and grass<br />
Geese have serrated edges on their bills<br />
that enable them to harvest grass efficiently.<br />
They also have specific bacteria <strong>in</strong> their gut<br />
that allow them to derive more nutritional<br />
value from green feed than other poultry<br />
species. This doesn’t mean they can live<br />
on grass — it’s very high <strong>in</strong> water and<br />
certa<strong>in</strong>ly doesn’t provide the prote<strong>in</strong> and<br />
carbohydrates a big-bodied bird needs for<br />
optimum health and production.<br />
Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the geese to return to a safe<br />
shed or hold<strong>in</strong>g yard for night safety can be<br />
achieved by feed<strong>in</strong>g a proprietary pellet or<br />
mixed gra<strong>in</strong>s. Rattle the bucket and call them<br />
and they will learn the rout<strong>in</strong>e and be wait<strong>in</strong>g<br />
for you to pour out the tucker.<br />
Orchard waste<br />
One brilliant use of geese is allow<strong>in</strong>g them<br />
access to fruit trees where they will fossick<br />
around and <strong>in</strong>gest codl<strong>in</strong>g moth grubs and, <strong>in</strong><br />
summertime, eat fallen fruit.<br />
Geese can easily form part of a strategy to<br />
reduce fruit fly: they will quickly eat soft and<br />
spoilt fruit, <strong>in</strong>gest<strong>in</strong>g fruit fly larvae.<br />
A word of caution: those same serrated<br />
edges of the bill that tear off grass can also<br />
damage very young trees, so it’s necessary to<br />
protect young trees with mesh guards.<br />
Water wisdom<br />
If you’re plann<strong>in</strong>g on provid<strong>in</strong>g a kiddies’<br />
clamshell for water <strong>in</strong> their yard or down <strong>in</strong><br />
the paddock, be prepared to renew water<br />
once, if not twice, daily.<br />
Like ducks, geese need to immerse their<br />
faces <strong>in</strong> water to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> eye health, but<br />
they also like to moisten any feed they eat<br />
before swallow<strong>in</strong>g. This leads to residues <strong>in</strong><br />
the water that sour quickly <strong>in</strong> hot weather,<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g the water smell.<br />
Plus, geese are notorious for putt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
anyth<strong>in</strong>g they can get their bills around<br />
<strong>in</strong>to the water conta<strong>in</strong>er. Half the yard<br />
seems to end up <strong>in</strong> the dirty, smelly “soup”<br />
by end of day.<br />
Clear runn<strong>in</strong>g water or access to a stream<br />
would help <strong>in</strong> ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g water quality. If<br />
geese have access to a farm dam, there’s a<br />
risk they may spoil water quality for other<br />
livestock if the geese numbers are high.<br />
CanStockPhoto, Stavros 1 CC<br />
80 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Geese | FEATHERED FRIENDS<br />
Pilgrim or Australian Settler goose<br />
The serrated edges of their bills<br />
are good for munch<strong>in</strong>g grass<br />
The Ch<strong>in</strong>ese is a smaller breed<br />
Safety measures<br />
Ensure small children cannot wander<br />
<strong>in</strong>to hous<strong>in</strong>g and yards where geese<br />
are sett<strong>in</strong>g as the gander may attack.<br />
Equally, if you need to enter the<br />
facilities with feed and water, take<br />
a metal rubbish b<strong>in</strong> lid to use as a<br />
shield if the ganders look threaten<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Don’t strike or <strong>in</strong>jure an aggressive<br />
bird. If you’re confident, grab him<br />
by the neck and carry him at arm’s<br />
length (avoid flapp<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>in</strong>gs), and<br />
deposit him away from the yard so<br />
you can work <strong>in</strong> safety. Remember,<br />
the noise and bluff<strong>in</strong>g are temporary.<br />
Safe nest<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Offer hay bales and screened-off corners <strong>in</strong><br />
fox-proof sheds and yards for nest<strong>in</strong>g geese.<br />
If nests are built <strong>in</strong> the open, remove eggs<br />
and material and keep the goose yarded so<br />
she chooses a safe site.<br />
Make geese work<br />
Match the breed to the activities you want<br />
your birds <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> and they will be<br />
reward<strong>in</strong>g workers. No wonder the old-timers<br />
always kept a flock on their farms.<br />
Eggs are simply the best.<br />
We give them the best certifi ed organic gra<strong>in</strong> – no meat-meal (unlike others). We value the<br />
welfare of our feathered friends; that’s why we give them an idyllic habitat with plenty of space to<br />
roam, lots of deep mulch to scratch through, shady trees and lush pasture so our eggs are nutrient<br />
dense and rich <strong>in</strong> omega 3’s. We run no more than 600 hens per hectare. Our hens are always<br />
occupied so we don’t have to debeak.<br />
Happy hens lay sensational eggs.<br />
For stockists and more details, go to our website:<br />
www.organigrow.com.au<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 81
SHORT SHOOTS | Earthy ideas<br />
10<br />
Top Tips<br />
Clever ideas for your garden<br />
Words Er<strong>in</strong>a Starkey<br />
1<br />
Have an avo<br />
Plant<strong>in</strong>g an avocado tree now can<br />
afford you a lifetime’s worth of<br />
delicious breakfasts down the track. Did you<br />
know that a seven-year-old tree can produce<br />
around 200–300 avocados a year? Imag<strong>in</strong>e<br />
that! To grow your own, take an avocado<br />
seed, clean it thoroughly and pierce it firmly<br />
with three toothpicks, spaced equidistantly.<br />
Use the toothpicks to suspend the avocado<br />
broad end down over a glass of water so the<br />
seed is half submerged. Change the water<br />
every few days, ensur<strong>in</strong>g the water level<br />
rema<strong>in</strong>s constant. After two to three weeks<br />
you should start to see roots and a stem<br />
sprout<strong>in</strong>g. When the roots are thick and the<br />
stem has started produc<strong>in</strong>g leaves, plant it <strong>in</strong><br />
the garden.<br />
1<br />
2<br />
Plant<strong>in</strong>g pots<br />
By plant<strong>in</strong>g pots directly <strong>in</strong>to your<br />
garden bed you can easily change<br />
plant<strong>in</strong>gs over when flowers fade or seasons<br />
change. Sunken pots also create a barrier<br />
between the plants and the garden so they<br />
won’t overgrow or spread to nearby areas.<br />
This is particularly handy for difficult-tocontrol<br />
plants like blackberry and m<strong>in</strong>t. This<br />
system also allows you to grow plants<br />
<strong>in</strong> perfect soil, regardless of your actual<br />
soil conditions.<br />
3<br />
Turf that lawn<br />
Isn’t it time you converted your<br />
energy-wast<strong>in</strong>g lawn <strong>in</strong>to a thriv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
vegetable garden? To smother the grass, lay<br />
sheets of cardboard over the area, mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
sure the cardboard overlaps — grass can<br />
prove very persistent. Cover with a thick layer<br />
of compost or mulch and water heavily until<br />
it compacts. Over the next few weeks, the<br />
cardboard will break down and dis<strong>in</strong>tegrate<br />
while the grass beneath turns <strong>in</strong>to plant food<br />
for your new garden.<br />
4<br />
Bucket list<br />
If you have limited space, try<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g potatoes <strong>in</strong> a large barrel<br />
or b<strong>in</strong>. Then, when it comes time to harvest,<br />
all you need to do is tip the b<strong>in</strong> over and<br />
collect your bounty. No need to do the hard<br />
work digg<strong>in</strong>g, which would probably see you<br />
miss a few potatoes, anyway. Don’t forget<br />
to reserve a few knobbly potatoes to start a<br />
fresh crop next season.<br />
5<br />
Pa<strong>in</strong>t pots<br />
If your garden could do with a<br />
splash of colour this w<strong>in</strong>ter, dress<br />
up your pots with a fresh lick of pa<strong>in</strong>t. Start<br />
with a clean, dry pot and apply two coats<br />
of pa<strong>in</strong>t. You will get a better f<strong>in</strong>ish if the<br />
brushstrokes follow the circumference of<br />
the pot rather than brush<strong>in</strong>g up and down.<br />
When the pot is completely dry, use mask<strong>in</strong>g<br />
tape to make a pattern. It can be as simple<br />
as horizontal or vertical l<strong>in</strong>es or a series of<br />
irregular geometric shapes. Apply another<br />
two coats of pa<strong>in</strong>t <strong>in</strong> a contrast<strong>in</strong>g colour and<br />
leave to dry before remov<strong>in</strong>g the tape.<br />
6<br />
6<br />
Make a splash<br />
A pond is a beautiful garden<br />
feature and a great way to attract<br />
wildlife. If you don’t have the budget for an<br />
elaborate founta<strong>in</strong> you can always create<br />
your own pond from a simple garden pot. A<br />
shallow ceramic pot glazed <strong>in</strong>side and out is<br />
the perfect choice; all you need to do is plug<br />
up the dra<strong>in</strong>age holes with a silicon sealant. In<br />
the case of a terracotta or unglazed pot you’ll<br />
need to coat the <strong>in</strong>side with a waterproof<br />
pond sealer, which can be purchased from<br />
your local garden centre. Make sure you fill<br />
your pot with ra<strong>in</strong>water so it’s safe for fish to<br />
swim <strong>in</strong> and top with waterlilies and aquatic<br />
plants. A border of rocks will provide easy<br />
access for lizards that may come to dr<strong>in</strong>k.<br />
7 Hang<strong>in</strong>g<br />
gardens<br />
This w<strong>in</strong>ter, br<strong>in</strong>g the outside <strong>in</strong><br />
with a hang<strong>in</strong>g moss ball garden. To make<br />
your own moss ball, or kokedama as the<br />
Japanese call it, choose a m<strong>in</strong>iature, shadelov<strong>in</strong>g<br />
plant with a small root system such as<br />
a succulent, herb or fern. Carefully dislodge<br />
the soil from around its roots. Now b<strong>in</strong>d the<br />
roots together with wet sphagnum moss<br />
CanStockPhoto, Gergelyhideg CC<br />
82 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Earthy ideas | SHORT SHOOTS<br />
and tie it up with cotton thread. Next, make<br />
a soil mix us<strong>in</strong>g a ratio of 7:3 peat moss to<br />
bonsai soil and comb<strong>in</strong>e with water until it’s<br />
mouldable. Pack the soil mix around the ball<br />
tightly, then wrap with another layer of wet<br />
sphagnum moss to hold it all <strong>in</strong> place, ty<strong>in</strong>g<br />
it up with cotton thread. B<strong>in</strong>d aga<strong>in</strong> with<br />
garden tw<strong>in</strong>e to ensure the ball stays firm.<br />
Hang and enjoy!<br />
8<br />
It’s a wrap<br />
Move your pot plants <strong>in</strong>doors or<br />
to warmer microclimates when the<br />
cool weather sets <strong>in</strong>. You can also <strong>in</strong>sulate<br />
your pot plants by wrapp<strong>in</strong>g them <strong>in</strong> hessian<br />
or even leftover bubble wrap. A layer of<br />
mulch, hay or straw around the base of the<br />
plant will act like a blanket and help keep the<br />
soil warm and the plant healthy.<br />
7<br />
9<br />
Up aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
the wall<br />
If you’ve always wanted to grow<br />
a fruit tree but don’t th<strong>in</strong>k you have space,<br />
try espalier<strong>in</strong>g it flat aga<strong>in</strong>st a wall. Choose<br />
a warm, north-fac<strong>in</strong>g position for your tree<br />
and plant it 30cm from a fence or wall. As<br />
the tree grows, tra<strong>in</strong> the branches to follow<br />
the fence, ty<strong>in</strong>g them <strong>in</strong> place. You’ll need to<br />
prune your tree regularly to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> the flat,<br />
two-dimensional effect. This technique works<br />
particularly well for citrus and fruit trees such<br />
as apples, pears, peaches, nectar<strong>in</strong>es, olives,<br />
plums and cherries.<br />
10<br />
Handle like<br />
eggs<br />
Start<strong>in</strong>g seeds <strong>in</strong> the warm <strong>in</strong>doors<br />
ensures they have a strong, healthy start <strong>in</strong><br />
life. Sow<strong>in</strong>g seeds <strong>in</strong> egg cartons with dra<strong>in</strong>age<br />
holes punched <strong>in</strong> the bottom is a great<br />
alternative to a plant<strong>in</strong>g box. The pockets allow<br />
you to grow each plant <strong>in</strong>dividually so you<br />
won’t have to untangle roots down the track.<br />
Once your seeds have sprouted, cut out the<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividual egg cartons and plant them directly<br />
<strong>in</strong>to the ground. The cardboard will decompose<br />
naturally and the plant won’t experience any<br />
stress <strong>in</strong> the transplantation process. Used<br />
toilet roll tubes are another good option.<br />
9<br />
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to help save our planet.<br />
In Australia we put over 30 Million<br />
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they are made from will not break<br />
down <strong>in</strong> your lifetime nor <strong>in</strong> the<br />
lifetime of your children.<br />
Made from bamboo, they are biodegradable and environmentally<br />
susta<strong>in</strong>able.<br />
Available <strong>in</strong> Adult Soft, Adult Medium and Child Soft<br />
A better way to do the wash<strong>in</strong>g!<br />
We all know that laundry detergents are<br />
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did you know that Soap Nuts will do an<br />
outstand<strong>in</strong>g job clean<strong>in</strong>g your wash<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with no need for fabric softeners or other<br />
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personal use, or an outstand<strong>in</strong>g general<br />
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<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 83
GARDEN CALENDAR | Spr<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Th<strong>in</strong>gs to do <strong>in</strong><br />
september<br />
Spr<strong>in</strong>g fever grips gardeners and non-gardeners alike<br />
with the urge to nurture the soil and grow plants<br />
By Jennifer Stackhouse<br />
Vegetables<br />
COOL & TEMPERATE<br />
After a long, cold w<strong>in</strong>ter it’s reassur<strong>in</strong>g to see<br />
new shoots appear<strong>in</strong>g. The appearance of<br />
the first asparagus shoots <strong>in</strong> the vegetable<br />
garden is an excit<strong>in</strong>g moment. Harvest them<br />
daily, as the spears quickly become tall and<br />
woody. Not so welcome are weed seedl<strong>in</strong>gs,<br />
which are also appear<strong>in</strong>g now. Keep weeds<br />
under control around exist<strong>in</strong>g and new<br />
plant<strong>in</strong>gs by regularly hoe<strong>in</strong>g the soil; also<br />
spread mulch to deter weed growth. Sow<br />
summer crops <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g chilli, capsicum,<br />
tomato, eggplant, cucumber, pumpk<strong>in</strong>,<br />
squash, zucch<strong>in</strong>i and beans. Also plant<br />
lettuce and herbs, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g basil, parsley and<br />
coriander. Potatoes, beetroot and carrot can<br />
be planted now <strong>in</strong> all areas. When plant<strong>in</strong>g<br />
potatoes, use certified disease-free seed<br />
potatoes (tubers). In areas that are still cold<br />
and where frosts are likely, hold off plant<strong>in</strong>g<br />
warm-season crops. Instead, sow broad<br />
beans, broccoli, English sp<strong>in</strong>ach and rocket.<br />
TROPICAL<br />
As the high humidity returns, switch to<br />
plant<strong>in</strong>g vegies that tolerate <strong>in</strong>creased ra<strong>in</strong><br />
and humidity, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g all sorts of beans,<br />
cucumbers and Ch<strong>in</strong>ese greens. Choose<br />
cherry tomatoes <strong>in</strong>stead of larger-fruit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
1<br />
varieties as these are more pest- and<br />
disease-resistant. Cherry tomato seedl<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
may also be appear<strong>in</strong>g self-sown <strong>in</strong> the<br />
garden at this time. Cherry tomatoes have a<br />
sprawl<strong>in</strong>g habit, so stak<strong>in</strong>g them or tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
them on a trellis will help manage them <strong>in</strong><br />
the garden. Cherry tomatoes are prolific,<br />
too, so pick fruit frequently. To keep herbs<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g well as the humidity rises, grow them<br />
<strong>in</strong> terracotta pots filled with free-dra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
pott<strong>in</strong>g mix. Shelter them from excessive ra<strong>in</strong><br />
by keep<strong>in</strong>g them on a covered but brightly<br />
lit verandah. Shade leafy vegies to reduce<br />
foliage burn and water loss.<br />
Fruit<br />
COOL & TEMPERATE<br />
Fast action is needed <strong>in</strong> early <strong>September</strong> as<br />
this is the last chance this year to control peach<br />
leaf curl. This disease, which affects leaves<br />
on peaches, nectar<strong>in</strong>es and apricots and can<br />
reduce crops, must be prevented before the<br />
new leaves emerge by apply<strong>in</strong>g fungicide to<br />
the swell<strong>in</strong>g buds. Apply copper spray <strong>in</strong> late<br />
w<strong>in</strong>ter or very early spr<strong>in</strong>g. If trees are already<br />
<strong>in</strong> leaf, it’s too late to spray as the copper<br />
can burn foliage. As the disease progresses,<br />
<strong>in</strong>fected leaves become distorted, red or p<strong>in</strong>k<br />
and swollen and then drop. Feed and water any<br />
affected trees well dur<strong>in</strong>g spr<strong>in</strong>g to encourage a<br />
healthy crop of new leaves as the tree replaces<br />
lost foliage. Also f<strong>in</strong>ish plant<strong>in</strong>g bare-rooted<br />
deciduous fruit plants. If space isn’t available <strong>in</strong><br />
the garden, temporarily pot them up <strong>in</strong>to large<br />
conta<strong>in</strong>ers with good-quality pott<strong>in</strong>g mix until<br />
a permanent home is ready. Prune and feed<br />
overgrown passionfruit v<strong>in</strong>es. Also feed citrus,<br />
as the fruit sets, and avocado trees.<br />
TROPICAL<br />
In hot areas, fruit<strong>in</strong>g trees such as citrus and<br />
lychees appreciate light shade, especially as<br />
they establish. The overhang<strong>in</strong>g branches<br />
of fruit<strong>in</strong>g trees also provide light shade for<br />
vegie crops that are stressed by full sun.<br />
If birds and <strong>in</strong>sects regularly destroy fruit<br />
crops, grow fruit<strong>in</strong>g trees and shrubs <strong>in</strong> a<br />
large, netted area. Spr<strong>in</strong>g is a good time to<br />
2<br />
start a crop of rosellas. These small shrubs<br />
produce red hibiscus-like flowers that are<br />
used for mak<strong>in</strong>g jams or preserves. They can<br />
be grown from seed or seedl<strong>in</strong>gs. Feed citrus<br />
with complete organic citrus food.<br />
Compost & soil<br />
COOL & TEMPERATE<br />
Many vegetable beds have been rest<strong>in</strong>g<br />
through w<strong>in</strong>ter. These beds can be dug over<br />
now to ready them for spr<strong>in</strong>g plant<strong>in</strong>g. Dig <strong>in</strong><br />
green manure crops that have been grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
over w<strong>in</strong>ter; this adds natural nourishment<br />
to the soil. Also dig over the compost heap.<br />
Turn<strong>in</strong>g the compost as it decomposes helps<br />
to kick-start the compost<strong>in</strong>g process, add<strong>in</strong>g<br />
oxygen to the rott<strong>in</strong>g-down material. Digg<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> a few spades of manure such as the litter<br />
from the chook shed helps to re<strong>in</strong>vigorate the<br />
compost heap after w<strong>in</strong>ter. If the heap is cold<br />
and not break<strong>in</strong>g down material quickly, cover<br />
it with cardboard or matt<strong>in</strong>g to help it warm up.<br />
TROPICAL<br />
Where soil dra<strong>in</strong>age is poor dur<strong>in</strong>g the long, wet<br />
summer, make raised rows or beds, especially<br />
<strong>in</strong> the vegie patch, to assist soil dra<strong>in</strong>age and<br />
reduce root-rot diseases. Spread compost under<br />
fruit<strong>in</strong>g trees and renew mulches to protect soils<br />
and reduce weeds. Chop up prun<strong>in</strong>gs, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
fallen palm fronds and other leafy material,<br />
to spread as mulch around trees and shrubs.<br />
Mulches can also be used to surface pathways .<br />
Kerry Boyne, CanStockPhoto<br />
84 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Spr<strong>in</strong>g | GARDEN CALENDAR<br />
3<br />
1. Asparagus shoots are appear<strong>in</strong>g around about now<br />
2. Self-sown cherry tomatoes may be popp<strong>in</strong>g up here and there<br />
3. Sow seeds that are hard to germ<strong>in</strong>ate <strong>in</strong> punnets or seedl<strong>in</strong>g trays<br />
4. Plant Asian greens <strong>in</strong> more humid areas as they tolerate high ra<strong>in</strong>fall<br />
<strong>5.</strong> Renew the mulch around fruit trees to protect soil and reduce weeds<br />
4 5<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g from seed<br />
Early spr<strong>in</strong>g is an ideal time to raise plants from seed. Sow seed<br />
either directly where it is to grow, or <strong>in</strong> punnets or seed trays filled<br />
with seed-rais<strong>in</strong>g mix. Large seeds such as corn or pumpk<strong>in</strong> that<br />
are easy to handle and seeds of plants that resent disturbance,<br />
such as carrot, are best direct sown. Small seeds or seeds of<br />
plants that are hard to germ<strong>in</strong>ate can be better managed if they<br />
are started <strong>in</strong> punnets. Rais<strong>in</strong>g warm-season seedl<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> punnets,<br />
which can be kept <strong>in</strong> a warm sheltered spot, also allows gardeners<br />
to get a head start where the soil is cold or the weather fickle.<br />
Lightly cover seeds with a spr<strong>in</strong>kle of mix and keep the seedbed<br />
moist. Transplant seedl<strong>in</strong>gs when they are large enough to handle<br />
(usually two to three weeks after they emerge). Soak seedl<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
before transplant<strong>in</strong>g and water them <strong>in</strong>to their new home with<br />
a seaweed solution to help reduce transplant shock.<br />
Around 60% of our rubbish <strong>in</strong> landfills can be composted<br />
Compost<strong>in</strong>gHome.com.au<br />
for all you need to know and products that will help you produce compost.<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 85
GARDEN CALENDAR | Spr<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Th<strong>in</strong>gs to do <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>October</strong><br />
It’s mid-spr<strong>in</strong>g and everyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the vegie patch and orchard is erupt<strong>in</strong>g with<br />
flowers and delicious fruits. It’s a great time to be grow<strong>in</strong>g and harvest<strong>in</strong>g<br />
By Jennifer Stackhouse<br />
Vegetables<br />
COOL & TEMPERATE<br />
In all but the coldest areas, plant summer<br />
crops now, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g corn, beans,<br />
cucumber, tomato, zucch<strong>in</strong>i, squash and<br />
pumpk<strong>in</strong>. As they grow, tie tomato stems<br />
to tall stakes and tra<strong>in</strong> climb<strong>in</strong>g beans and<br />
cucumbers onto a tepee or trellis. Use soft<br />
ties to avoid damag<strong>in</strong>g stems. Make the<br />
most of the good grow<strong>in</strong>g times ahead with<br />
succession plant<strong>in</strong>g. Every few weeks, sow<br />
more seeds or plant a few more seedl<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
of leafy greens such as lettuce and English<br />
sp<strong>in</strong>ach (best <strong>in</strong> cooler zones) to keep a<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>uous harvest happen<strong>in</strong>g. To help<br />
shade crops as the heat <strong>in</strong>tensifies, sow a<br />
row of sunflowers along the western side of<br />
the vegie patch — or use this space for a<br />
block of corn or a trellis of beans.<br />
TROPICAL<br />
If your family enjoys corn straight off the cob,<br />
grow your own sweetcorn crop. Sow seeds<br />
directly <strong>in</strong>to the soil. For best results with this<br />
w<strong>in</strong>d-poll<strong>in</strong>ated plant, sow corn <strong>in</strong> blocks at<br />
least a metre square rather than <strong>in</strong> long rows.<br />
Also plant beans now. Snake beans do well <strong>in</strong><br />
hot climates but perform best when tra<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
onto a support such as a trellis. Borlotti beans<br />
provide colourful seeds, which can be eaten<br />
fresh or stored as dry beans. Any climb<strong>in</strong>g<br />
vegetable can also be used for <strong>in</strong>stant shade<br />
over leafy greens.<br />
1<br />
Fruit<br />
COOL & TEMPERATE<br />
The flowers on fruit trees may herald a<br />
bumper crop but only if all the mechanisms<br />
are <strong>in</strong> place for poll<strong>in</strong>ation. Many fruit<br />
trees require another variety to provide<br />
the pollen (this is called cross-poll<strong>in</strong>ation).<br />
Without cross-poll<strong>in</strong>ation, fruit may fail<br />
to set. For a long-term solution, plant<br />
poll<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g varieties, but for a short-term<br />
option br<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> cut branches of flowers<br />
to act as <strong>in</strong>stant poll<strong>in</strong>ators. Simply place<br />
them <strong>in</strong> buckets of water under fruit trees;<br />
the bees will do the rest. If bees are <strong>in</strong> short<br />
supply, fruit set will be poor. Attract bees<br />
to the garden with flower<strong>in</strong>g herbs such<br />
as basil and borage along with flowers<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g daisies and lavender. For a ready<br />
supply of poll<strong>in</strong>ators — as well as other<br />
benefits — consider <strong>in</strong>stall<strong>in</strong>g a beehive.<br />
TROPICAL<br />
As soon as there’s ripe fruit ready for harvest,<br />
the local wildlife are onto it. Pick fruit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
crops regularly to try to beat the birds or<br />
use exclusion bags around <strong>in</strong>dividual fruit<br />
clusters. Bird nett<strong>in</strong>g (stretched tight) or fruit<br />
cages are the only sure ways to keep birds,<br />
possums and wallabies away from edible<br />
plants. If you are us<strong>in</strong>g bird nett<strong>in</strong>g, check it<br />
regularly for trapped animals, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g bats<br />
and reptiles as well as birds. Control fruit fly<br />
by us<strong>in</strong>g eco-friendly fruit-fly baits. Renew<br />
them regularly. This is also a good time to<br />
make new plant<strong>in</strong>gs but, if conditions are<br />
likely to become waterlogged through the wet<br />
season, plant fruit trees <strong>in</strong>to slightly raised<br />
beds to allow better dra<strong>in</strong>age.<br />
Compost & soil<br />
COOL & TEMPERATE<br />
Repot plants that have been <strong>in</strong> a conta<strong>in</strong>er for<br />
a while. Select a pot that’s just slightly larger<br />
than the current conta<strong>in</strong>er. For best grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
results <strong>in</strong> conta<strong>in</strong>ers, check that the mix you<br />
are buy<strong>in</strong>g meets the Australian Standard<br />
(look for the ticks on the bag). Pott<strong>in</strong>g mixes<br />
are sold for general purposes but may also<br />
2<br />
be customised for specific plants or garden<br />
use. Specialised pott<strong>in</strong>g mixes <strong>in</strong>clude those<br />
for vegetables as well as for propagation of<br />
cutt<strong>in</strong>gs or rais<strong>in</strong>g seed. <strong>Organic</strong> products are<br />
also available. Top off conta<strong>in</strong>ers with a f<strong>in</strong>e<br />
layer of compost or organic mulch.<br />
TROPICAL<br />
Grow liv<strong>in</strong>g groundcovers us<strong>in</strong>g prostrate<br />
plants — <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g nasturtium, sweet potato<br />
or pumpk<strong>in</strong>s — to cover the soil with a<br />
green alternative to mulch. Even grass helps<br />
protect soils from the erosion caused by<br />
heavy downpours and is an ideal companion<br />
for orchards. For a dense cover over the soil,<br />
select plants that form roots as they grow<br />
such as sweet potato (shoots or sprouted<br />
tubers can be planted now). Groundcover<br />
plants also help to keep soils cool and<br />
discourage weed growth. Zucch<strong>in</strong>i is an<br />
efficient smotherer of weeds .<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
86 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Spr<strong>in</strong>g | GARDEN CALENDAR<br />
3<br />
5<br />
4<br />
1. Protect your fruit<br />
from possums, birds<br />
and other fruit lovers<br />
2. Snake beans grow<br />
well <strong>in</strong> warm climates<br />
3. A bumper crop? Only<br />
with good poll<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
4. Nasturtium makes<br />
a pretty liv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
groundcover<br />
<strong>5.</strong> Repot plants <strong>in</strong>to<br />
slightly larger pots<br />
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<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 87
GARDEN TO TABLE | Seasonal edibles<br />
Garden to table<br />
with The <strong>Organic</strong> Chef, Joanna Rushton<br />
90 Chives<br />
Scrambled Eggs & Chives <strong>in</strong> a Thimble of Salmon Gravlax<br />
92 Apples<br />
Slow-Cooked Spiced Pork with Apple & Fennel<br />
94 Herbs<br />
Fresh Herb Salad<br />
96 Oranges<br />
Orange & Almond Cake<br />
98 Spr<strong>in</strong>g vegetables<br />
Giard<strong>in</strong>iera<br />
88 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Seasonal edibles | GARDEN TO TABLE<br />
90<br />
92<br />
94<br />
96<br />
98<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 89
COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON | chives<br />
Star <strong>in</strong>gredient: Chives<br />
Scrambled Eggs & Chives <strong>in</strong><br />
a Thimble of Salmon Gravlax<br />
When you have weekend breakfast guests, this is a pretty presentation of a wholesome scrambled egg dish.<br />
Make one for each person.<br />
Serves 1<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 50g salmon gravlax<br />
• 30g ghee<br />
• 1 tbsp chopped chives<br />
• P<strong>in</strong>ch Celtic salt and cracked pepper<br />
• 2 eggs, whisked<br />
• 2 slices toasted sourdough<br />
Jo’s tip<br />
Chutney or cherry tomatoes will add <strong>in</strong>terest<br />
to the dish.<br />
Method<br />
1. L<strong>in</strong>e a ramek<strong>in</strong> with the salmon, allow<strong>in</strong>g it<br />
to sit just over the edge of the ramek<strong>in</strong>, and<br />
set aside.<br />
2. Heat sauté pan on medium heat and melt<br />
ghee. Add chives.<br />
3. Add salt and pepper to egg and pour <strong>in</strong>to<br />
sauté pan. Scramble until soft.<br />
4. Fill ramek<strong>in</strong> with egg mixture and gently fold<br />
over sides of salmon to cover egg, as shown.<br />
<strong>5.</strong> Turn ramek<strong>in</strong> upside down on plate and<br />
serve with sourdough.<br />
90 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
chives | COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 91
COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON | Apple<br />
Star <strong>in</strong>gredient: Apple<br />
Slow-Cooked Spiced Pork<br />
with Apple & Fennel<br />
With this cook<strong>in</strong>g method, the lean cutlets rema<strong>in</strong> moist and soft and the flavours of the<br />
herbs and spices deepen to <strong>in</strong>fuse the meat.<br />
Serves 2<br />
Ingredients<br />
½ cup chicken stock<br />
2 large free-range pork cutlets<br />
1½ tbsp Ovvio Fragrant Fruit <strong>Organic</strong><br />
Spice Blend*<br />
1 apple, cored & sliced (sk<strong>in</strong> on)<br />
½ fennel bulb, th<strong>in</strong>ly sliced<br />
1–2 sprigs French tarragon, leaves stripped<br />
* Available onl<strong>in</strong>e at ovvioorganics.com.au.<br />
Alternatively, mix together <strong>in</strong> a mortar and<br />
pestle 1 tsp each of ground c<strong>in</strong>namon, ground<br />
cloves, orange zest and juniper berries.<br />
Method<br />
1. Pour stock <strong>in</strong>to bottom of slow cooker.<br />
2. Coat pork cutlets <strong>in</strong> spice mix and arrange<br />
<strong>in</strong> stock.<br />
3. Arrange apple and fennel slices around<br />
cutlets and scatter tarragon leaves.<br />
4. Cover and set slow cooker on low for 5 hours.<br />
<strong>5.</strong> Serve with your choice of vegetables or salad.<br />
Jo’s tip<br />
Remove the lid a couple of times and spoon<br />
juice over the meat.<br />
92 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
Apple | COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 93
COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON | herbs<br />
Star <strong>in</strong>gredient: Herbs<br />
Fresh Herb Salad<br />
This is a great complement for other more vegie-based salads or any dish that<br />
already has a lot of vegies and just needs some fresh, flavoursome greenery.<br />
Serves 4<br />
Ingredients<br />
• Bunch watercress<br />
• Bunch m<strong>in</strong>t, roughly chopped<br />
• Bunch coriander, picked <strong>in</strong>to pieces, not<br />
chopped<br />
• Bunch basil, roughly chopped<br />
• Toasted pepitas<br />
• Toasted sesame seeds<br />
• ½ tbsp Dijon mustard<br />
• Juice 1 lemon<br />
• 150mL extra-virg<strong>in</strong> olive oil<br />
Jo’s tip<br />
Be creative and use whatever fresh seasonal<br />
herbs you have that look good and don’t<br />
overpower other flavours.<br />
Method<br />
1. Comb<strong>in</strong>e watercress and herbs <strong>in</strong> large bowl.<br />
2. Mix together mustard, lemon juice and olive<br />
oil (use more or less oil depend<strong>in</strong>g on how<br />
much lemon flavour you like).<br />
3. Pour over salad a little at a time. You want<br />
the salad just lightly coated, not drenched.<br />
4. Toss through pepitas and sesame seeds.<br />
Keep<strong>in</strong>g herbs fresh<br />
When stor<strong>in</strong>g fresh herbs, they will last<br />
without wilt<strong>in</strong>g for up to a week <strong>in</strong> the<br />
fridge if you wrap them <strong>in</strong> newspaper,<br />
kitchen paper or a small teatowel and<br />
keep the paper or towel damp.<br />
94 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
herbs | COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 95
COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON | orange<br />
Star <strong>in</strong>gredient: Orange<br />
Orange & Almond Cake<br />
This is one of the moistest cakes I’ve made. Serve it with your choice<br />
of creamy yoghurt, mascarpone or cream.<br />
Serves 8<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 2 oranges<br />
• 6 eggs<br />
• 150g honey<br />
• 1 tsp ground cardamom<br />
• 250g ground almonds (almond meal)<br />
• 1 tsp bak<strong>in</strong>g powder<br />
Jo’s tip<br />
You could try us<strong>in</strong>g half coconut flour and half<br />
almond or hazelnut meal <strong>in</strong>stead and it would<br />
still reta<strong>in</strong> its moisture. The only difference is<br />
it will be a little heavier <strong>in</strong> texture.<br />
Method<br />
1. Preheat oven to 160°C.<br />
2. Boil whole oranges for 1 hour, chang<strong>in</strong>g<br />
water twice to remove bitterness from sk<strong>in</strong>.<br />
3. Blend whole oranges <strong>in</strong> food processor.<br />
4. Beat eggs, honey and cardamom until<br />
creamy, then stir <strong>in</strong> orange pulp.<br />
<strong>5.</strong> Add almond meal mixed with bak<strong>in</strong>g powder<br />
(the mixture will be fairly soft).<br />
6. Pour <strong>in</strong>to square or round t<strong>in</strong> and bake for<br />
20–30 m<strong>in</strong>s. Check that the batter is cooked<br />
by <strong>in</strong>sert<strong>in</strong>g a skewer.<br />
7. Cool before lift<strong>in</strong>g out and serv<strong>in</strong>g. Decorate<br />
with crushed nuts or candied peel and a<br />
light dust<strong>in</strong>g of ic<strong>in</strong>g sugar<br />
96 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
orange | COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON<br />
CanStockPhoto<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 97
PRESERVING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON | Spr<strong>in</strong>g vegetables<br />
Star <strong>in</strong>gredient: Spr<strong>in</strong>g vegetables<br />
Giard<strong>in</strong>iera<br />
(Italian Pickled Vegetables)<br />
There are many variations on the blend of vegetables used <strong>in</strong> the Italian classic, giard<strong>in</strong>iera, but this is one of my favourite<br />
comb<strong>in</strong>ations us<strong>in</strong>g spr<strong>in</strong>g vegetables. You can add eggplant and peppers when <strong>in</strong> season.<br />
Makes 1 large jar<br />
Ingredients<br />
1 large red onion, cut <strong>in</strong>to th<strong>in</strong> wedges<br />
200g zucch<strong>in</strong>i, cut <strong>in</strong>to 1cm pieces<br />
8–10 cauliflower florets<br />
1-2 carrots, sliced<br />
8 baby corn cobs<br />
1–2 celery sticks, sliced<br />
2 yellow squash, quartered<br />
100g button mushrooms<br />
175g Celtic salt<br />
120g red cherry tomatoes<br />
120g yellow cherry tomatoes<br />
6 garlic cloves<br />
7 tbsp (140mL) good-quality fruity olive oil<br />
700mL apple-cider v<strong>in</strong>egar<br />
5–6 bay leaves<br />
5 sprigs thyme<br />
1 tsp black peppercorns<br />
Method<br />
1. Layer vegetables <strong>in</strong> non-metallic bowl with<br />
salt. Place heavy or weighted plate on top<br />
and refrigerate overnight.<br />
2. The next day, dra<strong>in</strong> off accumulated liquid,<br />
r<strong>in</strong>se vegetables well, then lay on teatowel<br />
and allow to dry.<br />
3. Return vegetables to bowl, then add<br />
tomatoes, garlic and olive oil and stir<br />
to comb<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
4. Pour a little v<strong>in</strong>egar <strong>in</strong> the base of 2L storage<br />
jar (or you can use 2 smaller jars), layer the<br />
vegies with the herbs and peppercorns,<br />
pack<strong>in</strong>g them <strong>in</strong> well, then fill each jar with<br />
v<strong>in</strong>egar to completely cover vegetables.<br />
<strong>5.</strong> Seal jar well and place <strong>in</strong> a cool, dark place<br />
for at least a month before serv<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Jo’s tip<br />
Serve as part of an antipasto platter.<br />
98 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
ooks | REVIEWS<br />
Cover to cover<br />
Leaf<strong>in</strong>g through books for gardeners and nature lovers<br />
Harvest<br />
Illustrated by Emilie Guelpa, Hardie Grant $29.99<br />
It goes without say<strong>in</strong>g that cookbooks these days are among the most visually stunn<strong>in</strong>g publications<br />
on any bookshop’s shelves. French designer and photographer Emilie Guelpa adds an extra<br />
dimension with her beautiful watercolours of the produce featured <strong>in</strong> Harvest’s 200-odd recipes,<br />
divided by seasons and featur<strong>in</strong>g the likes of Barbecued Quail with Baby Carrot Salad & Black<br />
Qu<strong>in</strong>oa, Seared Tuna with Fennel Confit, Chestnut Risotto with Sage & Pancetta, Lemon Olive Oil<br />
Cake with Raspberry Curd, and Dulce de Leche & Banana Pavlova with Salted Pral<strong>in</strong>e. The pictures<br />
alone will start you salivat<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Vegan Bowl Attack!<br />
By Jackie Sobon, Allen & Unw<strong>in</strong>, $27.99<br />
The title might sound like a Hollywood action movie, but vegan blogger and food photographer<br />
Jackie Sobon is eager to dispel the notion that vegans “eat just grass and dirt”. In fact, she espouses<br />
the theory that “form follows function” and says, “Food tastes better when it looks better!” She’s also<br />
a big fan of exclamation marks. But aesthetics and punctuation aside, Sobon believes <strong>in</strong> the form and<br />
function of the bowl, too. Before she plunges <strong>in</strong>to this book of photogenic recipes — from breakfast<br />
(Peanut Butter Pretzel Oatmeal!) to d<strong>in</strong>ner (Cashew-Crusted Tofu Stir-Fry!) to dessert (Amaretto<br />
Cherry Ice Cream!) — she first expla<strong>in</strong>s how to build the perfect bowl, from the base of gra<strong>in</strong> to the<br />
prote<strong>in</strong> on top. So grab a bowl and get ready to “chow down on recipes that won’t disappo<strong>in</strong>t!”<br />
Gra<strong>in</strong> Bowls<br />
By Anna Shill<strong>in</strong>glaw Hampton, Hardie Grant $19.99<br />
More bowls, and another book dedicated to mak<strong>in</strong>g healthy food look and taste good. Food stylist<br />
Anna Shill<strong>in</strong>glaw Hampton is excited about the resurgence of <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> “ancient gra<strong>in</strong>s” — bulgur<br />
wheat, freekeh, qu<strong>in</strong>oa, farro, buckwheat, wheatberry, kamut and spelt — as well as the more familiar<br />
rice and barley. These are now all available once more <strong>in</strong> their unprocessed forms, which is another<br />
tick for healthy eat<strong>in</strong>g. Gra<strong>in</strong> Bowls presents 80 recipes that <strong>in</strong>clude one-pot dishes such as meat<br />
stews and risottos as well as bowls that can be assembled <strong>in</strong> advance for a quick snack or <strong>in</strong>formal<br />
weeknight d<strong>in</strong>ner — just add sauces and dress<strong>in</strong>gs. The recipes are, of course, endlessly adaptable<br />
for fussy eaters. Eat<strong>in</strong>g healthy was never easier.<br />
Soups<br />
By Anna Helm Baxter, Hardie Grant $19.99<br />
Is there a comfort food more comfort<strong>in</strong>g than soup? The restorative powers of soup are part of our<br />
language <strong>in</strong> the French word restaurant, which orig<strong>in</strong>ally referred to a cheap, concentrated broth sold<br />
on the streets as an antidote for exhaustion. Here are soups for every occasion, whether classics<br />
like bouillabaisse, chowder or split pea and ham, or the slightly more exotic courgette and brie, or<br />
chickpea and hazelnut. Let’s not forget the chilled summer delights of gazpacho and vichyssoise,<br />
the subtle pleasures of miso and other stock-based soups and the accompaniments and topp<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
to go with them such as cheese or pâté toasts, chorizo crumbs or roasted kale with za’atar. For even<br />
tastier soups, the book provides recipes for mak<strong>in</strong>g your own delicious stocks.<br />
Wholefood from the Ground Up<br />
By Jude Blereau, Murdoch Books $39.99<br />
“Born <strong>in</strong> the 1950s to a mother of Italian descent,” writes whole and natural foods expert Jude<br />
Blereau, “I was fortunate enough to grow up <strong>in</strong> a family and society that understood food: how to<br />
grow it and source it, supply and prepare it so that it nourished both body and soul.” So this is more<br />
than just another cookbook; it is <strong>in</strong> part a call to change our <strong>in</strong>dustrialised food culture and return to<br />
the solid values of good soil and whole, natural and unref<strong>in</strong>ed foods — <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g animal fats — that<br />
provide not only nutrition but also good gut ecology. Aside from more than 120 nourish<strong>in</strong>g recipes,<br />
Blereau provides clear <strong>in</strong>formation on what constitutes “good” food as well as a guide to build<strong>in</strong>g<br />
your own wholefood pantry and practical tips for plann<strong>in</strong>g and prepar<strong>in</strong>g food ahead.<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 99
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PICK OF THE CROP<br />
pick of the crop<br />
Our selection of products and services for gardeners and cooks<br />
<strong>Organic</strong> and biodynamic<br />
tipples<br />
Rob<strong>in</strong>vale W<strong>in</strong>es is a family owned and operated dual-certified<br />
organic and biodynamic w<strong>in</strong>ery and v<strong>in</strong>eyard <strong>in</strong> Rob<strong>in</strong>vale, northwest<br />
Victoria. Resembl<strong>in</strong>g a Greek Temple, the w<strong>in</strong>ery was built<br />
from Mount Gambier limestone to help ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> a cool temperate<br />
cellar. The w<strong>in</strong>ery is fully equipped with bottl<strong>in</strong>g facilities and<br />
cellar door. The property is certified with the Bio-Dynamic<br />
Research Institute of Australia and is Australian Certified <strong>Organic</strong>.<br />
Products that meet the high standards of these organisations<br />
are entitled to carry the logos <strong>in</strong>dicat<strong>in</strong>g they are certified and<br />
produced accord<strong>in</strong>g to those high standards . Rob<strong>in</strong>vale produces<br />
award-w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g red, white, sparkl<strong>in</strong>g, fortified and preservativefree<br />
w<strong>in</strong>es, pure grape juice, sparkl<strong>in</strong>g non-al beverages and dried<br />
fruits. New releases com<strong>in</strong>g soon are all “NO PRESERVATIVE<br />
ADDED” W<strong>in</strong>es: <strong>2016</strong> Shiraz, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet<br />
Franc and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Medium Light Dry Red<br />
and <strong>2016</strong> Chardonnay. Keep an eye out at organicw<strong>in</strong>es.com.au.<br />
Wobble-Tee’s Clever Solution to<br />
your Water<strong>in</strong>g Needs<br />
The award-w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g Wobble-Tee spr<strong>in</strong>kler is well known for its<br />
efficiency, cover<strong>in</strong>g up to 15m <strong>in</strong> diameter us<strong>in</strong>g low to medium<br />
pressure. The Wobble-Tee now has a little brother, the Clever Drop<br />
Spr<strong>in</strong>kler, cover<strong>in</strong>g a diameter up to 8m. As with the Wobble-Tee,<br />
its large consistent droplets m<strong>in</strong>imise w<strong>in</strong>d drift and evaporation<br />
loss, water<strong>in</strong>g your lawn efficiently, like slow, soak<strong>in</strong>g ra<strong>in</strong>. Both<br />
spr<strong>in</strong>klers have a removable filter allow<strong>in</strong>g the use of river, dam<br />
and recycled water. The Clever Drop spr<strong>in</strong>kler has many clever<br />
new features. It has a base purpose built to adjust for uneven or<br />
slop<strong>in</strong>g surfaces, which can also be used on corrugated iron roofs<br />
for cool<strong>in</strong>g. Four different-sized pressure-regulat<strong>in</strong>g discs are<br />
supplied, allow<strong>in</strong>g use of high water pressures, from 5psi to 50psi.<br />
Its low angle of trajectory further reduces w<strong>in</strong>d drift and up to<br />
eight spr<strong>in</strong>klers can be run <strong>in</strong> a row. Cover<strong>in</strong>g large or small areas,<br />
Wobble-Tee can provide a clever Australian-made solution to suit<br />
your water<strong>in</strong>g needs. wobble-tee.com.au<br />
Giv<strong>in</strong>g musical voice to<br />
the w<strong>in</strong>d<br />
W<strong>in</strong>dsong Australian-made w<strong>in</strong>dchimes are f<strong>in</strong>ely tuned to<br />
different melodies and give a musical voice to the w<strong>in</strong>d. The<br />
w<strong>in</strong>dchime <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>or scale is contemplative; <strong>in</strong> pentatonic scale,<br />
tranquil and calm<strong>in</strong>g; and <strong>in</strong> major scale, festive. Each one is<br />
named to reflect its own musical character. The heavenly metal<br />
of a W<strong>in</strong>dsong w<strong>in</strong>dchime <strong>in</strong> your home will provide a lifetime<br />
of enjoyment. W<strong>in</strong>dsong also has a select range of pure 100 per<br />
cent copper ra<strong>in</strong> cha<strong>in</strong>s, which give a musical voice to the ra<strong>in</strong>.<br />
They are functional when used <strong>in</strong> place of a gutter downpipe<br />
and beautiful to look at and the sound of flow<strong>in</strong>g water when<br />
it ra<strong>in</strong>s has a sooth<strong>in</strong>g, relax<strong>in</strong>g effect on the human m<strong>in</strong>d and<br />
spirit. See the range of W<strong>in</strong>dsong w<strong>in</strong>dchimes and copper ra<strong>in</strong><br />
cha<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> their Facebook store facebook.com/w<strong>in</strong>dsongchimes.<br />
Mention this magaz<strong>in</strong>e to be eligible for free freight and a bonus<br />
gift. w<strong>in</strong>dsongchimes.com.au<br />
102 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
PICK OF THE CROP<br />
Home <strong>in</strong> the Grange<br />
Sproutwell’s Grange Series is Australia’s first proven commercial-grade<br />
greenhouse (<strong>in</strong> the market for three years) and is widely used <strong>in</strong> both residential<br />
and commercial agricultural <strong>in</strong>dustries. Over the past three years, Sproutwell<br />
has provided hundreds of Granges across Australia and New Zealand and it’s<br />
without a doubt the most sought-after greenhouse on the market today due to<br />
its supreme strength and durability. The Easy Alum<strong>in</strong>ium Connectors and Smart<br />
Slide-<strong>in</strong> Assembly System have been designed to reduce the assembly time<br />
by up to 70 per cent compared to other greenhouse structures (uses 300-plus<br />
fewer nuts and bolts than the traditional-style greenhouse). Complete with 10mm<br />
polycarbonate panels, it’s hands-down one of the strongest greenhouses available.<br />
The entire range is perfect for anyone want<strong>in</strong>g to erect a larger greenhouse <strong>in</strong><br />
an open area as the structure is unbelievably strong. Call 1300 657 174 or visit<br />
sproutwellgreenhouses.com.au.<br />
Market-lead<strong>in</strong>g<br />
juicer<br />
The Kuv<strong>in</strong>gs Whole Slow Juicer, Choice<br />
recommended and <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong><br />
<strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> award w<strong>in</strong>ner for the Number<br />
One cold-press juicer. The first coldpress<br />
juicer that juices whole fruit and<br />
vegetables, it’s stylish, quiet and easy to<br />
clean. Yield<strong>in</strong>g more nutrients and enzymes<br />
for a healthy juice, it’s made <strong>in</strong> Korea with<br />
20 years warranty on the motor and five<br />
years on the parts. For more <strong>in</strong>formation<br />
visit kuv<strong>in</strong>gs.net.au or call 02 9798 0586.<br />
Water only when<br />
needed with the Toro<br />
Precision Soil Sensor<br />
The Toro Precision Soil Sensor reduces water<br />
waste by measur<strong>in</strong>g moisture levels <strong>in</strong> your soil<br />
and determ<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g when to allow your controller to<br />
water. “We’ve taken the same technology found<br />
at professional golf courses and sports fields and<br />
created a sensor <strong>in</strong>tended for residential use,”<br />
says Ben Hall of Toro Australia. The Precision Soil<br />
Sensor is a two-part system that <strong>in</strong>cludes a batterypowered<br />
sensor and a receiver connected to your<br />
irrigation controller. Communication between the<br />
sensor and receiver is wireless, with up to 152m<br />
l<strong>in</strong>e-of-sight range. It’s very easy to <strong>in</strong>stall and no<br />
digg<strong>in</strong>g is required. First, connect the receiver to<br />
the controller, then f<strong>in</strong>d a representative area of<br />
your property for the sensor. Push the sensor probe<br />
<strong>in</strong> the ground and it will automatically calibrate<br />
itself to your soil type and beg<strong>in</strong> communicat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
wirelessly with the receiver. toro.com.au<br />
<strong>Organic</strong> Times Rocky Road rocks!<br />
The latest tasty treat from <strong>Organic</strong> Times has arrived: <strong>Organic</strong> Rocky Road<br />
available <strong>in</strong> milk and 55 per cent dark chocolate. <strong>Organic</strong> Times is known<br />
for its susta<strong>in</strong>ably produced gourmet products, especially its chocolates<br />
(created for the conscious connoisseur), and its Rocky Road is no different.<br />
Made with the most delicious, soft, organic vanilla marshmallows, crunchy<br />
roasted Australian organic almonds and tangy organic raspberry jellies,<br />
smothered <strong>in</strong> smooth, organic, decadent couverture chocolate, this Rocky<br />
Road could be the best you ever try. It’s certified organic, Fairtrade, palm oilfree,<br />
noth<strong>in</strong>g artificial and gluten-free. RRP $<strong>5.</strong>9<strong>5.</strong> organictimes.com.au<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 103
PICK OF THE CROP<br />
Reclaim<strong>in</strong>g nutrition<br />
The home vegie garden is the ultimate wellness<br />
tool. Food is our greatest medic<strong>in</strong>e and there’s<br />
noth<strong>in</strong>g more valuable than chemical-free produce<br />
grown <strong>in</strong> healthy soils, ripened naturally and picked<br />
directly before consumption. Freshly harvested fruit<br />
and vegetables conta<strong>in</strong> antioxidants, vitam<strong>in</strong>s and<br />
protective phytonutrients encased <strong>in</strong> a supportive<br />
matrix that ensures maximum health benefits. We are<br />
what we eat and much of the food on supermarket<br />
shelves comes from soils that are a shadow of their<br />
former selves. Extractive agriculture has mercilessly<br />
removed soil m<strong>in</strong>erals while decimat<strong>in</strong>g the organisms<br />
that help deliver those m<strong>in</strong>erals. Premature harvest<br />
and long-term storage further deplete the goodness<br />
of this produce. Nutritionists now claim that our food<br />
conta<strong>in</strong>s just 20 per cent of the nutrition found <strong>in</strong> the<br />
food consumed by our grandparents. The answer is to<br />
adopt Nutrition <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> ® . This home garden is the<br />
solution to lost nutrition and has profound benefits,<br />
rang<strong>in</strong>g from enhanced flavours to mental wellbe<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Visit nutritiongarden<strong>in</strong>g.com.au or phone 07 5472<br />
9900 to learn more.<br />
The lead<strong>in</strong>g edge<br />
When you first th<strong>in</strong>k of stunn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
outdoor areas, an assortment of plants<br />
and pavers may come to m<strong>in</strong>d. Garden<br />
edg<strong>in</strong>g is rarely at the top of the list.<br />
You’ll be surprised to know just how<br />
much clean borders and raised garden<br />
beds can set your landscape apart from<br />
the average. FormBoss Metal Garden<br />
Edg<strong>in</strong>g has been supply<strong>in</strong>g designers,<br />
landscapers and weekend DIYers all<br />
over Australia for almost 10 years now.<br />
What sets FormBoss apart is the fact<br />
that you can produce straight l<strong>in</strong>es,<br />
curves and garden beds onsite with<br />
unprecedented ease, need<strong>in</strong>g little to<br />
no experience. Hav<strong>in</strong>g the rolled top<br />
lip makes the edg<strong>in</strong>g completely safe,<br />
as well as allow<strong>in</strong>g you to connect<br />
with ease. Anchor<strong>in</strong>g the edg<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to<br />
the ground will completely conceal all<br />
fix<strong>in</strong>gs. Eight heights available rang<strong>in</strong>g<br />
from 75mm to 580mm <strong>in</strong> both ZAM and<br />
Corten Steel. For more <strong>in</strong>formation, visit<br />
formboss.com.au.<br />
Unrivalled<br />
quality, versatility<br />
& susta<strong>in</strong>ability<br />
Have you ever wondered why retailers<br />
stock so many specialty bagged pott<strong>in</strong>g<br />
mixes? Why can’t there be one pott<strong>in</strong>g<br />
mix that covers most of them? Well, now<br />
there is. Rocky Po<strong>in</strong>t Mulch<strong>in</strong>g’s Coco<br />
Pro, a high-performance Super Premium<br />
Pott<strong>in</strong>g Mix, has been developed through<br />
years of test<strong>in</strong>g and trials with professional<br />
nurseries, which have successfully grown<br />
an extensive range of plants <strong>in</strong> a huge<br />
variety of pot sizes us<strong>in</strong>g the mix. Now<br />
you can experience the highest level of<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g success available at home. Coco<br />
Pro is rais<strong>in</strong>g the bar on plant performance.<br />
Coco Pro is peat-free <strong>in</strong>novation, mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the pott<strong>in</strong>g mix not only high-performance<br />
but susta<strong>in</strong>able and environmentally<br />
friendly. Coco Pro offers unrivalled quality,<br />
versatility and susta<strong>in</strong>ability. Available<br />
now from all good garden centres. Ask for<br />
Rocky Po<strong>in</strong>t Mulch<strong>in</strong>g or visit rpmulch<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
com.au for a product fact sheet.<br />
All-round goodness<br />
Grow tasty herbs, vegies and beautiful flowers<br />
from organic goodness. 5IN1 <strong>Organic</strong> Plant<br />
Foods draws together some of nature’s best<br />
fertilisers to produce outstand<strong>in</strong>g organic<br />
results for all your garden plants, trees, shrubs<br />
and even lawns. This mix is fully registered<br />
organic and promotes better flower<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and fruit<strong>in</strong>g without harsh impact on the<br />
environment. Available <strong>in</strong> easy-to-spr<strong>in</strong>kle<br />
pellets, dig-<strong>in</strong> soil, water-<strong>in</strong> liquid and premixed<br />
hose-on forms. For more <strong>in</strong>formation, call (07)<br />
5422 3000 or visit searles.com.au.<br />
Are weeds tak<strong>in</strong>g over your garden and<br />
tak<strong>in</strong>g up too much of your time?<br />
Take charge by reduc<strong>in</strong>g the weed seed bank with this organic enzymatic product, which<br />
degrades surface-deposited weed seeds so there’s no next generation of the weed.<br />
Earthlife Weedless attacks the weed seed, render<strong>in</strong>g it unable to germ<strong>in</strong>ate, thereby<br />
reduc<strong>in</strong>g weed populations. Prelim<strong>in</strong>ary trials conducted by TAFE Toowoomba on the<br />
weed Fleabane achieved over 90 per cent reduction <strong>in</strong> seed germ<strong>in</strong>ation. Earthlife<br />
customers are see<strong>in</strong>g similar results with other garden<br />
weeds, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g cobblers pegs (farmers’ friend), khaki<br />
weed, b<strong>in</strong>dii, clover, w<strong>in</strong>tergrass and oxalis, to name a<br />
few. There’s always weed seed ly<strong>in</strong>g dormant wait<strong>in</strong>g for<br />
the opportunity to germ<strong>in</strong>ate and some are viable for<br />
seven years or more. You can spray Earthlife Weedless<br />
around your plants or your lawn without any damage<br />
or burn<strong>in</strong>g. Apply it over the area to directly contact<br />
mature deposited weed seed. Earthlife Weedless is<br />
completely safe for use around humans and animals.<br />
Available <strong>in</strong> 1L or 2.5L conta<strong>in</strong>ers. Mix 100mL to<br />
1L water to treat up to 20 square metres. Regular<br />
applications may be needed to achieve best results.<br />
Phone 1800 819 003 or visit earthlife.com.au.<br />
104 | <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong>
PICK OF THE CROP<br />
Failsafe compost<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Have you failed at compost<strong>in</strong>g? Killed your worms? Don’t<br />
know what exactly to feed them and what NOT to feed<br />
them? Or just don’t have the time to compost? Then maybe<br />
you need to try a Compot. You can fill it with everyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
from your kitchen waste <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g meat, citrus, onions, oil<br />
and dairy. Literally everyth<strong>in</strong>g you produce <strong>in</strong> your kitchen<br />
can be put <strong>in</strong>side the Compot. And that’s all you have to do.<br />
The Compot is the only composter that can tolerate ALL<br />
your kitchen waste. And no turn<strong>in</strong>g, either. The worms look<br />
after themselves and all you have to do is keep topp<strong>in</strong>g it<br />
up with your waste and let it look after itself. It seriously is<br />
that easy. Try a couple and f<strong>in</strong>d out for yourself. We offer<br />
a money-back guarantee because you can’t fail with the<br />
Compot. Check out the website, videos and testimonials at<br />
directcompostsolutions.com or just call (07) 3358 3716.<br />
Seasol<br />
Seasol is the perfect partner for any garden project.<br />
It’s a complete garden health treatment that gives<br />
plants a real boost and helps to improve overall<br />
health and growth <strong>in</strong> all plants <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g, natives.<br />
Seasol helps to stimulate strong root development<br />
and enhance flower<strong>in</strong>g and fruit<strong>in</strong>g. Regular doses of<br />
Seasol throughout the year will help plants cope with<br />
stresses like heat, drought, frost, pests and diseases.<br />
It also helps to <strong>in</strong>crease nutrient uptake and aids plant<br />
nutrition by mak<strong>in</strong>g fertilisers like PowerFeed more<br />
effective. Plus, it stimulates beneficial<br />
micro-organisms <strong>in</strong> the soil, which are<br />
essential for healthy soil and plants.<br />
Use Seasol when transplant<strong>in</strong>g new<br />
or exist<strong>in</strong>g plants as it aids transplant<br />
shock, giv<strong>in</strong>g them a great kick-start. It<br />
also <strong>in</strong>creases germ<strong>in</strong>ation rates when<br />
applied to direct-sown seeds. Seasol<br />
is an organic seaweed plant tonic. It’s<br />
a fast-act<strong>in</strong>g liquid that goes to work<br />
immediately, whether applied to the<br />
soil or foliage. seasol.com.au<br />
Make yours the ‘Pick of the Crop’<br />
with Flem<strong>in</strong>g’s fabulous fruit trees<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g fruit at home is special, it’s personal and most importantly it means<br />
you can eat the very best fruit fresh from the tree — rather than the best fruit<br />
for pack<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to supermarkets. That’s why Flem<strong>in</strong>g’s Nurseries has developed a<br />
catalogue featur<strong>in</strong>g the best fruit trees to grow <strong>in</strong> the home garden: Flem<strong>in</strong>g’s<br />
Pick of the Crop features careful selections of the very best fruit-bear<strong>in</strong>g trees<br />
suitable to most areas of temperate Australia. It <strong>in</strong>cludes a selection of triedand-true<br />
varieties as well as the best new cultivars on the Australian market<br />
today. Cover<strong>in</strong>g stone and pome fruits<br />
and <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g handy tips, h<strong>in</strong>ts and<br />
wise words from Flem<strong>in</strong>g’s tree guru,<br />
Wes Flem<strong>in</strong>g, Pick of the Crop is every<br />
home harvester’s practical guide to<br />
buy<strong>in</strong>g the right fruit tree for your<br />
needs. So if you are plann<strong>in</strong>g a bumper<br />
crop of future fruit at your place, make<br />
sure you check out Flem<strong>in</strong>g’s guide<br />
to fruit trees, Pick of the Crop. F<strong>in</strong>d<br />
an <strong>in</strong>-store catalogue at your local<br />
Flem<strong>in</strong>g’s stockist or view onl<strong>in</strong>e at<br />
www.flem<strong>in</strong>gs.com.au/potc/potc.<br />
asp For more <strong>in</strong>formation on Flem<strong>in</strong>g’s<br />
Nurseries’ fruit and ornamental tree<br />
collections, visit flem<strong>in</strong>gs.com.au.<br />
Organigrow<br />
As the summer heat approaches, it’s time to check the roof spr<strong>in</strong>klers<br />
and put mulch under the trees so my feathered friends can spend time<br />
<strong>in</strong> the shade scratch<strong>in</strong>g for bugs and worms. What does “free range” mean<br />
for consumers? Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the def<strong>in</strong>ition agreed on by government bodies,<br />
eggs may be labelled free range if laid by hens with an outdoor stock<strong>in</strong>g density<br />
of 10,000 birds per hectare or fewer with “mean<strong>in</strong>gful and regular access” to<br />
outdoors. In fact, there are farms with 33,000 birds per shed <strong>in</strong> up to a dozen<br />
sheds with just a few metres between them. But if the property is more than<br />
400ha, it complies with the def<strong>in</strong>ition. At Organigrow, we stock 600 birds per<br />
hectare across the entire farm, housed <strong>in</strong> small “eco shelters” that can shelter up<br />
to 250 birds. Our chooks free-range all day every day and are never debeaked.<br />
So, for good eggs, check the labels carefully.<br />
organigrow.com.au<br />
<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 105
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MAKE IT<br />
YOURSELF<br />
YOU<br />
CAN<br />
DO IT!<br />
Inspir<strong>in</strong>g ideas<br />
and easy steps<br />
for beg<strong>in</strong>ners<br />
and experts<br />
CRAFT<br />
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QUILTS • TOYS • KNITS • EMBROIDERY • CUSHION • BAG<br />
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EVERY WEEK<br />
GOOD ORGANIC GARDENING MAY/JUNE Vol. 7 No. 1<br />
grow naturally, eat fresh, live susta<strong>in</strong>ably<br />
MAY/JUNE<br />
JENNIFER<br />
STACKHOUSE<br />
Garden<br />
to table<br />
FERMENTING & PICKLING<br />
SEASONAL CROPS<br />
CLAIRE<br />
BICKLE<br />
MORE ON<br />
BIODYNAMICS<br />
WITH THE MOON<br />
PLANTING GUIDE<br />
DIY FOLIAR<br />
FERTILISER<br />
HOW TO BREW<br />
MANURE TEA<br />
PLUS<br />
• TURMERIC<br />
• WHAT NEEDS DOING<br />
IN YOUR PATCH RIGHT NOW<br />
PLANT PROFILE:<br />
APPLES<br />
CLEVER CROPS:<br />
FLOWER SPROUTS<br />
& TAZZIBERRY<br />
+ EVERYTHING YOU NEED<br />
TO KNOW ABOUT MULCH<br />
Heirloom<br />
Rhubarb<br />
MELISSA KING<br />
CABBAGE | SNOWPEAS<br />
+ WHAT’S NEW THIS SEASON<br />
MEGG MILLER<br />
AUSTRALIAN<br />
LANGSHAN CHICKENS<br />
OUR MAGAZINES<br />
GOOD ORGANIC GARDENING MAY/JUNE Vol. 7 No. 1<br />
grow naturally, eat fresh, live susta<strong>in</strong>ably<br />
MAY/JUNE<br />
JENNIFER<br />
STACKHOUSE<br />
Garden<br />
to table<br />
FERMENTING & PICKLING<br />
SEASONAL CROPS<br />
CLAIRE<br />
BICKLE<br />
MORE ON<br />
BIODYNAMICS<br />
WITH THE MOON<br />
PLANTING GUIDE<br />
DIY FOLIAR<br />
FERTILISER<br />
HOW TO BREW<br />
MANURE TEA<br />
PLUS<br />
• TURMERIC<br />
• WHAT NEEDS DOING<br />
IN YOUR PATCH RIGHT NOW<br />
PLANT PROFILE:<br />
APPLES<br />
CLEVER CROPS:<br />
FLOWER SPROUTS<br />
& TAZZIBERRY<br />
+ EVERYTHING YOU NEED<br />
TO KNOW ABOUT MULCH<br />
Heirloom<br />
Rhubarb<br />
MELISSA KING<br />
CABBAGE | SNOWPEAS<br />
+ WHAT’S NEW THIS SEASON<br />
MEGG MILLER<br />
AUSTRALIAN<br />
LANGSHAN CHICKENS
JOIN US FOR A GREAT<br />
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UNIVERSALSHOP.COM.AU
Directory<br />
Rob<strong>in</strong>vale W<strong>in</strong>es is a family run and owned certied<br />
<strong>Organic</strong> and Bio-Dynamic w<strong>in</strong>ery and v<strong>in</strong>eyard <strong>in</strong><br />
NW Victoria. We have a large range of W<strong>in</strong>e, Juices,<br />
dried fruits and Non Alcoholic Beverages.<br />
For all our <strong>Organic</strong> product range check our website<br />
www.organicw<strong>in</strong>es.com.au<br />
Phone: 03 5026 3955 Email: <strong>in</strong>fo@organicw<strong>in</strong>es.com.au<br />
Mention this code UM0215 to receive a discount when you order<br />
RESULTS SPEAK<br />
LOUDER THAN WORDS!<br />
It’s no surprise that Troforte® is fast<br />
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Australian gardeners. The unique,<br />
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After all, it took us 15 years research<strong>in</strong>g<br />
these good microbes and work<strong>in</strong>g out<br />
which stra<strong>in</strong>s work best together. Troforte<br />
has up to 24 stra<strong>in</strong>s of beneficial microbes<br />
and also 60 m<strong>in</strong>erals and controlled<br />
release fertiliser that will ensure fruits and<br />
vegetables will be packed full of nutrients!<br />
Troforte is safe for our environment and<br />
does not leach and therefore does not<br />
add to the pollution of our rivers and<br />
waterways. Troforte is also safe for pets<br />
and won’t burn your plants and prolonged<br />
use will also help <strong>in</strong>hibit many soil and<br />
plant diseases. That’s great news as<br />
the use of harmful chemical pesticides<br />
can be m<strong>in</strong>imized or elim<strong>in</strong>ated<br />
altogether. Troforte is a proudly<br />
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means your home grown<br />
produce will be packed full<br />
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www.saveyoursoils.com.au<br />
(for more <strong>in</strong>formation i and your nearest retailer )<br />
E: <strong>in</strong>fo@langleyfertilizers.com.au P: (08) 9302 1633
Directory<br />
HUNTER DISTILLERY is the only certied organic distillery <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Hunter Valley w<strong>in</strong>e region of New South Wales.<br />
Locally owned and operated, we use premium quality organic raw<br />
<strong>in</strong>gredients to produce the award w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g certied organic<br />
VALLI PREMIUM VODKA and COPPERWAVE GIN,<br />
as well as an exceptional range of top shelf spirits <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
avoured Vodkas, Liqueurs and Schnapps.<br />
Visit and sample our unique range of spirits, with a avour for every<br />
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Open 7 days, 10am - 5pm<br />
1686 Broke Road POKOLBIN NSW 2320<br />
Ph: 02 4998 6737 Fax: 02 4998 6738<br />
<strong>in</strong>fo@hunterdistillery.com.au www.hunterdistillery.com.au<br />
90 DAY<br />
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HUMANE POSSUM DETERRENTENT<br />
24/7 POSSUM REPELLER FOR THE ULTIMATE POSSUM CONTROL<br />
The ultrasonic Possum Deterrent has a maximum range of 14 metres.<br />
This weatherproof Possum Repeller randomly and <strong>in</strong>termittently emits quiet ultrasonics<br />
with a maximum arc of 170 degrees <strong>in</strong> front of the device.<br />
The device also has a motion sensor that activates the possum repeller when<br />
possums move <strong>in</strong>to its <strong>in</strong>fra red coverage zone. The light sensor automatically turns<br />
the device on at dusk and off at dawn or runs 24 hours when used <strong>in</strong> a roof space.<br />
The Possum Repeller is easy to use, set up and ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>. We’re always at the end of a<br />
phone or email to help you with any setup and best practice questions you may have.<br />
Do you hate your smelly council b<strong>in</strong>? Want an easy way to dispose of<br />
ALL your kitchen waste <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g meat, citrus, onion, oil, dairy, anyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
biodegradable - even doggie doo? Then try a Compot or two.<br />
3<br />
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Never dig another hole aga<strong>in</strong> and ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> your garden with your own<br />
natural fertiliser. Check out the website, watch some videos & try a<br />
few for yourself. The easiest composter (propagator) you will ever use.<br />
Plant your compot & fill<br />
with any kitchen waste<br />
Lock Lid and cover<br />
with anyth<strong>in</strong>g but dirt<br />
Now just keep topp<strong>in</strong>g it up<br />
whenever you want. No need to<br />
wait for everyth<strong>in</strong>g to decompose<br />
2<br />
(07) 5443 6344<br />
birdgard@birdgard.com.au<br />
www.birdgard.com.au<br />
That simple. Fill... Forget... Refill...<br />
when ready... and let it look after itself.<br />
www.compot.com.au or call 07 3358<br />
3716
Directory<br />
A BIG<br />
THANK YOU<br />
TO ALL WHO VOTED<br />
IN THE PEOPLES<br />
CHOICE AWARDS FOR<br />
EARTHLIFE IN THE<br />
SOIL & FERTILISER<br />
CATEGORY.<br />
We would like to offer a 20% DISCOUNT off the total order on<br />
Earthlife products for the months of August & <strong>September</strong> <strong>2016</strong>.<br />
People’s<br />
Choice<br />
GARDEN IDEA<br />
AWARDS <strong>2016</strong><br />
WINNER SOIL<br />
& FERTILISER<br />
CATEGORY<br />
VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR PHONE 1800 819 003 TO ORDER<br />
Discount is only available via direct debit or card payment (not through Paypal)<br />
Free Call 1800 819 003 www.earthlife.com.au<br />
Multi Grafted<br />
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Up to 6 different<br />
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Fruit<br />
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ORDER<br />
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FruitSaladTrees.com (02) 6585 8115 | 1800 FRUITS<br />
e: sales@fruitsaladtrees.com 596 Littles Loop Rd, Rollands Pla<strong>in</strong>s, NSW 2441<br />
NATURE’S OWN ANSWER TO<br />
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Beneficial Nematodes • Smarter Biocontrol<br />
CSIRO<br />
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• SAFE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT<br />
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The safe and natural way to elim<strong>in</strong>ate garden pests<br />
www.ecogrow.com.au<br />
Australian owned and operated
www.organicediblegarden.co.nz<br />
Directory<br />
<strong>Organic</strong> Edible Garden<br />
<strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> By The Moon Calendar 2017<br />
GARDENING BY THE MOON CALENDAR 2017<br />
* Includes opmal acvies for all mes of the year<br />
<strong>in</strong> your edible garden.<br />
* Refers to the seasons and the <strong>in</strong>uence of the<br />
moon on the earth.<br />
* No <strong>in</strong>terpreng needed, that’s all done for you.<br />
* 12 recipes for the feature vegetable or fruit<br />
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$20<br />
hp://organicediblegarden.co.nz/shop/calendar-2017<br />
Smart Planter is a Modular System that allows you to make a<br />
variety of shapes and sizes. Made from Recycled PVC UV<br />
Stabilised. The Planks are hollow which helps to reta<strong>in</strong> the<br />
moisture <strong>in</strong> the soil. The Smart Planter comes as a trough<br />
terrace, corner planter or raised bed garden. The Planters<br />
can be custom made to your requirements. Great for units,<br />
townhouses, courtyards, balconies or just the back yard. Any<br />
of the planters can be made to what ever height you like, for<br />
ease of garden<strong>in</strong>g. All the planters are Australian made and<br />
designed at our factory <strong>in</strong> Car<strong>in</strong>gbah.<br />
02 95261455<br />
34-36 Meta Street,Taren Po<strong>in</strong>t 2229<br />
www.smartplanter.com.au<br />
HAND MADE<br />
GARDEN TOOLS<br />
designed to make<br />
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NEW GIPPSLAND<br />
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Order onl<strong>in</strong>e at<br />
www.dewitaustralia.com.au<br />
Ph 03 9787 8864<br />
At selected quality nurseries.<br />
sales@europeantoolsaustralia.com.au<br />
PO Box 1 (120 Lewis Rd) Silvan VIC 3795<br />
ph. (03) 9737 9560 e. orders@newgipps.com.au<br />
www.newgipps.com.au<br />
Blueberry Plants<br />
for your home garden!<br />
Healthy 2 year old plants – different varieties available.<br />
Available April to December – ship via Aus Post or courier.<br />
Quarant<strong>in</strong>e regulations restrict postage of plants to<br />
Tasmania and WA. Plants are not certified organic.<br />
Order onl<strong>in</strong>e or request mail order pack via<br />
RMB 3160, Moondarra, Victoria 3825<br />
www.moonblue.com.au<br />
Why buy Pure Polish? Because ...<br />
secure onl<strong>in</strong>e shopp<strong>in</strong>g at<br />
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We use the f<strong>in</strong>est quality, natural<br />
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We are 100% Australian owned<br />
We don’t use petrochemicals<br />
We believe <strong>in</strong> value for money -<br />
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We lov<strong>in</strong>gly hand-make our<br />
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Australia<br />
Pure Polish<br />
Furniture clean<strong>in</strong>g, care and<br />
restoration products that are<br />
effective, natural and smell nice!
Directory<br />
10% DISCOUNT STOREWIDE ON<br />
PRODUCTS FOR GOOD ORGANIC<br />
GARDENING MAGAZINE READERS.<br />
Enter the code GOGM5 at checkout.<br />
• Largest supplier of Perma-Guard Fossil Shell Flour,<br />
Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth<br />
• Human and Animal Health Supplements<br />
• Premium <strong>Organic</strong> Fertilisers and Soil Conditioners<br />
• Zeolite, Humates, Liquid Seaweed Concentrate, Wetters<br />
• Sell to home user, large farmers & resellers<br />
1300 385 842 • sales@plantdoctor.com.au<br />
Jo<strong>in</strong> us at one of our nutrition and cook<strong>in</strong>g<br />
demonstrations or retreats, see website for<br />
details or connect with us at the Energy<br />
Coach<strong>in</strong>g Institute on Facebook for regular<br />
updates, and health and wellness tips.<br />
Australian<br />
Hand Made<br />
W<strong>in</strong>d Chimes<br />
Copper Ra<strong>in</strong> Cha<strong>in</strong>s<br />
Specialis<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a unique multidiscipl<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
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& professional performance.<br />
Buy onl<strong>in</strong>e at ...<br />
www.w<strong>in</strong>dsongchimes.com.au<br />
PO Box 462, Bell<strong>in</strong>gen NSW 2454<br />
<strong>in</strong>fo@w<strong>in</strong>dsongchimes.com.au<br />
Phone: (02) 6655 9899<br />
For Advertis<strong>in</strong>g<br />
opportunities<br />
Please contact<br />
Miriam Keen<br />
p. 02 9887 0604<br />
e. mkeen@universalmagaz<strong>in</strong>es.com.au<br />
Go to our website for a FREE chapter<br />
of Jo’s book ‘Rocket Fuel on a Budget’.<br />
www.facebook.com/ EnergyCoach<strong>in</strong>gInstitute<br />
www.energycoach<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>stitute.com
We are 1%<br />
pasture grazed<br />
all year round!<br />
<strong>Organic</strong> Times provides you the<br />
organic choice for your dairy needs!<br />
With a range of organic butters and <strong>in</strong>stant milk powders, <strong>Organic</strong><br />
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to respect animal welfare and biodiversity. <strong>Organic</strong> Times dairy<br />
products come from cows that are pasture-fed on 100% organic<br />
grass all year long. They are free-range, well tended and naturally<br />
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Us<strong>in</strong>g state of the art process<strong>in</strong>g to ensure better quality and taste.<br />
NASAA<br />
CERTIFIED ORGANIC<br />
CERT NO 3412P<br />
®<br />
Stockists <strong>in</strong>clude: Health & Specialty Shops • Independent Supermarkets • IGA<br />
BAYSWATER, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA T. +61 3 9780 9700 INFO@ORGANICTIMES.COM.AU ORGANICTIMES.COM.AU
Your Complete Steel<br />
Edg<strong>in</strong>g Solution<br />
Picture: Melbourne Olympic Park<br />
We make custom r<strong>in</strong>gs!<br />
Picture: Song Bird Designs MIFGS <strong>2016</strong><br />
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Picture: Vivid Green Landscap<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Picture: Wiley & Co.<br />
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