Pittwater Online News

August 4 - 31, 2024: Issue 633

Father's Day 2024: a Few DIY 'thank you dad' Ideas for little hands + get the garden ready for spring

Now is a great time to plant out vegetables and salad ingredients. You can also plant some tomatoes toward the end of the month and those herbs you will use in salads and other dishes across the next months, and especially looking to harvest in December, when prices go through the roof pre-Christmas. 

The late August - early September list includes:

• Basil
• Chives
• Coriander
• Dill
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Rocket
• Thyme
• Beetroot
• Cabbage
• Carrot
• Lettuce
• Mint
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• Radish
• Silver beet
• Tomatoes

There are more of course; rockmelon, sage, watermelon, shallots, cucumbers, zucchini, capsicum, green beans, parsnips, eggplant - in fact, just about everything on the menu can go into the ground now as the weather begins to change from late Winter to early Spring.

For those you are growing from seed remember it will take around 4-6 weeks for these to be ready to go into the ground. Get your seedling trays out and place them in a warm area either indoors or a sheltered spot in the garden and get ready to spring into Spring growing. 

The most productive thing you can do for your garden in August is feed the soil ready to plant out with these veggies and salad ingredients. Start digging in any compost and manures, and adding fertilisers, so that they’re breaking down by the time you’re ready to plant. Digging in compost now will improve your soil’s ability to retain moisture, encourage worm activity, and promote microbes that help release the nutrients in your soil. 

Late Winter is also a great time to begin your compost plan for the Spring and Summer. As the BOM has forecast a fairly average rain period from September through December 2024, and warmer than average temperatures, (see below), now is the ideal time to begin your composting if you haven't already, or begin building up all that great stuff that will make growing anything a lot better. Compost bins or heaps which quickly generate high internal temperatures will convert waste materials quickly to good quality compost and won’t create unpleasant odours during the process. 

If you place your bin directly on the soil so that worms can make their way up into your bin to breakdown the waste, and so that excess moisture can drain away, you will save yourself a bit of legwork. While one bin is probably sufficient for the average family, two or three bins are even better. One can be used for fresh material, one for maturing, while the third can be used to store the finished product until you are ready to use it.

Ingredients can include kitchen waste (meat bones and egg shells can be included as long as the heap or bin is rodent-proof) and garden waste such as non-invasive weeds, lawn clippings and shredded prunings. 

Do not use badly diseased plant material as this will not make a healthy compost.

It is important to start with a good volume of mixed materials so the internal temperature will sufficiently rise to promote breakdown. Air is important in the process so mix fine materials such as lawn clippings with coarser material. It is also important to not pack or compress the material in the bin as this will exclude air and for best results the wastes should be moist, not wet. 

For the best quality compost, it is advisable to turn the heap or re-mix the bin regularly. While additives are not essential to making successful compost, they can have some benefits: 

• Nitrogen – used sparingly, fertilisers such as blood and bone will speed up the breakdown process.
• Gypsum – will help reduce odours.
• Compost Makers/Starters – may encourage the proliferation of soil-borne organisms.
• Lime – Do not add lime – contrary to popular belief, compost is not highly acidic and the use of lime may make the final product unsuitable for garden beds which contain acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias.

August is also Weeding and Rose Pruning time.

Anyone who has to maintain a garden can tell you that pulling weeds after it has rained is always easier than trying to do this when soils are dry. Once you’ve removed them, a layer of mulch will deprive the weeds of the light they need to germinate and prevent airborne seeds from landing on your soil and taking root.

The end of Winter is also the time to prune all those rose bushes. Remove any dead, diseased or crossing branches. Cut off old flower heads on young plants and cut back the branches on mature plants by up to a third. Make sure you cut cleanly so that it’s easier for the plant to heal. After pruning your rose, it’s a good idea to give plants a spray with lime sulphur, which stops exposed cuts from getting fungal infections. Also spray on the ground at the base of the plant to get rid of any fungal spores that could infect your plant later.

Mulching as the seasons shift between cold and warmer is always a great idea because it improves soil structure and helps retain moisture for the warmer months ahead. Organic materials that are suitable for mulching which will break down over time and improve soil quality. These include:

• good quality, home-made compost
• shredded tree and shrub prunings
• pine bark in various size gradings
• wood chips and pea straw

Pea straw mulch is brilliant as it adds more nutrients to your soil than most other mulches. A 10cm thick layer over the soil around your plants will last about 12 months. If you are using shredded timber or wood chips as a mulch, it is a good idea to add a source of nitrogen such as blood and bone.

Once your Compost digging in or Weeding Pulling Out preparation is complete, water the garden bed thoroughly then spread your chosen mulching material evenly over the soil. Take care that it doesn't come into direct contact with the stems or trunks of plants as this can cause stem rot. The finest mulches will work well in a 60mm layer while course materials will need to be spread up to 100mm thick. They will soon settle to about 60 or 70mm thick.

A few hours exercise and your garden will thank you for it. If you feel like you're on a roll, you may want to do some early Spring Plantings.

Climate outlook for September to December: BOM

Issued 15 August 2024

Long-range forecast overview

The long-range forecast for September to November shows:

• Rainfall is likely to be within the typical seasonal range for much of the eastern half of Australia.
• Drier than average conditions are likely for large parts of the western half of Australia.
• Warmer than average days and nights are very likely across most of Australia.

Rainfall—Summary

Rainfall likely to be within the typical seasonal range over much of the eastern half of the country

October is the beginning of northern Australia's wet season. During September to November, conditions are expected to shift from dry to wet across most of northern Australia.

September to November

Rainfall is likely to be within the typical range for the season for the eastern half of the country, and south-western and north-western WA.

Rainfall is likely (60 to 80% chance) to be below average for western and southern parts of SA, western parts of the NT, and inland and south-east areas of WA. Rainfall totals are typically low across much of WA away from the south-west and far north during September to November; these areas are likely to be seasonally dry over this forecast period.

There is an increased chance of unusually low rainfall1 for parts of the west.

1 Unusually low rainfall is that in the lowest 20% of observations for September to November periods from 1981 and 2018.

Temperature—Summary

Warmer September to November days and nights likely across most of Australia

September to November

Above average maximum and minimum temperatures very likely (greater than 80% chance) across most of Australia.

There is an increased chance of unusually high maximum temperatures2 for almost all of Australia, particularly across the north. The risk of heatwaves increases as we approach the warmer months.

There is an increased chance of unusually high minimum temperatures2 across Australia, particularly in the north and south-east.

2 Unusually high maximum and minimum temperatures are those in the warmest 20% of September to November days and nights, respectively, between 1981 and 2018.

DIY Fathers' Day Gifts Little Hands Can Make

Fathers Day is only a few weeks away now, Sunday September 6th, and although dad probably just wants a hug and a kiss, younger readers may want a few ideas on something they can make to accompany those brilliant homemade cards and want to get it done without him knowing about it so it's a great surprise a few weeks from now. There will be some more Fathers' Day Ideas published on Sunday August 30th, but to begin with, a few ideas that mum can help you with over the next few weeks are:

Dads' BBQ Tool Box

A few years ago an idea to make an easy little carry-all for your tools received positive feedback as it was something dad and youngsters could do together easily and then it could be used to carry all those matchbox cars or anything else really. How about that anything else is a range of personalised spatulas and tongs dad uses for the barbecue outdoors? It will be warmer soon and this will get some use and if you paint the spatula with 'dads' or some other design of your choice, dad will be pretty happy with your gift. You can read how to make that tool box here, and then pop into your closest Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 store and have a look at the range of barbecue tools to choose something that can be painted by you on the handle with ''World's Greatest Dad'' - because he is you know! You can also put in some of his favourite sauces from the supermarket, maybe a nice big dad-sized handkerchief or an oven mitt and he will be amazed at your great work and thoughtful 'tools' in his BBQ Tool Box. 

Paper Mache Bowl 

Is dad always saying 'where did I put my keys?' or is his desk at home covered in USB's, batteries, coins, thumb tacks and all kinds of pencils and pens? This idea, which involves balloons, paper, and paints may be the answer for making a place to put all those bits an pieces so he can easily find them. You could also use an old bottle or coffee jar to make something taller for paintbrushes or screwdrivers so they're easier for him to find.

What you need: 

1. plenty of recycled paper, for example: lolly wrappers, coloured paper, coloured foil, envelopes, comics, newspaper, magazines, wrapping paper
2. paint and paintbrushes
3. newspaper ripped into small pieces/ strips (4-5cms wide and at least 15cm in length).
4. a balloon
5. a wide cup/ small bowl
6. Vaseline
7. scissors
8. homemade glue (mix 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup water until you get a thick consistency)
9. paint brush
10. strip of card, approx. 2cm x 25 cm
11. stapler
12. masking tape

To make bowl:

Lay out newspaper on a flat surface to create a work area that won't be a big clean up if things get spilled. Blow up the balloon and fasten with a knot and then cover it with a good layer of Vaseline. Sit the balloon in the cup with the knot facing into the cup. 

Commence your paper maching by brushing some glue with the paintbrush on the top half of the balloon. Then cover the top half of the balloon that is covered in paste with strips of newspaper making sure the newspaper is wet entirely with glue and add more if required. To make your bowl stronger, paste the strips horizontally as well as vertically. 

Add at least six layers of newspaper and glue to the top half of the balloon and then let it to dry in a warm place for at least a day.

If you're going to paint your own design on dads' bowl then don't worry about the colourful wrappers and use kitchen paper or a similar white coloured paper for the last layer so it's easier to paint.

When it is dry remove the newspaper mould from the balloon and get mum to trim off the rough edges, using scissors.

To make a base for the bowl, turn it upside down, make a loop with the strip of card, and staple it in place. Then attach that loop to the base of the bowl with masking tape and some glue and cover it with newspaper strips.

Once the bowl and base are completely dry it is ready to be decorated!

Cover your bowl for dad entirely with your selected paper and glue - all those coloured strips of lolly wrappers or cartoons. Or, if you don't want to do that, you can paint a design of your choice or in colours you want.  Keep decorating until all of the newspaper is covered with coloured papers or colourful patterns. 

Papier maché Easter egg container two part egg-shaped container made of papier mache; decorated with chickens and rabbits; white fringing, 1967 photo from Auckland Museum, NZ. 

For those whose dad likes a clean car, or going fishing, the 'Mighty Buys' from Johnson Brothers Mitre 10, on sale until Sunday September 1, means you could get him a car care kit or storage box for those fish from $5 or a cooler for his drinks when out fishing for $20.

There's also some of the great range of fertilisers and mulch options available in your local Johnson Brother Mitre 10 store. Just pop in and talk to their trained friendly staff about your Dad's Day and Spring garden prep. needs.

Products to help you get it done from Johnson brothers mitre 10

Earthcore Planting Compost 25L and Earthcore Chicken Manure 25L: $6.85

Earthcore Chicken Manure is a natural compost that helps to condition and improve the soil, providing increased water retention as it breaks down. It also helps to suppress weeds by impeding the germination of seeds and slowing the growth of grasses. This product can be used as a surface application for garden beds, trees and shrubs. An excellent source of organic matter, nutrient-rich, low odour and an ideal top dressing or compost activator.

• Poultry manure compound
• Odourless powdered manure
• Conditions and improves soil
• It contains nutrients essential for soil fertility
• Great top-dressing for garden beds, trees and shrubs

Earthcore Planting Compost is specially formulated to improve soil structure and nutrition. When mixed with topsoil, the plant will receive more of the nutrients it needs from the compost mix, resulting in healthier plants with a higher yield. A complete and general-purpose potting mix for all soil types. It has been developed to give your potted plants healthy roots, good structure and extra nutrition. It is the ideal medium for starting plants in pots and containers and can also be used in the garden.

• It helps to retain moisture needed for plant growth
• Ideal for use in general gardening
• Established soils for improved structure and nutrition

Earthcore Organic Fertiliser Complete Garden 4kg: $12.95

Earth Core Fertiliser Complete Garden is 100% organic-based, chemical-free and enriched with premium blood & bone. Plus, it's composted chicken manure. So spread this 100% natural product around your garden and enjoy the results. This fertiliser is also suitable for all your vegetable and herb plants. It provides an excellent source of minerals and traces elements whilst enhancing the soil.

• Chemical-free fertiliser
• Made from 100% organic-based
• Contains composted chicken manure
• Perfect for all garden plants, including vegetables and herbs

Rocky Point ActivGrow Soil Improver 30L: $12.20

ActivGrow is a product that offers an inexpensive way for anyone to grow healthier garden produce. Made up of 100% natural ingredients, ActivGrow improves the health of garden soil by encouraging worm activity and helping to maintain adequate levels of beneficial bacteria in the soil. With no need to amend the topsoil, this easy-to-use product makes it possible for even novice gardeners to improve their soil and produce better results than ever before.

Rocky Point Organic Sugar Cane Mulch Bale 14m2: $14

100% organic and very safe to use when maintaining your garden; Very clean – due to our dust-extracting processes; Slowly breaks down and enriches the soil with nutrient and organic matter; Promotes earthworms in soil; Protects plants from extreme temperatures; Improves moisture penetration and retention by up to 75%; Easy to use; Excellent for filling raised garden beds; Adds essential organic matter to the soil as it breaks down; Sugar Cane Mulch is the best all-round mulch available on the market; Helps to control weeds by creating a protective blanket over the soil; A natural, renewable and sustainable resource from sugar cane waste

Rocky Point’s organic Sugar Cane Mulch is an all-natural, moisture-retaining, weed-suppressing, soil-nourishing super mulch! Rocky Point carefully collects the leaves of the sugar cane plant, evenly chop them and then extract any dust using fine filters. The result is a more productive garden that retains moisture, suppresses weeds and feeds your soil as it breaks down naturally.

Mighty Buys for Mighty Dads

P&N Bit Drill & Driver Set - 100 Piece: $49 (usually $99)

The P&N Bit Drill & Driver Set - 100 Piece offers a comprehensive selection of tools designed to cover a wide range of drilling and driving needs. With a variety of drill bits, screwdriver bits, and nut drivers included, this set is suitable for both DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike. It features bits crafted from durable materials to ensure longevity and reliable performance.

Storage Container Black 50L: $5

Storage Container Black in 50L is a versatile and practical solution for all your storage needs. This container is not just a spacious 50 litres, but it's also designed for easy organization with its stackable feature, allowing you to make the most of your storage space. The added convenience of wheels makes transporting the container effortless, ensuring you can move it around with ease. The clip-on handles provide a secure grip, making lifting and carrying a straightforward task. Crafted from a blend of recycled and virgin gloss polypropylene, this storage container is not only durable but also environmentally conscious.

CAT Cap & Sock Bundle: $30

The CAT Cap & Sock Bundle delivers great value and convenience. This bundle includes one cap and five pairs of socks, with the colours varying between each bundle. Designed to be one size fits all, this bundle is a great gift or purchase for anyone. The CAT Cap & Sock Bundle is ideal for use throughout the year and is made from 51% cotton and 49% polyester. With the CAT logo printed on the hat, this is a stylish pick for use at home, in the toolshed or at work. This bundle is a great Christmas, Father's Day or birthday gift and is also a convenient way to restock your work socks.

Armor All Essentials Cleaning Bucket - 5 Piece: $29

This versatile car wash bucket has it all. Whether you want to remove road film, dirt, or insect splatter, this is the perfect set of genuine cleaning products for your car. Can also be used to protect from UVA and UVB, giving a high shine and wet look finish to your car's paintwork. Includes: Car Wash - Gentle, streak free cleaning, Windscreen Wash - Removes road film, dirt and insect splatter,  Protectant - Leaves a high shine, protects from UVA and UVB.

Willow Soft Cooler 24 Can 15L: $20

This 15-litre Cargo cooler is great for picnics, BBQ, and outdoor entertaining. The cooler has durable polyester fabric and a padded shoulder strap for hands-free carrying. The cooler has a handy front pocket and inside features a pocket for a large Icewall (sold separately) and wipe-clean liner. The cooler's triple-layer insulation keeps food and drinks cool, fresh, and healthy.

Eveready Dolphin Lantern LED MK7: $20

Dolphin Lantern LED Eveready MK7 is a powerful Led Light with a beam range of 200 Lumens. It has a long runtime and can automatically dim, making it easy to use without a lot of effort. It's great for barbeques, garden parties, camping, and more. This lantern is waterproof and floats so you can hang it in trees or from the top of the tent. The Dolphin Lantern LED Eveready MK7 uses a 1 x 6V battery and features great durability. Powerful led beam. Tough, waterproof, and floats. 200 Lumens Bright Light with a long runtime. Uses a 1 x 6V battery.

Johnson Brothers Mitre 10: Serving Our Community Since 1955

The Independent Hardware Group has awarded Johnson Bros Mona Vale the best in state Store of the Year at the IHG state awards again in 2023.

Johnson Brothers say; ''Thank you to all of our amazing staff and customers for being awesome!''

IHG is Australia’s largest home improvement wholesaler supplying more than 1,500 stores nationwide. These stores cater to a broad range of Trade and DIY customers and range from large format warehouses to convenience operations and Trade centres, as well as frame and truss sites in two States. 

Under the IHG network, there is a clear mandate to support the growth of Independents within the hardware sector in Australia by helping them to be ‘The Best Store in Town’.

The culture of IHG is built on being a low cost and transparent business partner to members, with an unwavering commitment to protect and grow a sustainable independent hardware sector for the long term.

Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 Trade Centre at Mona Vale - everything you need under one roof.

JBH Design Centre 

JBH Design Centre is a tool for builders and DIY'ers to assist in the fit out of houses. It has displays of kitchens, Bathrooms, Doors and Storage as well as knowledgeable staff to assist in making house fit out painless.

Visit: http://jbhdc.com.au/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/design.centre.jbh/

Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 New Store
73 Bassett Street
Mona Vale - Online Store: Jbhmv.Com.Au

Products advice is available from the trained friendly staff at Narrabeen, Mona Vale and Avalon Johnson Brothers Mitre 10. 

Click on logo to visit Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 website

Johnson Bros Mitre 10 - Avalon            (02) 9918 3315

Johnson Bros Mitre 10 - Mona Vale     (02) 9999 3340

JBH Timber & Building Supplies          (02) 9999 0333

JBH Fencing & Landscape Supplies    (02) 9970 6333

www.johnsonbros.com.au Online store: jbhmv.com.au

Previous DIY Pages:

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Mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches and ants - how to keep the outdoors insects where they belong DIY Summer Projects: Install A Fountain Or Water Feature  Late Summer and Early Autumn Projects: A Shed For All Storage Solutions + Garden Tasks + Keeping Our Waterways Clean   Autumn Plantings for Winter Harvests   2018   Paintback Collection Event: Johnson Bros Mitre 10 Mona Vale Saturday, April 7  Reducing Ticks in Your Garden: Garden care, Plants that Repel, What to Wear Outdoors Attracting Insectivore Birds to Your Garden: DIY Natural Tick Control  Mother's Day 2018: DIY Rose Garden Winter Mould & Mildew Inside Your home: How to Keep Air and Surfaces Healthier DIY Traditional Rocking Horse  Johnson Brothers Trade Day 2018 DIY Mushrooms and Vege Kits: School Holidays Fun Winter 2018 for Curious Kids  Woodworking Projects for Beginners: School Holidays Fun Winter 2018 - Simple Storage Box + Wood Tool Box Spring Garden Prep: Soil Care  Spring into Spring + JBH August 2018 Trifecta  DIY Backyard Doggie Paradise  Garden Care for Heavy Rain Days + Non-Toxic Snail and Slug Debug Ideas  Garden Design and Plant Management to Minimise Tick Attacks and Infestations - insights from an essay by Bill Conroy BSc. (Agr) (Syd) + a Tribute to Wilfred Lawrence Conroy CBE by Keith Jackson, PNG and others  Make Your Own BBQ Kitchen Garden: Gifts That Grow Past That Giving Day  Christmas Lights 2018: Light Up the Night  How to Keep Your House Cool During a Heatwave Without Using an Air-Conditioner Mid-Summer Garden Care  2018 Winners Of National Hardware Store Of The Year - Johnson Bros Mitre 10 Mona Vale! + End Of Summer Garden To Do List  DIY Fruits of Your Garden: Growing Figs  Fruits Of Your Garden: Growing Passionfruit - Autumn Is Also The Time To Plant Strawberries For Spring  How To Water Your Plants When Away On Holidays + Some April 2019 School Holidays Fun For Outdoors; A Skateboard Swing Or Indoors; Grow Or Make Pot Plant People Dealing With Autumn Dampness Inside The Home + Mums Day Gifts For 2019 Winter Heating Guide + Get Ready For Winter Specials  Keeping Your Garden Dewful During Times Of Water Restrictions and Drought  Installing Leaf Stopper Gutter Guard + Trade Day 2019  JBH Mitre 10 Trade Day Guests 2019  An Artfull Garden - for Winter School Holidays 2019 DIY Deck Refurbishment: Turning Wood Into Open Tiled Spaces - Groundworks  Father's Day Wish List 2019 + How to Re-stain your Deck timbers and posts for Summer  Installing Posts For Decks and Verandahs With Heavier Loads + Installing Membranes For Tiled Decks National Garden Week's 2019 Focus Is On Children(Oct 13-19): Spring School Holiday 2019 Garden Ideas (to get started on)  Replacing Balustrades Handrails  DIY Tiling Your Verandah: and Choosing Your Simple Or Complex Tile Pattern  Reduce Bushfire Risk To Older Homes + Preparing Your Yard For Bushfires  Time to Put Up those Christmas Lights and Deck your Gum Trees with rows of Jolly!  NSW RFS Bushfire Survival Plan 2020 + Reduce Bushfire Risk To Homes + Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 Great Water Saving Ideas during Level 2 water restrictions + some  'Don't Sweat Summer'  Specials  The Inaugural Sydney Edible Garden Trail - Learn how to help your garden survive the heat, drought, and water restrictions  DIY Flyscreens  DIY Privacy Screen In 2 Hours  Family Hardware Store Wins Best In Australia  Autumn DIY Jobs: Exterior Jobs to Keep Everything Dry and Cosy Inside the Home  Autumn Vegepod Garden: Plant Now to Stay Healthy: JBH Response to COVID-19 Restrictions - We're Adapting!  Autumn Holidays Projects: Let's Go Fly A Kite + Some handy Painting Tips for Interiors and Sprucing up that Outside Deck - Easter Hours 2020  Pittwater's Noxious Weeds: A Great Time To Get Outdoors and Pull Them Out and Replace With Native Plants  Blooming Lovely: Late Autumn Planting For Gardens Full Of Colour, Cheer + Great Food For The Table  Dealing With Dampness Inside The Home - June 2020  DIY A Job For Life: Apprentice Carpenter + Commencement Tool List  Winter School Holidays 2020: Easy To Do Garden Mosaic Pavers Little Hands Can Create + Home DIYer: Simple Concrete Slab  DIY - A Job For Life: Landscape Gardener Apprenticeship DIY Fathers' Day ideas for 2020 + August Garden Jobs  DIY Job for Life: Plumber's Apprenticeship Early Spring Garden Care Spring 2020 + Salad Garden For Children  A Job For Life: Certificate III In Electrotechnology - From Apprentice To A Business Owner; Jay Turns Up The Voltage On His Career + Spring Garden Specials - seedlings time!  Spring is here and wattles are out in bloom: a love letter to our iconic flowers  Perfect Tomatoes, Capsicums and Spring Onions - Summer Salad Staples + what to plant now  BBQ Season: some tips to keep your New or Old BBQ Clean  Christmas Lights Time 2020: Deck Your Home With Rows Of Jolly!  Johnson Brothers Avalon Store Renovations & Mona Vale Store: Everything You Need This Summer In Stock  How To Keep Your Home Cool During A Heatwave Dealing With Dampness Inside The Home: The Wet Summer Of 2020/2021 +Nothing By Halves, Johnson Bros. Mitre 10, great new video By Community Requests Autumn/February 2021 re-run: Garden Design and Plant Management to Minimise Tick Attacks and Infestations  The Bees Knees: what you can plant now to help your garden grow and help the bees  Dealing with Storm Events: Flooding inside and around the home - how to Be Prepared  Fun Project Ideas for Autumn School Holidays  10 Ways to keep your home warm and save money this Autumn and Winter  Mother's Day 2021 Ideas: Grow Her Some Lemons Or Avocadoes Or Get A Pink Step Ladder So She Can Safely Reach The Top Shelf Indoors + JBH Celebrates Upgrade Of Avalon Beach Store  These 3 Tips Will Help You Create A Thriving Pollinator-Friendly Garden This Winter  'Generation Restoration' Is The UN's World Environment Day 2021 Theme: How You Can Help Out At Home  The Johnson Brothers Trade Day Is Back: Thursday June 17th + How To Build A Nesting Box For Our Local Possums and Birds  Winter School Holidays 2021: Fun Projects You Can Do Around The Home - Something For The Young and Even Younger  Winter DIY Ideas: Painting A Feature Wall + Outdoor Heating Options For Your Home + Declutter/Organise That Tool Shed Science Week 2021 Food Theme: A Salad Garden For Children  Early Spring Chores For Great A Summer Outdoors: Clean and Reseal Your Wooden Deck Area  Early Spring Chores For Great A Summer Outdoors: Soil Preparation For Vegetables + Salads + A Few Other Tips To Make Your Garden Ready To Plant Out  Spring School Holidays Projects 2021: A Swing Chair and Dolls' House or Toy Garage  The Beer Ledge: Done In An Afternoon Projects For The Garden  October- November Garden Jobs: Let's Get Busy Planting Out Now + Mow For Your Bros. This Movember   Mow For Your Bros. This Movember: Some Lawn Care Tips To Keep Your Grass Greener This Summer - Aerate, Worm Up!, Fertilise, Watering, Mowing Basics  Christmas-New Years 2021 Checklists: Preparing The Garden & Home - Entertaining - Gift Ideas For Every Budget  DIY Backyard Cricket Pitch DIY Surfboard Rack: Vertical and Horizontal Options  Late Summer - Early Autumn Garden Tips: BOM Forecasts Warm Autumn 2022 With Above Average Rainfall  Dealing With Dampness Inside The Home March 2022  Maintenance Of Your Home's Outside Areas After Storm Events: Paths, Walls & Windows, Dampness Under The House, Dying Lawns And Plants - The DIY Checklist  Fun Project Ideas for Youngsters for Autumn School Holidays: wooden cars, blackboards, bright painted herb pots, grow your own food, make a chessboard  Mother's Day 2022: Promise Her An Ever Blooming Native Flowering Plants Garden  Retaining Walls Save Your Garden's Soil: DIY  Winter Draught Stops To Lessen Your Power Bill   Johnson Brothers Trade Day 2022: June 16 At Mona Vale + Winter Garden Jobs For A Flowering Fruitful Spring  Winter School Holidays Projects For Youngsters On Rainy Days Dealing With Dampness Inside The Home: Black Mould July 2022  Stop Winter Rain Soil Erosion In Your Garden - Especially On Sloping Blocks Increases In Building Materials Costs Adds Pressure To Fixed Price Contracts - Construction Industry  Father's Day 2022 - Some Gift Ideas To Make Dad Feel Special; Some For Those Without A Single Dollar + Some For Those Who Get Pocket Money! Spring 2022: Time To Get In The Garden! What Can Be Done In September - For Youngsters + Oldsters  Spring School Holidays 2022: Handmade Toys - For Youngsters + Oldsters Who Want To Lend A Hand  Spring Lawn Care: During Mow For Your Bro Month - Movember 2022  Preparing Your Garden and Home For Bushfires 2022 - The Rains Will Cease; Now Is A Good Time To Clean Out Your Gutters + Prep. The Home  Preparing Outdoor Areas For Christmas Get-Togethers and Summer Visitors: Wooden Decks, Tiles, Pavers, Outdoor  Furniture, Putting Up The Christmas Lights, Garden Spruce Up   Summer Garden-House Care: when to water, mow, when and how to harvest that crop, how to keep the ants, ticks and mozzies at bay this season + Christmas Gifts for all budgets and everyone + Johnson Brothers Christmas - New Years Trading Hours  End Of Summer Garden To Do List For A Bountiful Indian Summer This Autumn  End Of Summer Garden To Do List For The Lawn: How To Combat Armyworm + Small Jobs Boost Winter Resilience - Aerate, Weed, Feed, Patch Bare Spots  A Dry Autumn Forecast: How To Look After Your Garden During Low Rain Seasons + What Plants Thrive In Dry Conditions  Autumn School Holidays 2023: DIY Project Ideas For Youngsters, Older Youngsters & The Young At Heart: Lava Lamp (60th year of this invention), Wood Building Blocks for Toddlers and Older, Let's go Fly a Kite, Basic Wood Bookshelf, Sundial, Make a rope and wood swing, Making Your Own Windchimes + more  It's starting to get Cold: 11 Ways to keep your home warm, safe and save money this Autumn and Winter - what to look for in a heater; the list!  Mother's Day 2023 DIY Idea: A Basic Bookshelf You Can Make For All Mum's Books  Mould set to rise Inside Your home this Winter: How to Keep Air and Surfaces Healthier  A Job For Life as HSC Trial Exams commence: Apprentice Carpenter + Commencement Tool List  Pittwater's Noxious Weeds: A Great Time To Get Outdoors, Pull Them Out - Replace With Native Plants  DIY Worm Farm: Spring 2023 Garden Prep. + Father's Day 2023 Gift Ideas   DIY Father's Day 2023 Gift Ideas: Some For Little Hands + Those Now Grown + The Best Gifts For The Best Dads From JBH Dry Warm Spring Forecast: Time To Prepare Your Home For Bushfire Season - The RFS's List + 6 Easy To Do Extras You Can Do In The Garden + Home To Be Prepared, Get Ready Weekend 2023 Dry Warm Spring Forecast: Put In Drought Tolerant Native Plants + Spring School Holiday Spring Gardening Ideas For Youngsters Because They Like 'Growing Stuff' Too  Johnson Brothers' Mona Vale Outlet Wins Store Of The Year Again In 2023: Tradies Breakfast Every Friday - Recycling Of Batteries Available + Spring Garden Care For Your Lawn  How To Save Water This Spring-Summer  How To Save Water This Spring-Summer: Retaining Water On A Sloping Site + Best Coastal Plants To Retain Soil  Christmas Lights Time: Deck Your Home With Rows Of Jolly! + Pittwater MP - Leader Of Opposition Visit Mona Vale Johnson Brothers Store  Christmas-New Years-Summer Prep.: Outdoor Areas For Summer Celebrations + How To Keep Your Home Cool During A Heatwave Without An Air-Conditioner + DIY Your Own BBQ Kitchen Garden For Gifts That Grow Past That Giving Day  Johnson Brothers Hardware Mona Vale launches e-Waste Recycle Program Summer De-Bug: How to Keep Flies, Ants, Mozzies and Cockroaches where they belong - In the Garden  Humid Summer + Above Median Rainfall Predicted For Autumn 2024 Means Mould In The Home: Some Tips To Keep The Family Safer & Healthier  Go Outside & Play!: Creating Garden Spaces To Connect Children With Nature This Autumn  Fun Project Ideas for Autumn School Holidays: ideas for those who like making things out of wood, growing things, painting things, storing things and one project for really big kids! Mother's Day 2024: A Few Handmade Options + Gift Ideas  Mould Inside Your home after all that rain?: How to Keep Air and Surfaces Healthier  Winter Draught Stops To Lessen Your Power Bill and Keep The Home Warm + JBH EOFY Catalogue  Winter School Holiday Ideas 2024: Woodworking Projects For Beginners, An Artfull Garden, Vegepods For Little Hands, Easy To Make Lego Table Or Student Desk That Can Be Dismantled   One Winter Weekend Projects: DIY Carport

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John and Bob Johnson - The Johnson Brothers Profile  John William Alfred Johnson - The Eulogies for those who could not attend Mass

Australia's Prime Minister Visits Mackellar - Informal Afternoon Tea with Hon. Malcolm Turnbull October 2016

JBH Win Awards August 2018 Trifecta - 2018 Free Trade Day supporters, Mitre 10 Heritage Advert features JBH Mona Vale Store, Hardware Australia’s 2018 NSW Hardware Store of the Year over 2500sqm.

Front Page Issue 294: 2018 Winners Of National Hardware Store Of The Year - Johnson Bros Mitre 10 Mona Vale !!!

National Garden Week's 2019 Focus Is On Children(Oct 13-19): School Holiday Garden Ideas (to get started on) & Congratulations Award Winning Johnson Brothers Mitre10 At Mona Vale - 2019 NSW Store Of the Year, 2019 NSW Trade Centre Of the Year and 2019 Village Garden Centre of the Year

Johnson Bros Mitre 10 were awarded as the best Trade Store in the country: February 2020

Family Hardware Store Wins Best In Australia: Johnson Bros Mitre 10 Mona Vale Crowned ‘National Trade Store Of The Year’ - Celebrating 65th Year in 2020

Johnson Brothers' Mona Vale Outlet Wins Store Of The Year Again In 2023: Tradies Breakfast Every Friday - Recycling Of Batteries Available 

Anzac Day In Pittwater 2020: Candles, Crosses and Online Commemorative Services: Johnson Brothers Family Donates 20 Thousand Candles to Community Light Up The Dawn Initiative 

Front Page Issue 447: ANZAC DAY 2020

Front Page Issue 478: Johnson Brothers Avalon Store Renovations & Mona Vale Store: Everything You Need This Summer In Stock

Front Page Issue 492:  JBH Celebrates Upgrade Of Avalon Beach Store