Garden stakes support plants that can't hold themselves up — young trees, tomatoes, climbers and tall or top-heavy plants. Driven in beside the plant and tied loosely, they keep it growing straight and protect it from wind and heavy fruit.

For tomatoes and vegetables, a 1500-1800 mm stake in 25x25 mm is usually plenty. For young trees, step up to 1800-2100 mm and 40x40 mm for extra support. As a rule, the stake should reach roughly the lower third to half of the mature plant's height.

Hardwood is denser and stronger, so it resists rot and holds up in the ground far longer than softwood or bamboo. It won't snap under load or split when you drive it, which makes it the better long-term choice.

Hardwood pegs are used to mark boundaries, set-outs, levels and string lines on building and landscaping sites. They're a standard tool for surveyors and builders — often called survey pegs or marking pegs.

Drive the stake in beside the rootball (not through it), on the windward side, and tie the trunk loosely with a soft, flexible tie so it can still move a little. Remove the stake once the tree can stand on its own, usually after a season or two.

Yes. Hardwood stakes and pegs are available for pickup at your nearest store, or for delivery across Melbourne, Geelong and other parts of Victoria.