Good Organic Gardening

Gardening with goodness at its heart — fresh, organic and fun. This magazine is 100% real. We are unashamedly earthy, reflecting the spirit and culture of people who just love to get their hands dirty. Our emphasis is on productive gardening. We just love the satisfaction of growing your own and finding new ways to bring produce to the table. The magazine includes features such as Amazing Gardens, Celebrity Chefs, Celebrity Gardeners, Clever Crops, Flavours of the month, Garden solutions, Kids Corner, Living Organics, Weekend Gardening, What’s New and a guide to What’s on Where.

THIS ISSUE

Good Organic Gardening

THE Grapevine • ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS AND UPDATES COMPILED BY JO IMMIG

What’s hot RIGHT NOW • PRESENTING SOME STUNNING-LOOKING PLANTS THAT WILL MAKE EXCELLENT ADDITIONS TO YOUR GARDEN AT THIS TIME OF YEAR

THE TASTY DAISY • CALENDULA OR POT MARIGOLD IS ATTRACTIVE TO BENEFICIAL INSECTS AS WELL AS A ZESTY GARNISH IN THE KITCHEN

THE SCENTED OLIVE • ORIENTAL SHRUB OSMANTHUS IS AN EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL PRIZED FOR ITS FRAGRANT FLOWERS AND MEDICINAL VALUE

Banana appeal • BELIEVE IT OR NOT, A BANANA “TREE” IS IN FACT A HERBACEOUS FLOWERING PLANT AND ITS “FRUIT” IS REALLY A BERRY

Thyme of your life • THIS AROMATIC PERENNIAL IS SO EASY TO GROW, NO WONDER IT HAS SUCH A PROMINENT ROLE IN THE WORLD’S CUISINES

KINDRED SPIRITS • THE TRADITIONS OF TWO FAMILIES ARE INTERTWINED IN POPPY’S PATCH, A SUBURBAN GARDEN THAT FEELS LIKE A RURAL FARM

GNOMES' SWEET HOME • WHEN THINGS GO WRONG, A COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND A VIETNAM VET WHO SHARES HIS PRODUCE WITH NEIGHBOURS

A HOME AMONG THE GUM TREES • WITH WILDLIFE, ENDANGERED NATIVE PLANTS AND A STREET SWAP LIBRARY, THIS GARDEN IS SUSTAINABILITY ON A SHOESTRING

MOON PLANTING

TIME PLANT

MINI APPLES • SMALL VARIETIES AND TREES GRAFTED ONTO DWARF ROOTING STOCK ARE EASILY MANAGED AND TEND TO FRUIT YOUNG

LA VIDA CHOKO • ONCE A FEATURE OF THE AUSSIE SUBURBS, THIS HARDY GOURD ENJOYS A SECRET LIFE IN MANY CUISINES

PERFECT PODS • FULL OF FIBRE AND VITAMINS AND EASY TO GROW, OKRA GETS A BAD RAP FOR BEING A BIT SLIMY BUT IT’S ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP GREENS

EARTH APPLES • FRIED, ROASTED, BOILED OR MASHED, IS THERE A VEGETABLE MORE VERSATILE OR MORE LOVED AROUND THE WORLD THAN THE POTATO?

THE ANCIENT TREE • THE OLIVE IS MILLIONS OF YEARS OLD AND HUMANS HAVE CULTIVATED IT AND EATEN ITS FRUIT FOR AT LEAST 5000 YEARS

TAME THOSE TOMATOES • THIS LUSCIOUS FRUIT IS EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE BUT IT’S UNDENIABLY TRICKY TO GROW — SO HERE ARE 12 TIPS ON RAISING A PERFECT CROP

A taste of ginger • WE’VE ALL USED GINGER IN THE KITCHEN BUT THERE ARE COLOURFUL VARIETIES THAT CAN GIVE YOUR PATCH A TROPICAL SPLASH

Forever flowers • HARDY GREVILLEAS PROVIDE HABITAT FOR BIRDS AND, WITH A MINIMUM OF FUSS, CAN PRODUCE BLOOMS AND NECTAR ALL YEAR ROUND

FRESHLY MINTED • TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY, MANAGE THEIR INVASIVE TENDENCIES AND STOP THEM HYBRIDISING, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE PLANTS OF THE MINT FAMILY

Vermiculture club • IT’S EASY TO CREATE YOUR OWN WORM FARM, TURNING FOOD SCRAPS AND OTHER COMPOSTABLES INTO FREE ORGANIC FERTILISER FOR YOUR GARDEN

Fertility rites • ORGANIC MATTER AND OTHER ADDITIVES MAKE FOR HEALTHY SOIL AND THAT MEANS HEALTHY PLANTS

Make comfrey tea • AS A LIQUID FERTILISER THIS HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL HAS ALMOST MAGICAL POWERS TO SUPPLY VITAL NUTRIENTS TO YOUR PLANTS

Hello, strangers • BRINGING NEW BIRDS INTO THE FLOCK CAN CAUSE STRESS BUT THERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN MAKE THE PROCESS LESS FRAUGHT

THINGS TO DO INJULY • EVEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS AT ITS COOLEST THERE’S STILL A HOST OF THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

THINGS TO DO IN AUGUST • SPRING IS COMING...