Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

 

PLANT DOCTOR

Overwintering Insects-where do they all go?

Have you ever thought what happens to insects in winter?

In particular insect pests, we don’t see as many pests but come Spring, they seem to emerge in their hundreds from somewhere.

How are they managing to hang on, especially in those districts where temperatures fall below zero.

You’ll be surprised to find out the methods that insects use .

So let’s find out.

I'm talking with Steve Falcioni from www.ecoorganicgarden.com.au

 

PLAY: Overwintering insects_9th August 2017

Insects seem to manage to hang on in one form or and how they do this seems to vary quite a bit because they’re so adaptive

Codling moth larvae

Lay eggs that stay dormant until warmer weather and longer daylength occurs.Some of the methods we talked about that insects use to get by in the colder months were:

Juvenile stages hide in cracks of branches, twists of leaves, under rocks and find crevices to stay warm.

3.Pupate over winter like the Codling Moth.

Go deeper into the soil to stay warm, like the Curl Grub.

5.Hibernate over winter just as the ladybird does.

 

Did you know ladybirds go off a pheremone to signal other ladybirds to form a huddle when hibernating?

 

TIP: Removing weeds during winter also removes hiding spots for pests like mealybug and aphids.

Did you know that the shorter daylight lengths of Autumn trigger insects to enter something called diapause.

 

What’s that?

Well, diapause (and also the definition of an evening spent watching TV) is "an inactive state of arrested development."

Diapause insects sees their metabolic rate drop to one tenth of what it is normally so it can use stored body fat to survive winter.

 

If you have any questions about insects, why not email us [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

 

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Mass Planting Series

Mass planting for large and small gardens part 1

Would you think that mass planting a garden would be something easy to do?

On the surface it sounds easy; just pick a couple of types of plants that you like and away you go, would that be right?

Mass planting for large gardens: Scampston, England photo M Cannon

The answer is no, because visually you might end up with such a boring garden as to be exasperating.

Have you heard the rule “ the greater amount of texture you use the louder your garden reads visually?”

Let’s find out about this wonderful rule.

 

PLAY: Mass Planting_large gardens_9th August 2017

 

That was Peter Nixon, Director of www.peternixon.com.au

If you have a large expanse of garden with all the same colour green , the same leaf shape and the same texture, the garden will be homogenous and even boring.

 

You'll be asking "Where's my beautiful garden?"

 

Find plants that you like but try and like ones with different leaf shapes, colours and textures when you’re doing planting on a biggish scale.

 

Peter suggests as an example of texture and leaf contrast, Poa Eskdale with Opuntia Burbank Spineless.

 

If you want mass planting to hide the fence, try

Viburnum odoratissium "Dense Fence," or Quick Fence.

 

As Peter says, even if it’s a small garden, don’t put lots of little plants in, but less plants that are bigger works better.

 

 

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Tricolour Jasmine

Last week I asked if you liked the colour pink in your garden?

This next plant doesn’t have significant flowers but does have pink in it’s leaves.

Better still, it grows in shade, under trees and in other difficult spots where you might find it hard to get something to grow.

 

Let’s find out about this plant.

I'm talking with the plant panel were Karen Smith, editor of Hort Journal www.hortjournal.com.au and Jeremy Critchley, The Green Gallery wholesale nursery owner. www.thegreengallery.com.au

PLAY: Star Jasmine tri-colour_9th August_2017

Tricolour Jasmine is nothing like the Chinese Star Jasmine because it doesn’t have those perfumed flowers and doesn’t need a whip and a chair to keep it under control.

Ahem, whip and chair borrowed from Peter Nixon Garden Designer that is.

As long as you don’t put it into full sun or afternoon sun, you won’t get burnt leaves.

Another one of those low maintenance plants that horticulturalists say doesn’t really exist. But here it is.

 

SPICE IT UP

Sage

Salvia officinalis

What would you say to a herb that can remove grease from plates?

Not only that, drinking tea made from the leaves of this herb helps treat sore throats and coughs; often by gargling.

All these attributes are for the herb sage.

To get grease off your dinner plates without using harsh chemicals all you need to do is macerate some fresh sage leaves and rub them on the plates, and voila', clean plates.

But did you know that the world's best sage comes from the Dalmation coast growing amongst rocks on the island of Kornati?

Find out more by listening to the podcast.

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

PLAY: Sage_9th August 2017

 

Scientifically known as Salvia officinalis, sage is closely related to rosemary, and they’re often considered “sister herbs.

Sage grows best in sandy, alkaline soil.

It grows up to 75 cm in height and has woody, branching stems.

Its pebble-like patterned, aromatic leaves are grey-green, with a soft surface and fine hair-like filaments growing on either side.

During summer, the violet-blue flowers attract bees.

If you have any questions about sage the herb, why not email us [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

 

 

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Dianthus "Jolt"

Do you like the colour pink in your garden?

Light pinks, dark pinks and every shade in between?

Then here’s a plant for you that’s been developed by plant breeders so that it flowers for six months and can take the heat better than ever before.

But first, let’s find out about this plant.

 

PLAY: Dianthus Jolt_2nd August_2017

 

The plant panel were Karen Smith, editor of Hort Journal www.hortjournal.com.au and Jeremy Critchley, The Green Gallery wholesale nursery owner. www.thegreengallery.com.au

Dianthus Jolt, is seed grown but unfortunately there has been a world shortage of seed this year due to a virus in the parent stock. 

However, if you do manage to secure a plant from this series, you'll be rewarded with flowers for 6 months of the year on 40 - 50 cm stems; great for cut flowers.

Dianthus Jolt 

Did you know that the history of Dianthus dates back to over 2000 years, making it one of the oldest cultivated flower varieties?

Greeks and Romans revered the plant, using its flowers for art, decor, and to build their iconic garlands.

Sweet William, Pinks or just Dianthus, the one that was mentioned, Dianthus Jolt is the most heat tolerant that you can grow.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Indoor Plants: Care and Maintenance

Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked about what plants you can grow indoors wherever you live in Australia.

Quite a few in fact can cope with all weather conditions for the far north of Australia to Tasmania.

Despite all your loving attention though, some plants can be susceptible to pest attack, or just like plain unhealthy, making you think you did something wrong.

 

Bad case of scale photo M Cannon

Not necessarily true, so let’s find out about looking after indoor plants

That was Julia Levitt Director of www.sticksandstonesld.com.au

PLAY: Indoor plants-pests_2nd August 2017

 

Even the best plant owner will come across pests.

If your plant is showing signs of:

o   Wilting

o   Loosing it’s leaves prematurely

o   Leaves turning yellow and patchy

o   Leaves have a black dusty look or are sticky

Look for one of these pests as they could be causing the aggravation: Fungus Gnats, Whiteflies, Mealy Bug, Aphids, Spider Mites, Scale and Thrips. 

The trick is to keep an eye on your plants and act quickly as soon as you see something wrong with your indoor plant.

Why are we having plants indoors again?

Apart from plants reducing carbon dioxide levels in your home, did you know that people with plants in their homes have less stress, and plants have been known to contribute to lower blood pressure? 

 

TOOL TIME

Weeding Lawns

Did you know that knee problems start with gardening on your knees for long periods of time?

But you don’t have to get down on your knees to do weeding these days if you’ve got the right tools.

Even weeding lawns is possible without spraying and kneeling.

So let’s find how to make that weeding job  in the lawn a little bit easier.

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

PLAY: Weeding Tools part 1_26th July 2017

 

The Weed Hoe (pictured right)  is exclusive to Cut Above Tools. 

Operation is by a foot pedal to lever out the weed and the two handles to take the weed out of the lawn or garden bed. 

 

Real World Gardener's Tip for Lawn Weed Control.

Get to know your grass type and the ideal cutting height for good health and strong growth.

 

When cut no lower than that height, and when cut before it gets too long, the grass will usually out-compete weeds as long as it’s also fertilized and watered properly. 

If you have any questions about weeding tools why not email us [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

 

 

 

 

 

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Abelia grandiflora

 

Abelia grandiflora in my garden.

Fabulous shrub that is a must for most gardens either as a hedge, topiary or stand alone shrub.

The species grows 2 x 2 metres but there are also dwarf cultivars like Abelia Frances Mason.

Did you know that Abelia is named after British consul general in China 1817 - Dr Clarke Abel?

Abelias mainly flower in summer but can flower in autumn as well. 

Long flowering with the creamy white changing to a reddish color as they age, often have red calyces behind the flowers. 

Flowers have a nice sweet fragrance. They have trumpet shapes that form in little balls at the end of the stem. 

Flowers are bee attracting

Talking with Hugh Mandelidis and Lewi Beere about Abelia grandiflora.

 

In autumn the leaves colour up to a reddish-bronze look but this depends on your climate.

If you live in a cold area such as Bathurst where temperates can fall to -10 C overnight, expect your Abelia bush to have the reddest of red leaves.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Indoor Plants for Cool Climates

It’s been said that indoor plants remove pollutants from inside your home but did you know that plants can help fight colds?

Yes, that’s right, indoor plants have been shown to reduce cold related illnesses by more than 30%.

This is due to their effect of increasing humidity levels and decreasing dust.

 

Chamaedora seffirzii can also be grown indoors in cool climates

 

This series on indoor plants is to suit everyone around Australia so this week we’re focusing on what plants that you can grow indoors if you live in a cool climate.

Let’s hear some more.

I'm talking withJulia Levitt Director of www.sticksandstonesld.com.au

 

PLAY: Indoor plants-cool climate_26th July 2017

Did you know also that plants can stop your headaches?

That’s right, because they’re removing those VOC;s(volatile organic compounds.) that your appliances, carpet, and furniture are giving off every day.

Plants in the home have also been shown to lower blood pressure.

PLANTS mentioned

 Palms-Bamboo palm (Chamodorea seifrizii), Bangalow palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii), Fishtail Palm(Wodetia bifurcata), Parlour Palm, ( Chamaedorea elegans), Walking Stick Palm (Linospadic monostachyia)

·    Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) for clean air

·    ZZ plant(Zamioculcas zamifolia)-minimal watering

·     Sago palm ( Cycas revoluta) withstands cool winter temps.

There’s more, but I’ll fill you in next week.

If you have any questions about indoor plants for cool climates why not email us [email protected]

 

TOOL TIME

Hand Weeding Tools for Garden Beds

 

Weeding the garden is one of those chores that you either keep putting off or you like doing.

Perhaps you liked doing it when your back was stronger and your knees not so sore but now you’re finding it that much harder.

Sure there’s spraying the weeds with herbicide but in between those cabbage or broccoli plants or in between those flowering bulbs or annuals it’s a little bit difficult to prevent the spray from getting onto the plants you want to keep.

So that leaves mechanical weeding.

So let’s find how to make that weeding job a little bit easier.

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

PLAY: Weeding Tools part 1_26th July 2017

 

Weeding tools for mechanical weeding include, forks, all manner of hoes,, trowels cultivators and the NEW Garden Hook.

The "garden hook" along with cultivator and weeding tool. Handles sizes to help with weeding without kneeling.

The good news is there’s longer handles to help you do the weeding to which you can attach various cultivators or weeding hoes.

Don't bend over anymore, but purchase a long adjustable handle that can be fitted with different types of cultivators, and garden hooks.

 

Weeding is not only therapeutic but helps your plants stay healthy by removing competition plus weeds often harbour pests which then move onto your wanted plants.

 

This not only saves your back but your knees as well.

If you have any questions about weeding tools why not email us [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675