A typical Australian new housing situation. What's missing apart from the trees? Shade, cooling, wildlife habitat, general amenity. Some parts of the land development industry admit they can do better. Would a new Urban Greening study discipline help? (Images supplied by John Fitzsimmons)
By John Fitzsimmons
Most people reading this journal probably admire and appreciate trees. Some might not be huge fans, but I’d like to think there are very few tree-hating readers. But the haters, more who just don’t care and others who simply have other (usually political or monetary) priorities, are preventing or limiting the benefits of trees accruing to society and the world at large.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Daniel Fuller
At Ozbreed, we believe we’re only just now starting to bring out the best traits of our native Australian plants. Recently, we’ve had a renewed focus on providing the industry with plants that can be hacked back reliably for ease of maintenance.… Continue reading
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Various types of spinach are popular ingredients in many dishes (Image: Bernadette Wurzinger, Pixabay)
By Clive Larkman
Spinach has to be one of those vegetables that many people have a love/hate relationship with in the western world. Kids hate it because it is green and often served as a pile of mush. When cooked fresh it isn’t too bad, but when cooked from canned or frozen it is really not a pleasant side dish.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Clive Larkman
Weeds are a pain for any gardener or commercial horticultural farmer. In fact, anyone who has to manage a piece of dirt or soil has issues with weeds. Books, articles, videos, companies, and even government departments debate and discuss weeds and their effects on our lives.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Daniel Fuller
During my educational webinar sessions with landscape architects and designers, I’ve noticed an increasing desire to use wildflowers, but plant performance has been an issue in the past. Many of Australia’s most spectacular flowering plants tend to put on vibrant displays for a short period and then quickly roll over at the first sign of heat, drought, flooding, or frost.… Continue reading
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Grasses in paper plugs. Plastic trays are reused, and transplant shock is avoided (Image: Patrick Regnault)
By Patrick Regnault
Over the last few decades, the industry has made great strides with water and fertiliser use. Pots and the use of plastic is an area where progress can be made. Some nurseries will take back the pots to sterilise them before reuse, and others will recycle them as part of a scheme.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Daniel Fuller
In medieval times, wealthy landholders showed off their incredible wealth and power by turning perfectly good land into ornamental lawns instead of valuable crops. This was an ostentatious way to show the populace that not only could they afford open spaces useful only for taking a stroll or throwing a ball, but they could also afford the luxury of keeping these spaces regularly mowed.… Continue reading
Read MoreMany of the cultivated berries are native to a small number of countries. However, the raspberry comes from a wide range of countries. The common one is Rubus idaeus, native to Europe and northern Asia. It grows in a range of temperate climates, meaning it is now grown in most countries and regions that have a period of winter chill.… Continue reading
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This mango tree in Guimaras in The Philippines has a beautiful form and a dense canopy providing shade (Image: Patrickroque01 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)
By Gabrielle Stannus
Imagine a future in which resources are shared from building to building, and food is grown without a dependency on fossil fuel-based transportation. The International Living Future Institute asked governments, designers and planners to do just that through its Living Communities Challenge, whilst requiring them to incorporate beauty as a very important element in their response.… Continue reading
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Water and nutrient use efficiency as well as environmental outcomes while optimising yields and quality are important in fruit production (images supplied by John Fitzsimmons)
Growing potential?
By John Fitzsimmons
Awareness of growing plants hydroponically is nowadays very high. A good understanding of this approach is, perhaps, not so high. ‘Hydro’ is commonly associated with food crops such as tomatoes, capsicum, lettuce and herbs (culinary, medicinal and ‘recreational’) and with some ornamentals and in floriculture (e.g.… Continue reading
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