before dar’ali | life at dar’ali
wintering bees
A little photo gallery of our Warre hive with our quiet bees this Winter.
late autumn honey harvest
box of bees
Check out the photo gallery below to see the step-by-step process of introducing a box of bees to a Warre hive, including setting up their sugar feeder for a smooth start.
preparing the Warre beehive
We’ve been preparing our Warre hive for natural beekeeping - simple, gentle methods that work with the bees’ rhythms. Take a look inside as we set up the hive and get ready to welcome our first colony.
never enough worm poo
Take a peek inside our can-o-worms and worm bin, where busy worms turn kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost that helps our garden thrive naturally.
laying hens + manure for compost
Check out the pics of our happy chickens in their new fenced space and the rich manure going straight into the garden - nature’s perfect little cycle in action!
green manure + raised herb bed
Our raised garden bed is full of unexpected growth, gently protected by a simple stick fence and perfect for the kids to explore and learn about gardening.
winter work
Winter has brought crisp, sunny days perfect for quiet, satisfying hours in the garden. We've been preparing the soil, welcoming worms, and fencing in the chickens - all simple tasks with satisfying results.
backyard haven
With a load of free mulch, a trio of glossy black Australorp hens, and a beautiful raised garden bed from the inspiring New Leaf Nursery, the once-sandy backyard is quickly transforming into a thriving, native-friendly haven. The chickens roam freely for now, tackling redbacks and enriching the soil, while I dream up ways to weave more native beauty into the garden’s future.
new house: new compost bin
Moving into a smaller space made me rethink my compost setup - here’s the simple, well-designed bin I found that actually works in a tiny kitchen.
mulch: you are marvellous
My new garden needs some love. See what a load of free mulch can do!
goodbye garden
After three years it’s time for a new beginning. The fruit trees are thriving, the soil is rich… and the lessons learned are coming with me. Curious what comes next?
early autumn chaos
Six months in, the garden’s transformed into a lush green maze, with the swale quietly doing its work. Watering is barely needed, and pigeon peas are thriving alongside the trees. It’s been a joyful experiment - messy, surprising, and full of life. Come see how much has grown!
sticks and seeds
Sticks piled deep, seeds tucked away, and a secret path soon to appear - my garden’s quietly transforming. Find out how I’m turning bare patches and sandy soil into growing ground.
the swale solution
seeds with love
The soil’s warm, the seeds are ready, and the urge to scatter them freely is there. This season, I’m mixing green manures with flowers, dreaming of veggies, and waiting for a swarm to find the hive I’ve finally placed in the perfect spot.
vermiculture (worm poo)
Pigeon peas, a growing hedge, and a thriving worm bin - slow, steady work in the front garden that grounds me in the city.
spring renewal
Spring is here and the garden plan is coming together. A new swale, veggies up top, trees below, and the chickens are getting a new home.
to swale, or not to swale...?
As the weather warms earlier than expected, I’m questioning whether the swales in my front yard are the best use of energy or if I should instead focus on enriching the sandy soil, caring for the existing plants, and shifting my efforts to create a more private backyard space. 🌿☀️
swales in a suburban garden
I’ve started building swales in the front garden, though I’m now exploring whether a Hugelkultur system might be a better fit for my small urban space.