Beyond Gardens Gardenwise Workshop by John Colwill & John McWilliams – at Harcourts Joondalup

Such rich content I did the usual and took notes of the things I found important at this point in my life.

– Leaves change angles so they don’t take on too much sunlight.
– Top 300mm is the most important for root hairs to absorb oxygen.
– Look up Rotary hoe.
– Organic matter does all the water & nutrient holding.
– Fungi attaches to the plant and gives its roots good things while getting sun love from the plant.
– Look for Australian certified or BFA stamps for organic matter.
– Replace half soil with conditioner and add amendments.
– When you think beetle is the problem just use a soil wetting agent first because just by adding bentonite clay you’re reducing non-wettability.
– Why are you constantly being told to fertilise when Jarrah Forest hasn’t been fertilised. Do feed the soil not the plant and fertilisers usually kill the soil life to feed the plant. Animal manure fertiliser is the most damaging and the rains just drain them to the rivers and lakes nearby.
– If you still want a fertiliser look for NPK ratio 5:1:3 and buy complete trace elements. Slow or controlled release. One that will not harm the soil. Golden rules: Lush growth is not healthy growth (thats like gym big muscles don’t mean healthy). Only fertilise when it’s growing. Don’t fertilise if it’s sick.
– pH – test and read it under sunlight. Men are little colour blind so women better to do it. Adding organic matter helps.
–  Mulch – large irregular particles and doesn’t hold water. Don’t get black mulch. Stone is best mulch. Rules- spread 50-75 mm thick, leave undisturbed and top up if necessary.
– Sandalwood is very easy to grow. 4 years and great nuts. Native sweet potato. Barrier saltbush.
– Raised gardens are no extra benefit was really designed for wheelchair users. All you need is 300mm if you really need one.
– Most veggies can grow in 6 hours of sun.
– Inline drip irrigation is best, overhead butterfly sprinkler is worst.
– Stop digging! Not needed. Kills soil by exposing the good things happening underground. Just cut off veg and let the root and its fungi rot to feed the soil. Bed rotation is useless.
– Do you have a good reason to grow it if you’re not going to eat it, especially in these times when good food is hard to find without growing it yourself.
– Stomach and arm rule, stretch arm and trim whatever reaches your stomach. Bigger tum = smaller plant hehehe. Look up training wire.
– Because of the fruit flies hit grow fruit trees in pots, all kinds of dwarf plants.
– Potting mix and equal amount garden soil, add 100g bentonite clay per 5 gallons and 5 cm waterwise something.
– Pests- crazy caterpillar and maggot video, aphid and wasp street fighter story. 3 methods – squishing, tread them, ignore them.
– Book – What Garden Pest or Disease is That? Every Garden Problem Solved … it is The Gardening bible.
– Look up converting your verge to a native garden.

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