Cockroach crusade and other journeys

These last six weeks, with help and guidance from Russ Grayson and Helen Bradley of Sydney City Council, we’ve been fertilizing, getting rid of cockroaches, and mulching the gardens here. Russ managed the purchase by Council of the lucerne mulch and the organic fertilizer.  I haven’t seen the fertilizer before and here are the details: Paton Fertilizers Gold Citrus... Read More

9 Garage sales in Chippo this Sunday and counting

So far 9 houses in Chippo have registered their garage sales this Sunday. There’s a few in Myrtle street and others within ten minutes walking distance. It’s easy to register your garage sale, it’s free and there are handy tips on the web page about how to do it. For a list of garage sales, and a map of where they are and what they’re selling or giving away,... Read More

Enough of me, what about you?

The Sydney Writers Festival runs from 16 to 22 May.  In the city it’s at The Wharf, and out at Parramatta, and at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. The venues and program has been published and is on the Net here: www.swf.org… It’s a terrific moment in Sydney’s life and there’s so much to read, listen to, join in and enjoy. You’ve been invited... Read More

Things that grow up, things that grow down

Things that grow up may (beautifully) be planted with things that grow down. For we city gardeners,this is news we may grab with both hands. It means we can grow more tucker in less space. This natural intensity, easy as it is for us to apply in our urban farms, can bring: plant, insect and bug diversity more competition between pests, and perhaps the triumph of those pests we... Read More

New Chippo group supports Sustainable Streets Plan

A new group has been set up to support the City Council’s Sustainable Streets and Community Plan. Called, Sustainable Chippendale, the idea for the group and the moving force behind it are Andrew Jacobs and Thais Nascimento.  They’ve set up a Facebook page and say this is how to find and join the group or obtain information there: - The link is: www.facebook.com…... Read More

Terrific new insulation

Here’s a new insulation that I’ve been introduced to by a friend who builds her buildings sustainably, and owns one a few doors up from me, Sarah. It’s called, Polyair: -1300767776 - www.reflectiveinsulation.com….au There are five options.  All use the same design approach:  reflect the hot summer sun with the top layer, have a multi-layer inner core for... Read More

Some riches from the day

I’m staying at Varuna House, Katoomba, the writer’s retreat.  It’s the house once owned and lived in by Eleanor Dark and her husband, Eric.  Painted yellow, facing north, set amidst fruit trees and native plants, its a big yellow grin of a place, full of heart, spirit and truly reflecting the courage and independent lives of Eleanor and Eric. And I’ve just... Read More

Compost works wonders with Council support

Here’s a success story.  At its heart is a partnership between local councils and their communities. The three council ‘Compost Revolution’ Three adjoining Sydney Councils (Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick) combined to share resources and a state government grant, part of which was used for a project called, The Compost Revolution.  Here is a summary of the project by... Read More

Food is the second biggest greenhouse polluter after power stations

This quote from the NSW EPA helps to explain why we’re growing food where we live and work in Chippendale: ‘In Australia, the food supply chain is responsible for approximately 23 per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions, making it the second-highest emissions generating activity after power stations. This includes direct emissions from agriculture, and those... Read More

Sydney Council’s ‘Ethical food policy”

Sydney City Council has created guidelines for buying food for Council purposes. The Guide says: “The City of Sydney recognises the importance of healthy, safe and sustainable food to the general health and wellbeing of our community and our environment. In line with Sustainable Sydney 2030, the City of Sydney intends to lead by example in promoting and providing sustainable,... Read More