Get your garden growing!

This is going to feel like a bit of product placement, but bear with me!

Recently, I was making a return visit to Heronswood and wondering through the vegetable garden area when I heard a group debating what chemical fertiliser products must have been used to have everything growing so well in winter.

What is our greatest terrestial carbon reservoir?

For as long as I can remember, the world has been obsessed with the protection of rain forests.  As the threat of global climate change becomes reality, we are now obsessed with things like pollution levels, carbon capture and our own individual carbon footprints.

The other day I was told by a lecturer that an increase in terrestrial carbon levels (that stored in the soil and vegetation worldwide) of 15% would reverse the impact of fossil fuel pollution that has occurred since the industrial revolution.

My take on organic gardening...

A question I'm asked often, is: "where do you stand on organic gardens?".

Generally, I answer this with a smile and a dismissive: "on the soil of course!".

The reason for this awkwardness is not to be rude or to belittle the questioner in any way, it's simply to cover up my own embarrassment because, to be honest, I haven't yet made up my mind.

Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA)

I just wanted to throw a wee nod in here for SGA. :)

I think they're excellent and I love watching their Footprint Flicks with the ever enthusiastic Helen Tuton (AKA The Barefoot Gardener).  Helen specialised in soil science and sustainable soil management, so she's a girl after my own heart.

Anyway, the Footprint Flicks are entertaining and a good starting point for those in particular who want to increase their knowledge in certain areas, so please take a look.

As for Helen, she hasn't done much on her own blog, but you can follow her posts and those of the other SGA writers on their site.  Helen's "In Your Patch" posts are good for those of us who're not entirely sure what we should be planting or doing in our garden and give a good summary by climate.

SGA also provide workshops and training, produce booklets and have an online shop.  I like the Home Harvest Booklet, which is a good read for those who are completely new to gardening, especially growing their own food, and don't know where to start.

Why not take a look?
:)

Green Manure

This is a thread I was involved in on HomeOne, which has some great information you might find useful!

One thing not mentioned there:  soil carbon.  Get that green manure dug into your soil and you'll be increasing your carbon reservoir.  Great for your garden and great for the planet :)

A controversial future, from a controversial past

This thread on HomeOne kinda went a bit off track compared to what I intended, but it makes great reading and you might just learn something ;)