Innholdsfortegnelse for Febuary 2023 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

Fancy a lush and lovely tropical garden? A minimalist yet highly decorative dry garden? Or one filled with Australian natives, renowned for their unusual shapes and flower formations. Don’t settle for one – you can have all three! All these garden themes require different weather conditions and soils, yet can be included in the one garden by exploiting the different micro-climates you have around your home or creating new micro-climates. Or you can substitute plants that, while they don’t naturally grow in tropical or dry gardens, look as though they do! And Australian natives have the nifty ability to fit into any garden theme. MICRO-CLIMATES A garden isn’t a uniform space – one area may be hot and dry, another cool and shady, yet another exposed to wind. So while…

Location Large containers are heavy once they’re filled with potting mix, so put them in place before filling them. Choose sites that get morning sun and are shaded during the hottest part of the day. Watering Frequency depends on weather, plant size and pot size. Don’t let mix dry out. Feeding Start fertilising once every two weeks, then adjust the feeding schedule depending on the response of the plants. Mulch Spread a layer of mulch as you do in the garden to help the mix retain moisture. Keep mulch away from stems. Pruning Remove tattered leaves, deadhead spent flowers and prune back plants that get leggy or stop blooming. Make sure to always use clean, sharp secateurs.…

Weeds are opportunists – the seeds find a tiny spot of bare soil, germinate and flower all within a couple of weeks. Next thing, their offspring are taking over the place, especially weeds with tap roots, such as dandelion, that are hard to remove and spread out their leaves, blocking light from your grass. When you manually pull out tap-root weeds, often part of the root remains, and this part still has enough energy to start growing again. The Fiskars Xact Weed Puller, $84.95, has three sharp prongs you push into the soil then, as you press the pedal into the ground, it grasps the root and pulls it out unbroken, fiskars.com.au.…

• Water more often and thoroughly – being high makes hanging plants more exposed to drying winds.• Because of the extra watering, fertiliser needs to be added more frequently.• Feed when the soil is moist and follow plant and fertiliser label instructions.• Cut back leggy plants, as this encourages denser growth.• Deadhead blooms once they start to fade, as this helps stimulate more flowers.…

Garden Editor SEASON SPECIALS Go for the biggest blooms you can get! GO TROPPO! Hibiscus flowers bloom in wild colours of orange, yellow, red and pink. HAVE A BALL! Hydrangeas’ giant pom-poms flower in pink, blue or white. HEAD TURNER The 30cm heads of sunflowers follow the sun as it crosses the sky. 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, cleome, cyclamen (top left), French marigold, gypsophila, nigella, pansy, polyanthus, primula and verbena. ZONES 1-3 African marigold (bottom left), coleus, gerbera, nasturtium and salvia. ZONES 4-6 Cornflower, everlasting daisy, hollyhock, statice and sweet pea. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Beans, beetroot,…

FEBRUARY 2023 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. How to use the calendar Best days Second-best days On these days, thin out seed boxes, sow all types of seeds and plant seedlings that produce their crop above the ground. These include all varieties of peas, beans, corn, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprout, eggplant, lettuce, celery, silverbeet, spinach, endive, Chinese cabbage, tomato, cucumber, asparagus crowns, artichoke, marrow, pumpkin, capsicum, melon, zucchini, chicory, sprouts, rhubarb, all herbs (except…

KALE FALAFEL SALAD WITH TOASTED PINE NUTS AND HUMMUS Using storebought versions of your favourite Middle Eastern mezze (appetisers) creates a salad that’s much more than a starter. Hummus serves as a creamy base for greens, tomatoes, quick-pickled red onion, herbs and falafel (chickpea patties). Recipe on page 74 GREEK-INSPIRED QUINOA SALAD WITH LEMON-FETA DRESSING The famous Greek salad of cucumber, tomato, onion, olive and feta cheese was the flavour inspiration for this colourful dish. You trade tomatoes for baby capsicums to add juicy crunch, and mix in quinoa, chickpeas and spinach for a protein and fibre boost. Recipe on page 74 CAJUN CHICKEN SALAD WITH HOMEMADE CROUTONS Reinvent a Southern American supper into a robust salad with big, brassy flavours. Fry up Cajun-spiced chicken and crispy bacon, then cook…

Whether you need to conquer a chaotic laundry, or keep your collectibles and library of books on display or you just want your open-plan kitchen to be easy on the eye, the following problem-solving fixes will help you tap into unused space and plan or design attractive ways to solve your storage woes. In addition, these space-efficient solutions offer downright dull spaces devoid of charm and character a much-needed and delightful boost of soul and atmosphere.…

1 CURIO SHELF Build a small display shelf to highlight a beautiful bouquet or an object of desire. Often, singling out an everyday accessory in this way imbues it with an unexpected and surprising allure and reminds you why it captured your eye in the first place. Instructions on page 102 2 WINDOW WOW With its arched top and sturdy timber construction, a discarded window frame has the potential to be upcycled into an interesting display unit. You simply use the frame as a template to cut the unit’s plywood backing, then it’s a simple matter of adding shelves and a base for it to rest on. Impressive, dressed or not! Instructions on page 102 Furniture flips, in-a-weekend makeovers, trash-to-treasure transformations or upcycling hacks – however you describe these arched…

Living in a rental property has a lot of pluses – got a leaky roof or a storm-flattened fence? Just call your landlord! But, there’s also the drawback of needing permission to make big changes and maybe having to cover the costs. The solution? Style your space with portable projects that won’t break the bank. For you to note • These arches are 800mm wide but you can customise the size to suit your space.• The arches aren’t attached to the wall. A batten on the back lets you rest them on the wall, making a shadowline which adds depth. Here’s how STEP 1 Cut panels to measure 800mm wide with a circular saw. STEP 2 Draw a line across each panel 600mm from top. Hammer a nail onto each…

Your laundry may be small or large but one thing is for sure, it is one of the hardest working – but not always the best-looking – rooms in your home. Give yours a sleek look with a DIY tiled splashback that is both classic and contemporary. EASY STEPS TO TILING YOUR SPLASHBACK For you to note • Measure the area to be tiled before you start, to calculate how many tiles are needed and how many will need cutting.• When buying more than one box of tiles of the same design and colour, ensure the batch numbers match.• Buy at least 10% more tiles than you need for overcuts.• This splashback is tiled in a 70-30 brick pattern using 76 x 306 x 8mm tiles. Here’s how STEP 1…

Here’s how STEP 1 Use a sharp scraper to remove old silicone sealant from the gaps between floor and wall tiles. STEP 2 Vacuum area and wipe with a clean cloth and methylated spirits. STEP 3 Cut 10mm off silicone cartridge nozzle on a 45° angle with sharp scissors. Insert cartridge in caulking gun. STEP 4 Pull trigger slowly on the caulking gun to apply a generous bead of silicone to the wall and floor tile joint. Apply the sealant in a slow continuous movement, avoiding stopping, as this prevents buildup and clumping. STEP 5 Spray the freshly applied silicone lightly with soapy water. STEP 6 Run the end of a popsicle stick slowly over the silicone to smooth it. Wipe away excess with a clean cloth. Gather your supplies…

For you to note Be careful not to over-tighten a new tap, as you can damage the hex nipple of the ground pipe. Here’s how STEP 1 Turn off water at the mains. STEP 2 Position slip joint plier over ground pipe hex nipple; tighten until firm. Position adjustable wrench over tap hex nipple; tighten until firm and slowly turn tap anticlockwise to remove. STEP 3 Tightly wrap plumber’s tape clockwise around male end of new tap at least 5 times. STEP 4 Position tap into the ground pipe hex nipple and begin to hand-tighten clockwise until tight. STEP 5 Follow Step 2 and slowly turn clockwise until tap is vertical and tight. STEP 6 Turn mains on, test that tap turns on and off and is not leaking. If…

USE THE BLUE LIGHT CARD Recently launched in Australia, Blue Light Card is a discount membership provider for frontline workers who work in health and aged care, fire services, law enforcement, ambulance services, coastal services, surf life saving and state emergency services. Members can access exclusive discounts, savings and experiences from top brands and local businesses – a welcome relief for the eligible frontline workers and their families dealing with the rising cost of living, bluelightcard.com.au. NEGOTIATE ON ENERGY It’s no secret energy bills are set to rise significantly. Now is the time to compare your options to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Often, discounts are offered to new customers. If you’re staying with the same provider, contact them to find out if you’re eligible for any rebates or…

YOUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY Adairs adairs.com.au ANL anlscape.com.au Aveeno chemistwarehouse.com.au Bathefex bathefex.com.au Big W bigw.com.au Bonnie and Neil bonnieandneil.com.au Bunnings bunnings.com.au CeraVe chemistwarehouse.com.au Country Road countryroad.com.au David Jones davidjones.com DU’IT chemistwarehouse.com.au Freedom freedom.com.au Grown Alchemist grownalchemist.com/au Hartman www2.hartman.com.au IKEA ikea.com/au James Lane jameslane.com.au Kmart kmart.com.au L’Occitane amazon.com.au Manicare priceline.com.au Mavala mavala.com.au Natio natio.com.au OZ Design Furniture ozdesignfurniture.com.au Pepperwhites by Tara Dennis pepperwhites.com.au Pottery Barn potterybarn.com.au Provincial Home Living provincialhomeliving.com.au Scholl chemistwarehouse.com.au Sheridan sheridan.com.au Stilla stilla.com.au The Lost and Found Department thelostandfounddepartment.com.au Tweezerman datelineimports.com.au Weleda amazon.com.au SHABBY TO CHIC, PAGE 46 Shopping details Adairs Giglio blue vase, $44.99. Positano tray multi round, $59.99. Madaya dark jade linen cushion, $74.99. Belgian navy and white stripe vintage washed linen cushion, $89.99. Belgian light denim and white check vintage washed linen cushion, $89.99. Belgian sea…

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“HE WAS, ABOVE ALL THINGS, A RARE AND UNIQUE HUMAN AND WE SHALL NOT SEE HIS LIKE AGAIN”EMMA THOMPSON Madly, Deeply Alan Rickman (Allen & Unwin, $49.99) Alan Rickman was one of the world-class actors of his generation, a tireless political activist, an avid traveller and a devoted confidant and friend. Through his never-before-seen diaries – a 25-year passion project – Rickman invites readers backstage and into his life. Across almost every genre, from his role in Die Hard as the villainous Hans Gruber to his heart-wrenching run as Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films, he was an unforgettable performer of exceptional talent. As a writer, Rickman details the extraordinary and the ordinary in a way that is witty and utterly candid. Horse Geraldine Brooks (Hachette, $39.99) Gliding…

But after an incredibly hectic year, relaxing is high on my agenda and I’m fairly certain it may be on yours, too. As someone who loves words, I enjoy spending my downtime testing my brainpower with a good puzzle, and we have a bumper crop of holiday crosswords, word searches, sudoku, code crackers and more for you to solve (page 149). For those who feel energetic, we’ve loads to keep you occupied, from tackling little DIY jobs you’ve been putting off (page 122), to quick-to-pot lush container gardens overflowing with fabulous foliage (page 30). And, we haven’t forgotten renters, with a rental revamp to personalise your space without making the landlord cross (page 108). We also have clever ideas for home offices (page 82), storage to organise you in style…

TROPICAL The ancient cycads don’t produce flowers, but magnificent seed cones instead. COOL Grevillea flowers don’t need petals – their colourful racemes speak for themselves! DRY They look soft and furry, but ptilotus flowers feel hard and bristly. TEMPERATE Each banksia spike – or candle – is made up of tightly packed and spirally arranged flowers.…

Beat the heat this summer by brewing up a jug of iced tea and fancy it up into a tasty tisane by adding herbs you can grow in your garden or on your kitchen windowsill. It’s easy and budget-friendly, and will become one of your summer classics!…

• Bring 8 cups of water to a simmer, remove from the heat and add 6 black or green quality tea bags.• Add a tablespoon or more of fresh or dried herbs, such as mint or lemon verbena, a lesser amount of tulsi and just a pinch of lavender.• Let it steep for about 10 minutes, longer if you like your tea strong, shorter if you prefer a more delicate taste.• Remove the tea bags, let cool, then transfer to a pitcher over a strainer to remove herbs. Cover and refrigerate.• For a pure tisane, you can brew without the tea bags – it all depends on your taste.• When winter comes, you can drink it hot! TIP Don’t use an aluminum pot, as this metal can react with the…

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 signs Libra, Aquarius and Gemini are in harmony with plants that produce flowers and perfumes. Water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are in harmony with above‑ground crops, including trees, shrubs, lawns, and leafy, juicy and fleshy vegetables.…

SHOPPING LIST SPICED TURKEY PITAS WITH CUCUMBER, OLIVES AND MINT Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 20 mins Serves 4 1 cup bulgur⅓ cup olive oil1 brown onion, finely chopped500g turkey minceZest and juice of 1 lemonSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season2 Tbsp chopped mint leaves, plus extra, to serve2 Tbsp flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped1 tsp za’atar spice mix2 Lebanese cucumbers unpeeled, chopped½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved4 pita breads¼ cup Greek-style yoghurt STEP 1 In a small heatproof bowl, put bulgur and enough boiling water to cover, then let stand for 10 minutes. Drain well. STEP 2 Meanwhile, in a large frying pan heat 1 tablespoon of the oil on medium. Cook onion, stirring, for 4 minutes or until tender. Transfer to a large bowl,…

For you to note • You can buy castors in 4 packs, containing 2 with brakes. Use 2 castors with brakes on each bench.• The castors and tops raise the 360mm high cabinets to standard bench height, which starts at 420mm. Here’s how STEP 1 Assemble all flatpack cabinets following manufacturer’s instructions and using supplied screws. STEP 2 Mark moulding, then use a saw to cut four 622mm long sides, four 922mm long sides, eight 300mm short sides, and 32 uprights 234mm long. STEP 3 Apply PVA glue to long sides and attach to cabinets, then glue and attach short sides in between long sides. Use painter’s tape to hold in place until glue sets. STEP 4 Apply glue to uprights and position flush with ends of long sides, then…

The microwave is the problem child of many kitchens. If you have a cubbyhole that is too small for the appliance you want, or too high up to use comfortably, or just plain ugly, then this shelf project is for you. It’s also a great way to create a home for your microwave if it is currently taking up precious bench space. Designed for a corner, the shelf sizes can easily be adapted to suit your space. EASY STEPS TO INSTALL NEW SHELVES For simple storage in your kitchen, cut a hardwood panel into shelves that sit on pine wall battens. For you to note • These shelves are located between a kitchen cabinet and a wall and are notched to fit around a window architrave.• To reduce cutting, the…

Here’s how STEP 1 Use an Allen key to loosen screws so toilet roll holder will pull off wall support. STEP 2 Unscrew existing wall support and set it and screws aside for later use. STEP 3 Using a hammer, lightly tap in new tight-fitting wall plugs for both screw holes. STEP 4 Cut off excess wall plugs with a sharp chisel, as they need to be flush against the wall. STEP 5 Screw the toilet roll holder wall support back in tightly with both screws. Push toilet roll holder over wall support and tighten it. Gather your supplies • Allen key set• Screwdriver• Hammer• Wall plugs• Chisel…

HOW DOES IT WORK? When your pet is sick or injured, the last thing you want to think about is an expensive vet bill. Thanks to pet insurance, you can focus on your furry friend and let the pet experts – vets – do all they can to make them well again. WHAT DOES IT COVER? Pet insurance is designed for unexpected veterinary expenses – hospitalisation, vet consults, medication, diagnostic tests, surgery and more. Some policies may also cover vaccinations, microchipping, desexing, prescription diets and dental procedures. WHEN TO SIGN UP? Purchase the insurance early in your pet’s life to get the most coverage and to avoid denied claims during traditional waiting periods or for pre-existing conditions present before or while serving out waiting periods. Costs vary depending on the…

1, 2 SO EASY PEASY! Clematis is a climbing superstar! You can grow it over just about anything – as long as you have a sunny spot. Timber is traditional for an arch or arbour but you will be amazed at how many metal options are available, from steel – stainless or powdercoated – to classic wrought iron. Go for an attractive and affordable off-the-shelf number or, if you’re handy, create your own! A garden arch or arbour is one of the oldest, simplest yet most inventive ways of defining paths and even entire areas of your garden. It gives you the chance to spread beautiful climbers throughout your garden rather than just along the boundaries. Placed at the start of a path, it makes an entrance or exit ceremonial! 3…

GET THE MIX RIGHT Garden soil is too dense for container gardening. For containers up to 5 litres, use potting mix. For larger containers, use a coarse, soil-less mix that is lightweight and will help keep the right balance of air and water – combine 2 parts compost, 2-4 parts sphagnum peat moss or coir, 1 part perlite and 1 part vermiculite. CHECK OUT THE LARGE PLANTERS from Northcote Pottery, such as this Montague Egg Pot. Made from lightweight material with a strong-as-stone look, it’s easy to move around the garden. Available in Rust, Sea White Terrazzo, White and Dark Grey and in four sizes 26 x 26cm, 34 x 34cm, 44 x 44cm and 54 x 54cm, northcotepottery.com.…

For you to note • Here, the retractable clothesline was attached to posts but you can also attach to a wall on one side. Here’s how STEP 1 Clear area of turf, weeds or debris. Roughly level area with a rake. STEP 2 Mark locations of post holes for clothesline and set up a stringline to mark edge of garden bed in front of clothesline. STEP 3 Dig post holes. Position posts and check for plumb with a spirit level. STEP 4 Concrete in posts and leave to set. STEP 5 Dig a trench with a mattock or hoe, using stringline as a guide. STEP 6 Lay garden edging in trench along stringline, then hammer in edging spikes to hold in place. STEP 7 Lay pavers (see How to lay…

1 SCREEN SAVER Hang shelves in an alcove behind a linen curtain. This will act as a stylish screen once your work is done. Add a small stool you can stow under the desk or use as extra seating. If your budget allows, install doors to hide the zone and paint them the same colour as your wall for a seamless look. 2 PICTURE THIS Add slimline brass shelves within painted panelling to showcase your books and design brochures. It’s so much more creative than simply showing their spines. For further visual impact, paint gold geometric shapes on the wall and intersect them with the shelves. 3 TAKE IT ON NOTICE Cover an old canvas in ombré linen to make a practical and pretty noticeboard. Ensuring the corners are neat,…

JULIET LOVE Let me show you how to give your rental property flair on BHG TV, on Friday 3 February at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change) Go to bhg.com.au for more decorating tips and tricks. FOR SHOPPING DETAILS AND PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE OUR STOCKISTS PAGE…

Everyday things you use around the home break, leak or loosen up eventually. You can fix most of these yourself with minimal tools and a little DIY skill. Pick a weekend to hit the hardware store, then get stuck into these mini projects and your place will be shipshape again in no time. REPLACE SHOWER SCREEN SEALS Fix your leaky shower seals with a trip to the hardware store and a few easy steps. Here’s how STEP 1 Remove old and damaged shower seals. Take them to your local hardware store to get the right replacements that match your old ones. STEP 2 Thoroughly clean shower screen with a multipurpose cleaner and cloth. STEP 3 Measure and cut new seals to size. Push onto shower screen firmly. Test shower and…

Here’s how STEP 1 Locate the screws in the bottom edge of the pelmets that hide the door track. Using a drill with screw bit, remove screws holding pelmets on both sides of the cavity slider and set pelmets aside. STEP 2 Loosen the nuts on both rollers using an adjustable spanner until door feels like it can be lifted off its runners. STEP 3 Lift door off runners and set aside. Clean track to remove any buildup of dust. STEP 4 Inspect runners for damage and if unrepairable, take to hardware store to get correct replacements. STEP 5 When runners are fixed or replaced, insert them back into tracks in the same location as before. STEP 6 Position door onto the runners and test they fit and roll smoothly.…

WORDS OF WISDOMBuy less, choose well: that’s the maxim. Quality not quantity. That’s the most environmentally friendly thing you can do.Vivienne Westwood, fashion designer This financial information is general in nature and does not take into consideration your personal circumstances. If you need advice, please seek out a licensed financial adviser. EVERYDAY SWAPS ORDER AN ESPRESSO MACHINE Want to save at least $5 a day (that’s $1825 a year)? Buy a coffee machine. Sure, you might not be able to make coffees as well as your local café barista but you will get your caffeine fix for the day. CONSIDER AN AIR FRYER Save on energy bills by using an air fryer instead of an oven. Air fryers heat up quickly and have shorter cooking times, while ovens take longer…

STEP 1 SOAK AND SOFTEN Fill a portable basin with warm water, if you have mineral salts handy, add a scoop to the water, then pop your feet in and relax for 10 minutes. Giving your feet time to soak will help soften the dead skin and make it easier to remove. It also softens your cuticles. 1 Spa Relaxing Magnesium & Mineral Bath Salts, $14.95, Natio, or 2 Epsom Salt Foot Bath Eucalyptus + Peppermint, $13.99, Bathefex. STEP 2 BUFF AND POLISH Use a foot file or an electronic foot-care device to remove dead skin buildup. The more often you do this, the less work you’ll have to do each time. Lastly, for a polished finish, massage your feet with a scrub, top, bottom, and toes, then rinse and…

BESPOKE All you have to do is write the listed pairs of letters into the circles so that each diagonal line running through the grid’s centre produces a six-letter word. The key is to work out which of the pairs of letters should be placed in the central circle in order to make six words. CL ER FR GE GS IC IN JO LY MA NY SW WH Solutions from page 162 LITERARY WORDSEARCH Look for these titles of bestselling books of the 21st century. One of the entries on the list cannot be found in the grid. Can you work out which one? A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW A LITTLE LIFE ATOMIC HABITS BECOMING BIG LITTLE LIES BREAKING DAWN CARRIE SOTO IS BACK CATCHING FIRE COBALT BLUE DARK ROOMS ECLIPSE…