Maddie Thomas

Root veggies are abundant and affordable this month and it’s prime time for citrus fruit, with navel oranges at less than $3 a kilo in supermarkets

New varieties of orange and mandarin are making their way into Australian grocers, and pumpkins are also in their prime, at $2 a kilo

Dawdlers are cars that refuse to use the slow lane. They block transport, clutter supermarkets – and they must be stopped

Apples and pears are ripe for picking, Hass avocados are returning, and prices for cauliflower, brussels sprouts and pumpkin are set to drop

The price of leafy greens is also falling, while an apple, pear and persimmon crumble will make use of the month’s best fruit all at once

While summer stone fruit is on the outs, a bushel of vegetables is affordable at the start of autumn, including cabbage, capsicum, corn and celery

Late summer brings juicy plums, plump figs and golden queen peaches, while creamy Reed avocados are stealing the salad spotlight from Hass

Stone fruit and Victorian berries are at their affordable best, while Hass avocados are creeping up in price

Here are the simplest ways to have a sustainable summer holiday

It’s the most wonderful time for fruit fanatics, while baby root vegetables are a great choice for Christmas lunch platters

Inner West council has thrown open the doors of seven town halls to arts organisations free of charge as it tries to revive its buildings and address a performing arts crisis

Sumptuously textured, carbon negative and just a bit more expensive, hempcrete is being increasingly used in eco-friendly building

From household electrical appliances to timber furniture and a family fairy floss machine – so much can be saved from landfill

I have some great memories of evenings spent lapping up that extra sun. These days it means walking along the coast or swimming after work

Blueberries and strawberries are the best buys of the month, while a latecomer mandarin finds its way onto shelves – and bananas rebound from a wet season.

Brassicas, broad beans and big blueberries are the best buys for the month – but it’s hard to find a good banana

A revamped Brisbane worker’s cottage measuring less than 200 sq metres has been capped the best new home in the country

It’s not particularly sexy, but celery is plentiful and affordable, at least. And buy up big on sumo and afourer mandarins – but be wary of broccoli

Australia’s commitment to social housing is far outstripped by rising demand. With greater opportunity, architects could deliver world class designs

With empress, imperial and royal honey murcotts in season, mandarins rule the fruit bowl this month. Plus – cauliflower is cheap, and keep an eye out for kalettes