Question: “Hi Jerry, This year I have had the worst infestation of mealybug ever. My garden has never had them in the past, but this year everything including established Gordonia’s five metres high are… Continue reading
Question: “Hey Jerry, we’ve found mosquitoes to be a real problem for us on the northside this year. An electronic device has been recommended, do you have any views on it?” Barnaby via Facebook Reply: Hi… Continue reading
What is the scientific name for Batchelor’s Buttons? Does it matter? Can it help? Maybe. If you learn the scientific name of a plant, you have a unique key to unlock information about… Continue reading
Root knot nematodes can be a curse in warm, moist garden soils. Feeding by these minuscule, transparent, work-like creatures inside the root tissue of many crops causes the roots to develop tumour-like growths… Continue reading
Spring is over in my garden. Winter crops are flowering – my garden is transitioning into its seed saving phase.
A couple of brief April showers kept the grass green, but below the surface the soil remains dry. It’s ideal weather for propagating Cranberry Hibiscus and Four Seasons Herb, cuttings are rooting within… Continue reading
The most widespread recorded drought in Queensland’s history has meant most of my gardening effort continues to be spent on watering and soil improvement. At least I’m able to keep fruit trees productive and… Continue reading
We ran out of time on 4BC Radio’s talkback gardening programme this morning, and I was unable to answer this question. Q: when should I shorten my pawpaw and ‘cap’ the pruning wound?
Like plants and animals? Like to leave your mark on the map? In a country as biodiverse and as poorly understood as Australia, you could find yourself at the cutting edge of science.
My ‘spring’ seed saving season has started early, I saved some Stinking Roger seed today.
Nicotine soap and old roses have something in common – they’re fashion victims. Tobacco is related to eggplant, tomato, capsicum, pituri bush and belladonna, they are members of the Solanaceae family. Nicotine was… Continue reading
I’ve just made Dulce de Tamarindo from tamarind pods, a mouthwatering Mexican sweet that’s guaranteed to stimulate your tastebuds.
