Sunday, February 15, 2026
Careers & EducationEducation

Interview with Pearl Bridge, AIH Student of the Year 2025

By Patrick Regnault

19-year-old Pearl Bridge is the 2025 recipient of the Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH) Student of the Year Award sponsored by the AIH Fellows. Pearl is from the Northern Rivers of NSW and was nominated for this award by her Certificate III in Horticulture teacher, Hugh Monk from TAFE Wollongbar.Continue reading

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EditorialMarketing

Smart marketing: A conversation with Ineke Clark

By John Corban

In October, I invited my friend and business ally, Ineke Clark, to speak with my clients in an 80-minute Zoom session about how to market our businesses more effectively. Ineke is the owner of Ambition Social, a social media and brand strategy company based in Adelaide that provides mentoring and consulting to business owners around Australia.Continue reading

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edible hibiscusPlants

Not just a pretty flower: The edible hibiscus

By Clive Larkman

Over the years I have often written about edimental plants and how good they are for the urban garden. We all know that prior to the modern supermarket the home garden was a major source of edible plants.Continue reading

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EditorialEditors editorial

The business of growing people

In this issue, we focus on the theme of professional development. Before helping your employees to develop themselves professionally though, I ask you to consider firstly what it was that inspired you to enter the horticultural industry? How might this knowledge better help you understand the reasons why people enter (and perhaps leave) this workforce?   Continue reading

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Careers & Education

Reclaiming horticulture’s lost skills

By Patrick Regnault

We want our workforce to be capable, skilled and knowledgeable. However, recent technological advances may result in fundamental horticultural skills being lost as we rely heavily on technology to do our jobs. Are we at risk of ‘deskilling’ our industry in the name of progress?Continue reading

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Careers & EducationScholarships

Global Footprints Scholarships

Celebrate centenary year with exceptional horticulture scholars

The Global Footprints Scholarships program celebrated its centenary year on 22 September 2025 at Botanic House Sydney, honouring 25 talented young people in agriculture, horticulture and vocational trades. The scholarships, which focus on sustainability and practical leadership, provide scholars with the opportunity to gain international experience and broaden their knowledge in their chosen fields.Continue reading

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Environment & SustainabilityPest and Diseases

The pests that got away: Part 2

Varroa mite

By Denis Crawford

Varroa mite has spread significantly since it was detected in sentinel hives at the Port of Newcastle in June 2022. Varroa mite is likely to have a significant impact on the hives of commercial and recreational beekeepers, as well as decimate feral honey bee colonies.Continue reading

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Careers & EducationProfessional Development

Emerging leaders: Equipping the nursery industry for tomorrow

By Jennifer McQueen

The nursery industry, like the world around it, is changing fast. Businesses face thorny challenges, from biosecurity incursions and climate impacts to politics, shifting markets and new technologies. At the same time, staff expectations are shifting. People want to learn, grow and take on responsibility.Continue reading

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Environment & Sustainabilityfungal pathogen

A plant-based solution to a wicked problem

By Tex Moon

Within the Australian Garden at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, the Dry River Bed precinct has undergone a remarkable transformation that redefines both the aesthetics and ecological function of native plant landscapes. Once dominated by dense woody shrubs, this 3,300m² curved and sunken space served as a structural and visual link between the Red Sand Garden and the Eucalypt Walk.Continue reading

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