Backyard and Outdoor Living

Sometimes, what you see really is what you get. The Farmer’s Place is a good example of the old phrase, “truth in advertising”. It’s a small working farm, cafe and farmers’ market in Freshwater Creek in Victoria, 15 minutes south-west of Geelong and

A backyard swimming pool is every Aussie’s dream, but when your backyard is set amid such spectacular bushland surrounds — and offers a water view, albeit a distant one — well, it calls for a pool that is just as extraordinary. Nestled in the outer M

Cats and dogs bring so much joy to our lives, which means we’d do anything to protect our furry friends. While your backyard is the ultimate place for play and adventure, unfortunately the garden can be a bit dangerous as there are several plants tha

Built at the turn of the last century, this two-storey home in the Melbourne suburb of Camberwell doesn’t just brim with period charm, it’s of grander scale than most of its peers. Fortuitously, the home sits in grounds of equally impressive size, pr

Of grand scale, this multi-levelled garden is an entertainer’s delight. The garden was designed in two stages: the first by The Garden Company, which created a large pond as well as greenery and gardens around the house. The second stage, which inclu

Plants make a garden. They’re what draw us out and make us want to linger. This exquisite garden by Jane Jones Landscapes is a stunning case in point. A garden of loose informal design, it features lush mass plantings of contrasting foliage and tex

Thanks to the design and construction expertise of Fifth Season Landscapes, the owners of this Sydney property have a garden that exceeds expectations — an enticing, easy-to-use entertainer’s garden that seamlessly blends classic stone and timber wit

In recent years, Adelaide Botanic Gardens (ABG) has implemented a range of landscape architectural projects. A 2.6ha wetland project was created in conjunction with landscape architecture practice, Taylor Cullity Lethlean. Adelaide Botanic Garden Wet

Thanks to the construction expertise, horticultural knowledge and eco-savvy of Graham Taylor, director of Distinctive Landscapes, one very happy family is able to enjoy all the benefits of a country-style market garden — replete with bee hive, chooks

Planting a garden is part preparation, part creativity. You need to get a handle on the basics — things like soil preparation and choosing the right plant for the right location (you wouldn’t put a shade-loving plant in a full-sun location) — otherwi

The first challenge was how to take a small, somewhat triangular space and make it appear a bit bigger. The second involved turning an urban garden into a private oasis, and the third? That required the selection of plants that would look good year-r

From the beginning, homeowners Natasha and Vince were “feel-good” people who spoke of a spiritual connection to living and how they wished to extend that into the garden. This is one of the things that drew landscape designer Michael Webber of Michae

Is there anything more appealing on a summer’s day than relaxing in the garden under the cool canopy of a shade tree? This chill-out zone, designed and built by Harrisons Landscaping, is nestled beneath a large tree that provides protection from the

Perennials, defined as non-woody plants which last three years or more, come in many forms. Herbaceous perennials tend to be flowering types that die back in winter when they become dormant, only to re-shoot in spring. Then there are the evergreen pe

For most of us, our outdoor spaces are places of retreat — somewhere we can go when we want to relax and unwind. But outdoors is also where we head when we want to entertain. At the heart of most alfresco living spaces will be a structure of some kin

Morag Gamble’s passion for gardening came from her dad’s interest in permaculture. Her mother and grandfather also grew a range of edibles as well as native species for wildlife and there were always a few hand-raised chooks and fruit trees. Morag’s

Making the most of the vertical planes is one of the keys to smart small-space garden design. Introducing levels and employing built-in elements are two more. All of these tricks of the trade have been taken to new heights of innovation in this Perth

One of the best all-rounder trees available in Australia is the stunning crepe myrtle. This gorgeous variety offers something for just about everyone. Crepe myrtle comes in all shapes and sizes, from bushes to small, medium and large trees. It also p

Aussies love their pets and go to great lengths to make them happy. A recent survey by Canstar found more than 60 per cent of households spend almost $1500 a year on their animals. Our furry friends aren’t just pets — they are special family members.

Radishes are fast and easy to grow, with colourful roots and a crisp, firm texture that brings crunch and a peppery zing to fresh salads and side dishes. Research different radish varieties and you’ll be surprised by the sheer range you can grow. If

Pure H2O. For farmers, it’s like liquid gold. For the city hobby farmer or backyard gardener, turn on a tap and it’s there in abundance. However, that does not make this natural resource any less valuable. Healthy gardens need water. It’s arguably th

We hear so much about organic gardening, biodynamics and permaculture as forms of sustainable gardening and farming practices, but what does it all mean and how can the everyday gardener apply these practices to the average backyard or hobby farm? In

Plant a crop of lettuce every few weeks and you’ll always have fresh leafy greens at your fingertips. Lettuces are quick and easy to grow and can be planted and picked year round in many areas. So why not fill decorative pots or garden beds with lett

I’ve just been standing with a neighbour, Naomi, looking at the remains of her passionfruit vine. It’s a sad sight. What’s left is the unproductive, weedy understock. The productive vine succumbed to a cold snap, but the cold- and disease-tolerant un

With OUTDECO’s four new screen designs, the 1800mm x 600mm series is a great size format for many projects as it’s the company's largest series yet. Featuring a longer architectural proportion, it can repeat vertically or horizontally with a whole ne

When your hens start looking scruffy, you can bet that ectoparasites are giving them a hard time. And warmer weather usually means these little pests multiply faster and cause birds and owners extra grief. It’s easy to discount the problem as just a