Choosing the right plant for the right place and knowing how to care for them is very important – it helps minimise materials and care needed to make them flourish and minimise the need to weed.
Could manures, composts or mulch damage plants?
As sustainable gardeners we are probably relying quite a bit on commercially sourced compost, manures and mulch to help promote healthy plant growth.…
Reducing Weed Spread
"Garden plants are the biggest source of weeds in this country totalling 70% of Australia’s combined agricultural, noxious and natural ecosystem…
Soil Blocks – Starting Seedlings Organically
Soil blocking is a sustainable way to start seedlings. Efficient, easy, fun and great for growing strong healthy seedlings, soil blocks are used in…
Fragrant Frangipani
I was surprised to find a stunning Frangipani tree growing near where I live in the dry, hot climate of South Australia, so of course I took lots of…
Crepe Myrtle – a Beautiful Shade Tree
Lagerstroemia indica, commonly known as Crepe Myrtle has been a classic favorite of gardeners for many years. It’s almost impossible to resist this…
White Cedar – a Shade Tree
There is always something that makes a plant less than perfect but until I discovered the seeds of Melia azedarach were toxic to humans and other…
Common Tree Problems and Solutions
When you take proper care of your trees, they will live long and healthy lives. Not only do trees provide a nice place to sit in the shade on a sunny…
Fan Flower – Fabulous Native Ground Cover
Scaevola – groundcover species What a popular garden plant this has become, and quite rightly so. The splendid fan flowers that give the genus its…
Native Orchids
Orchids are one of my favourite plants and one of the many reasons why I live on a forested property north of Melbourne. The area is a recognised…
Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant)
Ficus elastica Just what makes that little old ant, Think he’ll move that rubber tree plant Anyone knows an ant, can’t - Move a rubber tree plant But…
Growing Herbs, Vegetables & Flowering Annuals from Seed
Growing from seed is fun and rewarding as well as being very cost effective. You can access a much broader variety of plants than those that are…
Plant Propagation from Cuttings
How often do we see a lovely shrub or perennial in a friend’s garden and just wish we had one like it? And with a little skill, ingenuity AND your…
Growing Summer Veggies From Seed
If you love growing your own vegetables over summer then you’ll be pleased to know that many of them are easily grown from seed. The most popular…