WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NOVEMBER News, special buys and great ideas

There is something truly magical about spotting the first sparkle of Christmas each year, which is why my heart skipped with joy when I saw this month’s cover. (I think it was the twinkling unicorn clip-clopping through our front yard fairyland that got me.) Turn to page 24 to find more inspiration to create your own Santa scene for the whole neighbourhood. Then get ready for the arrival of those Christmas-time guests! From page 53, follow our guide to transforming your kitchen into an entertainer’s dream and tick off those jobs to get your home and garden ready (from page 75). Then, from page 81, we share three fabulous DIY projects – including a super clever hotel-style luggage rack – to make family and friends feel extra special when they arrive. Cheers to the beginning of the festive season. Enjoy the issue!

Easy guest-ready makes, from page 81

Who doesn’t love a magical creature? We created the ultimate fairyland fantasy for our cover and story (from page 24), starring Bunnings’ light-up reindeer and unicorns, plus a glorious arrangement of outdoor lights and even a cute fairy castle you can DIY. These festive creatures are in store for a limited time, so don’t miss out – plan your Christmas lights shopping trip for sooner rather than later!

Swing Slide Climb ‘Kosciuszko’ timber play set, $1,299, I/N: 3321587†

Printed by IVE, Australia. Paper fibre is from well-managed forests and other controlled sources. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

This product is available to buy online only and is sold and delivered by a Bunnings Marketplace Trusted Seller. Not all items are available in all states and territories. *Delivery charges may apply.

If you’ve been tipped off that Santa plans to deliver play equipment to your kids this year, we can help! From $75, selected Bunnings stores can organise the assembly (and, for an additional fee, delivery) of new play equipment and accessories purchased from Bunnings. Choose your play set and accessories, then arrange payment (and delivery) at the Special Orders Desk, or take it home. The team will arrange an assembler to come to you.

*First contact your local store to find out if this service is available. Booking cut-off date is December 14; last installation date is December 23.

Lights, camera, action! Stylists Rebecca Waldron (left and above right), Samantha Pointon (above left) and Katie Turner (right) weave magic to create a delightful Christmas spectacle

Create a welcoming chill-out zone for summer entertaining in the great outdoors

1Cooper & Co. ‘Leon’ 46cm terrazzo side table/stool 3 in Speckle White, $229*, I/N: 0366477 87 6 Bay Gallery Furniture ‘Balmoral’ low dining coffee table with 4 bench seats, $2,331*, I/N: 0360777

Cooper & Co. vault arched iron indoor/outdoor mirror in White, $149.95*, I/N: 0339487 + Sherwood ‘Home Living’ hammock chair cushion in Light Blue, $14.95*,

I/N: 0338198 Devanti ‘Ice Maker’ 2L portable ice cube machine in Black, $140.95*, I/N: 0247521 Bay Gallery Furniture ‘Arcadia’ aluminium sun lounge with table in Teak look, $2,601*/double, I/N: 0362743 InAlto ‘IBF190’ 190L stainless steel outdoor beverage centre, $1,698*, I/N: 0283099

2

Polk Audio ‘Atrium4’

in White, $269*/set of 2, I/N: 0215853 5 4 (wicking project) supplied. 9

Bay Gallery Furniture ‘Indo Vase’ 3 piece outdoor/balcony wicker chairs and side table set in Charcoal, $854*, I/N: 0381287

Bunnings Workshop community member James (@Jamespeter100) created a nifty DIY system that uses microfibre cloths as water wicks, gently drawing moisture up into the soil from a reservoir created in the base of a raised garden bed. He laid down empty seedling punnets, then punched holes in a bag of potting mix and stuffed cloths through the holes (see top right). Placing the full bag on top of the false floor, he cut off the top layer of plastic and planted lettuce. A length of poly pipe carries water directly to the bottom, with arches forming a frame for plastic or a shade cloth. For more great DIY projects, visit workshop.bunnings.com.au.

ABOVE Fountain Products 700mm x 655mm x 375mm

in Charcoal, $29.99, I/N: 0169083. Scotts Osmocote premium potting mix, $13.86/50L, I/N 2962143. (In potting mix bag) Vileda ‘Colours’ microfibre cloths, $12.89/ pack of 8, I/N: 0065913. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Wear gloves and a mask when handling potting mix.

Bunnings’ national battery recycling program makes it easy to dispose of used household and power tool batteries. Simply deposit them in the collection unit at the front entrance of your local store, where they’ll then be collected for recycling. Read more about the program at bunnings.com.au/ recycle-batteries.

There’s plenty to grow in the vegie patch this November! Try beans, chilli, capsicum, cucumber, pumpkin, tomato, zucchini or bok choy. Improve the soil with compost prior to planting and mulch well. 1 Love fresh strawberries? Plant them in garden beds, pots or hanging baskets. Choose a spot in full sun and feed regularly with a fertiliser specially 2 formulated for fruiting plants. Sow a ‘salad bowl’ and keep it in easy reach of the kitchen or back door. Lettuce, spinach, rocket and bok choy are fast-growing varieties and need little space. Snip regularly to promote new growth. See below for some herbs to add extra flavour.

Spread a layer of mulch over the vegie patch or pots to help suppress weeds and conserve moisture in the soil.

Powdery mildew can 5

affect tomatoes, cucumbers and capsicums. It appears as light grey or powdery spots on leaves. Try applying an organic fungicide and repeat as needed.

1 Floriana Gourmet Gardener 100mm continental cucumber Cucumis sativus seedling. 2 Richgro ‘Organics’ fruit and citrus plant food, $16.21/5kg, I/N: 2961704. 3 Mr Fothergill’s vegetable seeds, $3.12 each: ‘English spinach Medania’, I/N: 2961924, and ‘Green Cos lettuce’, I/N: 2960419. 4 Garden Basics water saving mulch, $3.98/25L, I/N: 0274307. 5 EcoOrganic Garden ready-to-use eco-fungicide, $11.59/750ml, I/N: 2961901. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

A fragrant addition to warm salads or pasta. Plant in full sun and remove flowers to promote leaf growth.

Grows into an attractive groundcover with small aromatic leaves. Loves full sun and well-drained soil.

Italian or flat-leaf is the most popular form. Plant in full sun with well-draining soil. Harvest outer stalks first.

After applying fertiliser around edible plants, delay harvesting for a few days and rinse well before cooking and eating. If using products to deal with pests, diseases or weeds, always read the label, follow the instructions carefully and wear suitable protective equipment. Store all garden chemicals and products out of reach of children and pets.+

With the support of Bunnings, Share the Dignity’s #ItsintheBag Christmas campaign is back for 2022, helping women and girls in need. Make someone’s Christmas a little bit brighter by filling a handbag with personal hygiene items and everyday essentials for women, teens, and mums and babies. Then drop your filled handbag to any Bunnings store from November 18 through to November 27. Donated bags will be distributed to Share the Dignity’s 3000 charity partners across Australia to help women and girls experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence or doing it tough over Christmas. Visit sharethedignity.org.au/ itsinthebag for more information and suggested items to donate.