Innholdsfortegnelse for 16.4 i Good Organic Gardening

The fundamental link between soils, plants, water, microbes, animals and humans needs to be addressed whenever we add anything to our soil. Enter Phi’on’s flagship product, Catalyst Soil Booster Concentrate, a fermented probiotic liquid that contains a balanced formulation of beneficial microbes and minerals for optimum soil and plant health. Beneficial microbes are crucially important whether the subject is human and animal gut flora or microbial balance in garden soil. These microbes include bacteria, yeasts and fungi abundant in agricultural soils and critical in nutrient uptake and cycling. They contribute to a sustainable environment by fighting disease, allowing soil and compost to cycle nutrients, promoting root development and restoring balance to water. Catalyst Soil Booster Concentrate contains structured water using MEA Water Devices, which naturally transform water. It also has…

MAGICAL HYDRANGEAS Hydrangea ‘Magical RubyRed’ PBR Imagine these deep ruby red blooms in your Christmas displays! Those dark, dark green leaves complement the flowers beautifully in a long-lasting display. This hydrangea is the perfect container plant for your patio or courtyard where they will impress with their strong colours. Hydrangea ‘Magical Revolution’ PBR For a softer pastel look, although the hues run through to burgundy, ‘Magical Revolution’ will give up to 150 days of colour. With improved resistance to sun, frost, rain and all the elements, it is equally happy indoors or outdoors, outlasting cut flowers by months. Growing and care: In containers, use good-quality potting mix and keep the roots moist. Outdoors, plant or position in a partially shaded spot where the soil stays moist. Indoors, keep away from heat…

Where does Earthlife’s expertise in soil and plant health come from? Earthlife’s expertise is built on decades of hands-on experience and scientific research. Founded in 1996, our roots go back even further — growing up on the land, we’ve seen firsthand the challenges that come with poor soil and declining plant health. Our product range is the result of extensive development alongside expert soil scientists, agronomists and microbiologists, combined with real-world trials in home gardens, horticulture and agriculture. We’ve spent years learning how to restore balance to depleted soils and support stronger, healthier plants — naturally. What are the main factors that contribute to balanced soil? Balanced soil needs more than just a dose of NPK. The key elements include a broad spectrum of minerals (including trace elements), beneficial soil…

On a verdant hill in Ngadjuri Country, South Australia, with a commanding view of Clare Valley vineyards, Penobscot Farm is a living testament to how food, culture and country can work hand in hand. Of the property’s 14 hectares, only one or two are under active cultivation. The farm garden may be a small patch by broadacre standards but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in heart and vision. Since 2018, Penobscot has served as the kitchen garden for the award-winning restaurant at the Watervale Hotel, also owned by Warrick Duthy and chef Nicola Palmer and located just up the road. THE HOTEL’S SEASONAL MENU IS DETERMINED BY WHAT’S GROWING OVER AT PENOBSCOT. Regenerative farmer Jared Murray of Green Living Permaculture has turned the section…

Perhaps the hardest thing about organic gardening is finding sustainable methods of pest control — solutions that won’t hurt beneficial bugs, household pets or wildlife, disrupt the garden’s ecosystem or degrade your soil. Working with nature rather than against it is always the best solution. And there’s possibly no more harmonious approach than enlisting the power of natural predators such as beneficial nematodes. NEMA … WHAT? Among the organic garden’s best friends such as aphid-destroying ladybugs, lacewings and parasitic wasps, none is more efficient at pest control than beneficial nematodes. These microscopic roundworms offer a natural and effective solution to counter soil-dwelling pests while presenting no danger to non-target organisms, including pets, and can be applied safely to edible plants and near ponds. Among the garden pests beneficial nematodes prey…

Many of us have fond childhood memories of climbing the local mulberry tree, gorging ourselves on delicious, plump, black mulberries and returning home with purple-stained face and hands, making it obvious to all where we’d been. These days, mulberries are less popular, perhaps due to the staining nature of the juice. However, there are many varieties and colour variations of mulberry trees available, so that fear alone shouldn’t stop anyone. On the other hand, there are compelling reasons to include a mulberry tree in your garden, including the fact that it is near impossible to buy mulberries commercially due to their notoriously short shelf life. It’s also a beautiful tree that requires very little maintenance and is pretty much pest and disease free. What’s not to love? One of my…

We could all do with the carbohydrates, fibre, antioxidants and minerals that come with starchy vegetables and there’s a variety of roots and tubers you can substitute for common starches like corn, wheat and potatoes. Growing alternative starch crops offers several advantages, not least the fact that they will grow in hot climates more happily than potatoes might. Other pluses include diversity of diet, better food security and potentially improvement of soil health and resilience to climate change. GROWING ALTERNATIVE TUBERS LIKE SWEET POTATOES, JICAMA AND OR TARO CAN DIVERSIFY FOOD SOURCES AND REDUCE VULNERABILITY TO CROP FAILURES. Some of these tubers are low in calories and in the sugars that can spike glucose. For the home gardener, they can be an educational journey on how to grow and use…

TROPICAL • Sow wet-season crops: taro, kangkong, cucumbers. • Keep harvesting okra, snake beans and eggplant. • Mulch more to protect roots from intense heat and rain. • Watch for fungal issues that come with increased humidity. • Lightly prune flowering shrubs to shape after flushes. SUBTROPICAL • Sow heat-tolerant crops: sweet potato slips, pumpkin. • Maintain mulch around fruit trees to reduce water stress. • Monitor for fruit fly on early stone fruit and use traps. • Keep feeding fast-growing summer veg with liquid fertiliser. • Prune spent flowering shrubs lightly to tidy up. TEMPERATE • Plant summer vegetables: tomatoes, capsicum, cucumbers. • Keep soil moist and mulch to prevent evaporation. • Protect young plants from sun scorch with shade cloth • Harvest early garlic and onion as tops…

IN SEASON DECEMBER FRUITS Apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, currants, grapes, lemons, lychees, mangoes, melons, nectarines, oranges, papaya, passionfruit, peaches, pineapple, rambutan, raspberries, starfruit, strawberries VEGIES Artichoke, Asian greens, asparagus, beans, cucumbers, chillies, lettuce, onions, peas, potatoes, silverbeet, snowpeas, spinach, spring onions, sugar snap peas, sweet corn, tomatoes, watercress, zucchini, zucchini flowers IN SEASON FEBRUARY FRUITS Avocado, banana, berries, custard apple, fig, grapes guava, kiwifruit, lemon, lime, lychee, mangosteen, melons, nectarine, orange (Valencia), passionfruit, peach, pears (Howell, Red Sensation, Williams), pineapple, plum, prickly pear, rambutan, rhubarb, starfruit, tamarillo VEGIES Beans (borlotti, butter, flat, green, snake), capsicum, celery, chilli, choko, cucumber, daikon, eggplant, leek, lettuce, okra, onions (brown, salad, spring), peas (green, snow, sugar snap), radish, spinach, squash, sweetcorn, tomato, zucchini IN SEASON JANUARY FRUITS Apricot, avocado, banana, berries, carambola (starfruit), cherry…

Summer is the time when birds and other wildlife flock to our gardens to celebrate the warmth of the long days. That’s why, for this summer issue, we’re shining a spotlight on habitat creation. You’ll find a simple, step-by-step guide to making your own one-off birdbath, along with garden educator Jaclyn Cupri’s tips for establishing a frog pond or crafting a cosy frog hotel. Once these projects are in place, your garden will be even more alive with movement, birdsong and the gentle sounds of water. Adding habitat isn’t just a gift to the birds, frogs and other tiny earth neighbours; it’s a way to bring nature right to your back door. And what better time to enjoy that connection than during the long, hot days when our outdoor spaces…

Tulbaghia is a plant with two distinct sides. At first glance, it looks like a well-behaved mini agapanthus with dainty heads of mauve flowers held above strappy green leaves. Move closer, however, and you’re hit with a distinct whiff of garlic if you brush the leaves or reach to pick a stem. That scent of garlic gives the plant its common name of society garlic. It does have a mild garlic flavour and both leaves and flowers can be added to soups or garnished over salads, but it’s best in moderation as large amounts can cause mild upset to sensitive stomachs. Despite its scent and taste, it’s unrelated to garlic and doesn’t impart garlic breath, but the flavour of the leaves helps make it repellent to browsing animals such as…

Native to the Mediterranean region, North Africa and parts of Asia, olives have been in cultivation for thousands of years and comprise some of the oldest trees in Europe. There is archaeological evidence they were grown in Crete at least as far back as 3500 BCE and probably much earlier than that. Olives are typically grown in specific regions where they’ve adapted to the local climate and soil and they often have distinctive flavours, colours and textures. The flavour profiles of heirloom olives range from buttery and mild to briny and pungent. The Greeks believed olives were sacred to their goddess Athena and there are numerous olive references in the Bible. Even today, an olive branch is a symbol of peace and plenty. Olives are high in fibre, antioxidants, vitamin…

Nestled in the heart of Margaret River, Western Australia, Burnside Organic Farm is a living testament to green methods, family traditions and the simple joy of good food. Lara and Jamie McCall’s 15ha farm is a carefully balanced ecosystem. A one-acre market garden bursts with seasonal vegetables while the half-acre orchard produces luscious fruits netted against curious wildlife. Twelve acres of thriving vines form the backbone of their wine-making venture, perfectly suited to the region’s Mediterranean climate. The remainder of the property comprises 50 robust caper bushes, their tangy buds ready to be handpicked and cured in salt. TWO OF THE MCCALLS’ THREE SONS HAVE BEGUN STEPPING INTO FARM ROLES, BRINGING FRESH ENTHUSIASM AND IDEAS. The mild climate, while particularly kind to grapes, is also a boon for warm-weather crops,…

DECEMBER 2025 JANUARY 2026 FEBRUARY 2026 New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter When the moon is waxing from new moon to full moon, it is increasing light and drawing sap flow upwards. During the waning from full moon back to new moon, light decreases and sap is drawn downwards. This movement of sap flow has an influence on how well new plants will grow. There are four phases, each lasting seven to eight days. Sowing, planting and taking cuttings should not be done in the 12 hours before and after each phase. If you want to work in the garden at that time, carry out general tasks and improve your soil for planting. FRUITING ANNUALS Sow or plant annuals grown for their fruits or seeds. This is best…

Plum trees abound in my cool-climate garden in northwest Tasmania, where we have four different varieties: three European plums (including a greengage) that love the cold but need cross-pollination; the fourth, my favourite, is Japanese and self-fertile. Plums are one of the easiest deciduous-tree fruits to grow and they provide a bountiful and reliable harvest. Last summer, I bottled 5kg of ‘Victoria’ plums from a tree in my garden — the tree was still covered in fruit to be picked. I’d already stewed, eaten fresh and made jam from kilos of Japanese plums that fruited earlier in the season. With the plum crop and fruit from other trees in the garden, my pantry shelves were soon groaning with bottled fruit, jams and chutney. There was also fruit in the freezer…

There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting in your garden with a hot or cold drink and watching a bird or two frolic in a birdbath. And drinking their own bathwater. A birdbath or two will attract native birds by providing them with a reliable source of water for drinking and bathing, especially in dry or hot weather when natural water sources can be scarce. Birds use water for hydration but also to keep their feathers in good condition. This helps maintain their health and ability to fly. Providing them with a water source also encourages biodiversity, as different birds may visit depending on the time of day or the season. And it’s not just the visuals of their colourful feathers and cute movements but their birdsong as well that adds…

TROPICAL • Direct-sow gourds and luffa for long wet-season crops. • Begin training vines on sturdy trellises to improve airflow. • Thin out dense canopy on small fruit trees. • Collect fallen diseased leaves to limit spread of infections. SUBTROPICAL • Plant sweet potato runners and chilli seedlings. • Net fruit trees to protect from birds and bats. • Pinch out lateral shoots on tomatoes for stronger stems. • Check under leaves for scale insects and treat early. TEMPERATE • Sow succession plantings of lettuce and dwarf beans. • Keep cucumbers and tomatoes trained on supports. • Trim hedges lightly before the late summer flush. • Continue tying up vigorous canes on berries and grapes. COOL/MOUNTAIN • Sow more leafy greens in partial shade to avoid bolting. • Thin seedlings…

Images and text from Salata by Michael Rantissi and Kristy Frawley, photography by Alan Benson. Murdoch Books RRP $39.99. GREEN BEAN SALAD WITH TAHINI, BURGHUL & ALMONDS SERVES 6 I grew up in a household that always overcooked green beans — mostly in stews or in a tomato-based sauce. It made me hate them. These days, we usually have them simply steamed with a basic seasoning, which is nice, but we can do better with green beans. This salad proves our point. The burghul is a lovely addition, as it maintains its integrity and soaks up any excess juices. If you don’t have any, simply leave it out. INGREDIENTS • 500g green beans, trimmed• 3 tablespoons fine burghul• 100g (1 cup) flaked almonds Tahini Dressing • juice of ½ lemon•…

SOUTHERN OCEAN GETS WARMER AND SALTIER An international team led by the UK’s University of Southampton has detected unprecedented changes in the state of the Southern Ocean for the first time, raising concerns it could accelerate climate change for the whole planet. As ice began melting around Antarctica, scientists anticipated that saltier waters at the surface of the ocean would be replaced by fresh water because melting ice usually makes the ocean fresher. This is what happened in Antarctica for some time. The freshening and cooling of surface waters helped sea ice to expand, seemingly in defiance of global heating and in direct contrast to the significant loss of sea ice in the Arctic. What scientists are now finding in the Southern Ocean is the exact opposite. There’s now an…

When I lived in a warmer climate, our choko vine grew easily to cover the side of the large shed and produced so much fruit that I ran out of jars for choko chutney. It got so the family was suspicious of any baked vegetable dish that came out of the oven. Even the chooks lost their enthusiasm for bowls of steaming choko on a cold morning. Now, in a much cooler climate, our new choko vine grows prolifically along the side fence but in two years it has only produced one small choko. Native to Mexico and Central America, the choko is definitely a plant for a warm, frost-free climate. MUCH LIKE RABBITS, THEY’RE ASSOCIATED WITH TIMES OF HARDSHIP SUCH AS THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND WWII WHEN FOOD WAS…

The award-winning Wobble-Tee Sprinkler covers large areas up to a 15m diameter with low to medium pressure requirements and will water your lawn as efficiently as slow, soaking rain. The consistent large droplets minimise wind drift and evaporation loss. The removable filter allows use with river and dam water. The Wobble-Tee can also operate more than one sprinkler from the same tap, so you can water even larger areas. On the other hand, if you have a small courtyard, the Clever Drop Sprinkler is for you, watering up to 8m in diameter. This sprinkler has many clever features. A low angle of trajectory reduces wind drift and confines it to a small area. The purpose-built base can be adjusted for uneven surfaces or used on your corrugated iron roof for…

Hydrangeas have long been a favourite in gardens, admired for their lush blooms and elegant presence — but the RUNAWAY BRIDE® Hydrangea is something entirely unique. This exceptional plant is the world’s first garland-style hydrangea, setting it apart from traditional varieties. With its semi-prostrate habit and abundant flowers along the entire length of each stem, ‘Runaway Bride’ Hydrangea has captivated gardeners and plant enthusiasts worldwide. But its journey from discovery to becoming an award-winning sensation is just as remarkable as the plant itself. THE ORIGIN Renowned Japanese plant breeder Ushio Sakazaki is no stranger to groundbreaking horticultural achievements. Best known for his work on trailing petunias, including the beloved Surfinia series, he has spent decades revolutionising garden plants. However, his passion for hydrangeas led him to a new venture, taking…

THE FOREST COMBINES FRUIT TREES, HERBS, PERENNIAL VEGIES, SALVIAS AND TREE DAHLIAS, EDIBLE GROUNDCOVERS, CLIMBING SWEET POTATOES AND CHOKOS. True to its name, Tallowwood Lane, an enchanting property on Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast hinterland, is graced with lofty fairytale tallowwood trees that create a magical backdrop. The towering eucalypts lead to the home of David and Heidi Cuschieri, whose house is one of two relocated and lovingly restored Queenslanders on the block — the other, Wattle Cottage, is an Airbnb. So this 2.5-acre haven isn’t just about growing food but is a sanctuary for wildlife and, for human visitors, a place of healing, joy and connection. David, a retail interior architect, is also a passionate gardener, wildlife advocate and dedicated community volunteer. In 2017, he even walked 3300km…

Blueberries are closing in on strawberries as the world’s most popular berry. As well as being very tasty and easy to eat, they’ve become available year round as fresh fruit and are also sold frozen. If you love blueberries, you don’t have to rely on shop-bought punnets. The berries are very easy to grow, either in the garden or in a container, even in a small space such as a sunny courtyard. Prolific when fruiting, they remain attractive evergreen shrubs for the rest of the year. Native to North America, blueberries were first introduced to Australia as a crop in the 1970s with the first commercial cultivation in Victoria in 1978. The peak of commercial production of blueberries is now in the Coffs Harbour region of New South Wales where…

Also known as Swiss chard, chard and often — incorrectly — as spinach (though it is a distant relative), silverbeet is an easy-to-grow leafy green that thrives and can be harvested all year round in most Australian climatic regions. While the dark-green, crinkly leafed variety with a silvery-white stem is the mostly commonly recognised, silverbeet comes in a rainbow of stem colours, creating a beautiful colour palette in the vegie garden. The colourful varieties are also a great option for community gardens as they are not usually recognised as edible by non-gardeners, thus ensuring there is always some available to harvest by the community gardeners. Originating in Europe, North Africa and Asia as part of the beet family (hence the common name), Swiss chard is a highly productive plant as…

Grafting is an age-old horticultural technique that allows growers to combine the desirable traits of two different plants into a single, more robust specimen. While commonly associated with fruit trees, grafting is also used on herbaceous plants like tomatoes and eggplants, especially in commercial production. Grafted tomato plants sold in garden nurseries often fetch a premium price, as the rootstocks onto which they are grafted increase resistance to soilborne diseases, enhance vigour and help stabilise fruiting under difficult environmental conditions. In some cases, cherry tomatoes may even be grafted to maintain two root systems — commonly referred to as a dual-root system or double-rootstock graft — to further improve vigour, stress tolerance and nutrient uptake. Among the various grafting techniques, approach grafting is especially suitable for tomatoes due to its…

TROPICAL • Sow short-lived greens like amaranth and kangkong to fill wet-season gaps. • Propagate perennials (cassava, lemongrass) from cuttings. • Harvest late-season mangoes and check for fruit-fly stings. • Begin light shaping of rapidly growing hedges post-storms. SUBTROPICAL • Sow final rounds of cucumbers and beans before nights cool. • Harvest passionfruit, guava, early figs — prune after harvest. • Begin planning cool-season beds; clear spent summer crops. • Divide herbs like chives and oregano to refresh clumps. TEMPERATE • Sow brassica seeds in trays for transplanting next month. • Harvest peak tomatoes, beans, zucchini — preserve excess. • Prune summer-flowering shrubs lightly before autumn growth. • Fertilise strawberries after fruiting to build strength. COOL/MOUNTAIN • Sow fast greens like mizuna, mustard, rocket for quick crops. • Harvest onions,…