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How To Restring A Ukulele
The ukuleles is Hawaiian instrument developed in the late 19th century from an older Portuguese stringed instrument called a machete. There are four types of ukulele each with there own timbre, the soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. The...
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Types of Heirloom Summer Squash
A look at the wide variety of different types of heirloom and heritage squashes available to grow at home.
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Heirloom Vegetable: Definition
A heirloom vegetable is a variety bred to grow true to type when planted from seeds collected from previous generations.
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Tasty Heirloom Tomatoes
A comparison of heirloom vs. hybrid tomatoes and my top 10 favorite tasty heirloom tomato varieties.
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Cunjevoi Lily (Alocasia brisbanensis)
Cunjevoi Lily (Alocasia brisbanensis) is a native Australian understory riparian plant with huge elephant ear leaves. It is an important source of food for wildlife and makes a great structural feature plant for a tropical garden.
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Scented Geraniums
All about scented Geraniums (Pelargoniums). Why they smell, how to propagate them from cuttings and their uses in potpourii, cooking, herbal teas and cosmetics.
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Bulbine bulbosa (Native Leek)
Bulbine bulbosa or Native Leek is an onion-like native Australian perennial plant with scented yellow flowers. It grows to 50cm tall, has edible corms and can be grown in the home garden.
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Everlasting / Paper Daisy (Xerochrysum bracteatum)
Paper or Everlasting daisy are wonderful, hardy flowering plants and a good native alternative to more common garden annuals. They come in a wide range of colours and can also be used for flower arrangements.
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Ornamental Cabbages
Ornamental cabbages provide an attractive Winter display when planted on mass that is both colorful and structural. Learn how to grow and use these plants in the garden.
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Pansy Flowers
Garden Pansy or Pansies are colourful Winter flowering plants which are grown as annuals and make an attractive flowering groundcover.
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Kangaroo Paws (Anigozanthos & Macropidia)
Kangaroo Paws have a reputation for being difficult to grow due to ink-spot disease. But through appropriate cutlivar selection and careful pruning, watering and fertilising you'll get a marvelous display from these flowering native Australian plants.
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Solanum mammosum (Udder Fruit)
Solanum mammosum, common name udder or nipple fruit plant, is an eggplant-like small tree with striking, distinctive yellow fruits that live up to their namesake.
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Viola betonicifolia (Arrowhead Violet, Arrow-Leaf Violet)
Viola betonicifolia or Arrowhead Violet is a low growing, herbaceous perennial native Australian plant. It grows as a rosette, has arrow-shaped leaves and showy dainty purple flowers. Sole host plant for catterpillars of the laced fritillary butterfly.
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Ipomoea pes-carpae (Goat's Foot, Railway Vine)
Ipomoea pes-carpae known as goat's foot vine or railway vine is a coastal ground-cover vine of sand dunes. It is a pioneer species which is important in stabilizing sand dunes. It has attractive purple morning glory type flowers.
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Preserving Heirloom Vegetable Seed Varieties for Food Security
Saving the seed of heirloom vegetable varieties is important for food security, they also taste better, are more colorful and nutritious than modern hybrid vegetable cultivars.
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Wishbone Flower (Torenia)
Torenia or wishbone plants are small annual flowers with attractive flowers name for the distinctive wishbone shape of their stamens. Torenia are easy to grow provided a few conditions are met and will flower profusely.
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Jicama Yam Bean (Pachyrhizus erosus)
Jicama or Yam Bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) is a tropical vegetable that produces a large edible underground tap root that can be eaten raw or cooked and tastes like mildly sweet, garden peas.
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Guide To Brisbane: Roses at New Farm Park
New Farm Park is a heritage listed park which was redesigned in 1948 by Harry Oakman and is still one of the largest collections of rose cultivars in Brisbane today.
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Goosegrass (Galium aparine) Wild Edible Green & Coffee Substitute
Galium aparine or goosegrass is a widespread edible wild green with many medicinal and non-medicinal uses. The leaves can be eaten cooked, dried and used as tea or poultice. The seeds are a coffee substitute when roasted and ground.
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Purple Coleslaw Recipe - Rich in Anthocyanins
Purple coleslaw is a unique twist on a traditional favorite that is rich in anthocyanins, important cancer fighting plant pigments.
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Being a Good Roomate - Things to Avoid
This list can give you tips on how to be a better roommate.
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A Trip To Cedar Creek Falls
Photographs from Cedar Creek Falls in Brisbane Australia.
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Hibbertia scandens (Snake Vine)
Hibbertia scandens or snake vine is a native Australian plant which large, attractive yellow flowers. This is a vigorous vine that is well suited to growing in a wide range of conditions.
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How To Grow Cilantro (Coriander)
Cilantro or coriander is an easy to grow herb grown for its flavour-rich leaves and seeds. Learn the best way to grow cilantro plants at home.
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Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Feeding
The Koala is an iconic Australian native marsupial animal. It's awake for only five hours a day and a very fussy eater, selecting only the tastiest eucalyptus leaves with the least toxins to eat.
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Rain Forest Vine: Slender Grape (Cayratia clematidea)
Cayratia clematidea or slender grape is a small native Australian vine. It is a pioneer species that grows at the edges of rainforests north of Shoalhaven Gorges in NSW.
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Growing Kumquat Trees
Kumquats are small, evergreen citrus trees that produce edible fruit with a sweet rinds and contrasting sour flesh and juice. They are a useful fruit tree for small gardens.
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Yellow Dragonfruit: The Sweetest Pitaya of All
Yellow dragonfruit (Hylocereus megalanthus), otherwise known as yellow pitaya is the sweetest of all dragonfruit and a wonderful fruiting plant to add any home garden with a suitable climate.
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Collecting Marigold Seeds
Marigolds are one of the easily annual flowers to collect and save the seed from. Collecting marigold seeds is easy.
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Eastern Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii subsp. lesuerii)
Photo Gallery of Eastern Water Dragon images. Physignathus lesueurii subsp. lesuerii or Eastern Water Dragon is a native Australian lizard common around Brisbane, Australia.
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How to Collect Nasturtium Seeds
Collecting nasturtium seeds is easy, and even inexperienced gardeners can achieve great success saving and growing collected seeds the following season.
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Things to Avoid when Planting Trees
Learn how to plant tree seedlings the right way with this helpful article which points out some of the common mistakes that people make. You're trees will be healthier and happier for it.
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Brisbane Parks: Spring Flowers at Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gardens
A look at some of the wonderful flowering plants on display at the Mount Coot-tha botanical gardens during Spring.
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The Strength of Ants
A video of a strong ant dragging a jalapeño pepper and an explanation of the physics behind this amazing feat of insect strength.
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Recycling Newspaper into Plant Pots
Creating recycled plant pots out of newspaper is an inexpensive and creative way to grow flower or vegetable seedlings while helping out the environment at the same time.
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Controlling Insect Pests in Seeds
Controlling insect pests in stored plant seeds is vital for maintain good seed viability. Control methods for treating booklice and bean weevils.
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How to Save and Store Seeds
High humidity and temperature are the two biggest factors in reducing seed viability. Learn some techniques to help maximize the longevity of your vegetable seeds.
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The Role of Boron in Healthy Fruit Formation
Boron is an essential soil nutrient for healthy fruit formation. Deficiency in boron can result in deformed, bumpy fruit with sunken areas. Soil science for orchards.
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Bushcare: Slow, Thorough Weeding Is Best
Controlling invasive weed species. This article discusses the benefits of favoring a slow, thorough approach when weeding in native bushland.
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Our War Against Mosquitoes
A humorous and somewhat fictitious look at the statistics behind our war against mosquitoes
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Top 6 Reasons Not to Plant Duranta
Duranta erecta is a common ornamental shrub which can be toxic to pets and become a serious environmental weed.
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Garden Rake Types
There's a different garden rake for every purpose, including raking leaves, moving soil, spreading mulch and de-thatching lawns. Rakes are an invaluable gardening tool.
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Anredera cordifolia Madeira Vine
Characteristics and control methods for removing Madeira vine, Anredera cordifolia.
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Kopiko Coffee Candy Review
Kopiko coffee candies are delicious sweets with an intense coffee flavor that comes from the use of real coffee extracts.
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Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) Quiz
Test your knowledge of the plant family Apocynaceae in this quick plant identification quiz.
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Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis)
Crown Imperial is a flowering bulb with large, striking foliage and a ring of large, orange, red or yellow flowers.
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Barbunya Pilaki (Turkish) Recipe
Barbunya Pilaki is a hearty, Turkish vegan bean main dish that is simply to make and delicious.
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How Deep do you Plant Bulbs?
Recommended planting depths for most garden bulbs. Bulbs are well worth planting as they provide bursts of spectacular color when flowering.
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When and How to Prune Roses
Pruning roses should be done in spring and autumn. This pictorial guide shows exactly when and how to prune roses.
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Is Bamboo Sustainable?
There has been some debate recently about the sustainability of bamboo timber used in floor boards and other products. Here are the pros and cons.
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Which Vegetable Seeds Should I Sow in Spring?
Struggling to decided what vegetables to plant in Spring? Here lie some suggestions.
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Podolobium aciculiferum (Spiny Shaggy Pea) - Australian Native Plant Profile
Podolobium aciculiferum Spiny Shaggy Pea is a native Australian understory shrub which grows naturally in dry sclerophyll forests with gravel soils. This articles covers the features of and how to grow this plant.
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Syzygium australe (Creek Lilly Pilly) - Australian Native Plant Profile
Szygium australe is native Australian rainforest tree that has become popular in the horticultural trade for its hardiness, dense glossy foliage and pink-red edible fruits. This article covers some of the features and garden uses of and how to grow this species.
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Tema aspera (Poison Peach) - Australian Native Plant Profile
Trema aspera or Poison Peach is a native Australian pioneer rainforest and wet schlerophyll species useful in re-vegetation work. It is the host plant of several species of butterfly and the tiny, black fruit attract native birds.
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Australian Native Plant Profile: Lilac Hibiscus (Alyogyne huegelii)
Alyogyne huegelii or lilac hibiscus is a stunning native Australian wildflower shrub belong to the Malvaceae (Hibiscus/Mallow) family.
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Australian Native Plant Profile: Soap Tree (Alphitonia Excelsa)
Alphitonia excelsa, commonly called the red ash or soap tree, is a large native Australian tree. It has many traditional indigenous uses, such as fish poison.
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Australian Native Plant Profile: Fraser Island Creeper (Tecomanthe Hillii)
Tecomanthe hillii, or Fraser Island Creeper, is a woody vine (liane) endemic to parts of Queensland, Australia, with spectacular pink tubular flowers.
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Australian Native Plant Profile: Wombat Berry (Eustrephus latifolius)
Wombat berry (Eustrephus latifolius) is an evergreen climbing or scrambling native Australian plant that can reach up to six metres into the tree canopy in ideal conditions. The tubers were eaten by various Indigenous people of Australia and have a mildly sweet, earthy taste.
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Bowen Park - A Timeline Of Events
Bowen park is a historic Victorian era park in the suburb of Bowen Hills in Brisbane, Australia. This is a timeline of the history of development and changes to Bowen Park and the area that would one day become it.
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Bowen Park, a Historic Park of Brisbane, Australia
Bowen Park is a historic park located between Herston and Bowen Hills in Brisbane, Australia. It was one of Brisbane's first public gardens and has a rich history.
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Muntries ("Kunzea pomifera"): Australian Native Plant Profile
Muntries ("Kunzea pomifera") are evergreen, prostrate, perennial shrubs native to Australia that produce small, edible, red and green berries said to have a spicy, apple-like flavor.
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Deep Planting Tomato Seedlings
By planting your leggy tomato seedlings deeper you can help them to form better root systems, resulting in plants that are more vigorous and faster growing. This article explains why and how to deep plant your tomato seedlings.
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Plant Profile: Natal Plum (Carissa macrocarpa)
Carissa macrocarpa, commonly known as the Natal Plum is an evergreen woody perennial shrub or small tree that can be kept hedged. It has fragrant, white, star-shaped flowers and edible fruit when fully ripe. Family Apocynaceae.
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Plant Nutrient Deficiencies - What To Look For And How To Correct Them
A guide to identifying the signs of, determining the cause of and applying trace minerals to correct common plant nutrient deficiencies. Covers nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, calcium and boron deficiency.
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Bizarre Musical Instruments - The Cat Organ
The cat organ, otherwise known as cat piano or Katzenklavier, is a cruel medieval musical instrument invented by the German Jesuit Athanasius Kircher. It has been used in the past to treat psychiatric disorders.
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The Largest Mosquito In The World (Toxorhynchites speciosus) Is Harmless
The largest mosquito in the world is Toxorhynchites speciosus, native to Australia the adults feed on nectar and are harmless to humans. The larvae however are voracious consumers of other mosquito larvae, making this species beneficial in the control of mosquito-borne diseases.
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The Extreme Drought Tolerance Of The Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides)
We don't tend to think that a fern could have extreme drought tolerance that would rival the best Cactus. But one little fern the Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides) has just that.
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Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
There are few plants on Earth more likely to invoke fear than the Giant Hogweed, Heracelum mantegazzianum. It's sap is phototoxic, meaning that when it's absorbed by the skin it reacts with sunlight to cause severe blistering that result in long-lasting scars.
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5 Insects With An Identity Crisis
Mimicry is widespread in the insect world, some use it for camoflague or to deter predators, others use it for more sinister purposes. This article examines five such insect mimics.
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Wondering What Plants to Plant? Choose Natives!
Local native plants generally grow better as they're already adapted to local soil conditions and weather. They also help to attract wildlife into your garden.
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Which Plant Has the Biggest Leaf in the World?
Which plant has the largest leaves in the world? The largest leaves in the world belong to Raphia regalis, a species of Raffia palm native to parts of Africa. Read on for everything you need to know about this plant.
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Oldest Tree In The World - Great Basin Bristlecone Pine
The oldest tree in the world is a 4,842 year old Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus logaeva) called Methuselah. It germinated before the Great Pyramids of Egypt were build and is still alive today.
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How To Grow A Plant From A Seed
There is nothing more enjoyable than watching the seeds that you plant germinate and grow into thriving plants. This article provides some pointers about how to grow a plant from a seed and what can go wrong in the process.
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Triops (The Amazing Three-Eyed Tadpole Shrimp)
Triops (tadpole shrimps) are crustaceans that can be found in rainwater filled pools on every continent except Antartica. There are remarkable in many ways, but the fact that they have three eyes is the most noticeable.
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How To Remove Dandelions From Your Lawn Organically
Dandelions, the cheery yellow flowers that strike fear into the hearts of lawn fanciers everywhere, especially when they shed their disguise and turn into balls with masses of fluffy, wind dispersed seed. This article explains how to remove them from your lawn organically and prevent them coming...
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Transparent Headed Fish (Macropinna microstoma)
Bizarre deep sea creatures are just one example of the weirdness of nature. This is the tale of Macropinna microstoma, a deep sea fish with a transparent head.
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A Strange Spider, the Vegetarian Bagheera kiplingi
There is a remarkable species of jumping spider that is primarily a vegetarian feeding on the protein and fat rich beltian bodies of acacias. This species is Bagheera kiplingi.
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Organic Aphid Control Methods
Aphids on your favorite plants can be a real nightmare. This article looks at how to control aphids organically by encouraging beneficial insects, companion planting and as a last resort, using cheap, effective home-made organic sprays.
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Keeping Your Gardening Tools Sharp
Keeping your gardening tools sharp will ensure that they work efficiently and maximize their life span. This article looks at some simple and cost effective tips for keeping your gardening tools sharp.
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Growing Columbine Flowers Organically
Columbines (genus Aquilegia) are a group of lovely clumping perennial wildflowers. There are many cultivars and hybrids available in a large range of colors. This article explains how to grow columbine flowers organically.
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How To Obtain Rare Species Of Plants
If you're after a rare or unusual plant or variety, chances are your local nursery won't stock it. There are many additional ways to obtain rare, unique and stunning plants that will set your garden apart from the rest.
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Growing Cucumbers Organically
Growing delicious organic cucumbers with superior flavor at home is easy and can result in a bumper crop. This article explains how to grow cumbers organically.
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Brassica oleracea Varieties
Brassica oleracea has seven cultivar groups: var. acephala, var. alboglabra, var. botrytis, var. capitata, var. gemmifera, var. gongylodes and var. italica. Many vegetables including cabbage, broccoli, kale, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and kai-lan have been bred from this remarkable...
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Improve Your Vision Using Diet, Eye Exercise And Herbs
As we age we can except to lose more of our vision. There are many expensive eyecare options. This articles examines some of the cheaper alternatives you can use to maintain or improve your vision.
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Art Forms Of Nature: The Work Of Ernst Haeckel
Biological illustrations are becoming a dying art form. This article examines the stunning prints from Kunstformen der Natur (Art Forms of Nature) by Ernst Haeckel.
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Growing Sunflowers Organically
Growing sunflowers organically is easy and can be done by anyone. Sunflowers are not only an attractive annual flowering plant but also have edible seeds and many other additional uses as well.
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English Rule: I before E except after C
I before E except after C, a rule of thumb for spelling that turns out to be incorrect. Try to forget it if entering a spelling bee.
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6 Common Animal Misconceptions
Animals have been misunderstood in the past, even today we still hold many of these misconceptions. Many common sayings and insults are based around these.
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Trigger Plants (Genus Stylidium)
Stylidium Trigger Plants are a unique group of carnivorous perennial or ephemeral annual herbs. They have a unique pollination mechanisms that involves a floral column that strikes down on insects visiting the flower, depositing and later collecting pollen on the insect.
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Growing Tomatoes From Stem Tip Cuttings
Tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to successfully take cuttings from. This article explains how to use stem tip cuttings to multiply the number of tomato plants you have.
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Insect Eaters: 10 Carnivorous Plants
Carnivorous or insectivorous plants are a fascinating group. They have adapted to live in areas with poor soil nutrient levels by capturing and digesting insect prey using a variety of traps. Well known carnivorous plants include the Venus Flytrap and Sundews. This hub looks at the diversity of...
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Pitcher Plant Diversity: A Look At 10 Species
Pitcher plants are a truly fascinating and diverse grouping of plants. This article examines their diversity by taking a look at 10 different carnivorous pitcher plants and highlights their unique biology and varied interactions with other organisms.
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List of Carrion Flowers: 10 Flowers That Stink
Carrion Flowers (also commonly called Stink Flowers or Rotting Meat Flowers) are flowers that carry a distinct odour, as their name implies, of rotting flesh. They use their scent to attract pollinators, which in their case are the various scavenging flies and beetles that are normally attracted...