Big old trees cool our streets in summer.They soften harsh winds.They hold our fragile soils together during storms and heavy rain.They clean the air we breathe and provide shade on those blistering forty-degree afternoons when the garden — and we ourselves — are struggling. But beyond helping us… trees are also home. Entire ecosystems live within them...

The air’s cooling off, the sky that soft lavender-pink, and my two-year-old granddaughter grips the torch like it’s a sacred treasure. My five-year-old grandson walks beside her, whispering about “monsters” in the dark. They’re on an important mission. They’re heading down to pen up the chickens! Let’s be honest… eggs aren't cheap right now. Walking out to the pen and collecting warm, freshly laid eggs from your own backyard chickens feels almost rebellious in the best way..

We don’t need to overhaul our lives overnight to feel more secure. Sometimes it’s the smallest shifts that make the biggest difference. Walking down the street to grab a loaf of bread and a carton of milk instead of jumping in the car. Getting a little fresh air, and saving a few dollars while we’re at it. Planting a few herbs by the back door. A handful of continuous pick lettuce..

One of the most special things about blue-tongue lizards is that they’re not just passing through. In the wild, when conditions are right, blue tongues can live 20 years or more, with some thought to reach closer to 30 years in safe, undisturbed habitats. That means the blue tongue you spot today could still be sharing your garden decades from now, sunning itself in the same warm patch, patrolling for snails, and watching generations of plants come and go.

There’s something almost other-worldly about the first time you see a barn owl glide across a paddock at dusk. And here in South Australia, we are lucky enough to call them our own. An adult barn owl can consume several rodents each night. A breeding pair raising chicks can remove hundreds over a single season. It’s not about eradicating rodents entirely. It’s about maintaining equilibrium.

It can be hard sometimes keeping up with all the latest fads, fashions and concepts, they seem to come and go quicker that Christmas. It's easy to feel left behind, scratching your head in bewilderment. (That's why I try to stick to gardening!🤪) Do you know what Permaculture or Regenerative Gardening are? No? Neither did I, I honestly thought they were the same thing, but after digging a little deeper, (pardon the pun) turns out they're not.

Remember the days when celebrity couples got those mash-up names? Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie became Brangelina, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were Bennifer… Well, if we did the same thing in the plant world, the star couple would hands down be tomatoes and basil. What would we call them? Tomasil? Basato? 😂 Whatever the name, they’re a match made in 'garden heaven' and on the dinner plate too.

If you’ve driven around the South East (South Australia) recently, chances are you’ve spotted an explosion of golden pompoms lighting up local parklands, paddock edges and roadsides. Meet Acacia Baileyana, affectionately known as the Cootamundra Wattle, and they really are stealing the show right now!

Beautiful drought conscious landscaped garden example Written and edited by Tammy Johnson 30th May 2025 With climate patterns shifting and drought becoming a more common reality for so many of us, as gardeners we’re faced with the new challenge of how to keep our gardens thriving with less water. Gardening during dry times isn’t about giving up and accepting defeat, it’s about getting smart and creative. By embracing some simple alternatives, our gardens can become more resil

Backyard enclosed compost pile. Thinking about starting a compost pile but not sure where to begin? You’re in the right place! Composting is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to turn kitchen scraps and garden waste into rich, nutrient-packed soil food. Whether you’ve got a sprawling backyard or a tiny balcony, composting is totally doable and surprisingly fun. In this beginners guide I’ll break it all down step-by-step so you can start transforming your kitchen and g

Written and edited by Tammy 19th December 2023 There's nothing more frustrating than finding the mulch you've tediously spread around...

Written and edited by Tammy 5th November 2023 Did you ever stop and wonder what the world would be like without bees? Well it's actually...

“This spring’s weather has been perfect for powdery mildew, but with a few simple precautions and a keen eye, you can prevent it from becoming a problem in your garden. In this guide, you’ll learn how to identify powdery mildew early, what conditions trigger it, and the most effective prevention and treatment methods to keep your plants thriving through summer.”

Written and edited by Tammy 2nd July 2023. Winter is finally here and with it comes an abundance of annual weeds! It can be a little...

Written and edited by Tammy 15th April 2023 We've all heard the expression 'Stop to smell the roses' and of course we know it means, to...