With a garden that rambles and stretches over 10 acres, there is plenty to discover at Terroux, a 145 acre (60 hectare) property near Hall, ACT.
Owned by Barbara Baikie and Peter Fletcher,...
I recently attended Canberra’s very first Native Plant Use Forum, which was put together by ACT Natural Resource Management (ACT NRM) and hosted by Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate. ACT NRM...
Alison Archbold of Archbold Design and her partner, Charlie Vizy, purchased VizArche, their 9.3-hectare property with its four gum trees and eight bushes, nearly 14 years ago. Charlie’s prowess in construction and...
Plants, especially trees in our urban landscape and backyards, have the ability to absorb and store carbon over many years. In fact, healthy forests, especially those with a diversity of plants, animals,...
48th Black Mountain spring wildflower ramble:
Celebrate spring flowers on beautiful Black Mountain with a social ramble for wildflower lovers. Discover the surprising diversity of tiny orchids, bush peas, wattles and billy...
Spring is the time to carry out general maintenance and odd jobs around the garden. Here are some jobs to tackle in the garden this week:
Preparation of beds for planting. I like...
Traditionally, rosemary was a symbol of love, loyalty and friendship. This plant may be considered common and hardy, but it should never be overlooked!
This wonder plant’s qualities are seemingly endless. Rosemary (Rosmarinus...
With the Canberra Orchid Society Annual Show coming up, now is the perfect time to share some interesting orchid facts.
Did you know …
The orchid family is one of the two biggest plant...
Chicken manure is an excellent product but should be used with caution. Carry out the following:
Wear gloves when handling the manure and also a mask if it’s dry (especially if it’s fresh...
The botanical trend is blooming – so why not bring the outdoors in with this simple DIY project.
Hanging wire chandelier
Before you start, play with the arrangement of plants on a table until...
I recently met winemaker Dr Frank van de Loo, general manager and part owner of Mount Majura Winery in Canberra. This local and boutique winery harvests an average of 80 tonnes of...
Arctium lappa, commonly known as beggar’s buttons, greater burdock, gobo and many others, is a tall biennial plant of up to 3m.
The sweet long narrow roots and immature flower stalks tasting of...
Late winter and early spring is the time to re-pot many plants into larger pots or just replace tired, depleted potting mix. Pots should be of adequate size, particularly width, for the...
In the garden this week
Check the garden for moisture levels as it has been particularly dry for the past few months. Be careful watering any plants vulnerable to frost as moisture on...
With spring just around the corner, the need to prepare for the new growing season has arrived.
Germinating and growing veggie seedlings in a protected environment is one way to get a headstart...
With winter in full swing, it’s time to propagate hardwood cuttings. Producing new plants from old is an inexpensive way of establishing your garden. Propagating your own plants is a rewarding pastime,...
Pruning
Winter is a suitable time for pruning many deciduous trees and shrubs, because they’re dormant, which can mean reduced stress, and it’s easier to view the tree for making the right...
Meet Cid Riley, worm farmer extraordinaire and proprietor of local business Global Worming. Cid has always had an interest in worms, having owned his first worm farm at the age of 11....
Goulburn Wetlands, established in 2010 and nurtured by Friends & Residents of Goulburn Swamplands (FROGS) Landcare Inc., is a beautiful city escape, giving visitors the opportunity to relax with nature.
The area was...
As the days get increasingly shorter and the nights cool and frosty, it is time to consider your garden and how this weather affects your plants.
As air and soil temperatures head south,...
Canberra is the ideal climate for growing spring flowering bulbs, due to its frosty winters. Spring flowering bulbs require a consistent period of cool temperatures to flower reliably and with vigour.
The best...
Whether it’s a stopover, day trip, mini escape, destination wedding or tree change, the NSW Southern Highlands offers something for everyone.
A pleasant two-hour drive from the national capital lies the historic NSW...
Euryops pectinatus, commonly known as Euryops, Savannah Daisy and Yellow Marguerite, is a hardy perennial shrub to 1.5m high and around 1m wide. There is a compact form, E. pectinatus ‘Little Sunray’,...
What is companion planting, I hear you ask. Companion planting is about maintaining plant and garden health through beneficial relationships, such as, disguising or repelling vulnerable plants from pests, adding nutrition to...
Gardens are a wonderful space that transform a place of residence into a welcomed escape from the grittiness of everyday life. At the very least, gardens are a visual space but can...
Gardens are a living ecosystem with as much happening below ground as above. Caring for your plants and the soil they grow in will reward you with garden health and resilience.
Late autumn...
Add compost, a batch of life-giving worm tea and a light covering of organic mulch such as lucerne to rejuvenate tired garden beds and activate invaluable soil life. This is particularly important...
An insect hotel provides habitat and nesting opportunities for a wide range of beneficial insects and solitary native bees.
Urban landscapes are often built up, covered in hard surfaces such as concrete and...
Propagation is about making new plants from old, whether via cuttings, seed sowing, division, layering, grafting, tissue culture, and more. Different propagation methods suit different plant types (do your research beforehand).Cuttings, seed...
Are you designing a new garden or renovating an existing one? Consider a wildlife and beneficial insect-friendly habitat.
The following are some considerations and inclusions for embracing the wild side:
Promote a more self-sustaining...
