Planting & Growing

You planted seedlings one day and their gone the next? A very common problem is seedlings freshly planted disappearing, let’s look at the possible culprits.   • A cutworm or armyworm • Wallabies, kangaroos, rabbits, rats, mice or bandicoots • Snails or slugs • A neighbour who envies your garden No to the neighbours, but the other three are highly …

Make a simple seed spreader shaker to spread seeds better for more germination success rate.  When trying to spread very fine seeds like lettuce, lobelia, poppies etc, using this trick from yester years will make all the difference. Use an old salt shaker, with washed river sand or horticultural sand in it.  Add the seeds to the shaker and mix …

The potato originated in the Andes Mountains, where it was cultivated by Pre-Columbian Indians. It was taken to Spain by the Conquistadors, but because of its association with poisonous plants (it is a member of the nightshade family), the potato didn’t come to prominence in Europe until introduced into Ireland in the 17th century. Being so nutritious and easily grown …

  Growing turmeric and edible ginger can be a rewarding experience for beginner gardeners, as these plants are easy to grow and have both culinary and aesthetic benefits. Here are some basic guidelines for growing and harvesting turmeric and edible ginger.   Soil Preparation Turmeric and edible ginger prefer rich organic soil. If you are planting the rhizomes in the …

Once you have brought home your seedlings to plant, here are some tips to ensure successful growth to maturity. Seedlings grow quickly and will outgrow their pot and the starter soil they were planted in, so transplant seedlings into their final location within a day or two after purchasing. When gardening and using soil products, always read the health warning …

To seed or not seed, that is the question? It’s that time of year, you are getting ready to fill your garden with annual flowers or with seasonal vegetables and herbs. But what do you do, do you sow seeds or plant seedlings?  When you look at the costings, yes, seeds look the far more economical way. However, what about …

The scent of lemon is refreshing, sharp and clean. When crushing a leaf from a lemon tree, oils are released which create the familiar lemon fragrance that we know so well. Check out our list of the easiest lemon-scented foliage on offer. Lemon verbena (Aloysia citriodora) A deciduous, woody shrub to 2.5m tall, flowering in spring. The leaves have an …

  Ground cover plants are an essential accessory in the garden. Plant them in rockeries, under trees and in garden beds to cover bare patches of earth as a natural mulch alternative. Floriferous groundcovers Calibrachoas: If you want serious colour and wow factor, you can not go past the range of Calibrachoas that are readily available in stores. Flowering almost …

So you have decided your plant needs a different home in your garden. A little bit of prep work will ensure your plant doesn’t suffer shock from the move.   What is transplant shock? Many plants suffer from transplant shock more often than you’d think. In fact, transplant shock in plants is an unknown topic for many gardeners. When uprooting …

Coastal gardening can be challenging, but a little research and advice from your local garden centre staff will go a long way in creating a successful garden. There are several factors that need to be considered before selecting your plants.   Coastal Soil Type No matter where you live, knowing your soil type is a key ingredient to successful gardening. …