Gardening

Pruning hints and tips in this month's Diggin' It

As I was mowing the endless miles of nature strip bordering my corner block recently, I wondered why, in this time of climate concern, we cling so desperately to European notions of lawn, especially on our nature strips. Lawns are a monoculture environment offering little shelter, shade or food to native fauna, while demanding much in time and resources to maintain.

While most of our household waste does not belong in the ground, there is some that you can bury in the backyard. Food and other organics can all go to making compost. Ali Manns shares some tips.

It is illegal to take cuttings from plants in council parks, isn’t it? Not that I’d ever do that, I’m just asking for a friend who thinks he might have a problem.

The comfort of indoors is certainly a draw on cold days and the urge to hibernate can be strong. But whether we realise it or not, it is in our makeup to want and indeed need regular nature connection.

Plants tell stories and the abundant weeds that clothe the soil here have much to say.

Broad beans are foolproof, good value for money and add vibrancy and fresh scents to your garden.

As a kid, I vividly remember how the sight of roaming chooks in her ornamental garden would ruffle my Mum’s feathers.