Author Archive
February Gardening – Sue McDougall
There is still an opportunity to garden in the hottest month of the year. There is always a cool spot under a tree, around a pond or in the evening that benefits from some extra attention. Enjoy this time of the year. A little work now will result in a productive and great garden throughout […]
It’s time to check the reticulation – Sue McDougall
An effective reticulation system is the difference between a garden just surviving summer and it thriving throughout the hottest months of the year. Contrary to popular belief, a correctly installed and maintained reticulation system will actually save water and not waste it at all. This is because the water is applied slowly and regularly to […]
Growing juicy mangoes
Growing your own mango tree in Western Australia is easy. Mangoes have been cultivated around the world for hundreds of years and the fruit is suitable for use in savoury and sweet dishes. These small trees are both hardy and productive, making them ideally matched to Western Australian gardens. Mangoes form dense foliage cover and […]
Dichondra, the versatile lawn substitute – Sue McDougall
One of the most versatile lawn substitutes is a flat groundcover that will grow in a shady position is dichondra. This low growing plant forms a thick mat and is ideal for growing on shady sides of the house. Dichondra will grow between lawn varieties and while at times the colour is different to the […]
Perfect Plants for Bird Aviaries – Sue McDougall
Adding plants in bird aviaries will create a safe cool environment for your feathered friends. Select the largest practical sized pot for the area, remembering the larger the pot the better the plants will fare because there is more soil around the root system. This results in a cooler root system and a happy healthy […]
Counter-conditioning. Out with the old! – Karen Phillips
Counter-conditioning is the “fancy” name that dog trainers use when conditioning or changing an unwanted response into a wanted response by associating good things with what the dog experiences. Most dog owners inadvertently use conditioning with their dogs during day to day life without actually realising what they are doing. Once you understand the concept […]
Kale, the Super Veg – Sue McDougall
There are few plants that have taken the world by storm. It seems all of us want to eat the latest wonder food, packed full of antioxidants that promises anti-ageing and life giving benefits. I wonder how many people actually like eating it and can honestly say they enjoy the flavour? If you are one […]
Poisonous Plants for Pets – Sue McDougall
Creating a safe space for our precious pets is just as important as creating a safe environment for our children. When establishing a garden it’s important to take into consideration any potential hazards for pets, particularly if you are planning to bring a puppy home. Many plants pose risks to animals and the danger ranges […]
Kickstart your Lawn for Spring – Sue McDougall
The most popular lawn varieties in WA are what we call warm season grasses, which are the couch and buffalo cultivars. These grasses thrive in the warm weather, but at this time of the year tend to look a little yellow and tired. So it’s time to give lawns a kick start to get them […]
Responsible Dog Ownership – Karen Phillips
I recently saw a great poster that listed some very relevant points on the responsibilities of owning a dog. It was put together by a Melbourne-based company Paw Behaviour Dog Training who specialise in dog training and dog behaviour issues. I liked it so much that it inspired me to do my own version of […]
