Tips for buying and using a terrarium A terrarium is the ultimate, low-maintenance indoor garden. Terrariums can be made out of any clear glass or plastic container, from the humble glass pickle jar to a specially made terrarium case. Their development is credited to...
In the Garden
Solve a problem, find a plant or look for a design inspiration
Planting Tomato Seeds Early
The front cover of the August issue of the Burke
Hanging Fern Basket
Hanging Fern Basket Ferns planted in a hanging basket add visual interest to semi-shaded or shaded areas. Planting up a hanging basket is a very easy weekend project, and it
Watering Can Pot
Don showed how to turn an el cheapo, zinc-plated galvanised watering can into garden art. It
Tony Wong’s Nursery
Last year we filmed Dianne and Sam Chi’s garden, which featured a huge sculpture of a dragon. A Burke’s Backyard viewer, Anthony Williams, saw the story and suggested we visit Templex Nursery in Brisbane, where there are hundreds of sculptures, including 7 dragons!...
Two Pot Garden
Parterres are ornamental flower gardens arranged in precise geometric patterns and defined by straight pathways and crisp box hedging. They often feature a central ornamental element, such as a fountain, a specimen tree or a classical urn. If you love parterres but...
Best Garden Tools
Tools need to last for years, so in the long run quality tools are a good investment. Before you go shopping for garden tools, read Don’s handy guide to the jobs tools do, what to look for and how much to pay. Secateurs: the basic pruning tool. Buy the best possible,...
Kangaroo Paw in Cooking Vessel
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...

Planting in Logs
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...
Native Roof Garden
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...
