Chillies are a fun crop to grow. They are very decorative and don’t take up a lot of space, so it’s easy to grow a selection of different varieties in a season. Chillies originated in South America, and have spread throughout the world in the last 500 years or so. They are now [...]
Spathiphyllum or ‘Peace Lily’ plants are native to tropical regions of the Americas and south eastern Asia. They are a favourite plant to grow indoors with lush foliage and long-lasting white blooms throughout the year. Growing plants in homes and offices has many proven health benefits. Plants are nature’s air purifiers and improve the feeling [...]
Flowering bulbs are a highlight in the garden and home. Spring flowering bulbs begin to flower in late winter and bring with them the colourful promise of the spring ahead. Although all are referred to as ‘bulbs’, there are four different types of bulbs. True Bulbs include tulips and daffodils. Rhizomes are swollen stems such [...]
Cucurbits include cucumber, pumpkin, zucchini, squash, watermelon and rockmelon. These all share traits and enjoy similar growing conditions. All are easy to grow and highly productive in the home garden. Pumpkin and watermelon vines require room to grow but can trained over or structures. Cucumbers and rockmelons require less space and can be grown vertically [...]
As the days begin to lengthen and the temperatures begin to lift, we discover the changes of spring happening all around us. Trees that were bare branches are coming to life. The dullness of winter is being replaced with renewed life, fresh growth and brilliant colours. Life in the garden is very exciting as [...]
Growing food at home is very popular and whatever form your garden may take, herbs are easy to grow and very rewarding. Fresh or dried, herbs add zest to cooking, perfume the house and have natural medicinal and cosmetic benefits. Craft making with herbs has wide appeal. Create pot pourri, tussie mussies and infused [...]
Garden jobs for December: There is still time to plant out some annuals or potted colour to have the garden looking like a picture for Christmas - try alyssum, lobelia, petunia, zinnia, salvia, verbena, marigolds. Now is a good time to plant up pots and hanging baskets – there are so many [...]
Summer is fast approaching. Now is the time to prepare and plant for Christmas and the coming warmer months. Summer is a time great of the year for entertaining and some effort now will ensure that your garden and living areas are looking bright, colourful and healthy as you enjoy your summer living. The [...]
Strawberries are one of the easiest fruiting plants to grow and it is certainly a treat to feast upon these sweet delights picked fresh from the garden Strawberries are ground-hugging, herbaceous plants, growing to about 15cm high and spreading into a clump 50–100cm wide. Their flowers are simple, five-petalled blooms that are pollinated by bees. [...]
October is a month of great activity in the garden. The earth has warmed and we experience the excitement of change in the garden from one day to the next. Lots of planting and lots of growing as the wonder of spring unfolds before us. Plant seedlings of summer flowering annuals such as Alyssum, [...]
