Articles
Worm farms are a terrific option for recycling all kinds of organic materials in your garden. They are particularly useful for gardeners that have small amounts of organic materials such as kitchen scraps on a daily basis. A worm farm can easily keep pace with the...
In ground worm farms – a composting method for the time poor gardener How do you find the time to maintain a compost heap when you don’t even have the time to do the fun stuff in your garden? This is an increasing...
Free organic fertilizer for your garden The idea of growing your own organic food at home has really taken root in recent years. If you are one of those who has sprouted a green thumb (or if you would like to give it a try) then why not complete the environmental loop...
Controlling soil-borne diseases with compost Organic gardeners have long observed that the use of compost makes for healthy plants. A substantial body of scientific evidence is now emerging to support the intuitive feelings of the devotees of compost. There are...
Composting is simply the process Mother Nature uses to dispose of her organic waste materials (in other words anything that was once living). In its commonest form it is the carpet of leaves, sticks and other material on the forest floor that is gradually recycled...
Free liquid fertilisers! It requires surprisingly little effort to make your own organic fertilisers from various waste materials we generate every day around the house. Not only does this help the environment, it also saves money in fertiliser and potting mix costs....
How can I add more colour to my garden? It is possible to have wild flower colour in your garden all year with some of the fantastic new Australian plant varieties now on the market. And proven older long flowering varieties such as 'Bush Pearl' and 'Diamond'...
How do I control weeds in my garden? It is critical to try and nip in the bud any possible weed infestations as early as possible in the growing season through spring and summer. The approach taken to weed control should vary according to the growth habit of the...
Rather than fighting against sea spray or saline soils, the trick with salty gardening is to choose plants that have originated in coastal zones around the world. There is something for everyone's taste that will not only...
How to make potted presents If your special person loves gardening why not create a unique gift that will give them months or hopefully years of pleasure. Choose a large container and fill it with a creative blend of colours and textures. And a good way to go is to...
Various essential oils derived from plants have been used for centuries to repel insects with the best known being citronella. Plants that have lemon scented leaves are supposed to be the best at repelling insects. In particular a pelargonium called 'Mozzie...
What can I plant in a shady spot in the garden One planting problems in the garden is finding something that will grow in shady spots in the garden such as under trees or alongside south-facing walls. Many species grown for their floral displays will not perform well...
Plant Breeding In The Home Garden Perhaps the most satisfying of all gardening pursuits is the propagation of plants from seed and then growing them through to maturity. Imagine taking that a step further and creating a new plant that is worthy of replicating and...
How to mulch and feed at the same time In all but the coldest parts of Australia plants are awakening from their winter slumber by August or September. The surge in growth that is triggered by spring conditions needs to be accompanied by sufficient moisture and...
How do I transplant plants in the garden and minimize losses? Late autumn and late winter are terrific times to move established plants that you may want to reposition or give to a friend. Moving plants in hot, dry or windy weather is to be avoided if possible. The...
Poinsettias - potted Christmas decoration The fiery red flowers of the poinsettia have long been popular as a decorative plant for the festive period due to their long lasting qualities as a potted plant. Poinsettias originate from Mexico and can grow into a large...
What can I do if my garden has saline soil? The problem of salinity in agricultural areas of Australia, where millions of hectares are in various stages of degradation, has become a huge environmental issue. At its worst a highly saline soil becomes toxic to...
How do I grow tomatoes? Spring is a great time to think about planting tomatoes. The amazing taste and texture of tucking into a fully vine-ripened tomato, straight from the bush, is one of life's joys. If you have kids or grandkids, not only can they also share in...
Onions and their relatives belong to a group of vegetables that have evolved a rather specialised growth habit, which results in the formation of bulbs at the end of their growing season. A bulb is a swollen storage organ that allows a plant to survive climatic...
How do I grow cherry tomatoes? Spring is a great time to think about planting tomatoes. Many of us have memories of abundant tomato bushes sprawling around wooden stakes in our grandparent's garden. The wonderful smell as the leaves of a tomato plant are brushed...