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🌱 How to Be Self-Sufficient in Tough Times (Starting in Your Own Backyard)
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..

Tammy Johnson
Mar 215 min read


Do Kookaburras Laugh Before Rain? Old Garden Sayings… Or Weather Wisdom?🤷♀️
Rain, Ants & Laughing Kookaburras, Let’s Myth Bust a Few
If you grew up anywhere near a backyard, paddock, or washing line, you’ve probably heard at least one of these:
“The kookaburras are laughing — rain’s coming!”
“The ants are coming out — there’ll be a storm.”
But are these just old wives’ tales… or were our grandparents quietly onto something?

Tammy Johnson
Feb 264 min read


What Can I Do with a Narrow Side Yard
The side yard, that narrow strip running down the side of the house that often ends up forgotten, bare, or treated as a thoroughfare rather than part of the garden.
When it’s approached with intention, a side yard can become one of the most productive and rewarding parts of the garden.

Tammy Johnson
Feb 135 min read


What Is That Black Soot on My Plants? (Sooty Mould Explained)
Sooty mould can look a little alarming, especially when a plant resembles the sole survivor of Ash Wednesday, but once you understand that it’s the consequence, not the cause, you’ll start to see it differently. The good news is, it’s very fixable once you understand what’s really going on.

Tammy Johnson
Feb 14 min read


Why Does Water Run Off My Soil Instead of Soaking in?
Have you ever watered the garden… only to watch the water bead up, run sideways, or disappear into cracks like it’s actively avoiding the soil? Chances are, you’re dealing with hydrophobic soil, Let’s gently unpack what’s going on, why it happens, and how we can bring that soil back to life 💚

Tammy Johnson
Jan 164 min read


How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats in Indoor Plants: Simple, Natural Solutions That Actually Work
Written and edited by Tammy 18th Dec 2025 If you’ve ever watered your favourite indoor plant and been greeted by a cloud of tiny flying insects… welcome to the world of fungus gnats. They’re super annoying, but totally fixable. Fungus gnats are one of the most common indoor plant pests, especially in warm, humid homes or potting mixes that stay damp for too long. Let’s walk through exactly what they are, why they show up, and how to get rid of fungus gnats naturally, without

Tammy Johnson
Dec 18, 20254 min read


Millipedes-Why are they crawling around my house at night?!!
Ever stepped on a millipede in the middle of the night and wondered what on earth they’re doing wandering the hallway? Turns out, these little curl-up critters are more about moisture than mischief. Here’s how to keep them out of your home (and off your toes) the eco-friendly way!

Tammy Johnson
Nov 7, 20253 min read


Identifying & Controlling Aphids on Fruit Trees, Roses & Ornamentals.
Ok, hands up who's having issues with Aphids right now?? Let’s take a look at the most common aphid species you’re likely seeing in your backyard, what signs to look out for, and how to tackle infestations using gentle, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods that keep your garden, and its' helpful critters, in balance.

Tammy Johnson
Oct 27, 20257 min read


🌾 Regenerative Gardening vs. Permaculture — What’s the Difference?
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.

Tammy Johnson
Oct 11, 20253 min read


What Type of Lawn Do I Have? Identifying Lawn Varieties
Alright, hands up who hasn't stood in the aisle full of weed 'n' feed in the last few weeks and rolled their eyes thinking "**** what type of lawn do I actually have?"🙄
Lawns are the green canvas of our backyards, but not all lawns are created equal. From soft barefoot-friendly buffalo to tough, drought-resistant kikuyu, knowing what type of lawn you have (or what you should choose if you're starting out) can make all the difference in how you care for it.

Tammy Johnson
Sep 28, 20256 min read


The Easiest Spring Holiday Fun-Growing Sunflowers and Smiles🌻
The Littlest Things Bring the Biggest Joys 🌞 Sunflowers, sunshine, smiles & spring holidays! When I think back to my earliest childhood...

Tammy Johnson
Sep 18, 20253 min read


How (and When) to Prune Wisteria for Gorgeous Flowers
If you’ve ever stood beneath a waterfall of wisteria blooms, you’ll know the magic these vines bring. And the perfume? Don’t get me started, it drifts on the breeze, light and airy, a sweet almost-vanilla floral note that’s simply unforgettable.
As breathtaking as they are, wisterias aren’t shy about taking over. Left unchecked, they’ll tangle their way through fences, roofs, even trees!

Tammy Johnson
Sep 13, 20253 min read


🌿 Planting Partners in Crime – The Secrets of Companion Planting
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.

Tammy Johnson
Sep 2, 20253 min read


Let’s Grow Sweet Basil – All the Secrets for Guaranteed Success 🌿🍅
If there’s one herb that earns its keep and steals the show in summer, it’s sweet basil. Lush, fragrant, and downright bossy in the veggie patch. And let’s be honest, it was made to hang out with tomatoes. From the garden bed to the dinner plate, they’re the ultimate tag-team.

Tammy Johnson
Aug 30, 20253 min read


Growing Zucchinis Made Simple: Varieties, Tips & Common Problems Solved
Who else has picked a zucchini for dinner, then two nights later found its sibling out in the veggie patch the size of a submarine! No other vegetable grows as fast as a zucchini, honestly you can't turn your back for a minute! With the right tips up your sleeve, I promise you, zucchinis will become one of the easiest (and most rewarding) crops in your backyard.

Tammy Johnson
Aug 28, 20253 min read


Acacia Baileyana Cootamundra Wattle
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!

Tammy Johnson
Aug 18, 20252 min read


Time to Tackle Leaf Curl on Stone Fruit
There are a few really important jobs on any gardeners to do lists right now, and if you own any stone fruits this is one of them-treating for leaf curl.
Leaf curl is a fungal disease (caused by Taphrina deformans) that mainly attacks peaches and nectarines.

Tammy Johnson
Aug 13, 20254 min read


Moss In Winter Lawns
Moss is a moisture-loving guest that thrives in shady, compacted spots. While it’s not dangerous, moss can slowly smother out whole sections of your lawn if left unchecked.

Tammy Johnson
Jul 27, 20254 min read


Slime Mould in Your Winter Lawn? What it is and How to deal It
Slime Mould, looks like something left behind after an alien invasion but relax, it's harmless. It's a fungal organism that thrives in wet lawns in winter.

Tammy Johnson
Jul 27, 20255 min read


🌿 5 Winter Gardening Tasks to Do Right Now
Winter might feel like a perfect time to hang up the gloves and catch up on some Netflix by the fire, and by all means, do that too, but there’s actually plenty going on out in the garden right now.

Tammy Johnson
Jul 19, 20254 min read
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