Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

Why Seeds Fail.

Some say that rules are meant to be broken but in the instance of seed sowing, I say these rules are meant to be adhered to.

Seeds photo M Cammpm

Are you the type of gardener that breaks rules such as the first rule?

The first rule when it comes to sowing seed, is to sow at the correct times of the year for your district. 

But there are plenty of other reasons why seeds fail.

Let’s find out why? I'm talking with Steve Falcioni from www.ecoorganicgarden.com.au

There are quite a few good reasons why seeds can fail for example, some seeds are more sensitive to temperatures and refuse to budge if it’s not within their preferred range. 

Seeds that are old or have been stored incorrectly, say in your garden shed which heats up to over 30 Celsius in summer. 

Seeds drying out if planted too shallowly, or running out of energy because they’re planted to deeply.

Some seeds need darkness to germinate, like pansies, but others need light to germinate. Lettuce need light, for success with these seeds, just press the seeds into the soil surface.

Good drainage for great success, eg cactus and lithop seeds need excellent drainage.

This can mean if they’re sitting in the soil longer, there’s more chance of them rotting off.

So apart from old seeds, the main reasons belong in the environmental category.

If you have any questions for me or for Steve email us at [email protected].

Garden Seating Sorted

What’s the last word in garden seating for you?

Perhaps you can’t be bothered with garden benches, tables and chairs and an old milk crate or just perching on a step will do.

Or you’ve got the good ole’ cast iron table and 2 chair setting which is terribly cold on the bottom, not to mention hard.

Things have moved on considerably in the last thirty of forty years though.

Let’s find out what’s Peter’s last word in garden seating.

I'm talking with Peter Nixon, principle of Paradisus Garden Design

Seating and lighting go together so rather than the awful floodlight stuck on the side of the garage, why not think about 12V lighting to compliment night time seating with your friends and family?

Weeping Fig: Ficus benjamina.

Some plants are vital to many layers in tropical rainforests and some Old World trees(stranglers, such as the weeping fig (F. benjamina)), develop aerial roots from their branches and send them straight down through the air.

Let’s find out

That was Jeremy Critchley www.thegreengallery.com.au

The actual definition of a keystone species is a plant or animal that plays a unique and crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions.

Without keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.

• But back in suburbia, there’s not that much to worry about . except don’t plant that fig in your garden.

In this way stranglers grow outward to become large patches of fig forest that consist of a single plant with many interconnected trunks. In this way stranglers grow outward to become large patches of fig forest that consist of a single plant with many interconnected trunks.

Tamarindus indica: Tamarind

You've probably heard of tamarind, but can you describe what it is, exactly? 

A bean... maybe? A spice... or something?

Spices and herbs aren’t always used in the way you would think.

For example, this next spice you soak then throw away the spice and use the water.

Sounds strange but what’s even more strange, is that even though it has a sour note, you can make lollies out of it.

Tamarind pod

Let’s find out more.

I'm talking with Ian Hemphill from www.herbies.com.au

The tamarind tree, Tamarindus indica is perhaps not for suburban backyards because of it’s massive height. 18 - 20 m.

Ian recalls driving through a part of India where the Tamarind trees lined the road for over 30km!

Tamarind pods look like pods from the Australian Black Bean tree. (Castanospermum australe.)

Inside the pods is a sticky mass of pulp with seeds and fibre.

Be careful though when purchasing Tamarind for use in cooking because there are 3 types.

• Asian cooking: use tamarind paste which is flesh mixed with salt and water. DON'T USE for Indian cooking.

Fun Fact:Ever heard of chef Yotam Ottolenghi -- pretty much the "it" chef for all things vegetarian. 

If that's not reason enough to get to know tamarind, we don't know what is.

Just get the dried pulp to use in cooking but be wary of using tamarind paste for Indian dishes.

If you have any questions for me or for Ian, email us at [email protected].

Or you can write in to 2RRR PO Box 644, Gladesville NSW 1675

Anemone coronaria: Wind Flower, Anemone.        

This flower is a member of the Ranunculaceae family and is native to the Mediterranean region.

Etymology: 

• The name Anemone comes from Greek and roughly means wind flower, which signifies that the wind that blows the petal open will also, eventually, blow the dead petals away.

Tubers, corns or bulbs?

• Bulbs have a tunic, corms have a basal plate, tubers have multiple growing points or eyes.

 This windflower is an upright perennial that grows from rhizomatous tubers. 

Leaves are medium green, with basal leaves being biternate and involucral (a whorl or rosette of bracts surrounding an inflorescence (especially a capitulum) or at the base of an umbel..) Leaves are deeply divided.

Flowering time: late winter, spring.

I'm talking with floral therapist, Mercedes Sarmini.