Table of contents for Issue 13.6 in Backyard and Outdoor Living

Our property, “Major’s Point”, is in southwest NSW in an area known as the Bland, near the tiny village of Quandialla. We farm 3170 hectares of beautiful sedimentary floodplain country, but as Dorothy Mackellar so beautifully put it, we live in “a land of drought and flooding rains”. We’ve experienced the extremes of both, but water is a big concern for us. I grew up living on an isolated farm in central west NSW where we ate what was in season from the farm and garden. We had lamb and milk from the farm, eggs from our chickens and fresh fruit and vegetables from Nanna’s huge, rambling garden. She had a massive clump of rhubarb, grapes, strawberries growing wild and large, old fruit trees for shade and fruit. I have…

This stunning garden in the Melbourne suburb of Blackburne is an eye-catching mix of earthy Australian with a hint of oriental influence. Landscape designer and homeowner Georgina Martyn from BoldSimplicity, sought to create a picturesque garden that was low maintenance. “I don’t have a lot of spare leisure time in which to look after a garden,” she says. “I wanted to design a garden that could be left unattended for long periods and still look beautiful without becoming markedly out of shape.” These two concepts don’t always go hand in hand, however by using the right plants, mix of hard landscaping materials and select pieces of garden art, Georgina’s garden is a design triumph. The garden has a fluid feel — the soft flowing plantings ebb and flow under a…

“The style they were after was soft and classic, with an abundance of spectacular plants to enjoy” When these plant-loving homeowners in the prestigious Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn decided it was time to have their garden redesigned, they headed straight to the team at award-winning landscape design company Ian Barker Gardens. “The clients were after a true ‘gardener’s garden’ that was not over-designed or too structured, and that perfectly complemented their beautiful red-brick Edwardian-era home” says director, Ian Barker. “The style they were after was soft and classic, with an abundance of spectacular plants to enjoy. They were envisioning a naturalistic design, with plants encroaching onto pathways, creeping up structures and intertwining with one another”. On their wish list was a swimming pool in the rear garden for the whole…

Outdoor entertaining has become an integral part of the Australian lifestyle. In the warmer months, the outdoors quickly become the go-to area for relaxing sunny breakfasts, long weekend lunches and warm dinner parties. Having a beautiful outdoor entertaining area is a great way to add extra living space to your home. However, choosing a design that suits your home yet still complements your lifestyle can be a daunting task. Here, we showcase our top picks. GAZEBOS For the ultimate entertainer’s abode, a gazebo is perfect for creating a resort-style aesthetic to your outdoor space. Cedar Shed supplies easy-to-assemble gazebo kits that require no cutting and include all assembly hardware and plans. Certain styles come with the option of full screening — perfect for keeping mosquitoes at bay. Available in a…

Decorate your home by the sea with plants that will stand the test of time The finishing touch to a beautiful coastal home is a stunning garden. However, not all plants can handle the harsh conditions that accompany this idyllic location. Plants chosen for coastal gardens need to be able to handle high levels of salt from salt-laden winds and spray. The team at Ozbreed can recommend plants for coastal areas based on testing, common knowledge and natural occurrence in saline locations. Westringias are an excellent choice for coastal gardens and if you are looking for a plant suitable for a low hedge, look no further than Grey BoxTM Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR. This drought- and salt-tolerant native plant is a great alternative to English box. Not only is Grey Box…

Whitewash (lime and water) has traditionally been used to cover building façades in many parts of the world. A low-cost material, it has always been readily available to householders and farmers. Dairy farmers have routinely used it to maintain their animal barns and aid with sanitation. The coating has antimicrobial properties that provide hygienic benefits. It’s also common for gardeners to use builder’s lime, also known as hydrated lime, to paint the trunks of fruit trees. It’s cheap and easy to apply and offers a range of benefits, including reducing or preventing heat scald from the sun. It also protects against fungal diseases and prevents infestations of insects from damaging tree trunks. The materials are found in garden centres and hardware stores. The application of whitewash from ground level to…

WHAT YOU NEED • Teflon tape• Battery-operated timer.• Ratchet clips• 19mm black UV-stabilised poly-pipe• Wire pegs• Multigrips• Dripline• Accessories (your irrigation specialist will advise) Properly installed irrigation systems deliver water to your garden efficiently and effectively. Drip irrigation is still the most water-valuable system as it provides the most even distribution of all watering products and also eliminates overspray and evaporation issues. Before venturing to your local irrigation supply shop, draw a rough plan of all the areas in your yard you want to water with an irrigation system. ONE-STEP DRIPLINE Dripline is a one-piece poly-pipe with the drippers bonded inside the pipe during the manufacturing process; it’s a one-step method of drip irrigation installation. The tube is generally brown with little holes (the dripper outlets) usually spaced at 0.3m to 0.5m intervals. SPACING IN THE GARDEN The…

BIG RELEAF Following last year’s successful launch, garden RELEAF 2016 will be held on the weekend of 9-10 April. The event is all about getting into the garden to have fun and de-stress. Independent garden centres across Australia will hold enjoyable and informative events, and to raise funds for beyondblue, the theme of this year’s event is “something blue”. Blue plants will be available for purchase and garden centre staff will get into the spirit by wearing blue clothing, hats and wigs. garden RELEAF’s ambassadors this year include gardening royalty Johanna Griggs and Graham Ross. gardenreleaf.com.au SAVE SPACE “Tools have always been hung on walls to help make a room feel wider but why stop with just tools? A high wall with a combination of sections and hooks can create…

“I see all insects and other creatures as having a place in a garden. If there is a problem with too many of one species, particularly pests, I view it as an imbalance in my gardening space and maybe a deficiency in predatory insects to take care of that particular species” Horticulture has always been a big part of my life. My childhood was filled with camellia shows, field trips with SGAP (the Society for Growing Australian Plants) and days spent in the garden with my grandmother, planting everything from snapdragons to dogwoods (Jacksonia scoparia), inspecting native beehives and striking plants from cuttings. My love of all things green has taken me on a career path, including retail nursery work, teaching horticulture at TAFE, writing for various horticultural publications and…

This stunning Provençale house is set in extensive grounds — exactly the kind of property that has helped create the area’s reputation as a sun-kissed rural idyll that’s the perfect location for a holiday home. The house itself, revealed at the end of the long and winding driveway, stands at the centre of a 12ha plot with a stunning south-facing pool to its left. A number of outbuildings to the right serve as guest rooms and the manicured lines of tended olive trees are located on the surrounding lawns. However, the property is also deceptive in some aspects, with more surprises to offer than a low-key approach with a dramatic reveal. “The house is entirely convincing as a 200-year-old building refurbished to modern standards,” says David Price of David Price…

We all have those areas in our gardens that are problematic when it comes to plants due to the high amount of shade they receive. However, there are many native and exotic species that will thrive in shaded areas. All of the plants listed below handle areas that receive up to and above 70 per cent shade. CHOICES FOR COOLER CLIMATES Emerald Arch™ Dianella tasmanica ‘DT23’ PBR — This flax lily has broad arching leaves and blue/yellow flowers from September to November. It creates a tropical feel while being extremely cold-hardy. Emerald Arch dianella has low water requirements and is better suited to cool or temperate climates. Blaze TM  Dianella tasmanica ‘NPW2’ PBR — A very tough plant with extreme heat tolerance, it has beautiful deep purple foliage…

Granny flats are fast becoming the new must-have for the modern home. Part of their popularity is due to the fact that they are so versatile, lending themselves to a variety of uses. They can be used as a family entertaining space, pool house, home office, art or yoga studio or even a gym. They also provide the perfect guest accommodation — whether it be private lodging for the in-laws or a way to section off teenage sleepovers. If living with the parents is on the cards, a self-contained granny flat can provide the kids with a place to live while saving for their own homes. BEFORE YOU START Before commencing the design, always check requirements of councils such as allowable heights, sizes and setbacks as well as the requirements…

COPPER Matt recommends using copper in the garden to create a stylish and contemporary garden space. “It’s a trend that’s big in kitchens and house interiors and it’s definitely also being requested and featured prominently in designs of outdoor spaces,” says Matt. Placing a statement copper piece in your outdoor area adds character, charm and something unique to draw the eye. Copper works well for light fittings, outdoor showers, fireplaces, water features and bespoke pots. “One of the things that works so nicely when using copper outdoors is that it acquires a beautiful patina over time. This look works particularly well for light fittings and shower heads as the patina allows them to subtly settle into the garden.” If the polished copper look is your preference, Matt recommends keeping copper…

Breeding your own plants can be a very worthwhile and satisfying thing to do in your garden and it’s relatively easy once you know all the basics. Plus, it will undoubtedly enhance your understanding of your garden and reignite your enthusiasm. There are several methods by which you can reproduce plants. The easiest and main methods of propagation for home gardeners are by seed, cuttings, division or layering. SEED The most common way in which flowering plants reproduce and nature’s way of ensuring plant species are perpetuated is by seed. Because of pollination by birds or insects, variations in genetic combinations may happen, allowing plants to adapt to their environments and enabling plant breeders to cross-pollinate to create cultivars with new or desirable characteristics. Plants grown from seed, therefore, may…

Having a pond or natural-looking waterhole in your garden is a wonderful idea. Apart from the aesthetic appeal, your pond will become a little eco-system where nature’s pest controllers, frogs, can live and breed. To keep pond water clear and looking good takes a little effort, though, as the biology in still water involves interaction of many factors, including water, oxygen, sunshine, plants and aquatic animal life. Water quality is also affected by the size and shape of the pond and the pH and nutrient content of the water. If there is an imbalance of any or all these components, the water quality will deteriorate and an algal bloom will occur. WHAT ARE ALGAE? Algae are an unsightly nuisance. They take over a pond rapidly when the growing conditions are…

When space is at a premium, special consideration is needed to design an outdoor space that not only looks good, but maximises every last inch of space. When your backyard is in such close proximity to your indoor spaces, it’s also essential to create a style that will blend seamlessly with your interior style — to enhance and extend it rather than detract from it. This is particularly the case with the popularity of open-plan living. An efficient design ensures that all spaces, both indoors and out, can be enjoyed as one. This project by Secret Gardens is the perfect example of how you can make the most out of the space you have in a city location while creating a cohesive and personalised look. For this project in the…

“Using repetition and clumping of similar block planting creates balance” A With a brief to make their Malvern East space “interesting and user-friendly”, these Melbourne clients wanted something special for their outdoor area. “It was not just a garden they requested, but a functional sculpture that could be lived in,” says landscape designer Paal Grant of Paal Grant Designs in Landscaping. In addition, the design had to make optimum use of the small space and, importantly in this time-poor world, be low maintenance. The existing cubby house belonging to the homeowners’ children also had to be integrated into the context of the design. For the backyard, Paal was asked to design an outdoor room/deck area with custom seating and cushions for outdoor entertaining and dinner parties, plus a conversation pit…

Remember the carefree days of your childhood, playing outdoors until the street lights reminded you to scoot inside for dinner? Well your kids can also discover the magic of outdoor play with a well-designed outside play space. Playing outdoors benefits children in many ways. It gives them exercise, allows them to unleash their often boundless energy, and it also unplugs them from TV and technology. Anna Meadows, paediatric occupational therapist and founder of Kids Play Space, says it’s incredibly important for children to have access to outdoor play areas. “Being outdoors allows them to interact with the natural world, feed their curiosity, promote sensory motor development and nurture their imaginative play skills,” she says. WHAT DO YOUR KIDS LOVE? When designing your child’s outdoor play space, think about what activities…

You’ve created a fully functional outdoor space but you can’t escape the feeling that it needs a little flair. From decorative metal screening and water features to sculptures and back-lit planters, there are plenty of sculptural items that will add that finishing touch. Personalise your garden with the latest in outdoor decoration. A NEW WAVE Nowadays, water features, lighting, bird baths and statues are some common architectural elements homeowners introduce into their outdoor spaces to create ambience, and according to Rudi Jass from Jass Design, Australians are becoming more and more adventurous when it comes to decorating their outdoors. “When I started making my first water feature in 1991, there was nothing else on the market except some overly ornamental concrete features like little cherubs or French urns,” says Rudi.…

Outdoor entertaining has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years and provides another reason to decorate and personalise your space. “Entertaining has never been easier or more fun,” says Anna Lofts from Linen & Moore. “Follow your instincts to create stylish and sensuous settings. Personalise your look with an edited mix of colours, plains and patterns. Choose crockery to complement your napery and food and bring your look together with simple glassware, cutlery and stylish servers. You can let the flowers do the rest.” EXPERT TIPS • Opposites attract — combine classic and contemporary prints. Look to mixing stripes, florals, graphic and ethnic designs with plains. Bring the look together through one or two key colours in varying shades and tones. • Create a lush, layered look using a…

The Square Foot Gardening project we will be describing on these pages, when converted to align with our metric system of measurement, is really going to be 30cm Square Gardening, but we’ll stick with the name by which it is widely known: Square Foot Gardening. The concept of this compact style of gardening was promoted and popularised by American Mel Bartholomew, the man now regarded as the guru of this ingenious urban gardening revolution. WHAT IS IT? The original Square Foot Gardening method uses a four-sided garden-bed box measuring three feet square (1.2m × 1.2m). There is no top or bottom and it can be built on any type of soil, tiles or even concrete. It contains a fixed amount of soil mix and is divided evenly into 16 planting…

Step 1. You’ll need a pair of gloves, a bowl, equal quantities of water and builder’s lime, a clean thick paintbrush and a spoon to mix the water and lime, as well as oil, if using (see tips over the page). Step 2. Wearing gloves, add spoonfuls of builder’s lime to the bowl. Step 3. Add water to the bowl of lime and continue to add more of both. Step 4. Mix well with a spoon. Step 5. Apply to the trunk, making sure to cover all cracks in the bark. Allow to dry thoroughly then apply a second coat. Step 6. Allow excess mixture to drip down the trunk as you go. Use up-and-down strokes to cover the trunk, working from the bottom upwards. BENEFITS OF WHITEWASHING • Prevents sun…

STRONG AND BEAUTIFUL If you are after great-looking raised planters to blend in with your garden, you can’t go past the FormBoss Cor-Ten steel option. With profiles from 75mm to 580mm, they come with a round-top edge of 6–7mm for strength and safety. The pictured rings are available in standard sizes of 700mm or 1400mm in diameter, or you can custom-order any shape or size you like. In fact, you can actually shape these edges on-site to create a truly unique-looking garden with different levels. The FormBoss edging system has a range of stakes to support the edging so it can suit several applications, from flush or raised edges to steps or even retaining walls. If you don’t like the rustic look, there is also a glossy alternative in ZAM…