Nature Will Have Her Way

An elusive boobook owl reminds JUSTIN RUSSELL that pest control in the garden is often best left to the birds.

Anniversary of the Luddite Uprisings

What do you know about the Luddites? Other than the insulting term applied to someone who doesn't have a smart phone or tablet computer, the Luddites have a more in common with organic gardenering than you might think. On the eve of the 200th anniversary of the first Luddite Uprisings, JUSTIN RUSSELL revisits some true radicals.

When to harvest garlic?

To harvest, or not to harvest? It can be tricky to know when garlic is ready to be dug up, but JUSTIN RUSSELL has a simple method that doesn't involve counting leaves, and ignores the theory of set planting and harvesting dates.

Encouraging Aerobic Bacteria

A failed wastewater system reminds JUSTIN RUSSELL about the importance of aerobic bacteria in decomposing organic waste.

The Myth of Disease Resistance

Could a new super-rose that is totally resistant to blackspot be a good fit for organic gardeners. JUSTIN RUSSELL argues that there are other virtues to look for in plants beyond the obvious.

Popular Garden Chemical Suspended

Dimethoate, a popular but toxic chemcial commonly used in home gardens has been suspended for use by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. JUSTIN RUSSELL reports.

The Need for Speed

If you're not careful, the spring planting window can quickly come and go, leaving the vegie garden short on home grown food. Thank goodness for fast growing crops that produce a yield in a matter of weeks, not months, writes JUSTIN RUSSELL.

Experiments in Tomato Growing

Tomatoes are almost everyone's summer favourite, but they can be temperamental plants to grow. JUSTIN RUSSELL wonders whether gardeners over-cultivate tomatoes, and plans an experiment in leaving the plants to their own devices.

Confessions of a weather watcher

JUSTIN RUSSELL explains why it's okay to be a "weather nerd", and describes his system for recording the rainfall and temperature in his cool climate garden.

The Benefits of Thinning Fruit

When it comes to fruit, can you have too much of a good thing? The answer's yes, and JUSTIN RUSSELL explains the benefits of thinning out a bumper crop.

Using biochar in the garden

In a previous post, Simon Webster reported on a proposal to build Australia's first electricty producing biochar plant. In this follow up post JUSTIN RUSSELL gives a run down on how you can use biochar in the garden.

Welcome to Spring

Some reality TV shows would have you believe that gardening is little more than a way to increase the value of your property or a means of keeping up with Joneses. JUSTIN RUSSELL takes a hatchet to these ideas, and suggests that the benefits of gardening run deep.