By Dan Austin
For many of us, the arrival of 2023 presented an exciting opportunity to celebrate, after a lengthy period mired by COVID19, and hopefully, a chance to recharge for the year ahead. However, while clearing pandemic clouds and a new year have been cause for celebration, the horticultural world continues to face numerous challenges.… Continue reading
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By Patrick Regnault
Humans and nature are a paradox. On one hand we talk of a need to find our place in nature but on the other we separate ourselves from it. Can we be of nature and distinct at the same time?… Continue reading
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By Clive Larkman
Over the last few years I have written about as many herbs and edible plants as I can find. Many of these are part of the Columbian Exchange. This was a major shift in the food and culture of the entire world.… Continue reading
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Horticultural Innovation Australia Limited
Introduced species of snails and slugs tend to be those commonly observed by people in Australia, some of which are major agricultural, landscape and nursery pests. For the most part, such species are introduced by ‘hitch hiking’ on potted plants, soil and fertilisers, pallets, and shipping containers on cargo and freight.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy John Corban
As business owners we are busy, often being more hands-on than we want to be, so when someone asks if you are happy with every aspect of your business, we might currently think ‘enquiries are good, sales are good, but systems could be better and I need to offload some of my tasks so I have time to manage my business’.… Continue reading
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Fifth Season Landscapes believes that great results come from working collaboratively, and winning six accolades for their Clareville Project alone, in the 2022 Landscape Excellence Awards, proves that their approach works.
Nestled seamlessly on Clareville Beach, Sydney, the Chatswood-based team created a relaxed haven for the owners that melds beautifully with the surrounding environment, subtly blending both beach and bush settings.… Continue reading
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School of thumb tests well in the market
School of Thumb, Greener Spaces Better Places’ horticultural content series, launched three episodes from Western Australia in September 2022 to increase demand for greenlife products. These episodes have been put through rigorous market testing by research agency Cubery on behalf of Hort Innovation.… Continue reading
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By Denis Crawford
Biological control may not be an instant pest solution, but it is a pest control option well worth pursuing.
Large parts of eastern Australia have just been through a very wet spring and early summer. That period of warm wet weather meant a boom time for mosquitoes, they were everywhere in huge numbers.… Continue reading
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By Bruce Thompson
It’s all about supply and demand. With an oversupply of soft plastics collected and not enough of recycled products being purchased, we need to look at what is required to ensure the recycling program continues.
In late 2022, many Australians who had been diligently collecting their soft plastics and taking them to Woolworths, Coles and Aldi supermarkets to place into REDCycle bins, woke to the news that REDCycle had temporarily ceased their collection service.… Continue reading
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By Michael Elgey
In 2019 the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan (ABGMA) secured NSW State Government grant funding as part of the Greening Our City initiative. Our successful proposal was to plant 22,500 native trees and return a canopy that was unfortunately cleared during European colonisation.… Continue reading
Read MoreA lifetime passion for horticulture has recently seen Kellee Reissinger appointed Co-ordinator of the Geelong Botanic Gardens. She enthusiastically leads the way in introducing the Gardens to a broader audience, where the future is undefined and ready for the next evolutionary phase.… Continue reading
Read MoreAbstract: Polish allotment gardeners, who cultivate publicly owned urban space, constitute the largest group of city land managers in the country. Detailed studies about the uses of cultivated plants on allotment gardens do not exist.
The aims of (this) study are to document plant richness and diversity of allotment-garden use and to explore the (changing) purpose of such gardens.… Continue reading
Read MoreAfter ten years as Director and Chief Executive of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Tim Entwistle has decided to pursue other interests, “such as writing and speaking, and perhaps seek new civic roles”. He expects to depart in July, leaving plenty of time to find a successor.… Continue reading
Read MoreCompany Director, Lisa Boyd, recently announced that Seasol had signed a contract with Yates’ owners, DuluxGroup, to sell the business. Seasol will become a division of Yates.
The sale agreement is still subject to final steps, including ACCC approval but it is anticipated that the sale will be complete by the end of March.… Continue reading
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By Paul Carmen
Label Name: Banksia spinulosa
ACRA Registration: 1337
Family: Proteaceae
Origin: Collected from a coastal area in southern Victoria. Selected by Rod & Robyn Parsons for the strong honey fragrance of the flowers. Received in June 1999.
Characteristics: A moderately dense small shrub that grows to 1m(h) x 1.5m(w), The flowers are golden in colour with red styles, 50-200mm long x 40-80mm in diameter and bloom from March to August.… Continue reading
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Being recognised for your work by receiving an award is such an honour and I am extremely proud to be sharing this wonderful news with you all. Three of our regular contributors have received awards since our last issue was printed.… Continue reading
Read MoreTrees, our friends that give us oxygen, soak up carbon, provide building materials and food, and sustain micro-ecosystems, are a big problem when we misuse them, according to architect Greg Blain.
Without trees, we probably wouldn’t survive. So why the misuse?… Continue reading
Read MoreThe possibility of bringing genetically modified (GM) purple tomatoes to the gardens and plates of home-growers has moved a crucial step closer, following a decision by United States regulators. Norfolk Plant Sciences Ltd announced a decision by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which means US home-growers may be able to purchase seeds and grow the nutritionally enhanced, high-anthocyanin, purple tomato from (northern) spring 2023. … Continue reading
Read MoreResearchers in Edinburgh, UK, have created a device that could offer a cheaper and more environmentally-friendly alternative to insecticides.
The device employs a laser, cameras and a small computer, and the computer uses artificial intelligence (AI) to target certain types of insect.… Continue reading
Read MoreQueensland specialist orchid grower Sam Cowie of Leaf and Limb, confirmed the impact of cancellations on a crop that has long production times.
“Order cancellations are worse in the orchid industry (except for Phalaenopsis with their short production time). From laboratory submission to flask shipment is 18 months, then add another 2 to 3½ years in production for the finished product.… Continue reading
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