I read an article recently that outlined how trees communicate with each other to warn of danger. It focused on the work of Suzanne Simard. To quote from the article:“Chemical alarm signals generated by one tree prepare nearby trees for danger. Seedlings severed from the forest’s underground lifelines are much more likely to die than […]

Aah, June – that month when winter finally arrives. We’ve had a blast of cold air this past week and some long-term locals even started talking up the possibility of snow. That didn’t happen, thankfully, but I wouldn’t rule it out as the season progresses. There’s lots for me to do in my garden this […]

Hello to everyone who loves camellias. May is the month when they feature in our gardens here – fat buds are on all my shrubs and many are starting to open their blooms. A lovely time to choose new ones to plant! My May column for our local newspaper, Southern Highlands Express. features these gorgeous […]

This month is all about autumn leaves in my garden. The deciduous trees in our area are showing all their glorious autumn colours this month. It’s hard not to gaze at all the shades of red, orange, yellow and brown. But what to do with all those fallen leaves? Please enjoy my column from our […]

I’m starting to write my April gardening column for our local newspaper. I checked to see what I’d written in my March column and realised I hadn’t shared it here. Can’t let that happen, so here it is, complete with newspaper creases. This time, I’m looking through seed catalogues. What seeds are you planting for […]

In February, my thoughts turn to bulb catalogues – for blooms in spring! It’s so absorbing, looking through the photos of perfect blooms that we see in plant catalogues. It’s even better, though, if the flowers we grow from purchased bulbs look just as good. Last week, my February column was published in our local […]

Ooh! My latest garden column has been published in my local newspaper – such a thrill. We’ve had plenty of rain here over the past month – 291 ml since the beginning of December, according to our rain gauge. That’s helped many plants look lush (including the weeds) but hasn’t been good for my roses. […]

Now it’s November and that means my latest gardening column is in the local newspaper. It’s a pleasure and privilege to write about the happenings in my garden, even though there’s so much to be done out there. As I sit at my desk, gazing out the window, I can see plenty to keep me […]

As I look out my office window at the darkening sky that promises heavier showers, I’m itching to be outside in my garden. There’s so much to do. Instead, I’m sharing with you the latest column I wrote for my my local newspaper, the Southern Highlands Express. It’s always a thrill to see my writing in […]

Well, this is exciting! My first gardening column has been published in our local newspaper, the Southern Highlands Express.  A new column will appear in the newspaper each month.