Great idea. Thanks for the idea of the sandpit clam shell. I could manage that.

My situation here doesn't allow me to grow too much. What I did have was washed away in last summer's floods. Still have my parsley which had gone to seed but doing fine again now after attention that Koala suggested.

Most of the soil here is sand so I need to be more inventive and get some soil and compost delivered I guess.

It was like a summer's day here today. I felt a little guilty basking in its beauty knowing what was going on elsewhere.

Lots of Bindii (prickles) in the lawn. Got rid of the lot of them by hand today. Have what looks like "dollar spot" in my tiny piece of lawn. Circular brown patches of dead grass. I think it's a fungus. Don't use chemicals so not sure how to deal with this yet. I usually have the best lawn in the town but it's only several square metres. I mow it with a push-mower. Trouble is the grubs love it because it's so lush.

Need to cut back a large Hibiscus. I dread doing it, but know it'll be worth it. Maybe do that on Wednesday. Spring almost here so lots of work to do.

that IS a great idea - and all the summer stuff is on sale now! ... hmm, could use one for composting, too!! thanks, Anne!

A child's wading pool would also be a great idea for extra garden space and if it had a hole in it, you would probably get it for free, or near to free. Half barrels and halved small water tanks are other ideas for expanding the space of small gardens.

I've even seen hanging baskets for tomotoes, strawberries and a few other plants. I guess there's lots of easy ways to make a garden, even if you have a tiny space.

I am enjoying the ideas shared here for small gardens.

For those who don't have creative access to a dump like Koala has (lucky for her)... this type of container is available at most Home Depots and Lowe's here in US.

http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/P...od_ID=RP091418

We have used these for years to shlep heavy stuff back and forth upNorth and on the boats in rainy weather. They were marketed long before the newer see thru type, and they are flexible and so we continue with them. I have seen them used for growing flowers and tomatoes in small areas, with drainage holes in the bottom. You have to punch the holes yourself, and I'd suggest 2-3 inches of gravel at the bottom before using the new Moisture control Miracle Grow Potting soil. This Miracle grow product is just fantastic and good for any container gardening. After the first season you will need to provide some long acting pelleted fertilizer once every 3 months or so.

I haven't seen the totes in green much anymore like our old ones, but there are tan ones, which are easy on the eyes.

Botanical interests catalog has a page in it with a book recommendation for creative container gardening. You can request this interesting catalog for free, where they sell Heirloom rare seed types here:
http://www.botanicalinterests.com/

This company is fascinating and any gardener will enjoy this catalog I predict! My catalog is floating around here somewhere, but I can't scare it up quickly now. I bought some Chinese Garlic Chives from them this spring, and the seeds were very vigorous with almost 100% germination. High quality.
The catalog has interesting articles and really unusual things in it.

Great ideas. Thanks.

I know those white polystyrene boxes the fruit shops use here would be great as well. As far as I know that stuff is not biodegradable, so it would be best to keep re-using it rather than have it dumped in the earth. Only one good thing is that they're so light in weight and easy to jab a few holes in the base.

Chop, chop. That's what I've been doing for a couple of days now.

I finally cut back that huge Hibiscus today. Ugh. It's such a job and I wait till the last minute of our winter to do it because once the rains come again it'll flourish. I just feel awful cutting it back really hard. Also means I lose a lot of privacy for a short time. Done now!

edited to add for clarification: 1st of September here in Australia which means... Spring has sprung.

Happy Spring Lara!

Happy Spring, Koala.

They reckon we have La Nina a little longer... warning on the news tonight about another terrible flooding summer. Now why would they tell us that today? lol