Monday, April 21, 2025

Editorial

Newsbuds

Student design winner does MIFGS garden with all-female trade team

Landscape architect and University of Melbourne (Burnley) horticulture student Emma

Sheppard-Simms is the successful recipient of the inaugural Open Gardens Victoria (OGV) Student Garden Design Competition.

The grant provided $10,000 to design and install a vibrant garden at the OGV stand at the recent Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) 2023.… Continue reading

Read More
Newsbuds

An ‘Audacious’ plan to save vital forests

A plan to save the world’s ancient and endangered forests has been given a major capacity boost with US$60 million in funding designed to transform the paper, packaging, and fashion viscose supply chains.

Canopy (www.canopyplanet.org), a solutions-driven non-profit organisation, will receive the funding from The Audacious Project (audaciousproject.org),… Continue reading

Read More
Newsbuds

Levy funded project saves $20m

A levy-funded project led by Greenlife Industry Australia (GIA) has succeeded in having Polyphagus shot-hole borer re-classified as a Category 1 pest, netting Australia’s nursery industry a saving of more than $20 million.

Among the key project outcomes to date, the project team successfully developed a pest categorisation information package for the Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB)/Fusarium sp.… Continue reading

Read More
Business File

Win more jobs when clients are holding back!

By John Corban

Enquiries have been at a peak for the last few years, however, with the media reporting interest rate and cost of living hikes, some prospects and clients may be reducing their original spend or even delaying a project.… Continue reading

Read More
Editors editorial

What is new in horticulture?

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

Read More
Industry Event

Garden Inspiration Group’s returns face-to-face big time

By John Fitzsimmons

After pandemic interruptions since 2020, Garden Inspirations Group’s GIG 2023 returned to its obviously popular face-to-face format recently with a big attendance of independent garden centre people and some newly recognised retail ‘champions’.

As it turned out, there were more than 165 acceptances for attendance at GIG 2023 – a record!… Continue reading

Read More
Business File

Why should you know your critical percentages?

By John Corban

When I work with a new landscaping client, in the first two sessions, I analyse their profit and loss (P&L) and highlight their four main expenses (as a percentage of their sales), and compare these to what the targeted percentages should be.… Continue reading

Read More
Industry Event

Don’t miss The Landscape Show 2023

Well established in its class after five years, The Landscape Show has become the must-attend event for all commercial and residential landscape contractors, maintenance specialists, horticulturists, landscape designers and architects, landscape service and product suppliers, as well as Council Parks & Gardens teams, students and educators.… Continue reading

Read More
AdvertorialPropagation

Pot developments top and bottom

By John Fitzsimmons

Advances in tools and processes don’t always have to be as radical as reinventing the wheel. Sometimes just building a better mousetrap serves us well. In our production nurseries the plastic pot is ubiquitous, but some simple smart thinking, especially in the detail, is also delivering benefits.Continue reading

Read More
Nursery Papers

Nursery Papers – Supporting Greenlife Careers and Talent

BACKGROUND:

In 2019, a levy-funded project, ‘Review of nursery industry career pathways’ (NY17002), led by RMCG Consulting outlined a strategy for the industry
that detailed a clear roadmap for skilled career pathway development in the nursery industry.

The document articulated the key challenge, which is supported by industry surveys, that like many other agricultural industries, the nursery industry faces major challenges around high staff turnover and an ability to attract and retain qualified and experienced people.… Continue reading

Read More