Our news
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How to Grow Bananas in the Subtropics: Easy Tips for Lady Finger & Dwarf Cavendish
G’day, fellow garden lovers! If you’re keen to grow your own bananas in the subtropics, you’re in the right place. Not only do homegrown bananas taste better, but they also save you money and add a lush tropical vibe to your garden. Today, I’m sharing my top tips for growing Lady Finger and Dwarf Cavendish…
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Setting Up a Greenhouse Using a Steel Frame Kit: What We Learned
If you’ve ever thought about setting up a greenhouse, using a kit with a steel frame is a great way to get started. That’s exactly what we did, and while it was a mostly straightforward process, we did learn a few things along the way—especially when it came to dealing with the heat in a…
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How to Build an Easy DIY Greenhouse Foundation with Crusher Dust
Building a greenhouse is an exciting project, but one of the first things you need to get right is the foundation. A strong base will stabilize your greenhouse and prevent it from shifting over time. While hiring pros or pouring concrete might seem like the easiest option, it can also be pretty expensive. So, we…
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DIY Bird Feeder from a Recycled Pallet – Sturdy Enough for Cockatoos and Galahs!
If you love birds and want to attract more of them to your backyard, why not try building your bird feeder using recycled materials? It’s not only eco-friendly, but it’s also a fun way to repurpose an old pallet and a dead tree branch into something practical. Plus, this design is strong enough to hold…
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DIY Compost Bin Hack: Turn a 75L Garbage Bin into a Composting Powerhouse
G’day, friends! If you’re looking to boost your self-sufficiency game and turn your food scraps into rich, nutrient-packed compost, then this DIY project is just for you. Today, I’m going to show you how I turned a simple 75L garbage bin from Bunnings into a sustainable compost bin. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and so rewarding—for both…
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Propagating Strawberry Plants
A Guide for Subtropical Gardeners If you’ve ever tasted the sweetness of a fresh, homegrown strawberry, you know how irresistible it can be. But did you know that you can grow more strawberries with ease by propagating your existing plants? Not only is this a budget-friendly way to expand your garden, but it also lets…
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The Egg Shortage Isn’t Changing Our Mind About Chickens
As the egg shortage continues to dominate the headlines, more and more people are considering raising backyard chickens. It’s easy to see why—fresh eggs, a closer connection to nature, and a sense of self-sufficiency are all enticing benefits.Recently, I found myself revisiting the idea of getting chickens. With an old chicken coop already on our…
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2024 Year in Review: Achievements and Challenges on Our 1.75-Acre Homestead
As the year winds down, it feels like the perfect moment to pause and reflect on the gardening victories, DIY projects, and life lessons we’ve experienced on our 1.75-acre slice of paradise. Despite a few bumps along the way, we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and the skills we’ve picked up. This year…
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Easy 4 Ingredient Melon Ice Cream
Easy Homemade Rock Melon Ice Cream Recipe (No Ice Cream Maker Needed!) Craving a cool, refreshing treat that’s made with real fruit? You’ve come to the right place! This homemade rock melon ice cream is perfect for those hot summer days when you need something sweet and chilled but don’t want to turn on the…
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Back to Reality: Restoring Our Property After a Long Trip to South Africa
After three weeks away, returning to our property was a mix of excitement and hard work. December took us on a long-awaited trip to South Africa to reconnect with family and friends—a journey we’d been planning for four years. While it was a trip full of unforgettable memories, coming back home meant rolling up our…
