Useful links
This page offers links to products and services that I use or have used in the past that I have found useful.
The Italian Gardener
Importer of Franchi seed packets from Italy. Like all specialist mail order seed companies their seeds are not cheap. In fact, from $10 per packet (2023) they seem very expensive. However this is misleading as each packet contains at least four times the number of seeds as a standard seed packet.
Website: www.theitaliangardener.com.au
Tel : 02 4271 7506
PO Box 379 Figtree, NSW, 2525
The Seed collection
The Seed Collection is a no frills budget Australian seed company that offers a good range of cheap seeds. Prices start from $1.25 a packet with most seeds being no more than $1.75, plus delivery is free if you spend more than $25.
Website: www.theseedcollection.com.au
Tel : 03 8719 0440
PO BOX 139 Boronia, VIC 3155 Australia.
Digger's Seeds
Has a good range of the more traditional and exotic vegetable & flower seeds available by mail or online order. They also have an extensive range of gardening accessories as well as mail order fruit trees, berry bushes and bulbs. Though note that their products are quite expensive, even when you join as a member.
Website: www.diggers.com.au/
Phone 03 5987 187
105 Latrobe Street Dromana Victoria 3936
Daleys fruit Trees
Mail order fruit tree nursery. The trees are small and, when you consider postage, are expensive. But I have always found the quality of their trees to be excellent and they have a large range of mostly tropical and semi tropical fruit trees to choose from. Their website is well laid out and the service they offer is prompt and efficient. I will have no hesitation in ordering trees from them in the future.
Website : www.daleysfruit.com.au/
Tel: 02 66 321 441
36 Daley’s Lane, Geneva via Kyogle NSW 2474
P O Box 154, Kyogle NSW 2474
Gundaroo Tiller
Specialist garden tools supplier. Has a range of tools that I have never seen anywhere else and the more common tools they stock are quite competitively priced when compared to other garden tools suppliers. I will definitely be buying more tools from this mob in the future.
Forestry Tools
Offers a wide range of high quality equipment suitable for use by food gardeners. I have bought products from them on a number of occasions, including Geka and Dramm watering wands (high quality wands with a full range of spare parts) which I definitely recommend.
Website: www.forestrytools.com.au/
Phone: 02 9417 7751
PO Box 870 Willoughby NSW 2068
Nursery and Garden Supplies
Wide range of high quality nursery and garden supply equipment. I mainly use them for pots, seedling trays and labels. Prompt and reliable online service with products at a reasonable price.
Website: nurseryandgardensupplies.com.au/
Phone: 0490 503 674
Shop 7 108 Dover Drive, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
sage Horticultural supplies
Melbourne based company specialising in horticultural and gardening products for both the professional horticulturalist and home gardener. While the products are not that cheap I think they are value for money as all the products I have ordered from them have been of a high quality. Well worth browsing their website
Website: www.sagehort.com.au/
Phone: (03) 9553 3777
121 Herald St. Cheltenham VIC 3192
Sproutwell Greenhouses
Sproutwell have a good range of high quality polycarbonate greenhouses. It is where I bought my polycarbonate greenhouse. While these greenhouses are time consuming to erect they are of sturdy construction with excellent ventilation control.
Website: www.sproutwellgreenhouses.com.au/
Phone: 1300 657 174
55 Leather St, Geelong VIC 3219 (Main office)
Redpath Australia
Redpath offer a good range of high quality tunnelhouses (covered by a soft greenhouse film). These tunnelhouses are cheaper than polycarbonate greenhouses and easier to erect. Redpath also offers a comprehensive set of replacement parts. It is where I bought my tunnelhouse.
Website: www.redpath.com.au/
Phone: 1300 657 174
3 Reillys Rd, Bagshot VIC 3551 (near Bendigo)
Bellsouth
Has a massive range of poultry management products including feeders, drinkers, incubators and brooders. I have bought poultry equipment from them on a number of occasions and have been happy with the quality and service.
Website: www.eshop.bellsouth.com.au/
Phone: (03) 9796 7044
Showroom: Unit 8, 5-7 Vesper Drive, Narre Warren
Postal address P.O. Box 1233,
Narre Warren, Victoria 3805
Nosloc Feeding Systems
An efficient, affordable feeding system that is ideal for free range poultry setups as they can be installed outdoors. I used one for years before eventually replacing it with a treadle feeder. Though I don’t use them anymore I recommend them as a cheaper rodent and bird proof feeder alternative to treadle feeders.
Website: www.nosloc.com/About-Nosloc
Email: nosloc@phoenix.net.nz
Phone: 0800 NOSLOC
Mobile – 0274 213 175
Te Kuiti, 3910 King Country New Zealand
Ballarat Chooks
They sell vaccinated 12 to 14 weeks old Hyline Brown hens, which are my all-time favourite egg laying chicken. They do a regular delivery run delivery run to the Haymarket in Ballarat, as well as to shops and markets as far afield as Kyneton, Lancefield, Kilmore, Daylesford, Ararat, Stawell, Horsham, and Mortlake. Ring or text Kelvin to find out pricing, meeting points and collection dates.
Phone: 0400 559 559
Facebook: www.facebook.com/p/Ballarat-Chooks-Information-Page-100064792656266/
These gardening reference books are ones that I own and regularly refer to.
the seed Savers' Handbook
Great reference book for gardeners interested in saving their own seeds. Australian publication specifically referring to Australian and New Zealand conditions. Available to order online or from book stores.
The Seed Savers’ Handbook
By Michel & Jude Fanton
ISBN : 9780646102269
What Garden Pest And Disease Is That?
Definitive reference book for pests and diseases in Australia. Very useful for looking up what that strange bug or spot is on your plant. Though my copy is the original 1985 edition it is still very relevant. Great photos and is well cross referenced. A must for dedicated gardeners.
What Garden Pest And Disease Is That?
By Judy McMaugh
ISBN: 9781925546200
What Garden Pest And Disease Is That?
A definitive book on all aspects of growing fruit, and nut trees in Australia as well as other cultivars such as raspberries. Unfortunately I think this book is out of print but you can still get second hand copies of it online.
Growing Fruit In Australia
by Paul Baxter and Glen Tankard
ISBN: 10: 017006915X ISBN 13: 9780170069151
These are products that I regularly use and are an essential part of my food processing equipment repertoire.
Phillips pasta & Noodle maker
The Philips Pasta and Noodle Maker offers an easy automated process to make pasta and noodle. Select your chosen extrusion disk, add ingredients and press the start button; the machine then automatically mixes, kneads, and extrudes in one go. The basic kit comes with four extrusion disks, Spaghetti, Penne, Fettuccine and Lasagna. But you can buy extra disks including Paccheri, Rigatoni, Macaroni, Angle hair and many more. I make virtually all our pasta and noodles using this machine and thoroughly recommend it.
Note that the model I have has been superseded, the latest model is the Philips 7000 Series Pasta & Noodle Maker (as of 2023).
Panasonic Bread Maker
I have been using a Panasonic bread maker for over twenty years, making at least two loaves of bread a week, plus bread rolls, breadsticks and pizza dough. A must machine for my kitchen repertoire, wouldn’t be without one.
The model I use has been superseded. The latest model is the Panasonic SD-R253 (as of 2023)
Luvele Yogurt Maker
Electric yogurt maker that sets up to four 400ml ceramic containers of yogurt at a time. It has a variable temperature setting and shuts off then the desired time has been reached, which reduces the risk of overcooking the yogurt. The 400 ml container size is ideal as is not too small but can be easily consumed before going off. You can also buy spare containers. I have had two yogurt makers in the past but they weren’t a patch on this one.
PRICE: $132 (AUD 2023)
WEBSITE: https://www.luvele.com.au/
SodaStream
A SodaStream offers an easy way to make your own Soda water. I have been using one for over thirty years now and think they are great. Each SodaStream cylinder can make up to 60 litres of soda water. Because their bottles are reusable they are arguably more environmentally friendly than buying soda water in single use bottles. We don’t use the syrups that can be bought for use with SodaStreams, preferring to drink it as is or mixed with freshly squeezed juices. Though we also make our own homemade cordials. There are several models on the market to choose from depending on your budget.