Beneficial plants & insects

Growing plants that are indigenous to your area will help attract native bees.

Encouraging native bees

Thu, 06/01/2022 - 9:27am

If you follow these basic principles in your garden, native bees and other beneficial insects will know they’re welcome, writes Karen Sutherland.

Bring in the bees

Wed, 15/12/2021 - 11:16am

There's heaps to do in the summer garden, including encouraging bees to visit and stay. Our horticultural experts have some tips to help you take care of these precious pollinators.

Bee friendly planting

Mon, 12/04/2021 - 2:46pm

Planting flowers that honey bees love is a win-win, writes Penny Woodward – they get pollen and you get a healthy harvest! Here's Penny's suggestions, which will tempt bees into your garden.

Get the native bee buzz

Wed, 29/07/2020 - 2:25pm

Denis Crawford explores the world of native bees and how we can help provide food for them. A good starting point is to see what you can plant in your garden that will attract them to your patch...

Bee hotels can be made from a mix of wood, stems, straws, mud and sand.

How to get the native buzz - just add bees!

Thu, 14/02/2019 - 4:47pm

PAUL WEST explains how to bring more native bees into your life and gardens by encouraging their natural habitats.

Ants - friend or foes

Wed, 13/02/2019 - 9:48am

Ants are part of life in Australia, says Denis Crawford, and are very important in the environment.

Spiders are special

Fri, 13/07/2018 - 5:22pm

Look after your spiders says Penny Woodward, the vast majority are harmless and all are beneficial.

All abuzz

Wed, 26/04/2017 - 3:20pm

Kirsten Bradley shares her sweet secrets of success for keeping bees.

Itchy and scratchy

Wed, 02/11/2016 - 2:28pm

'Tis the season for mozzies and ticks. Try these helpful plants to take the sting out of their bite, writes PENNY WOODWARD.

Fungi facts

Thu, 29/01/2015 - 5:55pm

PENNY WOODWARD says it is good to look after most of the fungi growing in your garden.

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