A wheelbarrow is essential equipment for any gardener or handyperson, but which is the right one for you? It is important to feel comfortable when using the barrow. Here are a few guidelines. Shape: There are three shapes of wheelbarrow available – the home...
Wisterias are beautiful flowering plants but Peter Valder noted that some people seem surprised to see this plant with seed pods. Peter Valder recently looked at these plants when he visited some Mt Wilson gardens. Ornamental pods Wisteria is a legume, like peas and...
Most of Australia has just emerged from the awful El Nino drought. Our garden plants have suffered badly through this period. So, this is the most important spring in the last 10 years – put in some effort now and the results will be tremendous. The problems:...
There are many statues and garden ornaments available these days. They are often white concrete which look great in a formal Roman or Greek old style garden but unfortunately don’t suit most gardens. In a conventional garden a more neutral colour such as...
Two viewers’ letters were mentioned on Burke’s Backyard recently. One included a photo of a 10 year old Grevillea ‘Pink Surprise’ which was covered in flowers and still looking like a very healthy plant. The grevillea had been pruned heavily...
The Dramm water breaker is the best all round nozzle for serious gardeners. It can be attached to a wand to reach plants easily and dispenses a soft stream of water so you can water right up to a pot plant without washing out all the potting mix. It has an aluminium...
Professor Struan Sutherland is the man who developed the antivenene for the funnel web spider bite and also antivenenes for many of the key Australian snakes. He has recently written his autobiography and has a lush garden based on hydroponics. Sadly he is now...
It’s spring and the sneezing, red eyes and runny noses are with us as some 20% of Australia’s population succumb to spring fever. Common allergies Allergies amount to some of the worst medical problems that we face in Australia. More than one in five...
When writing plant labels in the garden Don Burke always suggests a 6B pencil. The reason for using a 6B is because it is a soft pencil which will write on most bought labels (except ice-cream container labels) and is not affected by the weather. Permanent markers for...
Along the east coast of Australia in particular there has been a wetter season after the drought. This can lead to some problems especially an increase in the number of insects (flies, mosquitoes and sand flies) in summer. So don’t leave lots of water lying...