2026-Ballarat-Begonia-Festival

Quick to grow, nutrient-rich and delicious, leafy greens are a staple of the vegie patch in summer. If you live in a warm climate, you might like to branch out and try some under-the-radar, heat-hardy alternatives to lettuce and spinach. Edibles expert Ketah Silvester shares some top options.

With soaring temperatures, summer can be a challenging time in the garden – and it’s not just gardeners who feel the strain. Plants can struggle too. In our January issue, Judy Horton shares her top strategies for keeping both you and your garden healthy through the summer heat.

Native guinea flowers flourish across all climates. AB Bishop showcases some standouts.

Here are some top gardening jobs and tips to beat the heat this summer.