/ Thursday, January 14, 2010 / 8 Comments / Magazine
subTropical Gardening
I picked up Issue 17 of subTropical Gardening at a neighbourhood bookstore some two weeks ago. I was attracted by its tagline which says "INSPIRE! For all tropical, subtropical and warm climate gardens."
subTropical Gardening is a quarterly magazine that is published and printed in Australia. It was launched in 2005 and it calls itself "Australia's premium horticultural gardening journal/magazine". The magazine provides advice for gardeners and landscapers who live in warm climates, encompassing the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate climate zones.
Plant Variety Rating: 4 | I read of many plants that I am not familiar with especially those plants which grow in sub-tropical climate. This issue features climbers, cordylines and thorny plants. I especially like the detailed information on cordyline as the plant is one of the popular plants here as well.
Images Rating: 4.5 | The images are clear. In one article 'Local Native Plant', they even have close up shots (double shots) of a plant to clearly and effectively introduce the plants.
Content Rating: 4 | I took some time to finish reading one article as the content are detailed to the point. I like how they talk about how Japanese Garden elements and styles can be applied to an Australian garden.
Layout Rating: 4.5 | They use smaller font size in order to make space for the bigger images, which is good as pictures tell a thousand words!
Price Rating: 3 | At RM30.00 a copy, I believe only serious gardeners or readers in Malaysia would pick up such a magazine as the content is not specifically for tropical but subtropical and warm climate gardener also.
There is so much to learn from this magazine though. I really like the 'Subtropicalia Collector' section. They feature many interesting plants. Not only do you get to read of details of each plant but also its best growing conditions and landscape use.
I also enjoyed reading the article on custard apple. Besides writing about the varieties, it also provides info on how to overcome fruit setting problems and many other helpful tips. I believe this article has the necessary info for any gardeners who grows, or are interested in growing, custard apple.
'The Gardening Know-how' is also another section that's great for gardeners who have a vegetable garden. There is also a vegetable and annual planting schedule (for November, December and January) to follow.
Overall, it is a magazine that is worth reading if budget is not a constraint. It is also good source for info on how to grow edible and ornamental plants.
subTropical Gardening is a quarterly magazine that is published and printed in Australia. It was launched in 2005 and it calls itself "Australia's premium horticultural gardening journal/magazine". The magazine provides advice for gardeners and landscapers who live in warm climates, encompassing the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate climate zones.
Plant Variety Rating: 4 | I read of many plants that I am not familiar with especially those plants which grow in sub-tropical climate. This issue features climbers, cordylines and thorny plants. I especially like the detailed information on cordyline as the plant is one of the popular plants here as well.
Images Rating: 4.5 | The images are clear. In one article 'Local Native Plant', they even have close up shots (double shots) of a plant to clearly and effectively introduce the plants.
Content Rating: 4 | I took some time to finish reading one article as the content are detailed to the point. I like how they talk about how Japanese Garden elements and styles can be applied to an Australian garden.
Layout Rating: 4.5 | They use smaller font size in order to make space for the bigger images, which is good as pictures tell a thousand words!
Price Rating: 3 | At RM30.00 a copy, I believe only serious gardeners or readers in Malaysia would pick up such a magazine as the content is not specifically for tropical but subtropical and warm climate gardener also.
There is so much to learn from this magazine though. I really like the 'Subtropicalia Collector' section. They feature many interesting plants. Not only do you get to read of details of each plant but also its best growing conditions and landscape use.
I also enjoyed reading the article on custard apple. Besides writing about the varieties, it also provides info on how to overcome fruit setting problems and many other helpful tips. I believe this article has the necessary info for any gardeners who grows, or are interested in growing, custard apple.
'The Gardening Know-how' is also another section that's great for gardeners who have a vegetable garden. There is also a vegetable and annual planting schedule (for November, December and January) to follow.
Overall, it is a magazine that is worth reading if budget is not a constraint. It is also good source for info on how to grow edible and ornamental plants.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
8 comments:
Once upon a time while living in NYC, I was very fond
of magazines. That love is dead. However, if
there was a magazine such as the one so well described
here, I would certainly read it.. Do not know about
the rate exchange, but just as with wine, or beer I do not care how good they are supposed to be, there is a budget.
For example, I have seen magazines as expensive as many
used books. Absurd, in my opinion.
But what killed the love for magazines down here/there is that everything, everything I put my
hands on was focused on TEMPERATE, cold climates.
Magazines focused on our weather/climates are necessary. Unfortunately they are not available.
Not in this side of the globe.
Excellent post!
I would love to look through a magazine like that with subtropical plants. I know I can't grow many of the plants they feature in my climate, but it is fascinating to learn about them. Neat review!
Antigonum, I agree, I was so happy to learn of this magazine that's climate focused. But I still hope they would write more on tropical ;-)
Diane, Thanks for your encouraging words :-D I hope one day you would find some of those subtropical plants that will grow well in your climate also.
Hi everyone. Paul the Editor of subTropical Gardening magazine here. Thanks for your kind words. We aim to focus on the subtropics, with a good representation coverage for our friends in the tropics. The cost overseas is unfortunately due to postage... a very sad part of distribution. Please check out more images and summaries of articles on our website if you are interested... www.stgmagazine.com.au
Hello Paul, thank you for your prompt feedback!
Hi Steph!! Lucky you! Wish I could get hold of a copy too. Everywhere I looked there are only gardening magazines from temperate countries.
I finally got mine! Last copy, woohoo! :D
Alvin, that's great... learnt anything new?
Marion, sorry I didn't realise you dropped by earlier. Glad to hear that you enjoyed this blog. Thanks for your first comment!
Post a Comment