When tinned beetroot vanished from Australian supermarkets in 2024, Mel Neils had a shelf full of her own. Mel grows around 70% of what she and Kaz eat in her Neerim East garden, and bottles the rest with her Fowlers Vacola kit. Here’s her simple pickled beetroot recipe, why she bottles her own, and a cranberry twist for Christmas. Meet Mel and see her preserves when her garden opens for Creative Harvest on 23 and 24 January 2027.

August is a quiet month in the garden, and that's exactly why it matters. What goes in the ground now is what you'll be picking in January. Kristy Plumridge from Green Hills Farm shares five things to plant this month, from tomatoes started under cover to seed potatoes, peas, salad greens and strawberry runners, along with what she's learned growing each one in West Gippsland. Plus why the best gardening advice usually comes from the person standing next to you.

Creative Harvest returns 23 and 24 January 2027, opening food gardens across West Gippsland for our tenth year. Subscribe for program and ticket news.