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Hi my name is Tammy, I'm a qualified horticulturist living in a quiet little corner of South Australia otherwise known as "The Limestone Coast." Our soil diversity ranges from one extreme to the other often making gardening a challenge. I've had a passion for gardening since I was a young. I've completed my Certificate III in Horticulture, studied 12 months in 'The Science of Gardening", and was fortunate enough to work for one of the best in the industry in our region with generations of experience. What more can I say other than that I love gardening and love being able to share what I've learned.
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- 12 of the best Silver Grey foliage plants
Agave Havardiana 'Harvard' Written and edited by Tammy 3rd January 2025 When it comes to searching for plants for your garden that are, hardy, drought tolerant, frost tolerant all the while looking smart and stylish in design, look for plants with silver or grey coloured foliage. But “why grey, what's so good about it?” You’ll notice silver or grey coloured plants have either fine soft hairy foliage, a tough leathery surface or a waxy coating. Often, they’ll have smaller, fine of even needle like leaves. It’s these features that are attributed to the plant’s place of origin, mostly a hot arid climate, and are its defence mechanisms or coping strategies for that climate it originates. Frost tolerance- fine hairs or a waxy coating prevent frost from being able to make contact with the plant’s leaf or stem surfaces. Bit like the plant has its own coat of armour on! Drought resistance- the finer the foliage the lesser the demand for water is, in comparison to large lush leafy green foliage. Makes sense! Temperature extremes- less leaf surface and foliage exposed to direct sun also equals less opportunity for sun burn. The same applies to plants with a waxy or leathery exterior. You can liken it to the plant having its on natural sunscreen on. I've put together a list here for you of some of my favourites. 12 best silver grey foliage plants Pigs Ears, Cotyledon Orbiculata Silver Spurflower Plectranthus Argenttatus Liquorice plant Helichrysum petiolare Silver Bush Convolvulus Cneorum Lamb's Ears Stachys byzantina Silver Dust, Dusty Miller or Silver Ragwort Senecio cineraria ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ Eremophila Glabra Angels wings Scenecio candicans Native Coastal Rosemary 'Smokey' Westringia Fruticosa Silver Cushion Bush Calocephalus Brownii Salt bush 'Grey Edge' Rhagodia parabolica English Lavender Lavendula angustifolia Cotyedon Orbiculata Pigs Ears Pigs Ears, Cotyledon Orbiculata Commonly known as Pigs Ears, Cotyledon Orbiculata is striking succulent with large, waxy, silver white leaves potentially reaching 1m x 1m in height and width. A perfect plant for a standout contrast of colour in garden beds or rockeries, or you could even use it in pots and containers. It contrasts beautifully against the strappy red phormiums pictured here above. Being a succulent it's also EASY peezy to propagate making them good value. Plectranthus Argentatus Spurflower Plectranthus Silver Spurflower With velvet-like soft grey, foliage, Plectranthus Argenttatus Silver Spurflower will happily grow Indoors in a bright, well-lit room just as happily as it will outdoors. Prefers a good organic, free draining, sandy loam. Add it to a beautiful big urn as a feature or showcase it as an underplanting beneath a lovely big shade tree. Reaching approximately 60cm -1m in height and equally as wide, striking mauve or white flower spires bloom throughout the warmer months. Helichrysum Petiolare Licorice Plant Helichrysum Petiolare Licorice Plant Helichrysum petiolare , commonly known as Liquorice plant is a fantastic little spreading ground cover that grows to around 50cm tall by 1.5 meters wide. Small fleshy green leaves covered with silvery white fuzz are complimented by dainty white flowers in the warmer months. Perfect for edges, border and fillers. Reaches approximately 50cm in height and can spread upto 1.5m wide. Convolvulus Cneorum Silver Bush Convolvulus Cneorum Silver Bush Convolvulus Cneorum Silver Bush. This one is definitely a standout performer and has won awards rightly so. A dense, bushy, spreading shrub covered in masses of glory type white flowers right throughout the warmer months. Grows to approximately 60cm tall x 1.5meters wide, the perfect plant suited to all situations from borders, edges, mass displays, containers and pots. Extremely good drought tolerance once established. (This is the one I've mass planted throughout the Naracoorte K&B Mitre 10 car park garden beds. https://www.tjsgardeningworks.space/post/silver-bush-convolvulus-cneorum ) Stachys Byzantina Lambs Ears Stachys byzantina Lambs Ears Stachys byzantina , Lamb's Ears, a beautiful quirky little ground cover well known for its velvety, soft, fuzzy leaves, truly resembling lambs' ears. A quick spreader that thrives in full sun, and well-drained soils. Reaching aprox 30-50cm tall and spreads upto 1m or more. Giving it a regular drink and the occasional light trim back over the warmer months will keep it looking good and prevent it becoming leggy. Makes for a lovely mass planted filler. Scenecio Cineraria Silver Dust Senecio cineraria Silver Dust Senecio cineraria Silver Dust, Dusty Miller or Silver Ragwort. This one always reminds me of snow flakes. A small compact hardy shrub growing to only around 30cm in height and width. Occasional clusters of small yellow insignificant flowers in Spring, but its prized feature really is its silvery white foliage. Prefers full sun to partial shade in free draining, sandy or loamy soils. Moderate water requirements but does like to dry out between drinks. Tolerative of the cold but can be a little frost sensitive. Propagates easily from seed. Perfect pop of contrasting colour and texture for pots, containers, and cottage garden beds. Eremophila Glabra Kalbarri Carpet Eremophila Glabra ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ Eremophila Glabra ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ An award winning, hardy Australian native ground cover, d istinguishable by its fine, narrow, silvery grey foliage, and slender, tubular, yellow flowers throughout Spring and Summer. Thrives in an arid climate and tolerative of drought conditions. Prefers a full sun aspect in well-drained sandy or loamy soils and has low water requirements once established. Reaching 30-40cm in height and spreading up to 2m, its perfect for dry native landscape style gardens and better still, ideal for preventing and overcoming soil erosion. Birds, native wildlife and pollinators will thank you for planting natives too as you'll be providing them with a source of food and shelter. Scenecio Candicans Angel's Wings Scenecio candicans Angels wings Scenecio candicans Angels wings are a real show-stopper with their large, heart shaped, velvety silver white foliage. The leaves themselves, you could almost liken them to that of the Liquorice plant I also rated here just prior..... only a lot larger! A popular choice for indoors and outdoors not only for their striking foliage, but for their ability to purify the air as well. Their bushy, compact growth habit sees them reaching potentially 30-90cm tall and equally as wide. Loves a bright indirect light if inside and a morning sun to part shade if outside. Think of that spot beneath a beautiful big shade tree that sees the early to mid-day sun. A free draining soil or potting medium is ideal, and only water when the top inch of soil is dry. Susceptible to root rot if over watered and not keen on frosts either. Senecios' are a succulent, so think of the requirements of your other succulents. Perfect plant to use as a 'filler' under planting to go with something taller, in a "thrill, fill & spill' large urn, pot or container. Let your imagination go wild! (Have to say I love love love Scenecio Serpens 'Blue Chalk sticks' too in mass plantings. Another real architectural one 😁🪴) Westringia Fruticosa Smokey Var. Westringia Fruticosa ‘Smokey’ Westringia Fruticosa 'Smokey' also known as a native coastal rosemary. Westringias' come in a large variety of cultivars, each one unique in the shape, size and colour growth habits. Smokey is a lovely, variegated form with dainty white to pale mauve flowers from Spring through into Summer. It has a dense, bushy, compact growth habit reaching between 1 to 1.5 meters tall and wide. A warm arid climate plant, they prefer full sun to part shade, and a well-drained sandy to sandy loan soil. Drought-tolerant once established, a moderate watering is all they need over long dry periods. Perfectly suited to coastal gardens, borders and hedges, and even more so if attracting, birds, bees and pollinators is a priority for you too. Calocephalus Brownii Cushion Bush Calocephalus Brownii Silver Cushion Bush Calocephalus Brownii Silver Cushion Bush. With fine needle like, hairy silver foliage, how perfect does this specimen look above in a garden here in Naracoorte. It contrasts and beautifully compliments the gnarly old tree limb it's nestled beside as though it's just meant to be there. The owner has many of them growing throughout her primarily native garden with them thriving in a full sun aspect, in a free draining pure sand soil. Drought-tolerant once established; particularly with an insulating layer of mulch as she has, the bare minimum of water is all that is required. Commonly used in gardens and landscapes for its attractive foliage, they tend to reach somewhere between 30 and 90cm in height and width. They truly look striking as a stand-alone feature in a garden as this one does, but they would look equally as amazing to see a hedge created with them or even in a large rustic urn. Rhagodia Parabolica Salt Bush Rhagodia parabolica Salt bush 'Grey Edge' Rhagodia parabolica Salt bush 'Grey Edge'. Any list of grey foliage plants just wouldn't be complete without a salt bush. It doesn't get any hardier. This particular plant just happens to be growing no more than three meters away from the Cushion Bush pictured above, evidently, its growing preferences are the same. They are thriving!! Grey Edge grows to a height of 1 to 2 meters, is drought-tolerant once established; and only requires the occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. Prefers full sun, well-drained sandy or loamy soils; and is tolerative of alkaline saline soils too. Ideal for soil stabilization in coastal or erosion-prone areas. Popular in landscaping for its appealing foliage and form. Lavendula Angustifolia Eng. Lavender Fields of English Lavender Lavendula angustifolia English Lavender . There are so many cultivars of English Lavender available, including 'Munstead', 'Hidcote', and 'Royal Purple', each with unique characteristics. Typically grows between 1 to 3 feet tall, depending on the variety. Produces spikes of small purple flowers that bloom in summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. It features narrow, grey-green leaves that are aromatic when crushed, and thrives in full sun, free draining, sandy or even gravelly soils. Lavender might not be exactly a 'silver/grey' foliage plant but I'm still adding it to my list of favourites as it's right up there amongst them for every other reason and some. Even if grey plants aren't your thing from a colour palate perspective, don't dismiss them until you've done some research. Tough, drought hardy plants like these are already well adapted and suited to our climate. Their lower water requirements will not only save you hip pocket but help take the pressure off of our environment and precious resources too. Keep cool and have a wonderful weekend! Happy Gardening! 😘🪴 Other related posts you may like How to save water in the garden Watering lawns There are lots of simple measures we can take to save water in our gardens potentially saving us hundreds of dollars a year. https://www.tjsgardeningworks.space/post/how-to-save-water-in-the-garden Help! My plants are burnt and crispy Burnt foliage 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. https://www.tjsgardeningworks.space/post/saving-burnt-crispy-plants Hard water-The cold, hard facts. Hard water If you see crusting on top of your soil surrounding your plants or a white residue on the leaves then they proceed to yellow and burn, there's a pretty good chance hard water will be a major contributing factor. So what can we do? https://www.tjsgardeningworks.space/post/hard-water-the-cold-hard-facts https://amzn.asia/d/0ECXcz6
- Micro-Climate-How to Create a Garden, Within Your Garden.
Delicate shade loving plants Watch any gardening shows on tv, and you’ll often hear them use the term ‘Microclimate’ but what IS a microclimate?? The term microclimate refers to a small area where the climate conditions differ from the surrounding area. Sunlight exposure, wind patterns, soil types, or proximity to structures are all contributing factors. Let me give you an example…. A large, advanced Morten Bay Fig tree growing in a full sun location exposed to prevailing winds… that’s the growing conditions it’s subject to, and the climate it’s growing within. Now if a collection of Hellebores' and Hosta's were growing at the base of that tree in rich, organic composted soil, protected from the winds by the large exposed roots, and fully shaded and sheltered by the huge canopy of dense foliage, they would be growing within their own climate, full shade and sheltered, and potentially a couple of degrees cooler too as the intensity of the suns heat would be less harsh beneath the dense thick canopy. One small, contained climate co-existing within another larger completely different climate, a micro-climate. **Benefits of growing plants within a micro-climate: ** 1. **Extended Growing Season: **If you're lucky enough to own a 'hot-house/ green-house', you can grow vegetables that might otherwise be out of season, almost all year round. Plants that require warmer temperatures often begin start to struggle once the days become cooler and shorter. A green-house acts as a microclimate trapping heat from the days sun within and insulating them from the cold allowing them to grow well beyond their typical season. This is how large commercial plant suppliers grow stock to provide to the retail outlets. Tomatoes growing within a green house. 2. **Protection from Harsh Conditions: ** Plants that are sensitive to strong winds or frost can be sheltered in a microclimate, providing them with a more suitable environment to grow. Think of the hellebores' example I just described above. You couldn’t grow the delicate little babies tears ground cover out in dry sandy soil in the hot sun, but if you planted a large shade tree, improved the soil beneath it, and grew some lovely dense perennials, there’s a good chance the babies tears might grow protected there in beneath the perennials. 3. **Diverse Plant Selection: ** By creating different microclimates within your garden, you can experiment in growing a wider variety of plants that may not be able to survive in the overall climate of your region. 4. **Optimal Growing Conditions: ** Microclimates can offer ideal conditions for specific plants, such as increased humidity, reduced sunlight exposure, or better drainage, leading to healthier growth. The little ferns growing within the terrarium below are growing within their own microclimate. They wouldn't be exposed the fluctuations in temperature within the house, cold draughts in the winter, or warm dry air from the fire. The moisture, humidity and temperature would be maintained and consistent. The perfect example of a microclimate. Tiny ferns within a terrarium, a micro-climate. A dear friend of mine has a beautiful new home built less than 10 years ago on their farm. When the house was first built quite literally in the middle of a paddock, there was not so much as a tree or twig. There was no protection from the constant prevailing winds and her soil was ( and still is) a heavy sticky black clay that becomes sodden in winter with the shallow water table and shrinks and cracks in summer leaving her with canyons a small dog could get lost down. The first thing she did was to establish a good, dense shelter belt of now large, advanced trees to completely surround the house. Fast forward to now, the mature trees provide almost total protection from the winds, the under-plantings of annuals and perennials have shade from the harsh summer sun, and many a season of top dressing her garden beds with generous layers of pea straw and rich organic matter has seen her have good, deep beds of nutrient rich top soil to plant into. She's essentially created a completely different climate within her yard to that of outside her yard, a microclimate. Michelle’s Garden A small section of her lovely garden that was once an empty barren paddock. Delicate plants growing in the under canopy. Next time you fall in-love with a plant but think you can’t have it because you can’t provide it with the growing conditions it needs, try to come up with a solution to get around those constraints. When it comes to gardening, anything is possible, sometimes we just need to think outside of the square. Happy Gardening 😘🪴
- When is the Best Time to Fertilise Your Garden and What Products Should You Use?
Written and edited by Tammy 24th August 2024 “Is it too soon to fertilise yet?" If you’re hesitating and unsure, the answer is no… not at all!! You only need look around us, deciduous ornamentals are breathtaking in full bloom everywhere throughout our town right now, the days are getting longer, and Spring is literally just around the corner. With everything beginning to wake from dormancy, now is the most important time of the year to start fertilising. Plants need a consistent source of nutrients to support their growth and well-being. A lot of plants will have struggled through the cold of winter and possibly been dealt the blows of sub-zero temperatures from frosts. It can be a struggle for them to get going again, particularly if the necessary resources are lacking. Which fertiliser you choose to use is going to depend largely on your circumstances, what you need to feed, and of course your personal preference for the brands you’re familiar and comfortable with. How I Like to Fertilise Liquids Soluble and liquid fertilisers and ameliorates are fantastic as that they're easily absorbed by the roots for the plant to begin reeking the benefits straight away. Without a doubt my hands down favourite is Seasol and I've been using it for years. The Seasol Complete Garden Health Treatment boosts plants immune systems and stimulates their roots to grow, while PowerFeed provides a source of nutrition. Approximately every two weeks from now on, throughout the growing season I like to apply a combined mix of Seasol Complete Health Treatment , and Seasol PowerFeed to any vegetable seedlings, flowering annuals, and cropping plants, including my fruit tree collection that are all in large pots/ wine barrels. It's fantastic for all perennials, shrubs, and bushes throughout your garden beds, and rest assured—it's totally safe for native plants as well. Remember, with solubles and liquids they don't persist in the soil for long, so you'll need to keep it up regularly if you're not providing your plants with something else in addition. Images credit to Seasol.com.au Organic Pelletised Fertilisers Diversity is the key; alongside liquid fertilisers that have the advantage of instant availability, it's smart to be in the habit of using a two-handed approach and apply an additional fertiliser, something to feed gradually and continually. My go-to is Neutrog. If you're not already familiar with Neutrog they are one of our few proudly SA home-grown companies, renowned worldwide now for their extensive range of organic fertilisers and soil ameliorants. (Look no further than the famous Flemington Race Course, home of the Melbourne Cup where the roses say it all!) Sudden impact for Roses. Meet Neutrogs' Rapid Raiser. A premium organic pelletised fertiliser that gradually nourishes your plants as it breaks down, while enriching your soil and its microbials at the same time. I like to top dress around my plants with it now, and then again in about another 6 weeks-time. You can safely apply it a couple of times per growing season, just follow the directions for rates for application on the back of the bag. Image credit to Neutrog It's all in the Mulch Before the hot weather kicks in, I can't stress enough that it's a must to mulch around your plants. Mulching not only insulates your plants and soil preventing dehydration, but it goes on to feed and nourish your soil too as it breaks down. Let me tell you about 'Who Flung Dung'. I'm Probably beginning to sound a little biased now, but once you begin using the Neutrog products, you'll understand why. Released into the market almost 5 years ago now in 2019, Who flung dung is an organic mulch and fertiliser two in one that comprises composted chicken manure and straw. Being high in Nitrogen, it's ideal for hungry fruiting, flowering and cropping plants. Spread a generous layer around your plants to insulate them from temperature extremes and prevent moisture loss, and at the same time it'll gradually feed them all the goodies they need to keep powering on. Image credit to Neutrog Little hint** REMEMBER, most Australian natives don't tolerate Phosphorus very well at all, so be mindful what fertilisers you use on them. Look for something that's specifically for natives. Neutrog does their own pelletised native plant food called Bush Tucker , which is recommended by the Australian Plant Society of Victoria, and often heard, highly spoken of by Gardening Australia's Angus Stewart. Bush Tucker is an organic based pelletised plant food that will break down and feed your plants gradually while benefiting your soil at the same time. If you've had any doubts, I hope this helps to put your mind at ease. It's absolutely essential to start feeding your gardens now as we head into Spring. Giving them the vital nutrients they need now from the right combination of fertilisers will boost their immune system and kick start their metabolism, setting the stage for strong plant growth right throughout the season resulting in stunning blooms, and bountiful harvests. You're always welcome to message me if you'd like more advice. Have a wonderful weekend, Happy gardening! 😘🌳🌹
- How to save water in the garden💦👀
Written and updated by Tammy 15th December 2024 Now more than ever with the costs of living making things a struggle for families, we're all looking for ways to consciously save money any way we can in and around our homes. Our gardens aren't the exception. There are lots of simple measures we can take to save water in our gardens potentially saving us hundreds of dollars a year. Tap timers. Replace the batteries in your tap timers at the beginning of each season and run them to ensure they're functioning correctly. Check for leaking taps and if need be, replace the washers and seals. Run a diagnostics check of your irrigation system strategically section by section assessing for leaks and blockages. Repair any leaking sections and plug any holes. Replace blocked drippers or jets. Make sure you're using the most efficient and appropriate jets or drippers for each section of the garden. Some parts may need 4 litre/hr drippers where other sections might be fine with 2 litre/hr ones. Mulch. I've said it before and I'll say it again, not only does mulching your gardens insulate plants from the radiant heat, but it aids water retention and prevents dehydration. Mulch also serves to nourish and feed your soil as it breaks down. Make adding a generous layer of quality mulch part of your regular seasonal garden maintenance and you'll potentially cut your watering expenses in half. Avoid watering in the hottest part of the day. You're far better off to water early in the morning, giving water the opportunity to soak in and avoid evaporating too quickly. Watering earlier also eliminates the opportunity for fungal issues and disease to arise as a result of excessive moisture overnight. When big rain is forecast, particularly summer storms, set out as many large catchment containers as you have, you’ll be amazed how much extra rainwater you can harvest from a single good downpour. It might just be enough to water all your potted plants for a week. Every drop counts. I have an old bathtub in my yard originally used as a raised garden bed that's no longer used and in need of recycling. In the meantime, every time there's a storm and heavy rains it completely fills giving m enough water to water all my potted plants. I feel like the cat that's got the cream!! 😁 Purchasing and setting up extra rainwater tanks isn’t cheap and isn’t always an option for all so be opportunistic. If you see secondhand shuttles/IBCs for sale and you have a spair bit of space at the back of the garden grab one and set it up. Create a catchment means on top to funnel the rain into it and a tap and the base and straight away, there’s an extra 1,000L of rainwater. Set up wicking beds for your edibles and veggie gardens where possible. They’re a far more efficient, and less wasteful means of hydrating your plants. Check out this link below to a short video where Sophie Thompson of the ABCs Gardening Australia demonstrates setting a wicking bed up using an IBC. It’s very clever! https://youtu.be/obNWr8MD0uU?si=L3kyMReen6Lp6-eZ Implementing as many of these measures as possible should see you saving a lot of money over time. Monitor your quarterly water bills too for exceptionally large spikes in usage and cost. An excessive bill in itself might be enough of a warning that there's a leak or an issue somewhere that needs to be addressed. Keep cool this summer and keep yourself hydrated too. Happy gardening😘🌸🌼💦
- Gardening inspired gift ideas
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
- The perfect Christmas garden made simple
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
- Grow your own Christmas tree🎄
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
- How to Grow Healthy Tomatoes Successfully🍅
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🍅😘🌸
- How to grow Seedlings Successfully
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!
- Which fertiliser should I use?🤷♀️
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!😘🌸🪴
- Botanical plant names-the why and how🤷♀️☘️
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!😘🪴
- Soils...From the ground up!
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. 😘🪴