Our Blog
This blog is a feed of all our recent gardening articles, tips, ideas, seasonal information, plant profiles, recipes and any other content we consider worth sharing with our customers. Posts will be written by employees and customers as well as 'guest posts' by industry professionals and friends of the business.
Below is a list of our latest blog posts, enjoy!
Aphids: Dealing With a Sap-Sucking Insect Invasion
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 21 March 2019
While there are many commercial pesticides and other products available to control an aphid infestation, there's plenty that a gardener can do without resorting to chemicals. This article gives valuable real-world tips on preventing aphid infestations.
Water-Saving Techniques and Drought-Tolerant Herbs and Flowers
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 18 March 2019
With especially hot, dry summers seeming to arrive ever more often, water conservation is an increasingly urgent issue. Gardeners can be at the forefront of this effort, both by minimising water use and by planting drought-tolerant species.
Tips for Adding Calendula to Your Vegetable Garden
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 1 March 2019
This hardy plant is easy to grow and makes a beneficial addition to a vegetable garden. If you haven't tried growing calendula, consider giving this plant a chance to earn a spot in your garden.
Artificial Selection, Heirloom Seeds, and the Amazing Variety They Bring to Gardening
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 1 March 2019
Human hands have guided the development of nearly all modern food crops, using a process called artificial selection. This article explains how artificial selection works, and how it has influenced the contents of today's gardens and farms.
Savour the Scent of Summer for Longer with Homemade Potpourri
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 28 February 2019
By making your own potpourri, you can extend the weeks of pleasure given by your carefully cultivated flowers. This article explains what potpourri is, what it's made from, and how to make it at home.
Seeds to Sow for a Fabulously Fragrant Garden
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 25 February 2019
Colour, shape and structure all play vital roles in the design of an attractive garden. However, one other ingredient also needs to be included for a space that pleases all senses. This article describes which seeds to sow to make your garden fragrant.
Starting Seeds Under Plastic: A Simple but Fruitful Technique
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 31 January 2019
Stable conditions are essential for germinating seeds and one of the most important considerations is watering. This article describes a straightforward but essential technique for taking this problem out of the seed-sowing equation.
What Makes a Weed? It Depends Who You Ask...
Author: Jennifer Charlotte Date Posted: 26 January 2019
If there's one thing all gardeners have in common, it's their constant fight against weeds. But have you ever stopped to think exactly what a weed is? The answer could be more complicated than you thought.
Should You Soak Your Seeds Before Sowing?
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 21 January 2019
Many gardeners swear by soaking seeds, saying it improves germination rates and speed significantly. But is soaking actually useful in most cases? This article explains the theory behind the process, and describes when it can make a worthwhile difference.
3 Ways to Preserve Your Homegrown Tomato Crop: Freezing, Bottling, and Drying
Author: The Seed Collection Date Posted: 14 January 2019
Unfortunately Tomato harvests don’t last forever, but you can still enjoy the rewards of a tomato glut throughout the rest of the year. Preserving tomatoes is easy and fulfilling, and this article gives detailed instructions on the best ways to do it.
A Beginner's Guide to Mulch and Mulching
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 4 January 2019
Mulching is a simple technique which provides excellent benefits for your garden. It creates better growing conditions for your plants, suppresses weeds and pests, and can even transform a poor soil texture.
Starting Seeds in Empty Toilet Rolls: Economical, Sustainable, and Great for Your Seedlings
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 27 December 2018
Using empty toilet rolls as pots is a thrifty and eco-friendly method that gives seeds a great start in life. This article explains the benefits and gives a step-by-step guide on how to get started.
Powdery Mildew: How to Deal with the Cucurbits' Most Common Problem
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 21 December 2018
Cucurbits such as zucchini, pumpkin, and other squashes are all vulnerable to a powdery mildew infection which can limit productivity. Here's how to reduce the chances of an infection, and deal with the problem if it crops up.
Newspaper Pots - Thrifty, Sustainable Seed Sowing
Author: Jennifer Charlotte Date Posted: 14 December 2018
Making your own eco-friendly pots using old newspaper is quick, thrifty, and easy. This article details the method.
Should I Prune My Tomatoes?
Author: Jennifer Charlotte Date Posted: 30 November 2018
Is pruning tomato plants really necessary? Pruning certainly has its benefits, but also its fair share of drawbacks. This article sets out what you need to know to make your decision.
How to Make Zucchini Noodles: Healthy, Tasty, and a Great Way to Deal with a Glut
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 27 November 2018
Modern diets are often overloaded on starchy carbohydrates. However, cutting down on carbs doesn't need to mean missing out on your favourite pasta & noodle dishes. This article explains how to turn your zucchinis into a healthy, tasty noodle replacement.
Why You Should Grow Basil - True Royalty Among Herbs
Author: Jennifer Charlotte Date Posted: 21 November 2018
The quality of fresh, home-grown basil is a class above anything you can buy in a store, and it's not hard to grow it yourself. This article describes why basil is such a special herb, and gives advice on how to both grow it and use it in the kitchen.
How to Make Herbal Ice Cubes to Preserve Your Fresh Herb Harvest
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 14 November 2018
Many techniques can be used to preserve your herb harvest for year-round use, but the ice cube method is perhaps the quickest & easiest. This article explains what makes it such a useful technique, which herbs it suits best, & how to do it successfully.
Why You Should Grow from Seed with Kids - and the Best Ways to Get Started Doing It
Author: Jennifer Charlotte Date Posted: 31 October 2018
Gardening is a fun and healthy activity for kids however the benefits go far beyond that- an early interest in gardening teaches many life lessons. This article explains what they are and describes the best ways to start your child's gardening journey.
Dig and Drop Compost Holes - the Easy and Efficient Alternative to a Compost Heap
Author: The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 26 October 2018
Experienced gardeners know the value of compost for improving soil. But this doesn't need to mean maintaining a compost heap. In-ground composting offers the benefits of a heap with few of the disadvantages. This article explains how to do it successfully