Backyard and Outdoor Living Issue #49 - 2020

There’s no doubt we are spending a lot more time at home. Some might even say that we are all cooped up! For many people, this has drawn their attention to home and backyard improvements that need doing. Others have used it as an opportunity to introduce new pets. Ben Braithwaite from ChickenGuard insists that along with toilet paper and paper towels, homeowners have started panic buying pet chickens, too. In Yard Shop, Ben gives us the lowdown on pandemic chook care. Speaking of cooped up, many people in major cities live in apartments and don’t have a big backyard to escape to. But that doesn’t mean they can’t make the most of the space they have. Our feature shows how you can make a stunning balcony garden. In Australia, we are…

CELEBRATING AUSTRALIA’S MAGNIFICENT WILDLIFE DARYL DICKSON EXISLE PUBLISHING | $55 The glorious work of Daryl Dickson jumps off the pages in her latest book, Celebrating Australia’s Magnificent Wildlife. Passionate about the conservation of wildlife and wild places, Dickson depicts everything from black-winged stilts to brushtail possums in a colourful tribute to Australian critters and their natural habitats. Highlighting the beauty of a number of endangered species and revealing the majesty of North Queensland’s ancient tropical forests, the book is inspirational. LIVING OUTSIDE SHARON MACKAY & DIANA SNAPE THAMES & HUDSON | $70 Stroll down memory lane as Living Outside details the advent of the Australian garden in the mid-20th century. Post-war confidence urged Aussies to look outside and create outdoor rooms for recreation and relaxation. Bold designs celebrated Australia’s native fauna and like all good trends, the…

01: THRILLER IN MANILA Check out the tubular outdoor chair everyone’s talking about. The Manila chair, designed by Paola Navone, is made from Manila cane and etched copper, with a plaited leather-covered rope chair seat and back. Italian made to the highest standards, these chairs are sturdier and more robust than first impressions might suggest. The cloister leather is tough as nails and ready to handle whatever, and whoever, comes its way. Colour options include Natural, Garden, Navy, Grey and Mud. baxter.it/en/product/manila 02: FOLDABLE AND FASHIONABLE Pull up a seat, or a stool, at the Fermob Bistro Balcony folding table. This functional overachiever can accommodate seating for two while offering complete privacy. Discreetness is secured via the fold-away top, and it is appropriate for the height of almost any balcony. An impressive system…

BASIL Basil is the quintessential warm-weather herb and it’s wonderful to brush past it and release its spicy aroma. Basil is a favourite at our place on pizzas and in Caprese salad, as well as homemade pesto. Basil can be grown out in a garden or in pots, and regular feeding with Yates Thrive will promote lots of lush green leaves and stems. There are various types of basil too, including sweet basil, richly coloured purple basil and anise-flavoured Thai basil. If you let a few basil plants mature, they’ll produce flowers that are a magnet for bees. Sow more basil seed every few months from spring to early autumn so you have an ongoing supply. CHIVES Chives are a great herb to grow at home to add mild onion flavour to all…

Despite popular belief, balcony gardens cannot be potted up and then forgotten about as the garden can be exposed to high winds, hot sun and extended shade. But by establishing a garden using the right plants, soil and pots, and setting aside a little time to maintain it, you’ll have a potted garden that will be the envy of your neighbours. DESIGNING A BALCONY GARDEN One of the most important things about planning a balcony garden is design. Landscape designer Brian Fuller, owner of Leaf Stone Water, says good design is key. “Your garden will always be on show every time you access your balcony,” he says. “Perhaps even more importantly, if you love what you’ve created, you’ll spend more time outdoors on the balcony enjoying it.” Balconies are often where we enjoy…

This complex project on a Victorian heritage property encompassed many elements. Among them was rejuvenating tired front gardens that involved the mammoth task of relocating grand old trees to create a sense of entry and symmetry to the landscape. Ian Barker, director of Ian Barker Gardens, says the owners wanted a garden that exuded a definite wow factor with loads of roadside appeal. “The brief for the front garden was simple: to make heads turn and create a showstopper that would command roadside attention,” he says. The two Magnolias (Magnolia soulangeana) and three Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) were relocated by Established Tree Transporters. The process involved cutting around the tree roots cleanly with high-pressure water jets before removal to reduce shock to the trees. There is always a risk in transplanting trees so…