Recent articles by Karen Sutherland
![Compact gum trees for small spaces: Corymbia ficifolia Baby Orange is a compact gum that would suit a smaller space.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Corymbia ficifolia_iStock_socials-500x500.jpg)
Compact gum trees for small spaces: Corymbia ficifolia
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
You don't need to have a huge backyard to grow a gum tree, writes Karen Sutherland. One of her favourites for small spaces is Corymbia ficifolia.
![How to grow silverbeet Silverbeet seedlings can be planted close together.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/OG 147 silverbeet_Karen Sutherland-500x500.jpg)
How to grow silverbeet
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland says this versatile veg is her steady, reliable, go-to plant, with its long harvest time and ability to self-seed. Here's her top tips for growing.
![Time to grow squash ‘Custard White’ is an American heirloom dating back to 1722.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OG 129 Squash_GAP Photos Jonathan Buckley_web-500x500.jpg)
Time to grow squash
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland explores the surprisingly diverse and super-productive range of squash – you only need a few plants to feed a family.
![Try your hand at yams Oca tubers have a pleasant lemony flavour.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/106 oca_Alamy-500x500.jpg)
Try your hand at yams
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
You can tap into the highly sustaining qualities of yams, whether you have a cool or warm climate garden, writes Karen Sutherland.
![How to grow tasty celery You can use washed milk or juice cartons or plastic pots to blanch celery.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/131 blanching celery_GAP Photos-500x500.jpg)
How to grow tasty celery
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
The taste of your celery depends on many factors, including whether or not you blanch the stem of the plant during the growing process.
![Edible natives to grow in your garden Native mint can be used fresh or dried.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/OG 139 Native Mint_Karen Sutherland-500x500.jpg)
Edible natives to grow in your garden
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Want to add native edible plants to your garden so you can start using them in your cooking? Karen Sutherland has grown them for many years and has some suggestions.
![Herbs to grow and savour Hyssop is reasonably drought tolerant.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Hyssop_Alamy 4-500x353.jpg)
Herbs to grow and savour
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland suggests some perennial herbs that are strong on colour and flavour, including hyssop and French tarragon.
![From garden to kitchen: celery From garden to kitchen: celery](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Chinese celery_Penny Woodward_website-500x500.jpg)
From garden to kitchen: celery
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
There's plenty of uses for your celery once it's ready to be harvested, writes Karen Sutherland.
![Protecting plants from winter cold & frost Winter morning in Cosgrove, Victoria, Australia.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Winter morning in Cosgrove 2022_KLS-500x500.jpg)
Protecting plants from winter cold & frost
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
If you have good house heating, it’s easy to forget that out in the garden some plants need protection from the cold. Here's some tips to help your plants through the winter months, from Karen Sutherland.
![Herbaceous perennials to plant in winter for spring The tiny florets are edible and can be plucked off to use as a garnish.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Liquorice mint_Karen Sutherland_socials-500x500.jpg)
Herbaceous perennials to plant in winter for spring
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Plant herbaceous perennials now for flowers in spring and beyond. Try these suggestions from Karen Sutherland.
![Planting peas from seed Podding peas fresh from the garden.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Podding peas iStock-500x500.jpg)
Planting peas from seed
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Peas are one of the most obliging vegies to grow from seed, but a bit of planning helps to ensure they'll provide you with an abundant harvest.
![Quirky quandongs The fruits have a good amount of sweet and tart flesh around a large seed.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Quandong-500x500.jpg)
Quirky quandongs
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland has been trying to grow quandongs for years and can now report some success!
![Grow your own root vegies for winter 'All Seasons' is a relatively quick-growing carrot.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Carrots_GAP Photos Howard Rice 300-500x500.jpg)
Grow your own root vegies for winter
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland suggests some super-nourishing root vegies for you to plant.
![Spicy plants to add to your vegie patch Giant Purple Mustard is an easy and quick-growing annual.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Giant Purple Mustard by GAP Photos_John Glover-500x500.jpg)
Spicy plants to add to your vegie patch
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland chooses some spicy plants with multiple, interesting uses to add to your vegie garden.
![Encouraging native bees Growing plants that are indigenous to your area will help attract native bees.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Native bees_Ann Stevens_web-500x500.jpg)
Encouraging native bees
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
If you follow these basic principles in your garden, native bees and other beneficial insects will know they’re welcome, writes Karen Sutherland.
![Native plants for indoors Beach Bananas](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/beach bananas_Disphyma crassifolium_Karen Sutherland-500x500.jpg)
Native plants for indoors
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
There’s a stack of Australian native plants from rainforest areas that are naturally suited to low light, so are perfect for growing indoors, writes Karen Sutherland.
![Plant: rhubarb, rocket and more! Rocket is an easily grown annual that can be harvested for months.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rocket_GAP Photos John Swithinbank 300-500x500.jpg)
Plant: rhubarb, rocket and more!
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland looks at a selection of plants that will look great in your garden and add spicy flavours to your cooking.
![Pre-sprouting peas Pre-sprouting is useful for ensuring all seeds are viable.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sprouting telephone peas by Karen Sutherland-500x418.jpg)
Pre-sprouting peas
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Pea plants don’t like being transplanted, so it’s best to sow seeds directly. However, you can use biodegradable pots or pre-sprout seed, as Karen Sutherland explains here.
![Minty magic Prostanthera rotundifolia](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Prostanthera rotundifolia_KLS_web2-500x350.jpg)
Minty magic
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Known by gardeners as native mint bush, Prostanthera rotundifolia is a handy plant for semi-shade.
![Growing warrigal greens Warrigal greens are an edible succulent.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Warrigal-Greens-1_web-500x500.jpg)
Growing warrigal greens
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Warrigal greens are one of the easiest and most rewarding native food plants to grow, writes Karen Sutherland.
![Edible succulents Round-leaf pigface](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Round Leaf Pigface_istock-500x350.jpg)
Edible succulents
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland writes about three edible, waterwise succulents that you can plant now. They are easy to grow, and tasty!
![Native berries to plant in your patch Midyim berries in Karen Sutherland's garden](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Midyim midyum berry_KLS_web-500x500.jpg)
Native berries to plant in your patch
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Midyim berry is a tasty and rewarding native fruit you can grow in your backyard, writes Karen Sutherland.
![Growing edible flowers in your garden From garden to plate – borage, heartsease, calendula, nasturtiums, dill and cornflowers.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Edible flowers_Kirsten Bresciani-500x350.jpg)
Growing edible flowers in your garden
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Edible flowers add a colourful spark and fresh flavour to dishes, are the basis of health-giving teas, and create delicious cordials and preserves, writes Karen Sutherland.
![Seeds are free Julie with Painted Lady bean seeds](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Julie and Painted Lady bean seeds ready to send 1-500x500.jpg)
Seeds are free
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland explains these seeds are available for free, all you have to do is use them to grow food, save those seeds and then share with others.
![Native violets for your garden and table Native violets for your garden and table](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/no-image.png)
Native violets for your garden and table
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland introduces native violets - great for your garden and in spring salads.
![Growing tomatoes in pots and baskets Growing tomatoes in pots and baskets](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/GAP_0347698_tomatoes_2-500x500.jpg)
Growing tomatoes in pots and baskets
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Learn how growing smaller tomato cultivars in containers means you can make the most of the space (and sunshine) on offer.
![Animal-free fertilisers The fertiliser you use will depend on what your soil needs.](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Andy Zakeli_Buena Vista farm-500x500.jpg)
Animal-free fertilisers
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland outlines the fertiliser and soil amendment options for vegan gardeners or those who are looking for ways to reduce animal dependence.
![Native herbs you can grow yourself Native herbs you can grow yourself](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/iStock-939946950_native-pepper-500x500.jpg)
Native herbs you can grow yourself
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland reveals the unique flavours and aromas of some little-known native herbs.
![Discovering native herbs Native pepper](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/OG94NativeHerbs620x350-500x350.jpg)
Discovering native herbs
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Karen Sutherland investigates the unique flavours and aromas of many little-known native herbs.
![Fill your garden with colour cosmos](https://www.organicgardener.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/iStock_000018742470_Full.lowres-500x424.jpg)
Fill your garden with colour
![](/wp-content/themes/organicgardener-2024/img/divider.png)
Add colour and aroma to your garden with these top-performing flowers.