For a great Aussie look in the backyard, why not use an old hollow log as a planter? You might have a tree in the garden that has died and fallen over, or if you live on a bush block there may already be some hollow logs lying around on the property. Rustic planters...
Don visited one of the very best native gardens in Australia. Amazingly, this beautiful garden is planted on the roof of a house! Deidre and Ivor Morton’s mud brick home appears to be underground, but it is actually built on top of a rock and it nestles sensitively...
Some people think that Australian native plants are lacking in colour. In fact, many native plants have very colourful flowers that are produced over a long period of the year. There are also Australian native plants with fabulous foliage. Don potted up a group of...
Don discovered a wonderful old bush cooking vessel in a junk shop, and decided it would make a very good planter for Australian native plants. He turned it upside down and drilled some drainage holes in the base, then filled it with kangaroo paws. Don chose the...
Myths and superstitions are part of the rich fabric of our lives – we rely on them to forecast the weather, tell the future and even to grow plants! The trouble is that sometimes it’s very difficult to separate fact from fiction. Throughout the program Don...
Peter Valder looked at some of the ancient myths associated with plant names Daphne Greek myth: Daphne, the beautiful daughter of a river god and a goddess of the earth, was relentlessly pursued by the sun god, Apollo. Just as Apollo was about to grab Daphne, her...
Maria and Kosta’s Garden – Concreting This week, Nigel and Don worked on the concreting at Kosta and Maria Elfes’ property. Two circular concrete areas, one larger than the other, were poured near the rear of the house and deck. Whilst the deck that...
There is a general belief that orchids are hard to grow but this is a myth. They are actually hardy plants when grown in the right climate and conditions. The popular cymbidium orchids are almost unkillable! They come in a fantastic range of flower colours,...
Wherever you live in Australia, it pays to shop around and make sure you buy your plants at prices to suit your budget. There are a growing number of nurseries that sell plants at very competitive prices, and many offer discounts if you buy in bulk. Here is a list of...
In our special money saver’s edition of Burke’s Backyard, Don had some fun going out and scrounging around for bargains. He found cheap pavers, pots, windows, doors, baths, sinks and landscaping materials. Simon’s Seconds For cheap pavers and pots, we recommend...