ABC Organic Gardener Magazine Nr. 111

I’ve never been anything but an organic gardener. When I planted my first vegetable garden back in 1999, I did it with the intention of never using synthetic chemicals and I’m happy to say that today, two decades and many barrow loads of compost later, I’m still as committed to organics as I was when starting out. If anything, the whole concept of organics has grown on me. The concept of the garden as a complete organism, an idea that guided the founders of the organic movement in the 1920s, is not only the basis of organics but the principle by which we can restore the world to health. This is why I love contributing to Organic Gardener. I started writing for the magazine in 2007 with the simple notion that…

It’s good to have a little bit of Pete back in OG – that’s ABC Gardening Australia legend, eco-activist and long-time OG contributor Peter Cundall of course. Peter has stepped away from most writing in the last year or so, but he is still going strong in the garden at 92 years. As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, we’ve dug out one of Peter’s articles, reflecting on what motivated him to be an organic gardener and why it’s good for the planet. He writes: “Right from the start, I unknowingly practised the essence of organics, which is to continually give back to the soil a little bit more than what we take from it.” You can read his article on page 23, along with a selection of quotes from his OG…

RED APPLE – INSIDE AND OUT Renowned heritage apple breeder Bob Magnus has made a breakthrough with an amazing red-skinned and red-fleshed apple. Appropriately called ‘Magnus Summer Surprise’, this Tasmanian apple is the result of 30 years of breeding at Magnus’ Woodbridge Nursery. His collection of heritage apples is an important piece of Tasmania’s and Australia’s agricultural living history. As well as replicating the apple collection at the now closed Grove Research Station in the Huon Valley, Magnus also collected wild varieties growing beside roads and on derelict properties. One of the roadside apples was a bright-red crab apple that is one of the parents of this early fruiting ‘Magnus Summer Surprise’. The apple skin is bright red, while stems and flowers display strong purple/pink colours. A very limited number are available for sale through…

With a growing global awareness of the diminishing bee population and the concerns of using glyphosate-based products, today’s gardeners are reaching less for chemicals and more for organic and natural solutions to maintain their homes and gardens. Engineered and manufactured in France (Europe being leaders in the eradication of harsh chemicals), the range has been specifically designed for use with naturally derived pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilisers and homemade solutions. Hozelock Pure Sprayers are a trusted solution that allows you to use chemical-free, natural concentrates and homemade solutions such as white vinegar, baking soda, soap etc, without the risk of damage or corrosion. Specially formulated rubber seals are resistant to abrasive and acidic solutions, which can be found in some homemade, and naturally derived, gardening and cleaning products. The sprayers also have…

Edible flowers and more When spring is in the air, it’s time to put seeds for edible flowers into the ground. Flowers such as Calendula ‘Strawberry Blonde’ (pictured above) are a colourful addition to your garden and as an ingredient in salads. Birdland Organic Seed, which operates from a certified organic farm in Victoria, has seeds for these edible flowers plus other veg and herbs that are grown on-site and are organic, non-hybrid, non-GM, pesticide and herbicide free. For more information visit birdlandseeds.com or call 0433 389 901. Extra growing power Before you start planting your spring seeds, make sure your soil is ready for action. ActivGrow is a certified organic soil improver enriched with 16 active ingredients that enhance the health of your soil, including a blend of organic compost, composted chicken…

SPRING ONION QUESTIONS I’m a retired chef and I still have an extensive organic kitchen garden. One of my favourite plants is spring onion. Even though I’ve been working with them for over 40 years I’ve got two questions. I’ve never been able to find definitive answers for what is the clear, gel or ‘slimy’ material found in the green tops of spring onions. Also, as we always have a glut – is there a safe way to preserve them? Bill Halliwell, Lindisfarne [TAS] Dear Bill, The ‘gel’ that sometimes appears when you cut spring onion is liquid from the inside of the cells damaged by cutting. It usually only appears if the leaves are very fresh. It is made up mainly of essential oils containing a range of compounds. When I was writing…