NewsBite

Drought

Advertisement
The woody meadow at Birrarung Marr, Melbourne was one of two pilot plots planted nine years ago

This drastic measure scares many gardeners. It will pay you back in spades

The slightly daggy cousin of flashier plants, the shrub is the staple of many gardens. A tough love approach to maintenance will see fortune favour the brave.

  • Megan Backhouse

Latest

The Green family farm has gone from desperately dry to lush and fertile.

The grass is greener – but we’re not on the other side yet

Rain and soaring sheep prices are giving some farmers cause for cautious optimism after two dry years.

  • Benjamin Preiss
Rock brings textured surfaces and organic shapes

Hate mowing the lawn? This water-wise alternative offers beauty without the brawn

A longstanding favourite among landscapers, this hard-wearing material is winning fans of wild gardening and informal planting alike. The secret? Sourcing it as locally as possible.

  • Megan Backhouse
The desalination plant at Wonthaggi in Victoria.

Second desalination plant on the table as state responds to drought fears

The Victorian government is considering a second plant to secure the state’s water future in response to concerns about looming shortages.

  • Kieran Rooney and Benjamin Preiss
Despite the rise of renewable energy, fossil fuels such as oil haven’t reached their sunset period yet.

The end of fossil fuel era? It’s nowhere near

 For the last few years, climate and energy policymakers have convinced themselves the world was inexorably moving away from fossil fuels. Breaking news: It is not.

  • Javier Blas
Jody Brown is observing more days of extreme heat on her Queensland property.

Jody fought drought for 20 years and now, her worst fears are confirmed

Australia’s comprehensive outline of the climate threat is overdue, but the outlook is already diabolical.

  • Nick O'Malley
Advertisement
Tim Pilgrim says he found naturalistic gardening a “revelation”

The ‘anti garden’ style sweeping the world (and why you’ll love it too)

To hardcore gardeners, the idea of relinquishing control sounds counterintuitive, but the potential for a rewarding, relaxing outdoor space is great.

  • Megan Backhouse
The Need for Feed convey arrives in Camperdown.

The trucks hauling the generosity of strangers into a green drought

Western Victoria’s drought has turned green. It’s nature’s cruel hoax, and so the big trucks roll, trying to hold back despair across the farming lands.

  • Tony Wright
Water industry experts say boil water notices could become common if a price decision means Sydney Water cannot invest in infrastructure upgrades.

Pay more for your water or boil it? The unpalatable choice behind Sydney’s water woes

Sydneysiders narrowly avoided having to boil their drinking water in 2021. After a draft bill increase was slashed, some are warning it could become common.

  • Penry Buckley and Max Maddison
<p>

Fire in the hole!

Here comes Dad. Time to bale.

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/drought-1lyd