ABC Organic Gardener Magazine November - December 2017

Be enthused by the rich mix of colourful photographs and practical information in the 2018 ABC Organic Gardener Diary and Calendar. Featuring beautiful images of plants, produce, poultry and much more, plus great gardening tips from our expert writers, the 2018 ABC Organic Gardener Diary and Calendar are must-have companions to the magazine. Organic Gardener 2018 Calendar monthly planting guide short horticultural tips public holidays, school terms and moon phases plenty of space to record important dates 2018 annual planner Organic Gardener 2018 Diary monthly action plan with planting guide handy week-at-a-glance view public holidays, school terms and moon phases great gardening tips recipes and how-tos ONLY $15.95 EACH, AVAILABLE FROM ABC CENTRES, ABC SHOP ONLINE AND ALL GOOD NEWSAGENTS.…

This issue, tomatoes are a highlight with Paul West from River Cottage Australia focusing not just on great heirloom varieties to grow, but which are suited to different uses in the kitchen. For example, the wonderfully named Mortgage Lifter is one of the beefsteak types that are exceptionally good for slicing and putting with sandwiches or burgers, whereas Legend and Speckled Roman suit drying and Amish Paste is great for sauces. This is not to say that most tomatoes can’t multi-task, but if you want to find the best tomato for the job, turn to page 22. After you’ve read about what tomatoes to grow, head to celebrated cook and food writer Annabel Langbein’s Harvest recipes (page 58), including a simple homemade tomato sauce that can be used with pasta, in…

GARDEN PROBLEMS AFOOT I had very little time for gardening in my working life, but when I retired (aged 70) and bought a double block of land at Phillip Island, I was in my element. It was hard clay soil and builders’ rubble, but I dug and dug, making vegetable plots, flower beds, paths and a small pond, and planted trees. I often jumped on my spade with both feet. Some years later my feet became sore when walking; the right worse than the left. I was told that I had ‘peripheral neuropathy’, damage to the nerves under the foot, caused by my digging. I am a great reader of gardening books but have never seen this condition mentioned in all my years (I’ll soon be 91). Women retirees are especially…

ANTS AS GOOD AS CHEMICALS Scientists have rediscovered a sustainable way of controlling pests in orchards. And no it’s not a new chemical, it’s ants. For centuries Southeast Asian farmers have used ants to control mealy bugs and scale larvae in some orchards. This traditional wisdom has been backed up by ecologists (Journal of Applied Ecology*) who did an overview of more than 70 different studies in orchards including citrus, cocoa and palm oil, finding that ants control pests at least as efficiently and much more cheaply than chemicals. Lead researcher Dr Offenberg and his team found that one of the most effective species are the tropical weaver ants. In Australia their nests have been hung in mango and cashew orchards, with aerial ant walkways made from string between trees. Cashew…

Sustainable drink bottles Don’t forget to keep your body – as well as your garden – well hydrated! And the best way to do that is by drinking plenty of water. Even better, do it sustainably by saying no to disposable plastic drink bottles. The eco-awardwinning Earth Bottles are made from high-quality insulated stainless steel and come in a range of sizes and styles. Earth Bottles also produce a reusable stainless steel coffee cup ($32). Water bottles are available from earthbottles.com.au from $45; 0438 747 699. Soil soaker Eco-hydrate is a unique certified organic soil wetter that reduces the need for watering and works in two main ways: improving water penetration and absorption, and condensing soil humidity into extra water for plant roots. It also helps to reduce plant stress and can be…

TUFTED BLUE ELL Wahlenbergia communis This small tufting grass-like plant thrives in an open sunny position and is best grown in groups. Aboriginal people ate these flowers raw as snacks; they can also be added to salads or cakes. Tufted bluebells are drought tolerant once their deep taproot is established, which enables plants to die back in dry weather and reshoot with rain. They won’t tolerate waterlogging and grow in shade but flower far better in full sun. Cut back plants by half in late winter to encourage new growth. Plants combine well with native grasses and provide nectar for butterflies. If you can’t find Tufted Bluebell or the other featured plants, see organicgardener.com.au/indigenousplantnurseries CLIMATE ZONE KEY: RUBY SALT BUSH Enchylaena tomentosa Ruby saltbush is a hardy, sun-tolerant evergreen shrub with fleshy leaves covered in fine soft…