Backyard and Outdoor Living

Like many metropolitan cities around the world, Sydney is facing the challenges of an increasing population. Rising property prices mean a substantial number of people can’t afford to buy houses and so for many, apartment living is the norm — not jus

WORDS: KATE WAGNER PHOTOS: PETA ANNE NORTH For many of us struggling with hectic day-to-day lives, sustaining a highmaintenance garden is out of the question. While we would all love a backyard resplendent with roses and seasonal greenery, gardening

Nothing says spring more than pretty pastel shades in soft pinks and minty greens. There are shimmering crystal glasses catching the warm spring sunshine to be filled with bubbling pink lemonade, delicious delicate pastries and treats laid out on a s

When it comes to garden edging, you need a product that is strong, versatile and weather resistant — and you can’t get anything that fits the bill better than steel. Greenlines Gardenware’s FormBoss range of low-maintenance steel garden edging lets y

Words: Diane Crawford Photos: Diane Norris Karel Vine and Anne-Louise Dampney share a passion for gardening but come from quite different life perspectives. Karel is an experienced counsellor, registered psychologist and clinical hypnotherapist. She

WORDS: TESSA HOULT PHOTOS: BRIGID ARNOTT In a country famous for its outdoor lifestyle, having a seamless transition from inside to out is an essential factor for many Australian homeowners. However, for the expert team at GOODMANORS Pool + Garden, t

WORDS: KIRSTEN BRADLEY & MILKWOOD PERMACULTURE PHOTOS: DIANE NORRIS Do you think you have no space to grow your own food? Perhaps it’s because your yard is shady or small. Or maybe you’re in an apartment, with no yard at all. Not to worry! Growing yo

WORDS & PHOTOS: ANGELA KRISTENS It all began three-and-a-half years ago with a small veggie patch and a large area of concrete. In 2005, I decided to add two ponds and a small bridge to my garden to create a more relaxing, aesthetically pleasing land

WORDS: CARROL BAKER With an enviable climate, sunkissed beaches, lush tropical rainforests, vibrant cosmopolitan cities and a relaxed vibe, it’s no wonder Australia attracts hordes of tourists to her shores. We’re also getting pretty good at creating

WORDS: DIANE CRAWFORD PHOTOS: DAN PAPACEK & KEILIDH EWAN Scale, mealybug, aphids and whiteflies are closely related sap-sucking, honeydew-producing insects. Sweet, sticky honeydew oozes from these pests as they suck the juices from various plant part

WORDS: CARROL BAKER With backyards diminishing in size and apartment life on the increase, many people seek out a touch of green for their living spaces. With little need for lots of room, vertical gardens can offer the ideal solution. Some vertical

There’s no doubt the Australian backyard comes in all shapes and sizes, and a perfect example is this residence by Emma Mitchell Architects. Located in Anglesea, a town situated along the Great Ocean Road of Victoria, the residence, known as A Postca

WORDS: MELISSA KING PHOTO: DAMIEN CREATZ Explore the world of radishes (Raphanus sativus) and you’ll discover that there’s a whole lot more to this fast-growing root vegetable than the cherry-red variety with crisp white flesh most of us are familiar

Spring is the perfect time for lavender. Use of the herb dates back more than 2000 years and historically it has been used in mummification, perfumery, cooking and bathing. In fact, it’s believed the name lavender comes from the Latin word lavare, wh

WORDS: KERRY BOYNE The golden rule of skincare is easy: never put on your skin (including scalp) anything you would not put in your mouth. In other words, if you can’t eat it, don’t wear it. The one exception is essential oils, which are lovely for f

WORDS: APRIL OSSINGTON PHOTOS: CLAIRE TAKACS We know the benefits of a beautiful garden for our homes, but what about at work? An increasing number of companies are going that extra mile by supplying a beautifully landscaped outdoor space for their e

Greenhouses are designed to provide a controlled horticultural environment where you can adjust the temperature and humidity. This allows you to grow plants, fresh fruits and vegetables, and flowers and herbs with ease. The beauty of greenhouses is t

WORDS: KARSHA GREEN PHOTOS: ANDY JONES PHOTOGRAPHY “Inner-city sustainable is how I would sum up this garden. It is contemporary and rustic while not being too precious” In one of the hottest and driest summers in Newcastle’s history, this terrace ho

WORDS: KERRY BOYNE When a plant has the official seal of approval in the pharmacopoeias of 26 countries for its effectiveness in treating many ills, you can be certain it has a lot going for it. Chamomile has a long and illustrious history as a folk

Have you ever taken a bite from an organic or homegrown vegetable and thought how different it tastes from the produce at the supermarket? There’s no doubt commercial fruit and vegetables have lost flavour and quality over the years, but you don’t ha

WORDS: MANDY LEE PHOTOS: NORTH SYDNEY COUNCIL There is no doubt that in Sydney, space is a commodity, so it can be rather frustrating to see vacant or misused land. Of course, with the increasing population and property prices, there is also an incre

OUTDECO’s modular screens offer good looks, longevity and versatility. Screens can be adapted to any purpose: think partitions, arbours, gateways, fencing and bench boxes. Also think decorative panelling to dress up or mask a dull garden wall, or scr

As we look at pictures of beautiful landscapes around the world, it’s easy to forget how much work and maintenance goes into them. Whether you are a homeowner or landscape designer, you will need quality tools and products to get the job done efficie

WORDS: KARSHA GREEN PHOTOS: JENNA FAHEY-WHITE After building their dream home in Northcote, Victoria, this family wanted a backyard that matched the modern grandeur of their new abode. The homeowners’ ideal garden was a seamless indoor/outdoor living

Earthlife rock mineral products create conditions that allow plants to grow as they are meant to. First, the products break up the water-repellent crust that forms on all soil types, then they open up and condition the soil. Finally, they create a po

Looking for a one-stop shop for all of your gardening needs? We might just have the solution. Enter Holman Industries, a proud Australian and family-owned business that specialises in watering, gardening and plumbing products. Its major products incl