Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

Garden Path Series:Stone Paths

Garden paths are essential in anyone’s back or front yard but are you happy with your garden path or would you like one that is a bit less work to maintain?

Last week we mentioned the pros and cons of a gravel path which was the easiest to install and also the cheapest, but what about local stone in a path?

Local stone can be sandstone, granite, slate bluestone or even limestone.

But what do you need to do to make this path?

Let’s find out

I'm talking with Landscape Designer, and, Director of Urban Meadows Jason Cornish.

There’s a few things to think about when putting in a stone path, chiefly the minimum size of stone which will prevent any trip or twisting injury. 

You need to be able to stand on the stone without thinking you'll overbalance.

The stones should also be placed so that it fits your walking gait.

You can use any local stone from your area, sandstone, granite, bluestone etc, which can look very nice in an informal setting more so than a formal setting.

There are a few pitfalls with putting in gravel or decomposed granite between the stones, so not advised to have it leading to your front door.

If you have any questions either for me or for Jason, drop us a line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

Heliconia

Common Names: Imposter bird of paradise, false bird of paradise, wild plantains and lobster claws.

• Heliconia flower is not actually a flower but highly modified leaves and bracts.

The trick about growing Heliconias outdoors is that the climate must be tropical.

1. The far north of Australia is perfect because it's hotter and the more north, the hotter it gets. 

• They are also really thirsty; give them roughly 120 ml of water a day. ;

 Some of the commonly grown Heliconia species include 

Heliconia lennartiana; 

Heliconia Augusta, 

Heliconia bihai, (pictured right)

Heliconia brasiliensis, 

Heliconia caribaea, 

Heliconia latispatha, 

Heliconia pendula, 

Heliconia psittacorum, 

Heliconia rostrata, 

Heliconia schiediana, and Heliconia wagneriana. 

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

Does history play a part in all manner of things, or is it just built structures , gardens and events?

What about environment history is there such a thing?

There is a definition which goes, “Environmental history is the study of human interaction with the natural world over time, emphasising the active role nature plays in influencing human affairs and vice versa.”

Australian Landscape: photo Edward Dalmuder

You can even study that subject at University so there must be something in it.

Let’s find out. I'm talking with Stuart Read,a garden historian and a member of the Management Committee of the Australian Garden History Society.

Change tends to come from the bottom up.

Did you know the first public parks in England didn’t eventuate until the early 1800’s.

In Australia it was 1850 when Paramatta Park in Sydney was allocated.

Documenting say land clearing and land use over time, but not just land, water use it’s a great tool for understanding what we are doing right or wrong.

If you have any questions for Stuart or for me, you know what to do.

Garden Paths Series Part 1: Gravel Paths

Garden paths serve an obvious function but they can also be aesthetically pleasing.

This next series in Design Elements, is all about garden paths that work and that you can do yourself.

Over the next 4 weeks, landscape designer, Jason Cornish, and I, will delve into 4 different types of paths and things you need to now before you put them in.

Let’s find out the first one is:Gravel

I'm talking with Landscape Designer, and, Director of Urban Meadows Jason Cornish.

Gravel Path: Hear The Crunch When You Walk

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There’s a few things to think about when putting in the cheapest path option. The stone's colour can be used to tie into the scheme of the garden.

Limitations are when walking with a wheelbarrow or wheelie bin whose wheels can sink into the gravel making it hard going.

On the other hand, if it's too thin a layer of gravel, weeds can take over making it a chore to maintain.

Weedmat underneath the gravel is good for a time, but as the leaf litter builds up on the surface of the gravel, weeds will still find a foothold.

Then again, it might suit your location or garden, or maybe just the thing before you decide on one of the more expensive options. 

If you have any questions either for me or for Jason, drop us a line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

Sharpen Those Secateurs

What’s the state of your gardening secateurs?

Do they open easily, are the blades sharp? You know they’re sharp if they make a clean cut through a plant’s stem without leaving a little tear behind.

Almost as if you only cut through part of the stem and then pulled off the remaining part.

Secateurs and garden snips photo M Cannon

If they’re not sharp, those cuts that you make on your plants will end up with bruising and tearing on the stems leading to dieback and fungal disease problems.

Let’s find out some tips about sharpening those precious garden tools.

I'm talking with Tony Mattson, General Manager of www.cutabovetools.com.au

• Clean your tools at the end of the day, even if it's just a wipe over with a rag or cloth.

To quote a long time gardening presenter on Gippsland FM Community radio, 

"The jobs not done until the tools are put away."