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Queensland Fruit Fly in Perth and What Home Gardeners Need to Know

Gardening / /

Queensland fruit fly has turned up in Perth again, this time in Como and South Perth. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) found it through its routine trapping network. A quarantine area has applied to home gardens across a wide part of the city since April 2026. If you grow fruit or fruiting vegetables nearby, the rules affect you directly.

Qfly is native to the eastern states but is an invasive pest in Western Australia. It attacks more than 300 kinds of fruit and vegetables. Here is what the quarantine means for backyard growers and how you can help.

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Queensland Fruit Fly in Perth and What Home Gardeners Need to KnowRead More »

Queensland Fruit Fly in Perth and What Home Gardeners Need to Know Read More »

Lawn sprinkler

Restarting Your Garden Sprinklers After the Perth Winter Switch-off

Gardening / /

The winter Sprinkler Switch-off in Perth runs from 1 June to 31 August each year. That means the first day of spring is when many home gardeners turn their reticulation back on. It sounds simple. But a system that has sat idle for three months often has a few surprises waiting.

A little checking now can save water and money over the warmer months. It can also stop a fine. This guide covers the rules, a basic leak check and how long to run each type of sprinkler.

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Restarting Your Garden Sprinklers After the Perth Winter Switch-off Read More »

Perth Landscape Design Tips for Small Yards

Landscape Design, Landscaping / /

Small gardens often get a bad reputation. Many homeowners dread a compact yard, believing it limits their options. But honestly? This is not always the case, even in Perth’s climate. You just need to think of smart, creative ways.

As a long-standing authority in the landscaping world, with over 40 years of experience in WA, Martin Cuthbert Landscapes has built a reputation for transforming these exact types of difficult spaces. A tiny outdoor space can still look beautiful, the trick is in the architectural approach.

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Perth Landscape Design Tips for Small Yards Read More »

Your Year-Round Guide To Planting In Australia’s Landscaped Gardens

Gardening / /

Landscaping in Australia, must take account of the various weather conditions that occur throughout the year as each season comes and goes. This applies not just to Australia but to every other location around the world.

However, given that Australia is in the southern hemisphere, and its climate is unique to its location then it is safe to say that landscaped gardens in Australia require different attention to various gardening matters than those in Philadelphia, Berlin, or Beijing. More especially those differences will mean that when it comes to planting and replacing plants within a landscaped garden, these will differ also.

So what might landscaping in Australia’s gardens require and more specifically how will these tasks differ within each season? Well, to find out the answers, please read on and you will discover our year-round guide to planting in Australia’s landscaped gardens.

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Your Year-Round Guide To Planting In Australia’s Landscaped GardensRead More »

Your Year-Round Guide To Planting In Australia’s Landscaped Gardens Read More »

Common Lawn Issues

Common Lawn Issues and How to Solve Them

Landscaping / /

If you’re not a landscaping expert, you may encounter a few issues with your lawn and not know how to solve them.

While many people ignore the problem and hope it goes away, it’s in your best interests to be proactive regarding your yard.

Any number of landscaping problems can be permanent, so as soon as you notice something wrong, you need to take action.

  1. Weeds

Problem: A common problem, especially with lawns you have not been taking care of, is that weeds occupy them. They can choke a garden, take it over, and cause it to look terrible!

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Common Lawn Issues and How to Solve Them Read More »

7 Design Elements That Make A Great Kitchen

7 Design Elements That Make A Great Kitchen

Renovating / /

The question “What makes a great kitchen?” is one which you will receive answers to from cabinet makers, kitchen designers, and we dare say, homeowners who have been fortunate enough to have kitchen renovations that have proved to be near perfect. What those answers are will differ in as many ways as there are different kitchens.

However, if you were to bring together all the answers, you will soon notice that there are some answers which appear a lot more than others. But wait, you do not have to go through that process, as we have already done so for you. So, if want to discover the design elements that all great kitchens have, read on and you will see the seven top answers.

Design Element #1 – Uncluttered Workspace

One of the worst traits that a kitchen can have, both practically and aesthetically, is to be cluttered. Not only does this make working in the kitchen more difficult, the appearance of a cluttered kitchen inspires no one who enters it, especially those who might have been thinking about cooking a scrumptious meal, but then decide not to bother due to cluttered workspaces. In all discussions about your new kitchen’s design ensure that clutter is eliminated.

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7 Design Elements That Make A Great Kitchen Read More »

7 Amazing Lighting Ideas To Give Your Landscaping Added Appeal

7 Amazing Lighting Ideas To Give Your Landscaping Added Appeal

Landscaping / /

If you were to ask several landscapers what their favourite time of the day was for sitting in their garden, many would reply that it is after dark. Once the sun has gone down, and the temperature has dropped, there can be few more relaxing and enjoyable places to unwind at the end of the day, than sitting in a beautiful garden that has been subject to an awesome landscaping design.

Now, assuming you like that idea, but also do not plan to sit in complete darkness, your garden is going to need some lighting. You might simply install a small floodlight on the wall of your house, but if you want some lighting to enhance the atmosphere within your landscaping then you need to think of alternative lighting options. To help you start considering some, with the help of a reputable landscaping company, we have 7 lighting ideas for you.

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7 Amazing Lighting Ideas To Give Your Landscaping Added Appeal Read More »

How to Tell It’s Time to Install a New Kitchen

How to Tell It’s Time to Install a New Kitchen

Renovating / /

Kitchens have long been the heart of the home. They are where memories are made, meals are eaten, and families gather.

However, there may come a time when your kitchen no longer brings you as much joy as it once did, and it might be due to some of the reasons listed below. Could it be time to have some kitchen renovations done?

The Countertops Are Looking Worse for Wear

Classic countertops were never made with the hardest, highest-quality materials on the market. They were easy to scratch, burn, mark, and stain.

If your benchtops look dirty and worn, no matter how much you clean them, it might be time to start shopping around for new kitchen countertops.

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How to Tell It’s Time to Install a New Kitchen Read More »

Safely Transport Frozen Food

How To Safely Transport Frozen Food When Moving To A New House

Renovating / /

When moving to a new home or just temporarily due to renovation, there will be many valuable items that you will entrust your removalists to take care of for you during their transportation from your old home, to your new home or a storage facility.

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How To Safely Transport Frozen Food When Moving To A New House Read More »

adding new soil to your garden

Do I Need to Add New Soil When I’m Landscaping?

Landscaping / /

There are quite a few things to consider when you landscape for the first time. Although the landscaper you work alongside will be able to help you with most things, it’s worth thinking about the essentials on your own as well.

One thing we get asked a lot is if you need to replace your soil when you’re landscaping with a landscaper. Ultimately, that’s a difficult question, so we’ve decided to go into it in more detail in this article.

Why Would I Add New Soil?

Ultimately, there are a few reasons why you should consider adding new soil to your garden when you’re landscaping. These include:

  • To improve your current soil. If you’re planning to plant things like vegetables or greedy plants that need a lot of nutrients, then you need to make sure you have decent soil.
  • To level uneven areas. At the same time, a lot of people add soil to their gardens and lawns to level them out. If your garden hasn’t been well looked after, the chances are that it won’t be super level.
  • To improve drainage or water retention. If your current soil mix results in it either draining away too fast or becoming waterlogged after even a small amount of rain, you can add different types of soil to improve it.

Note that there are numerous other reasons why you might add new soil during the landscaping process.

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Do I Need to Add New Soil When I’m Landscaping?Read More »

Do I Need to Add New Soil When I’m Landscaping? Read More »

Cleaning Glass Pool Fence

5 Things To Avoid At All Costs When Cleaning Your Glass Pool Fence

Landscaping / /

Cleaning glass pool fencing can be difficult, but it’s certainly not impossible – if you do it right. However, doing the wrong thing when cleaning your glass pool fencing can cause all sorts of problems and can result in glass that looks a lot older than it is or that is visibly damaged or worn.

Luckily, most glass pool fences are tough and aren’t easily damaged. Here you will find a short list of the five most common mistakes people make when cleaning their glass pool fence. Avoid the following at all costs:

  1. Using Harsh Abrasives

Although it might be tempting to use abrasives to clean your pool fence – especially if it’s pretty dirty or hasn’t been cleaned for some time – you must avoid the temptation! Pool Restoration Perth have said Abrasives like steel wool or sandpaper can scratch and damage your glass panels, giving them a worn look.

They will also scratch any of the metal components of your fence, making them susceptible to corrosion. Finally, abrasives will remove any nano protection your wall has, making it wear faster under normal conditions.

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5 Things To Avoid At All Costs When Cleaning Your Glass Pool Fence Read More »

Glass Pool Fence

Why Is It Important To Use High Quality Fittings With My Glass Pool Fence?

Landscaping, Swimming Pools / /

There are two main components that make up most glass pool fencing – the glass panels, and the hardware that holds the panels together. The glass has to be strong well made so that it meets the relevant Australian building requirements, while the fittings needs to be made well so that your fence is strong and aesthetically appealing for years to come.

Glass pool fence fittings are usually made from tough, weather resistant stainless steel. This is important, because if they weren’t then they would have the potential to weaken over time, weakening the rest of your pool fencing at the same time.

With this in mind, we’ve put together a short list of reasons why you should always use high quality pool fence fittings. They include:

  1. High Quality Stainless Fittings Look Good!

Just because pool fences are legally required doesn’t mean they can’t look good as well! If you’ve decided to build a glass fence, you’ve obviously done so with at least some consideration of the fences style and the overall impact on your home’s appearance.

To put it simply, high quality stainless steel fittings will make your fence look great. Cheaper or poorer quality fittings might be more affordable, but it’s usually obvious when they’ve been used.

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Why Is It Important To Use High Quality Fittings With My Glass Pool Fence?Read More »

Why Is It Important To Use High Quality Fittings With My Glass Pool Fence? Read More »

Common Landscaping Mistakes

5 Most Common Landscaping Mistakes

Landscaping / /

Not everyone grows up knowing the best landscaping tips and how to create a magazine-perfect backyard. Even if you have spent countless hours thumbing through home and garden booklets, that doesn’t make you an expert.

As a result, unfortunately, you can find yourself one of the thousands of people who make the most common landscaping mistakes. Does this sound like you? Could it be time to call in the experts?

  1. Not Getting Expert Help

While it’s okay to undertake minor landscaping work on your own, it can get riskier to go the process alone if it begins to get more complicated. If you are dealing with challenging terrain, a large area, elevation, or any manner of intricate designs, then you may find it’s an excellent idea to call in the experts. Otherwise, you can end up making costly mistakes that bring down the value of your property as opposed to increasing it.

  1. Don’t Forget the Front

When you are landscaping, you may spend all your time focusing on the backyard. After all, it tends to be where most families spend more of their time. However, include room in your landscaping budget for your street appeal. You could have a magnificent backyard, but if your front section does not match, it can bring down the value of your home and leave your guests feeling confused!

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5 Most Common Landscaping MistakesRead More »

5 Most Common Landscaping Mistakes Read More »

Rock Gardening

What Is Rock Gardening & Why Is It Popular?

Gardening, Landscaping / /

Gardening in Australia can be very difficult, especially in dry and drought prone areas. Even the best landscapers can have trouble creating a sustainable garden which looks good when water’s hard to come by.

According to Landscaping Sydney, if you live in a dry area – or even if you just want a low maintenance garden which you don’t have to worry about watering too often – you should consider creating a rock garden. Never heard of a rock garden before? Don’t worry, in this article I’ll go through what they are, why they’re so great, and how you can create your own one.

What Is Rock Gardening?

Really, the concept of rock gardening isn’t too hard to grasp. A rock garden is a cleverly planned, sustainable garden which focuses on rock forms and design as much as the plants that are used. When built right, rock gardens require little care or maintenance, making them perfect for people who don’t have a lot of time to commit to their garden.

Historically, rock gardens were created in Southeast Asia – especially in Japan and China. Traditional rock gardens were designed to draw a person’s eyes to the rock structures and design of the garden, rather than the plants. The plants were really nothing more than background material.

However, you can design your rock garden however you want, with whatever style or plants you want. There’s no right or wrong way to do it.

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What Is Rock Gardening & Why Is It Popular? Read More »

Limestone Blocks

What Can I Use Limestone Blocks For?

Landscape Design, Landscaping / /

Modern building materials come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. You can pretty much find anything you want if you’re willing to pay for it, but there are some basic materials which continue to dominate as building and landscaping materials. Limestone blocks are one of these materials.

Limestone blocks can be either reconstituted, which means that they’re made from crushed limestone and cement, or naturally quarried. Both styles of blocks can be used for a wide range of applications, and they provide an affordable, attractive option for things like retaining walls and houses.

Some of the most popular uses for limestone blocks include:

For Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are definitely one of the most common uses for limestone blocks. Most retaining walls are designed to hold back soil or rubble, allowing flat areas to be created at different heights. Since a lot of retaining walls have a lot of force put on them by the weight of the dirt behind them, they need to be strong. Limestone blocks are a very strong materials which – when used right – are one of the best options for building new retaining walls.

To Build Stairs

Limestone blocks are hard wearing and the renovation experts at mcmcabinets.com.au think they look great, which makes them great for building things like stairs and paths. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, which means that you should be able to find blocks that are perfectly suited to building the stairs that you want. Reconstituted limestone is usually stronger than naturally quarried blocks, making it the preferred choice for things like stairs which can experience a lot of wear and tear.

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What Can I Use Limestone Blocks For? Read More »