In the Garden

Solve a problem, find a plant or look for a design inspiration


Balcony Tomatoes

Just because you’ve only got a balcony, doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own food.  Don showed how to grow your own balcony tomatoes & herbs. Make sure you have a spot on your balcony that gets full sun for at least six hours a day. A north-facing balcony is...

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Misleading Labels

Plant labels are often misleading or, in some cases, quite wrong. Unfortunately this means if you are buying plants you should be quite cautious & ask the horticulturist at the nursery or store to confirm that the information (especially regarding size &...

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Gnomes

  Although they are quite old fashioned gnomes are very happy additions to many gardens if you have a positive & fun approach to life.   As well as the traditional Seven Dwarfs type gnomes there have been many in recent times that were made to resemble...

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Keeping Cats Off The Garden

  A recent question to Don’s Mailbag from Tilly in western Sydney related to keeping cats doing their business off her garden.  Don suggested getting rival manures such as cow, horse of chook manure to spread on the garden. Many viewers emailed different...

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Australian Native Birthflower For August

Grevillea buxifolia is quite different to the general run of grevilleas.  Its silvery/grey 5cm diameter spider flower heads stud the top of this 1-2m tall shrub most of the year.  Leaves are dull green, about 2cm long x 7mm wide.  Reasonably frost hardy, this species...

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Potager Gardens

Potager  gardens were named after the French word potage which means soup so it was essentially a soup garden.  Today is means a pretty vegetable garden with lots of paths in it.  The best thing about a potager garden is that you can have a very attractive vegie...

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Agave attenuata

The plant which is most frequently asked about is one with beautiful foliage and spectacular very tall flowers. These are Agave attenuata: Their common name is century plant because it is said to take years to flower and after doing so it dies.
 The genus (botanic)...

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Formation of Frost

Frost forms when conditions are very cold (around 0º C) and clear. On overcast nights temperatures are usually a little warmer (the cloud layer traps some of the day’s warmth) so frost is unlikely.  Frost is formed when dew condenses overnight and freezes. Frost will...

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Corrugated Iron Raised Garden Beds

Small garden beds can be made using a new product produced by Tankworks. They can be used for growing veggies or ornamental plants when space is limited They may be available in nurseries of can be ordered via www.tankworks.com.au Various models are: Slimline squat...

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Tools

Shovels & Spades Many people don’t know the difference between a shovel and a spade.  A shovel is a moving implement for picking up material such piles mulch or compost.  A spade is a cutting implement used to cut holes in the ground if  you’re going to do some...

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