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)!