UNDER COVER

Mimosa ‘Portsea’ 3m x 3m semi permanent louvre gazebo in Lava, $2,799, I/N: 0124007† (also available in White, I/N: 0283059†)

Tools & materials

nSafety equipment (closed shoes, gloves, eye protection) nDrill n5mm hex-head bit with 150mm extension nLadders nLevel nRubber mallet nTape measure and pencil n10mm bit nGazebo kit with supplied fasteners, wrench and hex key nClear roofing silicone with caulking gun n10G stainless steel washers n10G x 65mm stainless steel decking screws with square drive bit

Keep in mind…

n Check local council requirements for semi-permanent structures. n Enlist at least one extra pair of hands, with an extra ladder, to help install the posts into the frame. n A 150mm-long hex-head bit improves access for driving the fasteners through the holes. Secure firmly, but avoid over-tightening. n The gazebo must be anchored safely through the base plates. For concrete, pre-drill with a 12mm masonry bit, securing with supplied M8 x 100mm expansion bolts. n Keep the louvres open when the gazebo is unattended to prevent damage from strong winds.

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UNDER COVER

Install an off-the-shelf gazebo kit for a semi-permanent structure that provides a stylish retreat from the sun

1 To assemble posts, position base plates and secure with supplied 20mm countersunk screws using a drill and a 5mm hex-head bit with 150mm extension. Position two corner braces against the top of each post (pictured), securing with supplied 20mm hex bolts.

4 Check the posts are straight with a level. To install gutters, secure the connectors to the posts with hex bolts, then hook in the gutters using a rolling motion, lightly tapping with a rubber mallet. Tip: Loosen the bracket bolts if the space is too snug, then fit and retighten. 2 To assemble the top frame, set out the beams in a square with the holes facing up and the pivot bushing beams for the louvres opposite each other as the sides. At the corners, position L connectors inside the frame to secure with hex bolts.

5 Position the driving louvre across the frame, with the bracket flush to the cutout in line with the gear box. Insert the gear pivot pin, tightening with the supplied wrench. Set out the common louvres to face the same way, slotting the ends into the cutouts, leaving the centre cutouts free.

7 Position a control rod either side, with the lips at the top and facing out. To secure the louvres, thread a hex bolt through the beams with the hex key, add a plastic spacer, align the louvre and install a locking nut, firmly hand-tightening it. Tip: Over-tightening prevents louvre movement. 8 Install the hand crank into the hook on the beam below the gear box. To seal the gazebo, use a caulking gun to run clear roofing silicone along the top of the gutters and around the top corners, leaving to dry thoroughly. 3 To assemble the gazebo, enlist some help with an extra ladder to lift the frame. Position the left- and right-facing posts (labelled D1 and D2) diagonally, lining up the holes to secure the brackets inside the frame, and the braces from underneath, with hex bolts.

6 Position the centre louvre across the centre cutouts. On the beam with the gear box, line it up with the holes to secure from the outside with two supplied M10 screw caps, installing the strengthening pivot pin on the inside and tightening with the supplied hex key.

9 To install on decking, ensure the gazebo is efficiently and safely anchored by positioning the posts over joists, pre- drilling through the base plates with a 10mm bit. Secure through the decking and into joists with washers and 10G x 65mm decking screws using a square drive bit.

How to master potted plant styling

Horticulturist Melissa King on how to create eye-catching displays with potted plants

Styling your pots with a creative combination of plants is far more exciting than growing one plant in one pot, plus it brings striking colour and texture to any space. If you’re looking to combine plants together in pots, use the Thrill, Fill & Spill technique!

To get started, let the perfect pot inspire your planting combination. You can create a coastal oasis with Northcote Pottery Villa Pots in Sand (as seen above) or let terracotta pots shine with a collection of Mediterranean-style plants. Choose a pot that’s around 40-50cm in diameter to allow room for planting. You can also choose a ‘family’ of pots in the same style but in different heights and sizes, allowing you to fill a larger space and really make a statement.

The perfect potted combo needs the perfect potting mix. For a healthy, long-lasting potted display, start with Scotts Osmocote PremiumPlus Superior Potting Mix. This mix contains everything your potted plants need to flourish, such as wetting agent, water-storing crystals and coir, which aids in moisture and nutrient retention.

THRILL

First choose a “thrill” plant. It’s the star of the show: a plant that is bold and interesting, with a bit of height. It should be positioned at the back of the pot. Spiky cordylines or strappy leafed plants often make good thrillers.

FILL

“Fill” plants are smaller and rounder in shape and help fill out the container beautifully. They are like the supporting cast, providing contrasting form to the taller thriller at the back.

SPILL

Complete your potted picture with the perfect “spill” plant. This is a trailing or groundcovering plant that cascades over the edge of the pot, creating a lovely balanced look.

Once you’ve planted your combo, give it a watering and a loving dose of Scotts Osmocote Pour+Feed All Purpose. Pour a capful of the ready-to-use liquid fertiliser onto moist potting mix around your plants every two weeks and your plants will love you for it.

MELISSA KING’S TOP TIPS FOR THE PERFECT POTTED COMBO

n Always team plants together that enjoy similar growing conditions. n You can create different looks with different plants. Play around with a variety of succulents and grasses for a standout coastal combo, or try teaming flowering beauties with grasses for a meadow look. n Combine plants that complement each other in colour or go for contrast with a variety of hues. n Create seasonal interest in your pots by chopping and changing different flowering plants. n I like to fill my pots with plants to create an instant wow factor. If the pot starts to look overcrowded, simply prune some of the plants back or pull some out and put them into the garden. Fill any gaps with new plants to create a whole new look.

osmocote.com.au

Scotts Osmocote ‘Pour+Feed’ all purpose fertiliser, $19.98/2.5L, I/N: 0378643 Scotts Osmocote ‘Premium Plus’ superior potting mix, $12.77/25L, I/N: 2962100

Grow a bountiful summer harvest even in a small space

Fill your small garden or pots with tasty tomatoes, abundant eggplants, and delicious strawberries from Floriana this spring and summer. These plants are heavy croppers even in small spaces such as pots on balconies or courtyards. But don’t worry, these pint-sized plants still deliver big flavour!

It may be compact, but Tomato ‘Little Napoli’ produces full-sized, tasty Roma tomatoes that every Nonna ces fullsized, would be proud of! Use them to cook up your favourite Italian style pasta sauce or slice them up for sandwiches. For cascades of large, sweet, cherry tomatoes, plant T Tomato ‘Cherry Falls’ - this compact plant produces masses of ��������������������� will spill over the sides of hanging baskets or pots ready to pick! Add variety to your potted patch with the whimsical pottedpa Eggplant ‘Fairytale’. This compact, high yielding eggplant features attractive fruit that is less bitter and has fewer seeds. Scan to see the range available in store

For snack sized fruit on a compact plant, look out for Strawberry ‘Bravo’ - this productive variety produces small red, tasty fruit trailing below its glossy green foliage for easy harvesting. Its compact growth makes it ideal for small spaces and container gardening - without compromising ����������

Remember all these varieties need a full-sun spot, that’s somewhere with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant into a rich, free draining soil or use a premium quality potting mix and ensure your pot or planter has drainage holes. Heavy croppers like these are heavy feeders, so feed them with a regular dose of liquid fertiliser to keep them producing happily. So don’t let a small garden, balcony or courtyard hold you back from a bumper harvest this season! Just choose the right plants to suit your space and you’ll be picking your favourite fresh produce in no time.

“…because the best gardens start with Floriana”

Growing Tip: • Each of these compact plants will need a pot with a diameter of 30-40cm or you can group them together in larger planters or containers and create an edible oasis.