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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Pigeon peas, a growing hedge, and a thriving worm bin - slow, steady work in the front garden that grounds me in the city.

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.

Inspired by a verge find, I turned some old drawers into seedling containers - oiled for weatherproofing and reinforced with metal brackets. A great way to give new life to discarded materials!

The winter rain has kept the garden thriving — green, vibrant, and producing food. Check out the pics!

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.

Inspired by Alys Fowler’s The Thrifty Gardener, I built a new worm farm from a repurposed garden box — just a hardwood base and a hinged lid turned it into a stylish, functional piece that’s feeding the garden for next to nothing.

Building healthy soil has become my main focus, with a tumbler compost and worm farm working side by side to feed the garden. Through layers of scraps, seaweed, straw, and patience, I'm learning that good compost takes time — but it’s the heart of a thriving, sustainable garden.

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.

Two beloved rabbits became part of our garden ecosystem.