Good Organic Gardening

Common name: Scaly-breasted lorikeet Scientific name: Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus Even among that noisy, gregarious, riotously coloured tribe of little parrots known as lorikeets, the scaly stands out. That’s if you can actually spot one, as its mostly green feathers make it very hard to see as it chatters and forages among the leaves and flowers of its favoured eucalypts. If you do catch sight of one, what distinguishes it from other lorikeets, besides its bright-red bill, are its green head and scalloped yellow breast feathers, which resemble scales. Its call is a bit like that of a rainbow lorikeet — with which it often forms mixed flocks — only even higher in pitch. These mischievous birds emit a deafening screech as together they dart across the outer-suburban backyards of eastern Australia, often in a straight…

We gardeners are so lucky to share our home spaces with some of Earth’s most beautiful creatures. I mean, is there a better way to enjoy a morning cup of coffee or afternoon glass of wine than to sit outdoors watching rainbow lorikeets jostling for a dip in the birdbath or colourful butterflies flitting around the garden? And that’s just the visuals. Let’s not forget the entrancing songs of magpies and butcher birds contrasting with the raucous squawking of cockatoos and the high-pitched din of lorikeets. We want more of it. So, in this issue, Angus Stewart looks at some of the best plants — mostly natives — for attracting butterflies while Carrol Baker runs through all the elements that can make your garden a haven for our beautiful birdlife. Of course, what…

Jo is an environmental scientist, photographer and writer. She has worked in the environment movement for decades and is co-ordinator of the National Toxics Network, an organisation dedicated to creating a toxic-free future. She has written many articles for magazines and is the author of two books: Toxic Playground and Safer Solutions. ACT GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY The phrase “think global, act local” came into common usage in the 1970s as a grassroots meme to galvanise community action in the face of environmental disasters that were already unfolding. Implicit in the phrase is the understanding that the planet is a living, interconnected system and what we do in one place impacts the whole. It follows that our actions at a local level can also be a force for positive change across the entire planet. While individual…

A horticulturist, writer, presenter and passionate organic gardener, Chloe uses her social media profile Bean There Dug That to educate and inform likeminded gardeners, using fun, creative videos and posts. Find her on Facebook and Instagram @beantheredugthat CAULIFLOWER MULTI-HEAD, BRASSICA OLERACEA VAR. BOTRYTIS The plant: What’s better than one cauliflower per plant? LOTS of cauliflowers on one plant! The Cauliflower Multi-Head will develop one main head as well as 2–4 side heads. The sooner the main head is harvested, the sooner the additional heads can be harvested. Growing: The perfect cauliflower for small vegetable gardens, balconies or potted patches and best grown in the cooler seasons of autumn and winter, it will reach 40cm in height. Allow 50cm between plants. Floriana, floriana.com.au SUPER BLOOM The book: A modern-day classic, Super Bloom is a flower and gardening…

KIDS IN GARDENS GROW A BETTER FUTURE The coming generation is the future of the planet — so it makes sense that a new school gardening project places children at its centre. Research from the University of South Australia shows the simple act of gardening can deliver unique learning experiences for primary school children, helping them engage with their curriculum, connect with nature and envisage a sustainable future. For the project, schoolkids between the ages of five and 10 grew their own food in the Old School Community Garden in Stirling. The three-houra-week activity, researchers found, had multiple learning benefits, from transdisciplinary learning to fostering sustainability and global citizenship. “Gardening can open a whole new world of interest and opportunity for children,” said Dr David G Lloyd. “Working in a community garden is not…

Gum arabic is a naturally occurring gum harvested from a thorny tree native to sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the commercial harvest comes from war-torn Sudan. There may be no other natural additive that’s so pervasive in our lives yet barely noticed and little known. Unlike the gum that oozes from many native Australian trees — acacias and gumtrees in particular — gum arabic is low in tannins so it’s sweet tasting rather than bitter. Gum arabic is harvested commercially from cuts made in the bark but is often seen on trees when the bark splits during extremely dry times. Sap oozes from the splits, forming hard balls or lumps known as “tears”. The gum is made into a powder that can be found on the shelves of supermarkets and hardware stores. Though perhaps best known…