Advice Centre

Practical advice for real gardens

Practical, honest gardening advice from people who grow plants for a living — written for Australian home gardeners.

Browse Plant Finder

Whether you're planting your very first garden or troubleshooting a plant that's not performing, our Advice Centre gives you clear, practical guidance. Browse the topics below for help with your garden. Our Home Gardener portal is coming soon, with tools to track plants, set care reminders and get personalised recommendations.

Browse by Topic

Eight topic areas covering everything Australian home gardeners need to know.

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Getting Started

New to gardening? Learn how to read your space, choose the right plants and set yourself up for success from day one.

  • Assess sun, soil and drainage before you plant
  • Start small — one bed or pot is easier to learn from
  • Choose plants suited to your local climate
Open Planting & Care Guide
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Plant Care

Keep your plants thriving with the right watering, feeding, pruning and seasonal care — tailored to Australian conditions.

  • Feed during active growth in spring and summer
  • Prune spent flowers to encourage more blooms
  • Check soil moisture before watering — don't guess
Read Ongoing Care
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Seasonal Gardening

Know what to plant, prune and prepare each season. Australian seasons don't always follow the calendar — we'll show you what to watch for.

  • Autumn and spring: the best times to plant
  • Summer: water early, mulch heavily, watch for heat stress
  • Winter: prune deciduous shrubs, plant bare-root roses
Read the Seasonal Gardening Guide
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Water Wise Gardening

Garden confidently through hot, dry summers. Simple strategies to use water efficiently without sacrificing results.

  • Group plants with similar water needs together
  • Install drip irrigation to reduce evaporation
  • Apply 5–10 cm of organic mulch over root zones
Read the Water Wise Guide
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Native Gardens

Australian natives are tough, beautiful and wildlife-friendly. Discover how to design a native garden that thrives with minimal effort.

  • Avoid over-fertilising — natives prefer lean soils
  • Plant grevilleas and banksias for year-round bird food
  • Allow leaf litter to build — it's habitat, not mess
Read the Native Gardens Guide
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Pots & Small Spaces

Balconies, courtyards and narrow strips can still be lush and productive. The right plants and containers make all the difference.

  • Choose pots at least 40 cm deep for most plants
  • Use premium potting mix, not garden soil
  • Compact and dwarf varieties suit small spaces best
Read the Plants in Pots Guide
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Pests & Problems

Spots, wilting, holes in leaves — we help you identify what's wrong and fix it without over-reaching for chemicals.

  • Identify the pest or disease before treating
  • Encourage natural predators — ladybirds eat aphids
  • Healthy soil and good airflow prevent most problems
Identify Pests & Problems
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Choosing Plants

The right plant in the right place saves time, water and frustration. Learn how to match plants to your soil, climate and vision.

  • Read the label — especially eventual size
  • Check if the plant suits your frost and heat range
  • Consider year-round appearance, not just flowers
Read the Choosing Plants Guide

Where to Start

Practical starting points for the most common gardening questions.