Autumn is the best time to plant your winter vegetable garden. As the weather cools and the rain starts to fall more frequently it is a pleasure to get back into the garden, remove spent summer crops and plant vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, broad beans and peas. It is an advantage to start planting at the beginning of autumn as many winter vegetables require a long growing period. Read on for everything you need to do to ensure a bumper winter vegie crop.
Rustic art by Warwick Hillis
1st February to 10th March 2019
Many varied creatures are taking up residence in the Bolin Bolin Gallery this February. They are unique garden art sculptures created by Warwick Hillis using metal scraps, long-forgotten tools and a great imagination. What started as a hobby has turned into a passion for bringing these quirky characters and sculptures to life.
More pictures and info at http://gallery.baag.com.au/?p=4031
As the temperature begins to rise and water conservation continues to impact on gardeners, people are watering less and are looking to find alternatives for vegetation. But by using some simple planting techniques you can help to decrease the heat around your home and in turn reduce energy consumption.
In response to global warming and water restrictions across the country, politicians are suggesting quick fix strategies to combat climate change. The latest suggestion to come out of Western Australia is that we need to get rid of lawns because they are impractical. But as members of the gardening and landscape industry what we really need is long-term solutions.
I am VERY glad I installed a drip system three summers ago now, fully automated, and finally all my pots are now included. I was unexpected delayed in Adelaide for two very hot weeks at the start of the year, and came home to a flourishing garden – such a relief. If you are a busy person – I cannot recommend an automated watering system highly enough!
With Melbourne’s potential for very hot periods during summer, for exposed positions we need to think about heat tolerant produce plants. Even though there are many garden plants that burn and suffer through the heat without protection, there are also those that just seem to soak it all in and actively grow. For the home gardener, fostering happy plants can involve many different factors including good plant selection, appropriate planting time and soil preparation. One might argue then that for tricky spots, such as the hot and dry ones, good plant selection is the most important. It can be difficult however, to know from the myriad possible plant choices which ones are then most appropriate for those conditions. On top of all that, if you are like myself and want every plant in the garden to be edible, medicinal or useful in some way, the planting palate can become even more limited, but then the results of careful selection are very rewarding.
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Planning to get away for a break is a part of summer in Australia. But the last thing you want to happen is to go away on a holiday, only to find a dead garden when you return. So before you head off, it’s time to holiday-proof the garden.
Unbelievably ‘on trend’ at the moment – succulents are the botanical star of social media. More photogenic than George Clooney, they cover just about every look from cute and country rustic (think Hens and Chickens (Echeveria) tumbling out of an old boot) to chic and architectural. Add in the ease of growing and caring for succulents and their meteoric rise in popularity makes more sense. Minimal water and maintenance, plenty of sun and generally good drainage, these are very simple plants to grow. Neglect works for succulents. Some have beautiful flowers which is an added bonus, but their true strength is in their fleshy leaves.
Check the slideshow below for some of the great cacti and succulents we have snapped at BAAG.
Long summer evenings, friends over for dinner, weekends reading outside in the shade, gardening with the radio on…..finally summer is here.
I love Christmas because I don’t stress over it. I can always grab a plant from work for a last minute gift, and the current preoccupation with indoor plants and decorator pots has made it soooo easy. You can tailor the choice to the person’s personality: sleek modern, folksy rustic, quirky handmade, its all available. Just slip a plant into the appropriate pot – job done.
The word climber is used rather loosely when describing plants. Many plants that fall into this category do not strictly climb, but would be more correctly designated ramblers or trailers. A true climber ascends using a variety of clinging methods. Some have aerial roots, which attach themselves to a support, like Ficus pumila. These are also known as self-clinging climbers. Some climb using tendrils, these are tightly curled and once wrapped around something are impossible to pull away without breaking. Eg. Passionfruit. The majority simply ascend by means of the soft young shoots which twine around their host. Eg. Climbing beans. These are also known as twining plants or sub climbers.
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New work from some of our favourite artists (and also some new artists)
From 24th November
Works include a large metal Christmas Tree sculpture by new artist Issa Ouattara, Textiles by Carlie Leech, Jacie Malseed and new artist Bigitte Haldeman, Ceramic sculpture by Meredith Plain, Heather Wilson, Jack Latti, Ann Jackson, Raine Edwards, Ann Maree Gentile and Lee Goller, Pottery by Jane Dubsky and Jenny Stokes, Metal sculpture by Tim Read and Nicola Hoyle, new artists Tanya Korin and blacksmith Paul Cacioli and baskets by Jeanette Carter.
Make sure you come and have a wander through – to look for presents for those who like something unique and handcrafted, a special treat for yourself, or to escape the Christmas rush and see how others are using their creative skills.
More pictures and info at http://gallery.baag.com.au/?p=3993
Who doesn’t love a tomato? Delicious home grown tomatoes are easy to grow, taste great, and you control what gets sprayed on them, if anything at all. Late October to early November is the perfect time to plant your tomato seedlings. Many different varieties are available including heritage varieties, from which you can collect your own seed to sow next season, and dwarf varieties suitable for growing in pots. Tomatoes are great for kids to grow, as they grow fast and produce lots of delicious fruit, especially cherry tomatoes. So even if you only have a balcony for a garden, you can grow delicious fresh tomatoes. You can raise tomatoes from seed or as seedlings, however to grow from seed you will need to have planted them by mid-September.
This is probably the busiest month of the year for gardeners. Warmer temperatures and the recent rains make for perfect planting conditions. As you can see from the pic above, it is also Tomato Time! Cup Weekend is traditionally the ideal time in Melbourne to get your tomatoes into the ground. In the rest of your garden, plants are either busily flowering or pushing out new growth. Birds, spiders, lizards and ladybirds are feasting on aphids, whiteflies and other sap sucking insects that love to feed on new spring growth. Allow predators to thrive in your garden by reducing or eliminating spraying, planting lots of flowers and creating a diverse and nature friendly garden.
Basil is one of the best known herbs in the world, and with good reason. It’s tasty, attractive and very easy to grow. With over 100 different species to choose from, Basil is never faulty!
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An Australian themed art exhibition by Darren Gilbert of new black ink artwork and rusty metal sculptures.
26th October to 18th November
Darren Gilbert’s striking pen & ink artworks celebrate Australian fauna, beckoning viewers to stop and really “see” the fascinating and often overlooked characteristics of our natives. The amazing patterns of plumage & fur, soulful expressive eyes, the unique curve of a beak, the gnarly texture of a claw is juxtaposed with bold gestural black ink brush strokes.
More pictures and info at http://gallery.baag.com.au/?p=3941
Bulleen Art & Garden is under serious threat from the proposed construction of the North-East Link. We are now asking our community help us to survive. BAAG is an innovative garden centre which provides a visitor experience not found anywhere else in Melbourne. Some people in the garden industry even say we are unique in the world with our focus on art, environment and a wide range of rare and unusual plants.
The planned path of the North East Link threatens the existence of not only Bulleen Art & Garden, but that of over 100 other local businesses… everything from pie makers to mechanics. Approximately 1000 jobs are at risk. Thanks to all who have signed our petition (It is below if you haven’t), but if you would still like to help there is more you can do.
We are asking as many people as possible to send an email to the North East Link Authority and let them know why you think these businesses are vital to the local community. We know we don’t have to say this as all of our customers are wonderful… but please be nice when emailing! Reasoned and calm arguments always go further than anger!
You can email the North East Link Authority on this address: community@northeastlink.vic.gov.au
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