grow naturally, eat fresh, live sustainably

JANUARY/FEBRUARY
JENNIFER
CLAIRE BICKLE STACKHOUSE
5 edible water plants Clever crops: aloe vera & ylang ylang
Perennial herbs for the heat Ornamentals: waterlilies
Vegies: gherkin, leek,
MEGG MILLER silver beet & swede
Climate change
concerns for chooks

MELISSA KING
Heritage watermelons
New-release beauties

HOW TO:
Make a tiered
container herb garden

V
Vol. 8 No. 5
JAN/FEB 2018
AUS $7.95*
NZ $7.90
(Both incl. GST)

FABIAN
TIME TO PLANT CAPOMOLLA

pomegranate Cauliflower profile

Vertical gardens | Mountain pepper | Mulberry treehouse

Active 8
the microbes
in your
garden!

INDUSTRY PROVEN QUALITY FOR THE HOME GARDENER

Our products derive from the use in professional nurseries, orchards, agriculture, turf and landscaping then
packed to allow home gardeners access to the same tried and tested quality. Experience what the industry
uses, choose Rocky Point Mulching.
 Active 8 is a well-balanced soil improver and planting mix designed for the home gardener to plant directly into with no
fuss. Active 8 contains a rich earthly blend of organic compost, composted chicken manure, composted cow manure, blood
DQGERQHJ\SVXPƓVKPHDOVHDZHHGH[WUDFWLURQ]HROLWHWUDFHHOHPHQWVDQGKXPDWHV
Find your local stockist at www.rpmulching.com.au
or call us on (07) 5670 4800
 With her naked neck, she will cope better with extreme heat
THIS ISSUE
B
ack in my uni years when I was
studying fine arts, I loved the early
20th-century impressionists, chief
among them that French master
of colour and light, Claude Monet. So when
Jennifer Stackhouse suggested waterlilies
as her ornamentals feature for this issue,
I went trawling through Monet’s many
waterlily paintings. How he must have
loved his lily ponds in his Giverny gardens
to have captured them in the changing
light over and over. Waterlilies certainly
are exquisite and their foliage is almost as
graceful as the flowers themselves.
Still around the pond, Claire Bickle
continues her showcase of edible
water plants and does a roundup of
her perennial herb picks for the heat.
Speaking of herbs, we have a great DIY
project especially for those who have
limited space for a herb garden. This is
a tiered version in a container, a sort of
mini herb spiral.
In our crop features, Melissa King
covers the heirloom varieties of that
summer favourite, watermelon, as well
as echinacea and pomegranate (every
backyard should have one). Meanwhile,
Jennifer looks at gherkin, leek, silverbeet
and swede, plus clever crops aloe vera
and ylang ylang, while guest contributor
and gardening author Fabian Capomolla
profiles cauliflower. Fabian’s new book,
Gardening Food the Italian Way, is lively
and beautifully illustrated.
/GoodOrganicGardeningMagazine
6 | Good Organic Gardening
Turning to hotter issues, at the time of
writing we had experienced the warmest
winter since records began, along with a
long period of no rain and an early start to
bushfire season. Because of the lead time
in print publishing, I’m guessing we’re in
the middle of another hot, hot summer,
too — happy to be wrong on that!
It’s not just us who suffer from the
changing weather. Imagine how it is for
our feathered and furry friends, who
mostly rely on us to make their living
conditions bearable. Megg Miller looks at
the concerns for chickens and the actions
we might have to take very soon, if not
now, to address them. You may not think
this chicken is very pretty, but because of
the genetic makeup that bestows on her
a naked neck, she will cope better with
extreme heat than a glossy Australorp or
an elegant Wyandotte.
Carrol Baker covers vertical gardens
as well as an inspirational young grower,
plus Jo Immig visits a new organic farm
and cooking school. Sandra Tuszynska
introduces a couple who have planted
a mulberry treehouse — these sorts of
structures are referred to as biotecture.
We’ll follow up in a year or so to see how
it has progressed.
Until autumn,
Happy gardening and cooking!
Kerry
infoGOG@universalmagazines.com.au
grow naturally, eat fresh, live sustainably
Editor Kerry Boyne
Designer Jessica Roberts
Contributors Carrol Baker, Claire Bickle,
Fabian Capomolla, Jo Immig, Melissa
King, Megg Miller, Chris Stafford, Jennifer
Stackhouse, Sandra Tuszynska
National Advertising Manager
Miriam Keen
Ph: (02) 9887 0604 | Fax: (02) 9878 5553
Mob: 0414 969 693
Email: mkeen@universalmagazines.com.au
Advertising Production Co-ordinator
William West
Cover Photo Getty Images
Chairman/CEO Prema Perera
Publisher Janice Williams
Chief Financial Officer Vicky Mahadeva
Associate Publisher Emma Perera
Finance & Administration Manager
James Perera
Creative Director Kate Podger
Editorial & Production Manager
Anastasia Casey
Marketing & Acquisitions Manager
Chelsea Peters
Subscription enquiries: 1300 303 414
Circulation enquiries to our Sydney head office: (02) 9805 0399
Good Organic Gardening Vol. 8 No. 5 is published by Universal
Magazines, Unit 5, 6–8 Byfield Street, North Ryde NSW 2113.
Phone: (02) 9805 0399, Fax: (02) 9805 0714. Melbourne
office: Suite 4, Level 1, 150 Albert Road, South Melbourne Vic
3025. Phone: (03) 9694 6444, Fax: (03) 9699 7890. Printed by
KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd, Singapore. Retail distribution: Gordon
and Gotch. UK Distributor: KLM Partnership, Phone: +44 019
9244 7544. Singapore & Malaysia Distributor: Carkit (F.E.) Pte
Ltd, 1 Charlton Lane, #01-02, Singapore 539631, Phone: +65
6282 1960, Fax: +65 6382 3021, Website: www.carkitfe.com.
This magazine may have some content that is advertorial or
promotional in nature. This book is copyright. Apart from
any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research,
criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act,
no part may be reproduced by any process without written
permission. Enquiries should be addressed to the publishers.
The publishers believe all the information supplied in this book
to be correct at the time of printing. They are not, however,
in a position to make a guarantee to this effect and accept no
liability in the event of any information proving inaccurate.
Prices, addresses and phone numbers were, after investigation
and to the best of our knowledge and belief, up to date at the
time of printing, but the shifting sands of time may change
them in some cases. It is not possible for the publishers to
ensure that advertisements which appear in this publication
comply with the Trade Practices Act, 1974. The responsibility
must therefore be on the person, company or advertising
agency submitting the advertisements for publication. While
every endeavour has been made to ensure complete accuracy,
the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or
omissions. This magazine is printed on paper produced in a
mill which meets Certified Environmental Management System
ISO4001 since 1995 and EMAS since 1996.
Please pass on or recycle this magazine.
ISSN 1837-9206
Copyright © Universal Magazines MMXVII
ACN 003 026 944
universalmagazines.com.au
GAP Gardens
We are a member of

THE HAPPY WANDERER
COMMON NAME: MONARCH BUTTERFLY, WANDERER BUTTERFLY
SCIENTIFIC NAME: DANAUS PLEXIPPUS , FAMILY NYMPHALIDAE
M
onarch butterflies appear in large numbers during
summer in the urban areas of eastern Australia, South
Australia and southwest Western Australia, but are
not native to this country. Known to be very strong
fliers, they migrated extensively from North America, where they
range from Mexico, California and the Gulf states all the way to
the Canadian border. The first Australian sighting was recorded
in Sydney in 1871 and the species became established with the
introduction of its food plants, including poisonous milkweed.
In the cooler months, like their American counterparts, the
butterflies overwinter in their thousands in vast clusters until
September, when they begin to mate and disperse to occupy
their full summer range once more.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY | GARDEN LIFE
Besides Australia, the monarch has been found as far afield
as Bermuda, Hawaii and the Pacific islands, New Zealand and
PNG, the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean and even (as an
“accidental migrant”) the UK. Now scientists have discovered
that the tiny butterflies use a sophisticated biological clock
combined with the sun’s position to find their way more than
3000km across North America, from their winter roosts in
central Mexico to their summer breeding grounds as far north
as Canada. But here’s the kicker: at the end of summer, four
or five generations later, the insects fly south again yet their
navigational ability is so accurate they find their way back
to the very same trees in Mexico used by their great, great
grandparents the winter before.
Bigstock, iNaturalist
Good Organic Gardening | 7
 64 42

32

CONTENTS
REGULARS 86 IN SEASON
6 EDITOR’S NOTE The seasonal delights
A quick roundup of what’s you’re likely to find in
in the issue shops and gardens in
7 GARDEN LIFE high summer
The monarch butterfly 93 BOOKS
10 THE GRAPEVINE New books for gardeners
Jo Immig reports on issues and cooks
of interest to all of us 96 PICK OF THE CROP
12 WHAT’S HOT Products and services
Melissa King profiles some from our advertisers
stunning-looking plants
for your seasonal garden PLANTS
40 MOON CALENDAR 14 CLEVER CROPS page 44
A basic guide to planting Two useful plants from
by the moon phases Jennifer: soothing 22 POWER PLANT 42 TIME TO PLANT
41 PLANT NOW aloe vera and fragrant Mountain pepper is one For the backyard herb
What to plant in late high ylang ylang of those highly nutritious patch: efficacious
summer that’s right for 18 PLANT PROFILE natives that has excellent echinacea; in the vegie
your climate zone Gardener and author culinary appeal bed: tasty gherkin, leek,
78 THINGS TO DO Fabian Capomolla 24 FAMILY HEIRLOOMS silverbeet, swede; for the
Jennifer Stackhouse goes profiles a challenging Melissa King profiles the orchard: anitioxidant-rich,
over what’s what in your long-time brassica best varieties of luscious delicious pomegranate,
plot right now favourite: cauliflower heritage watermelons by Jennifer & Melissa

8 | Good Organic Gardening

14
54 ORNAMENTALS
Jennifer profiles the flower
that inspired one of the
world’s great artists: the
enchanting waterlily
58 EDIBLE AQUATIC
PLANTS II
Claire Bickle continues her
showcase of edible water
babies: water chestnut,
taro, arrowhead, wasabia,
swamp pepper
64 PERENNIAL HERBS
Claire lines up her
favourite high summer
perennial herb plants
PEOPLE
28 BHAVANA ORGANIC
FARM & COOKING
SCHOOL
Located in the Byron
hinterland, this organic
enterprise is taking off
54
48
32 AARON BROCKEN
Growing food just comes
naturally to this self-
sufficient small farmer
36 ZENKO & JANINE
VUKELIC
This couple’s fledgling
mulberry tree house is
in the early stages of a
biotecture prototype
ANIMALS page 91
82 FEATHERED FRIENDS
Megg Miller describes
how climate change will PLOT PROJECTS, 72 VERTICAL GARDENS
alter our approach to PLANNING & Space-saving vertical
keeping chickens MAINTENANCE gardens don’t only save
68 POTTED TIERED HERB space, they can clean the
FOOD GARDEN air and act as green living
88 GARDEN TO TABLE If you’ve dreamt of a herb works of art, too
Five simple recipes from spiral but don’t have the 78 SHORT SHOOTS
Super Green Simple and room, try this potted Innovative and creative
Lean, by Sally Obermeder version, which is ideal for ideas for your garden,
& Maha Koraiem decks and patios from Chris Stafford
Good Organic Gardening | 9
THE GRAPEVINE | NEWS
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS AND UPDATES COMPILED BY JO IMMIG
JO IMMIG
Jo is an environmental
scientist, photographer and
writer. She has worked in the
environment movement for
decades and is coordinator
of the National Toxics
Network, an organisation
dedicated to creating a toxic-
free future. She has written
many articles for magazines
and is the author of two
books: Toxic Playground and
Safer Solutions.
10 | Good Organic Gardening
TH E
Grapevine
Concerns over pesticides have been kept secret
THE POISON PAPERS — CULTURE
OF SECRECY REVEALED
The Poison Papers is a recently published
digital trove of information dating back to the
1920s. It reveals the secret concerns of the
chemical industry and regulators about the
hazards of pesticides and other chemicals, as
well as their efforts to conceal those concerns
over many years.
The papers were largely collected by author
and activist Carol Van Strum and have been
collated and published by the Bioscience
Resource Project and the Centre for Media and
Democracy. The collection is searchable.
According to the publishers, the documents
reveal a culture of secrecy and collusion
between regulators and the chemical industry,
particularly in relation to deadly dioxin pollution
associated with the pulp and paper mill
industry, and the use of the herbicide Agent
Orange. They also reveal deception in relation to
falsified safety studies on numerous chemicals.
The Poison Papers comprise over 20,000
documents obtained from Federal agencies
and chemical manufacturers via open records,
requests and public-interest litigation from
sources such as the USEPA, the USDA Forest
Service, Department of Defense and chemical
manufacturers, including Monsanto, DuPont
and Union Carbide.
The chemicals most often referred to in the
documents include herbicides and pesticides
(such as 2,4-D, Dicamba, Permethrin, Atrazine
and Agent Orange), dioxins and PCBs.
Some of these chemicals are among the
most toxic and persistent chemicals ever
manufactured. Except for PCBs, almost every
chemical discussed in The Poison Papers is
still manufactured and sold today, either as
products or as product contaminants.
poisonpapers.org
WEBSITE SHARES INDIGENOUS
WEATHER KNOWLEDGE
The Indigenous Weather Knowledge website
is a joint partnership between the Bureau of
Meteorology, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Commission and Monash University’s
Centre for Indigenous Studies.
Unlike the simplified European seasonal
calendar, the meteorological view of the
Bigstock
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
is one of enormous climate diversity across
geographically and ecologically distinct regions.

Through oral story-telling and
ceremony, this intricate and precious
information has passed from generation
to generation. The Bibulmun people of
southwest Western Australia talk of “in
the nyitting times” which translates to
“the icy-cold times, long, long ago” and
is a record of the Ice Age, which arrived
in Australia approximately 20,000 years
ago and lasted for some 5000 years.
Some of the knowledge is
observational and records how plants
and animals react to the weather
and environment around them, while
other observations record seasonal
expectations. For instance, the flowering
of the boo’kerrikin (Acacia decurrens) is
an indication for the D’harawal people
of an end to the cold, windy weather
and the beginning of the gentle spring
rains. To the Wardaman people, the
appearance of march flies in September
or October indicates the end of the
dry season.
Through the Indigenous Weather
Knowledge website, the bureau is
working with communities that wish
to record and share valuable seasonal
and environmental information and
traditional knowledge.
bom.gov.au/iwk/
DEFORMITIES IN BABOONS
AND CHIMPANZEES CAUSED
BY PESTICIDES
In the northern part of Kibale National
Park in western Uganda, researchers
have found an increasing number of
chimpanzees and baboons with facial
deformities, including cleft lips
and reduced nostrils, as well
as limb deformities and
reproductive problems.
Industrial tea plantations
surround the northern section of
the park known as Sebitoli, where
wildlife live in close proximity
Young baboon
NEWS | THE GRAPEVINE
to humans and their activities. The
chimpanzees and baboons are known
to raid crops (mostly maize) in the
neighbouring gardens.
The researchers found the frequent use
of at least eight pesticides in the region,
including glyphosate, cypermethrin,
profenofos, mancozeb, metalaxyl,
dimethoate, chlorpyrifos and 2,4-D.
Chemical analysis of samples collected
from 2014 to 2016 showed that mean
levels of pesticides in fresh maize stems
and seeds, soils, and river sediments in
the vicinity of the chimpanzee territory
exceeded recommended limits.
Excess levels were found for total
DDT and its metabolite DDE, and for
chlorpyrifos in fresh maize seeds and
in fish from Sebitoli. Imidacloprid was
also detected in coated maize seeds
planted at the edge the forest and in fish
samples from the Sebitoli area, while no
pesticides were detected in fish caught
from central park areas.
Some of the pesticides identified
are thyroid hormone disruptors, so
the researchers postulate high levels
of pesticide use in the Sebitoli area
may contribute to facial deformities
and other defects in chimpanzees
and baboons through this endocrine
(hormone) pathway.
Source: Krief et al (2017) ‘Agricultural
expansion as risk to endangered wildlife:
Pesticide exposure in wild chimpanzees
and baboons displaying facial dysplasia’,
Science of the Total Environment.
Good Organic Gardening | 11
THE SEASONAL GARDEN | WITH MELISSA KING

W hat’s hot
RI GHT NOW
PRESENTING SOME STUNNING-LOOKING PLANTS THAT WILL MAKE
EXCELLENT ADDITIONS TO YOUR GARDEN AT THIS TIME OF YEAR

ALLIUM ‘PINK PEPPER’

The plant: In flower, this is one show-stopping
little plant. Unlike many of the taller-growing
alliums, ‘Pink Pepper’ blooms for a long time,
with masses of large globe-shaped, baby-pink
flowers from spring to summer. Even out of
flower it forms neat mounds of strappy foliage.
Growing: To get the best result, grow ‘Pink
Pepper’ in a sunny position in moist, well-
drained soil. In colder areas foliage may
disappear through winter but pop up again in
spring, so clear away any old foliage to make
way for fresh new growth. Give a boost with a
dose of controlled-release fertiliser in spring to
promote a spectacular display of flowers.
Design: With its petite habit and masses of
blooms, ‘Pink Pepper’ makes an ideal edging
or border plant, or tuck it into the front of the
flower border for a cheery splash of colour.
pga.com.au

MELISSA KING
Melissa is a horticulturist, TV
presenter and writer. She has
been a regular on Gardening
Australia, Melbourne
Weekender, Garden Angels
and The Circle. She currently
appears on The Garden
Gurus and has launched
an online show, The
Gardenettes. She has written
for top magazines and
newspapers and is author of
the book, Garden Feast.
SCAEVOLA KINGS PARK SERIES
The plant: Among native ground-covering
shrubs, scaevolas are the shining stars and
now there are two new varieties to get
excited about — ‘Kings Park Midnight’ and
‘Kings Park Moonlight’ — bred at Perth’s
spectacular Kings Park Botanic Garden. The
aptly named Midnight boasts masses of
large deep-purple, fan-shaped flowers and
the equally captivating Moonlight boasts an
abundance of gorgeous clear-white blooms,
both of which contrast beautifully against
the mid-green foliage. They are strong, quick
growers up to 25cm tall and 1m wide.
Growing: For best results, grow them in full sun
with good drainage and trim plants back after
flowering to encourage fresh new growth. Give
plants a boost in early spring with native plant
food to promote an abundance of blooms.
Design: Plants are smothered in clusters of
richly coloured flowers through spring and
summer, so grow them among other flowers
in the native or cottage garden for a splash
of warm-season colour, or make a feature of
them in decorative pots and hanging baskets.
The thick evergreen foliage of these hardy
plants makes a wonderful living mulch.
ramm.com.au

12 | Good Organic Gardening


CAREX ‘FEATHER FALLS’
The plant: When I come across a plant that’s unique,
looks good in every season and stands up to the toughest
conditions, I can’t help but pay attention. The aptly named
Carex ‘Feather Falls’ forms decorative clumps of dramatic two-
toned, cream and green foliage, which cascades to the ground.
In spring it has the bonus of attractive feathery flower stems.
Growing: It’s an easy-care beauty that looks great all year
round with little maintenance. There is no pruning required;
just give it a dose of controlled-release fertiliser twice a year
WITH MELISSA KING | THE SEASONAL GARDEN
FRANK’S PEA
The plant: Grow this pea in your garden and you’ll have a
little slice of Australian history. Long-time member of the
Diggers Club, May Barnes, from Capertee, NSW, is the source
of these delectable peas, which are a family heirloom. They
were brought to Australia from England in 1853 by May’s
great grandparents, Charles and Martha Franks, who settled
in Palmers Oakey, NSW. Since then the pea has been passed
down from generation to generation, not just because it’s
a family treasure but because it’s a genuinely beautiful
and abundant pea. Frank’s Pea is a profuse bloomer, with
spectacular mauve and maroon blooms so pretty they rival the
display of a sweet pea. The succulent pod swells prior to the
pea fully developing inside, so they make a delectable snap
pea, or allow them to develop fully and you’ve got an equally
delicious shelling pea.
Growing: Sow the seeds into a sunny, well-prepared garden
bed in autumn for a delicious cool-season crop. Pick regularly
to encourage more pods and you could be harvesting garden-
fresh peas for more than a month. You can expect up to 250g
worth of pods per plant. Plants also have good resistance to
powdery mildew.
Design: Plants reach heights of up to 180cm, so grow them up
a decorative trellis or wigwam for a pretty, edible display. They
are equally beautiful in the kitchen or flower garden.
diggers.com.au
in spring and autumn and off it goes. It’s remarkably drought-
tolerant and, once established, requires little water. In fact, the
only thing it will hate you for is wet, waterlogged feet. It’s a
great choice for coastal areas, too.
Design: Plants grow to just 30cm tall and 50cm wide, so it
makes a stunning evergreen garden border or edging plant.
Grow alongside deep-green or burgundy-leafed plants to
create some wonderful contrast. Carex ‘Feather Falls’ also
makes a striking potted feature in a sunny courtyard setting.
pga.com.au
Image courtesy of Plants
Management Australia
Good Organic Gardening | 13
CLEVER CROP | ALOE VERA
SOOTHING SUCCULENT
WHEN SKIN IS BURNT OR IRRITATED, THE
COOLING GEL FROM THIS PLANT’S SPIKY
LEAVES COMES TO THE RESCUE
Words Jennifer Stackhouse
A
loe vera is a small succulent
with spiky grey-green leaves.
It originated in northern
Africa and has naturalised
through much of Africa and around the
Mediterranean. It’s very easy to grow as it
readily produces “pups”, or small offsets.
Just one plant can quickly lead to having
many plants to share.
Individual plants grow to around
60cm tall and wide. The narrow, thick,
serrated leaves are green to grey-green,
often with white mottling. In summer, the
plants have flower spikes of yellow bells.
While it’s easy to grow, that’s not the
reason aloe vera has been so successful
at conquering the world. It’s the cooling
gel inside the thick leaves that makes aloe
vera appealing and has led to its spread
around the globe. It’s used to treat burns,
including sunburn. The leaves of older
plants contain more gel and are best
selected when the sap is required.
Its ease of propagation and its
perceived medicinal benefits have seen it
cultivated for centuries. It can be bought
at most garden centres but also makes
a frequent appearance at fetes and
markets. If a friend has a plant, ask for a
piece to grow.
GROWING TIPS
Aloe vera grows well in pots in a coarse
potting mix (look for one blended for
cactus and succulents) or a well-drained
garden bed. In cold areas, move pots into
a sheltered spot to protect the plants from
14 | Good Organic Gardening
Aloe vera label
Common name: Aloe
vera
Botanical name: Aloe
vera (syn. A.
barbadensis)
frosts. As the leaves are spiky, keep plants Family: Liliaceae (lily
family)
away from pathways. Remove any weeds Aspect and soil: Full sun
to light shade;
as soon as they are seen, as weeding well-drained soil
among spiky plants like aloes is always Best climate: All
tricky and requires protective gloves. Habit: Small spiky suc
culent
Propagation: Offsets
(also called pups)
MEDICINAL VALUE Difficulty: Easy
Many medicinal claims are made for
aloe vera, which has also found its way
into commercial cosmetics, shampoos,
sunburn salves and even tissues. To apply, just break off a leaf and snap
Despite the long association between it in half to release the cooling sap. It
aloe vera and herbal medicine, shouldn’t be relied on alone to treat
particularly as a treatment for burns, burns, however. Where possible, apply
there is little scientific evidence that cool water to reduce burning and always
backs up traditional claims for easing the seek medical attention for bad burns.
severity of burns, removing stretch marks
in skin or fighting disease.
Nonetheless, the gel that flows straight THE LEAVES OF OLDER
from the leaf is cool and can lessen
the pain of sunburn and minor burns.
PLANTS CONTAIN
MORE GEL AND ARE
1 BEST SELECTED WHEN
THE SAP IS REQUIRED.
2
Bigstock, iNaturalist
1 Flower spikes of yellow bells
2 The soothing gel of aloe vera
CLEVER CROP | YLANG YLANG
FRAGRANT FLOWERS
A KEY INGREDIENT IN THE FAMED FRENCH
PERFUME CHANEL NO 5, YLANG YLANG IS
A WARM-CLIMATE FLOWERING TREE
Words Jennifer Stackhouse
T
he bewitching scented oil we
know as ylang ylang (pronounced
ee-lang ee-lang) is derived
from the very fragrant flowers
of a tropical tree. The flowers have long,
slender, streamer-like petals and smell like
a cross between tropical fruit and jasmine.
The curious flowers change colour as
they age. The blooms start life coloured
yellowy green but gradually darken to
orange. In the tropics ylang ylang may be
in flower all year, but in cooler zones the
flowers are more likely seen in autumn.
Ylang ylang is one of the floral scents
used to create the famous Chanel
No 5 perfume. It was combined with
jasmine and rose. The flowers’ fragrance
is intense and is carried by the wind,
especially by a balmy, tropical evening
breeze. The scent is at its most intense
at night and the flowers are pollinated by
night-flying insects such as moths.
It’s found throughout the tropics, but
the tree is native to Indonesia, Malaysia
and the Philippines. This is a plant that
THE FLOWERS’
FRAGRANCE IS INTENSE
AND IS CARRIED BY THE
WIND, ESPECIALLY BY
A BALMY, TROPICAL
EVENING BREEZE.
16 | Good Organic Gardening
YYlang ylang label
Common name: Ylang
ylang, cananga
Botanical name: Canan
ga odorata
Family: Annonaceae (cu
stard
really needs a warm tropical climate apple family)
Aspect and soil: Full sun
for growth. It doesn’t like temperatures to light
below 15°C (although trees can cope shade; well-drained soi
l
with occasional lower temperatures). Best climate: Subtrop
ical to tropical
Well grown in a sunny spot, it forms a Habit: Evergreen tree
handsome, round-headed green tree Propagation: Seed, cut
ting,
with a straight, grey trunk and slightly potted plants
drooping branches. Fully grown it Difficulty: Easy
reaches 10m or more but it can be grown
in a large pot for several years.
There is a compact variety known as
dwarf ylang ylang (Cananga odorata var.
fruticosa) that grows as a shrub around MEDICINAL VALUE
2m tall. It’s a better choice for growing A fragrant essential oil is derived from
longer term in a container or small space. distilling ylang ylang flowers. As well as
a perfume ingredient and aromatherapy
oil, it’s valued for its antiseptic properties.
DID YOU KNOW? The flowers are used as a herbal remedy
In Madagascar you can enjoy ylang for malaria and fever. The flowers are
ylang-flavoured ice-cream! also considered to be an aphrodisiac. The
leaves have healing properties, too.
1 2
Bigstock
1 An essential ingredient in the famous perfume 2 Fragrant ylang ylang petals
Break Down
Breaks Down Dead Plant Material
A 100% natural ready to use enzyme based organic ferment

4 Lawn thatch
VEGAN
FRI ENDLY
4 Compost
4 Lawn Clippings
People’s 4 Vegetable matter
Choice 4 Leaf litter
GARDEN IDEA • 100% Natural
AWARDS 2016
WINNER SOIL
& FERTILISER
• Safe for children and pets
CATEGORY
• Won't harm living plants

ORDER ONLINE
Head to www.earthlife.com.au to see
the full range of products and find your
nearest stockist. FREE CALL 1800 819 003
PLANT PROFILE | CAULIFLOWER

Heads up
SURE, THEY’RE TRICKY TO GROW, BUT IF
YOU LIKE A LITTLE CHALLENGE, RAISING
CAULIFLOWERS IS WORTH THE EFFORT

18 | Good Organic Gardening

 CAULIFLOWER | PLANT PROFILE

Words & photos Fabian Capomolla pH of 6–6.5 (the yield will be reduced if MULCHING

T
he oldest record of cauliflower the soil pH is below 6). Grow cauliflower Mulch helps soil retain moisture, controls
dates back to the sixth from seedlings bought at your local weeds and regulates soil temperatures. If
century BCE. A member of nursery if you have a small vegie patch, you choose not to mulch, you will have to
the cabbage family, the word as the plants need a lot of space. If you hoe the weeds. Cauliflowers have shallow
“cauliflower” comes from the Latin want to grow your own from seed, sow roots, so be careful not to damage the
caulis, meaning “cabbage”, and floris, the seeds in seedling trays at the start of roots if you do.
meaning “flower”. They are grown for summer for transplanting into the patch
their thick, undeveloped flowers and six weeks later. FEEDING
flower stalks, not for their leaves. Cauliflowers do best in very fertile soil.
Of all the brassicas, cauliflower is the WATERING Work the soil with well-rotted animal
most difficult to grow, which is why Because cauliflower is a winter crop, manure or compost before planting. Once
it tends to be more expensive at the most of the irrigation will be supplied by the plants are growing well, apply seaweed
greengrocer. Aim for at least six hours of Mother Nature. However, if dry weather extract every couple of weeks.
full sun each day for your cauliflower — occurs, water every 10 days and apply
though the more the better, really. enough to thoroughly wet the root zone.
Keep the soil moist but not soaked.
PROPAGATION Cauliflower plants must never be water
Prepare the patch by digging organic stressed, especially as young plants, or Cauliflower labe
matter through the soil, which should they will bolt to seed and not form a
Common n
l
be rich, moist and freely draining with a dense flower. ame: Caulifl
Botanical n ower
ame: Brass
oleraceae va ica
r. botrytis
Family: Bra
ssicaceae
1 Aspect and
soil: Sun; d
drained soil eep, well-
Best climat
e: All, but g
cooler part row in the
of the year
Habit: Bien
nial vegetab
an annual le grown as
Propagatio
n: Seed, se
Difficulty: edling
Difficult

1 A truly colourful array 3 Cover the head of the

cauliflower with its leaves to keep it white

WHEN THE
CAULIFLOWER HEAD
CAN BE EASILY
SEEN, IT IS READY
TO BLANCH. THIS
PROCESS PREVENTS
SUNLIGHT FROM
REACHING THE HEAD...
iStock

Good Organic Gardening | 19

 PLANT PROFILE | CAULIFLOWER
Pick the caterpillars off by
hand or contol with organic
methods, see box, opposite LOOK OUT FOR CATERPILLARS ON THE
LEAVES, OR THE HOLES AND DROPPINGS
THEY LEAVE BEHIND.
BLANCHING
When the cauliflower head can be easily
seen, it is ready to blanch. This process
prevents sunlight from reaching the
head, keeping it nice and white rather
than letting it become a yellowish green.
Tie or peg the outer leaves over the head
to protect it from the sunlight. The head
should be ready to harvest a couple of
weeks after blanching.
PRUNING
As the plant grows, remove any old
leaves that have started to turn yellow
and put them in the compost.
POLLINATION
Cauliflower requires cross-pollination if
you want to save seeds. Its small yellow
flowers are pollinated by insects.
20 | Good Organic Gardening
PESTS AND PROBLEMS
Caterpillars are notorious pests on
brassicas and cabbage white moths
are the main offenders. Look out for
caterpillars on the leaves, or the holes
and droppings they leave behind (see
box, opposite page, for tips on how
to control this pest).
Slugs can be a problem, chewing
through seedlings and mature plant
leaves alike, particularly during wet
seasons, and aphids also cause havoc for
brassica crops. Try planting marigolds,
or other plants from the Tagetes genus,
among the crop as a repellent.
HARVESTING AND STORAGE
Start harvesting when the heads are
firm; once the florets start to separate,
it is too late, though they are still edible.
CanStockPhoto
Harvest when the heads are firm
 CAULIFLOWER | PLANT PROFILE

Cauliflower heads can be stored in the

fridge for two weeks or more. Extracted from Growing Food The Italian
Recommended variety ‘Di Sicilia Violetto’ Way by Fabian Capomolla, published by
is a purple variety that is easy to grow. Not Plum, available from bookstores and online
only is it tasty, but it also looks good. at thehungrygardener.com.au

Fabian in the garden. Image supplied from Growing Food The Italian Way by Fabian Capomolla, published by
Plum, available now, Photographer: Mark Roper, Location: The Farm Yarra Valley

HOW TO CONTROL
CATERPILLARS
• Pick the caterpillars off the
plants (it’s worth wearing
gloves if you don’t know what
type of caterpillar it is) and
drown them in a bucket of
soapy water; or if you have
chickens, provide them as
an after-dinner snack — the
chooks will love you for it.
Caterpillars are soft-bodied
and therefore a favourite treat
for birds and small mammals.
• Use a product called Bt, or
Bacillus thuringiensis. Bt is also
referred to as Dipel. It is an
organic insecticidal bacterium
that kills only caterpillars and
is safe to use on edibles. It
takes about 24 hours to have
an effect but works a treat.
• Use a garlic or soap spray.
• Barbarea vulgaris, also known
as winter cress, and Barbarea
verna, or land cress, both
contain a natural chemical
called glucosinolate that acts
as a toxin. Apparently the
white cabbage moth will go
crazy for it and lay its eggs
all over it. When the young
caterpillars hatch and eat it
they will keel over.
• I think the best organic
method of control is covering
the patch or crops of
susceptible vegies with very
fine netting. This stops the
butterflies and moths from
landing on the plants to lay
their eggs. The downside
is that the netting can limit
access for other insects, which
is a problem if there are plants
in the patch that require
pollination. If this is the case
you can hand-pollinate.

Good Organic Gardening | 21

POWER PLANT | MOUNTAIN PEPPER
SOUTHERN GEM
HERE’S AN APPEALING NATIVE THAT WILL
FILL A SHADY CORNER AND REWARD WITH
PUNGENT LEAVES AND PIQUANT BERRIES
TO SPICE UP YOUR COOKING
Words Kerry Boyne
T
his intriguing native spice was
first introduced to me on a
long-ago visit to Tasmania,
where it’s proudly touted as a
Tassie specialty. In fact, it’s also native to
Victoria and parts of NSW, particularly
highland and mountainous areas. I found
the dried berries a bit addictive for both
their flavour and unusual mouth feel.
You sometimes wonder what brave soul
was the first to taste an unknown plant.
This one was first described, at least, by
18th-century French botanist and explorer
Jean Louis Marie Poiret and given its
current name in 1969 by English botanist
A.C. Smith. It was formerly known as
Drimys lanceolata. Its relatives were known
and used medicinally centuries earlier.
It’s an attractive plant with its smooth,
dark-green, lance-shaped leaves, red
to black berries and distinctive red
stems. You may find a couple of these
large shrubs/small trees useful just as a
windbreak, but why not reap the culinary
and medicinal rewards as well?
22 | Good Organic Gardening
HEALTH BENEFITS
Indigenous Australians have long used
this plant — and others from the same
family — for medicinal purposes. The
berries were crushed and made into a
paste to be applied to skin abrasions
and infections, including in the mouth,
while the bark was boiled to make a
digestive remedy. It was also used in the
early colony for treating scurvy and as a
pepper substitute on food.
The polyglodial in the leaves and
berries, a compound that gives them
their spicy heat, is strongly anti-
inflammatory and has significant
antibacterial and antifungal properties
attributed to it. The berries are also very
high in antioxidants — triple the levels in
blueberries, it’s claimed.
USING
Both the leaves and berries contain
the hot-tasting polyglodials. The leaves
can be dried and ground to be used
as flavouring in sauces, marinades and
casseroles, or you can throw in whole
Mountain pepper label
Common name: Mount
ain pepper,
native pepper, Tasmania
n pepper,
pepperberry
Botanical name: Tasma
nnia lanceolata
Family: Winteraceae
Aspect and soil: Part
shade; slightly
acidic, moist, well-drain
ed soil
Climate: Cool to tempe
rate
Habit: Tall evergreen shr
ub to
small tree
Propagation: Seed, see
dlings, cuttings
Difficulty: Easy
dried leaves to impart a peppery flavour.
Small creamy white flowers appear
from September to January, depending
on location. The berries follow in March
to May. They are about the size of peas
and are shiny, dark red, turning black
when ripe. They are mild-tasting at first,
even a little sweet and fruity; then the
peppery pungency hits, followed by a
slight sensation of numbness — a bit
similar to the effect of Sechuan pepper.
The leathery leaves have a subtler
Bigstock, CSIRO, Ron CC
flavour than the berries and the berries
will bleed some pink colour into anything
you add them to. Dried and ground,
they are great simply used in place
of peppercorns — try them on fish
and chips with lemon myrtle for a real
bushfood flavour hit.
 MOUNTAIN PEPPER | POWER PLANT
1
GROWING
As a cool- to temperate-climate rainforest 2
understorey plant growing to about 5m
(bigger in its natural habitat), mountain
pepper likes part shade, so it’s a handy one
for that corner that doesn’t support a lot of
food plants. It will grow in full sun, though,
as long as the soil is moist but well-draining.
Mulch well to keep the moisture in.
It’s pretty hardy and will tolerate cold
winters and wind and a range of soils.
It has separate male and female plants,
which may be distinguished by the
flowers — the female flowers are smaller.
You’ll need both for fertile berries
produced by the female plant.
If you want to keep it compact, it
responds well to pruning, even hedging.
It also grows well in pots — but start it
3
off in a large pot so you don’t have to
transplant later, as it’s not keen on being
disturbed. Prepare soil with compost and
manure; feed in early spring and autumn. DID YOU KNOW?
Native birds, particularly Tasmania’s T. lanceolata was introduced
green rosellas and black currawongs, into Cornwall, UK, and became
love the berries and spread the plants in known as Cornish pepperleaf.
the wild by depositing the seeds. These days, extract of the plant is
exported to Japan to add flavour
1 Dried Leaves 2 Mountain pepper is an to wasabi and chewing gum.
attractive plant 3 Green rosellas love the berries

Seagold is a Soluble Seaweed Extract made from fresh
Seaweed (alga), such as Ascophyllum Nodosum,
Sargassum and Laminarials, which are rich in micro-
nutrient and natural hormones.
Seagold is a natural, non-toxic, harmless and non-polluting
soil conditioner which improves quality in all crops by
strengthening the cell walls and boosting the plants natural
resistance to disease and adverse conditions. It promotes the
development of vigorous root systems for the plant to access
nutrients and water which ultimately lead to increased yield.
Improved quality is readily evident in bolder foliage, improved
skin colour and texture, higher suger content and longer shelf
life. Additional applications can be made immediately prior to
or following stress periods such as frost and drought.
Available in 150g, 1kg, 5kg and 20kg sizes.

For more information call 0410 335 633 or email admin@seagold.com.au | www.seagold.com.au

Good Organic Gardening | 23

FAMILY HEIRLOOMS | WATERMELON

Summer
sweetness
NOTHING SAYS SUMMER LIKE AN
ICE-COLD SLICE OF WATERMELON
OR A GLASS OF THE CHILLED JUICE

24 | Good Organic Gardening


Words Melissa King
O
n a hot summer’s day, a chilled
slice of watermelon is right up
there with an ice-cold glass of
lemonade. Oh-so refreshing!
Watermelons are mostly water, so
munching your way through a few
slices is a pleasant way to hydrate, but
did you know that this sweet, succulent
fruit is also soaked with nutrients,
antioxidants and amino acids?
You can crunch on it, eat it by the
spoonful as sorbet, slurp it in an ice-cold
cocktail or even serve it up in a savoury
salad or appetiser.
In the garden, watermelon is a bit of
a space hog, with sprawling vines that
need room, but there are more compact-
‘Sugar Baby’ is an heirloom favourite
Bigstock
WATERMELON | FAMILY HEIRLOOMS
growing varieties you can grow, like
‘Sugar Baby’. It’s an heirloom favourite
that’s been around since the 1950s. The
small, round watermelons have dark-
green skin, super-sweet red flesh and fit
perfectly into the “icebox”. The vines are
more compact, too, so it won’t take over
the garden.
‘Crimson Sweet’ is another classic
beauty: pretty to look at and sweet to
taste, with big light-green melons with
dark-green stripes, super-sweet crimson-
red flesh and small dark seeds. If you can
spare a few metres of garden space, it’s
a great one to grow.
Beyond the typical red watermelon,
look out for ‘Mountain Sweet Yellow’
Watermelons are very easy to grow
watermelons with big, elongated
Wattermelon label
Common name: Water
melon
Botanical name: Citrul
lus lanatus
Group: Fruiting vine
Requires: Long, warm
summer;
lots of sunshine and wa
ter
Dislikes: Drying out
Suitable for: Vegie be
ds, paddocks
Habit: Annual
Needs: Soil that is ric
h and friable;
regular water
Propagation: Seed, see
dling
Difficulty: Easy
Good Organic Gardening | 25
 FAMILY HEIRLOOMS | WATERMELON

YOU CAN CRUNCH ON IT, EAT IT BY

1
THE SPOONFUL AS SORBET, SLURP IT
IN AN ICE-COLD COCKTAIL OR EVEN
SERVE IT UP IN A SAVOURY SALAD
OR APPETISER.

1 The taste of summer 2 Make sorbet with it 3 ‘Mountain Sweet Yellow’ 4 Drink it

fruit and unusual orange-yellow flesh
with a sweet honey flavour that’s to
die for in summer. It’s wonderfully
productive too, and fruits around 14
weeks from sowing.
‘Sweet Siberian’ is another heirloom
type with sugary-tasting, succulent
apricot-coloured flesh, which brings
was introduced to Saskatchewan by
Russian immigrants. The round, striped
fruit is grown for its unique champagne-
coloured flesh and wonderfully sweet
flavour. The rind is thin and the skin splits
easily, so it’s best devoured fresh from
garden to table. Another good choice if
you live in a colder zone.
when ripe. The golden skin is a great
contrast to the sweet salmon-coloured
flesh. It’s a winner with the kids, with big
seeds that are easy to spit out.
If you grow the aptly named
watermelon ‘Moon and Stars’ it’s the
distinctive skin that takes centre stage.
The large, dark-green, oval-shaped fruit
Bigstock, Shutterstock

drama to a summer fruit salad or
cocktail. This Russian variety is tried and
true, dating back to the late 1800s, and
as a bonus grows well in cooler areas.
‘Cream of Saskatchewan’ is another
old heirloom with Russian roots that
If different is what tickles your fancy,
then you’ll love the ‘Golden Midget’
watermelon. As the name suggests, the
fruit is petite by watermelon standards —
weighing just 1.3kg on average — and the
rind turns a lovely golden-yellow colour
and foliage are speckled with small
and large golden patches and spots,
which resemble the moon and stars. It’s
certainly a talking point in the garden
and deliciously sweet, with both red and
yellow-fleshed varieties available.

26 | Good Organic Gardening

GROWING
Watermelons need a long growing season and warm soil for
the seeds to grow in, so planting is best done during spring
(after the risk of frost has passed) and summer in most areas.
Watermelon seeds can be sown directly, so choose a warm,
sunny spot and prepare the area first with plenty of compost
and organic matter to nourish the soil and improve drainage.
The vines need plenty of room to grow, so plant seeds on
raised mounds 1–2m apart. When vines begin to ramble, I like
to pinch out the growing tip to encourage side branching
and more compact growth. Keep vines well watered and fed
throughout the growing season, but ease off on the water as the
melons start to mature to intensify the sweetness of the fruit.
Most watermelons are ready to pick and eat when the stem
of the fruit is dry and brown and the underside of the melon
has changed colour. When you are munching through the
fruit, just be sure to put a few seeds aside from ripe heirloom
varieties to plant again next season.

INTERESTING FACT
It’s hard to imagine that a fruit so
hydrating could have its origins in the
Kalahari Desert of Africa, but botanists
have found wild ancestors of the
watermelon growing there.
GARDENING FOLK | BHAVANA ORGANIC FARM & COOKING SCHOOL

COOKING
WELCOME TO A PICTURESQUE
ORGANIC FARM AND COOKING
SCHOOL IN THE BEAUTIFUL BYRON
BAY HINTERLAND

28 | Good Organic Gardening

 BHAVANA ORGANIC FARM & COOKING SCHOOL| GARDENING FOLK

Words & photos Jo Immig property permanently, they began its develop and manage her own gardens.

M
agic happens when people
come together with a shared
dream and the courage to
embrace change. And so it is
with friends Jo Rushton, Susie Cameron
and Greta Smith, who’ve combined
forces as co-creators of Bhavana Organic
Farm & Cooking School, located in the
picturesque hinterland of Byron Bay,
NSW. I was lucky enough to join them for
their practice run and grand opening.
Greta and her family first acquired
the 125-acre property at Brooklet as a
holiday home and working macadamia
plantation, but a family health crisis
was the impetus for change from their
hectic city life. Once they moved to the
1 “SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION”
transformation into a working organic
farm, furthering their journey towards
a more relaxed and healthful lifestyle.
“Although the challenges have been
immense, the joy and beauty I find
in everyday life living in the Byron
hinterland surpasses any doubts I may
have had,” says Greta. “Farm life is
pure bliss. Everywhere nature plays a
role in grounding you, from the chickens
to the organic garden and even the
wicked storms.”
Greta never imagined she’d find herself
squatting among rows of vegetables,
hand weeding. Her decision to study
organic farming was a crucial step in
gaining the knowledge and experience to
“It was a huge learning curve and the
daily experience reminds me of the
fragility of life as a farmer,” she says.
Bhavana is a Sanskrit word meaning
“spiritual cultivation” and is the
motivation at the heart of this enterprise.
The cooking school, under the direction
of chef Jo Rushton, together with
Susie Cameron’s seamless organisation,
provides a nurturing and relaxing
experience, while also educating and
inspiring people in the fundamentals of
nutrition and wellbeing.
You can’t help but relax when you
arrive, as hens waddle up to greet
BHAVANA IS A SANSKRIT
WORD MEANING
AND IS THE MOTIVATION
AT THE HEART OF THIS
ENTERPRISE.

1 Bhavana Cooking School 2 Red cabbage for fermenting

3 Resident chook Opposite page Jo (left) and Greta

Good Organic Gardening | 29

GARDENING FOLK | BHAVANA ORGANIC FARM & COOKING SCHOOL
1
1 Gluten-free pumpkin and almond bread 2 Fantastic fennel 3 Fermented vegetables
4 The table’s set for cooking-school lunch 5 Tasty organic heirloom carrots
5 you and a freshly brewed organic
herbal tea is served while you settle
in. The meticulously renovated dairy
bails provide the perfect setting for the
cooking school with its stunning views
over the rolling green hills and valleys
for which the region is famed. Future
plans for accommodation and extended
workshops will also allow guests to have
an immersive experience.
THE COOKING SCHOOL
Readers of Good Organic Gardening
may remember Jo Rushton’s regular
contributions as the organic chef who
provided delicious recipes over several
30 | Good Organic Gardening
years. Jo is also a life coach with a
wealth of knowledge about healthy living
and nutrition that she’s gained from first-
hand experience.
“Overcoming my own gut issues led
me down a path studying under many
amazing holistic health practitioners. I’ve
learnt about the multi-disciplinary nature
of the body-mind relationship and what’s
required to facilitate healing from the
inside out,” says Jo.
“My early years as a chef gave me
the practical skills to combine this
knowledge and enables me to help and
guide others on their health journey.”
As we settled into the comfy couches,

Jo gave an informative presentation
about the fundamentals of the
digestive system and the importance of
maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, a
hot topic these days with the knowledge
that 80 per cent of the immune system
resides in the gut.
“Soil is Mother Earth’s digestive
system, so if it’s healthy, then that’s the
basis of our own good digestion and
health,” she says.
With the importance of healthy soil in
mind, we headed off to Greta’s organic
garden and harvested bursting-with-life
COOKING THE FEAST CULMINATED IN A LANGUID ALFRESCO LUNCH
IN THE GENTLE AFTERNOON SUN, WITH THOSE STUNNING VIEWS.
WE SHARED STORIES AND ENJOYED ORGANIC WINE.
BHAVANA ORGANIC FARM & COOKING SCHOOL| GARDENING FOLK
vegetables for the day’s recipes. Then,
aprons donned, we got started on the
preparation, chopping and grating of
vegetables, with lots of chatting and
laughter among the group.
Throughout the day, Jo’s well-planned
recipes and gentle instruction eased
us into cooking a range of simple,
everyday foods that help heal the gut
and stimulate digestion, providing the
essential nutrition we need.
Nourishing broths were made, gluten-
and dairy-free loaves of delicious bread
baked, and vegetables fermented in jars
to take home. We baked chicken infused
with lemon and garlic and prepared
winter-greens; for sweets, a gluten-free
rhubarb and apple crumble.
Cooking the feast culminated in a
languid alfresco lunch in the gentle
afternoon sun, with those stunning
views. We shared stories and enjoyed
organic wine. As the sun slowly slipped
behind the hills, we gathered around the
fire pit for dessert and farewells.
For more information, visit
bhavanacookingschool.com
Lunch is served — the
empty chair is mine
Good Organic Gardening | 31
GARDENING FOLK | AARON BROCKEN

FIELDS OF
GROWING FOOD JUST COMES
NATURALLY TO THIS SELF-
SUFFICIENT SMALL FARMER

32 | Good Organic Gardening

 AARON BROCKEN | GARDENING FOLK

1 An emerald forest — Mother Nature at her best 2 Cooking outdoors is all part of
2
Aaron’s lifestyle 3 Aaron’s organic produce is chockfull of goodness and flavour

Words Carrol Baker

Photos Rebecca Leaver & Nick McKinlay

T
he sound of wine glasses
clinking together amid the soft
laughter of friends gathered
together in the sunshine to share
a gourmet feast probably isn’t something
you’d expect in a working orchard.
Organic farmer Aaron Brocken
recently hosted a mouth-watering lunch
and farm tour to celebrate the end of
the harvest season and to showcase
the connection between fresh food
and farming.
Aaron lives and works on two
properties in the rich fertile Bilpin district
— he was born on one of the farms 30
years ago — and resides self-sufficiently
in a tepee. “Almost all the food I eat
is grown within two degrees of direct
contact and I barter with the local
organic shop for my food,” he says.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE AARON USES RAISED GARDEN BEDS AT 10-20CM TO

Aaron’s farming philosophy is about
building a strong sense of community.
It’s the exchange of knowledge and
taking pride in what you grow, and
it’s sharing the fruits of honest labour
with family and friends. It reaches far
beyond the semantics of field to fork,
or paddock to plate. It’s also driven
by a desire to raise awareness in an
industry that, Aaron says, has seen a
rapid and worrying decline in his local
area in just a few short decades.
CAPTURE THE SUNLIGHT AND INCREASE DRAINAGE,
WITH HOT COMPOST FOR A NUTRIENT BOOST.
“Over 90 per cent of our local
farms have gone out of business in
the past 25 years,” he says. With many
farmers selling up and cashing out to
developers, Aaron’s bucking the trend
by encouraging others to work the
land and he’s establishing his farm as a
“living museum” with heritage varieties.
FROM TRAVELLER TO FARMER
Life as a farmer really began in earnest
for Aaron just three years ago. After
leaving school, he spent eight years
travelling to far-flung exotic places, his
wanderlust taking him sailing halfway
around the world. He has lived in Mexico,
India and Greece. While traversing

Good Organic Gardening | 33

GARDENING FOLK | AARON BROCKEN

1 From field to fork, Aaron relishes growing fresh and

flavoursome food 2 Freshly picked from the orchard
2
to create delicious canapes 3 A bountiful harvest

3
AARON’S TOP TIPS
1 Notice nature. Look at
the patterns, observe and
work with the rhythms of
the natural world. I also
do biological illustrations,
drawing plants as they start to
change throughout the year.
2 Enjoy not just growing food,
but food culture. Understand
how food expresses itself
through flavour. The food
in a specific area will be
influenced by not only the
natural environment but, over
the years, the culture of the
people using it, developing it
in a certain way.
3 Do yoga or stretches every
day in the garden. It connects
you to the natural world. In
the garden, don’t rush what
you do; enjoy the process.
4 Share knowledge. In current
mainstream farming systems,
farmers are secretive about
farming practices because the globe, Aaron witnessed farming wines, sauces and tomatoes,” he says.
they compete. I believe in practices in different cultures, which Aaron’s father Eric is an ardent
sharing with other growers: planted a seed in his consciousness, and advocate of organic gardening. Eric’s
techniques, implements, when his journey finally took him back to partner, Karen, is a horticultural therapist
and bulk buying with other his roots, that seed began to grow. and avid gardener. “When I was young,
farmers so we all pay less. “I could see in India that farmers were dad certified organic farms with NASAA
5 Listen to older farmers and passionate about their food systems (The National Association for Sustainable
gardeners and don’t discount and they were being taken from them. Agriculture) and I’d travel out west with
the practices of others who It showed me how it can become him,” he says. “Growing food for us really
might do things differently. corporatised,” he says. is just part of life.”
For example, just because Aaron was also intrigued by Italian
people use chemicals, it farming methods. “There is a lot of WORKING SIDE BY SIDE
doesn’t mean there’s nothing emphasis on localised and culturally Aaron also pays homage to the local
to learn from them. specific food. Travel from one village community, friends and neighbours
to another and there’s different pastas, who’ve offered support and guidance

34 | Good Organic Gardening


along the way, including 75-year-old
farmer, Phil. His family came to Australia
from Italy with nothing but a pocketful of
smuggled fig seeds and a heartfelt desire
to work the land. Aaron pitches in with
some of the labour-intensive work for Phil,
whose farm adjoins Aaron’s leased land,
and Phil repays him with cuttings, seeds
and knowledge about traditional farming.
“There’s also John, who owns the
blueberry farm at Mt Tomah. I lease a
couple of acres from him and he’s shown
me so much about grafting, weeding,
machines and netting,” says Aaron, who is
also assisted by agriculture students and
WWOOFers (Willing Workers on Organic
Farms), who help a few times a year.
As well as selling and bartering food,
Aaron’s developing other aspects
of Harvest Farms. “How it works is
through a CSA (Community Supported
Agriculture) model,” he explains. “People
sign up for the full season in advance,
which ensures the farm has the funds for
the upcoming season.”
The mountains provide a majestic backdrop
AARON BROCKEN | GARDENING FOLK
FRENCH FUSION market with two acres of vegetable
Aaron is currently experimenting with crops and nuts, including broccoli,
relay crop farming and French bio- kohlrabi cabbage, cauliflower, capsicum,
intensive growing techniques. The eggplant and tomatoes as well as
French concept evolved before the chestnuts, hazelnuts and walnuts.
Second World War, explains Aaron. “The There’s also 10 acres of reclaimed fruit
French needed to grow more food on plants, including blueberries, raspberries,
less land, and there was an abundance of peaches, plums and apples.
horse poo fertiliser,” he says. This method Ask this young farmer why he loves
also keeps weeds out and moisture in, life on the land and his answer is simple
creating its own little microclimate — and and heartfelt. “It just feels right to me.”
means it’s less work for the farmer in
tending the crops.
To deal with pests, he uses exclusion
netting, crop rotation and introduced
predatory bugs like lacewings, along
with Dipel, a biological control. Aaron
uses raised garden beds at 10–20cm
to capture the sunlight and increase
drainage, with hot compost for a nutrient
boost. “Once it’s 60–68 degrees, that’s
the optimal time for microbes to breed,”
he explains. “We run the compost for
12–18 days, turning it every three days.”
There is always work to be done
Harvest Farms is a one-stop farmer’s
Good Organic Gardening | 35
GARDENING FOLK | ZENKO & JANINE VUKELIC

TH E MULBERRY
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A HOUSE MADE
OF LIVING TREES BEFORE? NEITHER HAVE
WE, BUT HERE ARE THE EARLY STAGES
OF A BIOTECTURE PROTOTYPE

36 | Good Organic Gardening

 ZENKO & JANINE VUKELIC | GARDENING FOLK

Words & photos Sandra Tuszynska becoming one (it’s biologically similar to structure, mulberry trees can eventually

Z
enko and Janine Vukelic are
the first people in Australia to
be experimenting with growing
their home from mulberry
trees. Biotecture is not a new concept
— rather, it’s a common practice in
north-east India, where living bridges
grown from aerial roots of rubber trees
have been supporting river crossings
for hundreds of years, becoming
stronger and larger with time.
Some tree species grow by the natural
process of inosculation. This is when the
branches and roots grow into each other,
WHEN TRAINED ACROSS A SUPPORT STRUCTURE,
MULBERRY TREES CAN EVENTUALLY GROW INTO
grafting). Another example is a strangler
fig naturally forming a netlike weave
by growing into itself. This behaviour
can be encouraged by a process called
pleaching: manually interlacing the
branches of inosculating tree species.
A friend of Zenko and Janine, Chris
Piper, co-founder of Queensland-based
Carbon Capture Construction, designs
and grows living structures. He helped
the couple come to the decision to
grow their own house with the aim of
becoming fully sustainable.
When trained across a support
grow into a living tree house that can
potentially live for 800 years or more!
About 300 mulberry trees have been
planted around Zenko and Janine’s house.
“Mulberries are just so versatile,” says
Zenko. “Not only are they easy to grow,
providing excellent shade in summer yet
allowing the house to heat up in winter,
but they are also abundant fruiters. Our
intention was always to increase the
biodiversity of the bare block of land, and
the mulberries provide a plentiful source
of food and shelter for small birds, which
have significantly increased in number
since the trees have been planted.”
The mulberries are being trained
by Chris and Zenko using the process
of pleaching to eventually grow

A LIVING TREE HOUSE THAT CAN POTENTIALLY

LIVE FOR 800 YEARS OR MORE! 2

3
1 Coffee beans 2 Mulberries nine months after planting back in
April, 2016 3 Eggplants are in abundance 4 Friendly chooks
Opposite page Zenko

Good Organic Gardening | 37

GARDENING FOLK | ZENKO & JANINE VUKELIC
into one solid wall encasing the entire
house, forming one central trunk above
the roof and growing out as one giant
tree. “This probably won’t happen in
my lifetime, but the potential is there,”
explains Zenko.
The tunnel-shaped house and support
structure for the mulberries is built from
recycled street-lamp posts and covered
with a poly-membrane. Shade cloth
suspended on a number of wires secured
to some posts allows the mulberries
to climb and keeps them off the poly-
membrane, while providing shade and
protection from UV rays.
“The house can be deconstructed
and re-erected elsewhere and all the
materials can be reused or recycled,”
says Zenko. Insulated and finished off
Mulberries just pruned
38 | Good Organic Gardening
with timber on the inside, it provides a
very comfortable living space.
Adjacent to the dwelling is a 100,000L
aquiculture pond, which Zenko will plant
out with edible aquatic species such as
water chestnut. “It’s also great back-up
water storage in case of a fire or drought
and it’s much less expensive than buying
a tank,” he explains.
WHAT GROWS AROUND THE
MULBERRY HOUSE
“My father was a keen gardener who
grew lots of fruit trees,” says Zenko,
explaining his aspiration to do the same
for his family. “Tree-ripened apricots are
like heaven — they are so unbelievably
good! They are very difficult to buy,
though.” The former naturopath, is
convinced that having access to freshly,
organically grown food is a human
necessity. “There is nothing like the joy of
eating out of your own garden,” he adds.
The couple chose the two-acre
property on one of Tingoora’s hills in
the South Burnett for good reason. “Our
specific location and orientation mean
that frosts are unlikely,” says Zenko.
With 23 already-established mango
trees, the plot is something of a mango
lover’s paradise. Since moving there four
years ago, Zenko has planted at least
30 fruit trees, including ice-cream bean,
carob, pecan, macadamia, avocado,
sunburst cherry, tropical apple and
pear, loquat, black sapote, grumichama,
jaboticaba, banana, lemon, lemonade,
orange and papaya.
There are also some moringa trees,
which have superfood properties
(see Good Organic Gardening 8.2 Jul/
Aug 2017 for more on moringa), and
a neem tree with antiseptic, anti-
parasitic and anti-inflammatory values.
He has also planted a variety of native
flowering trees to provide pollen for
birds and insects.
Zenko buys organic compost from a
local business, adds cow and pig manure
and ensures the soil does not dry out
to keep the microbes alive and healthy.
Besides eggs, the chooks provide
manure for liquid fertiliser and Zenko
also makes his own compost to feed the
soil microbes, ensuring the best nutrition
for his plants and family.
The property’s septic system is set
up to separate the solids from the
liquid, which overflows into a reed bed
containing papyrus grass and native
reeds, filtering the liquid waste. The
filtered fluid gravity-feeds into a tank
and is then pumped into an absorption
trench, watering the soil down-slope.
Zenko grows a variety of vegies and
herbs, including cos and butter lettuce,
spinach, bok choy, cabbage, coriander,
basil, celery and eggplant. “Initially,
kikuyu grass would take over my raised
garden beds, so I experimented by first
creating a cardboard and mulch layer
between the soil and the garden bed,
but the grass came through as soon as
the cardboard decomposed. Now, I use
a thick weed-mat to keep the grass from
coming through the garden.”
Tomatoes self-seed and pumpkin
grows from the compost. “When we
first moved in, we planted some sweet

1 Yummy oranges 2 The well-tended gardens 3 Zenko picking ice-cream beans
1
TREE-RIPENED APRICOTS ARE LIKE HEAVEN -
THEY ARE SO UNBELIEVABLY GOOD! THEY ARE
VERY DIFFICULT TO BUY, THOUGH.
potatoes and now they just keep
coming back,” says Zenko. Geranium
flowers provide bright colours around
the house, too. “They grow easily, make
a great groundcover and suppress the
kikuyu,” he adds. On the road side of the
property, vetiver grass filters the dust
and acts as a screen when fully grown.
Zenko and his family enjoy their
small piece of paradise. The couple
ZENKO & JANINE VUKELIC | GARDENING FOLK
2
are a great example of what can be
achieved and how we can use nature
to help simplify our lives. It seems
that this exemplary first-of-its-kind
project will lead the way in sustainable
housing solutions. Just imagine —
future generations living within self-
maintaining tree homes that we have
planted for them? It’s every child’s
dream come true!
ZENKO’S GROWING TIPS
1 The life in your garden soil is
what feeds the plants, so feed
the microbes with compost
and manure and keep up the
moisture content.
2 Plant an abundance of fruit
trees to feed the visiting
hungry wildlife and increase
biodiversity in your garden.
3 If you have grass, brush-cut
around newly planted trees
for the first few years; the
grass and other mulch will
feed the trees and help retain
moisture around them.
4 Use a weed mat to prevent
persistent grass from getting
into your raised garden beds.
5 When growing cuttings,
ensure you don’t overwater
them as they will rot. The
key is to find the right
moisture balance.
Good Organic Gardening | 39
MOON PLANTING | JANUARY/FEBRUARY

MOON
PLANTING
JANUARY 2018  New moon Full moon
Mid-summer is a time of growth and productivity, but you may need to protect your  First quarter  Last quarter
new plants with some shade and give them plenty of water if the weather is dry.
When the moon is waxing from new
MON TUES WED THU FRI SAT SUN moon to full moon, it is increasing
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 light and drawing sap flow upwards.
During the waning from full moon
back to new moon, light decreases
and sap is drawn downwards.
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 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,
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 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,
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 carry out general tasks and improve
your soil for planting.

 FRUITING ANNUALS
29 30 31 Sow or plant annuals grown
for their fruits or seeds. This is best
done during the first quarter phase
between first quarter and full moon,
when sap is being drawn upwards.
FEBRUARY 2018
This month there will be a definite focus on starting off your cooler-season crops ROOT CROPS
from seed and keeping them under cover until it’s time to plant out in the garden. Sow or plant crops that
produce below the ground, and also
MON TUES WED THU FRI SAT SUN perennials. This is best done between
1 2 3 4 full moon and last quarter when sap
flow is being drawn downwards.

LEAFY GREENS
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Sow or plant crops that are
grown for their foliage. This is best
done during the new moon phase
 between new moon and first quarter
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 when sap is being drawn upwards.

AVOID PLANTING
 The last quarter phase is
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 not a good period for sowing or
planting, so is best used to improve
soil, weed, make compost and do
 other general chores.
26 27 28

Times are Australian Eastern Standard Time

(AEST). Add one hour during daylight saving.
WA, SA & NT will need to adjust.

40 | Good Organic Gardening


TIME PLANT
DEPENDING ON YOUR CLIMATE ZONE, THERE’S STILL PLENTY TO
PLANT IN THE HOT AND HUMID MONTHS OF HIGH SUMMER
NDS
C O O L & H IG H LA
JANUARY
Basil, beans (dwarf), beetroot, burdock, cabbage,
carrot, celeriac, celery, chives, collards, French
tarragon, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, marrow, mustard
greens, oregano, parsley, radish, salsify, shallots
(eschalots), silverbeet, squash, sweet corn,
turnip, zucchini
T E M PE R AT E
Amaranth, asparagus pea, beans (climbing,
runner beans, dwarf), beetroot, burdock, carrot,
chives, cucumber, eggplant, kohlrabi, lettuce,
marrow, mustard greens, okra, radish, rosella,
salsify, silverbeet, sunflower, swede, sweet corn,
turnip, zucchini
S U B T R O PI C AL
Amaranth, asparagus pea, basil, beans
(climbing, runner, dwarf), beetroot, burdock,
cape gooseberry, capsicum, chives, cucumber,
eggplant, leek, lettuce, marrow, mustard greens,
okra, oregano, pumpkin, radish, rockmelon, rosella,
salsify, silverbeet, squash, sunflower, swede, sweet
corn, tomato, turnip, watermelon, zucchini
T R O PI C AL
Mustard greens, sweet corn, sweet potato
AR ID
Amaranth, asparagus, asparagus pea, beans
(climbing, runner, dwarf), borage, Brussels sprouts,
burdock, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, chives,
cucumber, daikon, eggplant, marrow, pumpkin,
radish, rhubarb, salsify, shallots (eschalots),
silverbeet, spinach, squash, sunflower, sweet corn,
tomato, zucchini
These maps are simplified versions adapted from climate maps by the Bureau of Meteorology and are only a rough guide. Microclimates can be formed anywhere.
VEGETABLES | PLANT NOW
FEBRUARY
Beetroot, broccoli, burdock, carrot, cauliflower,
chives, collards, fennel, kale, kohlrabi, leeks,
lettuce, mustard greens, onion, oregano, parsley,
radish, salsify, shallots (eschalots), silverbeet,
swede, turnip
Amaranth, beans (dwarf), beetroot, broccoli,
Brussels sprouts, burdock, carrot, cauliflower,
chives, collards, cucumber, endive, fennel,
kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, onion,
radish, rosella, salsify, silverbeet, swede, turnip
Amaranth, asparagus pea, beans (climbing,
runner, dwarf), beetroot, broccoli, burdock, cape
gooseberry, capsicum, carrot, chillies, cucumber,
eggplant, leek, lettuce, mustard greens, okra,
onion, oregano, parsley, pumpkin, radish, rosella,
salsify, silverbeet, squash, sunflower, swede,
sweet corn, turnip, zucchini
Mustard greens, sweet corn, sweet potato
Amaranth, asparagus pea, beans (dwarf),
beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, burdock,
cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, chives,
cucumber, daikon, kohlrabi, leeks, marrow,
onion, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb, salsify, shallots
(eschalots), silverbeet, spinach, squash, sunflower,
swede, tomato, turnip, zucchini
Good Organic Gardening | 41
TIME TO PLANT | ECHINACEA
TS
IN I
OWN
SPOT
CONE OF COLOUR
WHETHER YOU WANT TO USE IT MEDICINALLY
OR NOT, ECHINACEA IS AN ATTRACTIVE
ADDITION TO ANY GARDEN
Words Melissa King
M
ention the name purple cone
flower to most people and
you’re likely to get a blank
look, but if you talk about
echinacea you will probably get instant
recognition. It’s a little unusual, I guess,
for the scientific name to be more
prominent, but that’s due mostly to its
recognition as a medicinal herb.
Whatever you call it, echinacea is a
plant that ticks all the boxes. Whether
DID YOU KNOW?
The name “echinacea” comes from
the Greek word echinos, meaning
hedgehog, because of the spiny
cone you find on most flowers.
The common name “cone flower”
comes from the way the flower
petals tend to droop or fall away
from the cone-shaped centre.
42 | Good Organic Gardening
Echinacea label
Common name: Echina
cea,
cone flower
you grow it for its medicinal value or
Botanical name: Echina
cea
simply because it’s an attractive, easy-to-
purpurea
grow plant, it’s guaranteed to be a showy
Family: Asteraceae
addition to your garden.
Aspect and soil: Full sun
Echinacea blooms over a long period,
Climate: Most
from summer right through to autumn,
Habit: Herbaceous perenn
producing masses of striking daisy-like ial
Propagation: Seed, divisio
flowers with a prominent cone. It also n,
cutting
shines in both fresh and dried floral
Difficulty: Easy
arrangements. And, as a further string
to its bow, it’s a magnet for beneficial
insects such as bees and butterflies.
Most named forms are purple or pink
flowering like the magnificent Echinacea en masse for dramatic impact or allow it
‘Magnus Superior’, which boasts masses to mingle with other late-season flowers
of dark carmine pink flowers through in the cottage border.
summer and autumn. But recent plant
developments have also seen the GROWING
introduction of yellow, white and near- For best results, grow it in full sun and
red flowering varieties, which add more incorporate plenty of compost and
colour and interest to an already exciting organic matter into the soil before
Bigstock
plant. Echinacea is the perfect choice planting. Originating from the prairies
for providing a splash of late-perennial of eastern and central North America,
colour to the garden. You can plant it echinacea is a no-fuss plant that needs
 ECHINACEA | TIME TO PLANT

2
1

little maintenance and, once established,

little water. It’s a herbaceous perennial,
so the foliage will die back in winter in
cold areas but pop back up again happily
in spring.

MEDICINAL HISTORY
Indigenous Americans are said to have
used this versatile plant for various
medicinal purposes, including treating
insect bites, toothaches and stomach
cramps. Today it’s used mostly for its
immune-boosting properties.
1 A magnet for beneficial insects 2 Vibrant colour in the garden

Did you know?

In Australia we put over 30 Million
Plastic toothbrushes (1000 tonnes)
into landfill each year. The plastic A better way to do the washing!
they are made from will not break
down in your lifetime nor in the
lifetime of your children. We all know that laundry detergents are
toxic, for us and for the environment. But,
did you know that Soap Nuts will do an
The Environmental Toothbrush
TM outstanding job cleaning your washing
is a simple solution
with no need for fabric softeners or other
to help save our planet.
additives? Or use them as soap for
personal use, or an outstanding general
Made from bamboo, they are biodegradable and environmentally
cleanser. Say goodbye to those skin
sustainable.
allergies caused by your detergents!
Available in Adult Soft, Adult Medium and Child Soft From 100g to 1kg

Good Organic Gardening | 43

TIME TO PLANT | GHERKIN
THE
IN
VEGIE
PATCH
IN A PICKLE
REALLY JUST SMALL CUCUMBERS,
GHERKINS ARE A STAPLE FOR PICKLING
Words Jennifer Stackhouse
I
f you’re looking at that jar of gherkins
and wondering what they are so you
can grow your own, stop wondering
and read on. A gherkin is just a small
cucumber and is grown in the same
way cucumbers are grown.
The traditional cucumber produces
a long, dark-green fruit, but gherkin
44 | Good Organic Gardening
varieties are small and may have hairy
skins. Great in salads or for preserving,
an easy-to-grow variety to look out for
is ‘Gherkin Pickling’.
In warm climates, sow seeds from
spring to summer. In cool zones, plant
out gherkin seedlings in mid summer. In
subtropical and tropical zones, gherkins
can be grown throughout the year.
Pick gherkins when small
Gherkin label
Common name: Gherkin
Botanical name: Cucum
is satavis
Family: Cucurbitaceae (cu
cumber
family)
Aspect and soil: Sun to
light
afternoon shade (warm
climates
only); well-drained soil
Best climate: All
Habit: Annual vine, 2m tall
Propagation: Sow seed
or plant
seedlings in spring and
summer
Difficulty: Easy
WHERE TO GROW
Like cucumbers, gherkins grow on a
sprawling vine, but they can be grown
in any-sized vegetable garden or even
in a large container by training the vine
onto tall stakes, a tepee or along a
trellis. Growing gherkins off the ground
Bigstock, Shutterstock
also keeps the fruit clear of the soil and
reduces damage by pests or diseases.
In cool climates with a short growing
season, managing the size of the vine is
important to achieve any crop. Rather
than allow the vine to grow as high and
 GHERKIN | TIME TO PLANT

1
1 West Indian gherkin 2 Cucamelon 3 On the vine

MEXICAN SOUR AND OTHER GHERKINS

This grape-sized gherkin is better known in Australian gardens as a
mouse melon or cucamelon. Its botanic name is Melothoria scabra.
It is a cucumber relative, not a melon, and grows readily in warm 3
climates, producing fruit over many months that can be eaten fresh or
preserved as a pickle.
The West Indian gherkin (Cucumis anguria) is a species of cucumber
that looks like it dropped from outer space. It has a spiky skin and a
seedy interior. It can be cooked, eaten fresh or pickled.

GHERKINS ARE USUALLY TROUBLE-FREE,

PARTICULARLY WHEN GROWN WITH REGULAR
WATER AND LIQUID FEEDING.
wide as it wants, tip-prune it after it
produces six or so nodes. Alternatively,
grow the vine in a warm, sunny but
sheltered spot such as a glasshouse.
Although the vines need full sun in
mild climates, in very hot areas they
can be given shelter from the scorching
afternoon sun. This reduces sun scald
and water stress.
GETTING STARTED
Gherkins grow from large seeds direct
sown into a garden bed, or a large
Bigstock, Shutterstock, David Schering CC
In a container, sow one vine per pot or,
if the space is larger and they are to be
trained up a tepee structure, plant one
seed at the base of each leg of the tepee.
Encourage the young plants to climb
onto the stake or climbing frame.
Expect the seeds to germinate in
around 6–10 days. As the plants grow,
keep them well watered, watering the
roots rather than the foliage as wet
foliage may encourage fungal diseases.
These vines are heavy feeders, so add HARVESTING, STORING
plenty of compost and rotted manure to AND PRESERVING

container if you prefer, as the weather
warms in spring or early summer. If
temperatures are cooler, start seeds
off in punnets and move them into the
garden or a larger pot as they grow. In the
subtropics and tropics, gherkins can be
grown year round.
In a garden bed, space plants or direct
sow seeds 12mm deep and 40cm apart,
placing them beside a 2m-high stake or
trellis. Sow into moist soil.
the soil before planting. Adding mulch
around the base of the plant helps to
keep the roots cool and the soil moist.
Liquid-feed fortnightly to encourage
strong growth.
Gherkins are usually trouble-free,
particularly when grown with regular
water and liquid feeding. Mildew, a fungal
disease, often attacks plants at the end
of the growing season. Where this occurs
remove the vine as it begins to die back.
Pick the fruit while it is small (around
5cm long) and use it to pickle whole.
Gherkins can also be sliced and
preserved as homemade bread and
butter cucumbers.
It’s important to pick the fruit while
it’s small as it grows rapidly into a large
seedy cucumber. As the fruit matures
it can also become bitter and the skin
becomes tough. Look for fruit 8–10
weeks from planting out seedlings.

Good Organic Gardening | 45

TIME TO PLANT | LEEK

Words Jennifer Stackhouse

W
ith cultivar names like
‘Welsh Wonder’, ‘Colossal’
and ‘Unique’, leeks are
staking their claim as large,
robust and striking vegetables. The
bit that’s eaten is the white part of the
lower stem (above the root and below
the tough green leaf tops). While rigid
and usually called a stem or stalk, it isn’t
THE a true stem but is made up of leaf bases
IN

VEGIE tightly overlapping.

PATCH Although part of the onion family,

leeks don’t form bulbs. Like onions, leeks
are cool-season crops which grow best
in the temperature range of 13°C–24°C.

TALL AND Leeks are a must-have ingredient to

make warming bowls of leek and potato
soup and are an alternative to onions.

TENDER
In cool and temperate areas, seed is
sown from late summer to early autumn.
Seedlings are planted through autumn
and winter. In tropical zones, leeks are a

THIS EDIBLE ALLIUM ADDS dry-season crop, sown in April.

Transplant seedlings into the
A SWEET ONIONY FLAVOUR vegetable garden when they are large
enough to handle (around 12cm high).
TO A RANGE OF DISHES Seedlings can be planted during autumn
and early winter.

HOW TO GROW
To develop the tender white “stalks”,
seedlings are planted into trenches or
individual holes around 15–20cm deep.
Just cover the roots so the plants are
stable. As the seedlings grow, earth up
soil around the stem. This blanches the
stem so it’s white or light green in colour
and tender. Watering will also wash soil
in around the stem.
Leeks grow best in full sun with well-
drained soil. With less light they’ll be

Leek label
Common name: Leek
Botanical name: Allium
ampeloprasum Porrum
Group (syn.
A. pourrum)
Family: Alliaceae
Aspect and soil: Full sun; regular
moisture
Climate: All
Habit: Annual bulb
Propagation: Seed, seedling
Difficulty: Easy
Bigstock

46 | Good Organic Gardening


LEEKS ARE A MUST-HAVE INGREDIENT TO MAKE
WARMING BOWLS OF LEEK AND POTATO SOUP
AND ARE A USEFUL ALTERNATIVE TO ONIONS.
spindly and may be prone to pests such
as aphids. Well grown, they have few
pest or disease problems but protect
from snails and slugs with organic or
homemade snail bait. Water regularly
(more frequently in hot weather)
and liquid-feed every two weeks to
encourage fast growth and plump leeks.
Water-stressed leeks can bolt to flower.
Leeks are generally trouble-free but
may be attacked by onion thrips, which
cause white flecking on the leaves.
Diseases are kept in check by removing
weeds and maintaining good spacing
between plants.
LEEK | TIME TO PLANT
1 Cool-season growing avoids bolting to flower 2 Leek roots 3 Leek field 4 Leek
HARVEST AND STORAGE
Where you have leeks in the garden,
simply harvest the stems as needed.
Plants are ready to harvest when they
are 2–2.5cm thick or around 12 weeks
from transplanting seedlings.
After harvest, wash thoroughly then
chop off the roots and tough leaf tops.
Next, wash the stalks clean of soil and Leeks are usually sliced finely and
they’re ready to chop. Washing carefully sautéed before being added to soups,
is important as leeks can be gritty if soil stews or pies. This slow cooking softens
has worked its way between the leaf them and helps develop the sweet
sheaths. To remove any dirt, remove the flavour. The tougher leaf tops can be
tough outer leaves and make vertical added to stocks for an oniony flavour.
cuts in the stalk, then wash well. Leeks are rich in vitamins A and C.
Good Organic Gardening | 47
TIME TO PLANT | POMEGRANATE
THE
IN
ORCHARD
RED GEMS
THIS MIDDLE EASTERN FAVOURITE DOES
WELL IN AUSTRALIAN GARDENS AND HAS
BECOME POPULAR IN OUR COOKING
Words Melissa King
T
he pomegranate is among
the oldest cultivated fruits,
originating from Persia,
Afghanistan and surrounding
areas. The fruit is striking to look at
hanging on the tree, but even more
beautiful when you cut it open to reveal
the fleshy jewel-like seeds inside. In fact,
the name “pomegranate” translates to
“seeded apple” and the fruit is seen as a
symbol of hope and abundance in many
cultures. Rumour even has it that the
apple that tempted Eve in the garden of
Eden was a pomegranate.
The pomegranate is one small tree
with a lot to offer: glossy green leaves,
DID YOU KNOW?
Although the name pomegranate
means “seeded apple”, the fruit is
technically a leathery-skinned berry.
48 | Good Organic Gardening
Pomegranate label
Common name: Pomegr
anate
Botanical name: Punica
granatum
Group: Shrub to small tre
e
Requires: Full sun; well-d
attractive autumn foliage colour, pretty rained soil
Dislikes: Poor drainage
red-orange flowers and colourful fruit
Suitable for: Orchards,
that is both decorative and delicious hedges,
containers
— and brings that something special
Habit: Deciduous to sem
to your cooking. Pomegranates i-
deciduous
are also members of the exclusive
Needs: Long, warm gro
antioxidant-rich superfood group and are wing season
Propagation: Seed, suc
wonderfully rich in vitamin C. kers, tip
cutting
Pomegranate plants have popped
Difficulty: Easy
up in gardens over many years, but
it’s only comparatively recently that
the fruit has leapt into prominence,
with its sweet-tart and juicy seeds —
often called arils — leading the charge. VARIETIES
Maybe it’s the influence of the mass Keep an eye out for delicious-named
of cooking shows on television, but varieties that you can grow at home, like
these days we seem to know a lot more ‘Wonderful’ with stunning deep-red fruit
about how to use the seeds to enhance and juicy, sweet, fragrant seeds; ‘Gulosha
a salad or add flavour and interest to a Azerbaijani’ with luscious deep-red seeds
variety of dishes. In fact, the versatile that explode in your mouth; ‘Gulosha
pomegranate can be used to add zing Rosavaya’ (Russia with Love) with
Bigstock
to juices, salads, sweets and mixed picture-perfect light-pink fruit; or ‘Ben
drinks and is an essential ingredient in Hur’, an Australian-bred variety with fruit
Middle Eastern cooking. the size of cricket balls.
1

www.holmanindustries.com.au

GROWING CONDITIONS
Pomegranates are easy to grow and seem to adapt well to
Australian conditions. Grow them in a warm, sunny spot and
pay some attention to watering in spring to aid fruit setting.
Pomegranates are both frost- and drought-tolerant. Prune
lightly in winter to keep plants nice and bushy.

Module pre-assambled
Ready to Grow One panel with fresh herbs Living wall of herbs and flowers

2
Vertical Gardening
Discover the endless possibilities
1 Vibrant red-
orange flowers
2 An attractive small
tree 3 Pomegranate /holmanindustries.com.au
livens up a salad
/holmanindustries

/holmangarden

Create a stunning living wall with the HOLMAN Vertical Planting Kit.
This simple to install modular system comes complete with inbuilt
adjustable drippers watering each pot so you can have an edible wall
of herbs all year around.

HOLMAN - 50 Years and

Still Proudly Australian Owned.

Good Organic Gardening | 49

TIME TO PLANT | SILVERBEET

THE
IN

VEGIE
PATCH

YEAR-ROUND GREENS
FOR LEAFY GREENS AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR,
ALWAYS HAVE THIS NUTRITIOUS, EASY-GROW
PLANT IN YOUR BACKYARD VEGIE PATCH

Silverbeet label
Words Jennifer Stackhouse there are also varieties with colourful Common name: Silverb
eet,

N
ever be without a few plants of
silverbeet in the garden. This
long-lasting and easy-to-grow
leafy vegetable will ensure
there’s always something green and
nutritious to harvest for dinner.
Silverbeet is often called spinach,
but its large puckered leaves and stiff
stems are more robust than the delicate
leaves of true or English spinach. The
two plants are closely related and both
are part of a large group of vegetables
in the amaranth family, which also
includes beetroot.
Although often considered a second-
rate vegetable as the leaves are not as
fine or as delicately flavoured as English
spinach, silverbeet is more tolerant of
warm weather than its tender relative.
English spinach grows best while the
weather is cool, but silverbeet grows
happily year-round.
As well as the green, leafy silverbeet,
stalks known as rainbow chard. These
forms have ruby-red, yellow, orange or
white stalks. The colour often spills into
the leaf veins.
BEST CLIMATE
Silverbeet grows year-round in all climates
and is cold- and heat-tolerant, a legacy
of its Mediterranean heritage. It’s a long-
lasting and highly productive vegetable.
Although silverbeet grows all year,
the best time to sow seeds to start new
plants is during spring and summer. In
warm zones, seeds can be planted at any
time of the year.
GETTING STARTED
Producing strong leafy stems means
starting with well-prepared soil. Before
direct sowing seed or planting seedlings
in the vegie patch, prepare the soil by
digging it over thoroughly. Remove rocks
and clods (hard lumps of dirt) to ensure
spinach, Swiss chard
Botanical name: Beta vul
garis
Family: Amaranthaceae
(amaranth family)
Aspect and soil: Full sun
to light
shade; well-drained soil
Best climate: All
Habit: Perennial grown
as
an annual
Propagation: Seed, seedlin
g
Difficulty: Easy
the roots can easily penetrate the soil
and produce lots of leaves. Silverbeet
prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline soil,
so dig in lime to acidic soils (this is best
done in autumn).
With the soil prepared, sow the seed
in shallow rows about 2cm deep and
20-30cm apart, pressing the seed firmly
into the soil and lightly covering it. Keep

50 | Good Organic Gardening


the soil moist for the 10–14 days it can
take for the seedlings to appear.
Select the strongest seedling and
either transplant the thinnings (the
plants that are removed) or eat them in
a salad. Silverbeet can also be sown
into a seedling punnet or seed tray and
allowed to grow until the seedlings are
around 3–5cm high and ready to be
planted into the garden.
When planting seedlings, soak the
punnet thoroughly to make it easier to
gently separate each plant. They can
then be planted out about 20–30cm
apart. This allows each plant room to
grow a good-sized bunch of leaves. To
produce silverbeet in a container, choose
a pot that’s 20–30cm across and grow
one plant per pot.
There are very few problems
encountered when growing silverbeet,
but watch out for snails and slugs. If
there are holes in the leaves, search
for the culprits among the leaves or
at the base of the clump and remove
AS WELL AS THE GREEN, LEAFY SILVERBEET, THERE
ARE ALSO VARIETIES WITH COLOURFUL STALKS
KNOWN AS RAINBOW CHARD.
Kerry Boyne
any that are found. In warm climates,
grasshoppers may also chew the leaves.
Any fine, regularly shaped holes in the
leaves are likely to be caused by a leaf
fungus. Generally, this problem can
be dealt with effectively by removing
damaged leaves and applying a seaweed
solution and liquid fertiliser to encourage
strong regrowth.
HARVEST, STORAGE AND
COOKING
Silverbeet generally takes around 8–12
weeks from sowing until the plant is
large enough to start harvesting the
leaves. Seedlings can be ready to harvest
in five weeks.
This is a cut-and-come-again plant.
Pick leaves from the outside of the
clump, cutting them close at the plant
base. Leave at least four or five young
leaves to keep the plant growing, but
harvest leaves regularly.
With regular watering and fortnightly
liquid feeding, leaves keep on growing,
DID YOU KNOW?
Portugal’s national dish, caldo verde,
is a green soup made with silverbeet.
SILVERBEET | TIME TO PLANT
providing greens over many months. Use
a liquid fertiliser that’s high in nitrogen
for an abundance of tender leaves. If the
plant starts to send out a flowering stem,
remove it quickly as the plant will stop
producing new leaves and concentrate
its energies on flowering.
Excess silverbeet leaves can be stored
dry and well wrapped in plastic for a
week or more in the crisper section of
the fridge. Clean gently to remove any
dirt or grit from the stems or leaves. To
eat, steam finely chopped stems and
leaves. They can be used in any recipe
that calls for spinach, such as spinach
quiche or spanakopita. The stems are
often cooked separately and served with
white sauce.
Silverbeet isn’t just an easy green
vegetable. It has high levels of vitamins
A, K and C, and is high in potassium, iron,
zinc and manganese.
2
1 Red-stemmed Swiss chard
2Yellow-stemmed Swiss chard
Good Organic Gardening | 51
TIME TO PLANT | SWEDE

Words Jennifer Stackhouse

S
wedes and turnips are closely
related but, while turnips
have become a sexy and hip
vegetable, swedes are still
languishing on the “old-fashioned
vegie” shelf. Many people consider
them little better than pig food.
Swedes are a lumpy looking root
vegetable that’s usually creamy yellow
with a purple top. It has a deep, earthy
THE
IN flavour. Its positive features are that it’s
VEGIE easy to grow and stores well. It’s also
PATCH versatile as it can be added to soups or
casseroles, or served by itself mashed
or steamed.
‘American Purple Top’ is an heirloom

FAST GROWER
variety with a long pedigree that dates
back to 1871. ‘Champion Purple Top’ is a
variety that’s commonly available.

THOUGH CONSIDERED AN OLD- GETTING STARTED

FASHIONED VEGIE, THIS CLOSE COUSIN
OF THE TURNIP REAPS QUICK REWARDS
If you want to try this generous root
vegetable and you live in a cold zone, late
winter and into spring is a great time to
get planting. For other areas, sow swede
seed during summer and autumn so the
plants grow through the cooler months.
Before planting, work a little complete
fertiliser into the soil and ensure the soil
is free of clods. Start swede from seed,
which is sown directly where it is to grow.
Sow the seed in rows to make weeding
and management of the crop easier, and
space the rows 20–30cm apart.
Swede seed is fine. Sow it at about 6mm
deep into lightly moist soil. The ideal way
to make a planting furrow for swede and
other fine seeds is to lay a rake or other
long-handled tool across the prepared bed
and gently push it into the soil.
After scattering the seeds along the
shallow furrow, lightly cover them with

Swede label
Common name: Swede
Bigstock, Jeevan Jose CC, Forest & Kim Star CC

, turnip swede,
rutabaga
Botanical name: Brassic
a rapa
Family: Brassicaceae (ca
bbage
family)
Aspect and soil: Sun; we
ll-drained soil
Best climate: Cool, Medite
rranean,
temperate, subtropical
Habit: Annual root vegeta
ble
Propagation: Seed
Difficulty: Easy

52 | Good Organic Gardening


soil, vermiculite or seed-raising mix, then
water gently. Try to sow the seed thinly
as it’s likely the seedlings will require
thinning as they grow.
The small seedlings begin emerging
from the soil in around 6–10 days. Once
they are large enough to handle, thin the
seedlings to allow about 10cm between
each plant. Select the largest and
strongest seedlings to grow.
TROUBLESHOOTING
If the plants are kept well watered, weed
free and liquid-fed occasionally, little
should go wrong. As these vegies are
members of the brassica family they will,
however, be attacked by the caterpillars
of the cabbage white butterfly. These
caterpillars feed on the foliage, not the
developing swede, so they won’t harm
the main crop.
Control caterpillars by regularly
searching for them among the green
leaves. Squash any you find or throw them
to the chooks for a nutritious snack. Safe
controls include Dipel (based on Bacillus
thuringiensis) and products containing the
biological insecticide Spinetoram (derived
from a natural bacteria).
HARVESTING AND STORING
The young green leaves from each plant
can be added to salads or steamed. For
SWEDE CROSS
Some of the weirdest vegetables
are hybrids between different
species. With the current popularity
of kale, how about growing a
swede kale? This vegetable has the
bulbous stem of a swede or turnip
and is topped with edible kale
leaves. This hybrid brassica is often
grown as a forage crop but if you
grow both vegetables and let
them flower and harvest seed, you
may discover you’ve created your
own hybrid.
such a large root vegetable, swedes grow
surprisingly fast. Plants can be ready to
add to the cooking pot in 85–90 days.
To extend the crop, make additional
sowings every four weeks.
Swedes keep well in the ground but
left too long become coarse and woody.
Harvest when they are around the size
of a small orange. Harvesting alternate
swedes leaves space for those still in the
ground to grow.
Once the swede is pulled from the
ground, shake it free of soil and remove the
top by twisting or cutting off the leaves,
leaving about 2cm of stalk. Swedes keep
well in a cool, dark spot (such as a cellar or
cool pantry) but keep best in the refrigerator
where they can last for 8–10 weeks.
1
2
3
1 Swedes are quite easy to grow and store well
2&3 The versatile swede can be cooked in all the
same ways potato can
SWEDE | TIME TO PLANT
Swedes can be served boiled and
mashed as well as steamed, sauteed and
roasted. Make excess into chutney or
pickles. Swedes are high in vitamin C but
this important vitamin can be lost during
cooking. Steaming until just tender
reduces the loss of nutrients.
AVAILABILITY
Swede seeds are available from garden
centres but for special varieties, check
online vegetable specialists. Here are
some examples: ‘Tasmanian Butter’
swede is available from Southern Harvest
(southernharvest.com.au), while Diggers
Club (diggers.com.au) has ‘Laurentian’
and Eden Seeds (edenseeds.com.au)
‘Champion Purple Top’.
FOR SUCH A
LARGE ROOT
VEGETABLE,
SWEDES GROW
SURPRISINGLY
FAST. PLANTS
CAN BE READY
TO ADD TO THE
COOKING POT IN
85-90 DAYS.
Good Organic Gardening | 53
ORNAMENTAL | WATERLILIES

Star of
the pond
THESE PRETTY, ICONIC FLOWERS THAT
CALL THE POND HOME INSPIRED ONE OF
THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS ARTISTS

54 | Good Organic Gardening


Words Jennifer Stackhouse
T
he Impressionist artist Claude
Monet made waterlilies famous
as garden plants. He grew hardy
waterlilies in the large ponds
in his garden at Giverny in France and
carefully managed the plants to achieve
an appealing balance between the
clumps of lilies and the open stretches of
water. Waterlilies in different lights and
conditions became the subject of many
of Monet’s paintings.
Monet’s inspirational water garden can
still be seen growing as he painted it. The
garden is open from April to October
(see giverny.org).
Water in the form of a pond is a
3
Bigstock, Sue Tapping
WATERLILIES | ORNAMENTAL
vital element in an organic garden as
it creates habitat for beneficial insects
as well as attracting birds, frogs and Waterlily label
reptiles. Part of creating a natural habitatt
Common name: Water
in and around a pond is to plant the lily
Botanical name: Nymp
margins with water plants. There are also o haea spp.
and hybrid cultivars
plants that can be grown in the pond to
Family: Nymphaceae
shade the water surface and help add
(waterlily family)
oxygen to the water. One of the prettiestt
Aspect and soil: Full sun
of these is the waterlily. ; rich soil
in pots or soil in water
As well as producing beautiful star-
Best climate: All
shaped flowers, the lily’s floating leaves
Habit: Perennial
(known as lily pads) offer shelter for
Propagation: Dividing
small fish and other aquatic animals. rhizomes,
potted plants
As there are waterlilies from many
Difficulty: Medium
climatic zones there’s a lily for every
garden. Tropical waterlilies
1 Waterlily ‘Hardy White’ 2 The blue Australian waterlily 3 By Claude Monet
1
2
WATER QUALITY CHECK
Don’t expect crystal-clear water in a pond as it’s a growing
environment full of micro-organisms. An easy way to assess
water quality is to check whether your hand is visible in the
water at 20cm depth. If it is, the water quality is good.
Good Organic Gardening | 55
ORNAMENTAL | WATERLILIES

such as the blue Australian waterlily
(Nymphaea gigantea) grow well in the
tropical north. For cool zones, select
forms of the European or hardy waterlily
(N. alba) with blue, pink, white or yellow
flowers and small, round leaves.
WATER DEPTH
Waterlilies are sold as dormant rhizomes
in late winter and spring, but summer
is a good time to purchase them in
flower in garden centres or from water-
plant specialists.
To be able to select the best lily for
your water feature, know the size and
depth of the pond. Large waterlilies
need more than 30cm water depth
to grow and do best in a pond with a
water surface of at least a square metre.
Miniature waterlilies, however, can grow
in shallower water, needing only to be
submerged 15–20cm below the water
surface. A small water garden featuring
a miniature waterlily can be grown in a
large container such as a ceramic pot on
a balcony or roof garden.
GET GROWING
Waterlilies are often found growing in
shallow watercourses. In an earth-lined
dam, waterlilies can be planted into the
natural soil, but the easiest way to grow
them in a lined garden pond is to plant
them in mesh baskets or squat pots filled
with a soil mix made up with one part
garden soil (a clay loam is ideal) and
three parts well-rotted manure. Don’t use
potting mix or compost that can float out
of the pot when it’s placed in the water.
Position the waterlily rhizome in the
container so its “nose” (growing tip) is
just at the top of the soil. The surface
of the pot is then generally topped
with a layer of gravel to deter fish from
disturbing the soil.

1 The red-tinged foliage matures to green 2 The star-shaped flowers are stunning
3 Waterlilies can become invasive 4 The broad leaves give shelter to small fish
2

DID YOU KNOW?

Some waterlilies are fragrant. There are
night-fragrant varieties that open in the
Bigstock

evening to perfume the air. There are also

some day-opening varieties that are scented.

56 | Good Organic Gardening


AS WELL AS PRODUCING BEAUTIFUL STAR-
SHAPED FLOWERS, THE LILY’S FLOATING LEAVES
(KNOWN AS LILY PADS) OFFER SHELTER FOR
SMALL FISH AND OTHER AQUATIC ANIMALS.
Waterlily growers recommend adding
extra fertiliser to the waterlily pot for
lilies growing in large ponds. Use a slow-
release fertiliser tablet to avoid adding
too much fertiliser to the pond, which
can lead to unwanted algal growth.
Water the container before it’s placed
in the pond. Do this by dunking the pot
or basket in a bucket of water until all
the air bubbles are released.
To position the basket at the correct
depth for the type of waterlily that’s
being grown, place it on a stack of
bricks in the pond. As a guide, miniature
waterlilies should be placed so the top
of the pot is 15–20cm below the water.
Large lilies can be set 20–30cm below
the water surface.
To grow more waterlilies, divide and
repot existing clumps in spring as growth
resumes. Plants that are in flower can
be placed in a pond at any time.
FLOWERING
Waterlilies flower from mid spring to
early autumn and most open during
the day but close at night. To get the
best from waterlilies, grow them in the
sunniest part of the pond. Waterlilies
tolerate full sun to part shade (four to
five hours a day in summer) but flower
best with more sun. They are slow to
open on dull days or in heavily shaded
parts of the pond. Waterlilies prefer
still water so don’t grow well under a
splashing fountain or in running water.
ORGANIC CARE
As healthy ponds are full of insects, fish,
frogs and micro-organisms, it’s crucial
WATERLILIES | ORNAMENTAL
The lotus stands proud of the water
LOTUS
While waterlily flowers and leaves
float on the water surface, lotus
(Nymphaea lotus) flowers stand
proud of the water surrounded by
large wavy-edged leaves. Lotuses
have large white or pink flowers
with a distinctive pepper-pot-style
centre, which matures as seeds
develop. Lotuses orginated in
Egypt and grow best in warm to
tropical climates where they flower
from spring to summer.
to manage them organically. One of
the most important tasks is to regularly
remove excess leaves and rotting plants,
which can overload nutrient levels in
a pond. Nutrients from surrounding
gardens and lawns may also wash into
the pond and encourage the growth of
algae in the water.
While waterlilies are robust plants,
they may attract aphids. The easiest way
to control these is to hose them off or
drown them in the pond water.
Good Organic Gardening | 57
WEEKEND GARDENING | EDIBLE AQUATIC PLANTS II
m o r e
WAT E R B A B I E S
CONTINUING WITH OUR PICK OF EDIBLE WATER
PLANTS TO ADD TO A PRODUCTIVE POND
Words Claire Bickle
L
ast issue, we were only just
getting started — wetting your
appetite, so to speak — with our
showcase of aquatic and bog
plants that are edible and easily grown,
in even the smallest of spaces. Here’s
another top five to add to the collection.
TARO, COLOCASIA ESCULENTA
‘BUN LONG’ & COLOCASIA
GIGANTEA ‘BAC HAR’
Habitat and cultivation: Taro, depending
on variety and selection, is grown in
the subtropics and tropics for its edible
root crop, leaves and stems. It can be
grown in either full sun or semi-shade as
a wetland crop or a dry land crop, but
irrigation must be kept up to it when
grown in the latter conditions.
Taro prefers a wet or waterlogged
situation but there are some varieties
that have been specifically bred to
prefer more free-draining soils that are
just moist, not wet. Keeping your taro in
drier growing conditions would also be
preferable when attempting to grow it
in cooler climate zones. Applications of
potassium during the growing season
58 | Good Organic Gardening
will ensure bumper tuber crops.
Taros have beautiful, big, light-green
heart-shaped leaves that are supported
by long, fleshy stems that can grow up
to 1.5m tall.
Colocasia esculenta ‘Bun Long’ and
‘Chinese’ dasheen types are grown for
their bountiful root crops and are an
important food staple in the Pacific
region. ‘Bun Long’ is an excellent-eating
taro that grows well in the tropics. The
‘Chinese’ cultivar will grow quite well in
a more subtropical location.
The tubers mature in around 9–12
months. An indicator that it’s time to
harvest is when the foliage yellows and
starts to die down. The tubers can then
be lifted and prepared for eating. They
will not store for more than a month. So if
you’re not ready to eat them all, it’s best
to leave some in the ground until you are.
Colocasia gigantea ‘Bac Ha’, or Celery
Stem Taro, is grown for its prolific edible
leaves and stems. These stems and
leaves MUST BE COOKED before eating.
Uses: Taro ‘Bun Long’ and dasheen types
are grown for their superior tubers, which
are peeled and baked, boiled, mashed or
steamed. They make fantastic chips, too.
You cannot eat the tuber raw as
tubers contain calcium oxalate crystals,
which can be an oral irritant.
Gigantea, commonly called ‘Bac Ha’,
‘Tahitian Spinach’ or ‘Celery Stem Taro’,
is grown for its edible young leaves
and stems. It can be used as a spinach
substitute or added to soups, casseroles
and so forth.
Remember, the stems and leaves
need to be very well cooked before
eating — they are NEVER eaten raw.
They provide nutrients such as protein,
calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium
and vitamins A, B and C.
WATER CHESTNUTS,
ELEOCHARIS DULCIS
Habit and cultivation: These super-
nutritious, delicious corms come from
Bigstock, Wallis Creek Watergarden
underneath a rush-like plant that grows
to around 1m. They are not completely
aquatic, preferring to be grown on pond
edges or in swampy conditions. I’ve
found bathtubs to be a great option to
deliver the correct level of soil and water
flooding, which is needed for good
growing and harvesting requirements.
Water chestnuts require ample depth

23
3 CAN BE EATEN RAW
of soil (30cm+) so the roots and corms
have space to grow and develop. On a
larger scale, dams can be adjusted to have
a big wide shelf just below water level to
accommodate your water chestnuts.
Don’t overcrowd the plants, as this
will reduce the overall yield at harvest
time. They initially need to be grown
in a compost-rich soil at around two
corms per square metre. Once they
have started to grow, the foliage needs
to reach around 10cm in height before
needing to be flooded with water to
a depth of 10cm. This level of water
coverage is needed for the entire
growing season, which is around seven
EDIBLE AQUATIC PLANTS II | WEEKEND GARDENING
Left Taro 1 Freshly harvested taro 2 Water chestnut is a
and ready to eat or use in cooking
months, and keep in mind that the
growing period needs to be frost-free.
When autumn arrives, your water
chestnut plants will start to brown off
and die down. That’s the time to drain
your bathtub or vessel and leave the
corms in place to harden off and mature
for about a month. Then harvest and
refrigerate as they are until you prepare
them for consumption and/or replant the
following spring.
If you live in a cooler region, water
chestnuts can be grown in a glasshouse
to provide protection from frosts.
Originating in South East Asia, with a
smaller-growing species endemic to
rush-like plant 3 Water chestnuts peeled
WATER CHESTNUTS
ARE HIGH IN
VITAMIN B AND
OR COOKED. THEY
ARE COMMONLY
USED IN JAPANESE,
CHINESE AND
OTHER ASIAN
CUISINES
the tropical wetlands of Australia, water
chestnut likes warmer conditions.
Uses: Water chestnuts are high in vitamin
B and can be eaten raw or cooked. They
are commonly used in Japanese, Chinese
and other Asian cuisines. Preparation
involves washing, peeling and scrubbing
the corms well. They can be used whole
or thinly sliced and added to stir-fries,
soups, curries, casseroles and more.
Once you have processed them, they will
keep in the fridge for several weeks or, if
you prefer, they can be frozen.
Note: If you freeze your chestnuts they
can’t be replanted as they won’t shoot
after freezing.
Good Organic Gardening | 59
WEEKEND GARDENING | EDIBLE AQUATIC PLANTS II

Right Grating releases its zing Below Wasabi is a

cool-climate semi-perennial

WASABIA, EUTREMA JAPONICA

(SYN. WASABIA JAPONICA)
Habit and cultivation: This is a tricky-
to-grow, cool-climate, perennial semi-
aquatic plant. It has a very thick, knobbly
rhizome that’s around 10cm long and the
most prized part of the plant. That said,
all parts of the plants can be harvested
and processed.
The leaves are bright-green and kidney-
shaped, and the white flowers appear
on long stems around 50cm in height.
To grow these plants successfully, you’ll
need to provide clean, cool, running water
in a location with plenty of shade during
summer. They can be grown in very moist
soil, though the rhizome is generally of an
inferior quality.
Uses: Wasabi plants can take up to
two-plus years to mature. The leaves
and stems can be used in salads and
stir-fries while it’s still young and you are
waiting for the rhizome to mature. The
leaves can also be dried and turned into
a powder.
When your wasabi plants’ rhizomes
have reached maturity — 10cm long —
you can start to harvest. This will happen
in autumn. The small plantlets alongside
the main rhizome should be cut off and
replanted to make up the next crop.
You can eat the rhizome raw. Grating
Bigstock, Claire Bickle

wasabi triggers the chemical reaction

that gives it its mega zing. The flavour is
similar to horseradish and it’s produced
in Japan primarily for garnishing dishes
and making sauces.

60 | Good Organic Gardening


1
2 Growing in ponds
ARROWHEAD, DUCK POTATO,
SWAMP POTATO, SAGITTARIA
SAGITTIFOLIA
Habit and cultivation: Arrowhead is an
attractive water plant with its arrow-
shaped leaves that will grow up to 40cm
high. It will happily grow in water pots,
concrete laundry tubs, bathtubs and
pond edges in temperate and subtropical
areas in a full-sun position with a water
depth of around 10cm.
The Duck Potato is an easy-care, easy-
to-grow aquatic plant and the tubers can
be planted from the start of spring.
Uses: Sagittaria produces a small white
edible tuber, which can be harvested once
the plant’s leaves have turned yellow and
die down. The tuber’s cream flesh must
not be eaten raw and should be baked,
fried or boiled. The young plant shoots
are also edible. It was reputedly thought a
delicacy by Native Americans.
EDIBLE AQUATIC PLANTS II | WEEKEND GARDENING
1 Attractive arrowhead 2 Swamp pepper is also known
as Chameleon Plant 3 Swamp pepper
TOP TIPS FOR AQUATIC EDIBLES
Growing in bathtubs, laundry
tubs and larger vessels
If you are growing your edible
aquatics in one of the above-
mentioned containers, it’s
best to fill two-thirds of the
container with a mix of 70 per
cent good-quality garden soil
and 30 per cent compost or
well-rotted manure. Be sure
to allow for the correct water
depth needed for your chosen
aquatic plants.
When growing plants in ponds,
if there’s no depth of soil and
gravel at the bottom of the
pond you can easily grow your
aquatics in large pots filled with
the soil/compost mix. Then plant
your chosen aquatic plant into
the pot and place some sand
and gravel on top to keep the
soil mix in place. Next, submerge
SWAMP PEPPER, CHAMELEON
PLANT, BISHOP’S WEED,
HOUTTUYNIA CORDATA
Habitat and cultivation: Swamp
pepper is a running herb with
distinctive arrow-shaped leaves.
The wild form has green leaves with
a red border and the variegated form
has a very striking colour combination,
with the foliage being green and
yellow with a border of vivid red.
Sometimes the showy variegated
form can revert to the plain green
wild form.
Swamp pepper will happily grow in
temperate to tropical locations and is often
found growing as a hardy ornamental
perennial across the globe. If not kept in
check, it can get a little bit weedy.
It will grow in moist to waterlogged
soils. To propagate, just divide the
emerging runners in spring.
them to the required depth in
the pond. You may need to use
bricks to ensure your pots are at
the correct water level.
Fertilising aquatic plants in
ponds and containers
Your plants will derive a certain
amount of nutrient from the
pond water, fish detritus and
so forth, but you can give them
additional fertiliser during the
growing season every second
year. I recommend avoiding
synthetic fertilisers and sticking
to organic blood and bone or
manure-based ones.
To apply, lift your potted water
plant out of the water and place
the fertiliser in the soil mix. This
can be done by digging a space
down the side of the pot, placing
the fertiliser and covering it back
over with soil to stop immediate
seepage into the water.
Uses: Swamp pepper’s spicy and
aromatic leaves and roots are usually
eaten raw and also are cooked as a
vegetable green extensively in eastern
Asia, especially Vietnam and Japan.
The variegated form (seen above left)
makes for quite a pretty splash of
colour in a summer salad. In Japan it is
also brewed into a tea tonic.
Note: The foliage of this plant is an
acquired taste.
Good Organic Gardening | 61
WEEKEND GARDENING | EDIBLE AQUATIC PLANTS II

H ot & S o u r
F i sh So u p
with Taro Stem
INGREDIENTS
• 30cm taro stem, peeled & thinly sliced
• 500mL water or chicken stock
• 2 tomatoes, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 pineapple, cubed
• Juice 1 lime
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 fillets bass or salmon
• 2 shallots, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 50g bean sprouts
• 1 chilli, sliced

METHOD
1In a large saucepan, bring the water or
stock to the boil and add the tomato,
pineapple and lime juice.
2Add the sugar and fish sauce. Taste
and adjust the balance. Add more sour
if too sweet, more sugar if too salty
and salt if too sweet.
3Bring to the boil for a further 2 mins,
then add the fillets or whole fish. Bring
to the boil for another 2 mins.
4In a separate frypan, brown off the
shallots and add the garlic.
5In a serving bowl, add the raw bean
sprouts, chilli and taro. Add the fried
shallots and garlic on top.
6Once the soup is ready, pour into
the serving bowl. The hot broth
should cook the bean sprouts and the
taro root soaks up the broth like
a crunchy sponge.
7Sprinkle herbs on top and serve with
steamed rice, vermicelli or on its own.

Tip: You can also use prawns, squid or

other seafood in this soup. Fish heads
always bring out a great flavour.

62 | Good Organic Gardening

 EDIBLE AQUATIC PLANTS II | WEEKEND GARDENING

1
2

1 Bean sprouts and prepared taro 2 Boil taro before adding to recipe
3 Serve soup with a herb garnish 4 The hot broth cooks the sprouts

PREPARING TARO STEM

1 Wash stems.
2 Lightly oil your hands (to protect from
potential itching) or wear food preparation
gloves.
3 Peel the thin outer layer of green skin off
the stem. To do so, grab hold of a sliver of
the skin at the end of the stalk and pull. It
should peel off easily.
4 Slice the stalk thinly or cut it into 2.5cm pieces.
5 Boil for 5 mins, then rinse and drain before
adding to the recipe.

Good Organic Gardening | 63

WEEKEND GARDENING | PERENNIAL HERBS

Words Claire Bickle

Y
ou don’t have to abandon your
herb and flower patch when
the heat hits. There are more
herbs and edibles than you
realise which, with a little care and good
selection, can deliver flavour, colour,
zest and zing to your meals and drinks
all summer long, no matter how high
the mercury rises.
Topping the list of heat warriors, of
course, are all the Mediterranean herbs
— oregano, sage, rosemary, lavender,
thyme. Basils aren’t far behind, either,
coming to life once the heat arrives after
a long, cold winter.
Then we have the suite of subtropical
Asian flavours: cardamom, ginger, galangal,
lemongrass, kaffir lime and perennial
coriander. Want more inspiration? Here are
my summer-lovin’ top 10.

THYME, THYMUS VULGARIS

You can never have too much thyme,
right? But there are just so many species
and named varieties to choose from,
ranging from the traditional garden
thyme to the heavenly eucalyptus-like
Spanish wood thyme.
Some varieties grow as small woody
perennials, while others fall into the
creeping groundcover forms, growing flat
like a carpet. The creeping thymes are
a great choice to grow between pavers
and stepping stones: crimson creeping,
bergamot creeping, white creeping,
Doone Valley. Other popular varieties are
lemon, orange, Turkey, Pizza, Pink Chintz,
Pink Matting, Orange Peel, Silver Posie,
Caraway, Wild and Westmoreland.
Grow in full sun with good drainage.
The flowers are edible and bees just
adore them.

HERBS GREEK AND PERENNIAL BASIL,

OCIMUM SP.
All basils love the warmer months but
Greek and perennial basil are tougher

i n t h e and longer-lived than most of the other

popular varieties.
Grow your basil in a full-sun location
with good drainage. The foliage, of

h e a t course, is the main plant part used, but

we are seeing more use of the other
parts of the basil plant, such as the
Bigstock, Kerry Boyne

flowers and even the basil seeds. Be

aware that the seeds pack a real basil
THE HEAT IS ON BUT YOUR HERB flavour punch when added to meals and

PATCH DOESN’T HAVE TO BE OFF snacks. The flowers make a delightful

garnish, too, and are a big hit with
beneficial insects and bees.

64 | Good Organic Gardening

 PERENNIAL HERBS | WEEKEND GARDENING

1
1 Small-leaf Greek basil bush 2 Curry leaf tree 3 Chilli
Opposite page Thyme

EDIBLE FLOWERS THAT LOVE THE SUN

Let’s not forget the back-in-vogue floral additions such as zinnias,
marigolds, nasturtiums and even the flowers of Asian greens;
mustard and rocket are edible and the bees love them.
See a solution, not a problem; the salad greens and Asian greens
will be struggling with the heat, but let them go to flower for
the bees and other good bugs and use the blooms to pretty-up
your summer salads.
What would a summer garden be without bursts of brilliant
colour? Many of these are not perennials but they are tough
flowering choices for summer and will happily self-seed for next
season. Other great edible floral choices for summer are alyssums,
dianthus, carnations and sunflowers.

CHILLI, CAPSICUM ANNUUM
The humble flavour-packed chilli is the
supreme lover of summer. Even if you
don’t like your meals hot, there are many
chilli varieties that deliver a chilli flavour
without the burn, such as ‘Anaheim’
and ‘Poblano’. But if you really want to
ramp up the heat dial, go for ‘Ghost’,
‘Habanero’ or ‘Tepin’. There are literally
hundreds of named cultivars of chillies.
Chillies like to grow in a hot, sunny
location in the garden and can easily be
grown in pots, too, for those who have
limited space or live in an apartment with
a sunny verandah.
If you live in a subtropical area, be
at the ready with your fruit-fly control
measures, such as wick traps for the
males, Eco-naturalure spray for both
male and females and exclusion bags for
100 per cent protection.
CURRY LEAF TREE, BERGERA
KOENIGII (SYN. MURRAYA
KOENIGII)
This fast-growing tree is the ultimate
flavour addition to curries. In the ground
it will grow to around 4m but it can be
easily kept in a pot or container to keep
its size compact.
The fragrant white flowers appear
in spring and summer and it’s best to
prune them off, especially in warmer
areas, as the seed that follows can be
quite invasive. Note: the seeds are not
edible. The foliage has a strong curry
flavour, even more so when it hits heated
oil in a pan. Quite often curry leaves are
added to the pan before anything else to
infuse its flavour through the dish.
During the cooler months it’s quite
common for the curry leaf tree to
turn yellow and even defoliate a bit,
depending on temperature. Protect from
frost and grow in full sun. More on this
plant in our last issue.
LEMONGRASS, WEST INDIAN
LEMONGRASS, CYMBOPOGON
CITRATUS
Lemongrass is a large clumping grass
plant that has a beautiful lemon scent.
Mostly we use the stems when cooking
but the grass blades can be used, too,
especially for making delicious lemon
tea. Lemongrass will grow to around
2m high and about 1m wide, so it will
need plenty of space.
Maintain plant by cutting back after
flowering and dividing late winter/early
spring so you can acquire more plants
and reduce the width of your clump.
Lemongrass can sometimes be
confused with its close relative

Good Organic Gardening | 65

WEEKEND GARDENING | PERENNIAL HERBS
East Indian lemongrass, Cymbopogon
flexuosus. Frequently used in Thai cooking,
it is more resistant to the rust fungus that
often affects West Indian lemongrass. It’s a
cold-sensitive plant, though.
More lemon-flavoured herbs to choose
from are lemon-scented myrtle, lemon
verbena, lemon bergamot, lemon balm,
lemon mint and lemon thyme.
PERENNIAL CORIANDER,
ERYNGIUM FOETIDUM
For those who love coriander and get
frustrated with how the annual soft-leaf
form, Coriandrum sativum, just bolts to
flower once the weather heats up, this is
the plant for you.
1 Lemongrass 2 Perennial or sawtooth coriander 3 Sage 4 Oregano za'atar
1
66 | Good Organic Gardening
Completely unrelated, Eryngium
foetidum has an almost identical
flavour to that of the common soft-leaf
coriander. It’s a low-growing plant that
appears as a rosette of long lanceolate
leaves with a serrated edge. This
attribute gives it its other common name:
sawtooth coriander. It also goes by the
name of Mexican coriander.
Sawtooth coriander will die down in
winter, which is fine because that’s when
the common coriander is hitting its straps,
lapping up the cooler weather. Once the
temperature starts to rise again it will
reshoot. When the prickly flower spikes
appear in summer, take care when pruning
them off as they are very sharp. Pruning
2
will encourage more leaf growth. Grow in
full sun and soil that has good drainage.
When using perennial coriander in
your cooking you need to chop the
leaves more thoroughly as they are a lot
tougher than regular coriander. They can
be used in stir-fries, curries, soups, salads
and salsas. The flower spikes and roots
can be used, too.
SAGE, SALVIA OFFICINALIS
Sage is a fantastic perennial shrubby
herb with soft grey foliage. It can be
added to a variety of culinary dishes.
The flowers are edible, too. There are
also other coloured forms — purple, gold
variegated and tricolour.
Bigstock, Dreamstime, Eric Chan CC, Kerry Boyne

TOPPING THE LIST OF HEAT WARRIORS, OF
COURSE, ARE ALL THE MEDITERRANEAN HERBS
- OREGANO, SAGE, ROSEMARY, LAVENDER,
THYME. BASILS AREN’T FAR BEHIND...
Another couple of sage beauties to
grow are pineapple sage and fruity sage.
Both have the most aromatic foliage
and beautiful flowers. Pineapple sage, of
course, has a pineapple flavour and the
vibrant red flowers are also edible. Fruity
sage foliage has a fruit salad flavour
and bears delightful bright-pink edible
flowers. Both of these require a bit more
water than traditional sage.
In subtropical and tropical regions
many treat common sage, Salvia
officinalis, as an annual.
OREGANO ZA’ATAR, ORIGANUM
SYRIACA
This flavoursome cousin of oregano is a
flavour-packed, heat-loving beauty. The
furry grey-green foliage that grows up
to 40cm high and can spread up to 1–2m
doesn’t bat an eyelid when the heat hits.
All the oreganos are, of course, great
PERENNIAL HERBS | WEEKEND GARDENING
year-round herbs. Oregano za’atar
generally has a stronger flavour. The
flowers are white and appear in summer.
Common oregano, Greek oregano,
golden oregano and close relative sweet
marjoram also flourish when the summer
temperatures soar.
They are all low-growing spreading
perennial plants and have either pink
or white flowers. This group of herbs is
essential for lovers of Italian cuisine. Just
add to pizza, pasta and casseroles.
ROSEMARY, ROSMARINUS
OFFICINALIS
Rosemary is a long-lived hardy herb that,
in Australia, has had a long association
with Remembrance Day. It’s also reputed
to assist with improving memory and
even longevity.
These days, there are many types
of rosemary and all are edible. There
Rosemary is excellent for growing in pots
SUMMER HERB PATCH TIPS
Deadheading, harvesting,
mulching, watering, seaweed
applications and regular fertiliser
are all important maintenance
practices to keep that herb
patch cranking despite the heat.
Remember to harvest your herbs
on a regular basis, as this will keep
them producing more fresh new
growth throughout the season.
Don’t succumb to the
summertime sulks and let the
heat get you down. Just change
your edible crops and put a little
extra time into soil preparation
and plant care, and you’ll still be
on your self-sufficient journey,
even in the sweltering, sizzling
summer weather.
are groundcover forms, compact bush
forms and traditional shrub forms, some
of which can grow up to 2m plus. The
flower colours vary, too, from pale blue
to white, pink and deep blue, and there’s
even a variegated foliage form.
Rosemary likes a hot, sunny spot in
the garden with good drainage. Larger
forms can be clipped into a hedge or
even a rounded topiary shrub. The
flowers are edible and a popular nectar
source for bees and butterflies.
Good Organic Gardening | 67
THE SHED | TIERED HERB GARDEN

Herbal whirl
LACK SPACE FOR A PROPER HERB GARDEN?
GROW A SMALL SELECTION IN A CONTAINER
AND GO UP INSTEAD OF OUT

68 | Good Organic Gardening

 TIERED HERB GARDEN | THE SHED

Photos GAP Photos/Mark Winwood METHOD

1

I
f you’ve always wanted a herb spiral Part-fill the biggest pot with compost and then place the second largest pot
but don’t have the space, here’s how inside and part-fill, then the next and so on, leaving a 5–8cm rim protruding.
you can make a scaled-down tiered
version for a balcony or deck. While
it would look great in terracotta pots,
1
the benefits of using plastic are that it’s
much lighter to move around and, of
course, cheaper.
You simply need a series of pots in
different sizes — four are used here —
along with a potting medium such as
compost or potting soil and a selection
of small herb plants or seedlings. Choose
those you use regularly in your cooking
so that frequent picking keeps them
compact. Don’t plant anything that will
grow large or want to spread itself far
and wide.
Over time, when any of the plants
needs re-potting or has reached its use-
by date, simply dismantle the relevant
tiers, replace the plant and restack the
pots, making sure to replenish the soil
where it has subsided.

3 Remove each plant from its pot and plant it firmly

2 Working from the top down is the easiest way to plant, as any into its new home. Where possible, try to place
surplus compost then drops into the pot on the level below. herbs with similar growing speeds into the same
tier, with the slowest growers highest up.

Good Organic Gardening | 69

THE SHED | TIERED HERB GARDEN

CHOOSE THOSE YOU

USE REGULARLY IN YOUR
COOKING SO THAT
FREQUENT PICKING
KEEPS THEM COMPACT.

4 Continue planting and adding compost until all the tiers are
filled and planted.

6 If possible, depending on your choice of plants, place the

thirstier plants and those with a trailing habit on the lower
levels of your pot herb spiral. 

5 Back-fill as you go, remembering that the soil level will drop
a bit over time.

70 | Good Organic Gardening

GARDEN DESIGN | VERTICAL GARDENS

Words Carrol Baker

W
ith petite-sized house
blocks and the rise of
apartment-style living,
many would-be home
gardeners don’t have enough room to
swing a cat, let alone grow a vegetable
patch. The good news is you don’t need
a lot of room to cultivate fresh produce.
With vertical gardening, the only way to
grow is up!
Growing vertical edibles allows you
to produce more for less. Because of
the nature of vertical gardening you can
cultivate bigger yields with a smaller
footprint. With a vertical garden it’s
possible to take an uninspiring wall and
turn it into a productive green space.
Or, you can use it as an attractive
green screen for privacy or a way to
segment spaces. And if you choose to
grow edibles, you can also bring fresh
homegrown produce to the family table.

WHAT TO GROW PLANTS IN?

Vertical gardens can be grown directly
from the ground using trellises, in
hanging pots or in any number of
modular systems that are made up of
specially designed, interchangeable
pockets, pods, trays or pots, fitted to a
frame or wall.
You can also get creative with
preloved items found around the home:
a ladder, wooden pallets, old guttering,
recycled containers including tins and
plastic bottles, even some old kids’ gum
boots. Creating a unique and productive
vertical garden really can be child’s play.

VERTICAL VERNACULAR
The key elements of vertical gardening
are location, water, substrate or growing
medium, and nutrients.
The substrate needs to be free-
draining and lightweight. Garden soil
isn’t suitable for container or vertical
gardens as it’s too dense, too heavy and

GROW UP! inhibits good drainage. Try combining

a good-quality potting mix with some
vermiculite and perlite to improve
aeration and drainage, and a little
compost material for good measure.

SPACE-SAVING VERTICAL Chris McLaughlin, author of Vertical

Vegetable Gardening, suggests omitting
GARDENS CAN NOT ONLY SAVE the potting mix component and mixing
one part vermiculite and one part
SPACE BUT BE GREEN LIVING perlite to six parts peat moss, and two

WORKS OF ART parts compost to the original recipe. Or

perhaps see what works best for you.
Most vegetables need a minimum

72 | Good Organic Gardening

 VERTICAL GARDENS | GARDEN DESIGN

1 1 Modular kit systems like this one from Holman Industries,

make vertical gardening easy
2 Indoor and outdoor vertical gardens can be made
from any number of materials, including timber
3 When harvested, gather herbs into bunches to dry

BENEFITS OF VERTICAL GARDENS

of four to six hours of sunlight a day in
order to flourish. Ideally, position your
vertical garden where it will receive
adequate sunlight (morning sun and
afternoon shade) but not too much sun
in the warmer months.
More exposure to drying winds means
vertical gardens do have a higher water
requirement than garden beds; watering
needs to be frequent but not too heavy.
Hand watering is one option, but a low
flow rate and drip feeding can work well.
Some kits include drip feeders.
Your vertical garden will also need a
Holman Industries
Vertical gardens are one of the biggest horticultural trends to hit the
home gardening market. And for good reason.
• When positioned in the right place, vertical gardens can help to cool a
garden or home.
• With a vertical garden there is more free-flowing air movement
between plants so less likelihood of diseases.
• It’s much kinder on the joints. You don’t have to bend or kneel to plant
or harvest.
• There are fewer garden pests to contend with. This is because it’s a lot
harder for crawling garden pests to reach the crops; also, they’re easier
to spot at eye level.
• Layers of crops allow you to grow sun-loving plants above those that
need a little shade.
to provide a more even temperature and dill). To get rid of slugs and snails, invite

regular nutrient boost. A liquid seaweed
and fish emulsion concentrate will help
to strengthen the root system. Top up
compost regularly in the plants and mulch
well (especially in summer), as this helps
protects the root systems.
Organic pest control for vertical
gardens includes bringing in the good
bugs like ladybugs to get rid of aphids
(do this by planting mint, fennel and
birds in with a bird bath nearby, or try
beer traps. Garlic and chilli sprays can
help to get rid of some bugs. If mildew’s
a problem when humidity is high, mix
organic milk and water, then spray.

Good Organic Gardening | 73

GARDEN DESIGN | VERTICAL GARDENS

WHAT CAN YOU GROW? WITH A VERTICAL

Generally, the best vegetables and fruits
to grow are those that are compact
GARDEN IT’S
with a shallow root system. You can POSSIBLE TO TAKE
grow a rainbow of colour in your vertical
garden with orange and red tomatoes,
AN UNINSPIRING
purple lettuces, vibrant green mint and WALL AND
gorgeous red strawberries.
In the warmer weather you can grow
TURN IT INTO
beans, spinach, tomatoes, zucchini, A PRODUCTIVE
celery, cucumber, snow peas and
capsicum. In the cooler weather try kale,
GREEN SPACE, OR
leeks, lettuce, parsnip, turnip, rhubarb, YOU CAN USE IT
spinach, radish, Swiss chard and kohlrabi.
You can grow edibles from seed, but
AS AN ATTRACTIVE
with vertical gardening it’s a lot easier to GREEN SCREEN
begin with seedlings.
FOR PRIVACY OR A
A MOVABLE FEAST WAY TO SEGMENT
Freestanding vertical gardens can also
be placed on wheels if you choose, so
SPACES.
you can move them to make the most of
seasonal variations in sun, warmth and
shade, or to move the garden closer to
your entertaining area for guests to pick
their own salad greens.
1 Pockets of leafy produce
2Take it indoors with a vertical 1
garden on your kitchen bench,
from Holman Industries

Canstockphoto, Bigstock

74 | Good Organic Gardening

 VERTICAL GARDENS | GARDEN DESIGN

A VERTICAL GARDEN
IN FOUR SIMPLE STEPS
1 Drill a hole in each of your
plastic pots

1 2 2 Add a hook to each pot

3 Plant using lightweight, free-
draining potting mix
4 Hang the pots on wires or
another form of support

Instructions and photos by

Carrol Baker.

3
Holman Industries

Good Organic Gardening | 75

SHORT SHOOTS | EARTHY IDEAS

CLEVER IDEAS FOR YOUR GARDEN

Words Chris Stafford

1
CATS SCAT!
Tired of finding feline calling
cards in your garden? Here
are four simple solutions. Make
a repellent by combining two
parts cayenne pepper, three parts
dry mustard and five parts flour.
Simply mix together and sprinkle.
Cats don’t like tea leaves, so empty
your used ones onto the garden
soil. Try using a sprinkler activated
by a motion sensor. Getting
doused once or twice will deter
any cat. To keep them off your
pots, use 150mm-long wires made
from old coat hangers. Insert half
the length into the soil around the
perimeter of the pot as a barrier.

2 4
SOAK CLEVER HANDY TO KNOW!

It’s a great idea to water your
garden thoroughly before you
put your mulch down. This wets
the soil and the mulch keeps the
moisture in. The best mulches are
those with a variety of large and
small particles as they let oxygen
and moisture penetrate through
to the plants’ roots. Even-sized
mulches tend to compact more
easily and prevent oxygen and
moisture from penetrating soil.
The average adult handspan
from pinky fingertip to
thumb tip is around 20cm across.
When your fingers are held
straight and not stretched out,
the width of your hand from little
finger knuckle to thumb knuckle
is about 10cm across. These
measurements can be very handy
to remember when you’re planting
out seedlings.
5
FRAGRANT SKEWERS
If you have a large rosemary bush with
plenty of hard woody stems that need
cutting back, don’t throw away the prunings.
Strip off most of the leaves, leaving a few
here and there for flavour, and keep the
loose leaves to use in cooking. Then sharpen
one end of each hard stem to turn it into a
pungent meat skewer for barbecuing.
Tip: make holes in your meat pieces first to
make them easy to slip on to the skewers.

3
ROUGH’N’READY
TRELLIS
Make a rustic trellis from
stems or canes of a variety of plants.
Bamboo is the most obvious but
poplar and willow are also effective,
as are small-diameter branches
dropped from eucalyptus trees.
Support the frame at intervals
with star pickets if necessary. For a
rectangular trellis, vertical branches
can be interwoven with horizontal
stems, especially if they are flexible
like willow or poplar. Tripods of
natural materials also look effective,
will last a season and hold up either
vegies or flowers that need support.

76 | Good Organic Gardening

 EARTHY IDEAS | SHORT SHOOTS

6
MAKE A LOOFAH
SHOWER SPONGE
Loofah, or luffa, is a climbing
vegetable from the cucumber
family, popular in Vietnamese and
Chinese cuisine. If consuming, it
should be eaten young, but if you
leave it on the vine you can create
a loofah shower sponge, perfect
for skin polishing and exfoliating.
When the luffa fruit has turned a
dark shade of yellow or brown and
become lightweight and dry, it’s
ready for harvesting and sponge
making. Carefully peel away all
the skin and shake the seeds out,
banging on the floor if necessary.
Apply water pressure from a hose
to remove the sap; this will further
remove remaining seeds. Squeeze
out excess water and allow to dry
in the sun, rotating as needed. The
sun-drying will lighten the luffa
into a creamy colour; the longer
you leave it in the sun, the coarser
its texture will become. What a
great way to clean yourself after a
hard day’s graft in the garden.

7
BRANCH STACKING
A rustic, one-of-a-kind hat-stand risk of an early frost. In both cases, the
can be easily made out of a found damaged skin can deteriorate, become
or lopped tree branch that has been mouldy and rot. Damaged pumpkins
stripped and cleaned of debris. Choose will not store into the winter.
one that will stand relatively straight and

has some smaller branches going off it
for hanging hats and bags on. Get your
DIY person to make a nice timber base
from wood offcuts that’s deep enough
for the branch to be set in.
10
BREAK IT DOWN
Is your compost taking
too long to break down?
The versatile herb comfrey is a great
activator. Simply applying the leaves of
this nitrogen-rich plant to your compost

8
GREEN AS MUSTARD litter will speed up the decomposition of
Mustard is a great crop to grow the less degradable elements. Comfrey
as green manure. When you dig it can also be used as a great general-
in to the soil, the mustard decomposes purpose liquid fertiliser. To create your
and releases “mustard gas”, which kills own organic nutrient-rich fertiliser, soak
and controls root-knot nematodes comfrey leaves in a bucket of water for
in the soil. There are many different 2–4 weeks, leaving it until it turns black.
nematodes and some can be beneficial Strain the leaves out and dilute with
but the root-knot nematode can be water to create a potent plant food.
problematic, causing nodules on roots
and poor plant growth. Make sure the
garden bed is kept moist to get the best
results as the mustard decomposes. Of
course, it’s important to follow up with
all the other good gardening practices,
such as crop rotation and building
up a rich soil with organic composts,
manures and mulches.

9
SHADE YOUR PUMPKINS
Here are some ways to protect
your pumpkins from very hot
sun and early frost. When developing,
on very hot days their skin can burn
Bigstock, Kerry Boyne

just like human skin if the leaves of

the plant don’t cover the fruit. Use
shadecloth (or any material will do)
to cover them. Similarly, when your
pumpkins are ripening in late autumn,
make sure they’re covered if there’s

Good Organic Gardening | 77

GARDEN CALENDAR | MID SUMMER

Thin gs to do in
JANUARY
SUMMER IS THE SEASON OF FLOODS, FIRES AND
CYCLONES, ALL OF WHICH TAKE THEIR TOLL ON
GARDENS. PREPARE FOR ALL EVENTUALITIES, FROM
HOT AND WET TO DRY AND WINDY
By Jennifer Stackhouse 1

R AT E
C O O L & T E M PE

VEGIES FRUIT COMPOST & SOIL

The number-one job is to protect soft
vegies (such as tomatoes and capsicum)
from fruit-fly attack in fruit-fly zones.
These pests become more active and
prevalent as summer progresses. Use
organic fruit-fly baits or traps and, where
possible, cover individual fruit with
exclusion bags or nets.
Visit the garden in the cool of the
early morning to water and tend
crops, check for pests, yank out
weeds and harvest vegetables. On
very hot days, shade crops to prevent
sun damage. Use shadecloth or light
materials. Visit productive gardens
again in the evening to water plants in
need, especially tomatoes, which can
develop blossom end rot on their fruit
if they get water stressed.
If some crops are failing to form
fruit — particularly cucurbits, including
pumpkins, squash and zucchini —
try hand pollination (transferring
pollen from male flowers to receptive
female flowers).
Regularly liquid-feed all edibles,
especially leafy greens, and make
new plantings of successful crops to
keep the harvest coming. Sow seeds
or plant seedlings of dwarf beans,
beetroot and cabbages, along with
lettuce. Shade new plantings until they
are established.
If you are going away over summer
when there are likely to be crops to
harvest, invite a friend or neighbour
to pick the crop rather than let it
go to waste. To keep orchard areas
accessible through summer, mow or
weed around fruit trees.
This is also the time to deeply
water trees, shrubs and vines. Apply
extra irrigation at least once a week
if rain is scarce, but reduce watering
of fig trees and cherries, which can
split with excess water.
Feed most fruiting trees and
shrubs, including apples, apricots
and blueberries. Keep up fruit-fly
protection for still-ripening soft
fruits, including raspberries and
other berries, and stone fruits such
as peaches. Use baits, traps and
exclusion bags. Continue to protect
ripening fruit from birds.
Use nets or re-useable fruit
baskets that snap over fruit clusters
to protect crops against birds and
bats. Netting brings responsibility.
Select white-knitted nets that are
less likely to snare birds, bats and
reptiles. Stretch nets taut and avoid
overly large nets that pool on the
ground where they may trap small
reptiles. Regularly inspect nets to
free any trapped animals.
Keep weeds in productive soils under
control by hoeing between rows.
Cover any bare soil with a thin layer
(2-5cm) of organic mulch. This mulch
helps to deter weed growth but also
keeps soils cool on hot days. You can
use leaf mould from decomposed
autumn leaves, pea straw or chopped,
spoiled lucerne.
As growth is vigorous during
summer, there are usually lots of
prunings to deal with. To help them
decompose quickly, chop or mulch
up green prunings to add to compost
heaps layered with dry leaves and
green, seed-free weeds.
Compost is developing rapidly so
also regularly use compost from the
heap, spreading it over soil as natural
mulch. This protects soils, keeps them Bigstock, Shutterstock, Kerry Boyne, Jana Holmer
cool and discourages weeds from
growing and seeding.
Heaps should be moist but not too
wet. If there are extended periods of
heavy rain, cover heaps that are too
wet. Conversely, if the weather is hot
and dry, compost heaps can very
easily dry out and may need to be
watered and turned.
Keep worm farms in a cool location
as hot spells can kill worms. Provide
extra cooling for heat-stressed worms
by covering them with damp sacking.

78 | Good Organic Gardening


T R O PI C AL
VEGIES
Harvest vegies while small and tender.
In the heat and humidity of the wet
season, crops such as zucchini and
cucumber quickly get over-mature.
They become large, seedy and watery
and are best fed to the chooks while
you concentrate on picking the next
wave of vegies.
Leafy crops, too, become tough
and bitter as they age. That’s why you
always need to harvest these regularly,
selecting young and tender leaves.
Leaving plants to mature means
they’ll start to form flowering stems,
then set seed.
Replace mature crops with fresh
sowings. Shade new plantings to
protect them from both heat and
heavy rains. Sweet corn, sunflowers
and climbing crops on a trellis, such
as the fast-growing, vine-like Ceylon
spinach, provide a natural source of
shade for the vegie garden.
Combat powdery mildew with
regular applications of milk spray (one
part whole milk to 10 parts water) or
just pull out badly affected plants.
2 3
1 Hoe between rows to control weeds 2 Look out for fruit fly and blossom end rot on tomatoes 3 Plant lettuce but provide shade
4 Exclusion bags protect ripening fruit 5 Mow around fruit trees and water deeply 6 Compost should be moist but not too wet
FRUIT
Keep organic fruit-fly baits fresh by
regularly reapplying and protecting
them from rain. A clever way to do
this is to paint the fruit-fly bait on
a stake or paling, then top it with
a “hat” made from an upended ice-
cream container.
Continue to harvest summer fruit
regularly, including avocado (which
ripen after picking), custard apples,
mango, pawpaw and passionfruit.
Hand-pollinate passionfruit
flowers if fruit is slow to form on
the vine. Check flowers regularly for
ripe pollen to transfer to the sticky
female part of the flower. Use a dry
brush or cotton bud to transfer.
If fungal diseases are evident
on fruit or foliage, apply a copper-
based fungicide approved for
organic gardens. Apply a fruiting
fertiliser to avocado, banana,
custard apple, jackfruit, loquat,
passionfruit and pawpaw, especially
after periods of heavy rain, which
leaches nutrients from the soil.
Bottle, freeze or dry excess crops.
4 5
MID SUMMER | GARDEN CALENDAR
COMPOST & SOIL
Heavy rain from summer storms
leaches nutrients from soils. To protect
soils from leaching, top up mulches
with extra organic matter or simply lay
down chopped-up prunings, including
chopped palm and fern fronds.
Before adding mulch layers to
productive garden beds, apply slow-
release fertilisers containing good
levels of potash. These aid rapidly
growing vegetables and fruiting crops.
In fallow vegie beds (beds being
rested from growing an edible crop),
plant a green manure crop to add
fertility to the soil in time for dry-
season planting or simply cover soil
with a layer of mulch.
Quick-growing seeds to sow in
tropical zones now for a green manure
crop to nourish the soil and add
nitrogen include cowpea and mung
bean. Dig in the leafy crop before it
flowers to maximise nutrients.
Use the cool evenings for digging,
spreading mulches or turning the
compost heap to avoid the hot, muggy
conditions during the day.
Good Organic Gardening | 79
GARDEN CALENDAR | LATE SUMMER

Thin gs to do in
F EB RUARY
DON’T WASTE THE BOUNTY OF LATE SUMMER. WHAT
CAN’T BE EATEN FRESH CAN BE PRESERVED, DRIED OR
FROZEN TO ENJOY OVER THE COOLER MONTHS AHEAD
By Jennifer Stackhouse 1
R AT E
C O O L & T E M PE

VEGIES FRUIT COMPOST & SOILS

Mozzies spoil time in the garden,
especially in late summer. In addition
to wearing long sleeves and repellents
for protection, regularly empty
water that’s collected in containers.
This removes breeding grounds and
reduces mosquito numbers. Water put
out for pets, poultry, native birds and
bees should be replenished daily to
avoid mosquitoes using it to breed in.
Productive crops need daily watering
at this time of the year. They’ll also
benefit from liquid-feeding each week.
Use organic plant food. Leafy crops
such as lettuce, coriander and parsley
may bolt (that is, begin to flower and
seed) if they are allowed to dry out,
become heat stressed or lack nutrients.
As hot days continue, shade crops
to prevent sun damage and to allow
new plantings to become established.
Seedlings are particularly vulnerable to
sudden hot temperatures or drying winds.
Continue to make the most of the
cool of the morning and evening to
tend crops. Search for 28-spotted
Reduce fruit fly by rigorously finding
and removing fruit-fly-affected fruit.
Soft fruit such as peaches, nectarines
and plums are very vulnerable to
attack. If damaged fruit is left on the
plant or lying on the ground, larvae
can pupate in the soil, mature and
start another generation.
Look for fruit that shows signs
of stings (small punctures) on the
skin or fruit that is rotting due to
the action of larvae feeding inside.
Pick up all fallen fruit. To destroy
the larvae in the fruit, place the
damaged fruit in a clear plastic bag
and leave it to stew for a few days
in the sun. It can then be buried (do
not put it in the compost). Poultry
feeding in orchards can help reduce
fruit fly numbers.
In cool areas, watch for a
recurrence of pear and cherry slug,
which skeletonises foliage on pear,
cherry and peach trees. Dust with
lime, ash or apply a registered
organic insecticide.
If soils have become hard to wet (a
condition often referred to as “water
repellent”), apply an organic soil-
wetting agent. With the assistance of
this material, the water should once
again penetrate the soil rather than
run off. Check after watering to see
that water has soaked in.
Once soil is moistened, cover it
lightly with a fine layer of compost
topped with a layer of coarse organic
mulch. Be careful not to mulch too
heavily as this can stop moisture
from reaching the soil. A 5cm layer is
sufficient. Continue to water regularly
to avoid repellence reoccurring.
Check the compost heap and, if
necessary, damp it down with a spray
of water from the hose. Use a spade
to regularly turn compost heaps to
keep them working efficiently. Thin
layers of grass clippings and green
weeds laid over the heap can help
increase temperatures to encourage
faster composting.
Where areas are dry and water
Bigstock, Shutterstock

ladybirds and pumpkin beetles that
skeletonise leaves on pumpkins and
zucchini, and squash the adults,
larvae and eggs. Stay on top of pests,
diseases and weeds by inspecting the
vegie patch daily.
After harvesting summer crops,
remove and store bird exclusion
nets and lightly prune trees. Feed
citrus trees now using a citrus food
or organic fertiliser. Water trees well
after applying fertiliser.
is limited, grey water can be used
to water fruit trees, but don’t store
untreated grey water for longer than
24 hours (as harmful bacteria can
build up in the stored water) and don’t
use on leafy vegetable crops.

80 | Good Organic Gardening


T R O PI C AL
VEGIES
The high humidity and heavy storms of
the wet season may be taking their toll
on vegetables. Regularly remove spent
crops or those badly affected by diseases
such as powdery mildew. Don’t put
diseased or pest-infested material into
compost heaps. Instead, it can be buried.
Where vegetables are not doing well
in the ground due to poor drainage,
consider creating raised vegetable
beds for improved soil drainage. Grow
herbs that need dry conditions in
containers such as terracotta pots.
Move pots into a sunny spot that’s
sheltered from heavy rain.
Keep a supply of leafy greens for
salads and stir-fries by sowing seed
or planting seedlings of Asian greens,
kang kong, silverbeet and amaranth,
which thrive in the heat and humidity
of summer. Pick small, tender leaves
and edible shoots.
Visit a local farmers’ market to look
for new and unusual crops that grow
well at this time of year.
2 3
6 5
1 The pumpkin beetle skeletonises foliage 2 Feed citrus trees now with organic citrus food 3 Mulch green waste to add to the compost
4 Pick up fallen fruit to help control fruit fly 5 Keep a look out for the 28-spotted ladybird 6 Coriander may bolt to flower at this time
LATE SUMMER | GARDEN CALENDAR
FRUIT
Fertilise all citrus trees using an
organic plant food formulated for
citrus. This fertiliser contains higher
proportions of potash than is found
in fertilisers for leafy crops. Apply
according to the recommended rates
on the container, spreading around
the root zone, and water in. Over-
fertilising not only damages plants,
but is also wasteful as nutrients
are leached away and may enter
watercourses, leading to pollution.
Also feed other productive plants
not already fed this summer, including
passionfruit, bananas and pawpaw.
Continue to bottle, freeze or dry
excess crops, or search out a local
produce swap group. Also collect
and dispose of spoiled fruits. Poultry
can help clean up fallen fruits and
reduce pest problems, so allow
them to free-range around fruiting
plants, but keep them out of the
vegie garden unless you want the
entire area cleared for replanting.
COMPOST & SOIL
This is the time to improve the
moisture-holding ability of soils
by adding organic mulch such as
compost or well-rotted manure. Dig it
into new growing areas to prepare for
dry-season planting.
These materials can also be added
as surface mulch and left for the
earthworms to do the work of turning
it into the soil. This has the benefit
of preserving the soil structure and
protecting the soil from the weather.
Continue to chop or mulch up
green and woody material before
adding it to the compost heap or
bin to help it break down faster. This
organic material can also be spread
as mulch over non-productive garden
areas such as around trees, palms
and shrubs.
Don’t allow mulch to build up
around trunks or stems as it may
encourage rot. Keep wood-based
mulches away from structures as it can
provide cover for termites.
4
Good Organic Gardening | 81
FEATHERED FRIENDS | CHOOKS & CLIMATE CHANGE

Chickens in a
warming world
Bigstock, David Goehring CC

WITH THE WARMEST WINTER EVER RECORDED AND

ANOTHER HOT SUMMER, WE MAY NEED TO RETHINK
THE WHOLE BUSINESS OF KEEPING CHOOKS

82 | Good Organic Gardening


Words Megg Miller
G
lobal warming is going to
make a remarkable difference
to animal keeping and, in
particular, poultry. The breeds
we keep may need to be re-evaluated or
tremendous losses may occur; housing
will have survival as a driver and owners
may need to take more responsibility for
the ration offered.
Sounding rather exaggerated? Not
with poultry, especially small farm and
backyard birds. These fall through the
cracks in terms of targeted products
and professional advice, so we will be
undertaking the research to develop
a new range of strategies to ensure
survival and success.
BREEDS FOR THE FUTURE
Poultry show signs of stress with
temperatures in the low 30°Cs and risk
collapse once the 40°Cs are entered. Our
traditional favourites — big, profusely
feathered breeds like Sussex, Orpington,
Faverolles, Cochin, Australorp,
Wyandotte and even Pekin bantam —
will need special care, even fans and
CHOOKS & CLIMATE CHANGE | FEATHERED FRIENDS
2
air-conditioning, if they are to survive in
regions where summer temperatures are
routinely in the 40s.
It may be pertinent to choose breeds
with heat-resistance features, like a
lower bodyweight, reduced or close
feathering, large combs and wattles that
aid heat loss and possibly bantam-sized
representatives of common purebreds.
1 Shows and
auctions can be
hot places
2 Naked necks feel
the heat less
Opposite page
Frizzled feathering
allows better heat
tolerance
SHOWS AND AUCTIONS
An overlooked outcome of higher
temperatures is the effect on
birds during transportation or
when contained in hot pavilions
at auctions or shows. Welfare
requirements are likely to govern
transportation as well as poultry
events. An acceptable temperature
range may be enforced for events,
confining them to a couple of cool
months each year.
Research has been undertaken in
countries like Egypt, Pakistan and India
to determine the genes that confer
maximum thermoregulation. Genes for
frizzle feathering and the naked neck
condition allow hens to eat, grow and
lay virtually normally in hot conditions,
whereas fully feathered birds would
be suffering organ damage, and
Good Organic Gardening | 83
FEATHERED FRIENDS | CHOOKS & CLIMATE CHANGE
GENES FOR FRIZZLE
FEATHERING AND
THE NAKED NECK
CONDITION ALLOW
HENS TO EAT, GROW
AND LAY VIRTUALLY
NORMALLY IN HOT
CONDITIONS...
1 Large combs and wattles, like on these
Minorcas, aid heat loss 2 Chicks are even
more adversely affected by heat
producing smaller, thinner-shelled eggs
and undersized young birds.
The introduction of one or both of
these genes to birds in backyard flocks
could well make the difference between
life and death.
TWEAKING BROODING TEMPS
A strategy currently practised to
acclimatise birds to anticipated higher
temperatures involves subjecting chicks
in brooders to a number of short periods
of raised temperature during the first few
days of life.
Research has revealed that, when
adult, these individuals have greater
tolerance in high temperatures. The
relevance to hobby breeders warrants
further investigation.
84 | Good Organic Gardening
1
IMMUNITY AND PARASITES
While panting and fluffing out feathers
and wings signify heat discomfort, they
don’t alert us to the biochemical changes
that are occurring internally, a significant
one being reduced immune function.
Prolonged high temperatures will leave
poultry vulnerable to disease with
increased incidence of both metabolic
and infectious conditions. Concurrent
with this will be challenging levels of
ectoparasites, the hotter temperature
favouring multiplication. The life cycle of
lice and mites will be sped up, leading to
increased generations produced yearly.
Higher summer temperatures are not
all bad, though. Red mite eggs start
dehydrating at about 38°C and adult
mites struggle to survive above 42°C.
Cunningly, adult mites hide deep in cracks
in housing and some always manage to
ensure species survival.
Internal parasites will be safe in their
host’s gastrointestinal tract, but eggs
shed in faeces will have little hope of
escaping summer conditions. The hot sun
will dry out and damage eggs, leaving few
with the ability to complete maturation.
Hot summers already reduce the
viability of worm eggs: without moisture
they cannot develop. Temperatures
in the 40s lead to considerably lower
reinfection rates.
Bigstock, iStock
REPRODUCTION WOES
Breeding, though, will be challenging, as
it’s established that high temperatures
adversely affect semen quality.
 CHOOKS & CLIMATE CHANGE | FEATHERED FRIENDS

Concurrent with this will be the struggle
to maintain egg lay due to reduced
appetite/feed intake, difficulty in
achieving decent egg size and also
strong shells.
These three issues are directly
connected to reproduction. Short of
running birds in climate-controlled
housing and ensuring they are given
supplementation to boost their
nutritional status, there are few options
to overcome reproduction difficulties.
Good nutrition is an acknowledged
driver for happy, healthy birds
but, because feed intake drops in
hot weather, there are deleterious
outcomes. Eggs become smaller
because of reduced feed intake and,
in turn, this causes poor shell quality
because insufficient calcium
is ingested.
Chicks, however, are even more
adversely affected. They, too, don’t
feel like eating when it’s hot, so growth
slows and they are likely to end up
smaller than parent stock. There is a risk
of bantamising our birds or producing
many with stunted growth.
What hasn’t been mentioned in
regard to fertility and hatchability is the
difficulty in keeping fertile eggs cool
enough so the germ is not prematurely
activated. Eggs will not be able to sit
in nests all day or they will overheat;
collection will need to be undertaken
several times a day.
Eggs cannot be stored in the
refrigerator if they are to be
incubated, so we’re going to need
a cool environment where the
temperature can be maintained around
12–18°C during the collection period.
Hatchability is particularly vulnerable to
incorrect storage.
FEED CHALLENGES
And what of the availability of
conventional feed ingredients? It’s
foolish to assume higher temperatures
will not influence growing seasons
and the varieties of cereal, seed and
legume crops grown. GM may also
become an issue. We may need to
grow more than greens and learn
about the anti-nutritional factors in
grain, seeds and legumes and the
amount that can be safely fed before
problems arise.
Sprouting grains and seeds and
growing trays of greens are likely to
become common practice, along with
running small systems to produce
beetle larvae for additional protein. We
shouldn’t assume poultry food will be a
purchased convenience.
ACT NOW
While there are massive changes ahead of
us, we certainly don’t need to be victims. If
we start now by ensuring we have lots of
tree or shrub cover around housing it will
keep accommodation and birds cooler and
we can get food forests growing so we
can contribute to diet essentials.
Low housing and chook tractors are
not sustainable decisions because of
the greater severity of radiant heat, so
there’s time to organise appropriate
housing with ceiling insulation and a
reflective roof. With a more poultry-
friendly environment, the breeds
best suited to local conditions can be
ascertained. The cooler set-up may
even mean a few of the big feathery
girls can be kept without heartache.
The challenge starts today, so it’s time
to get cracking.

Eggs are simply the best.

We give them the best certified organic grain – no meat-meal (unlike others). We value the
welfare of our feathered friends; that’s why we give them an idyllic habitat with plenty of space to
roam, lots of deep mulch to scratch through, shady trees and lush pasture so our eggs are nutrient
dense and rich in omega 3’s. We run no more than 600 hens per hectare. Our hens are always For stockists and more details, go to our website:
occupied so we don’t have to debeak.
www.organigrow.com.au
Happy hens lay sensational eggs.

Good Organic Gardening | 85

PLANT NOW | HERBS & VEGIES

F R ESH LOC AL
THESE
T HE FRUIT AND VEG ARE THE FRESHEST AND BEST IN OUR
SHOPS AND GARDENS DURING HIGH SUMMER

In season In season
JA N UA RY F E B R UA RY

FRUITS VEGIES FRUITS VEGIES

Apricot, avocado, banana,
berries, carambola
(starfruit), cherry (Morello
sour), currants (red
currant, black currant),
grapes, lemons, limes,
lychee, mango, melons,
nectarine, passionfruit,
peach, pear (Paradise,
Williams), pineapple, plum,
prickly pear, rambutan,
tamarillo
Asparagus, beans (butter,
flat, green, snake),
capsicum, celery, choko,
cucumber, eggplant,
lettuce, mushrooms, okra,
onions (salad, spring),
peas (green, snow, sugar
snap), potatoes, radish,
spinach, squash, sweet
corn, tomato, zucchini
Avocado, banana, berries,
custard apple, fig, grapes
(Cardinal, Muscat, Sultana,
Waltham Cross), guava,
kiwifruit, lemon, limes,
lychee, mangosteen,
melons, nectarine, orange
(Valencia), passionfruit,
peach, pears (Howell,
Red Sensation, Williams),
pineapple, plums, prickly
pear, rambutan, rhubarb,
starfruit, tamarillo
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

SEASONAL TIP
If you have an excess of lemons or limes, preserve them in salt and nd
spices for your tagines and casseroles. Cut the fruit in quarters,
leaving them attached at one end. Gently separate the still-
atta
at ta
a
attached quarters and spoon plenty of Celtic salt into the open
quar
qu arte
quarters.te Pack them tightly in a jar, pressing down to release juices.
To sspice them up, add bay leaves, a cinnamon stick, cardomom
p
po
pods, ds whole cloves, coriander seeds and peppercorns as you go.
Add
Ad d tthe juice of more limes or lemons and enough water to cover
ffruit.
fr
fruiruit
uit (You may have to break a few in half to pack in as many as
ui
yo
you ou ccan.) Place a weight inside the jar to hold the fruit below the
liliqu
quii Cover tightly and keep at room temperature for 2 weeks,
qu
liquid.
tu
u
turning the jar once a day. Once opened, store in the fridge.

86 | Good Organic Gardening

 GARDEN TO TABLE

88 89 91

92
90

G arden to table
with Sally Obermeder
& Maha Koraiem
SEASONAL RECIPES TO MAKE NOW

88 BABY SPINACH Green Supreme Layered Smoothie

89 BERRIES Quinoa Brekkie Bowl
90 ZUCCHINI Asian Kazoodle Salad
91 MANGO Smoked Trout & Mango Salad
92 CHERRY TOMATOES Heat of the Night Chicken Bowl

Images and recipes from

SUPER GREEN SIMPLE AND LEAN

Sisters Sally Obermeder and Maha Koraiem
co-founded and run the lifestyle blog
SWIISH.com. Sally is also the author of Never
Stop Believing (2013) and co-author, with
Bigstock, Shutterstock

Maha, of Super Green Smoothies, The Good

Life and now this latest book, Super Green
Simple and Lean. Sally is a TV presenter
and Maha is a certified health and nutrition
coach and writer. They are passionate about
cooking, creating recipes and good health.

Good Organic Gardening | 87

GARDEN TO TABLE | BABY SPINACH

Green
Supreme
L aye red
S m oot h i e
SERVES 3

INGREDIENTS
• 270g (6 cups) frozen baby spinach
leaves
• 3 frozen bananas
• 945g (3 cups) frozen mango pieces
• 750mL (3 cups) unsweetened vanilla
almond milk, plus 250mL (1 cup)
unsweetened vanilla almond milk extra

METHOD
1 Place the spinach, banana, mango and
3 cups of almond milk in a blender and
blend until smooth. Divide the mixture
into three portions.
2 Divide portion 1 across three jars and
freeze for 2 hours.
3 While portion 1 freezes, take portion
2 and add 1⁄4 cup vanilla almond milk.
Pour portion 2 on top of portion 1 in
each jar and return it to the freezer.
4 Take portion 3 and add the remaining
3
⁄4 cup of vanilla almond milk. Pour
portion 3 on top of portion 2 in each jar
and freeze until firm.
5 Top as desired.

Tip: We’ve used paleo granola,

blackberries, pumpkin seeds (pepitas),
starfruit, honey, goji berries.

88 | Good Organic Gardening


Quinoa Bre kki e B owl
SERVES 2
INGREDIENTS
• 75g (1⁄2 cup) quinoa
• 125mL (1⁄2 cup) unsweetened
coconut milk (carton variety)
• 4 medjool dates, seeded & roughly
chopped
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch nutmeg
• Pinch ground cardamom
• 2 tsp sunflower seeds
• 2 tbsp moist coconut flakes, plus
extra for serving (optional)
• 125g punnet blueberries
• 250g punnet strawberries
METHOD
1 Rinse the quinoa under cold water
until the water runs clear. (Make
sure the holes in your sieve aren’t
bigger than the quinoa — Maha
learnt this the hard way!)
2 Put the quinoa into a saucepan
with 375mL (1 1⁄2 cups) of water, the
coconut milk and chopped dates.
Bring the mixture to the boil, then
reduce the heat to simmer for 15–20
minutes. Stir occasionally, making
sure the quinoa doesn’t stick to the
bottom of the saucepan.
BERRIES | GARDEN TO TABLE
3 Once the quinoa has begun to
soften, add the spices, sunflower
seeds and coconut flakes. Continue
to cook for another 5–10 minutes,
until the quinoa has cooked.
4 Serve immediately. We topped ours
with fresh berries, extra coconut
flakes, goji berries, pumpkin seeds
(pepitas) and Greek-style yoghurt.
Tip: For extra sweetness, drizzle with
a little honey or rice-malt syrup.
Good Organic Gardening | 89
GARDEN TO TABLE | ZUCCHINI

Asian
Kazoodle
Sa lad
SERVES 2

INGREDIENTS
• 2 large zucchini, spiralised
• 1 large carrot, spiralised
• 150g (2 cups) shredded red
cabbage
• 50g (2 cups) kale ribbons,
massaged
• 1 red capsicum, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow capsicum, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp chia seeds (black and
white)

Dressing (optional)
• 2 tsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 80mL lime juice
• 1 tbsp rice-malt syrup
• 2 tsp sesame seeds

METHOD
1 Put all the salad ingredients into
a large bowl.
2 Make the dressing by combining
all the ingredients in a small jar
and shaking well.
3 Pour the dressing over the salad,
and toss to ensure the salad is
well coated. Serve immediately
and enjoy.

Tip: How do you massage kale?

Simply take the leaves once
they’ve been chopped or sliced
and use your hands to rub the kale
(as if you’re massaging it) until it
begins to soften. You can use a
little olive oil or coconut oil if you
like. This process basically makes
the kale easier to eat as it breaks
down the toughness of the leaf
and also removes some of the
bitterness.

90 | Good Organic Gardening


S m o k e d T r o u t & M a n go S a l a d
SERVES 2
INGREDIENTS
• 90g (2 cups) baby spinach leaves
• 200g hot smoked trout, sliced
• 1 large mango, thinly sliced
• 115g (1 cup) bean sprouts
• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 1 fresh red or green chilli, seeded &
thinly sliced
• 15g (1⁄2 cup) mint leaves, roughly torn
• 15g (1⁄2 cup) coriander leaves,
roughly torn
Dressing (optional)
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp rice-malt syrup
• 2 tbsp coriander leaves, finely
chopped
• 1 fresh red chilli, seeded & finely
chopped
METHOD
1 In a small bowl, mix together all the
ingredients for the dressing.
2 On a platter, place the baby spinach
leaves. Top with the trout, mango
slices, sprouts, spring onion, chilli
and herbs.
MANGO | GARDEN TO TABLE
3 Spoon the dressing generously over
the top and serve.
Tip: This salad also works really well
with tinned tuna. We suggest using tuna
in spring water; because the dressing
is so flavoursome, it’s best to use tuna
that is closer to its natural flavour.
You can get smoked trout at the
supermarket. It comes shrink-wrapped
and in a fillet. Here we’ve used hot smoked
river trout, but you can also use rainbow
trout or even hot smoked salmon. They all
work beautifully in this recipe.
Good Organic Gardening | 91
 CHERRY TOMATOES | GARDEN TO TABLE

Heat of the Night C h i c ke n B owl

INGREDIENTS Roast Vegies
• 2 × 100g skinless chicken breasts • 1 red (Spanish) onion, quartered
• 62g (1⁄2 cup) pearl (big) couscous • 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled but smashed
• 1 tsp olive oil with the back of a knife
• 1 bunch broccolini • 200g punnet medley cherry tomatoes,
• Greek-style yoghurt, to serve halved
(optional) • 1 red capsicum, seeded, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp olive oil
Marinade • Pink salt & freshly ground black
• 2 tsp ground chilli pepper
• 2 tsp Middle Eastern spice blend
• 2 tsp rice-malt syrup METHOD
• 2 tsp lime zest 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C.
• 1 tsp ground sumac 2 Mix all ingredients for the marinade in
• 1
⁄2 tsp garlic salt a small bowl, then rub it all over the
• juice 1⁄2 lime (reserve the lime halves chicken, making sure it’s well coated.
after you’ve juiced) Set aside.
• 1 tbsp olive oil 3 Place the vegies in a roasting tray,
• Pink salt & black pepper drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil,
season with a little pink salt and
pepper and mix well. Pop the reserved
lime halves into the tray as well.
4 Place the chicken on top of the vegies
and roast for 25–30 minutes, until the
chicken has cooked through and the
juices run clear.
5 While the chicken and vegies are in the
oven, cook the pearl couscous according
to the instructions on the packet.
6 Once the chicken is cooked, remove
it from the roasting dish and leave
to rest. Then return the vegies to the
oven and turn up the heat to 230°C.
Leave the vegies in the oven for
another 8–10 minutes, or until they
have nicely caramelised.
7 While the vegies are in the oven for
the final 8–10 minutes, quickly blanch
the broccolini in a bowl and cut the
chicken into 1.5cm slices. Divide the
ingredients equally between 2 bowls.
Add a dollop of yoghurt to the middle.

92 | Good Organic Gardening


COVER
TO
COVER
Leafing
through books
for gardeners
and cooks
DREAMSCAPES
By Claire Takacs, Hardie Grant, $70
Australian photographer Claire Takacs
has created what must be the ultimate
coffee-table book for gardeners.
Subtitled Inspiration and Beauty in
Gardens Near and Far, it looks at more
than 50 stunningly designed gardens
across the world, around a quarter of
them in Australia. To get your creative
juices flowing without the expense of
an airline ticket, she features the likes
of Le Jardin Plume in Normandy, Santa
Barbara’s Lotusland, Japan’s Kenrokuen,
Hermannshof in Germany and Bryan’s
Ground in Herefordshire, all looking their
absolute best, as well as local examples
like Cloudehill, Frogmore and Pear Tree
Walk — each with extensive notes.
PLANT SOCIETY
By Jason Chongue, Hardie Grant, $29.99
Plant society? Well, indoor plants
are social. As architect and interior
designer Jason Chongue writes,
“There is something therapeutic and
calming about their presence and
they breathe life into every corner of
my home.” And it’s not just the way
they filter the air; greenery is easy
on the eye and softens the hard lines
of the modern home. With plenty
of advice on every aspect of plant
care, Chongue profiles more than 20
species, organising them from the
most low-maintenance through to
the more exotic and labour-intensive.
GROW YOUR OWN
By Angus Stewart & Simon Leake,
Murdoch Books, $45
Horticulturist Angus Stewart and soil
scientist Simon Leake, a dynamic
duo indeed, have penned a “how to”
guide for urbanites keen to establish
a productive garden, whether on
a balcony or in a bijou backyard.
A healthy garden starts from the
ground up, so the book covers all
you need to know about soil, from
checking its pH to enriching it. And
there’s easy-to-follow advice on
what to plant, how to tell if your
plants have a nutrient disorder, what
organic fertilisers to use and more.
BOOKS | REVIEWS
THE BLUE DUCKS
IN THE COUNTRY
By Darren Robertson & Mark LaBrooy,
Pan Macmillan, $39.99
Three Blue Ducks is a very successful
cafe in the Sydney seaside suburb
of Bronte, now with branches in
Rosebery and Byron Bay. In this
beautifully photographed cookbook,
two of the Blue Ducks’ team,
chefs Darren Robertson and Mark
Labrooy, bring you more than 90
recipes. All the dishes are based on
their garden-to-plate ethos, which
is to create real food that’s locally
sourced, reared humanely and
supportive of the local community.
THE WELLNESS GARDEN
By Shawna Coronado, Cool Springs
Press, $39.99
Having a chronic health condition
doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need
to hang up your gardening gloves.
In this book, avid gardener Shawna
Coronado shares the wellness
approach that enabled her to greatly
reduce her osteoarthritis pain. One
recommendation is to eat (and
grow) food that has health benefits,
such as those with anti-inflammatory
properties. Another is to redesign
your garden so it is a place where
you can meditate and do gentle,
appropriate exercise, such as yoga.
Good Organic Gardening | 93
ard work pays off
 Create your organic dream
with 2000+ gardening articles
at your (green) fingertips

completehome.com.au
PICK OF THE CROP
PICK
Our selection of products and services for gardeners and cooks
TOP DRESS WITH LAWN STAR
Rocky Point Mulching’s Lawn Star, Premium Top
Dress & Feed, is a superior blend designed to
enrich and rejuvenate your lawn. This carefully
screened and formulated mix is packed with a
high mineral content for levelling undulations
in lawns, and slow-release fertiliser to produce
green, healthy growth, feeding your lawn for
up to four months after top dressing. It will also
reduce watering needs as it contains specialised
wetting granules to improve dry, tired lawns.
Lawn Star meets the Australian Standard 4419
for a top dress soil and is passed through an
8mm screen before packaging to ensure size
and consistency when spreading over your lawn.
Lawn Star is available in 30L bags from all good
gardening retailers. For more information on
Lawn Star or other premium garden products in
the range, visit rpmulching.com.au
96 | Good Organic Gardening
OF
TH E CROP
GIVE YOUR GARDEN THE LEADING EDGE
When you first think of stunning outdoor areas, an assortment of
plants and pavers may come to mind, but garden edging is rarely at
the top of the list. You’ll be surprised to know just how much clean
borders and raised garden beds can elevate your landscape from
something average to something special. FormBoss™ steel garden
edging has been supplying designers, landscapers and weekend
DIY-ers all over Australia for more than 10 years now. What sets
FormBoss™ apart is the fact you can produce edging with straight
lines or curves and create garden beds on-site with unprecedented
ease and with little to no experience. Having the rolled top lip makes
the edging completely safe and allows you to connect each piece
easily. Anchoring the edging into the ground will completely conceal
all fixings. Eight heights are available, ranging from 75mm to 580mm
in ZAM, Galv and “weathering” Australian REDCOR® Steel. For more
information, visit formboss.com.au
SIMPLE, USER-FRIENDLY AND EFFECTIVE
Last year, Earthlife Veggie Mate won People’s Choice in the 2016 Good
Organic Gardening Garden Idea Awards. Why? Because the product is both
easy to apply and effective. Veggie Mate is a user-friendly natural solution
to growing nutritious, healthy food while simultaneously keeping the soil
healthy and conditioned. With more than 60 minerals, natural humates
and 30 types of biology, this product does the work for you. Add it when
planting, along with a good shot of water to activate the biology, and you’re
on your way. The minerals strengthen the cells of the plant, which helps to
create a pest-free environment by assisting the plant to metabolise properly.
In turn, this improves the nutritional value and taste and extends shelf life,
post-harvest. It also assists in the breakdown of other additives and with
no animal waste like manures or blood and bone, it is contaminant-free and
vegan-friendly. earthlife.com.au
 PICK OF THE CROP

EASY TO GROW, EASY TO EAT

Easy Care Crimson Crisp™ (PBR) and Easy Care
Pixie Crunch™ (PBR) are not just delicious apples,
they are highly pest-resistant. Both varieties were
bred specifically for their resistance to apple scab,
making them low maintenance and just right for
home gardeners. The Easy Care range shows
resistance to fire blight, too, and, according to
world-renowned horticulturalist, Dr Jules Janick,
their flavour is top notch. In fact, Dr Janick is
particularly fond of the juicy flesh of Pixie Crunch™.
This smaller-size fruit is not only delightful, it is
suitable for lunch boxes and a good variety for
U-Pick operations. Crimson Crisp™ is red-skinned
with creamy-white flesh while Pixie Crunch™ is a
bright-red-skinned apple with firm white flesh that
is crisp to the crunch. Easy Care apples grow to
approximately 4m x 4m and pollinate with each
other perfectly, as well as Jonathan, Granny Smith
and many of the Ballerina® Columnar apple varieties.
flemings.com.au

GOODNESS FROM THE SEA

Seagold is a soluble seaweed extract made from fresh
seaweed (alga) such as Ascophyllum nodosum, Sargassum
and Laminariales, which are rich in micro-nutrients and natural
hormones. Seagold is a natural non-toxic and non-polluting
soil conditioner that improves the quality of all crops by
strengthening the cell walls and boosting plants’ natural
resistance to disease and adverse conditions. It promotes the
development of vigorous root systems for the plants to access
nutrients and water, which ultimately leads to increased yield.
Improved quality is readily evident in bolder foliage, improved
skin colour and texture, higher sugar content and longer shelf
life. Additional applications can be made immediately before
or after stress periods such as frost and drought. Product
sizes 150g, 1kg, 5kg, 20kg. Ph 0410 335 633. seagold.com.au

ORGANIC STATUS PROTECTS YOUR HEALTH

“Here at Organigrow we are truly free range. We are audited yearly by
Australian Certified Organic and Humane Choice (who have the strictest
rules of any certifying body) to give you confidence that what we say is
real. But being truly free range does have its challenges; there are many
animals who see a flock of hens and think ‘dinner!’, so we have to protect
our precious feathered friends from predators. Having many thick shrubs
across the farm helps, but the key is our faithful Maremma dogs which
watch over the flocks and protect them from harm. Unfortunately, there
are paralysis ticks in the area, which can easily kill an adult dog, so we
use tick collars and tablets for prevention, as well as going over the dogs
twice a day for ticks. Recently, one of our dogs got sick so I took him to
the vet — the diagnosis was bowel cancer. He was only a relatively young
dog and although I have no evidence to back up my hypothesis, it does
make me wonder if there is a link to the tick treatment. Any chemicals are
dangerous and that is why we value our organic status because it allows
us to protect your health and guarantee there are no toxic chemicals in
our eggs. Now for the happy ending to the story: we have a new fluffy
puppy. Po is getting used to being with the hens and in time will grow up
to protect them. My 83-year-old mother is in charge of looking after him
and the other dogs.” — Simon Cripps Clark, organigrow.com.au

Good Organic Gardening | 97

PICK OF THE CROP

THE TOOTHBRUSH THAT GIVES BACK

Introducing a new Aussie family business called Brush for Change — the
eco-friendly toothbrush that gives back. When we say “gives back” we mean
that when you purchase an eco-friendly bamboo four-pack of toothbrushes,
the company GIVES BACK. That is, we donate $2 to an environmental cause
AND two eco-friendly bamboo toothbrushes to underprivileged people. With
Australia’s population rapidly approaching the 25 million mark, the impact of
plastic toothbrushes on our environment is enormous — about 100 MILLION
every year — and we want to change that! So we thought, what if we could
provide people with an affordable alternative? Then we thought, what if we
could also pay it forward? Hence the birth of Brush for Change. Get yours now
for just $19.95 + $2 p&h for a pack of four, at brushforchange.com.au

KUVINGS COMMERCIAL COLD

PRESS JUICER CS600
The Kuvings Commercial Whole Slow
Juicer is the first on-demand cold-pressed
juicing solution. The patented low-speed
cold-press extraction delivers juice that
tastes noticeably different. The cold-press
juicer slowly presses and squeezes rather
than grinding and chewing, retaining higher
nutrition, colour and taste. It’s the ideal
solution for cafes, juice bars, fruit shops
and restaurants, chefs, home foodies and LIGHTING TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD
large families. Features include: Make the most of your garden after sunset with the HOLMAN app-operated
• Extra-wide feeding chute for whole fruits Bluetooth range of garden lighting. It’s 100 per cent DIY-friendly and easy to
and vegetables install as a weekend project. The range features spotlights, deck lights and
• Stainless-steel gearbox for 24 hours of path lights, which are available in white or full-colour-spectrum RGB light, and
continuous juicing are joined by weatherproof IP68 water-resistant plug and socket cables. These
• Up to 60L per hour come in a range of different lengths that allow you total design freedom to set
• High yield up the perfect lighting display for your garden. The lights are connected to the
• Heavy-duty quiet motor HOLMAN LIGHTSOURCE controller, which is programmed by the iGardener™
• Easy to clean app on your smart phone. Easily change colours and lighting intensity and set
• Juices all fruit and vegetables with ease automated start and stop times via the app. Whether you want to illuminate
• More nutrition, real taste and colour a garden path or create a dramatic coloured garden light display, this lighting
For more information, info@kuvings.net.au, range is the smart choice for your backyard this summer. For more information
Ph (02) 9798 0586, kuvings.com.au on the new garden light range, visit holmanindustries.com.au

98 | Good Organic Gardening


NATURE’S CUPPA
Nature’s Cuppa is the result of decades of
organic research and today this successful
Australian tea company uses organic, hand-
picked tea leaves sourced only from its
certified organic estates in the Sri Lankan
highlands. It’s grown high and picked at
the moment of perfect freshness. This
pure, premium-grade tea makes a superb
morning cuppa and gets everybody off to
a good, healthy start. Tea the way it should
taste! Available online or at Woolworths,
Coles, selected IGA and Foodworks and
healthfood stores. naturescuppa.com
PICK OF THE CROP
RESTORE LIFE TO YOUR SOIL
Biota Booster is a potent soil probiotic consisting
of 11 key beneficial soil microbes in an easy-to-use,
concentrated liquid. Technically bioremediation
agents, the balanced fungi and bacteria
symbiotically manage plants and elements to grow
(bioremediate) healthy environments/plants/soils/
composts/systems which are more productive and
resistant to pests and diseases by direct application
to soil and plants. BB supercharges most compost,
tea, worm, fish, kelp, mineral, organic matter and
fertiliser inputs to enable unmatched efficiencies
and astounding short- and long-term results. Only
two drops mixed with 1L of water can inoculate up
to 50 square metres, and one 10mL bottle is enough
for the average garden for one year. So why should
you use Biota Booster? This pioneering microbial
liquid solution saves you money by encouraging
bigger, faster and healthier plant growth with
reduced inputs, improved soil structure, better
water, carbon and nutrient cycling capacity, and
reduced erosion and labour requirements. Grow
nutrient dense with biotabooster.com.au
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN QUALITY
Wobble-Tee Sprinklers is celebrating 20 years of Australian quality — and
celebrating with colour! Now available in blue, purple, pink, orange and
yellow, the award-winning Wobble-Tee sprinkler is well known for its
efficiency, covering up to 15m in diameter using low to medium pressure.
The Wobble-Tee now has a little brother, the Clever Drop Sprinkler, covering
a diameter up to 8m. As with the Wobble-Tee, its large consistent droplets
minimise wind drift and evaporation loss, watering your lawn efficiently like
slow, soaking rain. Both sprinklers have a removable filter, allowing the use
of river, dam and recycled water. The Clever Drop sprinkler has many clever
new features: a base purpose-built to adjust for uneven or sloping surfaces
or on roofs for cooling; four different-sized pressure-regulating discs are
supplied, allowing use of high water pressures, 5–50psi; and its low angle
of trajectory further reduces wind drift and up to eight sprinklers can be
run in a row. Covering large or small areas, Wobble-Tee can provide a clever,
Australian-made solution to suit your watering needs. wobble-tee.com.au
Good Organic Gardening | 99
 C R AFT PATTE RN S A N D C L ASSES D EL IV ER ED ST R A IGHT TO YOUR I NBOX

Maid in
Japan Quilt

King of the
Forest Deer

Starburst Quilt

No Restraint
Here Quilt

Free Pattern!
Choose your pattern
and enter code

GD18
Picture
Perfect Bag at checkout

cosyproject.com
Expires 28/02/18

Branched Modern
Cushion Sitting Pretty
Doorstopper

Dandelion
Embroidered
Curtains

Hot & Hearty

QUI LT I NG | SEWI NG Oven Mits
EM BR O I DERY | KNI T T I NG
C RO CH ET I NG | T UTO R I A L S
 Thinking of England Quilt

Inspiration
for the creator in you
cosyproject.com
 FREE AUSTRALIAN
Country Gardens
2018 DIARY
T
PERFECr
gift fo
or SU BS CR IB E NO W !
yourself !
a frien d
The Australian Country Gardens 2018 diary boasts
beautiful blooms, grand gardens and outback oases
aplenty. Featuring striking photography, bountiful quotes
and a seasonally centred design, it truly captures the
diversity of Australian country gard
gardens.
rden
enss.

BONUS
2018 diary

CALL 1300 303 414 OR VISIT UNIVERSALSHOP.COM.AU

TO TAKE UP THIS EXCLUSIVE OFFER TODAY. QUOTE THE CODE: GOG85
HURRY! OFFER ENDS 15 FEBRUARY, 2018, WHILE STOCKS LAST.
 grow naturally, eat fresh, live sustainably

SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS
6 issues of Good Organic Gardening magazine
+ FREE 2018 Australian Country Gardens diary

ONLY $39.95
12 issues of Good Organic Gardening magazine

ONLY $47.70
MY DETAILS
MY PERSONAL DETAILS:
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms First name:
Surname:
6 issues (1 year) of Address:
Suburb: Postcode:
Good Organic
Daytime telephone: ( )
Gardening magazine Email:
RRP $47.70 GIFT SUBSCRIPTION:
+ Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms First name:
Surname:
FREE 2018 Address:

Australian Country Suburb: Postcode:

Daytime telephone: ( )
Gardens diary Email:
RRP $19.95
PAYMENT OPTIONS

ONLY $39.95 Cheque/money order for AU$

(Please make cheques payable to Universal Magazines Pty Ltd)
All delivered to your door, FREE! Please charge my: American Express Diners MasterCard Visa

Card number:
Expiry date (must be included):
Cardholder’s name:
Cardholder’s signature:

SUBSCRIBING MADE EASY

1300 303 414 SEND COUPON NOW
and quote the code GOG85 Subscriptions Department,
Reply Paid 75687,
universalshop.com.au North Ryde NSW 1670
and enter code GOG85 (02) 9805 0714
mailorder@universalmagazines.com.au

Subscriptions will commence with the first available issue. Existing subscriptions will simply be
extended. Free gifts arrive separately to the magazine subscription and are sent as soon as possible.
Free gift offers do not apply to subscribers currently on the Easy Payment Plan or those upgrading
with the Early Bird offer. Offer open to Australian residents only. By subscribing you acknowledge
that you understand that ‘tip-ons’ and gifts or bonus issues that may be available with non-subscriber
copies of this magazine may not be provided to subscribers and is at the discretion of Universal
Magazines Pty Ltd. The Promoter shall not be liable for any loss or damage which is suffered or
sustained (including but not limited to, indirect or consequential loss) or for personal injury which is
suffered or sustained as a result of taking part in this or any other gift offer. By subscribing, you
consent to receive any direct marketing material including emails which inform the recipient of the
Promoter’s other publications, products, services or events and to receive promotional material from
third parties. Please tick the box if you do NOT wish us to use this information for the purposes stated
above . Offer only available while stocks last, or until expiry date.
 NATURE’S OWN
ANSWER TO
SCARABS & MANY
OTHER PESTS
Beneficial Nematodes • Smarter Biocontrol

R TM R

CSIRO
patented
y
technolog l
o n tr o
for the c g
m a g in
of da
ga rd e n p e s ts Simply the best classes for Organic
Gardeners in South East Queensland.
Grow real food with real skills. Your own healthy food from fork to fork.

• NATURAL CONTROL Organic garden consultations to realise your dream.

• NON TOXIC - CHEMICAL FREE Details & Classes: ecobotanica.com.au
• EASY TO USE AND APPLY Call Linda 0416 157 470
• SAFE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
• SAFE FOR THE FAMILY
The safe and natural way to eliminate garden pests

High Quality & Hand Crafted

Wind Chimes
Shop Online. Great Gifts.
FREE Delivery on
orders over $100
www.ecogrow.com.au Phone Carol on (03) 5523 3410
www.windchimesaustralia.com.au
Australian owned and operated
 Directory

Australian
Hand Made Soil Microbial Inoculant
Wind Chimes
Copper Rain Chains

Buy online at ...

A small soluƟon to
www.windsongchimes.com.au
ww growing problems
PO Box 462, Bellingen NSW 2454
info@windsongchimes.com.au
info • 6 Bacteria 5 fungi
Phone: (02) 6655 9899
Pho
4+ Key MOA
• CondiƟons plants/soil/
compost/systems
• Promote Plant growth
• Bio ferƟliser, AnƟfungal
• Easy cheap and eīecƟve
• Put life back into the soil
• Disease/pest/drought
resistance

www.biotabooster.com.au
e: pt@biotabooster.com.au t: 07 5471 0926

NOOSA Forest RETREAT

ONE WITH NATURE
Holistic Permaculture Community, Sunshine Coast Qld
Noosa Forest Retreat offers two Permaculture design course options:
a 12 day Residential and an Online
Best value PDC in Australia, truly a life affirming and life transforming journey
12 days from $1395 includes food & accommodation
For course details and to book, go to: permaculturecoursequeensland.com.au
Clever Composter
Do you hate your smelly council bin? Want an easy way to dispose of
ALL your kitchen waste including meat, citrus, onion, oil, dairy, anything
biodegradable - even doggie doo? Then try a Compot or two.
1 Plant your compot & fill
with any kitchen waste

Introducing our new online Permaculture Course with full

certification & budget curriculum only options from $350
FREE introductory course at; www.permaculturecourseonline.com.au
Phone (office): 07 5409 7577
Lock Lid and cover
with anything but dirt 2
3
Now just keep topping it up
whenever you want. No need to
wait for everything to decompose

AWARD WINNING
PERMACULTURE No heavy composter to turn or empty or take up valuable space in

DESIGN!
your garden. Fertilise your garden naturally and reduce your impact
on the environment while reducing your council waste by over 50%.
Never dig another hole again and maintain your garden with your own
natural fertiliser. Check out the website, watch some videos & try a
few for yourself. The easiest composter (propagator) you will ever use.
se
e.

That simple. Fill... For

get... Refill...
www.foodforest.com.au when ready... and let
it look after itself.

COURSES INSPIRING DVDS UNIQUE NUTCRACKERS www.compot.com.au or callll 07 3358 3716

New 2018 diary

all year

GREAT GIFT IDEA

for Christmas!
ONLY
$19.95
This new 2018 diary is a
complement to EatWell magazine.
Inside, you will find 52 seasonal
recipes from some of the most
well-known health-food chefs,
inspiring you to shop and eat well
all year. With a week-to-a-page
view plus space for shopping lists,
it will become your must-have
accessory throughout 2018.

THE NEW EATWELL

2018 DIARY INCLUDES:
e
- Weekly recipes or ing
m p
- Seasonal food recommendations or hip
- Chef bios e r 3 d s E!
d an E
- Room for your shopping lists Or ies F R
- Week-to-a-page view ar is
di

Get your copy now from paperpocket.com.au or at your local newsagent

GUARANTEED
FOR Your Complete Steel
~10 YEARS~
Structural Guarantee
See website for
Edging Solution
T & C’s

Create any shape you can imagine! Seamless connections & corners!

We make custom rings! Delivery Australia wide!

Corten
Weathering
Select from our comprehensive range of heights, Steel

gauges and finishes to suit any job, big or small. Traditional

Galvanised
Steel

ZAM
Self Healing
Steel

Strong • Safe • Durable • Elegant • Easy to Install

13 11 37
w w w.for mb oss.com.au