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.

ABC Organic Gardener Magazine

A FEAST OF SPRING ARTICLES

CONTRIBUTORS

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Diggers spring festivals • CELEBRATE SPRING WITH THE DIGGERS CLUB AT THE FOLLOWING FESTIVALS!

Top protection • PREPARE YOURSELF AND YOUR GARDEN FOR SUMMER EXTREMES

Bonus gardening guide!

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WINNING WORDS

GET IN TOUCH

HOT SUCCULENTS • KAREN SUTHERLAND CHOOSES FOUR EDIBLE, WATERWISE SUCCULENTS, WHICH ARE PERFECT FOR THE HOT MONTHS AHEAD.

Part of the family • PENNY WOODWARD REFLECTS ON BEING PART OF THE ORGANIC COMMUNITY AND MORE THAN 16 YEARS AS A CONTRIBUTOR TO ORGANIC GARDENER. PLUS, WE’VE GONE INTO THE ARCHIVES FOR HER FIRST-EVER COLUMN.

Scent to repel • WHETHER YOUR PROBLEM PEST IS A WANDERING NEIGHBOURHOOD DOG OR THE TINY WHITEFLY, THERE’S A PLANT OUT THERE THAT CAN DEAL WITH IT, WRITES PENNY WOODWARD.

PEST REPELLENT PLANTS

Waste not, want not • Tumbleweed has a solution that will turn your pet droppings into fertiliser so you can have a clean backyard, filled with thriving plants.

Growing TOMATOES IN POTS • KAREN SUTHERLAND SAYS GROWING SMALLER TOMATO CULTIVARS IN CONTAINERS ALLOWS YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LIMITED SPACE AND SUNSHINE, AND HELPS REDUCE DISEASE.

Dwarf Tomato Project

SELECTED SEED SUPPLIERS

In golden HEALTH • PENNY WOODWARD TELLS OF NEW RESEARCH POINTING TO THE WONDERFUL HEALTH BENEFITS OF GOLDEN/ORANGE TOMATOES.

MORE INFORMATION AND SEEDS

A medley of MELONS • JUSTIN RUSSELL WELCOMES YOU TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF CUCUMIS MELO: FROM HONEYDEW TO ROCKMELON, THEY ARE FILLED WITH FLAVOUR AND JUICINESS, PERFECT TO SAVOUR DURING A HOT SUMMER.

FACT FILE: CUCUMIS MELO

JUSTIN’S FAVOURITES

SEED SELLERS

Strange & wonderful

WATERTIGHT • COLLECTING YOUR OWN RAINWATER IS NOT ONLY GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, PLANTS PREFER IT TO MAINS WATER, WRITES JESSAMY

Waterproof your garden • I enjoy watering my garden at dusk. Unfortunately, I am absentminded and prone to kinking the hose or parking it on a plant and wandering off. Luckily for me, the latest garden watering products prioritise water efficiency, making watering a breeze and combating forgetfulness!

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

SPRING into action • AUSTRALIA IS THE LAND OF DROUGHTS AND FLOODING RAINS, AND CLIMATE CHANGE WILL MAKE IT EVEN MORE SO. BUT HELEN MCKERRAL SAYS WE CAN PREPARE OUR GARDENS TO COPE WITH SEASONAL EXTREMES OF HEAT, RAIN AND STORMS.

WIND-RESISTANT TREES AND SHRUBS

FIRE-RETARDANT SHRUBS AND TREES

PLANTS TOLERANT OF OCCASIONAL WATERLOGGING

Pick of the bunch • TREAT YOURSELF TO A GARDEN FULL OF DAZZLING AND DELICATE FLOWERS WITH THESE SPRING-PLANTED FAVOURITES FROM LENTIL PURBRICK.

Other favourites

the HEAT IS ON • SUMMER CAN BE HARD WORK IN THE GARDEN, BUT IF YOU PREPARE IN SPRING IT WILL BE EASIER TO CARE FOR YOUR PATCH.

WHAT TO PLANT AND SOW NOW

welcome to ORGANIC LIVING • INSIDE: FOOD BEES CHOOKS BOOKS AND MORE

As good as life gets • IN HIS NEW BOOK THE EDIBLE GARDEN: COOKBOOK AND GROWING GUIDE, HOST OF RIVER COTTAGE AUSTRALIA, PAUL WEST, TELLS HOW HE FELL IN LOVE WITH FARMING AND FOOD.

WINE PICKS

HARVEST NOTES

When it all gels • HERB AUTHOR AND EXPERT PENNY WOODWARD LOOKS AT THE WONDERS OF SOOTHING ALOE VERA AND HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN.

FACT FILE: ALOE VERA SYN A. BARBADENSIS

SKIN SOOTHERS

SELECTED...