Advice Centre

Grow your garden with confidence

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 topics below — or create a free Home Gardener account to track your 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.

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