Best Garden Maintenance Products

Gardens are supposed to be a place where we can unwind, but keeping them well-maintained can be anything but relaxing. From raised garden beds and potting mix to weed killer and fertiliser, we take you through some pointers so you can find the right products to help keep your yard healthy and looking great. Continue reading...

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Based on 1,339 Garden Maintenance Product reviews
McGregor's Houseplant Pump n Feed
4.6 from 128 reviews

Latest review: I received this product as a gift for my honest review. I love the spray function for the easy use. The instructions is pretty simple and surprisingly all the indoor plant that i have sprayed with

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The Organic Garden Co Raised Garden Bed
Garden Maintenance Products

The Organic Garden Co Raised Garden Bed

4.5 from 114 reviews

The Organic Garden Co’s Raised Garden Bed has an ergonomic working height, a quick-to-assemble design, and rolled safety edges to make gardening that little bit safer.

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Simple to set up
Durable
Has large capacity
Vegepod Raised Garden Bed Kits
Garden Maintenance Products

Vegepod Raised Garden Bed Kits

4.4 from 176 reviews

With a self-watering wicking system and a protective cover to protect plants from pests and UV, the Vegepod Raised Garden Bed Kits can help you grow your own greens at home.

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Protects plants from the elements
Easy to assemble
Simple to maintain garden
Seasol Seaweed Concentrate
Garden Maintenance Products

Seasol Seaweed Concentrate

4.6 from 25 reviews

If your garden is in need of a little TLC, then the Season Seaweed Concentrate may be the plant food it needs. It promotes strong root growth and flowering, helps your plants take in nutrients, and increases their ability to cope with changing weather conditions.

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Promotes plant growth
Effective on all plant types
Organic Crop Protectants Slasher Organic Weedkiller
2.9 from 82 reviews

If you prefer to avoid weed killers with harmful chemicals, it’s worth trying the Slasher Organic Weedkiller. Free from glyphosate, which is fatal to bees, this weed killer aims to destroy weeds the organic way.

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Quickly shrivels up weeds
Simple to apply
Doesn't always kill to the root
Less effective at destroying established weeds
Yates Bayer Ant and Wasp Dust
Garden Maintenance Products

Yates Bayer Ant and Wasp Dust

4.6 from 7 reviews

Latest review: We had nuisance ants and nuisance millipedes. I laid a trail down in front of the door for the ants and noticed the invading millipedes were dying almost on contact. I left the light on inside

Scotts Lawn Builder All Purpose
Garden Maintenance Products

Scotts Lawn Builder All Purpose

3.0 from 20 reviews

Latest review: Burnt my lawn! Don’t use it! They need to stop selling this product. I’ve used others and it does wonders and I thought I’d give this a try and ruined my lawn! Now it will take me months to get it ba

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Yates Weed 'n' Feed Liquid Hose-on
Garden Maintenance Products

Yates Weed 'n' Feed Liquid Hose-on

2.2 from 143 reviews

If you want to walk barefoot through a lush, weed-free lawn, the Yates Weed ‘n’ Feed Liquid Hose-On may help you out - although we recommend reading reviews to see if it’s suitable for your lawn.

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Kills broadleaf weeds
Can be difficult to use
Not suitable for all grass types
Yates Weed 'n' Feed Granular
Garden Maintenance Products

Yates Weed 'n' Feed Granular

2.3 from 66 reviews

Latest review: Its basically sulphate of ammonia with iron powder added, used in combination, they burn out the weeds. I often use this in late winter when the lawn is dormant and it works well. Its no magical

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Brunnings Green Up Lawn Food
Garden Maintenance Products

Brunnings Green Up Lawn Food

3.7 from 9 reviews

Latest review: This stuff WORKS! It’s Incredible! All the other stuff out there is a waste of time. Try i

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Ozito 18V Garden Sprayer Skin PXCWSS-018
Garden Maintenance Products

Ozito 18V Garden Sprayer Skin PXCWSS-018

4.5 from 6 reviews

Latest review: This is a good quality unit that works well but the tank is too small. Would be great if they come out with retrofit tanks that were bigger. It also struggles to suck up the solution when it gets to

Brunnings Feed n Weed
Garden Maintenance Products

Brunnings Feed n Weed

1.9 from 87 reviews

Latest review: This product does work,I just don’t bother with spraying I apply with a watering can more direct contact with weeds and not blown a

Munns Emerald Kikuyu Lawn Seed Mix
Garden Maintenance Products

Munns Emerald Kikuyu Lawn Seed Mix

2.5 from 18 reviews

Latest review: did everything as per the instructions.Supposed to have bird deterent-the birds loved it!After a week of constant watering etc, very patchy germination. terrible result and typical of the stuff

Brunnings Path Weeder
Garden Maintenance Products

Brunnings Path Weeder

2.2 from 27 reviews

Latest review: Makes bold claims, suggested mix is 20:1 I mixed at 2:1, approx 10 times stronger. after a week theres not only no yellowing but the weeds are bigger than ever and green as u know what as if they've

Yates Buffalo Pro Hose-on Weedkiller
Garden Maintenance Products

Yates Buffalo Pro Hose-on Weedkiller

2.1 from 18 reviews

Latest review: The spray/mixing mechanism does not draw up the chemical to mix with the water as it passes over the top. The only way to get chemical to mix is to squeeze the container. We bought the first at

Brunnings Tomato and Vegetable Growing Mix
2.0 from 21 reviews

Latest review: Happy with product on my latest grow , has No NPK rating wich would have liked , but used seasol through grow , quite happy good

Brunnings All Purpose Fertiliser
Garden Maintenance Products

Brunnings All Purpose Fertiliser

2.8 from 8 reviews

Latest review: I'm annoyed at the reviews that say that this product contain these heavy metals. If you read the actual label, it states that levels were all sub ppm, in common with just about any fertiliser you

VidaXL Raised Garden Bed
Garden Maintenance Products

VidaXL Raised Garden Bed

3.4 from 5 reviews

Latest review: Arrived quicker than expected. VERY difficult to put together, unintelligible instructions. Lucky I have lots of experience with DIY. Don't buy this if you have eyesight issues, you can't see the

Holman Solid Metal Travelling Sprinkler
Garden Maintenance Products

Holman Solid Metal Travelling Sprinkler

3.0 from 6 reviews

Latest review: Reference: Holeman travelling Solid Metal Sprinkler Product Code: 7700H Manufacturer: Holeman Industries Walters Drive, Osborne Park Western Australia

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Richgro Beat-a-Weed Natural Weedkiller
Weedkillers & Garden Pest Control Products

Richgro Beat-a-Weed Natural Weedkiller

3.0 from 6 reviews

Latest review: I have used many weed killer products without Glyphosate; and couldn't find any one that, kills the weeds in one application. When I used the Richgrow Herbicide all purpose; in accordance with the

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What does garden maintenance include?

A woman wearing gloves and gardening in her yard.

Garden maintenance refers to anything you’d do or use to tend to your garden, and for different people, it means different things.

Some common garden maintenance products that Australian green thumbs (or budding green thumbs) use include:

  • Fertilisers, to promote plant growth.
  • Weed killers and garden pest control products, to stop insects from destroying plants.
  • Soils and mulches, including potting mixes, to use when potting or repotting plants.
  • Garden beds, to house any herbs, veggies, or flowers you want to grow.
  • Lawn care products, such as synthetic grass.

You can also read reviews for other garden products, such as hoses, gardening tools, and compost bins.

Fertilisers

What is a fertiliser?

Plants - like us - need food to grow. Plant food, or fertilisers, can do a variety of things, such as improve seed germination, reduce transplant shock, and promote root growth, flowering and fruiting.

A variety of elements are necessary for them to be happy and healthy, and of these, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are needed in the largest amounts.

Fertilisers should display the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium they contain - this is called the N:P:K ratio. Looking for a higher ratio means that you’re more likely to provide your plants with the nutrients they need.

What are specialty fertilisers?

You can also find specialty fertilisers for specific plant groups, such as natives, lawns, citrus, and fruit trees, which makes choosing the right fertiliser easier for less avid gardeners.

Native Australian plants, for example, are sensitive to phosphorus, and so usually require a specialty fertiliser with a lower amount of this mineral.

What are the different types of fertiliser?

You can find fertilisers in either liquid or solid form.

Liquid or water-soluble fertilisers immediately give nutrients to plants, allowing for quick uptake. They don’t last particularly long in the soil, however, as they’re quickly leached away with watering. They’re usually well-suited for use during spring or summer, while the plant is growing, flowering, or fruiting.

Solid or granular fertilisers gradually release nutrients for the plants to eat up. These are the cream of the crop for lazy gardeners, as they can slowly release nutrients for up to 12 months.

Inorganic vs. organic fertiliser

Inorganic fertilisers are synthetic forms of usually naturally occurring minerals that are beneficial to plants. They have concentrated nutrients and are often intended for a particular group of plants, making it easier for you to tend to a specific variety.

Organic fertilisers contain ingredients derived from living things, such as manure. They’re slow releasing and are less likely to harm the plant (and environment) if too much is used.

Weed killers

Types of weed killers

Not all weed killers have the same purpose - some prevent the germination of seeds, while others kill established plants. Here are the different types to look out for.

  • Pre-emergent weed killer: Pre-emergent weed killers kill weeds before they start growing. They’re generally recommended to use in early spring so they don’t harm plants that have an established root system.
  • Post-emergent weed killer: These kill established weeds that you can see on your lawn. Just ensure you don’t apply them to your lawn or established plants, as it could destroy them.

Weed killers can also be distinguished by how they work, however some may be both a contact and a systemic weed killer.

  • Contact weed killer: These weed control products kill plants they come into physical contact with very quickly - you’ll usually see results in just an hour. They’re generally more effective at getting rid of lighter weed growth and foliage, but may take a few applications to eradicate a plant.
  • Systemic weed killer: These are absorbed by the leaves of the plant and enter the root system, impairing the weed’s ability to get nutrients from the soil. They work more slowly, and usually yield results in 1 to 3 weeks. Perennial weeds are usually treated with this type of weed killer.

Weed killers can be expensive, and it’s difficult to find the right balance between effectiveness and value.

How about "weed and feed" products?

Weed and feed products, such as the Yates Weed ‘n’ Feed Liquid Hose-On, combine fertilise with pre-emergent herbicide so that you can conveniently kill weeds while providing nutrients to your lawn. Just ensure that you use a product intended for your specific turf species so that your weed spray doesn’t destroy your lawn.

Ingredients

If you have children and pets playing in the yard, or you’re concerned about what your weed killer is doing to the environment, then you can find organic or natural weed killers, such as the Slasher Organic Weedkiller.

Some people even find success with homemade weed killer, using everything from boiling water, salt, vinegar, and cornmeal to get rid of unwanted greenery.

Raised garden beds

A man tending to his vegetable garden in a raised garden bed.

If you want to start a vegetable garden and don’t want to start digging into your lawn, then you may want to buy a raised garden bed (if you don’t feel up to the task of making one yourself).

What's the point of a raised garden bed?

Raised garden beds offer plenty of benefits, but that doesn’t mean they’re suitable for all gardens. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of having a raised bed.

Pros
They have more drainage.
Raised garden beds protect crops from small children and pets.
You can easily fill it with whatever soil you want, which is easier than digging into existing ground.
If it’s high enough, the extra root depth can get more nutrients from the soil, letting you plant vegetables closer together - so you can have more!
Cons
Raised beds can be more costly than traditional plots, as you need to buy them, or buy materials to make them.
They require irrigation because of the increased drainage.

Find the right size

Consider the length, width, and depth of your garden bed. One advantage of having a raised garden bed is that it can make gardening easier on the back if it’s high enough, so if you can see a garden bed in store, see how much you have to bend over to reach different areas.

Raised beds should generally be kept to a maximum of 1.2 to 1.5m wide depending on your reach, so that it’s still easy to reach the middle of the plot. Keep in mind that beds backed against a wall or fence should be half this width as you’ll only be able to access it from one side.

If you’re looking to plant deep-rooting crops, then look for at least 30cm of soil depth.

Choose a material that suits you

Garden beds are subject to the elements, as well as constant moisture and potentially insects, which is why you should consider the right material for your plot. Here are the main options.

  • Wood. Timber raised garden beds are durable and attractive, however they can be susceptible to rot. Some wood fares better than others - cedar, for example, is durable and quite resistant to moisture and rot, however often costs more and may be sourced unsustainably.
  • Galvanised steel. While it may not be the prettiest material, galvanised steel is durable, resistant to rust, and economical.
  • Stone. Stone is more common in homemade garden beds rather than ones you can buy in store. It can be expensive, but will last longer than most other materials.

Potting mix

Potting mix can make or break a plant, so if you want to do right by the new green friend you picked up at your local nursery, then invest in a decent mix.

Look for potting mixes that meet Australian standards

There’s an Australian Standard for bagged retail potting mix, and mixes that meet them have passed a series of tests to prove their quality.

Look for black and red ticks on a potting mix bag. Black ticks indicate a regular grade mix that you need to add fertiliser to when you do your potting. Red ticks are premium grade mixes that last longer and have fertiliser in them.

Try and get the freshest mix you can, as the longer the mix is in the bag, the more nutrients the microorganisms in the potting mix will consume.

Match the mix with the plant

Some plants prefer rich, fertile garden soil, while others benefit more from sandier soils. Different plants also have different pH preferences, which is why selecting the right potting mix can be tricky work if you don’t go for a general purpose soil.

Plants in indirect light or shade don’t lose water as rapidly as those in direct sunlight, which is why a lighter mix may be better for these plants. Your green friends in full sun will generally prefer a medium-weight mix that holds water well.

You can also find specialty potting mixes that are formulated to give specific plant varieties the nutrients they need.

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