Articles by Jian Liu

Cabbages come into their own when preserved or fermented.

Fermenting cabbage

March 2022

Cabbages are wonderful raw or cooked, but they really come into their own when fermented and preserved, Jian Liu writes.

Jian Liu's food forest in Melbourne.

What is a food forest?

January 2022

A permaculture concept, a food forest promises a self-sustaining system that produces an abundance of food – if designed well. Here's why Jian Liu created one in her Melbourne backyard.

Jian Liu's Melbourne garden is a productive space, teeming with life and colour.

Gardening success in Melbourne

November 2021

Jian Liu has gone from a Beijing concrete jungle to a lush Melbourne backyard, where she and her husband have created a wonderful food forest.

Luffa aegyptiaca

Grow your own luffa

November 2021

A multitasking veg you can eat and turn into a sponge? Growing luffas will give you both!

Composting is an important way to turn waste into nutrients for your garden.

Smart composting

August 2021

Jian Liu has discovered a few tricks for harnessing all the benefits of compost, with minimal effort.

A ripe pepino.

Pepino: a year-round rockmelon

July 2021

Pepinos may prefer to be grown in a warm climate, but Jian Liu has found that in her Melbourne backyard, these melons give a generous taste of the tropics even in winter.

Araucana lay unusual green eggs.

Choosing a chook house

June 2021

Life is much richer in this Melbourne household with a few chooks added to the mix – here's some tips Jian Liu learnt about making a home for chickens so everyone is happy.