Articles
Having recently created the Gardening With Angus seed range with the aim of bringing some of our uniquely beautiful Australian plants to the home gardener, I would like to make this newsletter about growing plants from seed. The thing about raising many plant species...
As we begin 2023 the desire to look after our environment is something we can all get excited and busy about at a personal level, and especially in our backyards and other local areas that we may be the custodians of. Biodiversity was the subject of a United Nations...
My family name of Stewart has its origins in being appointed as the steward or manager of properties, and as I trial new ways of managing my farm and garden, I like to pay my respects to the Aboriginal core concept of being custodians and managers rather than...
New Book Launch - environmentally sustainable ways to grow more with less The launch of my new book, Future Proof Your Garden, co-authored with my daughter Emma Stewart, will be at Ryde Library on the 10th of November, from 7pm to 8.30pm. Attendees on the night have a...
It has been a while since my last newsletter! Lately I have had my head down working on the farm preparing for the warmer growing months of the year. This is particularly important down here in Tasmania where the seasons are so much more distinct. Another thing I have...
As we embark upon a new year, it is an opportunity like no other for all of us to reflect on where we are going after the profoundly momentous year that 2020 turned out to be. The pandemic has highlighted a whole lot of things to the world about the place of humanity...
I spent my childhood on the NSW Central Coast, and always celebrated the end of the year with big bunches of NSW Christmas bush, Ceratopetalum gummiferum, with its delicate burst of red bracts to brighten the occasion. Since moving to Tasmania I have been keenly...
Tasmanian Bush Foods project Australian bush foods have captured the imagination of lots of Australian gardeners, and for good reason, as there are so many interesting species to explore, many of which are also very ornamental plants that fit beautifully into a garden...
The poem 'My Country' by Dorothea McKellar and its lines about "A land of sweeping plains, Of rugged mountain ranges, Of drought and flooding rains" springs to mind (pardon the Dad joke) as I reflect on my last newsletter. I talked about how to use water...
Spring has sprung and the weather is getting warmer. With this in mind, I thought it would be good to share some of my water efficient garden ideas to help keep plants happy, healthy and productive. With water resources under ever increasing pressure, using water well...
With all the challenges of 2020, it will be nice to see spring with all that it will bring for gardeners. Warming but mild weather brings fresh new growth to our plants and sees all the spring flowers popping. My favourite kangaroo paws start budding up and blooming,...
The last few Australian summers have seen temperatures soar with devastating bush fires affecting so many parts of our continent. Sadly, it seems that extreme weather conditions are set to become more regular and last longer, so property and livelihoods will continue...
Planning your garden to include winter flowering Australian native plants is a wonderful thing, as they perform two important functions. The first is to feed your local bird and insect population when they need it most, and the second is to brighten your garden...
The current Coronavirus crisis has suddenly brought home the place that science has played in controlling the threat of disease-causing microbes. Before science could explain that invisible microbes create pandemics, the human race was at the mercy of all sorts of...
Us humans are a species full of contradictions. We can be fixed in our ways and unwanting to entertain change, and yet we can also be very adaptable and resourceful when the times call for it. We can be insular and fearful, but we can also pull together and achieve...
The last few newsletters have been all about the fires and smoke and drought. We were sure this one would be a bit more sedate, all about the joys of gardening and getting out in nature in gentle autumn weather as a way to heal from a torrid summer. Little did we know...
Last minute reminder for Tasmanian people and visitors...... Koonya Garlic Festival is on Saturday, 29 February 2020. Lots of fun for everyone. Except vampires, they're not going to like it much. For more information, visit the festival website at...
In the last newsletter, we had little idea of just what challenges lay ahead. With the country facing such dire threats from fire, our thoughts are with everyone affected. And we are in awe at the efforts of all the volunteers who have worked so hard and continue to...
Hi everyone, my name is Emma, I’m Angus’s daughter and I’ve recently joined the Gardening With Angus team. I’ll be writing the newsletter this month with tips for gardening in drought, updates on deep planting experiments from the farm in Tasmania, as well as some...
We are near the end of spring, but we've had plenty of summer-like weather. And with it has come some very challenging conditions. This has taken a toll on the environment, gardens and farms, and looks like continuing to do so for a while yet. It can feel overwhelming...