Growing Gardens

with Julia Hancock

Cease the Struggle

Gardeners all over the northern hemisphere are currently having to completely rethink their planting plans because of the effects of global warming. Plant breeders and garden centres are urging their clients to stop struggling with the flowers they loved in the past, and focus instead on newer more heat- and drought-resistant species.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Australian gardeners are also now beginning to embrace the challenge our climate changes have brought about in the last 30 years and are currently looking to more relaxed plants and designs for optimum effect.

Gardens of the future may be completely devoid of annual plants that guzzle water and fertiliser, and instead be stocked with perennials and grasses that can withstand the rigours of long, hot summers with little or no rain.

And if the television garden makeover shows are anything to go by, modern gardens are already becoming less and less centred around a lawn, the designers opting instead for plants growing out of gravel and other permanent mulches.

If you can't bear the thought of living without petunias, take heart. Gardens of the future can be as colourful as they ever were in the past, and perhaps with far less effort from us gardeners.

The retail plant industry is too large and lucrative to allow us plantspeople to languish in a miasma of monochrome, although of course it is perfectly possible to have a simply wonderful garden just by using all-green plants.

New and exciting species are being trialled all the time to satisfy our appetites for plants which appeal to all the senses. The net affect of changing our gardening habits may be that we have backyards which look fantastic all year round, instead of just during spring or autumn, as if often currently the case.

Lismore Garden Club News

At our last meeting for the year, the 2004 officers were elected. President- Mary Betteridge, Senior Vice President- John Sant, Secretary/Treasurer- Emily Betteridge, Publicity Officer- Ron Burns.

The Lismore Garden Club Christmas lunch is at Goonellabah RSL Sports Club, Tue, Nov 25, at midday. The next meeting is at Lismore Workers Club on the first Thursday in February 2004. The Tenterfield trip planned for Nov 10 has been cancelled. For further information phone Mary on 66215293.

I think I've heard about as many methods for eliminating snails as there are snails. The method I have found to be most effective is to go out into the garden after dark and just after or during light rain. You will need a good torch & a pair of gum boots to stomp on them.

What to plant now

Flowers - Acanthus, African Marigold, Ageratum, Alyssum, Aster, Californian Poppy, Candytuft, French Marigold, larkspur, Lobelia, Nasturtium, Shasta Daisy.

Vegies - Climbing Beans, Beetroot, Cucumber, Lettuce, Parsley, Radish, Silverbeet, Sweet Corn, Tomato.

Garden tip

When planting out seedlings in hot weather, water with tepid water and 'Seasol' and cover with Camphor Laurel branches for two days.

Happy Gardening
Ron Burns