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!

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?

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.

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. 🌿☀️

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.

The garden has been left to grow wild over winter, in both beautiful and challenging ways. As spring approaches, I’m planning a redesign guided by permaculture principles: installing swales to manage water flow, relocating the chicken coop, and making better use of the shady and sunny areas with native plantings. It’s time to prepare for the seasons ahead so check out the latest photos and follow along as the transformation begins. 🌱🌧️🐝

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!

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.

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.