You might find the name of this flower a bit confusing as it is also called Pot Marigold or English Marigold, without actually being a marigold at all. I like to grow calendula in my vegetable garden; it adds a nice splash of colour and seems to readily self-sow. Calendula petals make a great addition […]
Tags: cooking, flowers, health, recipe, salad
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With the last of the glorious, sweet summer tomatoes gracing our salad bowls, it’s time to save the seeds of our favourite types. If possible, save seed from the best-looking fruit on the healthiest plant. There are two simple methods for saving the seeds: the simplest “if I don’t do it now I won’t get […]
Tags: seed propagation, tomatoes, vegetables
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The extremes of weather are being felt all over Australia at present – bushfires and relentless high temperatures, floods and torrential rain. And it’s not just us humans being affected. Animals are having a hard time of it with their habitats destroyed and native animals dying in their thousands. You may find in the garden […]
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It’s very rewarding keeping chickens – they help recycle nutrients, keep pests down and provide us with food and amusement. We, in turn have a responsibility to keep them healthy, safe and happy. In a warm climate, making sure your flock doesn’t get heat-stressed is crucial. I don’t think many creatures would survive summer days […]
Tags: animal care, chickens, livestock, poultry
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Bats in the belfry? No, I had bats in the bathroom. I came home after work, went to close the shutters and down between the double-hung window panes I found the cutest micro-bat sound asleep. It was the size of my palm, with a soft black shiny coat and wings. After the initial ‘gee how […]
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Did you know that seed retailed in Australia can be chemically coated with at least six different chemical products including insecticides, fungicides and specialised polymer coatings? Treated seed in Australia comes with warnings on all treated seed in small home garden size packs: ‘Caution: treated with (common or brand name of a fungicidal / insecticidal […]
Tags: environment, health, insects, organic, seeds, wildlife
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“The only reason for being a bee that I know of is to make honey…. And the only reason for making honey, is so as I can eat it.” – Winnie the Pooh. Recently my neighbour dropped off some home-harvested honey. It was delicious and ran like liquid silk. While quietly eating crepes with honey, banana and […]
Tags: animal care, bees, books, wildlife
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Welcome to Earthwise Gardening, our new blog on organic gardening and sustainable living. The blog is brought to you by the team at organic gardening supply business Green Harvest. The blog is about growing a community so you won’t get the hard sell from us here. Instead you’ll get practical advice, personal stories, and the […]
Tags: blog
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