Sow rows or a stand of sunflowers in garden beds. For pots, look for compact forms, like ‘Dwarf Sensation’ or 'Teddy Bear'. Feed regularly and mulch well.
Encourage bees and butterflies to the garden by planting a mix of colourful blooms like brachyscome, marigold, paper daisy, and buddleja. Look for specialised seed mixes by Mr Fothergill's and Yates.
Moved into an apartment and need help on starting a garden? Angie shares her tips on page 22 of the Garden Clinic Spring 2022 magazine.
Protect developing fruits from fruit flies. Apply an organic spray, like econaturalure to the stems and foliage of vulnerable plants (do not spray the fruits). You can also paint the product onto a square of plywood; hang the board in the canopy or surrounding garden beds to bait and kill fruit flies.
Grow a salad bowl by filling a shallow pot with lettuce, rocket, and spinach. Feed regularly and harvest often.
Love the taste of macadamias? Why not try growing your own. Grafted varieties generally grow between 4-6m but you can also find dwarf forms that reach up to 2m. Approx. 3-4 years until harvest.
Most pumpkins need space to grow, but if you only have a small garden, consider training butternut pumpkin to grow up a trellis or strudy arch.
Plant up ginger and turmeric into a warm, sunny spot in the garden with well-drained soil. They also thrive in pots or troughs, filled with a premium potting mix mixed with compost. You only need a small rhizome but make sure it has at least two 'eyes' or buds. Harvest in 8-9 months.