ABC Organic Gardener Magazine Nr. 118

Jade Miles family are running a permaculturebased orchard and nursery on a small patch of the Stanley Plateau in North East Victoria. They grow apples, pears, berries, quince and more, plus a wide range of vegetables and herbs. They also run regular workshops, gatherings and feasts on the property. The family has big ambitions and are working hard to demonstrate that small family holdings can still survive in the cutthroat world of modern agriculture. Jade tells the story of their journey and vision in her article ‘Believing in Tomorrow’ on page 36. Sophie Hansen Last issue we featured a selection of delicious recipes from Sophie’s book A Basket by the Door, which is all about cooking for others and the fulfillment it gives. Sophie lives on a farm near Orange in country NSW…

A lot of people have leapt into vegie gardening for the first time since the arrival of COVID-19, full of enthusiasm, but without all the garden know-how they need. And while planning is not the most glamorous part of gardening, it is essential and will help you feel rewarded and fulfilled from all the work you put in, preparing beds, planting and nurturing. Gardening might remain a weekend hobby for you, or it might become vital to your future food needs. Either way, it will likely become a satisfying life-long journey. And to give new gardeners a headstart (or a refresher for the experienced ones out there) we have a feature by Justin Russell on the importance of planning your vegie patch plantings to keep you or your family well supplied…

SAVING RARE BREEDS A new research project launched this year by the University of Western Australia (UWA) aims to conserve the genetic diversity of Australian livestock and help protect endangered heritage breeds. According to information from the UWA project website, over the last 30 years, the livestock industry’s dependence on a small number of high-productivity hybrids has led to the extinction of one domestic animal breed globally each month (FAO 2015). As a result, the world’s genetic diversity and food security is at risk. Project leader Dr Catie Gressier says heritage breeds have valuable qualities such as pest and disease resistance and environmental adaptability that will prove invaluable as climatic conditions become more uncertain. “The thing that makes heritage breeds so wonderful is that they have adapted to life with humans over many, many…

FOOD-GRADE LINER? The article by Penny Woodward (in the wicking bed feature ‘Going up’, Issue 115) on using WaterUps cells to retrofit raised beds into a wicking bed was of real interest to me. I located the WaterUp website but can’t find any source of the food-grade plastic she used for a liner. Can you suggest a source for that? By the way, I read each issue cover to cover and find lots of interesting and useful information for my urban gardening. Keep up the good work! Esther Gallant, Canberra Hi Esther, WaterUps sells a 0.38mm Jeteco 100 per cent recycled, Australian-made, food-grade classified polypropylene. But this liner is designed and shaped for one size only, with internal wall dimensions of 1600mm x 800mm – go to: waterups.com.au/product/waterups-reservoir-liners/. If you don’t want that size,…

I am a long-time fan of Organic Gardener and it’s always a treat to sit down with a cup of tea on the weekend and enjoy some quiet time catching up on your latest issue! My enquiry is about some colourful characters (bugs), which have really taken a liking to my basil plants. Would you happen to know what they are and should I be concerned as they seem to be increasing in numbers. San Luu, Hamilton Hill, Perth Hi San, I’m afraid these are one of the larval stages of the green vegetable bug and are a problem. They start off as tiny little black beetles, then morph into these colourful larvae and finally turn into bigger plain green-shield-shaped bugs. At all stages they eat leaves of nearly all vegetables and some other…

HEALTHY GOODNESS FOR YOUR HOME. Essentially healthy Olive Gap Farm is a certified organic farm in the Northern Rivers of NSW that specialises in seasonal cut flowers and native essential oils. Using traditional woodfired steam distillation techniques they produce high-quality oils that are therapeutic grade. Keep it simple and use their certified organic 100 per cent tea tree oil straight, or mix up simple potions to keep your home fresh, organic and toxic-free.Available from olivegapfarm.com.au; $19.95 (20ml) or $39.95 (50ml). Stay warm naturally Make the most of all those cosy winter sleeping hours with a set of Bhumi flannel sheets made from 100 per cent certified organic cotton. The sheets are dyed using only Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) approved inks and dyes free from chlorine bleach, toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde and aromatic solvents.…