Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Scientific name: Eremophila sp. 

Common name: emu bush

Family:Scrophulariaceae 

Etymology: Their name is from the Greek 'eremos' meaning desert and 'philio' - love. 

Distribution: Australia especially Wetern Australia

Native Habitat:Grow where rainfall is sparse, adapted to dry habitats

Climate: Warm temperate, Mediterranean, Semi-arid, Arid

Flowering:Winter

Here we go with one of those little heard of native plants that’s probably hard to track down.

But it’s the distinctive, but diverse flowers of these plants (eremophila) that are the real show-stoppers. 

 

Let’s find out more.

I'm talking with Adrian O’Malley, native plant expert and horticulturist.

Adrian says don't expect them to last more than several years if growing them on the eastern, because of the high humidity.

The general species have grey leaves with purple flowers.

Grafted plants, although more expensive, last longer. Eremophila nivea is one example that's available as a grafted plant.

Tip: check out the Olive Pink garden in Alice Spring.

Eremophilas come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from ground covers to shrubs, to small trees and they can be found growing in the toughest of conditions.

They are drought resistant and tolerant of frost once established.

Some of the flowers are insect pollinated and others are pollinated by birds. It's apparent by the colour and shape of the flower. "The flat, purple or violet ones tend to be insect pollinated. Some flowers have little tracks on the inside which are like landing strips for the insects."

"The tubular flowers are more often bird-pollinated - their beaks delve into the long tubes for the nectar at the bottom. The pollen ends up on their heads and they move on to the next flower. Tubular flowers have a curious twist: they flare at the ends and split in such a way that they look like they are growing backwards on their stems.

 

bignoniflora grows well in Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Scientific name: Eremophila sp. 

Common name: emu bush

Family:Scrophulariaceae 

Etymology: Their name is from the Greek 'eremos' meaning desert and 'philio' - love. 

Distribution: Australia especially Wetern Australia

Native Habitat:Grow where rainfall is sparse, adapted to dry habitats

Climate: Warm temperate, Mediterranean, Semi-arid, Arid

Flowering:Winter

Here we go with one of those little heard of native plants that’s probably hard to track down.

But it’s the distinctive, but diverse flowers of these plants (eremophila) that are the real show-stoppers. 

 

Let’s find out more.

I'm talking with Adrian O’Malley, native plant expert and horticulturist.

Adrian says don't expect them to last more than several years if growing them on the eastern, because of the high humidity.

The general species have grey leaves with purple flowers.

Grafted plants, although more expensive, last longer. Eremophila nivea is one example that's available as a grafted plant.

Tip: check out the Olive Pink garden in Alice Spring.

Eremophilas come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from ground covers to shrubs, to small trees and they can be found growing in the toughest of conditions.

They are drought resistant and tolerant of frost once established.

Some of the flowers are insect pollinated and others are pollinated by birds. It's apparent by the colour and shape of the flower. "The flat, purple or violet ones tend to be insect pollinated. Some flowers have little tracks on the inside which are like landing strips for the insects."

"The tubular flowers are more often bird-pollinated - their beaks delve into the long tubes for the nectar at the bottom. The pollen ends up on their heads and they move on to the next flower. Tubular flowers have a curious twist: they flare at the ends and split in such a way that they look like they are growing backwards on their stems.

 

bignoniflora grows well in Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Edible Gardens part 2

Soil preparation

Vegetable gardens can be any size or shape.

You can plant them out in purpose built raised beds, in pots, old fruit crates or even old corrugated iron tanks. 

Most veggie gardens need a good friable soil with good water holding capacity.

This is the time to invest in a compost bin and worm farm.

But what else you need to do?

Let’s find out more…

I'm talking with Glenice Buck, landscape designer and consulting arborist.

In any garden for vegetables you need to be able to work the soil to a 200mm depth.

Many root vegetables, such as parsnips and carrots, need this amount of friable soil so their roots can grow straight.

Local councils usually run composting and worm farm workshops, where not only do you learn how to do it, but you can purchase the worm farm and compost bin and greatly reduced prices.

This is a great idea because you're recycling your vegetable scraps into something that you can use for the garden, instead of them going to landfill and contributing to greenhouse emissions.

The worm wee or worm "woo," as Glenice calls it is also very beneficial to your plants.

Simply dilute until it looks like weak tea before applying to your veggies.

If you don't have enough compost to fill that vegetable bed, you can buy in one of the many different brands available, either by the truckload or by the bag.

Don't be in a rush to start planting.

Spend the time to prepare the soil properly, even taking 6 months.

Glenice recommends a bucket of organic fertiliser per square metre. You can use anything from spent mushroom compost, cow manure, to pelletised chook poo.

Vegetables themselves are quite beautiful in their own right, so they would be a lovely addition to other ornamental plants.

 

If you have any questions of course, why not email [email protected] or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Edible Gardens part 2

Soil preparation

Vegetable gardens can be any size or shape.

You can plant them out in purpose built raised beds, in pots, old fruit crates or even old corrugated iron tanks. 

Most veggie gardens need a good friable soil with good water holding capacity.

This is the time to invest in a compost bin and worm farm.

But what else you need to do?

Let’s find out more…

I'm talking with Glenice Buck, landscape designer and consulting arborist.

In any garden for vegetables you need to be able to work the soil to a 200mm depth.

Many root vegetables, such as parsnips and carrots, need this amount of friable soil so their roots can grow straight.

Local councils usually run composting and worm farm workshops, where not only do you learn how to do it, but you can purchase the worm farm and compost bin and greatly reduced prices.

This is a great idea because you're recycling your vegetable scraps into something that you can use for the garden, instead of them going to landfill and contributing to greenhouse emissions.

The worm wee or worm "woo," as Glenice calls it is also very beneficial to your plants.

Simply dilute until it looks like weak tea before applying to your veggies.

If you don't have enough compost to fill that vegetable bed, you can buy in one of the many different brands available, either by the truckload or by the bag.

Don't be in a rush to start planting.

Spend the time to prepare the soil properly, even taking 6 months.

Glenice recommends a bucket of organic fertiliser per square metre. You can use anything from spent mushroom compost, cow manure, to pelletised chook poo.

Vegetables themselves are quite beautiful in their own right, so they would be a lovely addition to other ornamental plants.

 

If you have any questions of course, why not email [email protected] or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

TALKING FLOWERS

How to Make Your Flowers Last Longer.

I'm talking with Mercedes Sarmini www.floralgossip.com.au

 

Basics: Mercedes' definition of cut flowers to help you with how to treat them. 

Mercedes, classifies them not by their sexual reproduction organs by into two categories, seed grown or grown from a bulb, corm, rhizome or tuber.

Male Cut flowers: grow from a bulb, corm, rhizome or tuber.

Female cut flowers: grow from seed.

Male cut flowers: stems are cut straight across.

Female cut flowers: stems are cut on an angle.

How Much Water Do I Put into the Vase?

Mr Tulip: Mr Hyacinth: Orchids: shallow water only.

Miss Sunflower: Miss Gerbera: shallow water only.

Change the water daily-use only filtered water or water that has been standing for 4 hours.

Flower food:change the water on the third day. 

Not all cut flowers like flower food-anything native, woody stem cut flowers.

Mist your flowers daily for orchids with only filtered water.

Cut your flowers when early morning or evening when starch is at it's highest within the stem.

TALKING FLOWERS

How to Make Your Flowers Last Longer.

I'm talking with Mercedes Sarmini www.floralgossip.com.au

 

Basics: Mercedes' definition of cut flowers to help you with how to treat them. 

Mercedes, classifies them not by their sexual reproduction organs by into two categories, seed grown or grown from a bulb, corm, rhizome or tuber.

Male Cut flowers: grow from a bulb, corm, rhizome or tuber.

Female cut flowers: grow from seed.

Male cut flowers: stems are cut straight across.

Female cut flowers: stems are cut on an angle.

How Much Water Do I Put into the Vase?

Mr Tulip: Mr Hyacinth: Orchids: shallow water only.

Miss Sunflower: Miss Gerbera: shallow water only.

Change the water daily-use only filtered water or water that has been standing for 4 hours.

Flower food:change the water on the third day. 

Not all cut flowers like flower food-anything native, woody stem cut flowers.

Mist your flowers daily for orchids with only filtered water.

Cut your flowers when early morning or evening when starch is at it's highest within the stem.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Correa species

Plants with bell shaped flowers are pretty much sought after by gardeners because the flowers are unusual and add an extra dimension to the floral palette. The good old fashioned fuchsia is however not easy for gardeners to grow in some districts so what can you do?

Correa alba

Turn to the native equivalent, which is much more hardy and suited to a variety of climates. Let’s find out more. That was Adrian O’Malley, horticulturist and native plant expert. Family:Rutaceae

Distribution: mainly eastern Australia

Flower: C. reflexa has the tips of the joined petals, turned back with eight stamens that stick out. May to November is the main flowering time with spot flowering in between.

Location: Light shade with moisture: suitable for under trees.Notes: They may not last forever in your garden, but will brighten up the cooler months.

They like dry shade but do better with a bit of a drink, especially as they have fine shallow roots. Mulching with help retain moisture.

If they grow leggy, give them a light prune.

Adrian and I focussed on four species of correa:

Correa, reflexa,

Correa pulchella, wide colour range from pale red, pink and orange that flower in autumn and winter.

Correa bauerlenii: Chef's cap Correa

Correa alba with whitish flowers and tomentose leaves

Correa bauerlenii.tends to be limey green scented flowers.

TALKING FLOWERS

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Correa species

Plants with bell shaped flowers are pretty much sought after by gardeners because the flowers are unusual and add an extra dimension to the floral palette. The good old fashioned fuchsia is however not easy for gardeners to grow in some districts so what can you do?

Correa alba

Turn to the native equivalent, which is much more hardy and suited to a variety of climates. Let’s find out more. That was Adrian O’Malley, horticulturist and native plant expert. Family:Rutaceae

Distribution: mainly eastern Australia

Flower: C. reflexa has the tips of the joined petals, turned back with eight stamens that stick out. May to November is the main flowering time with spot flowering in between.

Location: Light shade with moisture: suitable for under trees.Notes: They may not last forever in your garden, but will brighten up the cooler months.

They like dry shade but do better with a bit of a drink, especially as they have fine shallow roots. Mulching with help retain moisture.

If they grow leggy, give them a light prune.

Adrian and I focussed on four species of correa:

Correa, reflexa,

Correa pulchella, wide colour range from pale red, pink and orange that flower in autumn and winter.

Correa bauerlenii: Chef's cap Correa

Correa alba with whitish flowers and tomentose leaves

Correa bauerlenii.tends to be limey green scented flowers.

TALKING FLOWERS

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Edible Garden series part 1

During the last month or more, seeds, and seedlings have been flying off the shelves.

Seed companies and nurseries, normally would expect that at the start of spring, but in these current times, people are turning to good old fashioned growing your own veggies.

That’s a good thing, but what should beginner and advanced gardeners really need to know to be successful.

Over the coming weeks, Glenice will be bringing to you a comprehensive guide to growing your own edible garden. Whether you have a large vegetable garden, a group of planters on a verandah or a few spaces within existing garden beds, you can at least grow some of your own food.

Lynn Woods garden Ulverstone Tasmania.

So how do you start? 

Glenice says "Pick the spot that provides the most ideal conditions."

I'm talking with Glenice Buck, landscape designer and consulting arborist.

So if you haven’t started a veggie garden yet think on this.

According to “sustainability Victoria” they reckon that if you grow your own food you

save money and supplement your household food supply

save water – home grown food uses less water relative to the amount of food harvested

reduce your shopping miles

reduce packaging

reduce food waste

enjoy fresher, more nutritious and more delicious food

know exactly what you're eating (e.g. no pesticides)

get some exercise and reduce your stress levels.

 Top Tips

Finding the right spot for your edible plants can sometimes be a bit of trial and error, however in general most vegetables will require about six hours of good direct sunlight for them to crop well. There are a few exceptions to this rule but in general six hours is the key. You can modify nearly everything else in gardening but you can’t modify or increase the amount of sunshine an area will receive unless you get into grow lights etc which is a whole other topic.

Ideally if you are going to grow vegetables in the ground, in pots or planters, you will need to also have a fairly flat area with no great slopes. If you are going to construct your own above ground beds, you will have a little bit more flexibility as you can build the beds to adapt to a slope. The other issue to think about is that you will be spending a fair amount of time in this space, so you need to ask yourself:

Things to consider:

 Is it easy to bend over the beds and weed?

Is the ground surface cover easy to walk and stand on?

Can you access the areas easily with a wheel barrow?

You also need to ask yourself:

Can you get water in the area?

Is there a tap close by?

Do I need to get a longer hose?

Do I need another water tank?

If you have any questions of course, why not email [email protected] or [email protected]

or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Edible Garden series part 1

During the last month or more, seeds, and seedlings have been flying off the shelves.

Seed companies and nurseries, normally would expect that at the start of spring, but in these current times, people are turning to good old fashioned growing your own veggies.

That’s a good thing, but what should beginner and advanced gardeners really need to know to be successful.

Over the coming weeks, Glenice will be bringing to you a comprehensive guide to growing your own edible garden. Whether you have a large vegetable garden, a group of planters on a verandah or a few spaces within existing garden beds, you can at least grow some of your own food.

Lynn Woods garden Ulverstone Tasmania.

So how do you start? 

Glenice says "Pick the spot that provides the most ideal conditions."

I'm talking with Glenice Buck, landscape designer and consulting arborist.

So if you haven’t started a veggie garden yet think on this.

According to “sustainability Victoria” they reckon that if you grow your own food you

save money and supplement your household food supply

save water – home grown food uses less water relative to the amount of food harvested

reduce your shopping miles

reduce packaging

reduce food waste

enjoy fresher, more nutritious and more delicious food

know exactly what you're eating (e.g. no pesticides)

get some exercise and reduce your stress levels.

 Top Tips

Finding the right spot for your edible plants can sometimes be a bit of trial and error, however in general most vegetables will require about six hours of good direct sunlight for them to crop well. There are a few exceptions to this rule but in general six hours is the key. You can modify nearly everything else in gardening but you can’t modify or increase the amount of sunshine an area will receive unless you get into grow lights etc which is a whole other topic.

Ideally if you are going to grow vegetables in the ground, in pots or planters, you will need to also have a fairly flat area with no great slopes. If you are going to construct your own above ground beds, you will have a little bit more flexibility as you can build the beds to adapt to a slope. The other issue to think about is that you will be spending a fair amount of time in this space, so you need to ask yourself:

Things to consider:

 Is it easy to bend over the beds and weed?

Is the ground surface cover easy to walk and stand on?

Can you access the areas easily with a wheel barrow?

You also need to ask yourself:

Can you get water in the area?

Is there a tap close by?

Do I need to get a longer hose?

Do I need another water tank?

If you have any questions of course, why not email [email protected] or [email protected]

or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.