Natural health

When I’m asked about organic pest and disease control by gardeners wanting to steer clear of harmful pesticides, my answer is always to concentrate on growing instead of killing. Soil nutrition is the key to avoiding pesticides. The same principles we use in the...

Living Colour – Part 3 – Energize

In this, the last of the 3 part series of Living Colour, we look at colours that stimulate. Bold colours are highlighted here and various tones of red, orange and yellow are used to create an invigorating, up-beat and energetic environment. These colours are typically...

Living Colour – Part 2 – Peacefulness

Peace, tranquility, calm, quiet. What do you picture in your mind when you think of these words? For me it’s sitting in the coolness of a garden near a pond or lake. But the colour around you can have just as significant effect on your mood as your location. Careful...

Living Colour at Floriade – Part 1 – Romance

Today I’m starting a 3-part series on flower colours in the garden, showing you how different plants can create ambiance and different moods in your garden. Because Floriade is on again from 17th September, I’m using some photos that I took at last...

How to grow potatoes in pots

If you’ve never tasted home grown spuds then you ain’t lived yet! They’re much nicer than the bland things you buy at the supermarket. They’re full of flavour and mail order catalogues have heaps of different varieties to suit boiling, baking, chipping or mashing so...