ABC Organic Gardener Magazine Essential Guides Backyard Chickens 2013

Anthia Koullouros Anthia Koullouros has been a naturopath, herbalist and organic food, health and lifestyle educator since 1994. She founded Ovvio Organics, which supplies organic teas, herbs and spices, and is the author of I Am Food - Eating Your Way To Health. “It is my passion to educate and inspire as many people as possible to choose products and take actions that add health, happiness, peace, love, beauty and truth to their lives and the lives of others,” Anthia says. “Education is the key – debunking myths and offering no-nonsense, fad-free, sustainable solutions for people to take care of their minds and bodies” See her article on medicinal herbs (on page 34) and making a soothing herbal balm (on page 59). Roslyn Lawrence Roslyn Lawrence is a science journalist and producer for ABC’s flagship…

In this, our special health issue, we enter, among other places, the extraordinary world of the human gut. It seems new technology is allowing scientists to analyse what goes on down there in much closer detail and the discoveries are enlightening, if not startling. We all know the adage “you are what you eat”, and Organic Gardener is all about growing your own nutritious, chemical-free food, but now we are getting a real inside story on how our diet affects the gut microflora or ‘microbiome’ and how this in turn influences our health. It is going to help all health professionals, whether using conventional or complementary medicine, to aid people towards vitality and avoid many chronic conditions and diseases, from diabetes to asthma. Article author Roslyn Lawrence interviewed a wide range of…

PINCHING POSSUMS We have had no end of trouble with possums pinching our apples (which I have espaliered along our fence) so I constructed a protective frame. I used power cable tubing and covered it in 12mm square wire mesh so the apples are now critter-proof – except for the grasshoppers! At least next season I will get some delicious apples. Gary Humm, Maroochydore, QLD ARTICHOKE BUDDING ADVICE Stami Donovan from Greenpatch Organic Seeds (NSW) emailed to say that their experience regarding seed-grown globe artichokes differed from our advice last issue (May/June 2016). Stami said that at their mid-north coast NSW property they sow seeds in June and harvest buds six months later. My experience in Victoria has been that it takes two seasons from a winter/spring planting of seeds, not one, to harvest…

SAVING CITRUS Across southern Australia many citrus trees are under attack from a tiny insect – the citrus gall wasp (Bruchophagus fellis), which has moved south in large numbers in recent years with warmer temperatures. An intrepid group of gardeners under the banner ‘Save Our Citrus Melbourne’ have started a campaign to provide much-needed information about this pest and to coordinate neighbourhood control efforts. Founder of Save Our Citrus Melbourne group, Kaye Roberts-Palmer says the aim is to get the whole of the gardening community involved in reducing the incidence of citrus gall wasp. “People need to be pruning and disposing of their infected material together or the problem will keep recurring,” says Roberts-Palmer. “Now is the time to act before adults emerge in spring.” To find out more, see Facebook: Save our Citrus Melbourne.…

QUEENSLAND GARDEN EXPO This always vibrant garden show is on again from July 8–10 at the Nambour Showground, Sunshine Coast, Queensland. It will be three packed days of inspiration with eight live stages running talks and demonstrations and a huge range of plants for sale. As always there will be display gardens, a gourmet food stage, a giant kitchen garden, kids activities and much more, with more than 30,000 people expected to attend. Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis (left) will be one of the speakers. WHEN: July 8–10 WHERE: Nambour, Queensland DETAILS: 07 5441 4655; www.qldgardenexpo.com.au NANNUP FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL It’s the 20th anniversary of this great village festival and the theme this year is ‘Love from Nanna’s Garden’, ensuring ‘olden day’ traditions are kept alive. Speakers will include Neville Passmore, Gardening Australia TV presenter…

skin saver Even during winter and on overcast days the sun’s rays can cause harm. Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen or a moisturiser that contains SPF. The Essano Rosehip Pure Defence Moisturiser has an SPF of 15 as well as rosehip oil and vitamin E, without parabens, sulphates, mineral oils or phthalates. Available for $19.99. See essano.com.au for stockists. triple treat Homegrown echinacea not only looks great in the garden but it also helps to attract bees, butterflies and other insects and can be used for its medicinal properties, including treating cold symptoms. Aim to get it into the ground in autumn in frosty regions; in warmer regions plant and divide in spring. A range of echinacea plants and seeds are available from diggers.com.au; 03 5984 7900. get the boot Wearing hardy, waterproof enclosed…