OUTDOOR ARTICLES
Easy Outdoor Living
Easy Outdoor Living

An outdoor room is a great way to extend your living space and provide an informal area to unwind and take things easy – so why not keep it simple?

THE SIMPLE LIFE
You’ve probably noticed how important outdoor living spaces have become to the way we live. For all sorts of reasons, most of us are spending more time at home these days, relaxing with our families and entertaining friends, and it’s the informality that comes with being out of doors that most of us are seeking.

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Herbalicious
Herbalicious

Even cooks with a very limited repertoire appreciate the difference a few well-chosen herbs can make to a dish. In fact, a dash of the right seasoning has the power to elevate the culinary novice to super-chef status. And for all-round satisfaction, there’s nothing like fresh herbs you’ve grown yourself. You can start out with a few of the most common ones in pots or try planting them in a rockery or as borders in flower beds; then, as your recipes become more inventive, your herb garden can become more elaborate too.

HERE’S OUR PICK OF THE CROP TO BEGIN WITH...

BASIL

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Autumn In the Garden
Autumn In the Garden

There’s lots to do in the garden in autumn but it can be plenty of fun when the whole family gives a hand – and once it’s done, there’ll be time to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Let our helpful hints be your guide.

AUTUMN GARDENING TIPS FROM GARDENA

• As temperatures fall, it’s easy to forget about keeping soil moist, but plants need water all year round to survive, whether it’s hot or cold.

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Parliament's Well-kept Secret
Parliament's Well-kept Secret

While ministers stride the corridors of power in Parliament House, Sydney, somewhere above them a gardener is putting the finishing touches to a bed of perennials.

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Easy Gardening
Easy Gardening

FIVE WAYS TO MAKE GARDENING EASIER

1 FEED ME
We try to provide the best food for ourselves, so we should do the same for our gardens if we want them to thrive. Good, rich soil will grow healthy plants, and healthy plants are less likely to suffer from diseases and insects. To get great soil, steer clear of synthetic fertilisers and try slow-release organic ones that will supplement any lacking nutrients naturally.

2 MULCH MUCH?

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Keeping It Simple
Keeping It Simple

If your post-summer garden looks like a chaotic reflection of your busy life, maybe it’s time for that minimalist mantra, ‘less is more’! For an outdoor living space that’s both undemanding and strongly aesthetic, simplification is one time-honoured recipe for success.

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Preparing a Winter Garden
Preparing a Winter Garden

FIVE WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR GARDEN FOR WINTER

1 It’s a great idea to install a rainwater tank during winter so you can store this precious water for use in the future.

2 Less watering is needed in the colder months as the garden is dormant, but when you do water, make sure you use warm tap water so the roots won’t go into shock. And remember to feed all your plants regularly so they’re strong enough to withstand winter.

3 Layering mulch over soil is great for locking in moisture, but remember to remove some of it during winter so the sun can penetrate the soil and warm it up.

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Successful Gardening
Successful Gardening

FIVE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR GARDEN THRIVE...

1 Mulch, mulch, mulch! You’d be surprised what a little mulch will do. It not only holds the moisture in, it also regulates the soil temperature and encourages micro-organisms and worms. This improves the soil structure and in turn promotes good root development.

2 Fertilising. Most people tend to throw fertiliser around once or twice a year then forget about it, but to get the best results it’s better to use it a little more often. Small amounts of fertiliser every eight weeks will keep the new growth and flowers thriving throughout the year.

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Winter Vegetable Garden
Winter Vegetable Garden

FIVE CARE TIPS FOR YOUR WINTER VEGETABLE GARDEN

1 Keep an eye out for pests like the white cabbage butterfly, as well as their larvae and caterpillars – companion planting with sage or mint deters them.

2 Ensure you don’t overwater and that your patch has good drainage. Try to coordinate watering with weather conditions as much less is needed during winter.

3 Don’t over-fertilise – during the colder months there is no need for fertilising as your soil would have been enriched in autumn when you planted.

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Perfect Compost
Perfect Compost

Five tips to create the perfect compost heap.

1. Compost heaps need heat to help everything break down, so pick a warm sunny spot – but make sure it’s not too hot. A position under a deciduous tree is ideal as it will offer sunshine over winter and shade from the heat in summer.

2 Turn the compost regularly, as this will help blend all the ingredients and break it down faster. Add a little cow manure also, to speed up the process.

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