By John Fitzsimmons
Almost every day, horticultural and agricultural enterprises think about, talk about and seek out plant nutrients – usually as ‘fertiliser’. But beyond comparing, selecting and applying nutrient products, how often do we consider their natural and commercial sources and the longevity of their supply?… Continue reading
Read MoreBy John Fitzsimmons
Most people in horticulture are familiar with the big-ticket plant nutrients, readily focusing on the familiar NPK summaries. However, shelf labels, catalogues, and online searches often include other nutritional references that may be less familiar and/or less understood.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Patrick Regnault
Humic and fulvic acids are used as bio-stimulants to promote plant growth and increase nutrient availability and uptake. The ornamental horticulture industry is looking to reduce its environmental impact – think of all the fertilisers used on lawns and gardens, sport fields and parklands.… Continue reading
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A finished bed ready for planting (Image: https://dirtyhandswarmheart.com/hugelkultur-a-beginners-guide/)
By Dan Austin
Translating to ‘hill culture’, hügelkultur is an old German and Eastern European method of creating raised beds consisting of woody material buried beneath layers of biomass, compost, and soil in a mound shape. In addition to the benefits of pest suppression and improved drainage that are gained through any raised bed, the woody biomass in the centre of a hügelkultur bed, gradually decomposes, building soil, retaining water and slowly releasing nutrients over time.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Clive Larkman
If you look up the word ‘Caper’ you will get a reference to a silly activity or dance-like movement, neither of which really points towards the tart little garnish we eat with cheese, pasta and whatever else we can imagine.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy John Fitzsimmons
Recent times have seen a rise in consumer concerns not just with ‘what’ they are buying but ‘how’ it was produced. Buying preferences have been increasingly flowing to ‘natural’, ‘organic’, ‘green’, ‘safer’, and ‘environmentally friendly’ labels. While the concepts are appealing it’s also easy to become a bit cynical about the real claims and benefits of some proliferating labels.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Patrick Regnault
The Queensland Garden Expo took place recently in Nambour. Once again it attracted a very good crowd of seasoned and new gardeners, all intending to obtain quality plants from growers, and reliable information from speakers as well as the Horticultural Media Association Australia (HMAA) Garden Clinic.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy John Fitzsimmons
Centuries of growing experience and science have gone into today’s knowledge of plant nutrition, recorded in innumerable texts, digital records and oral histories. While science is science, the foregoing has also resulted in many interpretations and opinions. This is not the time or channel for a comprehensive review but we can consider a few basic ideas and definitions.… Continue reading
Read MoreMelbourne-based Bardee, founded in 2019 by ex-architect Phoebe Gardner, and entomologist Alex Arnold, along with their team of entomologists, technicians, operators and leaders have created a world-first vertical farming system that prevents food waste turning into methane and recycles the nutrients back into the food system using insects.… Continue reading
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Bio pellets from The Plant Runner, a certified organic slow-release fertiliser made from a combination of seaweed and frass. (Image: Karen Smith)
By Bruce Thompson
Native to South America but naturalised in most parts of the world, Black Soldier Flies (Hermetia illucens) are being used in Australia to convert food waste into stockfeed and fertiliser.
Commonly sighted around compost bins and worm farms, unlike houseflies (Musca domestica) black soldier flies do not have a mouth-piece meaning they don’t bite and can’t transmit diseases so there’s no health risk posed to humans.… Continue reading
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