Seedling & Microgreen Troubleshooting Damping-off is one of the most common problems affecting newly germinated seeds, young seedlings and microgreens. Plants may germinate normally and then suddenly wilt, collapse at the base or develop soft, discoloured stems. In other cases, seeds rot before they ever emerge.Damping-off is not one single disease. It describes a group […]
Australian Late Spring & Summer Cover Crop Guide Late spring to summer is one of the best times to grow warm-season cover crop seeds in Australia. Instead of leaving garden beds bare as temperatures rise, green manure crops such as millet, cowpea, lablab, Sunn Hemp, sorghum and buckwheat can help protect soil, suppress weeds, add […]
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a hardy perennial herb grown for its aromatic, finely divided foliage and broad clusters of small white flowers. It is well suited to sunny Australian herb gardens, cottage borders, beneficial-insect plantings and water-wise gardens where its spreading growth can be appropriately managed. Yarrow grows across a wide range of Australian climates, […]
Rosella Growing Guide Rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a vigorous warm-season hibiscus grown for its striking red calyxes, edible young leaves and attractive cream to pale-yellow flowers. The fleshy calyx that develops around each seed pod has a distinctive tart flavour and is traditionally used to make rosella jam, cordial, syrup, tea, sauces and preserves. Rosella […]
Thai Holy Basil Growing Guide Thai Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is a highly aromatic, warm-season herb known for its peppery, clove-like flavour, textured leaves and importance in Thai and Southeast Asian cooking. It belongs to the group of plants commonly known as Holy Basil, Tulsi or Sacred Basil. Thai Holy Basil is often confused with […]
Sunn Hemp Farming Guide With fertiliser prices remaining volatile, many Australian farmers are looking for practical ways to reduce input costs without sacrificing productivity. One crop attracting renewed attention is Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea) — a fast-growing tropical legume capable of fixing nitrogen, producing valuable biomass, improving soil structure and helping suppress weeds. Recent coverage […]
Echinacea, also known as Purple Coneflower, is a hardy perennial flower grown for its striking purple-pink blooms, raised central cones and excellent value in pollinator-friendly gardens. Once established, echinacea is reasonably drought tolerant, low maintenance and well suited to many Australian climates.This guide explains how to grow Echinacea purpurea from seed in Australia, including when […]
Broccoli microgreens are one of the easiest and fastest edible crops you can grow at home. In as little as 7–10 days, you can harvest fresh, tender greens from a small tray on your kitchen bench, windowsill or indoor growing shelf. If you’re wondering how to grow broccoli microgreens, the good news is that you […]
Feijoa Growing Guide Feijoa is one of the most interesting backyard fruit trees you can grow, yet it is still relatively little known in Australia. In New Zealand, feijoas are extremely popular and commonly grown in home gardens, where the fruit is collected during autumn. Also known as pineapple guava, feijoa produces small green fruit […]
Australian Winter Cover Crop Guide Winter is one of the best times to grow cover crop seeds in Australia. Instead of leaving garden beds bare, cool-season green manure crops such as vetch, oats, barley, field peas, lupins and chicory can help protect soil, suppress weeds, add organic matter and prepare beds for spring planting. Winter […]
Fenugreek is a fast-growing cool-season legume that improves soil fertility, fixes atmospheric nitrogen, suppresses weeds, and adds valuable organic matter to the soil. Suitable for home gardens, market gardens, orchards, and regenerative farming systems, it is an excellent green manure crop for many Australian growing regions. Most gardeners know fenugreek as a culinary herb used […]
If you have harvested your summer vegetables and are left with bare garden beds heading into autumn or winter, annual ryegrass can be one of the easiest ways to protect and improve your soil. Many people know ryegrass as a lawn or pasture grass, but it is also widely used as a cover crop and […]
Thai Holy Basil Growing Guide Thai Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is a highly aromatic, warm-season herb known for its peppery, clove-like flavour, textured leaves and importance in Thai and Southeast Asian cooking. It belongs to the group of plants commonly known as Holy Basil, Tulsi or Sacred Basil. Thai Holy Basil is often confused with […]
Cover Crops & Green Manure Guide Some of the most valuable plants in a garden are never harvested at all. These plants are called cover crops, also known as green manure crops. Instead of being grown primarily for food, they are planted to protect and improve the soil between main crops. Cover crops can add […]
Dichondra Repens Growing Guide Dichondra repens is a soft, low-growing groundcover that forms a dense green mat. It is popular as a lawn alternative in warm climates and also works well around fruit trees, between pavers, along borders and as a living groundcover in garden beds. Growing Dichondra repens from seed is an economical way […]
