Here is a handy hint when pre-drilling to a specific depth.

Place a piece of tape around the drill bit at the desired depth you wish to drill a hole.   This tape will act as a visual guide when drilling.

This is a really simple tip/trick to get the right distance between plants, when direct sowing seeds into a garden bed.

Required tools & materials:

1 x garden stake

1 x measured tape

1 x marker

Step 1: Read the directions on the seed packet, to obtain the desired planting distance between seeds.

Step 2: Grab a garden stake, and place a measuring tape along side the stake.   Mark on the stake the desired distance to plant seedlings.

Step 3: Lay down the marked garden stake where you wish to sow the seeds.

Step 4: Plant the seeds where you have marked! (That simple!)

For many of us home owners in Australia, we have made the weekend trip to the big green shed and purchased a big black/green compost bin to do our bit for the environment.  Unfortunately, these bins can take sometime to break down kitchen waste and can be referred to as ‘cold’ compost bins.  They have a tendency of being very damp  and therefore become stinky and on the nose.

One way to alleviate some of this problem, is to make a compost aerator.  A compost aerator will help increase the airflow within the compost bin and assist with the breaking down process.

Follow the step by step guide below…

Step1:  Measure the height of your compost bin.

Step 2:  Source a piece of PVC pipe.  Measure and cut to desired length.  I was lucky enough to have some piping left over from a Home Renovation.

Step 3: Drill random holes in the side of the PVC pipe.

Step 4:    Make a hole in the centre of your compost bin.

Step 5:  Now double check that you have the piping the correct length.

Step 6:   Drive the pipe in to the center of the compost heap.

Step 7:   Add some brown material to soak up some of the moisture.  In this case I have used some peas straw.

This cheap and easy modification should help with the issue of a moist and stinky compost heap.

If you are anything like myself, when working in the garden I am constantly putting my tools down, and then forgetting where I had last placed them.   So to solve this problem, i have painted my garden tools bright red.  this makes them easier to see against soil coloured background.    However, in hind sight I should of painted these a bright pink, that way they are more likely not to be claimed by others.

Visit your local hardware or paint store and ask for an epoxy enamel paint.   This is preferred, as it will dry hard and is suitable for the wear and tear that your tools will be exposed to.   You will need no more than 500 mil, to give your tools a couple coats.   Your tools will come up as good as new.     This is also, as great tip to give life back to any old tools that you may inherit or find at second hand trash and treasure markets.