Gardening is good for the brain, and microbes in the soil could be the reason why. Continue reading →

Dorset Square Photo Sarah Jackson

Remember in the movie Notting Hill, when they climb the fence to get into a private, locked garden? Open Garden Squares Weekend in London: on 8-9 June, has over 200 private, hidden, unusual and little known gardens open to the public across 27 London boroughs Continue reading →

Photo David Hollingworth

Did you know that lotus can regulate its own temperature, just like a warm-blooded animal? Continue reading →

Have you ever felt that the garden pests of the world might overwhelm you? Seems it was ever thus.

Giant snail attacks a Knight. Decretals of Gregory IX, c.1400

The RHS has selected 10 plants, one from each decade of the past century, which will vie for the title ‘Plant of the Centenary’ at the Chelsea Flower Show 2013. At the show there will be 10 ‘Plant Champions’, amateur gardeners representing each decade, who will drum up support for their plant. The shortlist of plants is… Continue reading →

I loved being part of TEDx Sydney on the weekend. Even more amazing was how the 2,200 participants were fed. Ever heard of crowd farming before? Hundreds of backyard growers brought in their herbs and vegies; evening workshops made jams and chutney; small local businesses donated meat, milk, honey and locally made beer, as well as bread and butter made at the Opera House on the day. See how Grow It Local and Aria Catering combined forces with Sydney’s community to make it happen. (Watch the video, and if you look carefully you can see my paper herb bag contribution with lemon grass stalks sticking out the top……)

Looking for super exotic honey? Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens has a trial-run of honey making from its first bee hive. Bees will have sipped nectar from one of the broadest range of exotic plants in the world.

Doug Purdie, Director Urban Beehive shows Kate Faithorn, Director Public Engagement at the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust the honey

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How many do we need? Since recently mentioning a new garden show (The Australian Garden Show) in Sydney in early spring, we now hear there’s another garden show in Sydney on exactly the same weekend. The Sydney Garden Show will be held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on Sept 6-8 2013. Continue reading →