Species 399 at 'Bellis': Crane fly, Nephrotoma australasiae

Every Gardener A Scientist

Like plants and animals? Like to leave your mark on the map?  In a country as biodiverse and as poorly understood as Australia, you could find yourself at the cutting edge of science.

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.

Where Do I Get Seed For That Plant?

Most of the seed sold in Australia is imported, harvested from plants farmed overseas.

Predator Attracting Plants

Organic gardening isn’t conventional gardening, so why not enjoy some unconventional pest control?

Australian Scrub Turkey, (Alectura lathami)

Scrub Turkey Trouble?

Question Hi Jerry, I have just moved to Byron Bay and have a Scrub Turkey (aka Australian Bush Turkey) problem. Do you have any clues as to what I should do to get… Continue reading →

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Bellis nature strip, Brisbane: producing pollen, nectar, food and medicine

Footpath Gardening: To Boldly Garden Where No One Has Gardened Before…

Nature strip gardening can beautify streets capes, improving the retail sale prices of real estate. Reseach has proven nature strips provide valuable social and environmental services.

Public safety is vital. Plants in nature strips should not be spiny, caustic, toxic or allowed to overgrow, or cause trip hazards, impede wheelchairs, or block lines of sight. The effect should not be overgrown, full of litter or claustrophobic, it should be park-like.

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Blooming Barcaldine: 'Kyneton' rose garden

Barcaldine In Bloom: Get Gardening! Expo 2015

Two years without rain is a long time between drinks in the garden town of Barcaldine, but it’s not out of place in western Queensland’s desert uplands. With a population of under 1,400, Barcaldine’s Get Gardening Expo attracted 600 locals and tourists to celebrate the region’s best food, wine, art, plants, gardens and gardeners. Not bad for a region where even desert cacti need shade, occasional watering, and have been known to explode in summer.

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Exquisite combination: Russian or Rat-tail statice, Psylliostachys suworowii (syn. Limonium) with petunia

Spring Follows Winter. But Can You Set Your Calendar By That?

“This gardener wonders if the Carnival of Flowers date will alter in order to keep up with changing climate?

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Remembering Turfculture At The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney

Vale, John Morgan of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney: greenkeeper, gardener, ranger, friend since 1992. I’m reminiscing about the Turfculture team, a vital service, where John Morgan began his career in my department. Together,… Continue reading →

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In Production Today: Subtropical Spring

“Over the spring to autumn growing season I hope to demonstrate which species – either Comfrey or Queensland Arrowroot – uses the least amount of water to grow successfully, and which produces the greatest amount of organic matter”.

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Brigalow, Acacia harpophylla, leaves

Meet Brigalow, a national Treasure.

Meet Brigalow, a National Treasure.

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Winged Yam, Dioscorea alata

In Production Today: Subtropical Winter

In June I was on a gardeners’ tour of Vietnam, great fun, but I returned to a lot of weeding! This winter has been mild and damp with just two cold snaps so… Continue reading →

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Sri Lanka trip

Tour Sri Lanka and Singapore with Jerry Coleby-Williams, 2016

Experience the plants, landscapes, wildlife, architecture and food culture of Sri Lanka and Singapore, two strikingly different tropical island nations, touring with plantsman and conservationist, Jerry Coleby-Williams. On this special-interest, escorted tour of… Continue reading →

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From Paddy to Plate

Rice Growing in Vietnam, From Paddy to Plate

The Vietnamese depend on rice (Oryza sativa) for food security. There’s a long list of ways rice can be served, this staple grain is routinely eaten three times a day – rice noodles for… Continue reading →

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Bellis during east coast low, 1.5.15

In Production Today: My Subtropical Harvest Festival, May 2015

With 100 square metres of good soil you can feed a person all year round. That’s what my ‘Dig for Victory’ grandparents taught me when I was a teenager in London. Here in… Continue reading →

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Species 459, Halictid bee, Austronomia flavoviridis

23rd Bee Species Found At Bellis Identified

When I started my garden at Bellis in 2003, it consisted of Queensland Blue couch, fences and a house. Starting a garden completely from scratch is a rare opportunity for many gardeners. This… Continue reading →

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