Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2024 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

You know when a garden works well. When it can turn a space into a place, and heighten your enjoyment of being there. That’s how the Better Homes and Gardens judges (garden editor Jenny Dillon, garden TV presenter Melissa King and myself) whittled down hundreds of contest entries to four category winners. It was tough, but seeing passionate gardeners of all levels share their sanctuaries was heartwarming. See the winners’ list and the gorgeous garden we crowned as the favourite on page 114. All that judging made me ravenous for some nostalgic Aussie bakes – the kind I grew up with, like caramel or hedgehog slice, cinnamon tea cake and fluffy scones. These ripper recipes are as lovely to make as they are to eat (page 44). And, with the…

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…

Editor Dora Papas Creative director Scott Cassidy Deputy editor Raffaela Pugliese Production editor Joseph Kenworthy Chief sub editor Lucie Clark Design director Monique Larracy Senior designer Carol Tang Decorating editor Dora Papas Garden editor Jenny Dillon Food editor Sarah Murphy DIY editor Tiff Bancroft Beauty editor Annie Millar Stylist Vanessa Tidy Editor’s assistant Sonya Dlugosch Enquiries (02) 9282 8000 REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS In your garden Tony Fawcett Moon guide Milton Black Better pets Caroline Zambrano ADVERTISING Commercial brand manager Jo-Ann Taylor Brand executive Serena Cox Sales director NSW, Vic, SA, WA Karen Holmes Qld head of sales Judy Taylor Marketing manager Jess Taylor Subscriptions campaign manager Nicolette Zorzopis TELEVISION Host Johanna Griggs Presenters: Pets Dr Harry Cooper Gardening Graham Ross, Melissa King DIY Adam Dovile Food Karen Martini, Colin Fassnidge Landscaping…

IF AIMING FOR A COASTAL COTTAGE FEEL SHOWCASE BEACHY ITEMS – SEASCAPES CORAL BLEACHED WOOD 1 DIVVY UP Astrategically placed partition wall is a clever way to break up a vast area zoned for lounging and dining without losing the impact of light and space. It can also be prime real estate for books and collectables, which in turn cosy up and personalise the living zone. Maintain good flow by using the same palette and on-theme accents throughout. 2 PANEL IT If you’re lucky enough to have knotty pine beadboard walls and exposed ceiling beams, you’re halfway there. If not, consider introducing your walls to prefab grooved panels for instant character. When these are blanketed in crisp white paint, your home will feel fresh as a daisy. Crucial to cottage…

NUTRITIONAL INFO Per serve 1880kJ (450Cal), protein 22g, total fat 21g (sat. fat 9g), carbs 38g, fibre 10g, sodium 817mg • Carb exchanges 21/2 • GI estimate high • Gluten-free option For more deliciously healthy recipes and expert advice, pick up a copy of the March/April issue of Diabetic Living, $8.99, at your supermarket or newsagent. Photography and recipe Immediate Media. Additional information Alison Roberts, Shannon Lavery (Dietitian). Prices are approximate and a guide only.…

SEEN ON BHG TV FRIDAYS 7.00 They say fairies live in rainforests – deep in the moist, humid and shady environment, sheltered under lush, green and glossy foliage, where plants live on air, vines twist and curl up trees, and twinkles of light come from flowering orchids. They’re magical places and can be as vast as the Amazon in South America or as small as your backyard – like Boongala Native Gardens and Rainforest at Kenthurst in Sydney’s north-west. Unlike the Amazon, this was built by hand, with every plant – all natives – lovingly picked, planted and tended. It casts a million spells! ABOUT BOONGALA Going back about 20 years ago, Boongala rainforest, north-west of Sydney, was weedsville – until plants-person Mal Johnston had a vision that the land…

Densely petalled French and African marigolds from the garden and florist can last a few weeks in a wreath or garland. WELCOME GUESTS WITH ABASKET OF COLOURFUL FLOWERS + TEXTURAL FOLIAGE NEED A LIFT? Pair bold and colourful marigolds with cascading plants such as yellow daisies and stonecrop in a hanging basket, noting you’ll want one at least 30cm wide to allow for growth and plant variety. Display in full sun and water when the top 25mm of soil feels dry. Natural dyeing using dried marigolds (opposite) is a unique way to incorporate the bouquet’s colour into your year-round décor. The process takes time and patience, but its one-of-a-kind results are long-lasting and rewarding. If you’re new to dyeing, search online for natural dye kits with instructions on how…

SEASON SPECIALS Cooler weather brings out cool berries. 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, aquilegia, candytuft, cineraria, delphinium, everlasting daisy, hollyhock, lobelia, polyanthus, sweet pea (top left) and stock. ZONES 1-3 Coleus, gerbera, nasturtium, salvia, verbena and zinnia. ZONES 4-6 Cornflower, godetia (bottom left), larkspur and wallflower. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, leeks, lettuce (top left), onion, parsnip, radish and silver beet. ZONES 1-3 Asparagus, artichoke (globe), capsicum, chilli, potato, pumpkin, sweet corn, tomato and zucchini. ZONES 4-6 Brussels sprouts, fennel (bottom left), kohlrabi and parsley. CHRYSANTHEMUM “A garden is not a place. It’s…

TRANSFORM GREENERY INTO LIVING ART WITH THIS OPEN-AIR PLANTER. MAKE A PRACTICAL AND PRETTY DOORMAT, INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE RIGHT. EASY STEPS TO BUILDING A HANGING PLANTER Turn your favourite foliage into a fabulous framed gallery in as little as a day. It’s simple and affordable to build, and you can change your ‘artwork’ seasonally. Safety notes When operating power tools, wear safety glasses, a mask and earmuffs, and tie your hair back. When appropriate, wear gloves and protective clothing. Here’s how STEP 1 Measure, mark and cut components (list below) with tape measure, square, pencil and saw. Sand all faces and corners with orbital sander and 40 -grit paper. Repeat on faces with 80 -grit paper. STEP 2 To assemble a frame, apply PVA glue to ends of 2 Struts and…

“ WHAT MIGHT SHE HAVE WRITTEN NEXT ? I DON’TK NOW BUT I WILL MISS IT” A Memoir of My Former Self: A Life in Writing Hilary Mantel (Hachette, $34.99) The final book from the bestselling author of the Wolf Hall trilogy. Hilary Mantel long contributed to newspapers and journals, unspooling stories from her own life and illuminating the world as she found it. This book collects the best of this writing over four decades. She writes about her father and the man who replaced him, she writes about the battles with her health she endured as a young woman, and the stifling years she lived in Saudi Arabia. Compelling, often funny, and luminous, it’s a top read from a brilliant writer. The Running Grave Robert Galbraith (Hachette, $34.99) Private…

BARE-ROOT BEAUTIES Now is the time to order bare-root roses from Wagner’s Rose Nursery. We grow over 700 varieties of roses, from old fashioned to the latest releases. We are the Australian agents for David Austin, Barni, Georges Delbard and Bruce Brundrett Roses. Visit our website and find something special for your garden. wagnersrosenursery.com.au ADAPT AND GROW Aussie Shade and Hot Houses can help you beat the summer heat and winter frosts. An Australianowned leader in quality shade and hot houses (greenhouses), the frames are easy to erect, heavy duty, maintenance-free and have a life span of over 30 years. You can convert the house from a greenhouse to a shade house with a simple change of covers. aussieshadehouses.com.au SPACE SAVER You don’t need to sacrifice space to add an…

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YOUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY Adairs adairs.com.au Big Wbigw.com.au Bunnings bunnings.com.au Country Road countryroad.com.au Dulux dulux.com.au Flower Power flowerpower.com.au Freedom freedom.com.au Kmart kmart.com.au Mitre 10 mitre10.com.au Pottery Barn potterybarn.com.au Provincial Home Living provincialhomeliving.com.au Saardé saarde.com Spotlight spotlightstores.com West Elm westelm.com.au Flat & fabulous, page 118 Project supplies Bunnings Zenith 72mm zinc plated screw eyes, 2 pack, $2.16. Taskmaster 3mm 316 stainless steel jaw and jaw bottle screw, $6.14. Taskmaster 3.2mm copper swage, 12 pack, $3.48. Taskmaster 3mm 316 stainless steel rope thimble, 12 pack, $6.54. Pinnacle 3mm x 50m galvanised wire rope, $28.88. GRUNT 75m jute twine, $3.20. Saxon 5m soft twist tie, $3.49. Make it Mexican, page 128 Shopping details Adairs Yuri cushion in Blue, $89.99. Malmo linen cushion in Soft Pine, $79.99. Bunnings Northcote Pottery Italian low terracotta…

GO PA RT-TIME Not ready for a full-time pet? Try fostering instead Most animal shelters and rescue organisations are overcrowded with stray and abandoned animals, cared for by exhausted staff who are desperate for people to foster animals. If you’re not ready for a full-time pet, maybe you can handle a couple of weeks or more with a dog, cat, guinea pig, bird or even a pig! BIG-TIME BENEFITS If fostering sounds like free therapy, it is! Spending time with animals, even on a short-term basis, has been proven to have mental and physical health benefits, from lower blood pressure to stress relief. SHARE THE LOVE It’s rewarding to help save lives as you assist animals with special medical or behavioural needs, such as mums nursing pups, those recovering from…

YOU CAN TEAM MUSTARD WITH NATURAL TEXTURES, AND BLACK, GREYS, AND EVEN VIBRANT BLUE-GREEN SHADES. HIGHLIGHT YOUR COLLECTABLES AND BOOKS BY PAINTING THE CUBBIES OF A SLATE WALL UNIT BURNT ORANGE TO MATCH ACCENTS SEEN ELSEWHERE IN THE ROOM. FOR A SOPHISTICATED TAKE AND TO GROUND YOUR SCHEME, PAIR PEACH WITH CHARCOAL, JET OR BROWN Colour in interior design is a powerful tool that can significantly impact the look and feel of your space. It has the ability to evoke emotions, create atmosphere and speak to your personality. You can use certain hues to draw attention to specific items or zones. Light shades make rooms feel more airy and spacious, while dark shades contribute a sense of intimacy. Look to cool blues and greens to ensure a serene environment and…

So you’d like iconic desert or rainforest plants in your garden, but your climate’s not appropriate? The solution is to create microclimates – little pockets of land where perhaps the sun bakes the soil, or it can’t penetrate. Melbourne’s Cranbourne Gardens has made multiple microclimates to harbour plants that thrive everywhere – from the sizzling outback and WA’s dry air, to steamy Queensland or cool Tasmania. These mini gardens celebrate the beauty and diversity of our landscapes and the plants that call them home. GARDENS WITHIN THE GARDEN SAND GARDEN THE RED The Red Sand Garden is the drama queen of the gardens, with red sands polka-dotted with grey-blue saltbush and cushioned with crescent-shaped sculptures to represent sand dunes. Just as happens when the desert puts on its seasonal flushes…

SEEDS FOR SUCCESS The experts at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), in partnership with Mr Fothergill’s, have developed and curated a range of flower seeds. Whatever your space or experience, it’s possible to enjoy success raising flowers from scratch. Learn more about how to grow them, their preferred soil type and when to plant, at bhgshop.com.au. Photography Getty Images. Prices are approximate and a guide only.…

WORDS OF WISDOM DON’T GET SO BUSY MAKING ALIVING THAT YOU FORGET TO MAKE A LIFE How to ask for a raise Want more money? Here’s how to boost your chances COMPARE THE MARKET Research wage or salary benchmarks for similar roles, and have those figures up your sleeve before your conversation. Also remind your boss about inflation, the increasing cost of living, and the fact the current job market is tight. Together, these factors may help secure the raise you deserve. COMPILE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS Bosses are busy and might not notice every detail of your performance, so come to your pay-rise review armed with meaningful reminders and examples of what a great asset you are and how you add value to the organisation. Be sure to include improvements…