By John Fitzsimmons
Plant communities or mixed plantings, whatever you call them, are incredibly popular right now. It’s exciting seeing the work being done to show the public just what’s possible – evocative, romantic, instead of the block plantings or module-based plantings often used.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Michael Casey
We use mulch and compost products all the time, from applying them to our finished landscapes and gardens, through to large scale urban farms and agricultural settings. However, do we really know what it is we are mixing into, or adding to our soils?… Continue reading
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Robert Megier from ICL in the field conducting a trial on Osmocote with Spathiphyllum spp. (Image: ICL)
By Gabrielle Stannus
We speak to industry experts to find out the pros and cons of some fertilisers commonly used indoors, including controlled release, water-soluble, foliar and organic applications, and find out why their N-P-K ratio is so important for plant health.… Continue reading
Read MoreReport by John Fitzsimmons –
Given the challenges of the last two years, organisations like Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers (LVML) must have been sweating on ultimately delivering The Landscape Show 2021 at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne recently. As it happened though, all organisers, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees fortuitously found a window ahead of the (yet another) COVID-19 lockdown and some extreme winter weather events.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Michael Casey –
‘They are quiet, clean and offer complete freedom in use’ states Stihl tools. Here they’re referring to their battery-operated power tool range. Makita and Husqvarna are also providing similar statements about their range of battery-operated power tools.… Continue reading
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This spider lift can be manoeuvred over obstacles, such as this staircase, to enable plant technicians to access hard-to-reach plants (Images: Tropical Plant Rentals)
By Gabrielle Stannus
Some indoor plant technicians need much more than a dusting cloth, watering can and a pair of secateurs to complete their maintenance rounds. For Interior Plantscape Association member Mitchell Reid, Managing Director of Tropical Plant Rentals, constructing and maintaining green walls is a routine part of his job, requiring a variety of mechanised equipment including the aptly named spider lift.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy John Fitzsimmons –
Last issue painted the big landscape picture from the 2021 Australian Landscape Conference, leaving several rich understoreys of ideas to be conveyed in this report.
Several topics could be grouped under the subject of ‘plant selection’ and issues like using the words ‘management’ or ‘care’ in design submissions, instead of ‘maintenance’ with its connotations of a cost to be minimised rather than an investment in the ultimate health, value, benefit, utility, longevity and success of the gardens designed and implemented.… Continue reading
Read MoreThe former Pentridge Prison in the northern Melbourne suburb of Coburg has undertaken a transformation, turning a decommissioned landmark of controversial history into a new residential and retail precinct.
“ASPECT Studios is dedicated to transforming brownfield sites in our inner cities into thriving new communities, that also protect and value their past lives and the deep histories of places and people,” said Kirsten Bauer, Landscape Architect and Director of ASPECT Studios.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Gabrielle Stannus –
In 2020, Skills Impact facilitated a review of the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package offered through the vocational education and training (VET) sector. As a result, the updated ‘AHCNSY208 – Maintain indoor plants’ unit of competency superseded its predecessor on 23 December 2020.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Andrew Munro
You’ve just finished the house renovations, then comes an awkward question from your partner: “So how are we going to finish off the backyard?”
Facing this common dilemma were the owners of a hillside Terrigal property located north of Sydney.… Continue reading
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