It is estimated that a majority of organic gardeners will be challenged by several outbreaks of plant disease during each growing season. This statement never fails to alarm a small percentage of faces in my audience. I quickly identify them as worry prone gardeners. Occasionally, they will approach me following a speaking engagement. Some of them possess an encyclopaedic knowledge of plant disease. They worry and fret over every perceived blemish. Patchy lawns, curled leaves, mottled bark, misshapen flower buds, and so on. After brief discussion, I appreciate their anxieties but cannot genuinely help them. I have also encountered the opposite reaction in gardeners. There are a minority of individuals who refuse to acknowledge serious problems...

There are several botanical and naturally derived substances which can be sprayed in the organic garden to control pests and disease. Widely used before the arrival of chemical products, several of the natural alternatives have become less fashionable and may be difficult to obtain. I first appreciated the benefits of natural garden sprays several years ago when I helped a close friend whose vegetable gardens became infested with a particularly virulent species of cutworm. Around the peak of spring, she attempted to control them with a well known chemical treatment. Despite repeated applications, the number of cutworm began to increase rather than diminish. By the approach of autumn, her summer vegetables were all but devastated and my friend...

Since arriving in Brisbane, I have enjoyed eating an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. We’ve visited many quality restaurants and had the opportunity to attend some great Aussie barbecues where everyone talks and eats outside in the late afternoon sunshine. It’s true about the flies; they’re a proper hazard for English visitors although I’ve been told that a concoction of native mint and eucalyptus oil is superior to any other repellant. Tomatoes grown in this part of the world taste brilliant. There are numerous varieties to choose from and they appear to be a favourite with local organic growers. It’s no surprise, since salads are prepared for most meals and firm, ripe tomatoes are the best accompaniment...

I’ve been meaning to write for several days but have been kept completely on my toes arranging the accommodation, transport, and various incidentals associated with unscripted travel. You see the original plan had been to spend approximately one week in Brisbane before travelling south along the coastal route to Sydney. I’m convinced we’ll make it there eventually but in the meantime our Brisbane visit has been extended indefinitely. What a glorious city. The locals suggest that Brisbane has risen dramatically over the previous ten years. I recall staying several nights in the mid eighties and being mildly confused by the central district’s deserted streetscapes after about nine o clock. That appears to have remedied...

I’m going to miss the kind people of Montserrat. It’s been a valuable experience, providing the opportunity to catch up with a relative on my mother’s side. It was also very relaxing, quite a break from my usual schedule of activities. On a serious note, I am concerned about the long term prospects of the smaller islands in this region. The soil fertility is extremely good as indicated by the brightness and vigour of Montserrat’s vegetation. Like most tropical soils, the bulk of nutrients are carried near the surface and recycled at a high rate. Heavy rains combined with warmer temperatures and human activity contribute to partial erosion while the distribution of volcanic particles may gradually increase soil acidity....