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

TIGER TAIL

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

GRASPING THE NETTLE • THIS PROLIFIC STINGING PLANT HAS MANY USES, INCLUDING IN THE KITCHEN

ANCIENT EVERGREEN • IT WAS ONCE BROUGHT CLOSE TO EXTINCTION TO PROVIDE WOOD FOR LONGBOWS BUT THE YEW TREE IS REVERED IN EUROPE

The heart-shaped fruit • NO WONDER THEY’RE A SYMBOL OF LOVE — WHO DOESN’T HEART STRAWBERRIES?

What’s not to lychee • MANY OF US DISCOVERED THIS DELICACY IN CHINESE RESTAURANT DESSERTS BUT IT’S NOT HARD TO GROW YOUR OWN

WATER VIEWS • TWO ADVENTUROUS SAILORS AND THEIR SEAFARING CAT ENJOY A PRODUCTIVE RURAL RETREAT BACK ON DRY LAND

NATURE’S DESIGN • LIKE ANY ART, GARDENING CAN BE ALL ABOUT AESTHETICS AND CREATIVE CHOICES AS WELL AS CHOOSING WHAT’S FOR DINNER

SOUVENIR DE FRANCE • A GARDEN IN AUSTRALIA HAS BECOME A REPOSITORY OF MEMORIES OF A FARMING CHILDHOOD IN BRITTANY

MOON PLANTING

TIME TO PLANT • CHECK YOUR CLIMATE ZONE TO FIND OUT ALL THE LOVELY WINTER CROPS THAT CAN POPULATE YOUR PATCH

DELICIOUS THISTLE • ARTICHOKES ARE GOOD LOOKING AND GOOD EATING — BUT WAIT A MOMENT TOO LONG AND THEY’RE JUST WEEDS WITH PURPLE FLOWERS

ALLIUM INVASION • UNBELIEVERS MAY CALL IT STINKING ROSE BUT COOKS AND GARDENERS HAVE LONG PRIZED FRAGRANT GARLIC

A SAVORY CHARACTER • THIS TASTY MEDITERRANEAN HERB HAS A LONG TRADITION IN BOTH COOKING AND FOLK MEDICINE

COLOUR CHARD • THOUGH MANY AREN’T SURE OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SILVERBEET, KALE AND SPINACH, THERE’S NO MISTAKING RAINBOW CHARD

KEEN AS MUSTARD • LEAN, GREEN AND LEAFY, WASABI ISN’T EASY TO GROW BUT THE PAYOFF IS HOTTER THAN PEPPER

PLEASANTLY PLUMMY • IN PRAISE OF PRUNUS, THE WORLD’S FAVOURITE FRUIT TREE

VARIETIES

Face plant • THE HUMBLE PANSY IS A VIOLA HYBRID PRIZED FOR ITS FLOWERS’ RESEMBLANCE TO LITTLE FELINE FACES

SEA FOODS • FROM ITS TIDAL WETLANDS TO ITS SHORELINE DUNES, MINJERRIBAH (NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND) IS RICH IN SEASIDE TUCKER

Water flora • AUSTRALIA IS NOTED FOR ITS DROUGHT-TOLERANT NATIVES, BUT IT ALSO BOASTS AQUATIC STUNNERS IDEAL FOR YOUR GARDEN POND

Plant out the barrel • A BOG POND IN A HALF-BARREL IS THE IDEAL WATER FEATURE WHERE SPACE IS LIMITED

HERBAL CARE • BY PRUNING HERBS WHEN THEIR OIL LEVELS ARE AT THEIR HIGHEST, WE CAN HARVEST THEM WHEN THEIR FLAVOUR IS AT ITS BEST

THE SPACE RACE • FOLLOW THESE GROWING TECHNIQUES TO PLANT A HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE ORCHARD IN A PETITE PLOT

Chooks with looks • MOTTLED, BARRED OR DOTTED, PENCILLED, SPECKLED OR SPANGLED, POULTRY PLUMAGE PATTERNS ARE ENDLESSLY FASCINATING

THINGS TO DO IN MAY • NOTHING BEATS THE DRAMA OF THE CHANGE OF SEASONS AS AUTUMN DOWNSHIFTS INTO WINTER

THINGS TO DO IN JUNE • AT THE ONSET OF WINTER YOU MAY FEEL LIKE HIBERNATING FOR THE DURATION, BUT THERE’S LOTS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

Health news FROM THE WELLBEING DESK

CHERRY’S ON TOP • EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE FESTIVE...