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...
No-dig is a gardening method which doesn’t require cultivation of the existing soil. The technique was pioneered in 1977 by Australian gardener and author Esther Dean. It has since been adopted in...
It’s time to preserve the last of our summer veg. Antonietta, fellow gardener, cook and preserver extraordinaire, shares two of her favourite recipes.
PASSATA
A classic Italian recipe, perfect for preserving an abundance of...
‘What on earth is a climate change garden?”, I hear you ask.
A climate change garden is a garden better equipped to handle extremes in temperature, flooding, drought and unpredictable weather. It’s a...
Trees are an invaluable part of our urban landscape. They are functional and beautiful, playing an essential role in maintaining emotional and physical human health – who hasn’t admired, touched, laid beneath...
I recently met Tina and John on their family’s 2,000 acre, six generation sheep grazing property in Currawang, near Collector NSW. Although relatively new to gardening, Tina has always fostered a connection...
For those who can get a bit muddled telling the difference between turnips, swedes and parsnips, gardening friend Christine said parsnips are shaped like carrots, swedes are bulbous and yellow-fleshed, and turnips...
Peter and Caroline O’Clery of Homeleigh Grove Olives, give the following tips for growing backyard olives:
Some oil producing varieties of olives suited to the Canberra climate include ‘Frantoio’, ‘Correggiola’ and ‘Leccino’. Table...
Peter and Caroline O’Clery of boutique Homeleigh Grove Olives in Wallaroo NSW, across the border from Hall ACT, have lived at their 41-acre farm since 1984. In 1999, after thorough research and...
The delicious and ever-popular Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo) is a hybridised cucurbit from South Africa. It is a household staple there, commonly baked and stuffed with creamed corn and cheese. I was...
A popular plant –grown as much for its ornamental appeal as its delectable unformed flowers – globe artichoke is one plant worth making room for. It is a vigorous perennial reaching a...
I recently visited an exciting and beautiful property in Canberra’s Inner South, owned by master gardener extraordinaire, Antonietta. The Griffith home was built by her parents in 1959, who emigrated from Italy...
Since its launch in November 2016, ShareWaste has been steadily growing and connecting new community members. The initiative was started by Eli Bramborova and Tomas Brambora, who were frustrated about the amount...
Quite simply, without quality soil there isn’t a garden. So, before starting a garden or re-vamping an existing one, check soils for drainage, texture and pH.
Soil percolation test
For healthy plant growth, garden...
Kerry and Kerry live in a Federation-style home on an 800m southside block. K2, along with help from K1, has transformed the once rundown garden over the past eight and a half...
Canberra community group SEE-Change, along with support from volunteers, the ACT Government and several local and national organisations, planted 2,000 shrubs, grasses and groundcovers in O’Connor recently. This habitat planting is designed...
Cut-leaf Goodenia (Goodenia pinnatifida) is a perennial herb which grows to around 40cm. The basal leaves are up to 8cm long and with narrow to deep lobes. It is often herbaceous and...
There’s lots happening at Lanyon Homestead this spring with head gardener Neil Walsh and the team working towards creating a living collection management plan, which will cover the what, when and why...
Spring is a colourful time in the garden, a fitting and visual reflection of a brand new growing season. An absolute standout in full-flower this week is Grevillea curviloba ‘Flat Jack’. This...
Tromboncino squash (Cucurbita moschata), also known as climbing zucchini and serpentine squash amongst others, is a delicious, zucchini-like vegetable (technically a fruit) which grows on an energetic 4m vine. If left, fruit...
Spring is a great opportunity to carry out general maintenance and odd jobs around the garden, including preparing vacant beds for planting. I like to aerate beds with a garden fork and...
Ren and his family moved to their Canberra southside property two years ago. Ren spent much of his childhood growing up in a permaculture community in NSW, which has given him invaluable...
Dave, Ingeborg and their three children have been living at their inspiring Canberra northside property for the past four years. The sloping block covers 1,009sqm, including a modest 100sqm of living space....
Root to Bloom is a fascinating journey into whole plant use.
Root to Bloom is a delightful and informative book with a focus on whole plant use, an age old approach often overlooked...
We are already into the final week of July, and with spring just around the corner, the need to prepare for the new growing season is upon us.
Germinating and growing veggie seedlings...
