Overview Description Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a low-growing herbaceous perennial in the Rosaceae (rose) family. Plants typically grow around 15–30 cm (6–12 in) high and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, although they can spread much farther when runners are allowed to root. The plant […]
The purpose of pruning trees, shrubs and plants is to create the desired shape, maintain a certain size, remove dead or diseased portions and promote healthy new growth. With fruit trees, pruning is also used to increase flowering and fruit production, as well as to […]
Here are the November gardening calendars for all Australian climates – Temperate, Cool & Alpine, Subtropical, Tropical and Arid. Use the links below to view monthly gardening calendars or download printable documents. Temperate Climate November Vegetable and Herb Gardening Calendar for Temperate Climate Australia Cool […]
Bow saws are versatile, efficient hand tools designed for cutting branches, logs, and small trees. They are widely used in gardening, arboriculture, and outdoor maintenance because they can cut both fresh (green) and seasoned (dry) wood quickly with relatively little effort. This guide explains how […]
Overview Description Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an aromatic, woody-based perennial herb in the Lamiaceae (mint) family, native to Europe and parts of western and central Asia. It has a bushy, spreading growth habit and grows from a creeping, branching rootstock that gradually enlarges the clump. […]
Indoor plants may seem protected from the natural pressures of outdoor environments, but they are still vulnerable to a range of insect pests. These pests often go unnoticed until populations grow large enough to cause visible damage, and their presence is encouraged by the warm, […]
Overview Description Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a warm-season herbaceous perennial vine typically grown as an annual vegetable crop in temperate climates because it is highly frost-sensitive. It is cultivated primarily for its enlarged, edible storage roots, which vary widely in size, shape, skin colour, […]
Here are the October gardening calendars for all Australian climates – Temperate, Cool & Alpine, Subtropical, Tropical and Arid. Use the links below to view monthly gardening calendars or download printable documents. Temperate Climate October Vegetable and Herb Gardening Calendar for Temperate Climate Australia Cool […]
This post is part-contributed and may contain affiliate links Advanced trees versus tubestock for a backyard food forest: where the extra money buys years, and where it buys nothing By Isaac Olson, Nursery Near Me The same tree can be bought as a tube for […]
The garden rake is a fundamental tool in both gardening and landscaping, used for tasks ranging from collecting leaves to preparing and finishing soil surfaces. Although often regarded as a simple implement, rakes vary significantly in design, and each type is optimised for a particular […]
Overview Description Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) is an aromatic perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It thrives in warm climates but is usually grown as an annual in regions with cold winters because it is frost-sensitive and cannot survive freezing temperatures. It forms […]
This post is part-contributed and may contain affiliate links What happens to a live plant on a 1,800 km freight trip, and what to do in the first 48 hours after it arrives By Isaac Olson, Nursery Near Me What the Trip Does to a […]
Caladiums are valued for their vibrant, multicolored foliage that brings bold patterns and tropical charm to indoor spaces. Known for their large, heart- or arrow-shaped leaves in striking combinations of red, pink, white, and green, Caladiums offer ornamental appeal unmatched by most foliage plants. Though […]
This post is part-contributed and may contain affiliate links A backyard can produce much more than a conventional lawn or a few isolated garden beds. With careful planning, you can combine fruit trees, shrubs, herbs, vegetables, groundcovers, and climbing plants into a productive growing system […]
Overview Description Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a warm-season, frost-sensitive annual vine grown primarily for its large, fleshy fruit. It belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, which also includes cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, and melons. As an annual plant, watermelon completes its life cycle within a single growing […]
Here are the September gardening calendars for all Australian climates – Temperate, Cool & Alpine, Subtropical, Tropical and Arid. Use the links below to view monthly gardening calendars or download printable documents. Temperate Climate September Vegetable And Herb Gardening Calendar For Temperate Climate Australia Cool […]
The garden fork is a foundational but often underappreciated tool in practical gardening. While spades and shovels are more commonly recognised, the garden fork excels at tasks that involve loosening, lifting, aerating, and working soil without cutting or compacting it. Its design allows gardeners to […]
This post is part-contributed and may contain affiliate links Finding aphids on new growth, caterpillars chewing through brassica leaves, or insects getting into the house can make it tempting to reach for a pesticide right away. In many cases, however, the simplest and most effective […]
Overview Description Rocket is the common name applied to two closely related but botanically distinct leafy vegetables in the mustard family (Brassicaceae): annual garden rocket (Eruca sativa), also called salad rocket or arugula, and perennial wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia), also called perennial wall rocket or […]
Indoor plants rely on you for all their nutritional needs, as the potting mix they grow in becomes depleted over time. Commercial potting mixes typically only contain enough fertilizer to sustain plants for around three months. Fertilizing replenishes essential nutrients and supports healthy growth, but […]
Overview Description Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a warm-season, frost-sensitive annual vegetable from the Malvaceae (mallow) family grown primarily for its immature seed pods, which are harvested while tender and used as a culinary vegetable. Although botanically a perennial in frost-free tropical climates, it is cultivated […]
Here are the August gardening calendars for all Australian climates – Temperate, Cool & Alpine, Subtropical, Tropical and Arid. Use the links below to view monthly gardening calendars or download printable documents. Temperate Climate August Vegetable And Herb Gardening Calendar For Temperate Climate Australia Cool […]
The garden shovel is one of the most versatile tools used in gardening and landscaping. It is designed primarily for scooping, lifting, and moving loose materials such as soil, compost, mulch, sand, and gravel, and for digging where material needs to be removed rather than […]
Overview Description Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a cool-season herbaceous plant most commonly grown as a biennial, although it is frequently cultivated as an annual in home gardens. During its first year of growth, parsley produces a dense rosette of leaves used for culinary purposes. In […]
Alocasias are bold, sculptural houseplants prized for their dramatic foliage—large, arrow- or shield-shaped leaves with striking veining and a glossy, often textured surface. These tropical aroids bring an exotic, architectural element to interior spaces and are increasingly popular among plant collectors. While they require attentive […]
Overview Description Rockmelon, cantaloupe, muskmelon, honeydew, and other melons are all members of the species Cucumis melo, a warm‑season annual trailing vine in the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) family, cultivated primarily for their sweet, edible fruit. Plants emerge each season from seed, rapidly producing sprawling, branching, glabrous (hairless) […]
Here are the July gardening calendars for all Australian climates – Temperate, Cool & Alpine, Subtropical, Tropical and Arid. Use the links below to view monthly gardening calendars or download printable documents. Temperate Climate July Vegetable And Herb Gardening Calendar For Temperate Climate Australia Cool […]
The spade is one of the most fundamental and widely used tools in gardening. Although simple in appearance, it is a highly specialised implement designed for controlled digging, cutting, and shaping of soil. Understanding how a spade differs from related tools, how it is constructed, […]
Overview Description Sage is a perennial evergreen subshrub in the Lamiaceae (mint) family, cultivated primarily for its aromatic leaves. It has a dense, bushy growth habit, typically reaching 30–60 cm (12–24 inches) in height and spreading to a similar width. The stems are square and […]
Oxalis triangularis is a captivating indoor plant known for its striking purple foliage and charming, butterfly-like leaf movement that follows the light throughout the day. Also called the False Shamrock, this species enchants with its deep violet, triangular leaflets and delicate pink or white flowers. […]
Overview Description Rhubarb (Rheum × hybridum, also commonly known as Rheum rhabarbarum) is a large, long-lived herbaceous perennial belonging to the Polygonaceae (buckwheat) family. It is cultivated primarily for its thick, fleshy leaf stalks, called petioles, which have a distinctive sharp, tart flavour and are […]
Here are the June gardening calendars for all Australian climates – Temperate, Cool & Alpine, Subtropical, Tropical and Arid. Use the links below to view monthly gardening calendars or download printable documents. Temperate Climate June Vegetable And Herb Gardening Calendar For Temperate Climate Australia Cool […]
Lectins are a diverse family of proteins that can bind to carbohydrates, and are found in many plants, particularly in seeds, legumes, grains, and some vegetables. Within plants, lectins serve as a defense mechanism, helping deter pests and resist microbial attack. For humans, however, dietary […]
Overview Description Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) is an aromatic, woody-stemmed evergreen perennial shrub cultivated for culinary and ornamental purposes. Upright varieties typically grow 60–150 cm (24–59 in) tall, although vigorous specimens can reach 2 m (6.5 ft) under favourable conditions. Other varieties have […]
Healthy foliage isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s vital for plant function. Dust, grime, and water spots can accumulate on leaves, blocking sunlight and reducing the plant’s ability to photosynthesize effectively. Regular cleaning improves both the health and appearance of indoor plants, helping them absorb more light, […]
Overview Description Pak Choi is a non-heading type of Chinese cabbage and a member of the mustard family. It is botanically a biennial plant but is almost always cultivated as an annual for its edible leaves and stalks. The plant typically forms a compact basal […]
Here are the May gardening calendars for all Australian climates – Temperate, Cool & Alpine, Subtropical, Tropical and Arid. Use the links below to view monthly gardening calendars or download printable documents. Temperate Climate May Vegetable And Herb Gardening Calendar For Temperate Climate Australia Cool […]
Soil is more than just “dirt.” It is a living system that sustains nearly all terrestrial life by providing plants with the space, water, air, and nutrients they need to grow. Yet despite its importance, soil is often treated as if it were an inert […]
Overview Description Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a low-growing, woody-based perennial herb commonly cultivated as a culinary and ornamental plant. It forms dense, spreading growth or small subshrubs that typically reach 15–30 cm (6–12 in) in height and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) in spread. The plant […]
Light is the single most important environmental factor for indoor plant health. It directly powers photosynthesis—the process plants use to produce energy—and influences everything from leaf color to growth rate and flowering. Yet light conditions indoors vary dramatically, and knowing whether your plant is receiving […]
Overview Description Potatoes are cool-season, herbaceous perennials grown as annuals for their underground tubers, which develop from swollen stolons. Each plant typically reaches 60 to 90 centimeters (2 to 3 feet) in height and produces a bushy canopy of compound leaves, with each leaf composed […]
Here are the April gardening calendars for all Australian climates – Temperate, Cool & Alpine, Subtropical, Tropical and Arid. Use the links below to view monthly gardening calendars or download printable documents. Temperate Climate April Vegetable And Herb Gardening Calendar For Temperate Climate Australia Cool […]
Healthy plant growth depends on much more than sunlight, water, and nutrients. Beneath the surface, the physical arrangement of soil particles and the spaces between them—known as pores—forms the hidden framework that governs whether roots can breathe, drink, and feed effectively. In these microscopic and […]
Overview Description Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum) is a cool- to warm-season herbaceous vegetable cultivated primarily for its thickened, bulb-like base formed by overlapping, swollen leaf stalks. This basal enlargement sits just above or slightly below soil level and is prized for its crisp […]
Repotting a rootbound indoor plant can be a delicate operation. When done correctly, it revitalizes the plant and stimulates new growth. But if performed carelessly, it can shock the plant, lead to leaf loss, or even result in death. This guide walks you through the […]
Overview Description Chicory is a perennial plant often grown as an annual or biennial for its leaves and roots. Its deep taproot can reach 30–50 cm (12–20 in) into the soil, enabling drought resilience and soil penetration. The erect, branched stems typically rise 60–120 cm (2–4 ft) in height […]
Here are the March gardening calendars for all Australian climates – Temperate, Cool & Alpine, Subtropical, Tropical and Arid. Use the links below to view monthly gardening calendars or download printable documents. Temperate Climate March Vegetable And Herb Gardening Calendar For Temperate Climate Australia Cool […]
Plants use the daily cycle of light and dark (the photoperiod) as a calendar cue to time seasonal events like flowering, dormancy and leaf drop. Photoperiodism is the physiological response to the relative lengths of day and night, enabling plants to flower at the proper […]
Overview Description Ginger is a perennial herb grown primarily for its aromatic, spicy rhizomes (underground stems). In tropical climates, it can grow year-round; in cooler regions, it’s often cultivated as an annual or grown indoors. The plant typically reaches about 60–120 cm (2–4 ft) in […]
African Violets are beloved for their charming, velvety leaves and vibrant flowers that bloom year-round under the right conditions. These compact, flowering houseplants add cheer to any indoor setting with their clusters of blooms in shades of purple, pink, blue, and white. Though sometimes considered […]
Overview Description Choko (chayote) is a warm-season, perennial vine in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), grown for its pale green, pear‑shaped fruits with mild, crisp flesh. The plant climbs vigorously using tendrils, with annual stems reaching between 6–12 m (20–40 ft) long when supported. The leaves are broadly […]
Here are the February gardening calendars for all Australian climates – Temperate, Cool & Alpine, Subtropical, Tropical and Arid. Use the links below to view monthly gardening calendars or download printable documents. Temperate Climate February Vegetable And Herb Gardening Calendar For Temperate Climate Australia Cool […]
Gardeners often hear that they should avoid planting strong-scented herbs—like rosemary, fennel, or lavender—next to milder plants such as chervil or parsley, for fear that they can “overpower,” “overwhelm,” “dominate,” or even “alter” their flavor. Myths like these are common in companion-planting guides, but do […]
Overview Description Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium), also known as French parsley or garden chervil, is a delicate, aromatic herb belonging to the Apiaceae (carrot and parsley) family. It is primarily grown as an annual, completing its life cycle from germination to flowering and seed production within […]
Anthuriums are prized for their exotic beauty, vibrant spathes, and glossy foliage that bring a bold, tropical presence to indoor spaces. With their heart-shaped “flowers” (actually modified leaves) and long-lasting appeal, these plants are popular in homes and offices alike. They are relatively easy to […]
Overview Description Cowpeas are warm-season annual legumes grown primarily for their edible seeds, young pods, and occasionally leaves as a vegetable. Depending on the variety, they can display a wide variety of growth habits—erect, bushy, vining, or prostrate—with vining types reaching up to 1.8 m (6 ft) […]
