rethink restore renew rejoice
About Wagtail Gardens
Wagtail Gardens was established by Keren who has had hands in the soil as long as she can remember. She loves reading a landscape and finding what will thrive. She has overseen private and communal gardens in Melbourne along Birrarung since 2004 in addition to completing the University of Melbourne (Burnley Campus) Master of Urban Horticulture with first class honours. That study continues to provide access to up to date scientific research data, design trends and contacts with other industry professionals who are committed to sustainability.
(Cydonia oblonga Quince)
Sustainable and therapeutic gardening
Sustainability has a lot to do with people. A final major social research project in 2021 explored what sustains women in gardening. Keren is keen to talk about this if people are interested! Her preference with Wagtail Gardens is to work with you strengthening your gardening practice, in your own garden through different seasons. It’s best to have blocks of 2-3 hours working together with the tools and materials you already have. So as to share the cost you might like to learn together with a friend or neighbour. Keren is adept at assessing the landscape management competences of gardeners, keen to strengthen those present as well as introduce new ones. She is also skilled at listening to what makes a garden worth tending for you as a place of beauty and hospitality. Training and experience as a registered nurse and in clinical pastoral education and pastoral care have further helped her to understand what contributes to making a garden a therapeutic and even sacred place.
(photo credit Rowan MM)
Special interests
- beneficial insect and bird-attracting plant selection
- common areas overseen by owners corporations and managed with engaged residents
- compost and worm farming systems
- fragrant and healing plants
- kitchen gardening
- plant health
- pruning (formative and espalier)
- seed raising and plant propagation
- soil fertility and remediation
- tree selection, establishment and care
Technical expertise
- addressing failing or hostile sites
- careful plant selection (matching traits and tolerances best for a specific site and in a changing climate)
- companion gardening expertise both with individuals or communities of practice
- integrated pest and weed management strategies
- mulch and irrigation calculations
- pruning native or exotic plants
- site, soil and tree assessments
- site and tree management plans for newly established AND mature trees and gardens in an urban environment
Testimonials
The gardens are always maintained in an exceptional manner with all works carried out in a timely and professional manner.
During this time, there have also been upgrading works completed to the gardens and surrounds which were arranged and overseen by Keren to an outstanding level.
– SELECT Mellington Management
Keren worked with us on an internship programme in 2020 and was a knowledgeable, reliable, self-motivated and much appreciated member of the team during her time. Her commitment to an environmentally sustainable outcome is evident in all she does.
-Karen Sutherland, Edible Eden Design
Keren’s approach to gardening is soulful, intelligent and life-giving. She has on many occasions given us valuable ideas and advice, and we have received from her the most beautiful healthy indoor plants and garden seedlings.
Keren’s own garden, a lush and productive urban plot, easily reflects her depth of knowledge and her care for the earth.
– Kim, Dear Henri
Keren is a wonderful and very knowledgeable gardener who takes the utmost care in all her work. She is thoroughly reliable and professional and a pleasure to deal with.
– Alice, Growing Farmers
Keren creates peaceful and productive spaces where people grow in their knowledge of nature and sustainability as well as their ability to connect and work well with others in a team. She leads people gently and expertly in finding the purpose of their garden and the value of their place in sustainability and the natural world. Our gardeners enjoy a calm, therapeutic space which enables their creativity and community-building.
– Jude, Armadale Baptist Church Community Garden
Professional memberships and contact links
Australian Plants Society | Victoria
Green Gardening Professionals | Sustainable Gardening Australia
Therapeutic Horticulture Australia
Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-Operative (VINC)
Victorian National Parks Association
Send a Message
For a garden project or an hourly quote on a regular job from the cities of Banyule, Darebin, Merri-bek, Nillumbik or Yarra (or further) leave your question/s and details below. We will endeavour to respond as soon as possible!
Wagtail Gardens acknowledge the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nations, and the Anaiwan people caring for the country of her birth with the Gumbaynggirr, Kamilaroi, and Dhunghutti nations, as the custodians of the land and waterways where we garden and pay our respects to their elders past and present.
We commit to learning from Country, deeply listening to the wisdom of these places, and returning the abundant hospitality we are shown with loving care and sustainable arboricultural and horticultural practices.
Copyright Wagtail Gardens – All rights reserved 2022
Wagtail Gardens 