Articles
How do I grow Rosemary? Now is a fantastic time to establish this versatile Mediterranean plant which doubles as a culinary delight as well as being very decorative especially when in flower. Perhaps the most common form is upright with blue flowers with the variety...
How do I grow Sage? Salvia officinalis is a drought tolerant small shrub that has been used in as a culinary herb in its native Mediterranean region for hundreds of years. It has a rather strong flavour that is used to add spice to various meat dishes and also for...
How do I grow thyme? Thyme is one of the easiest of all herbs to grow in the home garden as it is a low growing shrubby perennial plant that produces underground shoots that sucker, forming a compact clump that will provide an almost endless supply of foliage for the...
The beginning of spring is the perfect time to feed most of the plants in your garden. The first step is to ask a question about which plants need feeding and whether it is necessary. The concept of climate change and decreasing resources has led many to question the...
Clay soils can be the best or worst in the garden depending on the type of clay in question and how we treat it. By understanding a bit about what clay is and what gives it its unique properties (both good and bad) we can turn it into a real pleasure to work with....
A great way to exorcise those winter blues is to start preparing for some spring planting. Identify any areas of the garden that are due for renovation and remove whatever vegetation is there roots and all. For vegetables and annuals a good rule of thumb is to spread...
Make Edna a proud old Dame. Why not plant some gladdies for Christmas cut flowers? Dame Edna Everage has demonised gladioli for many years but this graceful flower deserves to be considered for its beauty rather than its cultural associations with Moonee Ponds...
One of the most useful of all plant groups is undoubtedly the ground covers. The thing that defines a ground cover is the way in which the plant forms a spreading foliage cover at ground level. They are ideal for areas in the garden where lawns are impractical because...
How do I maintain my hedge? Through spring and summer is a great time to trim up hedges. The warm weather means they are in a rapid growth stage, though if they are hungry or don't have enough water there will be little new foliage to trim. Ensure you feed your hedge...
How do I look after hydrangeas? March is a good time to prune to ensure good flowering for next year. If you have an old hydrangea in the garden and it has not been pruned for some time then it would be a good time to prune it right now. Cut back any old flower heads...
An intriguing way to renovate your garden is to consider playing with existing plantings. The classic example is Hydrangeas, which can change colour in chameleon-like fashion. The colour of hydrangeas varies according to your soil's pH, with flowers turning blue in...
Lawns have become something of a liability where water is scarce in urban areas. However, it is still possible to have a decent lawn and not need to apply any extra water to achieve this. The first thing to do is assess how much lawn you really need in the first...
How do I grow Liliums? Winter to early spring is an ideal time to plant lilium bulbs, which are readily available from garden centres or through mail order suppliers. They will perform best in a well-drained soil and a reasonable amount of shade (up to 50%). Unlike...
Everything about the Gymea Lily (Doryanthes excelsa) is rather larger than life. The bold foliage can reach over four metres in height and I have personally measured majestic flower stems that were over ten metres tall. [gallery link="file" columns="1" size="medium"...
The trend towards smaller gardens, town houses and apartments has inspired the plant lovers in the nursery industry to respond with an ever-increasing range of Australian plants that will delight those who want to attract birds and butterflies and bring a little bit...
Chilli peppers are one of the most satisfying of all vegetables in the home garden as they are relatively easy to grow and are also very ornamental and look great amongst flower beds or in a container on the patio. They are perennial plants, and can be grown for...
How do I look after my Citrus trees in summer? The hottest period of the year is perhaps the most critical time for looking after citrus trees in order to ensure a good crop. The potential for plants to dry out is obviously greatest at this time; so ensure that plants...
How do I grow tropical fruits in the home garden? The idea of salivating over a tasty tropical fruit as it ripens in one's backyard is a tempting one, however, it is important to be realistic about the chances of success depending on your location. While coastal...
How do I grow lettuce? Imagine being able to walk out your back door to pick some crispy, delicious lettuce leaves for your evening salad. The ever-increasing availability to gardeners of an array of attractive and tasty...
How do I grow Macadamias? Why not plant an edible Australian? The macadamia nut is arguably our finest contribution to the culinary world and it will grow particularly well in coastal gardens from Sydney to Queensland. It will also grow in all but the harshest of...