Spring in a north facing city backyard can be filled with vibrant colours if there is fertility in the soil. Take a look at these pictures of a thriving inner city landscape.

Are my bees swarming or bearding?

Grass seed and chicken manure combined can have a huge impact on depleted soil. Take a look at the results.

To cut back on grain, I planted a chook-friendly green mix and comfrey—high in protein and great for soil and compost. Even the bees love it. Had to outsmart some topknot pigeons with a trick from Bali rice fields!

After months of neglect, I gave my worm bin some love - removing what didn’t belong, adding soaked newspaper for bedding, and harvesting rich castings from the bottom tray for the garden.

Bees started bearding, so I harvested a full honey box (and got stung on the eyelid!). Hive’s strong, beetles minimal, and their shady spot under the fig tree is perfect.

Feels like the right time to bring some new life into the garden. take a look at the photos as I herald in the new spring.

A fresh slate this winter before the spring.

A photo gallery of our gorgeous hens, still laying throughout the colder months.

A little photo gallery of our Warre hive with our quiet bees this Winter.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 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.

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.

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.

My new garden needs some love. See what a load of free mulch can do!