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Karen Sutherland

Cool climate & permaculture writer
Karen Sutherland is a garden designer, writer and teacher, sharing her love of organic gardening with as many people as possible. A lifetime of growing her own food informs her design and teaching work. She is th co-author of Tomato: know, sow, grow, feast one of her many specialties that also includes native plants. For Karen, home food growing is much more than replicating supermarket bought commerical crops. She believes it's all about heirloom vegetables, heritage fruits, native foods and learning to use every part of a plant.
Karen Sutherland

Recent articles by Karen Sutherland

Pre-sprouting is useful for ensuring all seeds are viable.
What to plant

Pre-sprouting peas

Pea plants don’t like being transplanted, so it’s best to sow seeds directly. However, you can use biodegradable pots or pre-sprout seed.

Prostanthera rotundifolia
What to plant

Minty magic

Known by gardeners as native mint bush, Prostanthera rotundifolia is a handy plant for semi-shade.

Warrigal greens are an edible succulent.
What to plant

Introduction to warrigal greens

Warrigal greens are one of the easiest and most rewarding native food plants to grow.

Round-leaf pigface
What to plant

Edible succulents

These three edible, waterwise succulents can be planted in your backyard. They are easy to grow, and tasty!

Midyim berries in Karen Sutherland's garden
What to plant

Native berries to plant in your patch

Midyim berry is a tasty and rewarding native fruit you can easily grow in your organic garden.

From garden to plate – borage, heartsease, calendula, nasturtiums, dill and cornflowers.
What to plant

Growing edible flowers in your garden

Edible flowers add a colourful spark and fresh flavour to dishes, are the basis of health-giving teas, and create delicious cordials and preserves.

Julie with Painted Lady bean seeds
Propagating

Seeds are free

These seeds are available for free, all you have to do is use them to grow food, save those seeds and then share with others.

Native violets ground cover
What to plant

Growing and Using Native Violets (Viola hederacea)

Karen Sutherland introduces native violets - great for your garden and in spring salads.

Heirloom tomatoes
What to plant

Tomatoes in pots

Karen Sutherland tells us how to grow tomatoes in pots.

Tomatoes
Growing in pots

Growing tomatoes in pots and baskets

Learn how growing smaller tomato cultivars in containers means you can make the most of the space (and sunshine) on offer.

The fertiliser you use will depend on what your soil needs.
Soil

Animal-free fertilisers

Read about the fertiliser and soil amendment options for vegan gardeners or those who are looking for ways to reduce animal dependence.

Native herbs you can grow yourself
What to plant

Native herbs you can grow yourself

There are an amazing variety of Australian herbs that are easily grown in pots or gardens, full sun or semi shade. Here's a selection.

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About us

ABC Organic Gardener magazine is published eight times per year, delivering expert advice to gardeners of all skill levels for more than 25 years. Established by the late Peter Cundall OAM, the magazine aims to empower and inspire readers, giving them the knowledge to create productive gardens and live a greener life.

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We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live and work, and recognise their practices of care and cultivation that pass through generations.

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