There’s plenty to keep you busy in the winter garden. Here are some top jobs to take care of now. Water in the morning so foliage has time to dry throughout the day. Plant seedlings of candytuft, primula, calendula, delphinium, dianthus, lupin, larkspur, foxglove and Iceland poppy for colourful blooms in late winter and spring. … Continue reading 10 jobs to do now →

Some herbs struggle in the heat but thrive during the cooler months. Grab some empty pots or make space in a garden bed and plant up these favourites so you have them on hand when you’re cooking up those delicious winter warmers. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) If you’ve struggled growing coriander in the past, it was … Continue reading Herbs to grow now →

We have several peace lilies indoors with leaves that first brown at the tips, then the brown extends up the leaf with yellow margins. We are having the same problem with an anthurium. It makes them look quite tatty.  Why is this happening? A few factors can cause this. Dryness is one. If the potting … Continue reading What’s wrong with my peace lily? →

Here are some of the fruits, vegies and herbs to get in the ground now, and tips to help you keep your edible plants thriving. Plant broad beans which enrich the soil with nitrogen, into beds depleted by summer tomatoes. Remove shrivelled, mummified fruit that’s still holding onto stems. Pot up a fruiting olive tree … Continue reading 10 jobs to do now in the patch →

Pretty much any time is a good time for ‘incidental pruning’, when you notice a bit of dead material or a long, whippy stem. It’s also a useful way to touch base with what’s happening in the garden. More ‘proactive pruning’, however, requires a focused approach to encourage next season’s blooms or crops, or to … Continue reading What should I prune now? →

Areas with low light, such as verandahs, underneath trees or narrow passages down the side of the house, don’t need to be dull and boring. Here are some easy ways to brighten up these challenging spots. Create a focal point by including an ornamental feature such as a sculpture, colourful container or birdbath that expresses … Continue reading Six solutions for shady spots →

Keeping weeds under control can feel like an endless job, but there are clever ways of making lighter work of these pesky plants. Here are some top tips. Don’t ignore them or they’ll get out of control. Come up with a management plan and stick to it – 20 minutes once a week could be … Continue reading 10 easy ways to minimise weeds →