Search Results

Written and updated by Tammy 8th December 2024 With only a few weeks to go till Christmas there's still time to find that last minute gift for your gardening enthusiast loved ones. I've done some brainstorming and come up with a few ideas for you. Gardening Gift Ideas The Diggers Club Books I ndoor plants Dwarf Citrus or other fruit trees Living Christmas tree Garden art Bird Feeder or Insect Hotel Hampers & Gift Baskets The Diggers Club Nan and Pop would love a few packets of Diggers heirloom veggie seeds, a pair of gloves and an annual subscription for the Diggers Club Magazine. The Diggers Club - Australia's No.1 Gardening Club Follow the link to the Diggers Club website to see their full range of heirloom seeds and gardening inspired gift ideas. Gift vouchers can also be purchased online, and if you're planning a trip to Adelaide SA, you'll find their shop within the Botanical Gardens on North Terrace. There in itself is another gift idea, the gift of an experience, a picnic lunch and day out exploring the Botanical gardens. Books Give the gift of books. There are so many fantastic books on gardening to choose from, but you won't get any better than 'From the ground up' by Sophie Thomson, SA presenter from the ABCs Gardening Australia . First published in 2010 the book is jam packed with everything you need to know about plants and gardening in South Australia. A wonderful resource that any gardener would be wrapped to have in their collection. Find your nearest Angus and Robertson bookstore or buy a copy online. Indoor plants Indoor plants are always in hot demand and have made a big come back in recent years. Most women will admit to having a modest collection and have at least a couple on a wish list that they're still dreaming of owning. Popular plants right now include Monstera Thai Constellation, Sansevieria snake plant, Anthurium, and Spathiphyllum Peace Lilly. Dwarf Citrus or other fruit trees What garden lover doesn't love being able to go pick their own fresh fruit from the tree. These days there's everywhere as many dwarf and miniature trees as there are regular full size growing varieties. Smaller varieties of fruit trees are perfectly suited to growing in pots making them ideal for small courtyards or elderly relatives who don't need a large volume of fruit, or are no longer able to maintain a large tree. Feel free to message me any questions, I myself have a good collection of fruit trees in pots😁🍋🪴 Living Christmas tree Blue star Christmas tree Picea pungens. No artificial tree can stand up to the beauty, fragrance and atmosphere of having a REAL tree in your home for Christmas. My little tree pictured here below. Outside 48 weeks of the year, and inside for 4. A lovely gift idea for a young family to be able to watch it grow over the years as the family grows. Once again more that suitable to keep in a large pot as they are slow to mature. (Check out my article on growing you own Christmas tree😁👇) https://www.tjsgardeningworks.space/post/grow-your-own-christmas-tree Garden art Bird baths, fountains, urns, water features, statues or a park bench for that tranquil corner to sit back and reflect. A lovely piece of garden art or garden furniture is sometimes that last finishing touch for a corner of the garden that your loved one has been wishing for. There's so many to choose from and a price range to fit everyones budget. Bird Feeder or Insect Hotel Bird feeders and insect hotels. Gardening enthusiasts are always thinking of not only their plants, but the wellbeing of the native wildlife and friendly pollinators too. Try your local pet stores and gardening supply stockists or have a go at making something as simple as these pictured below. Some of the loveliest gifts are the ones made from the heart, it's not about the stress of running around spending the most amount of money, it's the thought and love that's gone into it that makes it so special. You can find loads of tutorials and step by step guides online for making your own too. Hampers & Gift Baskets Put together a lovely hamper full of gardening inspired goodies. Add things like Packets of seeds. Hand trowel and fork. Gloves. Kneeling pad or gel knee pads. BHG or Gardening Australia magazine. Insect repellent. Fly veil to attach to a hat. Moisture meter reader. Twine or Jolly tie. Secateurs. Plant labels spikes. Decorative water mister/spray bottle. A voucher offering your time and help for a day in the garden with your loved one! Whether you feel inspired and creative, and decide to make a gift yourself, or you're still looking forward to that planned day out shopping around. I hope I've inspired you a little and given you a few more ideas. Happy Gardening!😘🌸   Other related posts you may like  The Perfect Christmas Garden Made Simple Make your garden the perfect place to celebrate Christmas and make memories with your family. https://www.tjsgardeningworks.space/post/christmas-colour-in-the-garden  Grow your own Christmas tree Everything you need to know about growing your very ow Christmas tree. https://www.tjsgardeningworks.space/post/grow-your-own-christmas-tree

Written and edited by Tammy 8th December 2024 With less than 3 weeks to go till Christmas the race is on to have our menus planned, presents wrapped and stacked and have our gardens looking amazing ready for the arrival of family and friends! Creating a festive vibe in your garden doesn't have to be hard or stressful. It can be as simple as planting some annual colour, hanging some lovely lighting for theatrics and creating a comfy corner to gather. Here’s just a few ideas to get you inspired. Christmas Garden Must Haves Annuals Poinsettias Hydrangeas Bromeliads Herbs Comfortable Spaces to Gather Make magic with lights Annuals When considering colour, it's often the first aspect that catches the eye. For instant impact and wow factor summertime annuals are a fail-safe choice. Among the favourites are Petunias, Vincas, Impatiens, Chrysanthemums and Marigolds, Snapdragons, Portulacas, and Salvias, just to name a few. Most annuals prefer a full sun to part shade location in a rich, organic, moist but free draining soil for their full flowering potential. Feed them Seasol PowerFeed weekly to fortnightly, along side a handful of quality organic fertiliser such as Neutrog Rapid Raiser. Remember to regularly deadhead them to encourage more blooms and prevent them becoming leggy.  Try for mass plantings of one or two colours in a couple of varieties, or pops of colour arranged and cascading out of pots and containers. The ideas are endless. Poinsettias If you prefer something a little more 'traditionally Christmas' originating from Mexico is the Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima . Poinsettias always put in an appearance at the beginning of the festive season, it just wouldn't be Christmas without seeing them somewhere. Vibrant reds, dusky pinks, greens and whites. Smaller dwarf varieties grow between 25-50cm tall while others planted out in the ground can potentially reach in excess of 3 meters tall. When pruning and dead heading, be mindful not to get the milky white sap on you, it's toxicity can cause rashes and allergic reactions in some people. Growing requirements  Poinsettias need a bright light but protection from the hot afternoon sun. Rich, organic, free draining soil, or quality premium potting mix for pots or containers. Water regularly to maintain moisture. Too wet will cause root rot, while drying out too much will result in wilt and foliage drop. Give regular applications of soluble fertiliser alongside a controlled slow release. Hydrangeas Hydrangeas are stunning coming into their own right now. Deciduous, they begin flowering in November and continue right through to February. Their massive blooms in cool shades of snowy whites, dreamy pinks, blues and violets scream out femininity and contrast beautifully against their large, lush leafy green foliage. Perfect as show pieces in pots, or in those dappled shaded spots at the back of the garden bed to entice you in further. Growing requirements  Hydrangeas thrive in cooler climates. They prefer a rich fertile moist but free draining soil. An ideal plant for a shaded, sheltered spot such as under a tree where they'll receive dappled shade and protection from the hotter afternoon sun. They benefit from regular applications of soluble fertiliser alongside a controlled slow release tailored to acid loving plants. Mulch generously beneath them with composted animal manure and straw to add nutrition, insulation from the heat and aid water retention. Bromeliads Unique, and a tad exotic, Bromeliads bring a touch of flair to Christmas time with their vibrant bold colours and unusual shaped flowers. Grow them in pots, a shaded spot in the garden, or give them as a living gift. Bromeliads are epiphytic, in their natural habitat, co-dependent on other plants for support, they derive their nutrients and water from the air and rain. Think of staghorns, elkhorns, mosses and orchids. Growing requirements Suitable for indoors and outdoors, but keep in mind they are frost and cold sensitive so if growing outdoors, plant them in a protected spot or be prepared to move or cover them if need be. Water requirements, bromeliads have what is known as a 'vase' or 'vessel', where the foliage whorls around the flower in the centre creating like a tunnel. Keep water in the vessel and keep the soil damp but not wet. If growing in pots use an orchid mix as its course and free draining. If growing outdoors in the garden, give them a dappled shaded spot in a rich organic but free draining soil. Herbs Pot up some beautiful fresh seasonal herbs. Sweet basil, mint, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and sage. You don’t have to plant them in a garden bed, plant them into a lovely pot or large container right near the back door close handy for picking to add to your salads or mojitos. A collection of fresh herbs by the back door will look homely and appealing, smell divine and be one less thing to add to the supermarket shopping list, a win win win without a doubt! Comfortable Spaces to Gather While we all want our garden to be visually stunning and welcoming, it also needs to be user friendly and serviceable. You’re also going to want to have an inviting, comfy corner set up ready for outdoor entertaining. After all, it’ll be too nice to be sitting indoors or at some point it’ll be nice to adjourn outside. Fire pit adds warmth and charm to your garden. Place some seating around it and add cozy blankets and cushions for comfort. Gathering around the fire sharing stories with loved ones is where the best lasting memories are created. Make magic with lights Let’s face it, Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the twinkling of lights. it’s where that magic feel begins. Be as simplistic or as flamboyant as you like. A single flood light shining up into the canopy of a large tree at the back of the garden, a garland of festoon lights around the patio, or thousands of twinkling fairy lights adorning every corner of the garden, there’s no right or wrong. Don't be afraid to get a little creative, if you have a Callistemon looking stunning right now, weave fairy lights throughout its branches and make it the star of your show. Whatever it is you decide to do in your garden this season for 'Christmas cheer' just be sure you enjoy doing it, after all that's what Christmas is all about, and that's what gardening is all about too! Happy gardening! 😘🎄🍒 Other related posts you may like Grow your own Christmas tree Everything you need to know about growing your very ow Christmas tree. https://www.tjsgardeningworks.space/post/grow-your-own-christmas-tree Gardening Inspired gift ideas Stuck for last minute gift ideas for the gardening enthusiast loved one? Look no further! https://www.tjsgardeningworks.space/post/gardening-inspired-gift-ideas

Written and updated by Tammy 8th November 2024 As kids growing up the excitement of Christmas always became real when we were packed up into the family station wagon and taken for a Sunday drive out around the back roads looking for that perfect Christmas tree to lay claim to. A quick look around to make sure the coast was clear, then a lower branch was chopped off and away we went loaded up with our tree engulfing every corner of the car. The smell of fresh pine needles would fill the house and even today, the fragrance of pine trees brings back memories of Christmas. When you walk into stores Christmas trees line the shelves in every shape and colour, from small fibre optics to tall imitation Fir trees, almost as convincing as the real thing. But what if I told you for not a lot of effort or dollars, you could have a real Christmas tree of your own? Complete with that fragrance of pines. The tree in the image above is my tree, a Picea pungans 'Blue Star' that I bought as a tiny little thing, barely a foot tall for $12.95 about 7 years ago. Every Spring sees it put out a burst of fresh new foliage just in time to come inside for a few weeks to be adorned with tinsel and ornaments. Native to North America, and commonly known as a Colorado Spruce they're a relatively slow growing conifer reaching heights of no more that 1.5 - 2 meters in 10 years (as evident by my own tree which probably around 1.5m tall now). In there native habitat, they can potentially grow in excess of 25m tall, rest assured that potential is limited in a controlled environment such as a pot. Picea's are hardy and adaptable trees, preferring a full sun to part shade location. Provide them with a good quality, rich, free draining soil or potting medium that's neutral to acidic in pH. They're don't seem to be troubled too much by pests or diseases either. It's the only plant in my yard I don't seem to need to tend to very often. When bringing them inside for a few weeks over Christmas, make sure you've given them a good drink prior. Provide a nice bright location inside your house and be mindful not to overload your branches to avoid breaking or damaging them. When transitioning your tree back outside after Christmas, do it gradually over a few days so you don't shock the plant. Move it back outdoors into a shaded spot, then move to part shade then gradually move it back to it's original location. Like any plants, there are so many different varieties to choose from. If the blue star is not your thing, go for the picea glauca which is a lovely emerald, green conifer. You can make a Christmas tree of whatever plant you like really, let your creativity run wild! Most garden centres and plant nurseries will be selling picea's for Christmas trees in the coming weeks if not already. My kids laugh at my sentimental funny ways, but I personally think a real, live tree is so much nicer than a plastic one, and who knows, maybe my little tree will still be around long after me, and my children's children can bring it in each year and be proud to say this was our great grandma's tree ❤️🎄 Happy gardening😘🌸 Other related posts you may enjoy Gardening Inspired gift ideas Stuck for last minute gift ideas for the gardening enthusiast loved one? Look no further! https://www.tjsgardeningworks.space/post/gardening-inspired-gift-ideas  The Perfect Christmas Garden Made Simple Make your garden the perfect place to celebrate Christmas and make memories with your family. https://www.tjsgardeningworks.space/post/christmas-colour-in-the-garden

Written and edited by Tammy 14th November 2024 Tomato growing season is well underway, and if you haven’t already got some in, there’s no better time to do so than now. Originating from South America, a Mediterranean climate, tomatoes need warmth, sun, and a whole lot of nutrition to go from a little seedling to a mature plant baring masses of juicy tasty fruit within only a few months. Whether you're a 'newbie' to the world of growing tomatoes, or a seasoned pro, here are a few of my favourite tips. Variety Bush or Vine varieties Location Trellising and support Nutrition-what to feed your tomatoes Hydration-how much water do the actually need? Pests and diseases-what to look out for and how to treat Selecting the right Tomatoes for you What type of tomatoes would you like to grow? Small mouthful sized tomatoes such as 'Sweet Bite' or Tommie Toe' pop in your mouth, they're perfect for salads or the kiddies' lunchboxes. Larger hearty 'Beef Steak' type varieties are for the lovers of fresh tomatoes, seasoned with salt and pepper on a piece of toast. If making sauce and relish is your thing, you'll want to go with the tried and tested 'Roma' or 'Saucy Tom', and for those with dietary restrictions or an intolerance to anything acidic, stick with the likes of 'Black Russian' or 'Mellow Yellow'. Of course, if preservation of the old-fashioned heirloom varieties is important to you, keep an eye out for Tigerella, Lemon drop, Amish Paste and Principe Borghese, just to name a few. The flavours are amazing and second to none. Indeterminate/determinate Fancy terminology, but what does it mean? Also known as "Bush" tomatoes, determinate varieties remain smaller, (aprox 3-4 foot tall) bushier, and more compact. They tend to reach maturity quicker and most of their crop will ripen around the same time making these the most suitable for making sauces and preserves. In comparison, indeterminate varieties, also known as "Vining ", keep growing and producing fruit right throughout the season often well into Autumn. Because of their vine like, rambling growth habit, they can easily reach well in excess of 2 meters tall, so they do require staking or trellising. What you want to do with your tomatoes, be in pick them all quickly to make sauces and condiments or pick one or two at a time for your salads over an extended period, really will be what determines what variety you decide to grow. Location Whether you plan to grow them in pots, raised beds or out into the garden bed, tomatoes love the sun! Give them a spot on the Northern side of your house or a spot where they're going to get 6-8 hours of sun per day. Avoid planting in the same soil or location you had tomatoes, chillies or capsicums last season, the main risk being that you'll expose them to built-up soil borne diseases minimising the potential for healthy plants and good yields. Try a seasonal rotation of legumes then your tomatoes, as the legumes 'fix' nitrogen back into the soil that the tomatoes will be grateful for. Give each plant plenty of room to grow, don't plant them too close or overcrowd them, a lack of space, light and air circulation will give rise for the opportunity for fungal issues and disease to take hold. Trellising and support Pinch off the first 1 to 2 pairs of lower leaves and plant the seedling to that depth. Planting that extra couple of inches deeper into the ground allows extra roots to grow along the stem that's below the soil giving the plant a larger, stronger, more supportive root system. Give them a stake, trellis or framework to support them as they grow so they don't break, bend or snap under the weight of the fruit. Conical plant trainers are normally available in most garden centres now to coincide with 'tomato season', but you can also fashion your own using stakes and jolly tie, mesh or really you could utilise any resources you have available. Let your imagination run wild! Check out my short video here below, made last season, I demonstrated the ideal way to plant a tomato. 👇👀 Nutrition I mentioned earlier that tomatoes are hungry plants, and that they are! They require a lot of energy to go from a little seedling to a mature plant producing fruit within 3 months. Add generous amounts of organic matter to the soil at the time of planting along with some slow-release fertiliser specifically for tomatoes. Applying liquid soluble fertilisers such a Seasol PowerFeed at weekly to fortnightly intervals provides a source of nutrition that can be utilised instantly by the plant. Using a multi-pronged approach of liquids, organic pelletised fertilisers, and slow release ensures there's a constant supply of nutrition available for steady continual growth all season long. Hydration It's crucial to keep your watering rescheme regular. Inconsistent watering will do more harm than good with. Going from dehydrated to waterlogged and back and forth will cause disorders such as skin splitting and blossom end rot. Always water in the morning in the cool of the day so your plants have the opportunity to dry before evening. There's a far greater chance for fungal issues to take hold when plants are left damp or wet in the cool of the night. Don't forget to mulch around your plants as well. Mulching not only insulate them, but it helps preserve ground moisture preventing dehydration. Pests and diseases 'Vigilance is a virtue' be on the lookout for signs of pests and fungal diseases. A rain event bringing on damp, humid conditions will often see slugs and snails crawling around. Keep some snail bait in your toolkit, alternatively don't be afraid to go for a twilight stroll around the veggie patch. Most 'critters' are nocturnal coming out to feast under the cover of darkness. You'll be amazed how quick you'll fill a 4L ice-cream with snails , and your chooks will be even more delighted. Most fungal issues such as rust and powdery mildew thrive as soon as there's lack of air circulation, dampness and humidity. Allow for plenty of air circulation between your plants by giving each one plenty of its own space. Pinch off any old, yellowing or diseased looking lower foliage, it's not doing the plant any favours. Have a fungicide spray in your tool kit ready to go should you need it. Look for a product like Eco-fungicide. Gentle and environmentally friendly, the active ingredient is basically bicarb-soda so it's safe, nothing nasty in that. Alternatively, utilising what you have there at home, combine 1 part cow's milk to 3 parts water in a spray bottle and liberally spray to cover the foliage that looks diseased with it. ** I've included a couple of pics here below to show you what disease looks like on the leaves, and up the stems of your plants. Try not to despair, I know it's frustrating and disheartening, but it has been a bad season for pests (particularly on fruit trees) and disease on veggie seedlings. Just be quick to treat straight away at the first signs and remove the diseased foliage. Keep an eye out on the next newly emerging flush of foliage to see that it looks healthy proving that the treatment has been successful. Give your plants a regular dose of Seasol Health treatment too, it will boost their immune system making them stronger and more resistant to disease. If you feed your plants regularly, keep the water up to them, and keep them free of any pests or fungal disease, there's no reason for you not to be harvesting bountiful crops of tomatoes over the summer months. There's nothing more rewarding than harvesting your own fresh produce and the flavours just don't compare to the ones you buy off the shelf in the supermarkets. If you haven't already, grab yourself some tomatoes and get planting! Happy gardening🍅😘🌸

Written and edited by Tammy 28th September 2024 Despite the cool, mild and gloomy start to Spring we’ve had so far here in our region, summer vegetable seedlings are flooding into garden centres everywhere. Tomatoes in all your favourite varieties, cucumbers, zucchinis, pumpkins, chillies and capsicums. Let's not forget these sturdy, healthy and robust, these little seedlings have been given every opportunity for the best head start, germinating in greenhouses with controlled conditions, shielded from harsh winds, extreme temperatures, frosts, pests, and diseases. So, once we get them home, how do we give them the best chance to thrive and be successful? Seedling success tips Selection Climatise Prepare the ground Location Timing Handle with care Support Frost Prevention Hydration Nutrition Mulch Pest & Disease Prevention 1. Selection If you know what day of the week your local garden centre gets their fresh stock in, take advantage of that and go in that afternoon to have the 'pick of the crop' so to speak. Make sure you choose fresh, healthy strong looking seedlings. Avoid anything that looks sickly, limp, or diseased. 2. Climatise If you are buying them now, it's still early in the season, consider keeping them inside in a bright windowsill for a few more weeks, then progress them out onto the back porch as the days become consistently nicer, before finally planting them out into the garden. Climatising them gradually can help avoid sending them into shock due the extreme change in environment. 3. Prepare the ground Before planting them out, prepare the area well. Incorporate lots of organic matter, compost, aged animal manure, some blood and bone. Remember to add gypsum if you have heavier clay soils as gypsum aids drainage. 4. Location Planting your veggie patch in the right part of your yard can also have a huge baring on its success. Most cropping plants need atleast 6-8 hours of sunlight per day to successfully produce good yields. Pay attention to which side of your house get the beautiful sun most of the day and look to establishing your garden bed there. If it's not practical to do so or your soil conditions are less than ideal, consider a raised garden bed, or large containers. Using large pots or containers also gives the advantage of being able to move them from one location to the next if need be. 5. Timing Plant your seedlings early in the day when the weather is nice, sunny and mild, so they have time to acclimatise before the cold and damp of the evening sets in. 6. Handle with care Like all babies, they're fragile, handle them with care. Avoid damaging or disturbing their delicate root systems. Don't be tempted to try and separate the likes of spring onions or carrots, leave them be, they will sort themselves out (survival of the fittest) you can remove any smaller struggling ones as they begin to mature. 7. Support Some vegetables love to climb, peas, beans, cucumbers and indeterminate varieties of tomatoes. Make sure you provide them with a stake or trellis to help support them as they grow. Click the link here 👇😁 to head over my Facebook page and check out a small clip I shared last season explaining which varieties of tomatoes grow taller and require staking while other remain smaller bushes. https://fb.watch/uTgaaDDhjI/ 8. Frost prevention Monitor the weather forecast and have a survival plan in place. This probably sounds silly, but in reality, it's not! Spring always sees multiple nasty frosts here in our region, not to mention days of hot Northerly winds. A good frost will wipe out your vegetable patch in one night, so cover them up with frost cloth, some containers or milk bottles, or whatever you have available. 9. Hydration Always water your new seedlings in well with a solution of Seasol Health Treatment , looking for air bubbles to confirm they're watered thoroughly and there are not dry spots in their soil at the root zone. Adding Seasol health Treatment helps avoid transplant shock, boosts the plants immune system and stimulates the roots to get growing. Be consistent with your watering rescheme, if you're not consistent a whole host of issues can arise. Stunted poor growth, wilting, shrivelled small fruit and even split skins. 10. Nutrition Feed feed feed!! would your kids grow on an empty tummy? no, and neither will your seedlings. Feed weekly with a readily available soluble fertiliser high in nitrogen for foliage development such as Seasol Powerfeed , alongside a slow-release organic fertiliser such as Neutrogs Rapid Raiser. As your plants reach maturity and change to reproductive Potassium becomes important for fruit and flower development, so look for that branded Potash, such as Yates liquid Potash . Which fertiliser should I use?🤷‍♀️ 👈👀Check out this post here 11. Mulch Mulch generously around your little seedlings with some Rocky Point Sugarcane, it's a nice fine chopped up mulch that will pack neatly in and around them. Mulching not only insulates them, aid in water retention and prevent dehydration, but as it breaks down it continues to feed your soil. 12. Pest & Disease Prevention Finally, be vigilant and constantly on the lookout for pests, diseases and disorders . Hungry slugs, snails and earwigs will devour seedlings almost overnight, powdery mildew and rust are common fungal infections that will require a fungicide, and plants that generally look sad and aren't performing well, may have issues with inconsistency of water availability or even toxicity. If you're unsure, you're always welcome to contact me for more advice, or if you live in my neck of the woods...you'll most likely know where to find me 😜🪴 Without a doubt, if your taking onboard and implementing these 12 tips, you're going to be rewarded with a bountiful patch full of fresh produce to keep you going all season and perhaps even enough to share around with friends and family, there's nothing more rewarding! Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your gardens. 😘🌸🌱 Other Posts You Might Enjoy How Frost Affects Plants & Tips for Preventing Frostburn Frosts are among the greatest adversaries for gardeners throughout the colder months. Days with clear, sunny skies often lead to subzero temperatures overnight, causing frosts to occur. Without being pro-active and having measures in place, the results can be detrimental. 5 tips for growing healthy Tomatoes🍅 Talk to any wise old gardeners in our community and they'll tell you to hold off until the October Show weekend to plant your tomatoes. I'm not entirely certain, but I'm pretty sure it has a whole lot less to do with Dippy Dogs and Fairy Floss and more to do with the soil temperatures and frost risks. Powdery Mildew ☘️ With Spring now in full swing and summer vegetable seedlings going into the ground left right and centre, powdery mildew becomes a hot topic. If you're vigilant and know what to look out for, and perhaps even what precautions to have in place, you'll be able to act quickly if it does show up for the party!

Written and edited by Tammy 25rd September 2023 One of the most important jobs at the top of everyone's 'to do list' right now is to feed your gardens. Whether it's your roses, lawns, garden beds, fruit trees or indoor plants, they're all going to need to be fed. It can be confusing trying to decide which fertiliser to use with so many available on the market. There are five main types of fertilisers that each have their own purpose and circumstances for use. Soluble Soluble - Soluble fertilisers come in a powder form that are dissolvable in water. Once dissolved they can be taken in by the plant immediately, so they are perfect for weekly feeding of hungry vegetable seedlings that use so much energy to grow and go on to produce crops. Look for the likes of Thrive . Liquids Liquids - Liquids are nutrient rich and readily available to the plant, they're ideal for regular weekly feeding. Most often you would buy them in a concentrated form and dilute them in a watering can. Some conveniently come in a ready to use form RTU, a 750ml spray bottle, great for anyone with only a couple of plants, or a 2 litre or larger that can be connected straight onto a garden hose for applying to larger areas like a lawn. My fav is Seasol Powerfeed it's a good all-rounder suitable for everything including natives. Organics Organics - Organic fertilisers are normally derived of decomposed animal manures, meat meal, plant matter and green waste that goes through a process to compress and dry it and produce a pelletised or powdered form. Look for the likes of Nuetrog Rapid Raiser. or Blood and Bone . These types of fertilisers are good to use either on their own or alongside liquids and solubles. They don't need to be applied as frequently as they take a little longer to break down and be taken in by the plant. They're also a source of nutrition for your soil. Slow release Slow release -These fertilisers rely on the climatic conditions such as temperature and rain which determines just how quick they break down. They're generally found in granular form and are a balanced NPK (Nitrogen Phosphorus and Potassium). They are tailored to the types of plants they're for, so one for lawns such as Brunnings 'green up ' will be higher in nitrogen, whereas one for fruit and vegetables will be higher in phosphorus and potassium. The nitrogen component works by aiding the plants' ability to photosynthesise, so it 'greens up' quickly, whilst other two elements are longer lasting aiding the plants vascular system, cell structure and root system. These types of fertilisers are good for routinely apply at the beginning of each season. Controlled Release Controlled release - Are the pretty little coloured balls you find within your bag of potting mix or on top of the soil of a newly purchased plant. A brand you might be familiar with is Osmocote. Each granule had a chemical coating that takes anything from 4-6 months (depending on the thickness of the chemical coating) to break down, gradually releasing the nutrients within. These types of fertilisers only need to be applied a couple of times a year. The good thing about them being so slow to release, is that there is no chance of burning your plants. What it is that you need to fertilise will determine how often you need to feed and what fertiliser to use. You're not limited to using just one product or the other either. For your veggie seedlings you might opt to use a controlled realise and add some soluble into your watering can every week as well and that's perfectly fine. Hopefully now when you're ready to stock up on fertiliser, you'll have a bit more of an idea as to what ones you need. As always if you have any questions or would like to know more don't hesitate to message me. But for now, stock up, feed up and Happy Gardening!😘🌸🪴

Written and edited by Tammy 25th July 2023 I remember wandering around amongst the plants in the first garden centre I worked in thinking how will I ever remember all these 'fancy' plant names, I can't even pronounce them! Fast forward to now and I'll let you in on a little secret...I still can't pronounce OR spell a lot of them, but I have become familiar with quite a few now and more importantly, I understand the significance of them. Firstly, what's botany? It's the scientific study of plants. Botanists study plant DNA/genetics, their physical appearance, their biology, a plants origin and its coping mechanisms for the place it originates and a whole lot more. It's these scientists who create names for plants, and not just any old name, formal names that conform to an international code so they can be recognised in all languages anywhere in the world. And why Latin? Well, because back in the 'old days' when they first began naming plants, Latin was the universal language used by scientists... so it makes sense, it's just stuck. When you pick up a plant in a garden centre, you'll see it's got a " name" (it's generally something easy to pronounce) like Pom pom, Pink Splash or Grey Box. Often the name has some relevance to the plant's physical appearance, or colour. It may even have been given in honour of the breeder or founder of the plant or someone of significance. Common names can change from one season to the next or even from one company to the next, different retail growers will put their own trademark name to a plant, but at the end of the day the botanical name for that plant will ALWAYS be the same. It could be an Ornamental plum Ruby Flare, or a Crimson Spire, depending on which company you buy the tree through, but both trees are a Prunus cerasifera. The botanical name for that tree doesn't change because it's what it is. Take the example of our pets. We can call our cat or dog whatever name we like, Fido or Rover, but the scientific name will always be Canine or Feline. And just to take it a step further, our pet dog, Fido? Fido is a Canine and he's a part of the terrier family. Terriers, cattle dogs, pointers, hounds are different breeds or families. So Fido's a terrier canine mammal in the animal kingdom. And back to our plant.... commonly known as Pom pom? It's a daisy, the formal name is Argyranthemum, it's in the Asteraceae family, of Angiosperms, which are flowering plants in the plantae kingdom. Next time you find yourself in a garden centre looking for a little red flowering plant called pom pom, or an upright ornamental plum tree with red foliage, keep an eye for those big tricky names on the back of the description tags, they might just help you to put the puzzle pieces together or help you to find or identify other similar plants in the same family. Happy Gardening!😘🪴

Written by Tammy updated 11th September 2024. Soil health is vital to the success of our garden. Have you ever felt frustrated thinking why does everything die or why can't I get things to thrive? You've heard the expression 'from the ground up'? When it comes to gardening it really is quite literally from the ground up. Like ourselves, soil is a living thing, it needs nourishment. Without good nutrition we become unwell, susceptible to illness, sickness and disorders and we fail to thrive. The principles are exactly the same for our soil. For our gardens to thrive and be productive we need to first focus on the health and nutrition of our soil. Plants take in nutrients from the soil to be able to grow, and somewhere along the line those nutrients need to be replenished. If you kept eating everything out of the pantry it would eventually be empty, there'd be nothing left to eat leaving you hungry, it would need to be restocked. Feeding our soil, like restocking our pantry is easy and needs to be done regularly. It's as simple as spreading a good layer of organic matter like animal manure, composted veggie scraps and green waste, or some bales of straw mulch around the garden. Meat meal-based products like Blood and Bone are fantastic too. Don't forget Legumes. These amazing little plants have the clever ability to fix nitrogen back into the soil, throw in a crop of soybeans, peas or broad beans, let them mature then dig them back through into the soil. Doing any combination of these things is going to pay you back ten-fold. Feeding the beneficial insects and microbials within your soil is what keeps the soil nourished and in turn allows it to feed your plants. Healthy soil equals a healthy garden. 😘🪴

Written and edited by Tammy 25th February 2024 This would have to have been one of the weirdest summer seasons we've had in a long time. With a wet start including record breaking unprecedented rain events, humidity, not enough consistent warm sunny days to ripen vegetables, and literally one or two random close to 40-degree hot days that shocked and fried everything in the gardens beyond belief. Fair to say it created some challenges. I bet you felt like a bad plant parent looking around mystified at all the burnt crispy foliage. Well, if it makes you feel any better, you're not alone. That was me too. Don't beat yourself up, here's what we can do...   ** How to save my burnt plants ** Tip 1- Lighten the load. They will be absolutely fine, with a little TLC. If they are young trees, at this point in time so close to Autumn, they are going to drop all the burnt leaves anyway, and that's ok, it's to be expected. If they are shrubs or perennials, you might like to give them a light prune to remove all the damaged foliage and take some weight off/lighten the load. Tip 2- Seasol guaranteed to help every time! Start treating with weekly applications of Seasol Health Treatment to help the plant overcome the stress it's experienced and boost its system to start reproducing new foliage. If you have non-wetting or dry sandy soil, give Seasols Super Soil Wetter and Conditioner a go, It's a wetting agent, soil conditioner and plant health treatment all in one. According to Seasols official website , their product Improves water penetration in all soils. Retains moisture at the root zone and reduces drying of soil. Maximises nutrient uptake. Increases watering efficiency and minimises run-off and water wastage. Contains liquid composts which improve and condition the soil. Contains Seasol which promotes strong healthy root growth and overall plant health. You'll find Seasol products available online and through most major leading outlets. Tip 3 - Cover up, provide protection. Fortunately, we're at the tail end of summer so hopefully there shouldn't be too many more extreme heat events. Where practicable, provide some shade or protection from the sun. There's nothing worse than seeing fresh new delicate green growth, only to have it happen again!! If you know there are hot days coming in the preceding week, rig up a shade sail, some shade cloth over star droppers or even an old sheet perhaps. Tip 4 - Slip slop slap, "slop on sunscreen" If it's not practical to physically cover your plants up, consider applying a heat and frost protectant product such as Envy. Envy is the product of an Australian company based in Qld called Agrobest. It's kind of like a sunscreen for plants. Well not just only sunscreen, it's better than that as it protects them from ALL environmental climatic stresses. The active ingredient is a water-based polymer that's non-toxic, pH neutral and biodegradable. When it's applied to your plants it covers the foliage with an invisible membrane that protects them from sunburn, windburn, wilting from excessive moisture loss and frosts. It doesn't prevent them from still being able to photosynthesize and breathe (take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen). It's a very clever concept really and well worth routinely using. You can find the product through some specialty plants stores and this company appears to have it available too. The Garden Super Store based in QLD. Here's a link to their website Garden Shop | 1000's Of Products | The Garden Superstore Tip 5 - Planting location Consider the plants growing location preferences when choosing a spot in your garden. If a plant label recommends part sun to shade, you might reconsider not planting it in the middle of the garden on the Northwestern side of your yard. Alternatively, if it suggests a preference for full sun, you wouldn't plant it on the southeastern side of your yard behind the house. As time goes by and your garden matures, you'll begin to create a microclimate giving you new planting location opportunities. A large evergreen tree planted in the full sun will provide a nice full shade location for shade loving plants. All things to consider when planning and designing your garden if you're starting out from scratch. Don't despair as there's always a solution or a way to get around things in gardening. It might look a little sad and less than ideal, but burnt foliage is just one of those unfortunate things that happens from time to time. Try a few of these tips, hopefully they'll help. Here's hoping you've had a wonderful weekend, As always, Happy Gardening! 😘🌸🌳

Written and edited by Tammy 29th July 2024 Whether you're beginning with a blank canvas for a new fruit orchard, or you've got space for one or two additional trees to complete your collection, deciding which ones to go with can be a little overwhelming, given the varieties available, and new and improved cultivars constantly coming into the market each season. To solve that dilemma and make it easier for you I've compiled a list of what I consider to be the top 20 best fruit trees that I've sold, tasted, tended to and seen growing here in our region year after year. I've included a few details about each one, such as their characteristics, flavour, pollination requirements and ripening times. So, let's dive in! Top 20 best fruit trees Apple Jonathan Apple Granny Smith Apple royal Gala Apple Pink Lady Apricot Moorpark Apricot Divinity Cherry Stella Cherry Lapins Fig White Adriatic Fig Black Genoa Mulberry Dwarf Black Nectarine Goldmine Peach Elberta Peach Anzac Peacharine Pear Packham Pear Dutchess Pear Nashi Plum Satsuma Plum Santa Rosa Apple-Jonathan An oldie but a goodie, everyone's favourite, the Jonathan apple. A medium sized, round apple, predominantly red, over a yellow to green background. They're known for their crisp, juicy, sweet, flavour. A good choice for kid's lunchboxes. Pollination Requirements: Requires a companion for pollination. Most suitable: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith. Maturity: Fruit ripens from early to mid-March. Apple-Granny Smith Australian bred and world renowned, the 'go to' apple for baking the humble apple pie. A large firm, crispy green apple, slightly tart in flavour. Granny Smiths are perfect for baking as they hold their shape well. Pollination Requirements: Partially self-fertile but benefits from cross-pollination with another apple variety like Red Delicious or Pink Lady. Universal pollinator for most other apple varieties. Maturity: Ripens over a long period from April through into May. * Granny Smiths are available as a dwarf, commonly known as 'Leprechaun'®️ Apple-Royal Gala Royal Galas' are another popular smaller to medium apple, perfect size for the kiddies. Crisp, juicy and sweet, they're stripey red over a creamy yellow background. Pollination Requirements: Partially self-fertile, they benefit from cross-pollination with a Granny Smith, Pink Lady or Red delicious. Also available as a dwarf reaching approximately 2.5m tall, branches may require staking while bearing the weight of fruit. Maturity: Ripens mid to late February, a good option for extending your harvest season, as it ripens earlier than Jonathan. Apple-Pink Lady Pink Lady's, a popular and well-known apple have been right up there amongst the top runners since their release in 1974. A blushing pinkish-red skin colour over a yellow background, they're a lovely, crisp and juicy apple with a sweet-tart flavour. A good choice if you're looking for an apple that keeps well. Equally as good for cooking as eating fresh. Pollination Requirements: They will benefit from a companion such as Gala, Granny Smith or Red Fuji. Maturity: Ripens from mid-April through into May. *A dwarf cultivar of Pink Lady is available, known as 'Pinkabelle'®️. ** Look out for: Red Delicious & Golden Delicious, both classic, well-known varieties having been around for a long time. Both available as dwarfs. Apricot-Moorpark For eating fresh, making jams and dehydrating it doesn't get any better that the classic old favourite Moorpark. When I say old, I mean literally as it's a cultivar that's been around since the 17th century. Moorpark apricots are best known for their rich, sweet flavour with a hint of tartness. Pollination Requirements: They are self-pollinating. Having another apricot tree nearby can increase fruit production, but it's not essential. Maturity: Moorpark apricots typically ripen from late December into January. They prefer a free draining soil and full sun aspect and are also available in a dwarf form. Apricot-Divinity If you're looking for a second variety of apricot to be a companion for your Moorpark, look no further than an Early Divinity. Early Divinity are a medium to large oblong shaped fruit, with the flavour being every bit as good as the Moorpark. Pollination Requirements: Early Divinity apricots are also self-pollinating, but again, having a different variety nearby can increase fruit production. Maturity: As the name suggests, Early Divinity ripens almost a month ahead of Moorpark making it a perfect choice for extending your harvest season. *A dwarf cultivar of Early Divinity is available and happens to be what I purchased myself last season. Cherry-Stella Imagine the pride and satisfaction in being able to pick your own Cherries at Christmas time and not having to pay the exorbitant prices of supermarkets. Well, a Stella cherry tree is what you need. Stellas are known for their sweet flavour and dark red to almost black skin. Needing aprox. 600 chill hours, followed by warm summers for fruit production, our regions climate provides cherries with everything they need to thrive. Pollination Requirements: Stella cherries are self-fertile, meaning they don't require a companion tree for pollination, though as previously mentioned, having a second is never a bad thing. Stellas are also a universal pollinator for most other varieties of cherries. Maturity: Stella cherries typically ripen from mid-December. **A Dwarf cultivar of Stella is also available. Cherry-Lapins Just as popular and well known here in our region, if you're considering a second cherry tree or an alternative to Stella, look for a Lapins. Deep red in colour once fully ripe, Lapins are equally as juicy and sweet with hint of tartness. Pollination Requirements: As with Stella, Lapins are self-pollinating, so planting two trees is not necessary, but always advantageous. Maturity: Lapins Cherries are ready to harvest from late December. *As with Stella, Lapins is available in dwarf form. Fig-White Adriatic My personal favourite, as mine never fails me season after season, the White Adriatic Fig. White Adriatics are distinguishable by their lime green to pale yellow skin when ripe, with soft pink to dark rose flesh inside. Renowned for their taste, they have the sweetest, honeylike, melt in your mouth flavour that makes them perfect for eating fresh, or cooking in deserts and preserves. They grow well here in our region (for anyone else reading this who's further afield, I'm in climate zone 6 a Temperate Mediterranean climate so we have warm dry summers, and our winters are cold and wet). Pollination Requirements: White Adriatics, like most figs are self-fertile so you won't need a second one. Maturity: My figs begin to ripen in the tail end of Summer, and I continue picking them right throughout the Autumn months. Fig-Black Genoa If the idea of a white fig isn't for you, an alternative commonly seen here in our region is the Black Genoa. Highly prized by fig enthusiasts for their sweet, rich flavour, Black Genoas are a smaller plump looking fig with a vibrant pink to deep red flesh hidden beneath a purple to black outer skin. Pollination Requirements: As with the White Adriatics, Black Genoas are self-fertile. Maturity: Harvest them from late Summer into Autumn. **Have you ever wanted to have a go at making your own home-made fig jam? Try this one... follow the link here to an EASY recipe 👉 Mulberry Dwarf Black Another favourite of mine that I've never regretted buying is the Dwarf Black Mulberry, you won't get a hardier little tree. If you don't have acres of room, or years to wait for the heritage Old English Black Mulberry to mature, then this one is for you. A prolific bearer of sweet, slightly tart, dark red to black berries. The perfect snack to have a handful of daily for weeks on end. The berries tend to be smaller, firmer and more 'squish resistant' than that of the Old English, that being said they will still make a mess of your hands, clothes and pavers in my case, as my tree in is a large container in my courtyard. Pollination Requirements: Dwarf Mulberries are self-fertile. Maturity: My tree bears fruits twice a year, the first main crop being in late September, and a second smaller crop in late March to April. Nectarine-Goldmine For Nectarines, the hands down favourite would be Goldmine. Creamy white flesh beneath a smooth, pinkish red skin. The rich, aromatic flavour sweetens and intensifies as they ripen and soften. They're 'freestone' meaning you should be able to run a knife around the circumference of the fruit at the dented midline and separate the two halves from the stone. Pollination Requirements: Self-pollinating, so you won't require a second one. Maturity: Goldmine nectarines ripen mid to late summer, around February. ** Dwarf cultivars are also available. Peach-Elberta A fruit orchard just wouldn't be complete without a Peach tree or two and the two most common popular peaches are Elberta and Anzac. Elberta has been a favourite for years. A classic sweet juicy freestone peach, with golden orange flesh beneath a soft, fuzzy, red flushed, yellow skin. A beautiful peach for eating fresh or culinary purposes. Pollination Requirements: Elberta is self-fertile and will produce fruit without a companion. Maturity: Harvest Elberta peaches from mid-February. ** Dwarf cultivar of Elberta is available. Peach-Anzac Over 100 years old and named in honour of the ANZAC soldiers, the Anzac Peach is well known and highly regarded as one of the best peaches today. A large, round, white fleshed, freestone variety with the sweetest flavour. Anzac having been around for such a long time has a naturally higher resistance to disease, in particular Curl Leaf. Pollination Requirements:  Anzac peaches are self-pollinating, but having another peach tree nearby can improve fruit production. Maturity:  Anzac peaches typically ripen in mid to late summer. *A dwarf cultivar of Anzac is available. **If you like the idea of an old-fashioned type of Peach where the sweet juice runs down your wrist with each mouthful and the flesh clings to the stone, keep an eye of for Golden Queen. Still the number 1 peach used for preserved tinned fruit today. Peacharine So you love peaches but find the furry skin off-putting or hate the idea of having the remove the fuzz which sometimes doesn't come off easily? Well perhaps a Peacharine is just the thing for you. A peacharine is basically a cross between a nectarine and a peach, or rather a peach without the fuzz. Firm, yellow flesh beneath dark pink blushed, smooth skin that becomes sweeter as it ripens. Freestone. Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile as with peaches and nectarines, doesn't require a pollinator. Maturity: Expect to be able to harvest then from early to mid-Summer. Pear-Packham Accounting for more than 60% of pears grown in Australia today, the Packham Triumph was bread by Horticulturist Charles Henry Packham in NSW in the late 1890s. Reliable, prolific fruiters, they're grow well here in our region. The fruit size is medium to large, oblong but chunky and irregular in shape. The flesh is smooth, and creamy white beneath lime green skin that yellows as it ripens. Eat them soft sweet and juicy, or whilst still firmer. I love to slice them aprox. 5mm thick and dry them in my dehydrator. Try to resist eating too many at once though!!! Pollination Requirements: Like most pears, Packhams are sterile and will need another pear of a different variety nearby for pollination. Maturity: Packhams ripen in late February. Pear-Dutchess A European variety, also known as Williams or Bartlett, Dutchess are the second most commonly grown Pear in our region. Slightly smaller and more uniform in their shape and appearance than the Packham, but they're every bit as sweet and juicy. They're the most popular canning variety of pear. Pollination Requirements: Dutchess pears are self-pollinating so perhaps a better choice if you only have room for one. That being said, fruit yields will be even better with a second variety nearby. Maturity: Ripening times for Dutchess Pears are from mid-February. ** Available as a dwarf cultivar. Pear-Nashi For something a bit different, you can't go past a Nashi. Originating in Eastern Asia Nashis' are next level! A cross between an apple and a pear, Nashis' have the firm, crisp crunch of an apple, with the texture and juiciness of a ripe pear. The flavour can best be described as florally sweet, with a hint citrus. Pollination Requirements: Nashi pears are self-fertile, but cross-pollination from a Dutchess or another Nashi will increase fruit production. Maturity: They typically ripen late Summer in February. Plum-Satsuma Everybody knows of the Satsuma. Satsumas are a medium to large freestone plum, with a small pit in the centre. Dark red flesh beneath, red to almost purple skin, they're best known for their sweet, juicy flavour and the prolific volume of fruit they produce each season. Pollination Requirements: Satsuma plums are self-pollinating, so they don't require a companion. Maturity: Satsuma plums typically ripen mid to late summer. **Satsuma plums are available as a dwarf cultivar as well. Plum-Santa Rosa Santa Rosa is another popular and well-known variety of plum for home gardens. A medium sized, round clingstone plum with a soft, sweet, juicy, yellow flesh beneath a deep red coloured skin. Pollination Requirements: Santa Rosa plums are semi self-pollinating but will yield better with another plum tree nearby. They're noted to be a good pollen donor for most other plums. Maturity: Santa Rosa's ripen December. ** Santa Rosa is available as a dwarf. Before you go shopping for your new fruit trees there'll be a few things to take into consideration. Maybe create yourself a list. What type of fruit do you like to eat? What do you find yourself regularly buying in the supermarkets? Pollination requirements. Some trees will require a companion for pollination. How much space do you have? How many trees at most can you fit comfortably within the space? What's your soil quality like? You may need to invest some time and money into improving you soil prior to planting. Irrigation. Hand watering or setting up drippers on timers for consistency and accuracy of water allocations. Protecting your fruit from wildlife. A netted fully enclosed orchard or netting the individual trees. These are the first few that come to my mind and there are quite likely other things that I haven't mentioned that will be a priority to you. Perhaps spend some time having a look at the Balhannah Nurseries , and Flemings Nurseries websites. The two biggest and longest standing growers and providers of trees to our region. Almost every single retail supplier you visit right now will have Balhannah and Flemings tree in stock. They are amazing companies that we would be lost without. Take advantage of the friendly staff instore where you buy your trees. Go armed with your list and ask questions. That's what we are there for, and more importantly, what we love to do. As always, you're more than welcome to send me a message if you want to know more. Have a wonderful week, Happy Gardening! 😘🍏🍎

Written and edited by Tammy 7th September 2024 Silver Bush Convolvulus Cneorum would have to be one of my favourite plants I recommend time and time again, when asked for something pretty, but hardy and adaptable. Convolvulus Cneorum Convolvulaceae, commonly known as the 'Morning Glory' family of flowering plants, mostly comprises herbaceous climbing vines, but Cneorum is one of only a few that are a dense, bushy, spreading shrub. Native to the mediterranean regions, they prefer alkaline soil, a full sun to part shade aspect, and good drainage. They stand up well to the cold and are tolerative of hot, dry periods. Size wise, they form a nice, dense mound, of approximately 60cm tall and upto 120cm wide. Convolvulus Cneorum is well known is the landscaping world for being a winner of the Royal horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit for its outstanding qualities and landscape performance. To see it in full bloom covered in masses of beautiful, vibrant white flowers on soft silvery grey foliage, you can appreciate how versatile it really is, in that it will suit anything from cottage style gardens and rockeries to mass plantings for borders. Instead of annuals that need to be replaced each season, try planting some silver bush in pots or hanging baskets as a feature or mobile display that can be moved from one spot to the next for a pop of colour that will continue to bloom for months and months on end. Next time you're in Naracoorte, drive past the new Mitre 10, look for it growing beneath the ornamental flowering plums Prunus 'Crimson Spire' in the carpark garden beds. I planted them there almost 18 months ago when our store opened as small plants no larger than potted colour. (3 plants per 6 meters) You'll see they're well on the way to reaching their mature size now, and as I hoped, they contrast beautifully with the burgundy foliage of the flowering plums. Other than the initial watering them in, and a seasonal handful of Rapid Raiser, they're thriving of whatever Mother Nature provides them with. They've stood up to the 40 degree days we had at the end of last summer, and the frosts we had in the tail end of this winter. They really are a winner. The perfect plant ticking all the boxes for ease of care, hardiness and masses of colour. Add this one to your garden wish list today. Happy Gardening! 😘🪴 Other Posts You Might Enjoy When is the Best Time to Fertilise Your Garden and What Products Should You Use? “Is it too soon to fertilise yet?" If you’re hesitating and unsure, the answer is no… not at all! With everything beginning to wake from dormancy, now is the most important time of the year to start fertilising. Top 20 Best Fruit Trees Guide Whether you're beginning with a blank canvas for a new fruit orchard, or you've got space for one or two additional trees to complete your collection, deciding which ones to go with can be a little overwhelming. To solve that dilemma and make it easier for you I've compiled a list of what I consider to be the top 20 best fruit trees. Beginners guide to Pruning tools-which one to use! Pruning is one of those jobs that all gardeners need to do at some point whether you have a conservative little courtyard or a sprawling landscaped masterpiece. But where do you start? which tool is for what??" Let's go through a few and see if I can help solve some of the confusion. How Frost Affects Plants & Tips for Preventing Frostburn Frosts are among the greatest adversaries for gardeners throughout the colder months. Days with clear, sunny skies often lead to subzero temperatures overnight, causing frosts to occur. Without being pro-active and having measures in place, the results can be detrimental. Which fertiliser should I use?🤷‍♀️ One of the most important jobs at the top of everyone's 'to do list' right now is to feed your gardens. Whether it's your roses, lawns, garden beds, fruit trees or indoor plants, they're all going to need to be fed. It can be confusing trying to decide which fertiliser should I use with so many available on the market. There are five main types of fertilisers that each have their own purpose and circumstances for use.

written and edited by Tammy 1st September 2024 You’ve heard me say it before and I’ll say it again, “when life gives you lemons…. “well have you ever tried Marmalade? Citrus lovers will most likely have tried it and love it as I do but for those who don’t know, marmalade is the most divine, sweet, tangy preserve you could ever imagine spreading on a crunchy slice of hot toast or dolloped over icecream. History of Marmalade History of the Meyer Lemon Size and Growing Preferences Fruit Description Where you'll find them Meyer Marmalade Recipe History of Marmalade Marmalade recipes go back as far as the 1500s where the Portuguese used quinces (known as marmelo) to make their preserves, then as time passed Seville oranges took centre stage. Now the relevance marmalade has to my gardening blog has everything to do with my Meyer Lemon tree-well actually I have two! A beautiful specimen in my front garden and a dwarf Meyer branded “Lots a lemons” in a pot. Meyer is not the lemon you will find a wedge of wrapped in with your fish n chips but it is hands down the sweetest, juiciest lemon of them all, making it the most suitable variety for marmalade. (and I LOVE squeezing them over my fish n chips!) History of the Meyer Lemon A Hybrid, said to be a cross between a lemon and an orange that found its way to the US from Beijing China back in 1908 thanks to a US Dept of Agriculture plant explorer, Frank Meyer. ( Improved Meyer lemon | Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection at UCR ) Size & Growing Preferences A smaller more compact tree than other varieties, it potentially reaches 2.5m x 2.5m and thrives in full sun. Prefers a quality, free draining, loamy soil, slightly on the acidic side. As with most varieties of citrus they are gross feeders. I regularly provide mine with a combination of fertilisers , liquids, organics, and animal manures in mulch form. Known for being hardier and more adaptable that other varieties of lemon, it’s a popular, good choice for the home garden. Fruit Description The fruit itself is small to medium, rounded in size with a smooth orangey yellow thin skin covering a golden yellow juicy flesh. Where you'll find them The smooth thinner skin of the Meyer leaves them more susceptible to damage and bruising in transit hence they’ve never had the mass market appeal of say the Lisbon or Eureka, so you won’t find the Meyer on supermarket shelves. Where you WILL find them though with the prolific volume of fruit they produce almost all year round, is at your local home growers markets, buy swap sell pages and home doorsteps with signs saying “Free lemons, take some”. It honestly doesn’t get any better than that, the winner for me is the Meyer. Attached is the link to the recipe I used. Meyer Lemon Marmalade https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/meyer_lemon_marmalade/ The most time consuming part was chopping and preparing the lemons but other than that it was very easy and SO worth the effort! Enjoy the first day of Spring! Happy Gardening😘🍋