by James Wall
Hortivations is an industry only event for businesses involved with and related to horticulture. It has been going for a few years now and is one of the premier events in the Australian horticultural calender. The thing people seem to like about it is that it is a fun event and a great place to catch up with whats going on. There is everything from new plants to new potting machines, but more than anything, it is a place of new ideas. Its a bit of fun, and we need that.
As reported by James Wall.
Last night was one of Melbourne's night of nights. Horticulture's media elite were gathered for the release of Jane Edmanson's new book FromThe Ground Up. Fittingly it was held at Flemington Racecourse where the rose gardens are sacred.
This book was originally instigated by Neutrog, a South Australian company famous for their quality fertilisers, including Sudden Impact For Roses, as used by head gardener Terry Freeman at Flemington.
Our first rose pruning demonstration was held last Saturday and the huge turnout proved that gardeners young and old still love growing roses. It was presented by Dr. Bruce Chapman from the Rose Society and included his lovely wife Joyce, assisting. Bruce is famous for breeding the Amazing Grace and the Melbourne Town roses.
Some of the tips I gathered from this event were:
Continue reading "Rose Pruning from The Rose Society of Victoria." »
Last night I watched the first episode of Around The World In 80 Gardens. (8.30pm Tuesday nights on ABC). As the BBC say: "In this stunning series, Monty Don set off on an enchanting journey to visit 80 of the world's most celebrated gardens,
from ancient to modern, large to small, and grand to humble."
I must admit that I wasn't disappointed. Monty is a bit of a puncy pom, but he is rather dapper and presents the show with that initimable English charm. Last nights episode took in Mexico City's floating gardens, other Mexican delights and then colour and charm in Cuba. The scenery was sensational but also showed the simplicty of good garden design. Every gardener would have come away with at least one idea they could use.
Next week the show includes gardens from Australia and NZ and includes Dame Elizabeth Murdoch's Cruden farm, in Langwarrin, Melbourne and Alice Springs Desert Park in Northern Territory. Well worth a watch I would have thought
Last Sunday on Channel Nine's 60 minutes program, vegetable growing went primetime. Yep, there was the ever energetic Peter Cundall harvesting potatoes in front of disbelieving Liz Hayes eyes (although some of his spuds were gigantic). The reporter then went on to inform us that people are digging up tennis courts and replacing them with vegie patches although I don't believe Leyton Hewitt has done this yet! However give Peter Cundall 5 minutes with him and I am sure he would love to get his hands this dirty.
Continue reading "The 60 Minutes 'Backyard Revolution' Story" »
By James Wall
It was with much anticipation that I entered the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show on Wednesday morning. I was seeing the show at its freshest, and the weather was perfect. I was not disappointed. This years show had a real edge to it. You could feel it in the air. The management have long ago worked out what people want and they have catered for it. There are just so many plants and so many garden ideas to see, it is almost overwhelming. There was just enough major displays and the quality of their work was simply outstanding. Many displays had also used the existing trees and incorporated them into their design. This gave the show a real classical look.
Another major change to the show was the moving of amenity buildings from the front of the exibition buildings. Deservedly, the garden beds their now play a much more prominent role and it seems to open up the whole show. The plants in the beds are still very young, but in years to come, these beds will only get better. It was so nice to see people sitting on the grass around them and just taking it all in.
Continue reading "Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2009" »
One of the hits of the last few years at The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show has been the Avenue Of Achievable Gardens. What people like about it is that these are gardens that we can all achieve, unlike some of the showgardens which are only like dreams to the everday homeowner. The other thing I like about it is that the gardens are created by TAFE students who get the chance of a lifetime to show their designs to the world.
Thanks goes to Debco for sponsoring the Avenue Of Achievable Gardens.
Below are some photos I took of the particular gardens that I liked. I will try and chase up who did them and re-post it here - but for now, enjoy their hard work.
Every year many participents take part in the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show hanging basket competiton. The competition is run by The Royal Horticultural Society Of Victoria and entrants can pick up their baskets from nurseries, including Gardenworld. Thanks also goes to Debco and Scotsburn Nurseries two of our nursery suppliers.
This year the competition was once again of a high standard and below is a few photos of some of the ones I liked.
Rodney Noonan's pansy & celosia combo
Continue reading "The Great Victorian Hanging Basket Competition." »
by James Wall - Gardenworld Nursery
the mice did play. Yes, today Rob Pelletier and I took over am radio station 3AW's The Big Backyard while Jane Edmonson and Darren James were away. I was actually only there for the second hour but we had a good ol' yarn, there were plenty of tomato growing stories and we discussed some of the more popular plants currently being sold at the nursey. One of those I mentioned was the Coprosma Tequila Sunrise. This succulent like plant has awesome coloured foliage and is a low water user. It gets up to waist height but can be trimmed back to keep neat. The foliage colour actually varies throughout the year and you will need to protect young plants from frost.
The boys were also impressed by our genovese basil grown in biodegradable pots made from miscanthus grass bound with natural vegetable gums. You simply crack the pot and plant it in the ground. It composts away and comes with no label and no price sticker. This pot is perfect for quick crops like herbs. We are selling hundreds of them which shows that this is what people want to see.
Anyway, its late, and the nursery is open again tomorrow and I'd better not be late ! Tune in to 3AW next Saturday to hear our fruit tree expert Dennis talking after nine. He works at the nursery every Saturday.
