Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2022 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

In fact, provided you show them basic TLC, you can fill your garden or home with these lush blooms. From classic cymbidiums to delicate moths, their elegance is everlasting. Learn how to grow them on page 14. Also worth a fresh look are perennials, which prove everything old can be new again… and again (page 34), species tulips, which hail from western Asia and look quite different to their formal cousins (page 24) and heirloom tomatoes, which burst with flavour you don’t find on a supermarket shelf (page 68). Plump and juicy, you’ll want to eat them straight off the vine! Equally mouthwatering is the promise of a new season, inside and out. In the kitchen, spring baking (page 78) tastes as divine as it looks, particularly our cover star…

Like all potted plants, as orchids grow they need to be potted up to a larger pot. Do this after the flowers have faded and the weather is warmer in early summer. Here’s how STEP 1 Cut open side of pot to reveal the mass of roots. STEP 2 Remove plant and give roots a good trim with clean secateurs or snips. You’re not hurting the plant. STEP 3 Fill a new, larger pot to halfway with pine bark. Place orchid on top. Fill around with more pine bark. STEP 4 Scatter a tablespoon of flower booster granules on surface of pine bark.…

1 TULIPA CLUSIANA VAR. STELLATA Also called lady tulips, they bloom on 30cm stems. The bulbs have a woolly tip that insulates them from cold winters and hot summers. 2 T. SYLVESTRIS Golden goblet-shaped flowers on 20cm stems are sweetly fragrant. 3 T. LINIFOLIA A bold, bright red flower that grows to 20cm tall. 4 ‘LITTLE PRINCESS’ Tiny bulbs produce several fragrant flowers on 10cm stems. 5 ‘LITTLE BEAUTY’ Sister to ‘Little Princess’ and pretty paired with it. 6 T. CRETICA ‘HILDE’ Coming from the mountains of Crete, these flowers reach 18cm tall. 7 T. BAKERI ‘LILAC WONDER’ Pale pink flowers on 15cm stems have a dollop of sunshine in the centre.…

If you’re time poor and cash-strapped but still yearn for a garden that looks a million bucks, put in perennials. These burst with flowers in spring, summer and autumn, die down in winter and come back with fresh vigour next spring. They last for years, the flowerings are profuse and you can let them go to seed so you’ll get more of the same seasonal glory for no extra outlay. Turn your patch into a rolling tapestry with different textures and colours. There’s constant change in your garden – and even more change in your hip pocket! ABOUT THIS GARDEN After Antique Perennials nursery and display garden in regional Victoria was destroyed by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, plantsmen Matt Reed and Michael Morant had to restart from scratch. Second…

Coastal gardening can be challenging in light of the harsh elements involved, but planting on a sand dune right on the beach takes it to a different level. It also takes a different mindset – one that abandons the idea of a conventional suburban garden. But with the addition of rich composted soil, then working with nature by putting in plants that cope with the sand, the salty air and the winds, you can have a garden that’s striking and low-maintenance to boot! CHARLIE ALBONE Let me walk you through the process of turning an outdoor space into your own oasis. My new book, Garden of your Dreams (Murdoch Books, $39.99), is a practical and inspiring guide full of ideas and tips.…

You can create two gardens for the price of one with strategic lighting that can transform a day garden into something that turns entirely different at night! The first rule is to be subtle and avoid strong spotlights that just create an uncomfortable glare with the sole purpose being to scare off possums or burglars. Well-planned lighting can make night shadows different to those of day, highlight specific plants that may just be background fillers when the sun is up, and create mystery, mood and drama that make evening entertainment electrifying! THE FIRST STEPS… DRAW UP a base plan of where you want your lighting to go. Within the one lighting system, you can have lights that are… Utilitarian, such as lighting placed along pathways and steps and around your…

There’s more to an aquarium than just small fish going round in circles. Make their journey more interesting by creating a simple underwater garden to enliven your indoors while driving your cats crazy! EASY STEPS TO YOUR AQUASCAPE It may be underwater, but an aquarium is still a living landscape, so make it as lovely to look at as live in. Gather your supplies • Aquarium tank • Microfibre cloth • Hardscape materials such as rocks, stones, gravel and driftwood • Aqua soil • Underwater plants • Plant tweezers • Plant glue • Ornamental gravel or pebbles • Water heater, pump and filter • Underwater lighting • Water ager • Aquarium fish For you to note Make sure you position your aquarium with easy access to a power point. Here’s…

BIG RAINBOW A large beefsteak tomato up to 10cm in diameter with a streaky red, orange and yellow skin, it opens up to reveal rainbow slices of yellow, pink and red. Its mild, sweet flavour is ideal for salads or a platter. HUNGARIAN HEART This big, round, so-called ‘oxheart’ – because of its size and shape – can produce pink tomatoes that weigh up to 500g and have few seeds and lots of flesh that has a delicate taste. Great for sauces, preserving or eating fresh. ANANAS NOIRE Another whopper – up to 650g each – this changes colour as it matures, from green and yellow to a purple-red with blushes of green. The flesh has distinctive pink, red, green and yellow patterns that look stunning in salads or sliced…

GET A HEAD START ON SPRING AND GRILL UP NEW-SEASON SPEARS OF ASPARAGUS FOR A SIDE SALAD DRESSED WITH ZING! CREAMY FISH PIE Preparation time 25 mins Cooking time 50 mins Serves 4-6 750g boneless white fish fillet, cut into 2cm chunks2 tsp fish sauce100g ghee2 leeks, sliced2 brown onions, sliced6 cloves garlic, sliced½bunch thyme, leaves picked1½Tbsp plain flour600ml thickened cream¼tsp ground nutmegSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season4 medium potatoes, cut into1cm dice4 hard-boiled free-range eggs,chopped2 sheets puff pastry, thawed1 free-range egg, lightly beaten STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C fan-forced (200°C conventional). Toss fish in fish sauce and set aside. STEP 2 Meanwhile, heat ghee in a large frying pan on medium. Cook leek, onion, garlic and thyme for 10 minutes, until softened but not browned.…

A FRESH TIPPLE Upgrade your 5pm G&T with the taste of native botanicals. Tempus Two Copper Wild Botanical Gin, $85, includes desert lime, orange peel and salt bush flavours – a must for gin lovers, tempustwo.com.au. TOP TANKS Freshen up your kitchen bench with a pop of colour from the Jones & Co range of tabby tanks, from $88. Perfect as snazzy utensil holders or to brighten up your culinary herb garden, they’re an easy way to bring spring brightness into your kitchen, jonesandco.com.au. Flower power Add colour to desserts and drinks this spring with a Cocktail Florals Pack, $42, from The Cocktail Cart, containing cocktail confetti (pictured) and dried rose petals. Scatter them on cocktails or over a dreamy chamomile and honey cake (see page 83), hardtofind.com.au. AUSSIE STYLE…

Build a Scandi-style coffee table with tapered splayed legs using materials you can buy off-the-shelf at the hardware store. Glue and screw it together, then choose a finish that suits your interiors. It’s so easy you’ll want to make lots! EASY STEPS TO YOUR COFFEE TABLE Gather your supplies • Timber wedge door stops (3) • 400mm pine tapered legs (3) • 600mm diameter 17mm pine panel • Clear polyurethane or timber stain and varnish in colour of choice You’ll also need Combination square; pencil; drill; 25mm spade bit; masking tape; 11mm twist bit; 3 and 4.5mm drill bits; hammer; cup head bolt; T nuts; protractor; steel rule; PVA glue; 25 and 50mm timber screws; 180-grit and 240-grit sandpaper; paintbrush Here’s how STEP 1 Using square, measure and mark 10mm…

1 PLAN THE LAYOUT Decide if you want to change the layout, which will be money well spent if it makes an improvement, and determine where the water and waste pipes will go. 2 RIP IT out Book the skip and remove the fittings and fixtures, then strip tiles from the walls and floor. Test the wall linings of pre-1990s homes and, if they contain asbestos, book professional removal. 3 CALL IN TRADIES Arrange for a plumber and electrician to rough in their services. Have your plumbing fittings available for reference. PS, bathrooms have strict electrical requirements. 4 LINE THE WALLS Either re-render or batten masonry walls and clad them in fibre cement sheets with pipe and cable locations marked. 5 SEAL IT UP Check if your state requires a licensed waterproofer…

GINGER tea is made from the ginger root. It can be made fresh by boiling peeled and sliced ginger root in water. May alleviate nausea and chronic indigestion and relieve motion sickness symptoms. CHAMOMILE tea is made from dried chamomile flowers. May improve relaxation and sleep, and reduce inflammation and menstrual cramp pain. PEPPERMINT tea is made from the leaves of the peppermint plant or black, green or white tea with added peppermint leaves or oil. May relieve tension headaches, clear sinuses and soothe gastrointestinal problems. ECHINACEA tea is made from the leaves, flowers and roots of echinacea plants. May decrease inflammation, boost the immune system and lower blood sugar levels. ROSEHIP tea is made from the pseudo-fruits of the rose plant, which are located just below the rose petals. May…

ETHICAL STYLE Give your home contemporary chic with handcrafted homewares from Fazeek, a Melbourne brand that values sustainability as much as style. Check out its ethically sourced handmade soaps and hand-poured candles, plus hand-blown glassware such as the Balance Vase in Clear + Amber, $129; and Two Wave Glasses in Amber, $79/set of 2, (pictured), fazeek.com.au. SEAL OF APPROVAL Do you love using essential oils in your everyday life – in your diffuser, to clean your home, for relaxation and as part of your skincare routine? Seed to Seal is a quality commitment by Young Living that its essential-oil products are ethically sourced and of the highest standards, so you can feel great about using them and really benefit from the pure power of botanicals, youngliving.com/en_AU. Eco groceries Meet the…

FATHER’S DAY INSPO IS HERE, SO DITCH THE SOCKS AND GET CREATIVE!…

Time for a vacay? Savvy ways to ensure your next getaway won’t break the bank! LOOK FOR ALL-INCLUSIVE DEALS You can pretty much leave the credit card behind when you book an all-inclusive package on a cruise holiday. All onboard meals, accommodation, kids’ clubs and activities are taken care of – all you need to do is pull up a lounger poolside and relax. Princess Cruises has some of the best deals on offer right now, whether you’re dreaming of a weekender ‘seacation’ or a longer journey discovering tropical destinations up north. Visit princess.com. USE A TRAVEL AGENT Ever found a great flight price online then scrambled to organise your family’s schedule before it sold out? Travel agents have a little more flexibility. They can find you the deal you…

Adairs adairs.com.au ANL anlscape.com.au BeautyPRO datelineimports.com.au Benefit Cosmetics sephora.com.au Bobbi Brown bobbibrown.com.au Bunnings bunnings.com.au Clarins clarins.com.au Clinique clinique.com.au Country Road countryroad.com.au Cricut cricut.com/en-au/ Custom Brassware custombrass.com.au Edcon Steel edconsteel.com.au Fenty sephora.com.au Flower Power flowerpower.com.au Freedom freedom.com.au Harry Hartog harryhartog.com.au Harvey Norman harveynorman.com.au H&M www2.hm.com/en_au IKEA ikea.com.au Inartisan inartisan.com Inika Organic inikaorganic.com Jane Iredale janeiredale.com.au Kmart kmart.com.au Leif Products leifproducts.com Max Factor bigw.com.au Maybelline chemistwarehouse.com.au Myer myer.com.au Nano Tanks Australia Aquarium Shop nanotanksaustralia.com.au Natio natio.com.au NYX Professional Makeup ry.com.au Nude By Nature nudebynature.com.au Officeworks officeworks.com.au Pottery Barn potterybarn.com.au Provincial Home Living provincialhomeliving.com.au Real Techniques adorebeauty.com.au Rimmel London chemistwarehouse.com.au Spotlight spotlightstores.com.au Steal the Limelight stealthelimelight.com.au Trinny London trinnylondon.com/au/…

“With its unique beauty and subtle scent, the orchid is the queen of flowers” The graceful flowers of orchids bring unconventional beauty to a conventional home or garden, creating a rainbow of colours, patterns and shapes that lasts for months. Orchids belong to one of the largest plant families in the world and grow everywhere except The Antarctic. However, the ones we most admire for our homes come from the tropics. Their fat, flat pot-hugging leaves allow the flower stems to rise and arch majestically like a living work of art. So, like any other work of art, be sure to put your indoor orchids where they can be endlessly admired. CARING FOR INDOOR ORCHIDS • Place in bright but indirect sunlight – direct sunlight is too harsh on blooms…

Overwatering Orchids draw moisture from the atmosphere, so only water when mix feels dry. If you live in a dry climate, put trays of water around plants so the evaporations are absorbed naturally. Good drainage is key to avoid wet feet. Water before 3pm so orchids don’t go to bed damp, otherwise you risk fungal issues. Not enough air flow If you can’t hang from a pot or a board, place pots in a wire or timber slatted bench. This lets roots breathe, which prevents fungal disease. Too much light/shade Too much sun yellows foliage, too much shade turns leaves dark green with no flowers produced. Use a shade cloth or put under a deciduous tree to protect from hot summer sun. Wet weather If lots of rain is coming,…

CLIMATE Most species tulips need a cold period for dormancy, but some – such as T. clusiana, T. bakeri and T. sylvestris – are known for their adaptability to warmer winters. FERTILISING In the wild, species tulips grow in barren soils so don’t need to be pampered as hybrid tulips do. They need little or no feeding. WATERING Species tulips have a low water requirement. Whether they are planted in a pot or a rock garden, watering once after planting is usually sufficient. Rainwater should suffice and the accumulation of water should be avoided. SOIL The soil must drain very well. Rocky soil is the best choice. Adapt your soil, if necessary, by adding sand or gravel. ASPECT Plant your species tulips where they will get full sun.…

1 Before you start, find out what types of plants grow best in your area. 2 Most flowering plants require a sunny aspect. 3 Aim for a naturalistic look where plants spill over gravel paths. 4 Make your beds flexible and casual – keep it spontaneous. 5 Plant so you mingle spring, summer and autumn flowerings. 6 Mass plant for a dynamic impact. 7 Include tall ornamental grasses as a backdrop, as they add movement. 8 Resist dead-heading as flowers fade – seed heads on many perennials have a unique beauty.…

A garden, no matter how small, can have all the things you want – room for play, entertainment, producing healthy crops for your kitchen or just for chilling out. All it takes is imagination and good planning, by making sure the sun shines in the right places, the shade is comforting, the space is proportionate, maintenance is minimal and privacy is ensured. THE CENTRAL LAWN IS A BLANK CANVAS FOR PHYSICAL AND FAMILY FUN, WITH RELAXED LEISURE ZONES AROUND THE PERIMETER. GRAHAM ROSS Join me as I show you around more inspiring gardens on BHG TV, Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change) Go to bhg.com.au for more practical garden tips and tricks.…

Ensure you have an outdoor power point from which you can run your lighting. You’ll need a transformer, cabling, splitters and lights, all bought separately. Note There are many garden lighting products available, but stick to the one brand for compatibility. • Transformers convert 240V household power into 12V power that you don’t need to bury and which is safe for children and pets. Ideally, the transformer will come with a cover to protect it from the elements, or you can buy a cover separately. • Cabling is attached to the transformer and runs around the perimeter of your garden. • Splitters are attached to the end of the cabling and allow you to run cabling in different directions. • Lights click onto the cabling like a tiny hair grip.…

Pots are tops for indoor plants and outdoors where there are no garden beds. But they’re not set-and-forget features. Not only do the plants still need tending, so does the growing medium they’re sitting in. It’s only those beautiful pots that give undemanding pleasure! HOT POTS & PLANTERS 1, 4 For glossy drama, check out Northcote Pottery’s Jardin glazed terracotta pot range, in heights of 46cm ($59.98); 36cm ($51.98); 28cm ($30.98) and 22cm ($21.98). Available at Bunnings. 2 Planters can be a miniature garden and this Northcote Pottery Savannah Tri-Planter comes with three separate pot inserts that let you grow plants with different soil needs. Or, you can stick with like-minded succulents! This timber composite, weather-resistant, lightweight, durable planter 98 x 34 x 43cm, in Grey, is $190 at Bunnings.…

• Seeds take about 2-3 weeks to germinate and grow. When seedlings are about 9cm tall and have their first true leaves – the second and subsequent sets of leaves that appear – gently transplant to a garden bed or pot in a spot that gets at least six hours of sun a day. • When transplanting to a pot, use a potting mix formulated for tomatoes. • Put stakes in at planting time because if you do it later you may damage the roots. Stakes are important to keep foliage and fruit off the soil, where they can pick up diseases. • Give plants fertiliser that promotes fruit growth rather than leaf growth. Plenty of water is also key. • As your fruit matures, net plants to protect them…

SEPTEMBER 2022 You must plant all ABOVE-ground crops during the moon’s WAXING cycle. You must plant all BELOW-ground crops during the moon’s WANING cycle. Times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time, AEST. This applies to NSW, the ACT, Qld, Vic and Tas. For SA and NT, deduct half an hour. For WA, deduct two hours. During Daylight Saving Time, add 1 hour. ZODIAC SIGNS The 12 signs of the zodiac are divided into four groups – fire, air, earth and water. Fire signs Aries and Sagittarius are in harmony with all fruit. Leo is in harmony with nuts and all seed-producing crops. Earth signs Capricorn and Taurus are in harmony with all root vegetables that produce crops below the ground, including garlic. Virgo is in harmony with all herbs. Air…

SPICED PUMPKIN AND OLIVE OIL LOAF CAKE Preparation time 3 hours Cooking time 4¼hours Serves 8 1kg kent pumpkin1½tsp sea-salt flakes, plus extra, to season250g plain flour1½tsp baking powder½tsp bicarbonate of soda1 Tbsp ground cinnamon1 Tbsp ground ginger3 tsp ground nutmeg2 tsp ground cardamom1 cup extra virgin olive oil175g caster sugar100g dark brown sugar3 Tbsp chopped glacé ginger, plus extra, to garnish3 free-range eggs CREAM CHEESE ICING 1 cup pure icing sugar, sifted100g unsalted butter, softenedZest of 1 lemon or 2 limes500g cream cheese, diced, softened½cup pure cream100ml lemon or lime juice STEP 1 Preheat oven to 175°C fan-forced (195°C conventional) Line an oven tray with baking paper. Grease and line a 24cm loaf tin with baking paper. STEP 2 Roast pumpkin in one piece for 1½hours. Cut pumpkin up…

“A HERO PIECE IN RICH, DEEP TEAL ADDS WEIGHT AND DEFINITION TO A PALETTE OF PALE TONEST” There is no better time than spring to rethink your interiors, be it with a lovely arrangement of fresh flowers or throwing caution to the wind with an unexpected colour scheme. If you love the freshness of white walls, soft mint green is an easy step forward. It adds colour without making spaces feel smaller and has the amazing power to brighten gloomy rooms. What’s more, it mixes easily with other greens and blues for a light and layered look. See how you can make it work for you.…

Full kitchen reno not on the cards? You can still revamp the hub of your home and take it from featureless to character-filled with DIY upgrades. Leave the plumbing where it is to save money, but add new fixtures. Paint the cabinetry, update the benchtops and sink, boost your storage with bespoke solutions and get your deco on for a kitchen that will look like a million bucks without breaking the bank. EASY STEPS TO YOUR CABINET BENCHTOP REVAMP Freshen your kitchen DIY-style with cabinet paint and new benchtops, giving you the chance to also change up your sink. And it’s all from the hardware store. Gather your supplies • Benchtop timber • Cabinet paint in green and white • Sink and mixer You’ll also need Painter’s tape; marker; drill;…

The secret to a brighter complexion is at the tip of your fingers Back in ancient Egyptian and Greek times women, and men, used ground ochre, fruit and plants to give their cheeks a boost of colour. Thankfully there’s no longer any grinding or squashing involved, but the appeal of glowing cheeks hasn’t diminished. Here’s how to get it right. how to CHOOSE For blush to create a flushed-from-within look, which is the aim, it needs to work in with your skin tone. The general rule is that warm skin tones suit peachy shades and cool skin tones suit pinks. However, your skin tone can change with the seasons and age, so it’s always worth having a play. VERY FAIR SKIN Go for a soft, sheer pink as it will…

EASY STEPS TO YOUR PHOTO BLOCKS Create simple stacking picture cubes using printed photos, off-the-shelf pine, paint and markers. Gather your supplies • Printed photos in colour and black and white • 90 x 90mm DAR pine cubes • Mod Podge Gloss • Two-in-one paint and sealer in black You’ll also need Scissors; paintbrushes; paint roller; paint trays; black Sharpie; fine-grit sandpaper; white liquid paint marker For you to note • Have your timber cut into cubes by the supplier. Sand smooth before starting. • Mod Podge is a glue, sealer and finish in one. • Print photos 10mm smaller all around than cube faces. Here’s how STEP 1 Carefully cut out all your printed photos, both colour and black and white. STEP 2 Using a paintbrush, apply a coat…

Congratulations – you’ve decided to renovate or build a pool! The family is in raptures, imagining fun-filled days entertaining or relaxing poolside. But there are a few stages before you can start to enjoy, soak and unwind. Along with settling on a contractor and deciding on your pool’s shape and style, there is its colour and landscaping to consider, from hard surfaces to clever ways to introduce greenery. If you have a vision for the surface finishes, but aren’t sure where to start, a specialist like Beaumont Tiles may help, with tools such as the What’s My Style quiz (beaumontswhatsmystyle.com.au), which includes product recommendations. FLAWLESS FLOW Let your home’s colour palette and architectural style influence your paver choice to ensure house and hardscaping are in sync. Here, same-type earthy tumbled…

“IT IS AS IF THE AUTHOR HAS CREPT INSIDE A STATUE AND BREATHED A SOUL INTO IT, RECREATING JOAN”HILARY MANTEL, AUTHOR JOAN Katherine J Chen (Hachette, $32.99) Girl. Warrior. Heretic. Saint? France is mired in a losing war against England. Its people are starving. Its king is in hiding. Yet out of the chaos emerges an unlikely heroine. Reckless, steel-willed and brilliant, Joan has survived a childhood steeped in both joy and violence to claim an extraordinary – and fragile – position at the head of the French army. The battlefield and the royal court are full of dangers and Joan finds herself under suspicion from all sides – and under threat from her own ambition. This is a thrilling epic, a triumph of historical fiction and a celebration of…

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Orchids have had millions of years to evolve into the exquisite forms we so love today. They’re all stars but the cymbidium or boat orchid is the superstar. Its voluptuous blooms sneak through long strappy leaves in mid winter and, once free of the foliage, can last until spring. The colour range is diverse and dramatic, and the variegations are stunning. What’s more, you can grow them indoors or out. There’s no excuse – start growing now! FOR YOU TO KNOW About 70% of orchids are epiphytes and grow on other plants. They use their roots to attach themselves to the plants but aren’t parasitic and don’t use their roots to draw nutrients from the host plant. Instead they get their water from moist tropical air and nutrients from other…

Graceful yet more than a little bit wild, species tulips look the way they did when European explorers stumbled upon them in western Asia centuries ago and breeders in Holland hybridised them into the flashy form we know and love. While they are smaller and look more delicate, species tulips are extraordinarily tough, thriving in barren, gritty soils, often emerging through rocky crevices. They settle in and naturalise (spread out) easily, so you’ll find more popping up season after season! There are several important distinctions that make species tulips different from the hybrid tulips that populate spring festivals. • Species tulips are smaller than hybrids. • The foliage of species tulips is more varied and interesting. • Species tulips are more perennial. • They produce multiple blooms on each stem.…

Increase your garden size and maximise your use of its vertical space by growing – and going – up with climbing plants in pots. All those stunning flowers with sublime perfumes can be right in your face, while the foliage creates a wonderful wall mosaic. Plant these quick growers now for a summer where you can indulge your senses. A STAR IS BORN Sweet-scented star jasmine is very upwardly mobile if you give it a leg up, otherwise it also makes a dreamy groundcover. Fill out the pot with the foliage of spiky mondo grass, limey sweet potato vine and crinkly purple Swedish ivy. HOP TO IT! The deeply lobed, maple-shaped foliage of golden hops is vibrant yellow-green and its dense growth is perfect for when you’re looking for a bit…

Gardens growing on the coast need to be filled with tough plants that are drought-, wind- and salt-tolerant, but you can still achieve a soft and romantic look. Round, undulating bushes and shrubs that withstand the elements, grasses that imitate the waves and colours that are tinted with blue and grey to hint at the sea will all help to put you in beautiful harmony with Mother Nature.…

Motorbike riders may be born to be wild but you don’t want to park your sleek, shiny, powerful machine on a cracked concrete slab surrounded by weeds. That’s taking wild too far. Give these super-stylish monsters the parking spot they deserve, one that’s worthy of their reputation for grunt. It’s flair with function. GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK! It can be back-breaking work to shift pebbles or turn over soil. These tools make it easier. 1 For shifting metal aggregate, pebbles, sand, soil or mulch, use a Cyclone shifting shovel. Its sturdy timber handle and square mouth make it easy to scoop up materials from flat surfaces such as footpaths or ute trays. Available from Bunnings and other hardware stores, $60.50. 2 Make light work of digging up and turning over garden…

Ever wanted to have a crack at traditional woodworking but didn’t know where to begin? This character-filled garden bench is the perfect starter project! Joined together using the traditional mortise and tenon method, there’s not a screw or nail to be found. A lot of the work can be done using modern power tools, so you can develop your skills without having to go completely old school! EASY STEPS TO YOUR RUSTIC BENCH SEAT Gather your supplies • 200 x 75mm x 2.4m hardwood sleeper • Exterior varnish You’ll also need Tape measure; pencil; circular saw; combination square; protractor; sliding bevel; drill; 25mm spade bit; hammer; chisel; clamps; rasp; power plane; belt sander; fine-toothed handsaw; various grades of sandpaper; rags; polyurethane glue; paintbrush For you to note Traditional woodworking methods…

They’re called love apples, and for a very good reason. Fresh heirloom tomatoes, plucked straight from your vine, will spin you out with their sensational taste, texture and colours. You can get varieties that are ideal for salads, sandwiches, sauces, roasting, drying or just for eating fresh from the garden. With these growing in your vegie plot or a garden pot, one plant will crop for up to four months – imagine how much money you’ll save! COMMERCIAL VERSUS HEIRLOOM TOMATOES Commercial tomatoes are bred to have uniform shape, colour and ripening periods, and their skins are tougher for better storage and longer shelf life. What’s sacrificed is flavour. Heirloom tomatoes, on the other hand, have been planted and replanted by generations of gardeners because of their unique tastes, textures,…

SEASON SPECIALS Like blossoms, these trees also herald a new season. PURPLE PRIDE A cool climate triggers masses of little mauve flowers on a forest pansy. PURE GOLD Our nation’s floral emblem, the golden wattle signals spring. SHOW TIME Dogwood tree flowers are enough to generate puppy love! PLANT NOW In each issue we give ideas, tips and planting advice for cooler, warmer, wetter and drier areas in each zone, so ask at your local nursery which zone best matches your conditions. FLOWERS ALL ZONES Ageratum, alyssum, dahlia, impatiens, marigold, nasturtium, petunia, portulaca (top left), salvia, torenia and zinnia. ZONE 1-3 Aster, Californian poppy, coleus and phlox. ZONE 4-6 Carnation, chrysanthemum, cleome (bottom left), cosmos, dianthus, lobelia, snapdragon and statice. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Asparagus, beans, beetroot, cabbage, carrot, celery, eggplant,…

RASPBERRY, RHUBARB AND ROSE MOUSSE PIE Preparation time 30 mins plus 20 mins freezing and 5 hours chilling Cooking time 10 mins Serves 10-12 250g packet plain sweet biscuits150g unsalted butter, meltedRaspberries, dried rose petals, crushed strawberry crisps, mini meringues, slivered pistachios and edible flowers, to serve RASPBERRY MOUSSE 2 tsp gelatine powder2 Tbsp cold water6 stalks rhubarb, cut in 3cm pieces125g punnet raspberries1 Tbsp dried food-grade rose petals¾cup caster sugar1 tsp lemon juiceFinely grated zest of 1 lemon1½cups thickened cream STEP 1 Put biscuits in bowl of a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a bowl and stir in melted butter until well combined. STEP 2 Lightly grease a 25cm-wide (2.5cm deep) fluted, loose-based tart tin. Press crumb mix firmly over base and side of…

TRAY BAKE MEATBALLS WITH RED ONIONS AND ARTICHOKE Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 25 mins Serves 4 2 Tbsp olive oil¼cup fresh breadcrumbs1 free-range egg, lightly beaten500g pork minceZest and juiceof 1 lemon½cup chopped mixed herbs (parsley, mint and chives), plus extra, to serve1 eschalot, finely choppedSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season2 red onions, cut into wedges400g can artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed, halved and patted dry60g baby spinach STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C fan-forced (200°C conventional). Brush 2 large roasting trays with half of the olive oil. In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons water and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in egg, pork mince, zest, herbs and eschalot, and season (don’t overmix). Shape the mixture into 5cm balls. Place on a…

A small bathroom can still be luxurious – it’s all a matter of flow. This narrow room had a door that hit the toilet when it opened and a clutter-attracting alcove. Saying goodbye to the tub opened up the options for a new, improved layout which cleverly maximises the available space. With new tiling, a walk-in shower, floating vanity, custom-built storage and glam accessories the space is totally transformed. EASY STEPS TO YOUR ALCOVE CABINET For a custom cabinet just build a butt-jointed box with fixed shelves and add doors. Gather your supplies • 184 x 19mm DAR pine • 64 x 19mm DAR pine • Concealed cabinet door hinges • Cabinet doors • Fibre cement sheeting • Mosaic tile sheets • 12 x 25mm brass angle • Magnetic door…

EASY STEPS TO CABINET REVAMP Find an affordable vintage piece at a charity shop or on Gumtree, then paint it and change the legs for a feature piece with classic charm that suits a modern interior. Gather your supplies • Timber cabinet • 735mm pine square furniture legs (4) • Black spray paint You’ll also need Drill/driver; mallet; screwdriver; painter’s tape; paper; scrap timber; face mask; dropsheet; undercoat spray paint; cabinet door hinges (optional); door handle (optional) For you to note Choose legs to suit your cabinet. Here, a router was used to give square legs decorative detail. Here’s how STEP 1 Clean timber. Take off cabinet door and handle. Reserve re-usable hardware. STEP 2 Use mallet to knock off legs. Unscrew leg blocks. STEP 3 Mask off all glass…

When it comes to true teas, it’s the tannin that’s at the heart of their goodness. Tannins are compounds called polyphenols, which are antioxidants. And the great thing about them is when they’re consumed they go to work neutralising destructive free radicals in your body that are linked to illnesses including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Your body can deal with free radicals up to a point, but a poor diet, alcohol, smoking, high blood sugar, pollution and bacterial, fungal and viral infections are some of the factors known to increase their levels beyond the body’s comfort zone. So long story short – drinking several cups of tea a day may be good for both quenching your thirst and boosting your health and wellbeing. WHITE This pale, subtly sweet tea…

GOOD TRACTION As a rule of thumb, textured tiles – even mosaics – with a wear rating between 4-5 and a wet pendulum between P4-P5 are suitable for use outdoors and around pools. Beaumont Tiles Microtec range, especially Pompeii, is excellent for this as it feels like a P2, yet when wet provides the traction of a P4 tile. Coping tiles (the ones on the pool’s edge) should be P4 or above for plenty of traction underfoot. WATER LINE Use decorative tiles as an accent to mark the ideal water level. These can be any tile with a water absorption lower than 0.5% and a pool suitability rating for chlorine or salt, widening your choices. Decided on mosaics? Not only do they come in varied shades but also shapes –…

Mother. Confidant. Friend. Wife. Sister. They’re all words used to describe women. But like any label that tries to reflect life’s nuances in a single word, they capture only a sliver of what’s really going on. That’s certainly the case in Sophie Green’s new novel The Bellbird River Country Choir. Set in the late 1990s, the book starts its journey with single mum Alex, who tree changes out of pre-Olympics Sydney with daughter Kim, looking for meaningful life beyond the urban squeeze. Her destination is Bellbird River, a ‘pit stop of a place along the road to Tamworth’ where the titular choir helps connect a community where your business may be everyone’s to know, but secrets still run deep. SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN While the book breathes life into small-town men…

SOCIAL CLIMBER, P30 Project supplies Bunnings 42 x 11mm x 5.4m H3 treated pine FJ DAR primed LOSP, $22.05. 90 x 90mm x 2.4m Post F7 H4 treated pine premium KD, $62. Lattice Makers 25 x 1500mm bamboo stakes, $12/pk6. Grunt 75m jute twine, $3.20. PARK IN STYLE, P52 Project supplies ANL Road base, $68/tonne. River gravel 10mm, $129/tonne. Bunnings Dy-Mark 350g white or yellow landscape chalk, $10.37. Bastion general purpose cement, $6.90/20kg. Strol 4 x 10m SureTex geotextile fabric, $79.99. Strol 0.5sqm SurePave plastic pavers, $19.97. Garden Basics garden soil mix, $3.98/25L. Richgro pine bark mulch, $16.83/70L. COME ALIVE AT NIGHT, P56 Project supplies Bunnings Brilliant Lighting 12V 60W DC LED DIY universal garden transformer, $65. Brilliant Beth LED low voltage DIY garden light kit, $99.98/pk3. Brilliant Lighting 10m…

WEIGHTY ISSUES Equine obesity is a common problem that often goes unrecognised but can cause serious problems According to a University of Melbourne study, one quarter of Aussie pleasure horses and ponies are overweight, with owners frequently underestimating their body condition. COMMON CAUSES Obesity can be due to overfeeding, having a sedentary lifestyle or genetic factors. It can lead to joint problems and laminitis, a severely painful condition that causes hoof damage. SIGNS OF OBESITY How do you determine your horse’s weight to prevent these problems? Here’s what to look for. • The ribs should be visible or easily examined. • There should be no, or minimal, crest (a cresty neck can also be a sign of a metabolic disorder). • There should be no fat parts over the shoulder…