Environmental, recycling and composting news and opinion.

Welcome to the Earth Probiotic blog.

We write these articles, tips and opinions ourselves. But sometimes we link to other sites or opinions. Please don’t shout at them for how we’ve used their insights, news and opinions.

Having said that, we welcome your comments and opinions. If you don’t like what we’ve said please comment and state your case (we’ll probably learn something). Just don’t be rude or personal to us or anyone else that’s engaged in the discussion.

The Earth Probiotic Muse

The “Earth Probiotic Muse” is our collection of news and insights from around the web that we find interesting. So please check it out.

Celebrate Bees on World Bee Day

May 20, 2020 Filed in: Gardening written by: Karen Heron

Our pollinators are under threat. Planting pollinator friendly plants not only helps these valuable creatures. You also end up with a beautiful garden.

Tags: bees,butterflies,pollination

Tree Planting Tips

December 17, 2019 Filed in: Gardening |Environment written by: Karen Heron

With Arbour Day around the corner, trees come to mind and the important role they play in our world. Not just their environmental impact but also the sheer joy they bring, from planting them to watching them grow tall and steady and ultimately enjoying the shade they provide.

Tags: Tree,Arbor Day

Autumn Leaves: Please please don't dump me!

January 01, 2017 Filed in: Environment |Compost |Gardening written by: Gavin Heron

It's leaf time again. Time to think how to use the Autumn bounty!

Tags: Autumn,Leaves

Composting is Easy. You Just Need To Start

January 01, 2017 Filed in: Environment |Compost |Gardening written by: Gavin Heron

Making your own compost is one of the easiest, fun and beneficial things you can do for your garden.

Tags: compost,bokashi

Winter is a Time for Our Plants to Rest

January 01, 2017 Filed in: Gardening written by: Gavin Heron

Image Reference: http://holocene-views.blogspot.com/2013/08/

Oh the Jo'burg winter. When it's 26 degrees in the sun and 10 degrees, one meter away, in the shade. It's a time to chill. A time to sleep. And let our summer loving plants take a break.

Tags: Winter,Dormancy

6 Easy Things To Do Now To Make The Environment Better

January 01, 2017 Filed in: Environment |Climate Change |Gardening written by: Gavin Heron

Often the bad news around our environment can become a little over whelming. And for many of us this bludgeons us into in action. But there's no need. A lot of us doing some small things can make a massive difference.

Tags: Bokashi,Gardening,Water,Plastic,Bees

Spring is Early

January 01, 2017 Filed in: Gardening |Soil written by: Gavin Heron

An early Spring is not always good news for our gardens. Especially after a mild winter.

Plant for animals not plants

January 01, 2017 Filed in: Gardening

If you plant for insects and wildlife you end up with a beautiful garden.

Tags: winter

Carbon Landscaping

January 01, 2017 Filed in: Gardening

The United Nations declared 2015 The Year of Soil - strange. Should it not be The Year of Air or Water. Even, perhaps, Food. These are currency right now; and many companies dive right in reducing their environmental footprint. Good for them. Everyone needs to do their bit.

Tags: landscaping,soil

Water Wise Gardening

January 01, 2017 Filed in: Gardening |Climate Change

Riaan du Plessis, a farmer, stands on the cracked earth that three weeks ago was the bottom of a reservoir on his farm in Groot Marico, South Africa, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015.

It might not look this bad in your front yard, but it might as the drought persist.

Tags: water,drought

Melanie Walker Interview

January 01, 2017 Filed in: Bokashi |Gardening

Melanie Walker is one of South Africa’s best known gardening personalities. She hosts the wonderful Gardening 101 TV programme.

So it was a real privilege (and fun) to be interviewed by her!