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Lucerne, also known as alfalfa, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family (Fabaceae). Native to Southwest Asia and the Middle East, it has been cultivated for over 6,000 years and is one of the oldest known forage crops. Historically, it was highly valued in ancient civilizations, including Persia and the Roman Empire, for its utility as high-quality livestock fodder.
The name “alfalfa” is derived from the Arabic word al-fasfasa, meaning “best fodder,” reflecting its nutritional value for animals. Lucerne is now cultivated worldwide and is especially important in sustainable agriculture and permaculture systems.
Lucerne is propagated by seed and establishes best when directly sown into well-prepared soil. It is a self-regenerating perennial that can last 4–6 years or more under suitable conditions.
Seed preparation: Use high-quality seeds, optionally inoculated with Rhizobium meliloti bacteria to enhance nitrogen fixation—especially important in soils where lucerne has not been previously grown.
Sowing time: Spring or early autumn is ideal, depending on regional climate.
Seeding rate: Approximately 15–20 kg per hectare (1.5–2 g/m²).
Germination temperature: Optimal between 15–25°C.
Lucerne requires a temperate to warm climate.
It is best suited for areas with 90–150 frost-free days.
Once established, lucerne is drought-tolerant, though it requires moisture during early growth stages.
Prefers deep, well-drained loamy soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5–8.0).
Does not tolerate acidic or poorly drained soils.
Requires a friable structure to accommodate its deep taproot (up to 2 meters or more in depth).
Full sun exposure is essential (6–8 hours/day minimum).
Needs consistent watering during establishment (first 6–8 weeks).
Once mature, lucerne is highly drought-resistant due to its extensive root system.
Minimal inputs required after establishment.
Lucerne can be cut multiple times per year for forage or mulch.
It may persist for several years with appropriate rotational grazing or cutting management.
Lucerne serves multiple roles in regenerative and permaculture agriculture due to its beneficial biological and ecological functions:
As a legume, lucerne forms symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, improving soil fertility for itself and neighbouring crops.
Its deep taproot penetrates hard subsoil layers, improving soil aeration, water infiltration, and nutrient cycling by drawing minerals from deeper layers to the surface.
Lucerne is an excellent source of green manure and mulch material. It can be cut and left on the surface (chop-and-drop) or incorporated into compost.
Highly nutritious, lucerne provides protein-rich forage for a variety of livestock including cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, and poultry. It can be fed as fresh cut material, silage, or hay.
Its flowers attract bees and beneficial insects, enhancing pollination and biodiversity in polyculture systems.
Lucerne helps stabilize soil with its extensive root network, making it suitable for erosion control, especially on sloped or degraded land.
Lucerne is a highly valuable plant for both conventional and permaculture systems. Its capacity to enrich soil, support animal systems, and improve long-term ecosystem function makes it an essential tool in sustainable agriculture. Easy to establish and manage, lucerne offers long-term benefits with minimal intervention, making it suitable for a wide range of climates and growing conditions.
Black Rice: The Forbidden Grain with Ancient Roots
Black rice—also known as forbidden rice, purple rice, or emperor’s rice—is a strikingly dark-hued grain with a rich nutty flavor and powerful nutritional profile. Once reserved for royalty in ancient China, black rice is now grown and enjoyed around the world for both its culinary value and health benefits.
Origins and History
Black rice has been cultivated for centuries in parts of Asia, particularly China, India, Thailand, and Indonesia. It gets its nickname “forbidden rice” from ancient Chinese lore, where it was said to be so rare and nutritious that it was reserved exclusively for the Emperor and banned for commoners.
The dark color comes from anthocyanins, the same powerful antioxidants found in blueberries and blackberries. This makes black rice one of the most antioxidant-rich varieties of rice.
There are several varieties of black rice, including:
Propagation and Growth
Black rice, like all rice, is a type of Oryza sativa, and it’s usually propagated from seed. Growing black rice is similar to other rice types, but it requires specific conditions to thrive.
Propagation:
How to Grow Black Rice
While traditionally grown in paddies, black rice can also be grown in containers, raised beds, or even wetland-style gardens with the right care.
Climate:
Soil:
Light:
Planting:
Watering:
Harvesting:
Culinary Uses of Black Rice
Black rice has a nutty, earthy flavor and a chewy texture, making it a versatile addition to both savory and sweet dishes.
Cooking Basics:
Popular Dishes:
Nutritional Benefits:
Final Thoughts
Black rice is not only visually stunning and delicious, but it's also deeply rooted in history and packed with nutrition. Whether you're growing it in a backyard paddy or using it to elevate a dinner dish, black rice brings a touch of the exotic with ancient cultural significance.
A perfect grain for gardeners, foodies, and health-conscious eaters alike, black rice truly lives up to its legendary status as the once “forbidden” grain.
How to Grow Egyptian Walking Onions:
Description: Known botanically as Allium x proliferum, Egyptian Walking Onions are a genetic cross between common onions (Allium cepa) and Welsh onions (Allium fistulosum), and they share many of the characteristics you'd expect from combining these two esteemed culinary varieties. Also known as tree onions, Egyptian onions and topsetting onions, walking onions earned their common name through the plants' unique way of spreading around the garden. Although technically a biennial which takes two years to complete a life cycle, walking onions are best treated as a perennial, as a single sowing can lead to a lifelong supply. As the plant matures, miniature bulbs called bulbils form inside the flowers, and if left to their own devices they'll grow and arch down to the ground. Where they touch the earth, roots will form, and a new plant will develop. This habit makes the plants appear to ‘walk’ across the veggie patch, covering it within a few seasons. The ease with which the onions reproduce has made them a popular onion variety for gardeners who practice permaculture.
Propagation:
There are two main methods for propagating Egyptian Walking Onions, by planting mature bulbs, or planting the small bulbils from the tops of the plant. Both can be grown with the same care, the bulbils will just take a couple years to mature, whereas the mature bulb will produce a large clump by the end of the growing season. If you want to grow for larger mature bulbs, a spacing of around 40cm is ideal. If you would like a steady production of smaller green onions and tops (to use like chives / spring onions), you can plant them closer at 10cm or so.
Watering and Fertilising:
Once the plants are established we recommend watering 1 – 2 times per week. Fertilising can be done to boost production. Adding organic compost to the beds prior to planting would be a great way of doing this.
Harvesting:
If you are using these like chives / spring onions you can simply go out to the garden and remove a couple plants from the edge of a clump to use in your cooking. Do not remove the whole plant as this will ensure it continues to grow and clump, and you will have an unlimited supply.
If growing form mature bulbs, like other alliums walking onions will signal that harvest time is near when the leaves start to look brown, dried and scruffy. It usually takes about five months from planting to harvest, although of course local conditions will have an effect on growing time. Once the stem itself starts to dry, carefully dig up the bulbs with a garden fork and place them individually on a wire rack, or hang them in individual net bags. Leave them in a cool, dry place out of the sun to cure, hardening their skins to extend their storage life. Once the skins are fully dry, usually taking a couple of weeks, the onions can be stored in a basement or other cool, dry, dark place where they'll last for up to 12 months.
Uses of Egyptian Walking Onions
Egyptian walking onions are prized for their edibility at all stages and for their year-round utility in the kitchen.
Culinary Uses:
You can harvest the greens in spring, the bulbils in summer, and dig up bulbs in late fall or early winter.
Preservation:
Medicinal/Folk Uses:
While not as well-documented as garlic, walking onions have traditionally been used for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties in folk remedies.
Origins & Background
Dragon fruit (genus Hylocereus and Selenicereus) is a tropical fruit from the cactus family (Cactaceae). It is native to Central America, particularly Mexico, but is now widely cultivated in Southeast Asia, especially in Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. The fruit is known for its striking appearance, with bright pink, red, or yellow skin and white or red flesh speckled with tiny black seeds. It is also called pitaya or pitahaya.
How to Grow Dragon Fruit:
Dragon fruit is a climbing cactus that thrives in warm, tropical, and subtropical climates. It requires:
PROPAGATION:
(Note) Step 2 is measured 1-2 days after cuttings are taken. As postage can take a few days you may be able to plant them straight away. Just check the cut ends and if they are dry / calloused, then the cuttings are ready to plant.
Potting Mix: Plant the cuttings in a fertile, well-draining mix. For beginners we recommend using the Bunnings “Cacti and Succulent Mix”. (This mix is an easy starting point). You can adapt your mix as you progress on your journey of keeping these plants to suit your growing conditions.
Watering: Watering can depend on your growing conditions. We recommend watering giving the cuttings a light misting 3 days after planting and then once per week until roots develop. Once the plants are established we recommend watering 2-3 times per week in warmer months, and once a week in Winter. (Too much water will cause the plants to rot.)
It typically takes 1–2 years for a plant grown from cuttings to start fruiting, while seed-grown plants may take longer. Flowers bloom at night and are pollinated by bats and moths, although hand pollination is common in cultivation.
Uses & Benefits
Dragon fruit is prized for its nutritional benefits and versatility:
Dragon fruit is a hardy, low-maintenance plant with a high yield, making it an excellent choice for home gardeners and commercial growers alike.
