 Growing Gardens
with Julia Hancock
Going underground
Geologists have long recognised the potential of fossilised plants and sedimentary rocks as a resource for the horticulture industry. For many years zeolite and diatomite have been mined for use in potting mixes and agricultural applications where they promote plant growth by making moisture and certain minerals available to the plants.
Diatomite is an organic product which contains the fossilised skeletons of trillions of microscopic, single-cell aquatic plants of fresh water origin. It is highly porous and can absorb up to 150 per cent of its own weight in water which it then releases slowly to plants as they require it. This ability to maximise moisture retention and reduce the need to water is of vital importance in times of drought or in areas where water is often in short supply.
Diatomite provides silica, essential for the development of plant cell growth, in a form that plants can easily absorb. It enables plants to form stronger root systems and flower earlier than would otherwise be expected. This is exciting news not only for orchardists and rosarians - anyone with an interest in growing top quality flowers and vegetables should take note.
The super absorbency of these natural minerals means they are often used in pet litter, not only to mop up but also to neutralise odours. After use, the litter can be recycled in the compost heap or simply spread over the garden as a mulch. Some gardeners have discovered that the multi-faceted granules repel slugs and snails and use them to form a barrier around their susceptible plants. The mulch also helps to suppress weeds, retain moisture and insulate against extremes of temperature.
Natural fossil products like these have taken at least ten million years to form and just one application will continue to improve garden soil for many years to come.
Lismore Garden Club
 Your roses should be well pruned by this time of the year. Now fertilise them well making sure you add about one teaspoon of iron of chelate per plant, plus nutracote or Dynamic Lifter as directed.
Fertilise again in late winter/early spring, and again in late summer. Lift your lawn mower up to make sure you have a good cover of grass and keep your lawn moist and your citrus trees fertilised and watered to assist them to have lots of blossoms. Fertilise your citrus trees on the soil in a circle where the water would run off the leaves and fall onto the soil. People with wisteria should prune out dead or excess wood for best flowering results.
Happy gardening. Don 6624 3855.
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