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.

I recently completed a Permaculture Design Course at Bandusia with the Sydney Permaculture Institute. As part of the course, I created this brief outline of the core principles of permaculture covering everything from energy-efficient planning to diversity, biological resources, and the edge effect.

With late summer rains, sunshine, and a steady supply of compost, worm castings, and chicken manure, the garden is finally thriving. It still has a way to go, but it’s beginning to feel grounded - like it’s truly finding its feet.

Australia’s harsh summers and sandy soil have challenged my dream of a lush, UK-style garden. After failed irrigation and endless mulching, I’m learning to adapt - leaning into permaculture, rethinking plant choices, and reshaping the garden to suit the land, not the other way around.

Guided by sun and permaculture, we’re turning our front yard into a thriving mix of fruit trees, veggies, herbs, and flowers — a garden that’s both beautiful and edible.

Another move and a new garden bed design, this time in the front yard. Take a look at our European inspired permaculture veggie garden.

Through the fence at the end of the property and just a little way from our house there's an incredible bamboo forest.

With very little knowledge or know how, our first garden illustrates one of the 12 principals of permaculture: obtain a yield!

Where it all began! Read about how our journey towards self-sustainability started when we moved to a straw bale house in the Noosa hinterland.