ABC Organic Gardener Magazine Issue 134 - Winter 2022

When I saw the price of broccoli at the green grocers, I realised just how rich a taste the pest who ate my seedlings had. I’m not actually sure if it was snails, a bandicoot, cutworm (see ‘Action’ on page 61) or some other culprit, but I’m very upset with them. Partly I’m to blame. I rarely bother with pest deterrents, apart from vegie net to keep white cabbage moths off my broccoli and kale, so when my first planting of broccoli disappeared in the night I didn’t fuss too much. But when my second planting, this time of nursery-bought sprouting broccoli seedlings also started being eaten, I was definitely miffed. It’s always a good time to plant your own vegies and herbs, but right now there is the extra incentive (and…

Thank you so much for your autumn editorial (OG 132). That third last paragraph spoke volumes to me. You’re right. NOW is the time [to relocate infrastructure, flood prone homes, boost renewable stand alone power and more...] One disaster after another. It’s biblical! Along with the plague (COVID), for God’s sake. I’m on Coffs Coast and last year we had a massive hail storm in the mix. Still recovering, rebuilding, renewing after that. These ongoing events not only batter our physical land and homes but our metaphysical sense of safety and security. What you said about relocating towns is key. Be prepared for what is coming... Yes hard work. But life as it is, is hard work. And the bar keeps being raised, and the sad thing is people are becoming numb…

MY PEARS WON’T RIPEN We subscribe to your magazine and find it both informative and inspirational; it’s a treat to read when it comes out. Perhaps you can help with a problem we’re having with our ‘Conference’ pear tree? Our tree is now eight years old and producing an abundance of large pears. However, they won’t ripen! The last two years they’ve all been wasted as they stay rock hard after months of storage. A few that did ripen this year were mushy in the middle. Do they need any special treatment to ripen, like cold storage? (We did try the fridge, but to no avail). Rebecca, Aldgate, Adelaide Hills [SA] Hi Rebecca, The short answer is that you are probably picking them too early. But it’s a bit more complicated than that,…

Thank you so much for your informative, beautiful magazine. Organic Gardener is a fantastic resource for our keen gardening group at Cooranbong Public School. I was more than happy to purchase two issues of the latest mag. We have an amazing student who has formed a bird appreciation group within the school. They observe the native birds, hang up recycled bird feeders and educate others. Izabell was so happy to receive this edition all related to brilliant birds. We will certainly be planting more bird-attracting plants. Mrs Hosken Cooranbong Public School (NSW) Above: Izabell has started a bird appreciation group at her school.…

James Valentine began his media career hosting The Afternoon Show on ABC TV in the mid-1980s. He has been a constant since then, sharing his love of music and laughter. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST›ABOUT RADIO? Nothing’s as real as live talk radio. In all other communication there’s a large amount of technology that changes the essence of the message. In radio, the technology is extraordinary but invisible. The talk is unmediated and immediate. The listener hears exactly what I said, all nuance, tone and emphasis is relayed. The possibilities of a medium like that are infinite. How could you not love that? YOU HAVE A LOT OF FUN – DO WE NEED MORE OF THAT IN THE FACE OF DIRE ENVIRONMENTAL SCENARIOS? I try to offer at least as much fun and frivolity…

NSW ABC RADIO SYDNEY SATURDAY 9AM ABC RADIO CENTRAL COAST SATURDAY 9AM ABC CENTRAL WEST SATURDAY 8.30AM ABC ILLAWARRA SATURDAY 8.30AM ABC MID NORTH COAST & ABC COFFS COAST SATURDAY 9.30AM, THURSDAY 9.30AM ABC NEWCASTLE SATURDAY 8.30AM ABC NEW ENGLAND NORTH WEST SATURDAY 8.30AM THURSDAY 9.30AM ABC NORTH COAST SATURDAY 8.30AM ABC RIVERINA TUESDAY 9.35AM SATURDAY 8.30AM ABC SOUTH EAST WEDNESDAY 10AM SATURDAY 9AM ABC WESTERN PLAINS THURSDAY 9.35AM, FORTNIGHTLY SATURDAY 8.30AM WA ABC RADIO PERTH, ABC GREAT SOUTHERN, ABC SOUTH WEST, ABC GOLDFIELDS ESPERANCE ABC KIMBERLEY, ABC PILBARA, ABC MIDWEST AND WHEATBELT TUESDAY 2.15PM SATURDAY 9.05AM NT ABC DARWIN & ABC KATHERINE SATURDAY 9AM ABC ALICE SPRINGS & ABC TENNANT CREEK SATURDAY 8.30AM QLD ABC RADIO BRISBANE SATURDAY 6AM ABC GOLD COAST SATURDAY 9AM ABC SUNSHINE COAST THURSDAY 10.30AM SATURDAY 8.30AM ABC SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND SATURDAY 9AM ABC NORTH QUEENSLAND FRIDAY 10AM ABC TROPICAL NORTH, ABC CAPRICORNIA, ABC WIDE BAY, ABC NORTH WEST QLD, ABC WESTERN QLD FRIDAY 10AM ABC FAR NORTH FRIDAY 10AM SATURDAY 8.30AM SA ABC RADIO ADELAIDE, ABC NORTH & WEST, ABC EYRE PENINSULA, ABC…