Comments on: Which home or garden improvement tasks would you like help for, and why?

By: ladypax

ladypax — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:15:59 +0000

Hi, my name is Karen Nardi and I am fortunate to have a step-father who is a maintenance fitter with no landscaping experience, however both the homes we have lived in, including the current home of 11 years; My step father has shown his exceptional natural talent for creating beautiul gardens. He is very passionate about it and provides our family with the most beautiful sanctuary. We have a japanese rock garden, a bridge, pond with a small water fall and some gold fish. Our pool area has a balinese theme, my step dad built us a pergola and covered it in a wonderful temperature balancing thatching. Since he injured his knee and even after the surgery he has not been able to complete his plans. We have fruit trees and a vege patch, but the greenhouse he promised my Mum for her bonsais still has not been built due to my stepfathers long work hours and both my parents having back, arthritus, high cholestrol, and generally aging. My step father has done such a wonderful job but is frustrated as his ideologies for the completion of the garden have become to much for him. Tips on natural non chemical based plant remedies would be good as we try and keep our garden free of chemicals. Also tips on environmental friendly options such as solar power, and how one would go about creating such a self containing eco-friendly, sustainable living area by learning how to utilise solar power, windmills etc in a DIY way that does not cost such a fortune, is there a cheaper way to do this? Also how would one go about creating an underground room? The entrance would only be the size of a trapdoor however I gather the deeper you dig the more you expand the width of the area being dug? I am without knowledge of rules on this, restrictions, or building techniques, do the dirt walls that would surround the room need reinforcement in any way? Or is it as simple as just digging? I can dig and love to do so but for safety of structure is there anything I need to worry about? Will the compact soil surrounding the room be sufficient to ensure it does not cave in? Or are there other measures that I would need to take? Thanks guys
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By: zilmhafnagel

zilmhafnagel — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:26:59 +0000

i find it really difficult to keep my shed tidy, it's really old and there's stuff everywhere that just builds up dust and filth! the shed itself is just about to collapse!
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By: Danny Dix

Danny Dix — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:48:59 +0000

I would like to know how to do some raised veggie gardens cos I'm allergic to most processed foods now and………*sniff*
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By: Iscariah

Iscariah — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:09:59 +0000

I gotta build a new pergola in my backyard, plus tips on growing mangoes. I've got several trees planted around but only one seems to be fruiting and doing well!! and umm... growing strawberries too!
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By: piratemarkwa98

piratemarkwa98 — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:38:59 +0000

Perth WA
Our garden is a few kilometres inland from the coast at Innaloo where we have sandy soils and hot dry summers.
Summertime watering even with retic is a constant issue and it is difficult to achieve a balance in water use and cost even
night watering / soil improvement / mulch etc.
What are the options and economics of useing gray water when the retic is already set up to run off the mains water supply and gardens are established?
Can a conversion be used or do we need to replace the whole watering system ???
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By: thing55001

thing55001 — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:22:59 +0000

Installing the watering system. It's just too big for me to do myself, but I know it will be so beneficial.

Cheers
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By: Ava-Teale x

Ava-Teale x — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:01:59 +0000

i am wanting change my room.paint and change carpet colour. because it's a medium room with a king bed and it's pretty squished, how do i paint a feature wall and dye carpet colour?
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By: khadija k

khadija k — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:22:59 +0000

I would love to know how to make a small courtyard with concrete floor a fun place for 3 young boys to play in.
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By: Penny J

Penny J — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:58:59 +0000

I recently had my courtyard at the back re-paved and it is looking a little empty these days with just the clothes line in it. I had a tree removed as it was a White Cedar and on Council's toxic list. Is there any suggestions for things in pots suitable for a West facing yard that gets full-bore sunshine from about 10am in the mornings? I'm not very good at gardening so they need to be easy care and I will be taking them with me when I move house in a couple of months. Any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
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By: Gary G

Gary G — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:18:59 +0000

I have the task of restoring the negelcted garden and grounds of my late grandmothers house in Lake Monger Drive Wembley but have no idea where to start.
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