By Karen Smith
For more than 60 years Benara Nurseries in Western Australia has ticked many boxes to become one of Australia’s most successful production nurseries. With a commitment to sustainability, quality services, and their team, what contributes to their longevity and economic success?… Continue reading
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By Karen Smith
I don’t believe it is possible to overestimate the benefits of horticulture to the wider community. It is an inclusive endeavour suited to all ages and skill levels. A conversation I had recently with Chris Shepard and Peter Lyles from Worn Gundidj nursery in Warrnambool reinforced my conviction there is more to a nursery than plants.… Continue reading
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You could be forgiven for feeling confused about the weather events over summer. While we were expecting a dry hot summer due to an El Nino event, Australia was dealing with Cyclone Jasper in far north Queensland and a battering of storms and floods throughout the east coast.… Continue reading
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It is that time of the year when daily life becomes a tad hectic. Retailers have to draw on energy reserves to cope with the pre-Christmas sales. Landscape contractors work around the clock to meet customer expectations of having their new garden ready for Christmas gatherings.… Continue reading
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By Karen Smith
The Global Footprints Scholarships awards night, held recently in Sydney, celebrated a group of fifteen talented young people as they chase their dreams and prepare to travel the world.
This program, previously known as (Big Brother Movement) BBM Awards, is all about aligning the goals of young tradespeople and the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development.… Continue reading
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By Karen Smith
The Landscape Association recently hosted its inaugural TLA Landscape Expo in Ryde in New South Wales and was held at TAFE NSW, Ryde Campus. Attendance exceeded expectations with over 800 people enjoying the large, trade-focused event.
Landscape professionals across the full spectrum of the industry – maintenance, construction, and design, enjoyed the 50 trade exhibits, product demonstrations and speaker program, as well as the buzz of catching up with industry colleagues and friends.… Continue reading
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A recent news item showed a picture of part of a giant Eucalyptus regnans lying on the back of a semi-trailer being carted to a timber mill in Tasmania. This tree was likely to end up as pulp or wood chips.… Continue reading
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By Karen Smith
This immaculate boutique nursery in Sydney’s South has managed to stay afloat when other nursery businesses in the area have disappeared through the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), the rising number of big box stores, the last El Nino, and the COVID19 Pandemic.… Continue reading
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By Karen Smith
The 51st conference of the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS) held recently at the Novotel, Geelong in Victoria was awash with the enthusiasm of up-and-coming horticulturists ready to take advantage of the seek and share attitude that is the society’s main purpose.… Continue reading
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If organisms in the soil biome became extinct, would anyone notice? Land and sea animals, such as Tasmania’s unique Maugean Skate (Zearaja maugeana) listed as endangered, receive some publicity but some organisms could go the way of the Tasmanian Tiger without anyone noticing until it is too late.… Continue reading
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The discovery of a new species of orchid in Japan underscores the necessity of persistent exploration and conservation efforts for undisturbed native ecosystems.
The orchid, named Spiranthes hachijoensis, was discovered in Tokyo. This discovery will undoubtedly spark interest in the flower which was originally thought to be S.… Continue reading
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Most of us know what it feels like to have something stolen. It creates a sinking feeling that hits you in the gut. When it comes to plants, that takes it to another level! One day I came out into my front garden (which doesn’t have a fence) and found that a massive clump of bromeliads had simply been ripped out.… Continue reading
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I find the early weeks of December so hectic that I feel my feet don’t hit the ground. After the visit from the red-suited gentleman and his reindeers, I usually have time to reflect on the year just passed. That’s when I realise that events that seemed so stressful at the time, were just another little bump in the road.… Continue reading
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By Karen Smith
Melbourne’s Rose Street Artists Market in Fitzroy was a fitting place to host The Australian Institute of Horticulture’s National Day Conference 2022 and Awards night. The hipster venue provided a cosy marquee for the conference with delicious food and a rooftop bar to network in before the awards ceremony proceeded.… Continue reading
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It’s that old chestnut, ‘I can’t believe it is November already’. Are you ready for the Christmas period? Sunshine, stock and staff could determine how merry the trading period will be.
Many sectors have had a difficult post COVID period due to supply-side bottlenecks and staff shortages.… Continue reading
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Only after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II did I realise how many Australian organisations had a title that included ‘Royal’. Obviously, we have a Royal Australian Navy and a Royal Air Force for example but there are many more. There are at least ten variations of Royal Agricultural Societies, three Royal Horticultural Societies and a couple of Royal Botanic Gardens.… Continue reading
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Spring has arrived at last and one can only hope that the weather is milder and calmer without floods, fires and natural disasters. While the pandemic put the brakes on most of us in various ways, as restrictions ease and an element of ‘business as usual’ is occurring, it can feel as though we are playing a bit of catch-up and on a bit of a roller coaster rolling into spring. … Continue reading
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By Karen Smith
It had been 1106 days since the Independent Garden Centres (IGC) held their last conference, said IGC’s Evan Meuller. The location was originally secured in 2020 but was cancelled due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns. All in all, COVID-19 restrictions caused conference cancellations three times.… Continue reading
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By Karen Smith
Queensland’s Gold Coast turned on the sun yet again for the Nursery & Garden Industry Queensland’s (NGIQ’s) Green Expo. Exhibitors and visitors embraced the new venue at the Gold Coast Turf Club, stating that it had a more intimate feel, bump in was a breeze and parking was plentiful and free.… Continue reading
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By Karen Smith
As I made my way around the recent Queensland Garden Expo held in Nambour recently, I observed that this was an event for true gardeners with a thirst for horticultural knowledge from the best in the industry. This annual event has reached its 37th year.… Continue reading
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