Recent articles by Karen Sutherland
Edible natives: lilly pillies
This popular native plant is easy-to-grow with colourful edible fruits, just pick the right species to suit your garden space.
From garden to kitchen: celery
Celery is a versatile plant worth adding to your vegie patch, especially as its nutritious leaves, stems and seeds are all edible.
Earwigs and woolly aphids
Here's how to naturally control two pesky pests that have the potential to do permanent damage to your garden.
Grow: Everlasting daisies
One of the most vibrant and reliable of the everlasting daisies ‘Diamond Head’ does well in pots or in the ground.
Wurundjeri Biik Baan
This indigenous garden, with a focus on the significance of water, was created for the 2025 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.
Frogs in the city
Frogs in urban areas face many challenges, so much so that we need to help them if they are to continue supporting local habitats.
Beware buruli
Although previously a tropical problem, over the last few years Buruli cases have spiked in Victoria with potential for it to spread.
Grow: celery peppermint stick
Plant this colourful vegetable in your garden and you'll have a new flavour to add to your cooking.
How healthy soil helps save water
When it comes to getting your garden through a hot summer, a good place to start is improving your soil so it holds more water.
Compact gum trees for small spaces: Corymbia ficifolia
You don't need to have a huge backyard to grow a gum tree. One favourite for small spaces that you can try is Corymbia ficifolia.
How to help avocado trees pollinate
There's a trick to pollinating avocado trees: you basically need two different types for success. Learn more here.
How to grow rhubarb
Add rhubarb to your garden: it takes little care and tastes delicious (especially in sweet treats)!