I absolutely adore frangipanis. They are excellent plants. They come in a huge range of flower colours, are deliciously perfumed and are as tough as old boots – i.e. they don’t die. They need full sun all day and a warm position in the garden – maybe against a...
Many people email me asking about dense clumps of pendulous foliage in the middle of gum trees and many other trees including deciduous ones like liquidambars. Do you know what causes it? Well it’s simply a mistletoe plant. They suck sap from the tree and usually do...
With all of the recent rains and humidity, expect lots of fungal diseases this summer. In general, healthy plants resist fungus diseases all by themselves. Please remember that most fungicides that are sold are rather dangerous for human health. For most fungal...
I am constantly being asked about what bits and pieces of plants are OK to compost. Are camphor laurel leaves OK to compost? Yes, they are and, in general, everything is OK to compost except: Weeds with bulbs or tubers such as oxalis, onion weed and weedy lilies. Too...
This year is shaping up to be a hot one: a long hot summer. Many plants will really struggle this year – but you can help them. Some garden plants will need at least twice a week watering. Camellias, azaleas, gardenias, ferns and many deciduous plants like Japanese...
Arguably the most important advancement in gardening in the 50 years is the availability of mulches. Mulches prevent weeds growing and they insulate the soil against excessive heat and drying out. They make your garden grow so much better. But there are mulches and...
Bougainvilleas are arguably the most spectacular flowering plants for the temperate to warmer areas of Australia. In general, their true flowers are always white, but the floral bracts around the true flowers can be red, purple, orange, yellow, white or many other...
Do you want to grow organic food at home? Well, you can, and it’s fairly easy. All vegies and fruit need fertilizing and you can’t beat chook poo. The original Dynamic Lifter formula is 100% chook poo and it is sterilized so it doesn’t carry any diseases of plants or...
Do you have a pet bird like a cockatiel or a rainbow lorikeet or a budgie? If you do, would you like some tips on how to get on really well with your bird? Well, firstly never force yourself on a bird. Approach it and let it come to you. In time it will especially...
The wheelbarrow is possibly the most important of all garden tools, but many people get the wrong sort. Never buy a cheap or small barrow. Cheap metal ones rust and small barrows don’t carry enough and are hard to push around. Always buy a black plastic builder’s...