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How to control citrus gall wasp
Citrus gall wasp (Bruchophagus fellis) is an unsightly pest that over time will weaken trees and impact fruit production. The small brownish black flying insect is native to northern New South Wales and Queensland, but is now widespread in most areas around Australia where citrus trees are grown. Knife on gall If you have…
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How to diagnose a sick plant
A plant that's drooping, turning brown or losing leaves might need some extra care. Fortunately, it's not hard to identify common problems and help your plant recover. Assessing your plant's growing conditions, including water intake and soil quality, is the first step in helping your plant thrive again. How to tell if…
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How to diagnose and revive a sick lilly pilly
Lilly pillies are commonly used for hedging and screening. While they are are not difficult to grow, they can fall sick due to factors like inadequate growing conditions, pests and diseases. Being such a popular plant, we get lots of questions from Bunnings Workshop community members about how to identify and treat…
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How to fill a raised garden bed
Difficulty: Beginner A raised garden bed can help make growing your own fresh vegetables and herbs a breeze. No deep digging, bending or kneeling is required because they’re above ground and can be built to a height that suits you. They can even be placed on a paved courtyard. Building a raised garden bed is a terrific…
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How to choose ground cover for your garden
Ground cover plants can add the final touch to your garden. They can fill bare spots between and under larger plants, soften the edges of paths and patios, fill gaps between pavers, and trail over retaining walls and rockeries. When designing a new garden or rejuvenating an established one, ground covers are seldom top of…
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How to control curl grubs and army worms
Curl grubs and army worms are unseen invaders in your garden. Their impact can be swift and devastating. If left unchecked, these pests can quickly damage your lawn and plants. What are curl grubs? Curl grub Curl grubs are the larvae of various common beetles, including the African Black Beetle, Cockchafer and Christmas…
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How to keep your garden safe for pets
Many Aussie and Kiwi families have two great loves – their pets and their gardens. They would be devastated if they knew that some of the pretty shrubs, flowers and productive vegies they’re growing could be fatal to their beloved animals. Checking for problem plants is extremely important for the safety and longevity of…
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How to care for indoor plants in winter
Winter can be challenging for indoor plants as the colder and drier air can cause them stress. Follow the advice below to keep indoor plants healthy and looking great during the cooler months. Regulate the temperature Most indoor plants are from tropical and sub-tropical climates. They thrive in warm, humid environments…
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How to grow your own vegan food
Difficulty: Intermediate It’s becoming increasingly popular to embrace a vegan diet. Vegans eat an entirely plant-based diet and avoid any animal products or by-products. Vegan-friendly gardening utilises plant-based composts, seaweed extracts, rock minerals and man-made fertilisers as nutrient sources for healthy plant…
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How to keep cut flowers fresh for longer
It’s always a joy to pick fresh flowers from the garden or receive a bouquet. But it's sad if you soon find your flowers drooping badly or dropping petals. It only takes a few minutes to help your cut flowers last longer. You’ll be rewarded with blooms that stay looking fresh for days – and sometimes even for weeks. How to…
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How to choose plants for hanging baskets
Plants in hanging baskets and pots can be a delightful feature for your home. They can add colourful flowers, relaxing greenery, privacy and even fresh herbs and vegetables to eat. Here is a guide to selecting and caring for hanging plants. Let us know if you have any questions and we’ll be happy to help. What to consider…
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How to determine soil health
It’s no secret that being able to grow happy, productive plants depends on the health of the soil in your garden. But how do you work out whether your soil is good, or not? The most productive soil is a humus-rich loam – a workable or friable mix of fine, medium and coarse particles mixed with organic matter that absorbs…
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How to make compost for your garden
Difficulty: Beginner Compost is a gardener’s best friend. It adds organic matter (humus) and nutrients back into soils, improves soil texture, increases moisture holding and generally improves overall soil and plant health. The good news is that it's easy to make your own compost. Compost is the result of the natural…
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How to choose plants for your garden
A well-designed garden can enliven outdoor areas with attractive features and varied colours all year round. This guide shows you how to choose plants to suit your layout, garden size and climate. We also provide tips for plant buying. Start with the garden layout When planting a new garden or redesigning an established…
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How to choose the right soil for your plants
Growing a healthy garden starts with understanding the environment your plants need to thrive. This guide shows you how to care for your plants from the ground-up by choosing the right soil or potting mix for their needs. We also cover the importance of compost for your garden and how to use it. Soil What is soil? Over…
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How to prune roses
Difficulty: Beginner Roses flower on new shoots and never on old wood. Pruning in winter while roses are dormant encourages abundant new growth when the weather warms in spring. The flush of shoots will result in an abundance of blooms. Having healthy, well-shaped, bushy plants is also important. Pruning when plants have…
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How to grow herbs for health and wellbeing
Potions, lotions, poultices and teas made from plants have been used for centuries as herbal treatments and complementary therapies for common ailments ranging from colds and cramps to skin conditions and infectious diseases. They are as popular today as they’ve ever been. Many can be made at home with herbs straight from…
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How to feed your garden
Difficulty: Beginner Keeping your garden healthy and producing lots of flowers and delicious fruits, vegies and herbs sounds like a lot of work but it is really simple. All it takes is regular applications of plant food and (of course) plenty of water. Lawns will also look better and be able to withstand challenging…
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How to prune citrus trees
Difficulty: Beginner Citrus trees such as lemons, limes, oranges, cumquats and grapefruit are evergreen fruit trees. They don’t lose their leaves in winter like many other fruits, so pruning them can be challenging. Some also have thorns, making them even more difficult. They don’t need a harsh cut-back every year like…
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How to prune a fruit tree
Difficulty: Beginner The main objective in pruning fruit trees is to encourage flowering and fruiting. Different types of fruits require differing techniques. Some flower and fruit on last season’s laterals (shoots) while others bear their crops on permanent or semi-permanent "spurs". Knowing how the trees you’re growing…
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How to create an organic garden
Difficulty: Beginner “Organic” is one of the most overused and misused words in gardening. It is interpreted as meaning to garden without using man-made or artificial chemicals and pesticides. In practice, it means complying with a prescribed system leading to certified 100% organic production – not something applicable to…
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How to plant a tree, shrub or a rose
Difficulty: Beginner Transferring a young tree, shrub or rose into the garden sounds simple enough. But sometimes the plant will fail to thrive because it wasn’t planted correctly. Follow our simple guide to make sure your plant has every chance to grow. Evergreen plants with leaves all year round are grown and sold in…
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How to pot a plant
Difficulty: Beginner Growing plants in pots is easier than ever. We have high-quality potting mixes made from renewable resources and a wide range of plants bred especially for growing in pots. There’s also plenty of fantastic pots, bowls, baskets and tubs designed to be both functional and decorative. Sponsored Post Steps…
