Photos from Sydney Botanic Gardens 2014
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We went for a lovely walk around Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens last week. I had hoped to take lots of photos of plants for inspiration for our own garden, but unfortunately the gardens are quite sparse during winter. I guess all efforts are saved for peak tourist season. None the less, even with most of the flower and herb beds … Continue reading

Last updated 29 July 2014

Australian Native Screening Plants
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November 2013 I have set out to plant a long run of Australian native plants along one boarder of our property, both to provide screening from the neighbours and to allow a safe corridor through which (with any luck) native animals, reptiles and birds can cross our land. I have been looking at local parks and express-way nature strips for … Continue reading

Last updated 21 May 2014

May 2014 – Autumn
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Autumn came with a rush this year. March was very wet and quite warm, then April hit, night temperatures averaged 6°C to 8°C, and our garden was full of dead leaves. Now it’s the 3rd of May and today is wet and not forecast to top 9°C. We’ve had quite some success with the new veggie garden. It still isn’t … Continue reading

Last updated 3 May 2014

February 2014 – Summer
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Summer is almost over, and to be honest, it’s something of a relief. We’ve had an unusual number of very hot days (several of 36° or more, which is hot for the highlands) and it’s been incredibly dry. My new lawn has turned an unhealthy looking shade of brown, despite an occasional watering from me, and everything else is looking … Continue reading

Last updated 17 February 2014

The 2013 Bundanoon Garden Ramble
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Last weekend’s Bundanoon Garden Ramble was a great success. The weather was perfect and made for a very pleasant viewing of eight impressive gardens from the area. I seem to have been preoccupied with seating and shade; possibly a subliminal message from my brain about all the walking and the sunny weather? Anyway, yet another fantastically executed ramble, with a … Continue reading

Last updated 29 October 2013

Westringia Glabra
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I’ve just planted ten Westringia Glabras which I am hoping will make a suitable hedge around the new compost area. 80cm apart seemed best. Almost all Westringias I’ve seen have been growing naturally in the shape of an upside down fish bowl, but I’ve read in several places (including Angus Stewart’s book) that they can be used as a formal hedge. We shall see.

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Last updated 28 October 2013

September 2013 – Spring is upon us
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So, Spring has definitely sprung – 20° days, mostly 6° nights, but a few still down to near zero. Several extremely windy days trying to blow us off the highlands, although the trees seem to take the huge gusts in their stride, rustling and waving, but otherwise unbothered.

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Last updated 10 September 2013

Growing a Lawn from Seed
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So, growing my own lawn from seed; how difficult could it be? We’ve been extending our little orchard and some other parts of the garden into our back lot. The only problem has been a decidedly obvious dividing line between the rough, weed strewn Kikuyu grass on the former paddock side, and the slightly flatter, slightly less weed strewn Kikuyu … Continue reading

Last updated 7 June 2013

Website History
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This website started off in 2012 as a erratic and muddled blog, hidden away at the end of a trail of folders on my business site. It was intended as a way for my wife and I to keep track of what was going on in our garden, and to note down any relevant information that may be useful later. … Continue reading

Last updated 2 June 2013

Chicken Coup (Part 1)
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I’ve been planning to build a chicken coup for ages. Chickens seem like they would be some of the easiest creatures to have on our small property; not too noise, not too much trouble, and they pay their own way. That’s the theory anyway.

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Last updated 5 March 2013