Good Organic Gardening

Common name: Botany Bay weevil Scientific name: Chrysolopus spectabilis The Botany Bay weevil doesn’t know it but it enjoys a unique place in Australian scientific history. A specimen collected in April 1770 during James Cook’s first voyage became th

At the time of going to print the whole world was in the midst of coronavirus turmoil and none of us knew what the future held. One thing a lot of us did for comfort and normality was to spend more time in our gardens. Even better, if the stripped-ba

The Australian Platypus Conservancy is conducting a wide range of research programs to assist our iconic monotreme, the platypus, as well as the rakali, the little-known Australian water rat. As part of this program, citizen scientists are being call

Clitoria is more than a clever crop — it’s near magical. It’s also very trendy, as these bright cobalt-blue flowers are used to colour gin a beautiful blue in the bottle. But pour some into a glass, add tonic water and the gin turns pale pink. Magic!

In the mid-90s, as a teenager, I lived with my family in Beijing for 12 months. I still vividly remember wandering the fresh-food markets, eyes wide and senses overloaded with different sights and smells. Stopping to stare at strange fruits and veget

The plant: Did you know that, originally, carrots were not all orange? In fact, many carrots had deep-purple skins and an orange centre. Not only were they very attractive but they also had a delicious sweet carrot taste. Growing: Carrots can be grow

Every year, many thousands of tourists drive under the wooden archway at the eastern end of the 243km Great Ocean Road at Torquay in Victoria. Should any of them have a sweet tooth, they may not get further than six kays down the road, which is where

I first encountered the wonders of the artichoke in my 20s. A flatmate who worked for a Greek hairdresser in Melbourne picked up many an exotic recipe from her boss’s wife but the major revelation for me was artichoke hearts dressed simply in vinegar

Its name says it all. Not only does magenta plant have dazzling magenta flowers but an extract from the leaves is used as a food dye to give dishes a pretty crimson-pink hue. In particular, magenta leaf is used to colour some rice dishes but is also

Just over 200 years ago, Governor Lachlan Macquarie came to Hobart and immediately ordered the colony’s ramshackle road system be changed to a more orderly network. Those neat — and these days very busy — main roads skirt the edge of Macquarie Point,

This beautifully fragrant herb has a long history in folk medicine. It was well known to the ancient Greek and Arab physicians as a treatment for skin and digestive problems as well as mood disorders. The Greeks and Romans also steeped it in wine to

In Annette and Grant McFarlane’s 4ha garden paradise, north of Brisbane, the natural vegetation is dry sclerophyll bush that was partially cleared 30 years ago, well before their arrival. Annette says there are large stands of spotted gums and some r

Winter is all about nourishing, warming brassicas and root vegetables, along with rich herbed tomato sauces. Lighten up your dishes with peas and winter greens. Moving towards the end of our official winter, it’s time to start thinking about preparin

Finger limes are endemic to Australia’s east coast, particularly around northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland, where the plants are also grown commercially. Six species of citrus are native to Australia but it is Citrus australasica, the

I have a confession to make. I had a loquat tree growing in my garden and we chopped it down. It was thriving but unfortunately it was growing in the wrong place — smack in the middle of the vegetable garden — and had never flowered or fruited. I sti

My dad called Jerusalem artichokes farty-chokes and, if eaten in large quantities, they certainly live up to his naughty nickname. And, despite its more polite name, this knobbly veg is neither from Jerusalem nor a true artichoke. As its scientific n

We are never going to starve here. When all else fails I can always find a potato to dig up. Up until the 1960s part of this property was a potato farm and, while we don’t grow any edible plants in that part of the garden, the back garden sprouts spu

It’s a must-have for many salads and a favourite green for sandwiches. But these days the world of lettuce extends far beyond just cos and iceberg. Lettuce can be grown as an annual crop, year round, all around Australia. And with sensible succession

In my garden last summer I enjoyed towering liliums in flower. The scent was intoxicating, particularly in the evening. The flowering stems were so spectacular I entered one in our local summer flower show. My husband had a fit when he saw I’d picked

At the time of going to print we were anticipating that the social and financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may last for many years; it could even change our views on food security forever. Amid the panic and fear, we saw scarcity on supermarke

In the ever-shrinking backyard it’s hard to find the right tree that will provide canopy shade with all its benefits without taking up the entire space or causing other issues because of its sheer size. So here’s a variety of small trees I think woul

These bulbs flower in summer and many last into autumn. They have few pest or disease problems and are impressive additions to any garden. Belladonna lily (Amaryllis belladonna) Heads of pink or white trumpet flowers on a tall, smooth stem. Flowers a

What is a drought? In our sunburnt country, a drought is something that lasts more than a few dry months. A useful definition might be a prolonged period of reduced rainfall affecting plants, animals, humans, agriculture and the economy. The major ca

For good long-term results, here are some varieties to suit particular conditions: Coastal: Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides); coastal Banksia (Banksia integrifolia); brush cherry, weigulga (Syzygium australe) Other areas: Lilly pilly (Acmena smit

Science shows us that plants and trees not only improve air quality and lower greenhouse gas emissions but also reduce the temperatures of their surrounding environments at the same time. It’s because they reduce energy demands (by acting like air-co

If we observe nature over a long enough period of time, we begin to notice the distinct way in which nature operates and what makes it so sustainable. Nothing is ever wasted; all things are cycled and recycled, over and over. Old life gives rise to n

• Apply organic liquid fertiliser to stimulate growth on cabbages and tasty greens such as rocket and soft-hearted lettuce. Apply it every 7–10 days.• Keep greens coming by sowing seeds or planting seedlings every few weeks.• Also plant broad beans a

• Where late winter is likely to be warm and frost free (warm temperate and coastal zones), it’s safe to plant out summer vegies. But where the weather remains unpredictable and nights are cold or frosty still (cold temperate southern regions), delay

We often forget that poultry housing is there to meet the occupants’ needs, especially if they have to be confined due to predators. If you can move around freely and the air is fresh then it’s likely to be comfy and healthy for the flock as well. Bu

Can you tell a spade from a shovel or a scythe from a sickle? Gardeners all over the world have their favourite tools but not many make a study of it. From their travels to traditional farming communities around the world, Jude and Michel Fanton of B

Apples, avocados, bananas, cumquats, custard apples, dates, grapefruit, kiwifruit, lemons, limes, mandarins, nashi, olives, oranges (Navel), papayas, pineapples, pomelos, quinces, rhubarb, strawberries, tangelos Asian greens, beetroot, broccoli, Brus

Images and text from The Ultimate Soup Cookbook by Dru Melton & Jamie Taerbaum. Quarry Books RRP $29.99. The Ultimate Soup Cookbook brings comfort food to your kitchen with over 125 delicious soup recipes for every occasion! Impress guests and large

Roasting the vegetables brings out the natural sugars, while the ginger adds a touch of heat for a nice flavour twist. This soup is versatile enough to stand as an entrée or a lunch, and is easy to make. VEGAN FAVOURITE | GLUTEN FREE Serves 4 | Prep

An adventurous yet simple recipe with ingredients that are easily found, this hearty vegan and gluten–free soup is easy to prepare and sure to satisfy. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with wedges of toasted flatbread or pita. VEGAN FAVOURITE |

The stories behind this soup are all over the map. There’s one story that, though its veracity is unverified, goes as follows: this soup was served at traditional Italian weddings because the shape of the meatballs were symbolic of a well–rounded mar

This wonderful broth–based soup is thickened with egg, has a great lemony zest to it and has been around for literally centuries — for good reason. Serves 4–6 | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 20 mins • 1 shallot, minced• 1 clove garlic, minced• 1 tb

By Melissa Petitto, Murdoch Books, $27.99 An adaptogen, says Merriam-Webster, is a “nontoxic substance and especially a plant extract that is held to increase the body’s ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal p

Earthlife 100% natural Microbial Rock Mineral products are Certified Allowed Inputs for organic farms and gardens. Containing natural minerals, microbes and humates, they are contaminant-free with no chemicals, no manures and no blood and bone. By us

Common name: Pellucid hawk moth Scientific name: Cephonodes hylas There are an estimated 850 species of hawk moth worldwide, mostly in wet tropical regions. Of those, Australia boasts 65 species — but few can compete in size or looks with the pelluci

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