Gardening Australia

Australia’s number one monthly gardening resource, ABC Gardening Australia magazine is packed with step-by-step advice and stunning design ideas from its popular team of experts. Whether you are a novice gardener or have a green thumb and years of experience, you’ll find the advice you need.

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GARDENING AUSTRALIA

ON THE SHELF PLANTS • This month’s pick of the bunch for garden lovers nationwide

show us ya YARD ART • ABC Radio Victoria’s garden art competition showcases the creativity of ‘iso gardeners’. Check out the winning entries

ON THE SHELF BOOKS

ABLAZE with colour • When it’s hot and dry, and you crave vibrant floral colour in pots, baskets or garden beds, there’s no succulent plant more perfect than portulaca, writes DERYN THORPE

soft touch • This ground-hugging perennial with silver, velvety foliage adds a sensory element to the garden, writes JANE EDMANSON

out of AFRICA • Bird of paradise is known for those flamboyant flowers that resemble the pollinators they’re designed to attract, writes JENNIFER STACKHOUSE

at a glance

holy BAT PLANT! • This hero of the understorey brings a sense of drama and fantasy to the garden, writes STEVE FALCIONI

a garden for ALL SEASONS • This joyful Tasmanian garden represents a lifetime of passion and hard work, and is still thriving under the care of the next generation, writes JENNY BALDWIN

A REAL BEAUTY • The gorgeous garden created by the Crowden family is a joy to visit, says TINO CARNEVALE

the pleasures of A COOL-CLIMATE GARDEN • The Crowdens nominate a few of their favourite plants, and share tips for success

SUMMER Projects • Millie is making a seed-raising flat, Sophie is sheet-mulching to kill off weeds before planting, and Jane is propagating begonias. This month, grab your tools and get stuck into a project or two!

SHEET-MULCHING TIPS

WHICH LADYBIRD IS THAT? • Most ladybirds help to control insect pests, but beware the species (and look-alikes) that would rather snack on your plants, writes MARTYN ROBINSON

BACK from the BRINK • Sometimes a plant that looks like it isn’t long for this world can actually be saved. JUDY HORTON runs through a few first-aid options

CHILD'S play • There’s magic in growing and eating your own vegies or seeing your name spelt out in flowers. JACKIE FRENCH shares some of her fun ideas for kids’ own gardens (just add water)

the gardener's bucket list TROTT’S COMMUNITY GARDEN in Ashburton, New Zealand • Created by a passionate home gardener, this impressive garden on New Zealand’s South Island is an inspiring achievement

WHILE YOU ARE THERE

JANUARY a month in the GARDEN • More than 50 jobs to do in your action planner

IN THE PATCH • Horticultural editor and devoted food grower PHIL DUDMAN shows you what to plant, pick and tend in the edible garden this month

pretties in the PATCH • Some vegies bring not only sweet, home-grown goodness to the garden and kitchen, but also a wonderful ornamental quality. PHIL DUDMAN presents 10 colourful characters that look almost too good to eat!

3 ways to deter FRUIT FLY • Fruit fly can be a serious problem in backyard gardens. Let these pests have their way and you could face the heartbreaking reality of losing an entire crop of luscious home-grown fruit. Apple, pear, stone fruit, loquat, feijoa, passionfruit, capsicum, tomato and pomegranate are among the many fruits that are susceptible to damage by fruit fly, so you need to take action to protect them. PHIL DUDMAN describes three simple strategies you can put in place.

helping HAND • Tips for tackling this month’s problem

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