Q: “What’s a cycad?” A: “Just over 300 species of cycad survive, many are only known as fossils. Think Tolkein, think Middle Earth, think dinosaur food. Wonderful plants, the kind you want to have with you always.”
Author: Jerry Coleby-Williams
Freelance curator, sustainable horticulturist, conservationist, writer.
"Sometimes, the only thing more dangerous than a question is an answer."
208th Ferengi Law of Acquisition
Morwell Fire: “My Garden Is Covered In Ash”
By mid-February 2014, a garden near Morwell, Victoria, was covered by ash from a coal mine fire which started on 9th February, setting the Hazelwood open cut coal mine alight. The coal mine fire ended up burning for weeks, causing serious health effects for local residents and a ‘high probability’ that eleven deaths resulted from the…
In Production Today, February 2014
February used to be Brisbane’s wettest month of the year, but, so far, not a drop of the wet stuff. Like last month, I’ve maintained the garden more or less as it is and I’ve focussed my efforts on preparing vegetable beds for sowing and planting once rain has arrived.
Give a Tree Frog a home
We ran out of time on 4BC Radio’s talkback gardening programme this morning, and I was unable to answer this question. Q: when should I shorten my pawpaw and ‘cap’ the pruning wound?
Concerning Australia’s Batty Forests And Convict Lettuce
I’d like to start my Australia Day speech by acknowledging the Bundjalung people, Beaudesert’s original landscape gardeners. I’d also like to thank Woolworth’s who have been supporting Australia Day for thirteen years. I am lucky. I seem to have made a career out of doing what I love. I am a freelance curator, broadcaster and gardener. I…
In Production Today – January
It’s hot and humid and, despite a few promising showers, my garden is parched. Until the soil gets a decent soaking, I won’t be sowing anything new. I’m wondering if there will be a repeat of last summer, when five rain-free months ended with Cyclone Oswald on Australia Day.
In Production Today – December
It’s hot and humid and, despite hail, my crop of ‘Manning Pride’ corn is ready to pick. It’s amazing how robust this heritage corn can be considering the force of the hailstorm. The plants are standing 3.25m high, each carrying up to three cobs, 30cm long. It’s highly productive. Gardeners can thank the Bega Valley…
In Production Today – November
Apparently, Australia’s former Prime Bean Counter, John Howard, reckons Global Warming is for zealots. Interesting.
Every Gardener A Scientist
Any Australian can load their photos of native plants and animals on iNaturalist and ask for sightings to be identified by experts.
In Production Today – September
Goodbye spring! September’s spring withered halfway through the month as the hot, windy, desiccating conditions of Brisbane’s fifth season arrived: crematoria. Timely watering is, again, critical until useful rain arrives…
How Do I Prepare A Seedbed?
Well prepared soil is the secret to raising good crops and flowers from seed.
Kew Guild Grand Reunion Garden Party
Thirty four years ago, I graduated at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Jerry Coleby-Williams 