Garden · 24. August 2022
From the minute the cold autumn chills remind us that winter is on its way, gardeners are plotting and planning for the following year. The reality is a tad more complex. In winter we think of high summer, in spring our heads are in autumn, in summer I wonder what I will plant for colour and food in wintertime, and finally in autumn we are planting bulbs for spring. It’s a constant evolution for our gardens.
Garden · 28. March 2022
In many places throughout the world, autumn can feel like a clear ending. Visiting Europe during autumn in the past, it seems so clearly defined that when the season is over, there’s nothing to really look forward to for awhile. Local gardeners tell me ‘that’s it, I’ll be covering up the beds and hunkering down for the winter”. And why not! Leaves fall and crunch underfoot, evenings turn crispy cold, harvests wrap up and days get dramatically shorter. Not that much in a vegetable patch can surv
Country Kitchen & Recipes · 22. October 2021
While both muesli and granola are a mix of grains, seeds, nuts and dried fruits, the main difference is that granola is sweetened with honey or maple syrup and is baked. Muesli is not baked.
They each are regarded as a healthy breakfast.
Garden · 04. May 2021
I really like the winter season up here actually. As you can detect from the passage above, our cold temperate climate here in South East Australia is fickle.So is the frost. We never quite know when or how much we will get. In the decade I have been here I have counted from 6 to 25 frosts per year.
Garden Travel · 12. April 2021
Portland Botanic Gardens, which was born in the late 1800's, boasts a stone gardeners cottage, sprawling dahlia display, clipped croquet lawn and greenhouse sitting between glorious border beds and historic trees. Then there's also the historic tram and tram stop that leaves right outside the gate.
Travel · 23. September 2019
The other end of the Yarra River, 70kms or so in the hills at Warburton couldn’t be more peaceful and contrasting. The quiet lush and green valley town is surrounded by forest encrusted mountains, which fills it with the freshest (...)
Garden · 28. January 2019
Hot weather finally arrives down south in here in Australia for the Summer, and while it means long swims at the beaches, the Summer garden enters survival mode until the Autumn rain hits., bringing many challenges and adventures to the edible garden.
Garden · 17. May 2018
They work hard most days to provide us with eggs (everyone needs an RDO) but it's hard not to lose patience over the winter months. I hold up a big blue tinged egg that Zelda lays, she's easily our best layer, and gather the girls around. I show them the big egg, point at it and tell them...
People · 15. March 2017
The rural farming town of Thorpdale has just held its second bi-annual "Thorpdale Potato Festival," a festival which began initially in 1977 and has been revived with great success by the community in 2015, which of course celebrates the humble potato. After a stormy morning, the skies cleared and the many many potato related events began. Thorpdale's festival is reminiscent of the proper traditional country show, with plenty of wholesome and fun activities for all ages, mostly spud related of...
Travel · 14. January 2016
The one and only Main Street is dotted with trinket shops, bazaars and used good shops. and food cafes, bakery and the new Bullant Brewery, which is becoming well known for its delicious food and craft beers. Civic gardens with gazebo, roses and trees sits in the middle, like a village green.