Home//Gardening Australia/September 2015/In This Issue
Gardening Australia|September 2015new season new look!Have you noticed something has changed? Yes, the bulbs are up and the blossom is out, but apart from that? Well, it’s a new season, full of new possibilities, and we’re celebrating this with a fresh, new look. The most exciting change is the action planner. All your checklists, step-by-steps and practical tips are now packaged into a vibrant, new format (see page 62). We’re also introducing several new regular sections, starting with ‘Hard Gardening’ on page 30. Tim Entwisle kicks it off with a fascinating piece about tree selection, and what we leave for future generations. There’s Michael McCoy’s story on fashioning prunings into decorative trellis, the first of a series on reprising the old horticultural crafts (see page 39). Jackie French has a fun new column on page…2 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015on the shelf1 Weleda Skin Food comes in a handy 30ml travel size. The organic formula of wild pansy, chamomile, calendula and rosemary conditions and hydrates a gardener’s dry skin. weleda.com.au2 Yates Zero Rapid Action is a non-selective glyphosate and fatty-acid weedkiller, in a ready-to-use trigger pack. You’ll start to see results in just an hour. yates.com.au3 Mr Fothergill’s Little Gardeners cubes come in Veggie Garden, Sunflower Garden, Pizza Garden and Butterfly Garden kits. They contain seed, pots, mix and labels. fothergills.com.au4 With high UV protection and strong, dense material, Bella Vista Opaque Blinds provide an escape from the sun. Available in five colours.australianoutdoorliving.com.au…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015on the shelf1 Weleda Skin Food comes in a handy 30ml travel size. The organic formula of wild pansy, chamomile, calendula and rosemary conditions and hydrates a gardener’s dry skin. weleda.com.au 2 Yates Zero Rapid Action is a non-selective glyphosate and fatty-acid weedkiller, in a ready-to-use trigger pack. You’ll start to see results in just an hour. yates.com.au 3 Mr Fothergill’s Little Gardeners cubes come in Veggie Garden, Sunflower Garden, Pizza Garden and Butterfly Garden kits. They contain seed, pots, mix and labels. fothergills.com.au 4 With high UV protection and strong, dense material, Bella Vista Opaque Blinds provide an escape from the sun. Available in five colours.australianoutdoorliving.com.au…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015what’s on in SeptemberNationwide13th Bushcare’s Major Day Out0417 285 871. Get involved in tree planting, talks, weeding, nature walks, morning teas and lunches to help protect our bushland, dunes and wetlands. Visit bushcaresmajordayout.org to volunteer or register your site.Australian Capital TerritorySeptember 12th–October 11th FloriadeMon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat–Sun 9am–5.30pm. Commonwealth Park, Canberra. 1300 554 114. Free. Australia’s biggest spring celebration, with 1 million flowers in bloom, plus workshops, entertainment, demonstrations and rides. This year’s theme is ‘Reflection’. NightFest (Sept 23rd–27th, 6.30–10.30pm; $25 or $50 family) adds light shows, live music, comedy, markets, bars and DJs. (See behind the scenes at Floriade on page 34.)New South Wales4th Knox Grammar School Garden Day10am–2pm. Ku-ring-gai Ave, Turramurra. (02) 9119 0811. $15. Live music, market and food stalls, raffle, plant and flower sales, with eight private gardens to explore.…5 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015PICK OF THE BUNCHChinese wisteria (W. sinensis)‘Alba’ Fragrant, pure white blooms.‘Amethyst’ Violet-blue flowers with, reputedly, the strongest scent of all wisteria.‘Jako’ White flowers with soft mauve edge, strong scent.Japanese wisteria (W. floribunda)‘Shiro Noda’ syn. ‘Alba’ Long, pure white racemes. Features in Monet’s bridge at Giverny, France.‘Honbeni’ Soft, pinkish-purple flowers.‘Kuchibeni’ Pale, mauve-pink flowers.‘Violacea Plena’ Double-flowered, dark blue-violet colour, light scent. Excellent autumn colour.‘Longissima’ syn. ‘Macrobotrys’ Extra-long, pale mauve racemes up to 1m long. Creates high visual impact on giant structures.…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015design focus1 A good shade tree provides comfort and protection. This is an olive tree (left) but it could be any small compact tree that is suited to your region. Prune lower growth and raise the shade canopy to allow movement below, while welcoming cooling breezes and revealing views beyond.2 Drought tolerant shrubs such as sea box (Alyxia buxifolia) and white correa (Correa alba) provide enclosure for the space and the visual interest of foliage colours, textures and form. Clipped into tight, rounded mounds, they add a touch of formality, in contrast to the olive. Repetition draws the eye deep into the garden3 Lightweight metal furniture bears minimal weight on a scene, whereas bulkier furniture can be imposing. Harmonising tones of white, grey and green help it blend into the surroundings.…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015PICK OF THE BUNCHChinese wisteria (W. sinensis) ‘Alba’ Fragrant, pure white blooms. ‘Amethyst’ Violet-blue flowers with, reputedly, the strongest scent of all wisteria. ‘Jako’ White flowers with soft mauve edge, strong scent. Japanese wisteria (W. floribunda) ‘Shiro Noda’ syn. ‘Alba’ Long, pure white racemes. Features in Monet’s bridge at Giverny, France. ‘Honbeni’ Soft, pinkish-purple flowers. ‘Kuchibeni’ Pale, mauve-pink flowers. ‘Violacea Plena’ Double-flowered, dark blue-violet colour, light scent. Excellent autumn colour. ‘Longissima’ syn. ‘Macrobotrys’ Extra-long, pale mauve racemes up to 1m long. Creates high visual impact on giant structures.…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015TREES for the futureIt is said we plant trees for the next generation so our kids can enjoy, among other things, their shade. We also bequeath to future generations over-mature, unsafe and sometimes unattractive specimens at the end of their lives. Sometimes our trees will die before they become shade bearing. It can be difficult to get that benefaction right. Climate change makes it even harder. What should we plant today to leave a living legacy for, let’s say, our grandchildren’s children? An oak or a Wollemi Pine, planted in a park or garden today, might be at its peak in 75 years, but will it be an appropriate tree to be growing in 2090? Will we be complimented or condemned? Here at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, in our Melbourne Gardens, we…5 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015festival of FLOWERSLast spring, I finally got to Canberra to soak up the colour and fanfare of Floriade. It’s something I reckon every Australian should do – just ask one of the 400,000 people who visit each year. I was in awe of the size and brilliance of the floral display. With bulbs and annuals covering 8000m² of Commonwealth Park, it’s the biggest horticultural event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. What impressed me most was the skill of the gardeners who make it all happen, so I decided to find out how it’s done. I tracked down head gardener Andrew Forster, who has worked on every Floriade since it began in 1988 for the bicentenary. He’s an important part of its success, but prefers to share the credit. “It’s a…3 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015saving the SEEDLately I’ve been feeling seedy. No, not with some lurgy, but more the ‘let’s head out into the sunlight and pick seeds for spring planting’ type of feeling. It’s a mood full of hope and that strange gardener’s certainty that big trees – or baskets full of beans – really do spring from tiny seeds.Not all seeds can be planted. Rather, they can, but they may not germinate, or whatever grows may bear little resemblance to the parent fruit or vegie you took it from, if the parent is a hybrid. So, it’s best to go for non-hybrid varieties, which is why you need to either buy non-hybrid seed or save the packets each year, so you know which plants you can collect from.“Dribbling out a few seeds from a…3 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015laying down the LAWNnew lawns A good lawn is a reflection of its foundations so, if you are laying a new lawn, it’s important to get this part right. Remove any pre-existing lawn, or clear the area of weeds and any kind of debris. If the soil is hard and compact, hire a rotary hoe to break it up, which benefits root establishment. Level the area, spread a ‘lawn starter soil mix’ over the top (up to 10cm deep) and broadcast some organic fertiliser. Keep in mind that the final soil level should be at least 2–3cm below any adjoining pathways and patios. Lay your turf on the day it’s delivered by the turf supplier, and make sure you water the soil beforehand. Follow the perimeter first, then fill the voids, ensuring each…4 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015perfect pumpkinAt a glancecommon name pumpkinbotanical name Cucurbita spp.plant type fruiting vine40–50cm1–10mfull sunsuitablespring, summer (autumn in tropics)3–4 months“Pumpkin is a wonderfully vigorous vine that creeps and climbs over everything”While many Australians love their pumpkins, you may be dismayed to learn that this love is not universal. In some parts of the world, pumpkins are considered food that’s only fit for livestock. I have to assume they have never tried pumpkin soup, pumpkin and sage ravioli or a simple roasted butternut!Pumpkin is a wonderfully vigorous, rambling annual vine that creeps and climbs over everything. If that frightens you, there are compact forms suited to smaller spaces, even pots. If you’re up for the challenge and have the space, you might even like to try your hand at growing a giant competition pumpkin.getting…4 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015saving the SEEDLately I’ve been feeling seedy. No, not with some lurgy, but more the ‘let’s head out into the sunlight and pick seeds for spring planting’ type of feeling. It’s a mood full of hope and that strange gardener’s certainty that big trees – or baskets full of beans – really do spring from tiny seeds. Not all seeds can be planted. Rather, they can, but they may not germinate, or whatever grows may bear little resemblance to the parent fruit or vegie you took it from, if the parent is a hybrid. So, it’s best to go for non-hybrid varieties, which is why you need to either buy non-hybrid seed or save the packets each year, so you know which plants you can collect from. “Dribbling out a few seeds…3 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015DEAD or resting?Plants are remarkably adept at faking it. One minute your plant appears happy and healthy but, a few days later, it stands naked, surrounded by piles of leaves. Then, just as you give up on it and show it the axe, the weather warms up and bingo, it’s back in leaf. It seems the very sight of the axe gets better results than your gently reasoning conversation ever could! To make things more confusing, some plants, while they appear to be alive, just sit there and do nothing for months on end, despite all of your efforts to water them. It makes you wonder: are they dead or just resting? the attention seeker No doubt about it. Just like children, plants love attention, and what better way to get it…3 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015a month in the Gardentop jobStart planting!There’s nothing like a hint of warm weather to get even the most notorious non-gardener outdoors and planting something. It must be nature’s way of letting us know that conditions are perfect. Plants are waking up ready to grow, and the warming soils are primed to receive hungry roots in search of moisture and nutrients. Roots will develop quickly in the following months, giving plants the best start in your garden, and by the time summer comes they’ll be well equipped to handle the heat.You can plant almost anything now, from fruits and vegetables to trees, shrubs, annuals and groundcovers. Any successful gardener will tell you that good soil preparation is a must. Be generous with soil conditioners, such as compost and aged-manures, and dig them into an…9 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015tino’s top picks1. Dills Atlantic Giant This is the pumpkin you see in competitions. The Australian record was smashed this year when a grower in Kyogle, NSW, presented a 743kg whopper! It’s good for soup, which would feed an entire suburb. 2. Red Kuri Great for roasting, it is called Utsugi in Japan and Potimarron in France. It’s a Japanese heirloom, and Kuri means ‘chestnut’ in Japanese. 3. Butternut One of the best-loved pumpkins in Australia, this one has thin, smooth skin and sweet, nutty flesh. 4. Sweet Dumpling This mini-pepo variety produces small white and green striped fruit that are sweet, living up to the name.…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015to the rescueWhen you find a magpie squawking on the ground beneath a tree, or a bird flies into your window, it can be daunting working out what to do. But there are some basic first-aid tips that apply to animals, including wildlife.The first thing to understand is that wild animals become stressed very, very easily. In fact, they can die from stress, due to a phenomenon known as ‘capture myopathy’. In wildlife especially, an immediate reaction to stress is the ‘fight or flight’ syndrome. The animal’s body responds accordingly by producing adrenalin. Persistent stress keeps this reaction at a dangerous level. This can create metabolic upset, an increased susceptibility to stress and eventual death.It is vital to initially do a few things for any wildlife found that is in need of…4 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015P ick me now• Asparagus (above) Cut or snap 20cm-long shoots, just below ground level. Check plants every two days or so and pick before they get large and ferny. Regular picking encourages more shoots. • Banana Pick when plump, with rounded ridges and light green skin. Cut off entire stalk or break off individual hands, starting at the top. Store in a cool, shaded spot to ripen. • Spring onion Harvest plants when big enough to use. Pull up plant, shake off soil, cut off roots and rinse, or chop off tops near base and let them reshoot. also in sason • asian greens • beetroot • broad beans • broccoli • brussels sprouts • cabbage • carrot • cauliflower • celeriac • celery • fennel • Jerusalem artichoke • kale •…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015a month in the Gardentop job Start planting! There’s nothing like a hint of warm weather to get even the most notorious non-gardener outdoors and planting something. It must be nature’s way of letting us know that conditions are perfect. Plants are waking up ready to grow, and the warming soils are primed to receive hungry roots in search of moisture and nutrients. Roots will develop quickly in the following months, giving plants the best start in your garden, and by the time summer comes they’ll be well equipped to handle the heat. You can plant almost anything now, from fruits and vegetables to trees, shrubs, annuals and groundcovers. Any successful gardener will tell you that good soil preparation is a must. Be generous with soil conditioners, such as compost and aged-manures, and dig…9 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015ask our expertsPLANTING ROSESQ I would like to know why the advice about planting roses in Australia is the opposite to that given by the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK. They say to bury the graft, to reduce the possibility of suckers and to stabilise against wind damage whereas, here, we’re advised to keep the graft above soil level.M Paul, via emailA Both approaches can be made to sound logical. But, for myself, I would go with the deep planting, for stability and to encourage the rose to eventually grow on its own roots, which will grow out from the below-ground parts above the graft. Renowned gardener and writer Christopher Lloyd, from Great Dixter in the UK, with his long experience with roses, found that those grown from cuttings and therefore…3 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015to the rescueWhen you find a magpie squawking on the ground beneath a tree, or a bird flies into your window, it can be daunting working out what to do. But there are some basic first-aid tips that apply to animals, including wildlife. The first thing to understand is that wild animals become stressed very, very easily. In fact, they can die from stress, due to a phenomenon known as ‘capture myopathy’. In wildlife especially, an immediate reaction to stress is the ‘fight or flight’ syndrome. The animal’s body responds accordingly by producing adrenalin. Persistent stress keeps this reaction at a dangerous level. This can create metabolic upset, an increased susceptibility to stress and eventual death. It is vital to initially do a few things for any wildlife found that is in…4 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015WIN a Bosch radio worth $149!Compact and robust, the Bosch PRA MultiPower Radio gives you quality sound while you’re working or playing outdoors. As well as listening to the radio, you can play the music on your phone using an auxiliary port or Bluetooth, or sit your phone securely in the unit. We have 3 Bosch MultiPower Radios to give away (worth $149 each). To enter, tell us in 25 words or less: What is your favourite music to play in the garden and why? Write your name, address, daytime number and entry on the back of an envelope and send to Bosch Radio Competition, Gardening Australia, nextmedia, Locked Bag 5555, St Leonards NSW 1590 or email comp@gardeningaustralia.com.au with ‘Bosch’ in the subject line by September 13.…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015great shot!1 I spied the amazing compound eyes on this beautiful emerald dragonfly, resting on a gaura in my garden. B Maurer, Matcham, NSW 2 A katydid on my deck in the Dandenongs. This species is normally only in the Tropical North. G Anderson, Emerald, Vic 3 This time of year fungi is rampant throughout our garden wherever mulch has been placed, and our dog Beau never leaves my side. S Winkle, Dunsborough, WA 4 A crested pigeon and chicks nesting in a port wine magnolia. M Lyon, Chapman, ACT 5 A proud brown tree frog, sunning himself on the petals of a rhododendron. J Wood, West Ulverstone, Tas 6 Busy collecting pollen, this bee didn’t mind a camera right up close. A Peters, Holder, ACT 7 In my bush garden,…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015modular garden bedsWe are giving away two Birdies Stacka Modular Sleeper prizes, valued at $255 each. Each winner will receive three packs of Pack B. These easy-to-build raised garden beds can be made into many different shapes, heights and sizes to suit your needs, and the material is arsenic free, making it safe for your family. Visit birdiesgardenproducts.com.au for more information. how to enter To win a pack of Stacka Modular Sleepers (Pack B), unscramble the highlighted letters in the crossword (opposite) and email your answer by September 13 to comp@gardeningaustralia.com.au with ‘Birdies’ in the subject line. Include your name, address and daytime contact number. For full Terms and Conditions, visit mymagazines.com.au WINNERS Probiotic Solutions (June 2015) S Hinchey, Warriewood, NSW; R Langmead, Girrawheen, WA; C Sartori, Gruyere, Vic; N…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015the forgottenOne thing I wish I was better at is looking after stuff in pots. I’m pretty good at my big, explosive pots over summer – pots large enough to take eight or 10 plants, with a mix of perennials, bulbs, annuals and maybe a fast-growing shrub, replanted each spring and only intended to last the warmer months. Their all-singing, all-dancing nature means you remember to water and feed them. Furthermore, I put them in prominent places to enjoy them, so I’m less likely to forget. But I’m useless at stuff permanently planted into pots. Right now, with a few weeks before the garden is really in full swing, I’d love to have a collection of bulbs in pots sitting in full view from the kitchen window. But my memory and…2 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015new season new look!Have you noticed something has changed? Yes, the bulbs are up and the blossom is out, but apart from that? Well, it’s a new season, full of new possibilities, and we’re celebrating this with a fresh, new look.The most exciting change is the action planner. All your checklists, step-by-steps and practical tips are now packaged into a vibrant, new format (see page 62). We’re also introducing several new regular sections, starting with ‘Hard Gardening’ on page 30. Tim Entwisle kicks it off with a fascinating piece about tree selection, and what we leave for future generations.There’s Michael McCoy’s story on fashioning prunings into decorative trellis, the first of a series on reprising the old horticultural crafts (see page 39). Jackie French has a fun new column on page 50, and…2 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015what’s new1 Award-winning Dianthus ‘Memories’ is compact, drought tolerant and bears classic white, fragrant flowers in spring and summer. If it’s regularly deadheaded, repeat blooms are guaranteed. The lengthy flower season makes it perfect for containers or mass planting as a groundcover. Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Research Foundation receives 50 cents from each plant sold. pma.com.au 2 The hardy, salt-tolerant Metrosideros ‘Firecracker’ has immature red foliage tips, maturing to green and white variegations. It responds well to pruning, and grows to 3m. Ideal for hedging. sales@waterworthsnursery.com.au 3 The aptly named ‘Heartbreaker’ tomato is cherry sized, bright red and heart shaped. Its soft skin makes it ideal for snacks, salads and soups. The fruit are high in flavour, with a sweet and tangy mix. highsun.com.au 4 Tabernaemontana corymbosa ‘Little Goldie’ is a…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015GLORY BE!At a glancecommon name wisteriabotanical name Wisteria spp.plant type deciduous climberfull sunup to 9mup to 9mspring to summersuitableany timedrought tolerant once established“Today, there are more than 20 varieties produced in Australia”My bedroom window, where I grew up, was shaded by wisteria clambering over the front pergola, so I am sure I was already addicted to its intoxicating scent as a baby. I remember playing under its purple profusion at home, in parks where my mother would take me to see magnificent specimens, and running along the two infamous wisteria tunnels in the Adelaide Botanic Garden. They seemed to be miles long and, as an adult, their appeal has not diminished.I have always had wisteria growing somewhere in my gardens. We carried 10 varieties of wisteria in our nursery when, in…5 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015what’s on in SeptemberNationwide 13th Bushcare’s Major Day Out 0417 285 871. Get involved in tree planting, talks, weeding, nature walks, morning teas and lunches to help protect our bushland, dunes and wetlands. Visit bushcaresmajordayout.org to volunteer or register your site. Australian Capital Territory September 12th–October 11th Floriade Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat–Sun 9am–5.30pm. Commonwealth Park, Canberra. 1300 554 114. Free. Australia’s biggest spring celebration, with 1 million flowers in bloom, plus workshops, entertainment, demonstrations and rides. This year’s theme is ‘Reflection’. NightFest (Sept 23rd–27th, 6.30–10.30pm; $25 or $50 family) adds light shows, live music, comedy, markets, bars and DJs. (See behind the scenes at Floriade on page 34.) New South Wales 4th Knox Grammar School Garden Day 10am–2pm. Ku-ring-gai Ave, Turramurra. (02) 9119 0811. $15. Live music, market and food stalls, raffle, plant and…5 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015GLORY BE!At a glance common name wisteria botanical name Wisteria spp. plant type deciduous climber full sun up to 9m up to 9m spring to summer suitable any time drought tolerant once established “Today, there are more than 20 varieties produced in Australia” My bedroom window, where I grew up, was shaded by wisteria clambering over the front pergola, so I am sure I was already addicted to its intoxicating scent as a baby. I remember playing under its purple profusion at home, in parks where my mother would take me to see magnificent specimens, and running along the two infamous wisteria tunnels in the Adelaide Botanic Garden. They seemed to be miles long and, as an adult, their appeal has not diminished. I have always had wisteria growing somewhere…5 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015festival of FLOWERSLast spring, I finally got to Canberra to soak up the colour and fanfare of Floriade. It’s something I reckon every Australian should do – just ask one of the 400,000 people who visit each year. I was in awe of the size and brilliance of the floral display. With bulbs and annuals covering 8000m² of Commonwealth Park, it’s the biggest horticultural event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. What impressed me most was the skill of the gardeners who make it all happen, so I decided to find out how it’s done.I tracked down head gardener Andrew Forster, who has worked on every Floriade since it began in 1988 for the bicentenary. He’s an important part of its success, but prefers to share the credit. “It’s a team…3 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015design focus1 A good shade tree provides comfort and protection. This is an olive tree (left) but it could be any small compact tree that is suited to your region. Prune lower growth and raise the shade canopy to allow movement below, while welcoming cooling breezes and revealing views beyond. 2 Drought tolerant shrubs such as sea box (Alyxia buxifolia) and white correa (Correa alba) provide enclosure for the space and the visual interest of foliage colours, textures and form. Clipped into tight, rounded mounds, they add a touch of formality, in contrast to the olive. Repetition draws the eye deep into the garden 3 Lightweight metal furniture bears minimal weight on a scene, whereas bulkier furniture can be imposing. Harmonising tones of white, grey and green help it blend into…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015laying down the LAWNnew lawnsA good lawn is a reflection of its foundations so, if you are laying a new lawn, it’s important to get this part right. Remove any pre-existing lawn, or clear the area of weeds and any kind of debris. If the soil is hard and compact, hire a rotary hoe to break it up, which benefits root establishment. Level the area, spread a ‘lawn starter soil mix’ over the top (up to 10cm deep) and broadcast some organic fertiliser. Keep in mind that the final soil level should be at least 2–3cm below any adjoining pathways and patios.Lay your turf on the day it’s delivered by the turf supplier, and make sure you water the soil beforehand. Follow the perimeter first, then fill the voids, ensuring each roll butts…4 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015make your own GARDEN ARTwhat you need:a cake tinself-adhesivecontact paperpetroleum jellychicken wireready-mixcementdecorative glass gems and/or coloured tiles, sourced from hardware stores or tile-store remnant boxes1 Trace the shape of your cake tin on the contact paper and cut out the shape. Place the paper, sticky side up, in the cake tin.2 Grease the side of the tin3 with petroleum jelly. Carefully peel the backing away from the contact paper.4 Place decorative items on the sticky paper with the pattern and/or flat side facing down.5 Mix some cement, following instructions on the packet, and fill the tin to halfway. Place a piece of cut-down chicken wire on the cement, then cover this with more cement. It doesn’t have to go to the top.6 Gently shake the cake tin and tap it carefully on a hard…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015DEAD or resting?Plants are remarkably adept at faking it. One minute your plant appears happy and healthy but, a few days later, it stands naked, surrounded by piles of leaves. Then, just as you give up on it and show it the axe, the weather warms up and bingo, it’s back in leaf. It seems the very sight of the axe gets better results than your gently reasoning conversation ever could! To make things more confusing, some plants, while they appear to be alive, just sit there and do nothing for months on end, despite all of your efforts to water them. It makes you wonder: are they dead or just resting?the attention seekerNo doubt about it. Just like children, plants love attention, and what better way to get it than to…3 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015make your own GARDEN ARTwhat you need: a cake tinself-adhesivecontact paperpetroleum jellychicken wireready-mixcementdecorative glass gems and/or coloured tiles, sourced from hardware stores or tile-store remnant boxes 1 Trace the shape of your cake tin on the contact paper and cut out the shape. Place the paper, sticky side up, in the cake tin. 2 Grease the side of the tin 3 with petroleum jelly. Carefully peel the backing away from the contact paper. 4 Place decorative items on the sticky paper with the pattern and/or flat side facing down. 5 Mix some cement, following instructions on the packet, and fill the tin to halfway. Place a piece of cut-down chicken wire on the cement, then cover this with more cement. It doesn’t have to go to the top. 6 Gently shake the cake tin…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015starter crops 10 easy vegies for first timersGrowing vegies is really not hard and, if you slip up, they have a knack of telling you what they need. If they look a bit yellow or stunted, they’re probably hungry. If they’re drooping and getting browned off, they may need more water. If they’re soft and leggy, maybe they’re not getting the five to six hours of direct sunlight most of them need.Here are our picks for beginners. They all need full sun, except rocket and lettuce, which can take semi-shade. Water them daily and give them a regular feed.1. dwarf cherry tomatoesThese compact bushes produce masses of tiny, flavour-packed fruit, all through spring and summer. They’re more disease resistant than other tomatoes, and do well in sunny spots in the garden or in tubs, hanging baskets or…4 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015P ick me now• Asparagus (above) Cut or snap 20cm-long shoots, just below ground level. Check plants every two days or so and pick before they get large and ferny. Regular picking encourages more shoots.• Banana Pick when plump, with rounded ridges and light green skin. Cut off entire stalk or break off individual hands, starting at the top. Store in a cool, shaded spot to ripen.• Spring onion Harvest plants when big enough to use. Pull up plant, shake off soil, cut off roots and rinse, or chop off tops near base and let them reshoot.also in sason• asian greens • beetroot • broad beans • broccoli • brussels sprouts • cabbage • carrot • cauliflower • celeriac • celery • fennel • Jerusalem artichoke • kale • leek • lemon •…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015perfect pumpkinAt a glance common name pumpkinbotanical name Cucurbita spp.plant type fruiting vine 40–50cm 1–10m full sun suitable spring, summer (autumn in tropics) 3–4 months “Pumpkin is a wonderfully vigorous vine that creeps and climbs over everything” While many Australians love their pumpkins, you may be dismayed to learn that this love is not universal. In some parts of the world, pumpkins are considered food that’s only fit for livestock. I have to assume they have never tried pumpkin soup, pumpkin and sage ravioli or a simple roasted butternut! Pumpkin is a wonderfully vigorous, rambling annual vine that creeps and climbs over everything. If that frightens you, there are compact forms suited to smaller spaces, even pots. If you’re up for the challenge and have the space, you might even like…3 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015garden pestHave you ever sliced open a tomato and found a caterpillar curled up inside? It’s most likely the larva (right) of the Helicoverpa moth species, known as either cotton bollworm, corn earworm, budworm, heliothis or tomato caterpillar. It is Australia’s most widespread and destructive caterpillar pest, feeding on various fruit, vegies and ornamental plants.Marauding caterpillars chew holes in flower buds and fruit, and nibble ‘windows’ in leaves as small larvae, or big holes as large larvae. They’re green, red, yellow, brown or almost black, with yellow down each side and a dark stripe down the back. They are bumpy, distinguishing them from the smooth-skinned cutworm and armyworm.Cover crops with fine netting to prevent females laying eggs, and remove other breeding sites, such as broadleaf weeds. If you find eggs on…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015cooking with...strawberriesstrawberry meringues serves 4 250g strawberries, washed, hulled, quartered2 teaspoons icing sugar2 teaspoons lime juice½ teaspoon finely grated lime zest4 x 8cm-diameter meringue nests2 x 125g tubs vanilla fromage frais (we usedFrûche Vanilla Bean dessert) 1 Place the strawberries in a bowl with the icing sugar, lime juice and zest. Stir to combine, then set aside for 5 minutes to macerate. 2 Top each of the meringue nests with one-quarter of the Frûche dessert, then top with one-quarter of the strawberry mixture. Spoon over any remaining juices, and serve immediately. ice-cream sandwiches serves 10 250g strawberries, hulled,thinly sliced1.2 litres low-fat vanillaice-cream, softened20 ice-cream wafers 1 Place strawberries into a large bowl and mash with a fork, keeping some texture. Add ice-cream and stir until smooth and well combined. 2 Line…2 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015WIN a Bosch radio worth $149!Compact and robust, the Bosch PRA MultiPower Radio gives you quality sound while you’re working or playing outdoors. As well as listening to the radio, you can play the music on your phone using an auxiliary port or Bluetooth, or sit your phone securely in the unit.We have 3 Bosch MultiPower Radios to give away (worth $149 each). To enter, tell us in 25 words or less: What is your favourite music to play in the garden and why? Write your name, address, daytime number and entry on the back of an envelope and send to Bosch Radio Competition, Gardening Australia, nextmedia, Locked Bag 5555, St Leonards NSW 1590 or email comp@gardeningaustralia.com.au with ‘Bosch’ in the subject line by September 13.…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015WIN the Billy goat!Email your best photo to comp@gardenaustralia.com.au with ‘Opposites Attract’ in the subject line and include your name, address and daytime contact number. Photos must be garden-related and high-resolution. The best entries will be published in the November issue, and the photo of the month will win a ‘Billy the Goat’ planter from Think Outside, valued at $369. It is entirely handcrafted from recycled 44-gallon drums, with a drainage plug and hollow back, ready to age beautifully in your garden.Competition starts 10/8/15, 00:01 AEST and closes 13/9/15, 23:59 AEST. Winners judged 15/9/15 at 14:00 AEST. Total prize is valued at $369. Full terms and conditions are available at mymagazines.com.au…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015garden pestHave you ever sliced open a tomato and found a caterpillar curled up inside? It’s most likely the larva (right) of the Helicoverpa moth species, known as either cotton bollworm, corn earworm, budworm, heliothis or tomato caterpillar. It is Australia’s most widespread and destructive caterpillar pest, feeding on various fruit, vegies and ornamental plants. Marauding caterpillars chew holes in flower buds and fruit, and nibble ‘windows’ in leaves as small larvae, or big holes as large larvae. They’re green, red, yellow, brown or almost black, with yellow down each side and a dark stripe down the back. They are bumpy, distinguishing them from the smooth-skinned cutworm and armyworm. Cover crops with fine netting to prevent females laying eggs, and remove other breeding sites, such as broadleaf weeds. If you find…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015GARDENING ON YOUR ABCtvGardening Australia is on ABC TV each Saturday from 6.30pm. The show is repeated on Sunday at 1pm.August 15Costa Georgiadis shows how to rehandle tools, Jerry Coleby-Williams explores a shady city garden, Josh Byrne visits a garden full of exotic African plants, Jane Edmanson hard-prunes camellias and John Patrick profiles a great tree for a suburban backyard.August 22Tino Carnevale starts prepping perennials for spring, Jerry Coleby-Williams helps out with the bromeliad collection at Roma Street Parklands and Angus Stewart revisits some old deep-stem planting experiments.August 29Sophie Thomson plants some natives along her driveway, Costa Georgiadis explores a beautiful garden that’s also productive, Josh Byrne helps out a balcony gardener in the city and Tino Carnevale gets stuck into some raspberry cane maintenance.September 5Spring is here, and it’s a great time…3 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015instorestacks of optionsBuilding your own raised garden beds is quick and easy with the Birdies Stacka Modular Sleeper Range. Pack A and Pack B offer different options and, when used together, can create hundreds of configurations and six different heights. You can even combine a planter with bench seating. It’s available in Cypress pine or safe, durable Tanalised Ecowood, both able to be stained or painted. Packs come complete with fittings.For more information, visit birdiesgardenproducts.com.auno more kinksThe new-generation Gardena Premium SuperFlex hose makes watering easy. With high-density mesh textile, double spiral structure and 6/6 kink resistance, the hose is durable and won’t twist or knot. It’s free from toxins, such as phthalates, and heavy metals that leach into water, and has a 30-year guarantee. The Power Grip creates a leak-free…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015WIN the Billy goat!Email your best photo to comp@gardenaustralia.com.au with ‘Opposites Attract’ in the subject line and include your name, address and daytime contact number. Photos must be garden-related and high-resolution. The best entries will be published in the November issue, and the photo of the month will win a ‘Billy the Goat’ planter from Think Outside, valued at $369. It is entirely handcrafted from recycled 44-gallon drums, with a drainage plug and hollow back, ready to age beautifully in your garden. Competition starts 10/8/15, 00:01 AEST and closes 13/9/15, 23:59 AEST. Winners judged 15/9/15 at 14:00 AEST. Total prize is valued at $369. Full terms and conditions are available at mymagazines.com.au…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015GARDENING ON YOUR ABCtv Gardening Australia is on ABC TV each Saturday from 6.30pm. The show is repeated on Sunday at 1pm. August 15 Costa Georgiadis shows how to rehandle tools, Jerry Coleby-Williams explores a shady city garden, Josh Byrne visits a garden full of exotic African plants, Jane Edmanson hard-prunes camellias and John Patrick profiles a great tree for a suburban backyard. August 22 Tino Carnevale starts prepping perennials for spring, Jerry Coleby-Williams helps out with the bromeliad collection at Roma Street Parklands and Angus Stewart revisits some old deep-stem planting experiments. August 29 Sophie Thomson plants some natives along her driveway, Costa Georgiadis explores a beautiful garden that’s also productive, Josh Byrne helps out a balcony gardener in the city and Tino Carnevale gets stuck into some raspberry cane maintenance. September…2 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015what’s new1 Award-winning Dianthus ‘Memories’ is compact, drought tolerant and bears classic white, fragrant flowers in spring and summer. If it’s regularly deadheaded, repeat blooms are guaranteed. The lengthy flower season makes it perfect for containers or mass planting as a groundcover. Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Research Foundation receives 50 cents from each plant sold. pma.com.au2 The hardy, salt-tolerant Metrosideros ‘Firecracker’ has immature red foliage tips, maturing to green and white variegations. It responds well to pruning, and grows to 3m. Ideal for hedging. sales@waterworthsnursery.com.au3 The aptly named ‘Heartbreaker’ tomato is cherry sized, bright red and heart shaped. Its soft skin makes it ideal for snacks, salads and soups. The fruit are high in flavour, with a sweet and tangy mix. highsun.com.au4 Tabernaemontana corymbosa ‘Little Goldie’ is a dense, bushy dwarf with…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015coastal PARADISEGood gardens don’t simply happen, they require careful thought and planning, with much consideration to the location and the needs of those who will be enjoying the garden. So it is with this outstanding private Sorrento garden, created by celebrated designer Fiona Brockhoff.Located close to the sea on the Mornington Peninsula in southern Victoria, this garden fits perfectly into the setting, with appropriate selection of materials and plants. When it comes to the people living here, the design challenges are equally unique, with three generations of the same family living in three separate houses, and each generation having slightly different needs. Fortunately the large block gave Fiona the opportunity to design many different spaces, including a swimming pool and tennis court, with room for a number of canopy trees to…4 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015TREES for the futureIt is said we plant trees for the next generation so our kids can enjoy, among other things, their shade. We also bequeath to future generations over-mature, unsafe and sometimes unattractive specimens at the end of their lives. Sometimes our trees will die before they become shade bearing. It can be difficult to get that benefaction right.Climate change makes it even harder. What should we plant today to leave a living legacy for, let’s say, our grandchildren’s children? An oak or a Wollemi Pine, planted in a park or garden today, might be at its peak in 75 years, but will it be an appropriate tree to be growing in 2090? Will we be complimented or condemned?Here at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, in our Melbourne Gardens, we have a…5 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015coastal PARADISEGood gardens don’t simply happen, they require careful thought and planning, with much consideration to the location and the needs of those who will be enjoying the garden. So it is with this outstanding private Sorrento garden, created by celebrated designer Fiona Brockhoff. Located close to the sea on the Mornington Peninsula in southern Victoria, this garden fits perfectly into the setting, with appropriate selection of materials and plants. When it comes to the people living here, the design challenges are equally unique, with three generations of the same family living in three separate houses, and each generation having slightly different needs. Fortunately the large block gave Fiona the opportunity to design many different spaces, including a swimming pool and tennis court, with room for a number of canopy trees…4 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015pick up STICKSThere are very few gardens worldwide that have left me in a virtual stupor of joy, and right at the top of this very short list are those at the former monastery Prieuré d’Orsan (Priory at Orsan), in Berry on the edge of the Loire Valley in France. It’s hard to define exactly why such a garden presses your buttons, but part of the pleasure at Orsan is due to the handmade trellis structures that are, perhaps, its most distinctive feature. They perform a multitude of functions: as trellis to divide the garden, framework on which to grow fruit, garden-bed edging, canopies for overhead enclosure, and a form of highly creative seating. All of these, according to the gardens’ creators, have their precedent written in medieval monastic manuscripts.The appeal is…4 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015the mosaic GARDENHave you ever been tempted to add a sculpture or colourful craft, such as mosaic, to your garden? When the season is quiet or the days are gloomy, decorative objects can be the perfect salve to cheer us up. Beware, though – overdoing it can ruin the entire effect. Sometimes, we get so excited about creating fabulous things, we find it hard to stop; but a little restraint means that a few special objects, and your garden, star without too much competition.West End, an inner-city Brisbane suburb, is where Glenn Cooke has crafted a delightfully artful garden with the theme of ‘reusing and recycling’. “I’m a born collector,” Glenn admits as he ambles through his worker’s cottage, full to the brim with antiques, memorabilia and tchotchkes, and heads out to…3 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015pick up STICKSThere are very few gardens worldwide that have left me in a virtual stupor of joy, and right at the top of this very short list are those at the former monastery Prieuré d’Orsan (Priory at Orsan), in Berry on the edge of the Loire Valley in France. It’s hard to define exactly why such a garden presses your buttons, but part of the pleasure at Orsan is due to the handmade trellis structures that are, perhaps, its most distinctive feature. They perform a multitude of functions: as trellis to divide the garden, framework on which to grow fruit, garden-bed edging, canopies for overhead enclosure, and a form of highly creative seating. All of these, according to the gardens’ creators, have their precedent written in medieval monastic manuscripts. The appeal…4 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015the mosaic GARDENHave you ever been tempted to add a sculpture or colourful craft, such as mosaic, to your garden? When the season is quiet or the days are gloomy, decorative objects can be the perfect salve to cheer us up. Beware, though – overdoing it can ruin the entire effect. Sometimes, we get so excited about creating fabulous things, we find it hard to stop; but a little restraint means that a few special objects, and your garden, star without too much competition. West End, an inner-city Brisbane suburb, is where Glenn Cooke has crafted a delightfully artful garden with the theme of ‘reusing and recycling’. “I’m a born collector,” Glenn admits as he ambles through his worker’s cottage, full to the brim with antiques, memorabilia and tchotchkes, and heads out…3 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015tino’s top picks1. Dills Atlantic GiantThis is the pumpkin you see in competitions. The Australian record was smashed this year when a grower in Kyogle, NSW, presented a 743kg whopper! It’s good for soup, which would feed an entire suburb.2. Red KuriGreat for roasting, it is called Utsugi in Japan and Potimarron in France. It’s a Japanese heirloom, and Kuri means ‘chestnut’ in Japanese.3. ButternutOne of the best-loved pumpkins in Australia, this one has thin, smooth skin and sweet, nutty flesh.4. Sweet DumplingThis mini-pepo variety produces small white and green striped fruit that are sweet, living up to the name.PHOTOS ISTOCK, VINCENT LONG, THE DIGGERS CLUB, ALAMY…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015cooking with...strawberriesstrawberry meringuesserves 4250g strawberries, washed, hulled, quartered2 teaspoons icing sugar2 teaspoons lime juice½ teaspoon finely grated lime zest4 x 8cm-diameter meringue nests2 x 125g tubs vanilla fromage frais (we usedFrûche Vanilla Bean dessert)1 Place the strawberries in a bowl with the icing sugar, lime juice and zest. Stir to combine, then set aside for 5 minutes to macerate.2 Top each of the meringue nests with one-quarter of the Frûche dessert, then top with one-quarter of the strawberry mixture. Spoon over any remaining juices, and serve immediately.ice-cream sandwichesserves 10250g strawberries, hulled,thinly sliced1.2 litres low-fat vanillaice-cream, softened20 ice-cream wafers1 Place strawberries into a large bowl and mash with a fork, keeping some texture. Add ice-cream and stir until smooth and well combined.2 Line a 9cm x 19cm loaf tin with plastic wrap,…2 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015garden guestOne of our most dazzling backyard visitors, the rainbow lorikeet, is becoming a frequent sight in northern and eastern coastal districts, as flowering and fruiting native plants become established in our parks and gardens.This bird is easily recognised by its deep blue head with a greenish-yellow collar, bright red beak, red chest, green or blue belly and deep green upper parts. Both sexes look alike and grow to about 30cm, including tail.Apart from its beautiful plumage, one of the most remarkable features of the lorikeet is its tongue. Most parrots are seed-eaters, and use a muscular, flat tongue to manipulate their food. The lorikeet’s tongue, however, is tipped with soft, bristle-like appendages, resembling a miniature household mop. Wiping its tongue around the inside of flowers, the lorikeet soaks up nectar…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015starter crops 10 easy vegies for first timersGrowing vegies is really not hard and, if you slip up, they have a knack of telling you what they need. If they look a bit yellow or stunted, they’re probably hungry. If they’re drooping and getting browned off, they may need more water. If they’re soft and leggy, maybe they’re not getting the five to six hours of direct sunlight most of them need. Here are our picks for beginners. They all need full sun, except rocket and lettuce, which can take semi-shade. Water them daily and give them a regular feed. 1. dwarf cherry tomatoes These compact bushes produce masses of tiny, flavour-packed fruit, all through spring and summer. They’re more disease resistant than other tomatoes, and do well in sunny spots in the garden or in tubs,…4 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015letterboxsurprise!After the last shower of rain I discovered that hundreds of white toadstools, like tiny lampshades, had suddenly sprung up on an old tree stump. Each fluted, white cap was barely one centimetre high and wide, and perched on a tall, thin, white stem.B Jackson, Lorne, NSWcheck your nettingYour article about protecting your crops didn’t mention how important it is that bird netting is wildlife-safe. Rescuers see hundreds of endangered animals injured by garden netting each year. This is easy to prevent. Don’t use netting with holes large enough to poke your finger through.D Peters via emailtropical treatClimbing up the ladder with dad to harvest a homegrown coconut, and cracking it open carefully to reveal its brimming juice, is a highlight of the Bellach family’s Darwin weekend.A Coroneo, Nightcliff, NTbig…2 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015great shot!1 I spied the amazing compound eyes on this beautiful emerald dragonfly, resting on a gaura in my garden.B Maurer, Matcham, NSW2 A katydid on my deck in the Dandenongs. This species is normally only in the Tropical North.G Anderson, Emerald, Vic3 This time of year fungi is rampant throughout our garden wherever mulch has been placed, and our dog Beau never leaves my side.S Winkle, Dunsborough, WA4 A crested pigeon and chicks nesting in a port wine magnolia.M Lyon, Chapman, ACT5 A proud brown tree frog, sunning himself on the petals of a rhododendron.J Wood, West Ulverstone, Tas6 Busy collecting pollen, this bee didn’t mind a camera right up close.A Peters, Holder, ACT7 In my bush garden, beside the pond, I noticed this robber fly.L Henderson, Eden, NSW…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015garden guestOne of our most dazzling backyard visitors, the rainbow lorikeet, is becoming a frequent sight in northern and eastern coastal districts, as flowering and fruiting native plants become established in our parks and gardens. This bird is easily recognised by its deep blue head with a greenish-yellow collar, bright red beak, red chest, green or blue belly and deep green upper parts. Both sexes look alike and grow to about 30cm, including tail. Apart from its beautiful plumage, one of the most remarkable features of the lorikeet is its tongue. Most parrots are seed-eaters, and use a muscular, flat tongue to manipulate their food. The lorikeet’s tongue, however, is tipped with soft, bristle-like appendages, resembling a miniature household mop. Wiping its tongue around the inside of flowers, the lorikeet soaks…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015modular garden bedsWe are giving away two Birdies Stacka Modular Sleeper prizes, valued at $255 each. Each winner will receive three packs of Pack B.These easy-to-build raised garden beds can be made into many different shapes, heights and sizes to suit your needs, and the material is arsenic free, making it safe for your family.Visit birdiesgardenproducts.com.aufor more information.how to enterTo win a pack of Stacka Modular Sleepers (Pack B), unscramble the highlighted letters in the crossword (opposite) and email your answer by September 13 to comp@gardeningaustralia.com.au with ‘Birdies’ in the subject line. Include your name, address and daytime contact number. For full Terms and Conditions, visit mymagazines.com.auWINNERSProbiotic Solutions (June 2015)S Hinchey, Warriewood, NSW; R Langmead, Girrawheen, WA; C Sartori, Gruyere, Vic; N Thapa, Lakemba, NSW.Permaculture book (June 2015)R Berg, Huntingdale, WA; E…1 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015letterboxsurprise! After the last shower of rain I discovered that hundreds of white toadstools, like tiny lampshades, had suddenly sprung up on an old tree stump. Each fluted, white cap was barely one centimetre high and wide, and perched on a tall, thin, white stem. B Jackson, Lorne, NSW check your netting Your article about protecting your crops didn’t mention how important it is that bird netting is wildlife-safe. Rescuers see hundreds of endangered animals injured by garden netting each year. This is easy to prevent. Don’t use netting with holes large enough to poke your finger through. D Peters via email tropical treat Climbing up the ladder with dad to harvest a homegrown coconut, and cracking it open carefully to reveal its brimming juice, is a highlight of the…2 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015the forgottenOne thing I wish I was better at is looking after stuff in pots. I’m pretty good at my big, explosive pots over summer – pots large enough to take eight or 10 plants, with a mix of perennials, bulbs, annuals and maybe a fast-growing shrub, replanted each spring and only intended to last the warmer months. Their all-singing, all-dancing nature means you remember to water and feed them. Furthermore, I put them in prominent places to enjoy them, so I’m less likely to forget.But I’m useless at stuff permanently planted into pots. Right now, with a few weeks before the garden is really in full swing, I’d love to have a collection of bulbs in pots sitting in full view from the kitchen window. But my memory and enthusiasm…2 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015ask our expertsPLANTING ROSES Q I would like to know why the advice about planting roses in Australia is the opposite to that given by the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK. They say to bury the graft, to reduce the possibility of suckers and to stabilise against wind damage whereas, here, we’re advised to keep the graft above soil level. M Paul, via email A Both approaches can be made to sound logical. But, for myself, I would go with the deep planting, for stability and to encourage the rose to eventually grow on its own roots, which will grow out from the below-ground parts above the graft. Renowned gardener and writer Christopher Lloyd, from Great Dixter in the UK, with his long experience with roses, found that those grown from…3 min
Gardening Australia|September 2015instorestacks of options Building your own raised garden beds is quick and easy with the Birdies Stacka Modular Sleeper Range. Pack A and Pack B offer different options and, when used together, can create hundreds of configurations and six different heights. You can even combine a planter with bench seating. It’s available in Cypress pine or safe, durable Tanalised Ecowood, both able to be stained or painted. Packs come complete with fittings. For more information, visit birdiesgardenproducts.com.au no more kinks The new-generation Gardena Premium SuperFlex hose makes watering easy. With high-density mesh textile, double spiral structure and 6/6 kink resistance, the hose is durable and won’t twist or knot. It’s free from toxins, such as phthalates, and heavy metals that leach into water, and has a 30-year guarantee. The Power…1 min
