Sustainable Gardening Australia

09/11/2026

This month's In Your Patch guide is packed with region-specific planting advice for vegetables, herbs and flowers, plus practical jobs to help your garden make the transition from spring growth to summer resilience.

Quick tips:

🥬 Create temporary shade for leafy greens, tomatoes and capsicums.

🌿 Focus on soil health and deep root development.

🪵 Top up mulch to reduce evaporation and protect roots.

💧 Water deeply and early in the morning.

🪴 Group pots together to create cooler, more humid conditions.

✂️ Raise mower heights to help lawns retain moisture.

Your compete November To-Do List is here https://www.sgaonline.org.au/november-in-your-patch/

31/10/2026

🌿 Gardening is great in so many ways, not least for your inner world!

Most of us garden for fresh herbs, homegrown tomatoes or beautiful flowers. But research continues to show what many gardeners already know: spending time with plants can reduce stress, improve mood, create a sense of purpose and help us feel more connected to the world around us.

That's why we're excited to welcome social worker and Therapeutic Horticulture practitioner Tanya Bearup for our upcoming masterclass, Gardening for Mental Health & Wellbeing.

Whether you have a backyard, a balcony, a few pots on a windowsill or simply enjoy being outdoors, you'll discover how gardening activities can support mental, emotional and social wellbeing, and why gardens are increasingly being used in aged care, health, disability and community settings.

🌱 Special offer for Seniors Month
Use code SENIORS25 for 25% off your ticket (valid until November 10)

📅 10 November, 7pm AEDT

Link to join: https://www.sgaonline.org.au/events/?event=47824



COTA Victoria & Seniors Rights Victoria National Seniors Australia
Australian Men's Shed Association Therapeutic Horticulture Australia
My Garden Space Beyond Blue Encouraging Women in Horticulture - EWHA Black Dog Institute Australian Association of Social Workers
Allied Health Professions Australia
Australian Association for Environmental Education Inc.
Australian Neighbourhood Houses & Centres Association
Women Veterans Australia Veterans of Australia

30/10/2026

🌱 With another hot summer on the horizon, now is the time to prepare your garden.

Our Community Training Manager, Liz Rowe, recently shared her tips with ABC News on simple ways to help gardens cope with heat and dry conditions, including: ✅ Avoiding soil compaction ✅ Top-dressing instead of digging ✅ Mulching correctly ✅ Protecting pots and vulnerable plants ✅ Planning smarter watering

As Liz explains, healthy soil is one of the best investments you can make before summer arrives.

Read the article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-30/how-to-prepare-your-garden-for-summer-heat/107128620

Rather than waiting until the heat hits, a little work now — and knowing a few things to avoid — can help stop your plants getting crispy.

24/10/2026

One of the best ways to reduce your reliance on chemically treated produce is to grow some of your own food. Even a few herbs, leafy greens or tomatoes can make a difference.

At Sustainable Gardening Australia, we believe healthy food starts with healthy ecosystems. By encouraging beneficial insects, building healthy soil and using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, gardeners can often prevent pest problems before they start.

Visit our website to learn how sustainable gardening practices can help you grow healthy food, support biodiversity and reduce chemical use in your garden. 🌱

https://www.sgaonline.org.au/

24/10/2026

Gardening is a powerful way to connect to nature and has scientifically proven mental health benefits.
Research shows that being around plants helps lower cortisol, the hormone your body releases when you’re stressed. Even short periods of gardening about 10 to 30 minutes have been linked to feeling calmer and more relaxed.

Gardening gives us routine and purpose, connection to nature and our senses, and healthy movement. So, what are you waiting for? Dig in today!

Join us on November 10th as we learn about the practice of Therapeutic Horticulture from Tanya Bearup, and how programs designed around gardening and plant-based activities are supporting people's wellbeing in a wide range of settings.
Link: https://weteachme.com/classes/1047504-gardening-for-mental-health-and-wellbeing?

For further reading, head here 👇
https://www.sgaonline.org.au/wellbeing-gardening-gardening-for-the-body-mind-spirit/

18/10/2026

🌿 Seniors Month - Save 25% 🌿

Did you know that spending 15 to 30 minutes in nature can start to lower your blood pressure and resting heart rate? The therapeutic benefits of nature, plants and gardening are many and varied, learn more in SGA's November Masterclass: Gardening for Wellbeing

Join Tanya Bearup for our November masterclass, Gardening for Mental Health & Wellbeing, and discover how Therapeutic Horticulture is being used to support people in aged care, disability services, mental health programs, hospitals and community settings.

💚 Special Seniors Month price: $22.50 (usually $30)
📅 Tuesday 10 November
🌱 Online masterclass
🔗 Click the booking link for full details and to access the Seniors Month discount.

Whether you're an avid gardener or simply interested in the wellbeing benefits of connecting with plants and nature, this session will provide practical insights you can apply at home or in your community.

You will learn:

The definition of Therapeutic Horticulture (TH)
Benefits of Therapeutic Horticulture
Therapeutic Horticulture approaches and applications
Resources for more information: TH in Australia, where to source a practitioner, pathways to becoming a practitioner.

Booking link 🔗 https://weteachme.com/classes/1047504-gardening-for-mental-health-and-wellbeing?ref=Ln4fQK

COTA Victoria & Seniors Rights Victoria National Seniors Australia Australian Men's Shed Association Therapeutic Horticulture Australia My Garden Space

18/10/2026

How many bird species visit your garden?

The Aussie Bird Count kicks off this week (19-25 October), giving all of us the chance to spend 20 minutes observing and recording the birds around us. The data collected helps track bird populations across Australia, while giving us a closer look at the wildlife our gardens support.

Grab a cuppa, find a comfortable spot and see who's visiting your patch this spring. 🐦🌿

Who is in?



BirdLife Australia Sydney Bird Club Australian Birds of Western Queensland Birdlife Northern Rivers Lyfer Backyard Buddies Community Gardens Australia Garden Centres of Australia Gardening 4 Kids Gardens for Wildlife Victoria

17/10/2026

Learn more: https://www.sgaonline.org.au/ipm/

Community Gardens Australia Permaculture Australia Bugs For Bugs Australian Organic Gardening BirdLife Australia Permaculture Victoria Permaculture Melbourne Permaculture Northern Beaches Food Know How Regenerative Gardens & Food Systems Urban City Gardener Self-Sufficient Permaculture Gardening Australian Organic Gardening Backyard Buddies Habitat Garden Gardens for Wildlife Victoria Geelong GardensforWildlifeGardens for Wildlife - Mitchell Gardens for Wildlife Moonee Valley Permaculture Victoria

14/10/2026

Your garden may already be home to an incredible team of natural pest controllers. Ladybirds devour aphids, lacewing larvae tackle soft-bodied pests, hoverflies help with both pollination and pest control, while birds and spiders play an important role in keeping garden balanced.

The secret is creating a healthy garden where beneficial insects can thrive alongside your plants.

This October try:
🌼 Planting flowers that attract pollinators and beneficial insects
🌿 Growing companion plants such as basil and marigolds with tomatoes
🪵 Leaving a little habitat for wildlife
🚫 Avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides that can harm the good bugs too

A thriving garden is full of life.

Read our latest article on integrated pest management and start your IPM journey today: https://www.sgaonline.org.au/ipm/

Community Gardens Australia Permaculture Australia Bugs For Bugs Australian Organic Gardening BirdLife Australia Permaculture Victoria Permaculture Melbourne Permaculture Northern Beaches Food Know How Regenerative Gardens & Food Systems Urban City Gardener Self-Sufficient Permaculture Gardening Australian Organic Gardening Backyard Buddies Habitat Garden Gardens for Wildlife Victoria

11/10/2026

Why do some gardens attract wrens and honeyeaters, while others are dominated by noisy miners and wattlebirds?

Join bird specialist Kirsty Costa to see your garden through bird eyes. Learn how birds find food, shelter and nesting sites, and discover simple ways to create habitat that attracts greater bird diversity.

Perfect for gardeners, bird lovers and anyone keen to make their garden more wildlife-friendly.

https://www.sgaonline.org.au/events/?event=46949

Weekend Birder BirdLife Australia Lyfer Backyard Buddies Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Community Gardens Australia Gardens for Wildlife Victoria Birdlife Northern Rivers Wildlife Victoria Bulleen Art & Garden Australian Birds of Western Queensland Wildlife Victoria Habitat Garden Garden Centres of Australia