ABC Organic Gardener Magazine

Organic Gardener Magazine is a guide to organic gardening, providing informative and inspirational stories on everything you need to know to grow your own fruit and vegetables- without the use of harmful chemicals. Each issue includes practical tips and advice from leading organic gardening experts.

editor’s letter

ABC Organic Gardener Magazine

news

market • SEASONAL FAVOURITES.

book reviews • CHLOE THOMSON’S FAVOURITE NEW BOOKS FOR KIDS & YOUNGER PEOPLE

in season

SEASONAL TRIO: Vegetable, flower, fruit • JIAN LIU SHARES A TRIO OF PLANTS TO ADD TO YOUR PATCH NOW: A QUICK-GROWING, LEAFY BROCCOLI FOR GREEN GOODNESS, CHEERFUL EDIBLE BLOOMS THAT WILL ALSO ATTRACT BENEFICIAL INSECTS AND A TOUCH OF THE EXOTIC.

basics & beyond • FOUNDATION KNOWLEDGE AND ADVANCED TIPS.

Cool season curiosities • ADDING SOMETHING NEW TO THE GARDEN EVERY SEASON IS A FABULOUS WAY TO GROW YOUR PALATE AND PATCH-PARENTING SKILLS. BY CONNIE CAO.

More colour, more goodness • A successful patch is one that is as colourful as it is productive, adding even more options to the choices we all can make. Reds, greens, yellows and purple all have bonus benefits, not to mention these plants make your patch look like a magical wonderland and your dinner plate like a rainbow.

Strike it rich • CUTTINGS ARE A BRILLIANT WAY TO FILL GAPS, SAVE MONEY, AND SHARE PLANTS WITH FRIENDS. FOLLOW PHIL DUDMAN’S EASY GUIDE TO GET STRONG ROOTS AND TRUE-TO-TYPE PLANTS EVERY TIME.

Tomatoes for the tropics • NOW IS THE TIME FOR GARDENERS IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA TO BE BUSY GROWING TOMATOES, WRITES PHIL DUDMAN.

Who’s eating what? • NOT SURE WHAT’S EATING YOUR PLANTS? STEVE FALCIONI TALKS ABOUT THE MOST COMMON CHEWING PESTS AND THE CLUES THEY LEAVE BEHIND, SO YOU CAN ACT FAST AND PROTECT YOUR PATCH.

Boost biodiversity beneath trees • UNDER TREES IS PRIME GARDEN REAL ESTATE. SO GROW A LIVING MULCH THAT PROTECTS SOIL, REDUCES MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORTS BENEFICIAL INSECTS AND SOIL LIFE, WRITES CASS HOOKE.

Saving feathered futures • WANT TO SUPPORT WILDLIFE WITHOUT LEAVING HOME? GEORGIA ANGUS INTRODUCES US TO FOUR THREATENED BIRDS AND SIMPLE, FEEL-GOOD WAYS TO BOOST HABITAT AND REDUCE RISKS FOR WILDLIFE IN YOUR OWN PATCH.

Eco ideas in full bloom • SUSTAINABLE IDEAS WERE EVERYWHERE AT THIS YEAR’S MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW, FROM SALVAGED MATERIALS AND WATER-SAVING DESIGN TO HABITATS FOR BIRDS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS. BY STEVE FALCIONI.

Step-by-step prep • FROM DIGGING AND WEEDING, TO PRUNING AND PLANTING THERE’S HEAPS TO DO IN YOUR COOL-SEASON GARDEN.

Grow, harvest, cook • WHEN THE GARDEN’S PUMPING AND THE KITCHEN INSPIRATION ISN’T, THIS NEW BOOK FROM HENRY FIRTH AND IAN THEASBY STEPS IN WITH FRESH, PLANT-FILLED RECIPES TO USE WHAT YOU’VE GROWN.

Pumpkin patch favourites • LOVE PUMPKIN BUT WANT SOMETHING BEYOND SOUP? TRY THESE TWO CROWD PLEASERS FROM DAN PASQUALI’S KITCHEN: CREAMY, SPICED PUMPKIN PIE AND A WHOLESOME GRANOLA THAT MAKES BREAKFAST FEEL EXTRA SPECIAL.

the best of your

Dig, Discover, Grow

Cairns & surrounds Slow travel in the tropics • COME FOR THE REEF AND RAINFOREST, STAY FOR THE WILD GREENERY. FROM BOLD TROPICAL PLANTS AND UNIQUE WILDLIFE, TO SOUTHEAST ASIAN AND INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN FLAVOURS, KAT PEARSON GIVES A LOCAL’S TAKE ON A FEEL-GOOD TROPICAL GETAWAY WITH PLENTY OF WAYS TO TREAD LIGHTLY.

The homegrown seed story • GREENPATCH ORGANIC SEEDS DOES WHAT FEW SEED BUSINESSES CAN: GROWING MUCH OF ITS ORGANIC SEED LOCALLY. STEVE FALCIONI CHATS WITH STAMI DONOVAN ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP HEIRLOOM VARIETIES IN CIRCULATION.

your questions answered

Grit talk • ROCKS AND PEBBLES – WHO KNEW THEY WERE AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR...