Winners and losers
JUSTIN RUSSELL wonders why, despite a summer of extreme weather, his garden managed to produce an abundance of food. The answer is diversity.
Chaffed to Bits
It is possible to grow a backyard wheat crop. In these two articles from previous issues of OG Nick Romanowski discusses elements you need to think about when looking at what you can do in your own space.
Putting Down Roots
The best time to sow winter veg is now, in mid-summer. JUSTIN RUSSELL shares his tips for sowing carrots and parsnips.
Away with the birds
JUSTIN RUSSELL writes that wildlife is an essential element of an organic garden, and birds in particular can play an important role in helping to control pests.
The story of a herb garden
PENNY WOODWARD witnesses the transformation of old trial planting beds into a beautiful big herb garden. A large herb garden was established at Heronswood – the home of the Diggers Club in Dromana, Victoria – designed by gardeners Simon Dodd and Clive Blazey.
Know Your Climate
A trip to the New England region in NSW gets JUSTIN RUSSELL thinking about the importance of getting to know your climate.
A Killing Frost
It's been a frosty winter so far in many parts of Australia, but JUSTIN RUSSELL suggests that cold temperatures can be an organic gardener's best friend.
Phil’s Tomato Hothouse
What do you do when your organic tomato crops constantly fall victim to rain and cold? You bang up a ‘fancy’ hothouse to protect them, says PHIL DUDMAN.
How much shade can your vegies take?
We’ve heard it all before. Plant your vegies in a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours direct sun a day. But for many of us with small backyards, it’s just not practical. Shady PHIL DUDMAN takes a good look at his own shady reality and suggests some crops that are ‘made in the shade’.
Virtuous Weeds
A week of rain, followed by a week of sun results in a massive crop of weeds in JUSTIN RUSSELL's garden. Can he turn a problem into a tasty solution?
Design for Climate Change
In an edited extract from his comprehensive and inspiring book 'The New Organic Gardener', TIM MARSHALL says building the soil and keeping plants cool are key gardening strategies to counter climate change.
Summer seed sowing
With the lazy days of summer well and truly upon us, it's time to do some relaxed pottering about the garden. JUSTIN RUSSELL suggests sowing seeds and planting seedlings in anticipation of a winter harvest.