This Weekend

Ideas and inspiration for your next garden project

Show your love of country with a thriving Australian native garden

The key to a successful Australian native garden is to match your plant choices to your local soil and climate. Grow local selections (your local garden centre can advise) and understand their growing needs so you place them in their preferred position in your garden. Information on the plant’s tag will point you in the right direction.

Once a new plant is in the ground, reduce transplant shock by watering it in with Seasol, just as you would for any new plant. Ensure it grows strongly with regular water while it’s establishing its roots.

Next, understand the plant’s fertiliser needs. Many natives are sensitive to phosphorus, so choose a fertiliser that’s low in phosphorus such as PowerFeed All Purpose Including Natives. This dynamic liquid fertiliser and soil improver boosts plant growth and vigour by providing a balanced nutrient and trace element mix. It also contains active liquid compost that promotes good soil structure, stimulates beneficial soil microbes and increases nutrient availability to look after your native plants above and below the ground.

Nutrition vs. nitrates: What’s best for your garden

As anyone with a green thumb will attest, the allure of fast-growing plants and gardens that look lush as well as delivering large, high-yielding fruits and vegetables is hard to resist. But at what cost?