Gardening Australia Magazine
December Issue 2008
SUMMER SURVIVAL
Protect your plants against the wilting effects of the Aussie sun with these twelve easy steps. JERRY COLEBY-WILLIAMS explains how to beat the heat to keep your garden cool.
KIDS IN THE GARDEN
Looking for fun activities for the kids these summer holidays? SOPHIE THOMSON visits a child-friendly garden in South Australia and shows us a few projects that will coax your children outdoors.
SUCCULENT ART
We show you how to make a hardy garden that can be hung from a wall. These easy-to-plant succulents are great when water is scarce, and they can be grown from just a few clippings.
GROWING STRAWBERRIES
There’s nothing quite like freshly picked, home-grown strawberries. MAGGIE BEER takes us through her garden and explains how to care, harvest and prepare this delicious fruit.
WATERWISE GARDEN
Choosing plants that are suitable for your climate is a key factor to their ensuring their success. SOPHIE THOMSON meets a South Australian couple who have created a lush wonderland from a bare paddock.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
• Meet our Gardener of the Year 2008 • Read up on Peter Cundall’s last Gardening Australia EXPO • Find out what to plant and sow in December • Learn how to save heirloom tomato seeds • Meet the Yellow-bellied sunbird • Go green this Christmas with these simple ideas • Add a bit of bling to the garden with these bright accessories.
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Browse the Article Archive
Waterwise Garden
Gardening Australia Magazine, December 2008
A vital step when establishing a new garden is to choose plants that are suitable for the climate. SOPHIE THOMSON meets a South Australian couple who have created a sustainable garden on an exposed hillside that receives little rainfall.
The Cook and Her Garden
Gardening Australia Magazine, November 2008
Picked fresh from Maggie Beer’s garden, these greens look good enough to eat, and they are! JENNIFER STACKHOUSE visits Maggie at her home in the Barossa Valley, where she discovers plenty of rustic charm.
Hail the Hibiscus
Gardening Australia Magazine, October 2008
There’s more to hibiscus than many people realise, says JERRY COLEBY-WILLIAMS. As well as colourful shrubs that bloom in summer and autumn, this fascinating group includes annuals, trees and edible flowers.
Sweet Success
Organic Gardener Magazine, November/December 2008
Craig Sams was a pioneer of the natural food movement in the ’60s, going on to establish the most successful organic chocolate company in the UK. He talks to SIMON WEBSTER about food, business and gardening.
Feast of Daffodils
Gardening Australia Magazine, September 2008
Daffodils have been an inspiration to poets and gardeners for centuries. These cheerful flowers are waterwise, easy to grow and suit many areas of Australia, says SOPHIE THOMSON.
In Their Own Skins
Organic Gardener Magazine, July / August 2008
LINDA COCKBURN explores simple ways to store your harvests over winter.
Beauty of Blossom
Gardening Australia Magazine, August 2008
Cherry trees in bloom herald the coming of spring, and the ultimate place to soak up their exquisite beauty is Japan, where they grow in abundance. JOHN PATRICK, who was there recently during cherry season, shares his experience with us.
Rooftop Paradise
Gardening Australia Magazine, July 2008
Spectacular views to Sydney’s Balmoral Beach and beyond were the inspiration for this roof garden. MEREDITH KIRTON explores the tricky yet satisfying task of creating a garden on top of a home.
Natural Solutions
Organic Gardener Magazine, May / June 2008
JERRY COLEBY-WILLIAMS introduces us to nematodes and the benefits and problems they can bring. Plus, the multi-talented plant called huauzontle, and the Black Hairy Flower Wasp.
A Touch of Frost
Gardening Australia Magazine, June 2008
Many Australian gardeners, especially inland dwellers, experience frost during winter. JERRY COLEBY-WILLIAMS has some great advice for making the most of this time in your winter wonderland.
Growing Raspberries
Gardening Australia Magazine, May 2008
The explosive flavour of a freshly picked raspberry
is hard to beat, says JERRY COLEBY-WILLIAMS. This delicious cool-climate fruit is so easy to grow and provides many tempting options in the kitchen, from stunning desserts to creative condiments.
Backyard Beekeeping
Organic Gardener Magazine, March / April 2008
Taking on backyard beekeeping has been a steep and sometimes painful learning curve for LINDA COCKBURN, but it’s another satisfying step towards self-reliance.
Little Sweeties
Gardening Australia Magazine, April 2008
Sweet peas are fun and easy to grow, and they permeate the garden with their delicious fragrance. But many gardeners don’t have the space available for growing the climbing varieties that require a trellis. MEREDITH KIRTON has the perfect solution for small gardens or courtyards – mini sweet peas.
Growing Mangoes
Gardening Australia Magazine, March 2008
Sweet and refreshing, mangoes bring out the beast within, writes JERRY COLEBY-WILLIAMS. The luscious fruit can be savoured as is, or used in salads, desserts and drinks. They also make handsome shade trees which, if you live in the right climate, are one of the easiest fruit trees to grow.
Herbs for Tough Times
Organic Gardener Magazine, January/February 2008
As tough gardening times hit, don’t chuck in the spade – gardeners are needed more than ever. Instead, choose resilient plants like these medicinal and culinary herbs.
