There have been strange weather patterns all around Australia over the past year. With the end of the El Niño and the beginning of the La Niña period there have been some curious changes in the weather. In Adelaide and most of South Australia it has been extremely...
The very fine dust or waste material left over from making blue metal is known under different names in Australia. Below is a list of the known names used: NSW: Blue quarry sand or Crusher dust QLD: Crusher dust or Cracker dust VIC: 5mm minus SA: Quarry sand WA: Metal...
Plants Packaged for Kids Applewood Seed and Garden Group has produced a new range of beautifully packaged seed products, which would make excellent gifts for children. There’s a kit to suit every child’s taste, they’re great fun, and they teach kids...
Everyone loves colour in the garden, but it’s really difficult to have a colourful garden all year long if you rely on just flowers. Think of the research and planning you’d have to do to make sure there was something in flower every day – most...
Bougainvilleas are indigenous to tropical and subtropical South America, and are among the world’s great flowering plants. They are scrambling climbers, with long curved thorns which help them to hook on to trees and reach up to the light. The true flowers are...
Collecting Seeds One of the most enjoyable things about gardening is growing your own plants from seed. However, seed collecting can be tricky because some plants have dry fruits that split open as soon as they’re ripe. The seeds then drop to the ground, fly...
Pruning Native Plants Australian native plants are wonderful to have in the garden but they are not maintenance free. If native plants, particularly grevilleas, are not pruned at least once a year they can become straggly, lose vigour and even die. Don looked at a...
Cuttings Update Growing your own plants from a cutting is one of the most satisfying things you can do when gardening. The cuttings can be taken during late spring and summer and grow readily. Plants that can be grown from cuttings include; Coleus, Verbenas, Double...
Seeds Growing plants from seed is great fun, but seed collecting can be tricky because some plants have dry fruits that split open as soon as they’re ripe. The seeds then drop to the ground, fly away in the wind, or they may be eaten or carried off by birds and...
Cymbidium Orchid Tips Although there are still a few weeks of winter to go, many plants for sale at nurseries are in full bloom. Cymbidium orchids in particular are looking spectacular. If the ones at your place aren’t looking so good, just follow Don’s...