Crushed Sandstone The largest horticultural activity that has ever occurred in Australia’s history is taking place at Homebush Bay in Sydney. The development of the Olympic Park and Millennium Parklands areas has been an enormous undertaking, requiring millions...
Dangerous Roots One of the most fashionable plants in Australia at the moment is Ficus benjamina, the weeping fig. Pots of standardised weeping figs clipped and shaped into balls on sticks can often be seen dramatically framing entrances or doorways; left unclipped...
Don reworked an azalea hedge that had grown so tall it was blocking the light and obscuring the view from the house. It is very difficult to keep a hedge at exactly the same height. Even when hedges are trimmed regularly, they gradually grow taller and eventually need...
The sound of running water is wonderful to have in a garden. The downside is that water features are difficult to fit together, they sometimes leak and they can be a nightmare to maintain. The pillar fountain shown in our segment is a very attractive solution to the...
Water is wonderful in the garden, but many people simply don’t have the space for waterfalls, lakes or large water features. In our segment Don showed that where space is limited, it’s still possible to have a water garden in pots. Pot preparation Choose pots without...
[metaslider id=31327] Many people love growing plants in pots, but potted gardens can be a lot of work. Choosing the right plants is half the battle. Some plants (such as roses, most Australian natives, most fruit trees and most vegetables) hate growing in pots....
Sharpening Tools Don showed how easy it is to sharpen tools using a bench-mounted grinder. Spade A spade is a cutting implement, just like a knife, a pair of secateurs or a saw. Spades are much easier to use if they are kept sharp. Sharpen the bottom side only, by...
In the Southern Hemisphere spring officially begins on the 1st of September, but technically it is around the 22nd of September (called the vernal equinox) when the days are of equal length to the nights. Unlike humans, plants and animals don’t go by dates...
Don looked at a Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) that had been grown as a weeping standard. He pointed out that although wisterias are vigorous climbers, they do not really develop strong stems when trained as standards, so very strong supports are required....
Summer in the Garden This has been a very hot summer. The high temperatures and hot winds have killed or burnt plants in a lot of gardens, and high humidity has caused fungal diseases to occur on plants in many areas. Don’s advice is not to do much gardening at...