Recent articles by Organic Gardener
![Creating a wicking bed Creating a wicking bed](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/organic-gardener-creating-a-wicking-bed-620x350-500x350.jpg)
Creating a wicking bed
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Spring is almost sprung so now’s the perfect time to make a wicking bed to keep your plants well watered.
![The language of growing students at Riverina TAFE](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/SDPH4724 copy-500x426.jpg)
The language of growing
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A unique educational program is helping new refugees learn permaculture and English language skills, writes KYLIE McGREGOR.
![Make your own herb-infused oils and balms herb infused oils](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Papazian_160317_4253.lowres.jpg)
Make your own herb-infused oils and balms
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Make your own herb-infused oils and medicinal balms with naturopath ANTHIA KOULLOUROS.
![More Accolades for ABC Organic Gardener HMAA 2016 Magazine Laurel](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/HMA_Laurels_Blog_2016_hero-500x191.jpg)
More Accolades for ABC Organic Gardener
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Organic Gardener has won HMAA’s “Magazine Laurel” for 2016 and our website was a finalist at the recent HMAA Laurel Awards.
The meat debate
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DAVID HOLMGREN, MARC LLEWELLYN and PAUL WEST contemplate the omnivore's dilemna.
![Make your own pyrethrum Make your own pyrethrum](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/013 Pyrethrum flowers PENNY WOODWARD copy-500x500.jpg)
Make your own pyrethrum
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Penny Woodward is an expert in using herbs to help control pests naturally. Here she tells how to make your own pyrethrum spray.
![Renewable energy breakthroughs The CSIRO’s Newcastle solar thermal station](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/solar.jpg)
Renewable energy breakthroughs
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Dr. REESE HALTER reveals some of the technological, social and farming breakthroughs that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
![How to wipe out whitefly white fly](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/iStock_000052548474_XXXLarge.lowres-500x481.jpg)
How to wipe out whitefly
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Fight whitefly with home-made sticky traps, writes HELEN MCKERRAL.
![A good egg Madelaine Scott triple j 25 under 25 winner organic egg farmer](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/organiceggs_5_2048x2048-500x500.jpg)
A good egg
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Organic egg farmer and triple j 25 under 25 legend, MADELAINE SCOTT, shares her tips for quality egg production.
![Kohlrabi and friends Kohlrabi](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Kohlrabi_620pxW-500x382.jpg)
Kohlrabi and friends
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It’s time for the bulbous globes of kohlrabi to shine, with its siblings swede and turnip, writes PETER CUNDALL.
![Forest dieback Dead spruce and fir trees near Asheville, North Carolina](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6958578-3x2-700x467-500x467.jpg)
Forest dieback
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DR REESE HALTER says dying forests are the harbinger of climate change. Stay tuned for his reports from COP21, Paris.
![‘ava go at avocados avocado](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/4 - JOHN DOWNS_MG_0085 copy.lowres.jpg)
‘ava go at avocados
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They may be fussy plants but homegrown avocados will pay you back big time, says JUSTIN RUSSELL.
![Climate in crisis Climate in crisis](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/iStock_000032434122_XXXLarge.lowres-500x436.jpg)
Climate in crisis
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Dr. REESE HALTER looks at current climate change conditions and measures to avert crisis.
![She’ll be pineapples ripening pineapple](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/OG-8 Ripening pine JARED FOWLER.lowres.jpg)
She’ll be pineapples
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The main requirement for growing your own sweet, juicy pineapples is a little patience, writes PHIL DUDMAN.
![Patches of peace Peter Cundall](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Peter Cundall by PETER MATHEW_HR.lowres-500x427.jpg)
Patches of peace
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Gardening is proving a therapeutic tonic, both physically and mentally, for returned war veterans around Australia, writes SIMON WEBSTER.
![DIY tools hand-hewn handles](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/M3 - Tori pear tree tools copy-500x500.jpg)
DIY tools
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Fancy a bespoke spade handle? OG reader Alan Tori shows how he made tool handles from a broken pear tree branch.
![Full moon rising full moon rising](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Full moon Jacqui Barker-500x500.jpg)
Full moon rising
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Here's an up-to-date 2017 moon planting chart, produced by Lyn Bagnall and for sale at Aussie Organic Gardening. Lyn's explanatory text shines a silvery light on gardening by the moon. You can also try the Thomas Zimmer Astrological & Moon Planting Guide.
![Espalier like a pro Espalier like a pro](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Espalier illo 5-500x500.jpg)
Espalier like a pro
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Espalier like a pro with Justin Russell's tips and top fruit tree training picks.
![A Greek organic odyssey A Greek organic odyssey](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dimitris farm-500x500.jpg)
A Greek organic odyssey
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Travel with photographer Mary Canning as she embarks on a big fat Greek farm tour of the stunning island of Lipsi.
![Sending out an SOS kelp forests are havens for sea life](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Getty167449826_HR.lowres-500x426.jpg)
Sending out an SOS
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The world's oceans are fundamental to human survival but they are also in peril. Is it too late to save our seas? asks DR REESE HALTER.
![Gardening Australia visits Patch from Scratch Costa and the Gordon family](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/IMG_7486-500x500.jpg)
Gardening Australia visits Patch from Scratch
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Costa visited the Organic Gardener Patch from Scratch and joined in the fun.
![The ten toxic truths RMIT's Professor Marc Cohen](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Marc Cohen-500x500.jpg)
The ten toxic truths
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PROFESSOR MARC COHEN investigates the effects of chemicals used in food production on the health of our soils, environment and bodies.
![The bees knees Inventors Cedar and Stuart Anderson](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Flow hive-500x409.jpg)
The bees knees
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A sweet new Aussie invention is set to revolutionise the beekeeping world, as SIMON WEBSTER discovers.
![Testing times taking a soil sample for testing](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/IMG_4251-500x500.jpg)
Testing times
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Soil testing in the Patch from Scratch backyard revealed the extent of environmental contamination in our cities, writes JACQUELINE FORSTER.
![Top 5 healthy eating tips cleansing green smoothie](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Gut cleansing green smoothie-500x500.jpg)
Top 5 healthy eating tips
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Kick start your new year's resolution with nutritionist MEGAN YONSON's top five tips for a healthy eating lifestyle.
![Pets go organic 'Pablo' puppy](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IMAG6871-500x500.jpg)
Pets go organic
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More and more pet owners are turning to organic food and grooming products for their furry and feathered friends, writes KYLIE MCGREGOR.
![Toxic debate crop spraying](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/iStock_000016142342_Large.lowres-500x420.jpg)
Toxic debate
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The toxic debate over DDT and malaria prevention continues throughout the developing world, writes SIMON WEBSTER.
![Garden of knowledge Kindlehill school grounds](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/KH_GARDEN-015-500x500.jpeg)
Garden of knowledge
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KYLIE MCGREGOR profiles Kindlehill School and its ever-evolving gardens.
![Passionfruit and raspberry champagne cocktail Passionfruit and raspberry champagne cocktail](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/passionfrui-raspberry-champagne-cocktail-500x423.jpg)
Passionfruit and raspberry champagne cocktail
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Kick off the festive season in style with a home-grown cocktail.
![Raising seeds Seeds](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Seeds-28-500x500.jpg)
Raising seeds
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PHIL DUDMAN says it's never too late to sow some seeds. Check out his Seed Sowing Guide available to download.
![Patch from scratch Patch from scratch](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/patch.jpg)
Patch from scratch
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Catch up with Patch from Scratch winner Alex Gordon as she talks about the makeover experience with Simon Marnie on 702 ABC Radio Sydney.
![Pint-sized pumpkins Golden nugget](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Golden Nugget-500x500.jpg)
Pint-sized pumpkins
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JUSTIN RUSSELL lists his top four mini pumpkin varieties that are big in colour and flavour, but compact in size and space needs.
![Tomato pests and diseases Tomato medley](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/untitled-8142-500x500.jpg)
Tomato pests and diseases
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Common tomato pests and diseases explained, by LINDA COCKBURN.
![Liquid assets Liquid assets](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/NS2 Liquid feed 2.lowres.jpg)
Liquid assets
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PHIL DUDMAN looks at liquid fertilisers and the important role they play in the organic garden.
![A dying buzz bee on echinacea flower](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/iStock_000012324955_Bee_Medium.lowres-500x398.jpg)
A dying buzz
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Climate disruption and insecticides known as neonics are proving a deadly combination for bees, writes DR REESE HALTER.
![All sown up All sown up](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/FormedSoilBlock-500x500.jpg)
All sown up
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Seed tapes and soil blocks are handy ways to sow, according to OG's dynamic duo PHIL DUDMAN and JUSTIN RUSSELL.
![30-day gardening challenge Backyard produce at the local store - The Lane, Palmwoods](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Backyard-produce-TheLane-Palmwoods-500x450.jpg)
30-day gardening challenge
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There's a lot of avid gardeners out there and we have followed quite a few of you over the years. One group embarked on a 30-day gardening challenge. Their aim was to learn and implement something new every day. Here are some more photos and experiences from SALLY PIPER, the driving force behind the idea.
![Chemical warfare Organic 'Santa Rosa' plums.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Plums-and-Chemicals_600pxW-500x400.jpg)
Chemical warfare
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Commercially grown plums are exposed to a chemical cocktail of pesticides and herbicides, writes TIM MARSHALL.
![Accolades for ABC Organic Gardener Accolades for ABC Organic Gardener](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/HMA_Laurels_Blog_hero-500x191.jpg)
Accolades for ABC Organic Gardener
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Organic Gardener has won “Publication of the Year” and “Website of the Year” at the HMAA Laurel Awards.
![Treating head lice Treating head lice](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Head_lice_hero_shot-500x455.jpg)
Treating head lice
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With the incidence of head lice on the rise, KYLIE McGREGOR looks at the shift towards chemical-free treatments.
![How to grow the versatile turnip 'Purple Top Milan' turnips](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/turnips154378927.lowres.jpg)
How to grow the versatile turnip
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It's time we turned the spotlight back onto the humble turnip, writes Justin Russell.
![Take your chooks and run! Finding an alternative homes for your chooks during a bushfire can be difficult.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Chickens by Honey Atkinson-500x500.jpg)
Take your chooks and run!
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When bushfires threatened guest blogger JACQUELINE SPEDDING decided to up chooks and run!
![7 keys to healthy soil 7 keys to healthy soil](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0233625.lowres (1).jpg)
7 keys to healthy soil
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Healthy soil is the cornerstone of organic gardening. TIM MARSHALL reveals the keys to ensuring your soil is at its bests.
![Make mine mango mango](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/M14 - Sensation 1.lowres.jpg)
Make mine mango
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Choosing the right variety and practising regular pruning will ensure marvellous home-grown mangoes, writes Phil Dudman.
![Backyard Chickens recognized by peers Backyard Chickens recognized by peers](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Chooks_Award_winner_blog-500x500.jpg)
Backyard Chickens recognized by peers
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Our Organic Gardener Essential Guide: Backyard Chickens was recognised by the judges as a FINALIST in the recent Publishers Australia Excellence Awards.
![Growing raspberries and brambleberries in your own backyard Growing raspberries and brambleberries in your own backyard](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Blackberries_620pxW-500x350.jpg)
Growing raspberries and brambleberries in your own backyard
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Want to grow your own fruit but can’t stand years of waiting? PAUL HEALY writes that with the Rubus genus – which includes brambleberries and raspberries – your first homegrown bite will not be far away.