Practical solutions for growing success

Cheryl McGaffin grows a wide range of heirloom tomatoes on her property on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. She shared her top growing tips with our horticultural expert, Penny Woodward.

Feeding fruit trees & bulbs

From daffodils and jonquils to almonds and plums, it's time to for a good feed to keep them happy.

Growing blueberries in backyards

Given that blueberries are expensive to buy and don’t last long fresh, it makes sense to grow them yourself. These practical tips will help you do just that, and in your own backyard.

Mighty mulberries

From an early age, Paul West fell in love with the resilient mulberry and its bountiful, juicy and tangy fruit.

Betony

Planting betony in your garden will add to the flowers you have on offer provide nectar for bees, butterflies and beneficial insects.

Pepino: a year-round rockmelon

Pepinos are not very fussy plants, they even flourish in our poor sandy soil, and produce well in a mostly shaded part of our garden.

Pre-sprouting peas

Pea plants don’t like being transplanted, so it’s best to sow seeds directly. However, you can use biodegradable pots or pre-sprout seed.

Winter fare

Some hardy Asian edible plants do well in the cooler months, such as mizuna and Chinese mustard. Why not grow them in your patch?

Winter savory

Spicy, fragrant, warming. This little-known herb is perfect for cool weather meals.

Minty magic

Known by gardeners as native mint bush, Prostanthera rotundifolia is a handy plant for semi-shade.

Spinach substitutes

Spinach is a no-fuss cool season crop but there are some excellent substitutes for warmer seasons and regions too hot for English spinach.

Old-fashioned aromatic roses

Don't be put off by the stark look of bare-rooted rose trees. The colder months are the time to plant them to ensure success.