Backyard and Outdoor Living

Welcome to the new-look Backyard, the magazine for those who don’t just dream of an amazing garden, they want to get out there and make it happen. If the backyard is where you gather with family and friends; if you want to do more in your backyard, be that build a garden bed or lay some paving; and if you want to get your kids involved too, Backyard is what you need. Backyard 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. Purchase includes the Digital Edition and News Service. Please stay in touch via our Facebook Page.

Editor's Note

Backyard and Outdoor Living

Mediterranean modern • Sea breezes, azure seas and sandy shores — there's no place like home

'70s suburbia • Orange and green, botanical prints and touches of nature — putting the '70s back into your backyard

MY FAVOURITE 5 Winter flowers • Winter in the garden is often seen as a dreary time of hibernation or preparation for the warmer seasons ahead. However, many plants are at their floral best during the coolest months and winter's gloomy days can be brightened with some wonderful colour. From short-lived annual flowers that bring pops of colour into garden beds and pots, to perennials and shrubs that perform year after year, there are many winter flowering options. Here are my five favourite winter flowers to inspire you to grow some at your place!

Garden envy • Have a peek over the fence at some inspirational vegetable gardens from around Australia

Best of Outdoor rooms • Peek over the fence at some of the most stylish, functional and inspirational outdoor rooms

Taking plush outdoors • When furnishing an outdoor living space, comfort may be king but quality and flexibility rule

Suburban sanctuary • Paying homage to the local landscape, the design brief at Woodland Retreat centred around a strong indoor/outdoor connection complementing both the treed surrounds and the mid-century modern family home

Mornington magic • Flowering garden beds, flowing lawn areas, raised vegetable patches and meandering pathways create a magical garden wonderland on this Mornington Peninsula property

A meeting of old & new • Designing a garden to complement a home is a challenge at the best of times, so what happens when the front of the house is traditional and the back is modern?

Retro charm • This envy-inspiring outdoor sanctuary provides a happy family with everything they need to entertain in style

Resort on the range • If you crave a little resort-style luxury, this landscape is sure to inspire

High-rise garden rooms • With our busy lifestyles, more and more people are opting for apartment-style living. If you love gardens and live in an apartment, the good news is you can still design and create your own thriving greenspace to enjoy

Going native • Across Australia, natives are springing up everywhere, some in the most surprising of places. While gardening purists might be up in arms at this intrusion into garden styles such as formal or contemporary, a new twist on natives is transforming backyards

Breaking the clay • Establishing a deep root system

Jumping for joy • In-ground trampolines that are out of this world

Somerton Park Beach House • A retractable shade system completes and protects this chic swimming pool in Adelaide

Feel the heat • Innovative, high–performance electric heating technology for outdoor and indoor areas

Now that's clever! • Versatile, eco-friendly composite decking provides the look of real timber without the ongoing...