Backyard and Outdoor Living

Backyard & Garden Design Ideas is designed to provide information and inspiration for people who are embarking on major backyard and garden makeovers. As a result we devote more space to garden design, layout, furniture, products, plants, pools, structures and maintenance than any other publication on the market. Backyard & Garden Design Ideas covers a wide range of topics for the consumer who is doing a complete makeover. Including but not limited to Planning a Garden, Makeover Ideas, Design Advice, Water Wise Gardening, Outdoor Lighting, Pool Design, Outdoor Furniture, Garden Art, Shade Solutions and Paving Options

Editor's Note

Backyard and Outdoor Living

Book Club • EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS

In the Know • News, tips and inspiration

MY FAVOURITE 5 Autumn flowers • Spring doesn't need to get all the floral glory! As the weather cools in autumn, there's a lovely range of plants that hit their flowering peak. They not only brighten our gardens, but also provide birds and beneficial insects like bees and butterflies with valuable sources of food. From hardy succulents and bulbs to cottage garden favourites and pot-perfect daisies, there's an autumn flower to suit every style and size of garden. Here are my favourite autumn bloomers.

Full of life • Beautiful autumn garden landscapes are filled with colour, warmth and texture

Best of Outdoor storage • Storage solutions for outdoor spaces can sometimes be quite unexpected

Designer Gardens • Gather some inspiration for your next landscape project

Save the date! • Imagine yourself, cool drink in hand, feeling relaxed and hosting an unforgettable stress-free gathering. With all the right ingredients in place, it really is possible…

Contemporary coastal chill • Wholeheartedly embracing its natural surrounds, this Coogee Beach property has multiple green spaces that perfectly complement the architectural home they surround and inhabit

Back to nature • This low-carbon-footprint garden proves that good design and sustainability can go hand-in-hand

Up we go! • If your only outdoor space is a balcony, elevate your expectations and create a plant-filled alfresco haven on high

The art of gardening • Growing a flourishing garden might look challenging for some, but it's easier than you might think

Maximise your outdoor living • Australian-made retractable shading with yachting precision

Breaking the clay • Stop being a slave to your garden

European style • Upgrade your outdoor entertaining with high-end wood-fired heating and cooking

Tiny but tasty • Nowhere to grow edibles? Or all out of room in the garden? All you need for these babies is a windowsill or bright spot inside or out

Malabar greens • When spinach is done for summer, that's when this sun-loving substitute comes into its own

Bobby dazzler • Basil is easy to grow, wonderfully scented and delicious to eat — in short, the king of herbs

Oranges & lemons • Ornamental as well as good to eat, a happy citrus is a win-win proposition for your garden

Old king kale • After 3000 years, this ancient loose-leaf cabbage is new again

Potted fruit trees • Growing for roots instead of fruits

Small but mighty • Make the most of the space you have available

A “maximum” plant approach • Planting design for a beautiful space