Maintaining your decomposure

by Mark Evans

As the daily temperatures start to cool and the leaves on the deciduous trees start to change colour and begin to fall, nothing makes it feel more like autumn than the sudden appearance of fungi season. Looking around it is obvious where we have removed trees in the past as a flush of fungi has suddenly thrust up through the lawn where the remnant root systems below ground are being slowly devoured and decomposed by … Read more »

Granny Plants

by Mark Evans

Gardeners might like to imagine that they are immune to the vagaries of fashion, however plants go in and out of style, just like clothes, and often a garden can be dated by its components. Think of Cortaderia selloana (pampas grass) in the 1970s, Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cocos palm) in the 1980s, Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’ (golden robinia) in the 1990s and the Yucca spp. (yucca) craze from the 2000s. All these plants became incredibly popular … Read more »

The Colours of Christmas

by Mark Evans

Three of the most popular colours associated with Christmas are red, green and white. The origin of this colour combination is said to be derived from the appearance of Ilex aquifolium (English Holly) with its evergreen leaves and white flowers followed by bright red berries. Amidst the European snow, it symbolised hope in the depths of winter and played a role in winter solstice celebrations, predating the spread of Christmas. Unfortunately for us in … Read more »

Feed the soil not the plants!

by Mark Evans

The soil is the most important part of any garden. Not only does it provide a place for the plants to anchor their roots and gain structural support, but it is also the plant’s source of water and nutrients. Ideally, a good soil will be deep and friable and loaded with organic matter and humus.

Organic matter is essentially the waste and remains of plants or animals. Its … Read more »

Pondering Precipitation

The warmest month of the year seems like an opportune time to discuss the wettest thing in the garden. After the soaking we got in October, one would have thought that the world would never dry out, and then the relentless wind throughout November had us all reaching for the hoses as December arrived. The cracks in the ground expanded and our plants began to wilt, be they planted in … Read more »

Tasks for summer

Keith Mundy

After many years providing gardening information to all in The Triangle, I have decided to hang up my quill and allow another expert an opportunity to provide information that will assist you in your gardening tasks. This, therefore, is my last contribution to The Triangle.

I will still be at our nursery in Tilba Tilba every day to help you with any plant selection and advice that you require.

… Read more »