My Garden by Helen Holmes

First of all how would you describe your garden?

I live in the dry tropics near Townsville. This means we have about nine months of dry weather (with lovely warm winters) and three months of wet season (with high temps and high humidity) On arriving here twelve years ago the property had lots of mango trees and a few gums – and that was it. We now have a wide variety of fruit trees, endeavour to grow as much veg as possible and then preserve the produce in jams and chutneys. We also have chickens and ducks and work on a closed-loop system so that everything possible is used. Paper is shredded for chook bedding which then goes on the vegies and fruit trees. Cardboard is scrounged from everywhere and is laid down as mulch.

I love growing unusual plants and now that we run a small bed and breakfast a tour of the garden is often a highlight for guests

How did you get started in gardening?

I’m not sure where my gardening genes come from – I grew up with a tiny backyard in southern England and neither my parents nor grandparents were keen gardeners. However as soon as I had a garden of my own (even though it was rented) I started veg gardening. We now live on acreage in the beautiful tropics – I couldn’t think of a bigger contrast to my first little garden.

What motivates you to get up and garden?

I don’t need much motivation at all. The easiest thing in the world is to go out into the garden, even if I’m just pottering around, pulling up the odd weed here and there – I love it.

What were some of the unexpected hurdles in your garden? How did you deal with them?

The weather was and still is the main hurdle. Plants have to live through such extremes of dry and wet and humidity. Every plant needs a water supply for at least two years. Although I quickly found that the local native trees and shrubs were the best to grow. To cope with this I am turning towards tropical veg for summer and I’m setting up wicking beds to try and ease the problems. There were also issues with wildlife eating the produce – fencing the veg patch and growing things in hanging baskets around the house has pretty much solved that problem.

What were some of the unexpected benefits from gardening?

The extra wildlife that now live around the house. Lots of native plants bring in native birds while resident green tree frogs enjoy the extra tree cover. Getting the balance right between keeping things tidy and fire-safe while leaving plenty of wild areas is one of the secrets to a good garden here.

Is there a gardening moment that stands out for you?

While working in the veg patch I heard a noise and was delighted to see our resident wallaby matriarch and baby sorting through the weeds I had thrown over the fence. She carried on eating contentedly a few metres away while I went back to my work – magic!

What has your garden taught you?

Whatever time and effort you manage to put in you will reap four-fold. You might not get all the crops you hoped for but the personal benefits of exercise, fresh air and the feeling of achievement when it does go right make up for that.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what would you be?

I’m a fairly practical person so I think I’ll choose the rosella – the leaves can be eaten like spinach (an acquired taste!) the flowers and red stems are attractive but are quite prickly if handled the wrong way. Finally, the rosella ‘fruit’ can be used for tea, syrup or jam. It’s useful at all stages of its life and besides, my Rosella and Lemon Myrtle Jam is legendary.

What tips would you offer first time gardeners?

Just do it! Start with something small but useful like herbs – even if it’s only a couple of pots on the window ledge give it a go. To start an ornamental garden walk around your neighbourhood and see what other people are growing successfully. If you don’t know what a plant is maybe knock on the door and ask – keen gardeners are usually happy to share their knowledge and often will share cuttings too!

Would you like $50 to spend with us? Why not share your garden story with us – we would love to hear it!
Email us – sales@gardenware.com.au with ‘Garden Stories’ in the subject line. If you are published on our blog, we will offer you a $50 discount code!

 

My Garden by Elaine Johnston

First of all how would you describe your garden?

My garden is a relatively small cottage-type garden with vegetables scattered in between flowers and trees.

I live in a cool climate and at the moment many bulbs are in flower, such as tulips, bluebells, freesias, ranunculi, daffodils, orchids, snowdrops, tritonia, alstromeria and iris.  My Meyer lemon is very productive and the orange blossoms on the Murraya Paniculata tree are about to burst into flower.

I am also growing roses, alyssum, kalanchoe, Californian poppies, hydrangeas, fuchsias, tuberous begonia and many cacti, just to mention a few.  In between I have planted rhubarb, broad beans and many garlic bulbs.  At the last count I had over 200 pots to water, so it is impossible to detail all plants, as I would be writing a book instead of a story.

My vegetable plot has more garlic, snow peas, onions, tomatoes, silver beet, N.Z. spinach, pak choy, wombok cabbages, purple cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, dwarf beans and I have just finished bottling beetroot chutney, as I had a great crop of beetroot.

How did you get started in gardening?

My father was a very keen gardener, so I guess I followed in his footsteps.

What motivates you to get up and garden?

I don’t need any motivation to go out into the garden, as I just love every minute of it.  Every day I inspect my plants and try to do an hour’s work to keep them happy

What were some of the unexpected hurdles in your garden? How did you deal with them?

At first, the lawn was very difficult for me to mow with my hand-mower, so I dug it all out, laid down papers and replaced it with red mulch.  Other problems are the citrus gore wasp on my lemon tree, which I cut off, put in a plastic bag and place in the normal rubbish to help keep numbers down. Also the dreaded onion weed and oxalis are a headache, and the only thing to do is to dig them out and try to get as many bulbs as possible.

What were some of the unexpected benefits from gardening?

I did not know any of my neighbours until I started gardening and because I am always out there working I have made numerous friends.  It is also wonderful to eat your fresh produce and share it with other people. Another benefit of being in the garden is your health.  It keeps your body very active as long as you are sensible and bend your knees whilst lifting and keep your back straight at all times.  Last of all I adore watching all the birds, as they dig for food or suck nectar from the trees.

Is there a gardening moment that stands out for you?

One unforgettable day was when a small child was admiring my goldfish, slipped, and almost fell into my pond which was located in the front garden.  Fortunately I grabbed him by the jumper before he hit the water.  To avoid any more accidents, I relocated the fish and turned the pond into a garden bed.  He is now at secondary college and reminds me of the day I saved him from drowning.

What has your garden taught you?

I have learnt a great deal over the years. When I buy plants or receive cuttings from friends I always do research on them to find out what it is that makes them happy and healthy.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what would you be?

If I was reincarnated as a fruit or vegetable, I would come back as a strawberry because everybody would love me.  My strawberries are planted in holes in plumbing pipes and look very attractive when they hang over the edge in bunches.

What tips would you offer first time gardeners?

My tips for gardening would be first of all to buy good quality tools for your work, as cheaper ones never last and don’t do a great job.

Cut off spent flowers to keep them producing and cut back perennials after flowering.

A compost bin is very necessary for good soil as well as a worm farm and I always mulch the garden with sugar cane mulch.

You cannot put plants in and think that they will look after themselves, as they need lots of TLC.  Therefore – LOVE YOUR PLANTS.

Would you like $50 to spend with us? Why not share your garden story with us – we would love to hear it!
Email us – sales@gardenware.com.au with ‘Garden Stories’ in the subject line. If you are published on our blog, we will offer you a $50 discount code!

My Garden by Johanna Phillips.

First of all how would you describe your garden?

The greatest delight around my home is my garden. I live in a small village in the central west area. The climate has perfect weather for flowers and vegetables alike. Summer and Spring time the flowers are at their best and the new life in the trees and shrubs are beyond compare.

 

How did you get started in gardening?

I was always attracted to gardening from the time I had my first pot with some marigold seeds. These flowers produce such a magnificent show no matter what the season. I still include them in my flower beds each year. The orange and yellow colours stand out amongst the green so well.

What motivates you to get up and garden?

I love to get up into the garden early in the morning with coffee in hand and it is then that I decide what needs doing each day. Whether weeding or planting a plant that the person down the road gave me or I picked up on my travels to town there is always a reason for gardening.

What were some of the unexpected hurdles in your garden? How did you deal with them?

Tulips come up in Spring and Irises as well as succulents with their flowers abound as well as the African daisies and Roses. So many flowers to list. Trail and error is the way to go and if it does not survive another variety will go in its’ place.

The ground was not exactly flower and vegie friendly but I bought heaps of horse and cow manure and after digging this and some home compost in I ended up with a reasonable starting soil. Over the years the soil has become easier to plant in. The onion weed is a never ending job to get rid of. Never give up as you do win in the end  – that is my motto!

What were some of the unexpected benefits from gardening?

Planting melaleuca bushes and viburnum shrubs have been so beneficial to attracting the birds to my garden, Rosellas and Superb Parrots abound through the year. Willy Wagtails have their nests in the trees and actually allow me to photograph them throughout the time of eggs to hatchlings. Such a sheer delight to behold. Top notch pigeons nest in my melaleuca bushes. The blue wrens nest in the shrubs close to the house for protection. What more could you wish for.

 

What has your garden taught you?

Gardening has taught me to have patience as some plants appear quicker than others. Green thumb or not anyone can achieve lots whether it be pots or a specially prepared patch.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what would you be?

Vegetables are also something I love to grow and especially to pick and eat. ‘Cos’ is an easy to grow lettuce, carrots will always come up as do spring onions. Winter vegetables like cauliflower and Broccoli are great and very beneficial to your health. I think if I had to be a vegetable I think Broccoli, as it has been thought to have anti-cancer properties and with so much of this around us, be sure to have it on your dinner plate occasionally.

What tips would you offer first time gardeners?

My tips to first time gardeners is to have patience and try different types of flowers and shrubs as these are what attracts the birds to your gardens. The reward is never ending.

 

Would you like $50 to spend with us? Why not share your garden story with us – we would love to hear it! Email us – sales@gardenware.com.au with ‘Garden Stories’ in the subject line. If you are published on our blog, we will offer you a $50 discount code!

 

My Garden by Rhea Ng

First of all how would you describe your garden?

My garden is geared towards productivity, so all the plants are edible in some way. It’s even better if they fulfill some other function as well, such as acting as a windbreak, providing shade, providing groundcover or providing mulch. I also work very long hours, so the plants have to be productive in terms of my time- no fussy plants! I live on the Gold Coast where the climate is subtropical.

How did you get started in gardening?

I was a garden virgin when I arrived 5 years ago from New Zealand to set up a cancer service at the local hospital. The house we bought came with an established citrus patch and rainwater tanks. I was quickly seduced by the climate, which is frost-free and has daytime temperatures above 20 degrees year round, and I was also inspired by my neighbours, who are self-sufficient for most veges. Very soon I had put raised beds around the rainwater tanks and was astounded at how productive the garden was, even when I had a pathetic germination rate and frequently forgot to water.

What motivates you to get up and garden?

My job is physically and psychologically demanding, and any doctor who works with cancer would be lying if they didn’t admit to bringing some of those demands home. The garden is my therapy. I would much rather take my stress and turn it into veges for my family, than take it out any other way. When I get really worked up, I grab a pitchfork and can get a whole raised garden bed turned over in half an hour!

What were some of the unexpected hurdles in your garden? How did you deal with them?

Coming from New Zealand, I had taken the rainfall for granted, but on the Gold Coast we can go for 4 or 5 months without any decent rain. I learn very early to monitor the rainfall and top-up with irrigation as required. Since we moved in, I have doubled the rainwater storage capacity in order to cope better with periods of drought.

What were some of the unexpected benefits from gardening?

The kids spend a lot less time in front of the TV and computer. They come out to see what Mummy is doing and often end up getting involved with the watering, planting, and weeding. But I haven’t let them prune yet because they are too little and might chop a finger off!

There is also so much fun in the garden- I give them a stick or a trowel and they will chase butterflies, or whack bushes, or run along the fence making noise, or dig holes for mudpies, or build forts with my prunings, or…..!! These are such simple childhood pleasures, but they get forgotten in our busy, modern lives.

Is there a gardening moment that stands out for you?

The first year, because I was a garden virgin I put the trellis against the fence and planted 16 cucumber plants because the packet said to plant them 30cm apart and my germination rate until then was only 50%. Of course, now I know that I only need 2 plants to keep the family fed! Those plants took over the trellis, went over the fence and onto the neighbour’s lawn, and kept my family, the neighbours, and the nursing staff in cucumbers for months.

What has your garden taught you?

Keep trying, and even if you don’t get what you want, there might still be unexpected benefits. Did the leafy greens get water stress and bolt? Let them flower and collect the seed. Did a bed lie fallow for so long that it’s now all weedy? Pull out the definite ‘weeds’ and be surprised at the number of ‘volunteer’ plants (I think that’s got something to do with letting things set seed.)

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what would you be?

A Chinese bittermelon- a tough plant, with fruit that is very bitter but also very good for your health. (Added bonus- the possums hate it. I can keep the possums off most of my garden by ‘book-ending’ it with bitter melon plants).

What tips would you offer first time gardeners?

Just start. The garden is the ultimate lover- it rewards you even when you forget about it sometimes.

 Would you like $50 to spend with us? Why not share your garden story with us – we would love to hear it!
Email us – sales@gardenware.com.au with ‘Garden Stories’ in the subject line. If you are published on our blog, we will offer you a $50 discount code!

My Garden by Amanda Davis

First of all how would you describe your garden?

We are located in the western area of Northern Rivers making us a clash of Sub-tropical temperate. Our garden is young at 6 years of age and takes up six acres of land that started as a cattle plain. My husband and I garden differently, so there are a number of areas: I have a secret forest in the making whilst he has an open parkland. In our house yard there is an Asian inspired garden, cottage court yard, rose garden, tropical garden and of course an orchard and vegetable patch.

How did you get started in gardening?

All my grandparents gardened, as did my husbands, so it was a natural progression.

What motivates you to get up and garden?

The variety of birds and wildlife, including the bees and butterflies. The sun, the wind and the chance of a thunderstorm all give the feeling of freedom.

What were some of the unexpected hurdles in your garden? How did you deal with them?

The climate has been the largest hurdle. Things that we expected to grow didn’t and so we had to try new ideas.

What were some of the unexpected benefits from gardening?

Mainly the health benefits, keeping a sane mind and surviving emotional swings.

Is there a gardening moment that stands out for you?

I planted a Judas tree that looked dead for a very long time so I ran over it on the mower. Next rain out comes a shoot and another and now it is a lovely shrub size tree!

What has your garden taught you?

The garden teaches me patience, waiting for a cutting to take or a seed to develop or a bud to open. It also teaches us give and take, as we often have to sit down and work out where and what to do next.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what would you be?

I would be a nut.

What tips would you offer first time gardeners?

Start small and simple, and persevere.

Would you like $50 to spend with Gardenware? Why not share your garden story with us – we would love to hear it! Email us – sales@gardenware.com.au with ‘Garden Stories’ in the subject line. If you are published on our blog, we will offer you a $50 discount code!

Margaret Casey lives in Melbourne. She has recently retired and is enjoying the extra time she has to play in her garden and share it with her grandchildren.

First of all how would you describe your garden?

My garden is a broken into areas of native, ornamental and edible. Even though I live in the warm temperate part of Victoria, I have developed a micro-climate in my courtyard where I am able to grow various orchid species along with some subtropical heliconia and costus species which is a delight. I have a productive veggie garden where I spend most of my time and a native garden in the front filled with colour which attracts beautiful native birds and other fauna.

How did you get started in gardening?

When my son was a baby I longed to spend time outside with him and I would potter in the garden and watch him explore, and one thing led to another. I established a fernery to enjoy from my kitchen window and he would keenly watch me and join in trying his hand at planting and digging. As my love of growing things developed, so did his and we spent even more time in the garden. He is now a horticulturist and I am an avid veggie gardener.

What motivates you to get up and garden?

To go out each morning and check what has grown, fruited, changed or been under attack in the garden is a joy. Even weeding now is something I enjoy, as it gives me precious time to switch off and just ‘be’ in my garden and enjoy it for what it is. To be privileged to be sharing my garden with the wildlife that lives there, along with the obvious fitness benefits, is a real gift.

What were some of the unexpected hurdles in your garden? How did you deal with them?

Drought and the heat of Black Saturday set my garden back somewhat. I lost so many plants that were scorched in the heat that I installed 3 new water tanks to add to the existing ones and planted more shade trees for my micro-climate area. Four years on, and the garden is thriving. The tree ferns are lush, sheltered by the native frangipanis that have grown to also protect my pond, fish and precious plants.

What were some of the unexpected benefits from gardening?

To see the waste I throw away turn into the precious black compost that enriches my garden and then to watch my grandchildren sow some seeds in that soil and then enjoy eating the produce that those seeds provide is precious. To share that cycle of use and reuse with them is terrific.

Is there a gardening moment that stands out for you?

When what I thought was a Gymea Lily when I planted it 10 years earlier, flowered and actually turned out to be a Spear Lily with the most spectacular 1 metre long flower that eventually almost touched the pool it was so heavy. That was a surprise worth the 10 year wait!

What has your garden taught you?

For me my garden is my sanctuary. It is the place where I can relax even when working physically hard, and then enjoy the rewards of that labour either by imbibing the beauty or living off the produce and sharing it with others.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what would you be?

Oh that’s a hard one. Probably a pumpkin. Rich in colour, robust, able to store for ages and use in so many wonderful ways, warms up the winter time, and loves to wander at will through the garden.

What tips would you offer first time gardeners?

Be patient, start small and enjoy what you do. Eventually the waiting for seeds to sprout, flowers to form and open, communing with nature etc, is all worth the wait, and the enjoyment is immense.

Would you like $50 to spend with us? Why not share your garden story with us – we would love to hear it! Email us – sales@gardenware.com.au with ‘Garden Stories’ in the subject line. If you are published on our blog, we will offer you a $50 discount code! 

Jenny Jones has spent many years creating her garden sanctuary. Tucked away on a quiet suburban street, her garden is a haven for wildlife and a great relaxing spot where family get together.

Here she shares her garden story with us.

First of all how would you describe your garden?

My garden is old fashioned, private and shady, with big deciduous trees in the front and back. The Liquid Ambers create shade in the summer and plenty of light in the winter after the autumn leaves fall. In the temperate climate of Melbourne, Agapanthus, Hydrangeas, Hellebores (Christmas Roses), Daphne, Gardenias, Camellias and Azaleas thrive. On the deck, where I can catch more sun, I love to grow spring bulbs, summer lilies, orchids, cyclamens and herbs.

How did you get started in gardening?

I started gardening as a child with my Mother who was a passionate gardener. She grew up in the country so was used to growing all the vegetables and numerous fruit trees, which fed the family. Much of the produce, especially the fruit, was shared with neighbours and friends. Each of the four children in our family had our own little garden with flowers and vegetables. The garden beds were constructed of many terraces stretching down to the Boulevard, in Heidelberg, near the Yarra River.

What motivates you to get up and garden?

When the sun is shining, I feel like heading out to my garden to water, weed, pot up new bulbs, trim back the spent hydrangeas, chop back the ivy and jasmine, plus pick flowers for the house, such as the Daphne in spring.

 

What were some of the unexpected hurdles in your garden? How did you deal with them?

During some wild weather from time to time there have been large branches falling from the trees. With the help of some strong men they were dragged from the pool and removed. When an old house next door was demolished and a new one built, the fence was removed, destroying my 20 feet of ivy and jasmine and the nesting area for the wild teal ducks that had returned each year in spring for 25 years. I have since replanted a fast growing green creeper which is starting to cover new fence to regain privacy. Just last week a pair of ducks returned for a swim and searching for a nesting spot.

What were some of the unexpected benefits from gardening?

Each season brings new surprises that pop up and flower. Wandering in the garden and sitting with friends and family on the deck and relaxing together. There is also enough space for children to kick a football and swing on the trees. As I live close to a large park I have lots of native birds visiting my trees. This winter a tawny frog mouth owl stayed in the Liquid Amber for a couple of weeks.

Is there a gardening moment that stands out for you?

For years I tried to grow peonies on my deck without success. After a stint in hospital I returned to the most beautiful deep pink peonies blooming, to welcome me home. It was such a joyful surprise.

What has your garden taught you?

Patience! If something doesn’t work, try something else.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what would you be?

A Peace rose.

What tips would you offer first time gardeners?

Try to grow a little something that will bloom in each season and with fragrance, so there is always some colour and perfume to bring happiness.

Would you like to share your garden story with us? We would love to hear it! Email us – sales@gardenware.com.au with ‘Garden Stories’ in the subject line.