In the Garden

A common problem with Australian garden is finding plants that will grow under gum trees.  She oaks are also particularly difficult since they have horrible massive roots under them. Don showed a range of plants that will cope with these conditions. Crowea saligna –...

There are some excellent products available that will help encourage moisture to be retained in your soil for a longer time & in doing so will reduce the amount of wasted run-off. Three readily available products are: Wettasoil Saturaid Seasol Super Soil Wetter...

Five great ways to use compost You can make your own compost, buy it in bags or have it trucked in by the tonne, but some gardeners just aren’t sure how to actually use compost in the garden. Our Garden Basics guide shows that it’s really very versatile...

Want to do something good for the world and save money, too? Then stop buying fertiliser and make compost instead, says Geoffrey Burnie. In the world’s wild places no-one improves the soil or spreads fertiliser, yet they are packed with plants. It’s one of...

This article on treated pine appeared in the February 2009 issue of ‘Burke’s Backyard’ magazine. The bottom line is this: relax! Treated pine is safe to use in gardens, but if you are worried about the old-style arsenic-treated pine, the new stuff –...

Burke’s Backyard DIY compost barrel What you will need: Recycled olive barrel with large screw lid – Available from some produce stores or try Drum Reconditioners or Recyclers in the Yellow Pages. Ours cost $15 from Macquarie Drums 12-14 Box Ave, Wilberforce Ph...

Horse manure stands out as by the far the best manure around for soil improvement. It is usually very cheap or free and it is readily available around horse stables.  Horse manure is not as strong a fertiliser as chook, cow or pig poo – but it is the best organic...