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

SWIFT GROW • CONTINUING THE SWIFT GROW STORY: HOW IT INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY, MEANING MORE LACTOBACILLUS-RICH FOOD TO RESTORE BEES’ IMMUNITY TO PATHOGENS

THE Grapevine • ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS AND UPDATES COMPILED BY JO IMMIG

What’s hot RIGHT NOW • PRESENTING SOME STUNNING-LOOKING PLANTS, GARDEN TRAVEL OPTIONS AND ONLINE GARDENING EDUCATION

THE GOOD WOOD • A DECIDUOUS HARDWOOD ENDEMIC TO THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, THE BIRCH TREE IS ALSO AT HOME IN AUSTRALIA

WHEN GREENS GROW RED • GOOD-LOOKING RED MOUNTAIN SPINACH GIVES A SALAD A COLOUR AND FLAVOUR BOOST

A PLUM ENGAGEMENT • DAVIDSON’S PLUM IS AN AUSTRALIAN NATIVE UNDERAPPRECIATED NOT JUST FOR ITS FRUIT BUT ALSO FOR ITS ORNAMENTAL VALUE

The Great Green • THAT’S WHAT THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS CALLED THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA — AND THERE’S NO BETTER DIET THAN EATING GREENS LIKE A MEDITERRANEAN

THE NATUROPATH’S GARDEN • A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL DISCOVERS ORGANIC GARDENING AND CHANGES COURSE TO PROVE THAT NATURE IS THE BEST MEDICINE

HORTICULTURAL REVOLUTION • THIS FORMER GARDENING TEACHER’S SUBURBAN BLOCK IS ALMOST COMPLETELY COVERED WITH ORNAMENTALS AND EDIBLES

A FRUITFUL HARVEST • A EUROPEAN CLIMATE AND FALLEN FRUIT ATTRACT A GERMAN CHEF AND HIS WIFE WHO BELIEVE NO PRODUCE SHOULD GO TO WASTE

MOON PLANTING

TIME TO PLANT • LATE SPRING/EARLY SUMMER IS THE TIME TO GO ALL OUT WITH NEW VEGETABLE CROPS, EXCEPT IN THE HOTTEST REGIONS

HARDIER LAVENDER • LAVINNOVA® USHERS IN A NEW, LONGER-FLOWERING RANGE OF AUSTRALIAN-BRED BEAUTY

TURNIP FOR THE BOOKS • RELATED TO MUSTARDS AND RADISHES, THE VERSATILE TURNIP IS SOMETIMES DISMISSED AS PEASANT FOOD OR ANIMAL FODDER, WHICH IS MOST UNFAIR

BEANS TALK • CLOSELY RELATED TO PEAS, CLIMBING OR RUNNER BEANS ARE A COLOURFUL, TROUBLE-FREE AND OFTEN PROLIFIC SUMMER CROP

A WORLD OF BEANS • When it comes to beans, there are many varieties to grow. Plant several to vary the crop, harvest and size of the plant.

SUMMER SQUASH • ZUCCHINI IS A PROLIFIC, FAST-GROWING CUCURBIT BEST HARVESTED BEFORE IT HARDENS INTO A BLOATED MARROW

LOTS OF VARIETY • Zucchinis are not just long and green. Though they’re native to the Americas, many of the varieties we enjoy today were developed in Italy. Here are some of the countless varieties available for your vegie garden.

TALK ABOUT SUCCULENT • DRAGON FRUIT IS A FAST-GROWING CLIMBING CACTUS WITH SWEET, JUICY FRUIT THAT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING FROM A MEDIEVAL FAIRY TALE

LOW-GROW MANGO • NEW DWARF AND SEMI-DWARF VARIETIES MEAN YOUR MANGO TREE DOESN’T HAVE TO FILL YOUR ENTIRE BACKYARD

FRIENDLY FUNGI • THE RELATIONSHIP OF MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI AND PLANTS IS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL, EXTENDING ROOT SYSTEMS AND INCREASING YIELD AND RESILIENCE

The scent of summer • EQUALLY AT HOME IN THE GARDEN OR A CONTAINER, THE FRAGRANT TROPICAL GARDENIA THRIVES ON WARMTH AND WATER

Teas are tops • THERE MAY BE NO OTHER SHRUB MORE AUSSIE THAN A TEA TREE YET ITS TOUGHNESS, VERSATILITY AND SHEER BEAUTY ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED

A shout-out to sprouts! • THEY’RE NUTRITIOUS, CHEAP AND EASY: HERE’S A HELPFUL GUIDE TO SPROUTING...