• Set yourself up by spending the time and money by setting up your garden with good soil
• Compost - a great, cost effective way to turn your kitchen waste into a valuable product for your garden. Keith recommends Clyde's Lignite Humate before applying compost and then covering with mulch such as granitic sand, fine pine bark
• Plan your garden ahead to ensure you don’t overspend and select the right plant for the space and conditions
• Perennials will be more cost effective than annuals that need replacing each year
• Consider native plants - generally require less water and provide habitat for
• Bare-rooted plants - buy in Winter to save money 
• Try propagating from cuttings, division and seed to save money
• Grow your own veggies - rewarding, cost effective, healthier and better for the environment. Raised bed? Keith recommends Modbox
• Consider an alternative to lawn - find out more on next week’s podcast!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

The answer is Wormly. Combining Torbjorn’s sleek, thoughtful design with Dominic’s horticultural expertise, Wormly is a biodegradable in-ground worm farm that turns everyday scraps into a natural, slow-release fertilizer, right where your plants need it. It’s easy to use, kind to the planet, and a little addictive to watch in action. Every Wormly helps divert food waste from landfill, nourish your garden, and save you money on fertilizers. Small changes, big impact- that’s the Wormly way.

Website: https://wormly.com.au/

Socials: https://www.instagram.com/wormly.com.au/

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Additional Tips and Considerations

- Edible Climbing Plants: For a vertical garden that’s both functional and beautiful, consider edible plants like passion fruit, gooseberries, or strawberries. These plants produce fruits and flowers but can attract pests like birds and possums.

- Vertical Gardens: PhytoGreen offers a high-end vertical garden system that uses organic blocks filled with plants. While this option is primarily for commercial use, a similar smaller container setup can be used for home gardens.

- Dealing with Pests: To deter pests like possums from eating your edible plants, consider planting passion fruit at the to

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Gardening jobs during the heat of February.

• Check watering for maintenance and installing additional sprinklers where required 
• Adding  organic wetting agents such as ECO Hydrate. 
• Broadforking for all your garden to get as much air, moisture and goodness deep down into the soil. Keith recommends F.D Ryan's Broadforks for this job
• Consider soil improvement with Clyde’s lignite 
• Using Seasol  or other seaweed products to help heat-stressed plants
• Using a product such as MycoGold and watering this into holes created with a broadfork will help with moisture retention
• February is also a great time for doing some Summer pruning of fruit trees
• Keeping your eyes out for pest and disease is another very important job for February, particularly powdery mildew and leaf hopper . ECO Neem (best used on its own in Summer, mix with Eco Oil at other times of the year)
• Make sure your lawns are kept cut on a higher mowing setting over the summer months.
• If you love eating Brussel Sprouts like Keith does, then this is the month to plant your seedlings into your well-prepared vegetable beds. 

So there are lots of things you can be doing in the garden in February, and these are just a few.

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

You can check out Sally’s Instagram page HERE 

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

What is a Perennial? Generally have a life span of 5-7 years. Once the flowers die off, the plant produces new growth at the base. Perennials are a fantastic choice with long flowering seasons (up to 9 months). Perennials can’t be beaten for colour, texture and variety.

Before selecting perennials, be sure to check your ‘heat and cold zones’ for best performance.

Aim to prune before at the end of March before the Autumn Equinox to extend the flowering season. Dead-heading your perennials and regular feeding with products like Charlie Carp will help them to thrive. 

Common pests - bugs like leaf hoppers can be treated with ECO Neem and Eco Oil (avoid spraying in full sun).

Top performing perennials:
Verbena bonariensis
Salvia mystic spires
Agastache orange
Achillea Moonshine
Rudbeckia Goldquelle
Persicaria amplexicaulis Fat Domino
Helenium Moerheim Beauty
Echinacea Magnus Superior
Achillea Summer Berries
Sedum Autumn Joy
Perevoskia atriplicifolia
Euphorbia Arctic Blue
Scaevola ground cover
Pigface

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• ECO Neem and Eco Oil - undoubtedly 2 of Keith’s favourite plant products. What can we use them for? Keith recommends them for all insect pests in the garden. Be sure to use out of direct sunlight
• Black Spot on roses - need to use specific sprays. Ensure affected leaves are removed and put in the bin
• Recommendation for windbreak in dry shade area
  • Large shrubs (up to 2-5 meters) Hakea laurina, Pomaderris, Westringia, Correa lawrenceana, Kunzea ericoides, Acacia boormanii, Acacia cardiophylla, Acacia iteaphylla 
  • Trees - Acacia cognata, Acacia fimbriata, Acacia implexa, Acacia pravissima, Allocasuarina littoralis, Callitris oblonga, Callitris rhomboidea Corymbia ficifolia, Eucalyptus cinerea, Eucalyptus crenulata, Eucalyptus spathulata. Melalueca linariifolia and Melaleuca styphelioides.
  •  be sure to assist plants by adding MycoGold.
• Hydrangeas not flowering - ensure when pruning, prune only down to the dominant large bud. If planting in pots use a quality potting mix (replace every 3-5 years) and feed with Neutrog Kahoona regularly
• Fruit fly in stone fruit? Use fruit fly traps and net your trees with 2ml micron black nets. Bin affected fruit.
• Withered orchids - could be overwatering? Use the finger test! If it’s moist, don’t water them. Try

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Keith waters 4mm per day based on his particular conditions. Watering amounts will vary depending on soil and weather conditions. Be guided by what works!
• Best watering for trees is around the drip line - that is at the breadth of the canopy (not the trunk). MycoGold is an excellent addition and can be forced down by using a broadfork 
• For pot planting Keith recommends mixture of quality potting mix (such as Scotts Premium Potting Mix mixed with compost and mulch with Who Flung Dung. Tomatoes would need a pot of at least 40 litres diameter. 
• Shady, clay soil? Check out Macadamia Pinkalicious, Blueberry Ash, Mountain Pepper, Gymea Lilies, Bangalow Palm, Graptophyllum, Evodia
• Looking for quality tools? Check out F.D Ryan's
• Advice on potatoes - check out recent episode HERE
• Advice on garlic - check out previous episode HERE
• Growing seeds in cooler climates. Keith recommends investing in a heat mat and using a Moon calendar
• Asparagus - do not harvest for 3-5 years! Listen to Keith’s other tips!
• Growing deciduous trees under a large native tree? Apply MycoGold to assist with water retention. Comfrey Boking 14 planted at the drip line deep mines the goodness that then becomes a natural mulch

Keep sending in your questions via DM to Muddy Boots or where needed in between episodes, reach out to Keith at ke_landscape_consultant 

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Potatoes can be grown at any time but they are frost tender so should be planted after the last frost (in Southern States or frost prone areas)
• Use certified ‘seed potatoes’ - this will ensure they are free from disease. Most non-organic potatoes found in supermarkets etc are sprayed with glyphosate 360 so should be avoided
• There are a number of different methods for growing potatoes:
  • Grown in your garden - Keith warns, you will have these together as they nearly impossible to get rid of
  • Use a designated garden bed - you will harvest approx 8-10 potatoes per plant
  • Grow in a potato bag using a good quality potting mix- Several on the market including Bunnings Potato Bag
  • Wire frame can be used by layering compost and straw
• Potatoes need consistent water but avoid being too wet to ensure potatoes don’t rot
• To ensure a good yield, add plenty of compost and other organic matter
• Keith recommends planting whole seed potato (not cut) covered with 200mm soil/compost as plants shoots cover with additional soil/compost or straw (indeterminate potatoes only)
• Indeterminate potatoes include - Brownell, Dutch Cream, Nicola, Up To Date, King Edward, Salad Rose, Pink Fir Apple, Potato Sapphire
• Determinate potatoes include - Spunta, Kennebec, Purple Congo, Pink Eye, Carlingford, Red Pontiac
• once potato plant’s flowers have died off, feel through to the stem where you will find ‘new potatoes’  (indeterminate varieties only). Once the plant has completely died off, leave for approx 2 weeks before harvesting.
• Store in cool dry place in hessian bag or wire basket away from sunlight.
• Pests include earwigs

Good luck with your home grown taties!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

A self described ‘novice gardener’, Jo and her father Lindsay now create rustic garden beds using reclaimed corrugated iron from local farms. Hand crafted using recycled materials, each garden bed is unique and the range includes a variety of designs including self watering wicking beds. 

Made in Ungarie, NSW, Henley’s products are delivered across regional NSW and Canberra or can be collected directly from the makers!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Succulents prefer an open, well drained soil and grow well in pots. Succulents are low maintenance and don’t require a lot of water.

Today we hear what Keith’s Top 10 Succulents are:

1.Tree Aloe, Aloe Barberae, - grows up to 6-9 metres x 3-6 meters. Long straight trunk with a huge succulent head. Pest and disease free.

2. Kalanchoe beharensis, sometimes known as Elephant Ear Kalanchoe or Felt bush. Large felty leaves up to 40cm

3.Cussonia paniculata -  growis up to 5 meters with large sculptured and textured leaves. 

4.Century Plant, Agave attenuata, has beautiful smooth soft silver foliage in a big rosette. 

5. Burbank’s Spineless, Opuntia ficus-indica, . This is a non-invasive form of the prickly pear. 

6.Blue Chalk, Senecio serpens, is a beautiful grey groundcover with its cylindrical blue chalks that produces branches of fluffy creamy-white flowers.

7.Australian Pig Face, Carpobrotus rossii is an Australian native that grows in sand along coastlines. The leaves are dark green and it produces a pinky-purple flower with a yellow center that becomes an edible fig. 

8. Cotyledon orbiculate ‘Sliver Waves’ is a stunning sculptural plant with large powdery silver leaves and is perfect with pastel coloured plants.

9.Aeonium arboretum ‘Schwarzkopf’ - a stunning plant of black-maroon leaves. It will produce large heads of yellow which contrast beautifully with the dark leaves.

10. Dwarf flowering Aloe - produces masses of single coloured flower stalks. These come in a multitude of colours from yellow, orange, white, red and multi coloured forms. 

Happy gardening!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• What to line our planter boxes with? Any HDPE (High-density polyethylene) is safe for Pinapple guava lining planter boxes. The thicker the better!
• Where to find Lignite Humate? Keith can’t recommend Clyde's Compost and Clyde’s lignite highly enough, now available at selected Bunnings stores (in Vic). Failing that, Keith suggests BioChar (try Charman) - 2 litres per 2 sq.m and Neutrog Gogo Juice
• Low hedging/edible hedge suggestions - when terracing, low levels can have higher hedges and gradually decrease size as you go up. From bottom up: Pineapple guava, Tasmanian Pepperberry, Goji Berry, Salt Bush, Chilean Guava, Tea Plant, Midyim Berry
• Keith shares some tips on Rondeletia leucophylia
• As with any herbicide, always follow the directions when using Slasher. 
• Can you add compost over ground covers? Yes, lightly won’t be a problem! Also consider Charlie Carp 
• Keith explains how to reduce high pH levels 

Keep sending in your questions via DM to Muddy Boots or where needed in between episodes, reach out to Keith @ke_landscape_consultant

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

From her family upbringing to her first paid job with gardener Robert Boyle, Cass has immersed herself with landscaping and gardening. With a passion for conservation and the protection of threatened species, we hear about Cass’s journey and the creation of her garden with all the challenges of low rainfall, bore water and a harsh climate.

Cass share’s her journey of the creation of her rural Riverina NSW garden via her instagram @outbackgardens.

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Australia is home to over 1500 bees and pollinating insects.

Here are some of the ‘bee magnet’ flowering plants.

• Salvias
• Buddleia (also a favourite with butterflies)
• Echium (check out the wildpretii variety)
• Poppies
• Cosmos
• Alyssum
• Queen Anne’s Lace
• Calendula
• Daisies
• Penstemon
• Natives such as wattles, bottle brushes, westringia, grevillea
• Herbs such as - borage, rosemary, oregano, thyme, basil, yarro

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Easy to grow as long as they are given plenty of feed and plenty of sun. 

Lots of top tips today to tomato growing before we hear about Keith’s recommended varieties

1. Blue Beauty
2. Juane Flamme
3. Wapsipinicon Peach
4. San Marzano
5. Santorini
6. Tasmanian Chocolate
7. Black Russian
8. Black Truffle
9. Mortgage Lifter
10. Tommy Toe

Special mention too to the Tigerella variety - Keith’s recommendation if you are looking for a prolific fruiter!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Leggy seedlings? Likely your newly germinated seeds are looking for as much light as possible
• Keith suggests mowing and hedge clipping by the Moon calendar  (ie during low sap flow period) to reduce growth rate
• Tips for ‘Little Gem’ magnolia - often sparse up to 1.5m. Keith suggests underplanting with shade tolerant plants. Magnolias are heavy feeders so suggest products like Neutrog Gyganics and liquid fertiliser to kick start.
• Starting a garden from scratch? Keith recommends having a solid plan!
• Making your own Biochar? Keith suggests storing ‘uncharged’ and ‘charging’ before use.
• Long and deep watering is best for lawns and shrubs to encourage deep rooting. Vegetables, on the other hand, need more regular watering as their roots are shallowing. Keith works on 4mm per day.
• Can bee-keepers stop their bees stinging? Aggressive bees are symptomatic of a bigger problem with the hive that should be addressed by the bee-keeper and may require “requeening” the hive
• Camelias not thriving - check soil pH (5.5-6).
• Pond plants - Keith lists some favourites including cycnogeton procerum, ludwigia palustris, mariophyllum, cyperus papyrus and Bog Plants include carex appressa. Keith recommends Kuranga Native Nursery in Mt. Evelyn, Victoria

Keep sending in your questions to Muddy Boots!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

A fascinating discussion covering the importance of seasonal produce, the myths of ‘super foods’, the medicinal benefits of many plants and striving for the umami flavour for a satisfying plant based diet.

Sam talks about the benefits of some of our basic herbs including parsley, watercress, turmeric, ginger, how to store them for longevity and tips on using the whole plant to reduce waste.

Check out the following to learn more about Samantha Gowing’s work:

• Food Health Wealth
• Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat
• Savour The Tweed

Happy gardening!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

1. Laurus Nobilis ‘Baby Bay’ - 1.2 wide x 2m tall
2. Olive - Mediterranean Midget - 1.5m - 2.5m tall
3. Syzygium Australe Straight and Narrow - 1.2m wide x 6m tall
4. Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ - 1.2m wide x 2m tall
5. Choisya Ternata (Mexican Orange Blossom) - 1.5m wide x 1.8m tall
6. Syzygium Australe Pinnacle - 1.5m wide x 6m tall
7. Callistemon viminalis ‘Slim’ - 1.5m wide x 3m tall
8. Westringia Naringa - 1.5m wide x 2.2m tall
9. Murraya paniculata ‘Sweet Privacy’ - 1.5m wide x 2m tall
10. Cestrum nocturnum - 1.5m wide x 3m tall

Happy gardening!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Check what climate zone you are in. Keith recommends The Seed Collection’s Map
• Cool Climate Area (most of Vic) - Beans (including Lazy House Wife, Scarlet Runner), 
• Keith will be trialling new dwarf varieties of tomatoes - stay tuned for Keith’s observations
• Consider climbing frames for vegetables like cucumbers and pumpkins allowing more space underneath for other planting
• Remove finished Winter vegetables and add compost (Clyde's Compost and Clyde’s lignite), MycoGold and Munash Rock Dust and cover with quality mulch like Who Flung Dung. Rest for approx 3 weeks before planting. Water new seedlings in with Seasol
• Tomatoes seedlings can’t be planted until about the end of October
• Some recommendations for planting now - Carrots, Radishes (try French Breakfast Radish), 
• Sow seeds into paper pots now and keep warm in hothouse or indoors including - eggplant, pumpkin, tomatoes, spring onions, chillis 
• Follow the directions on the packet for seed/seedling spacing
• Marigold, basil, Spring onions, garlic will all help to deter pests
• Pea Straw and lucerne are excellent mulches adding nutrients to the soil but will attract birds so best used in beds that will be netted
• Vegetables need 4mm of water every day. Keith recommends Dan’s Modular Sprinklers
• pH level should be neutral at 7.0

Happy veggie gardening!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Organic Weed Killers - follow the directions precisely! Keith recommends Slasher, Bioweed or Slayer
• Banksia’s not flowering? Banksia’s prefer a sandy soil and may take several years to flower
• Prune lavender after they’ve finished flowering. Lightly trim back to 4-6 leaves of new growth
• Lawn vs gravel between garden beds - Keith explains why he has opted for grass.
• Raised beds - timber or colorbond? Keith recommends ModBOX beds (timber). Corrugated iron or colorbond can be good in cooler months but attracts to much heat in summer and can burn roots. Henley's Rustics have wonderful corrugated iron wicking beds for those who prefer metal look
• Using charcoal from your fire? Breakdown with Gogo Juice to create an activated biochar.
• Potting mix - does it have a shelf life? Store unopened in cool place and it should last approximately 12 months
• Manure best left out on the ground for a month or so before use 
• Hydrangeas - only cut back to the nearest node. If cut back to far, you can risk either killing the plant or no flowers the following summer

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Citrus like lots of heat, full sun and lots of moisture. In areas prone to frost, look to grow near a ‘heat sink’ (such as a brick wall or a body of water like a pond). Leave frost affected leaves on the plant to protect from further frost until the frost period is finished. Citrus can be planted in pots with regular feeding (worm ‘wee’ is perfect) and plenty of water. Feed all citrus regularly with liquid feed Spring/Summer and slow release feed such as Neutrog Gyganics during Winter months. 

Spray all citrus trees with ECO Neem and Eco Oil to prevent pests like citrus miner. Citrus Gall affected branches either need to be either removed or the area opened with a sharp knife to kill the larvae.

Prune regularly to maintain manageable size and shape.

Keith’s Top Ten

1. Meyer Lemon 
2. ‘Prior Lisbon’ Lemon
3. Tahitian Lime
4. Finger Lime
5. Washington Navel Orange
6. ‘Arnold’ Blood Orange
7. Satsuma Okitsu Mandarin
8. ‘Lemonade’ lemon
9. Tangelo ‘Seminole’
10. Junos Yuzu

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Keith suggests finding out your ‘cool zone’ and ‘heat zone’ to assist with understanding when to plant your seeds.

Seeds can be purchased online via Diggers Club, Seeds of Plenty, Seed Freaks, The Seed Collection, 

Before beginning, check the moon calendar to guide when to sow the seeds for best results. 

Seeds can be sown either directly or into punnets (check the packet for recommendations). When sowing into punnets use a seed raising mix and consider sowing into paper pots to avoid root disturbance when transplanting. When sowing directly, the soil should be an open, friable soil with plenty of compost. Hard seeds such as peas, beans, broad beans etc can be soaked for 6-8 hours to speed up germination.

Sow seeds at a depth of twice their width. How far apart to sow your seeds will depend on the seed variety - again check the packet and think about the size of the vegetable you’re growing. To sow in optimum warmth, consider a greenhouse or replicate this effect in a sunny spot inside, next to your hot water service or a mini greenhouse. Ensure watering with a soft spray to avoid disturbing seed/seedling (approx 5 minutes every second day). Once germinated and seedlings have 2-4 true leaves, a tonic such as Seasol can be applied. Once the seedling has 4-6 leaves, take them outside to ‘harden off’ before planting into the garden. Again, transplanting is best done during the high growth period, according to the moon calendar. Protect your young seedlings from pests, potentially covering them with netting. Spray weekly with ECO Neem and Eco Oil.

Good luck and enjoy the satisfaction of growing your vegetables from seed!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

This traditional agrarian practice of observing the effect of the gravitational force of the moon has many sceptics in the modern world. This handy, easy to use 1 page moon calendar is a simple way to try this for yourself to observe increased germination rates and plan your gardening guided by the moon phases. The calendar wheel is a perpetual calendar meaning it can be used year on year by simply observing the dates provided on the Moon Gardening Calendar website.

Be sure to check out and order your Moon Gardening Calendar and observe the results for yourself!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Camellias can be moved during Winter months by pruning back by around ⅓, carefully digging out and feeding with a specialised, acidic potting mix
• Fig trees can be pruned in Winter to back to your preferred size by cutting back to the nearest node. Feed with Neutrog Gyganics       
• Ash from the fire can be either put into the compost or applied to the garden (best before rain) and can be a pest deterrent for slugs and aphids
• Lemon not fruiting heavily? Could be lack of sun and warmth. 
• Transplanting a lemon tree. Can be cut back by at about ⅓. Dig down 30-45cm under the roots and transplant into a well-composted spot or into a pot with specialised citrus potting mix. Seasol will help stimulate root growth
• Beans not germinating. Try soaking in water with diluted Seasol. Plant at recommended time of year.
• Olive trees are very hardy and a hedge can be maintained by cutting back to your preferred height regularly.
• Transplanting an Acacia could be risky (natives are notoriously difficult to transplant). 

Thank you for your great questions again! 

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Most grasses are easy to grow and require minimal attention provided they have reasonable soil. Preferring full sun but some will tolerate part shade. Once established they are drought tolerant and rarely prone to pests or disease.

Keith recommends cutting grasses back almost to the ground at the end of winter. Can be then easily divided by digging up and dividing with sharp spade.

Some of Keith’s favourites include:

• Miscanthus sinensis ‘Flamingo’ - tall form growing to 1.2-1.5m
• Miscanthus ‘Kleine Fontaine’ - with vertical stripe through the leaf
• Miscanthus ‘Klein Silberspinne’ - compact variety
• Miscanthus ‘Zebrinus’ - with horizontal stripe through the leaf
• Miscanthus ‘Adagio’ - ideal for smaller garden
• Miscanthus ‘Giganteus’ - grows to over 2m
• Calamagrostis -tall vertical accent
• Stipa Gigantea  - tidy clump with 2m flower stems
• Stipa ‘ichu’ - smaller variety
• Poa labillardierei - small tussock clumping grass
• Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’- blue grass 30cm

Why not add some interest to your garden with some of these beautiful grasses!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Get your soil into great shape - add compost (Keith recommends Clyde's Compost), Munash Rock Dust, MycoGold (added at time of planting) and mulch. Add products like Blood & Bone manure and Rooster Booster now as these take some months to take effect
• Good time to plant and/or fertilise brassicas. Feed with liquid fertliser like Charlie Carp or Power Feed now to optimise growth. Still time to plant cabbages, lettuce, radish, turnips, peas, beans and herbs
• Clean up your tools - scrub off rust, sharpen and treat with Vaseline
• Prune deciduous plants including apple trees by approximately ⅓ . Avoid pruning apricots (this should be done in Summer). Prune to an outward growing bud. Open out centre to allow light and air.
• Prevent (or treat) pests like aphids and mealybugs with ECO Neem and Eco Oil
• Continue to water your vegetables (depending on rain). Vegetables need 4mm a day!
• Get on top of weeds while they are growing less vigorously. Keith & Elisabeth love F.D Ryan's Ho-Mi and Collinear tools. Best to do in the low growth period on the Moon calendar
• Open up compact soil with  F.D Ryan's Broad fork to eliminate algae and moss
• Perfect time to buy and plant bare-rooted trees (in cooler states). 

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

The kitchen garden is at the centre of everything that happens at the Agrarian Kitchen with fresh produce being grown and harvested to support the cooking school, restaurant and function venue set 

Keith applauds the companion planting approach used in the garden to promote continuity of supply over the year. The 5000m vegetable garden is set in what was an old prison yard. The productive garden is a closed loop system with minimal waste, converting food waste into compost to maximise soil production.

Next visit to Tasmania, be sure to treat yourself to a visit to this incredible place

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Unwanted grass coming up in garden beds try either organic Slasher or the less toxic version of Roundup now available called Roundup Natural
• Nectarine with gumosis seems unusual to Keith! Possibly grafted onto an unsuitable rootstock?
• Pots with wheels! A great idea to enable moving them around with the seasons. Check out Omnia Plant Gliders. Potting mix should be replaced every 3-5 years
• Pruning crepe myrtle - cut back by ⅓ in Winter months
• Dahlia tubers only need to be dug up if you are in areas with heavy frosts. Feed with Blood & Bone, Rooster Booster or try Strikeback for Orchids
• Escallonia hedge is hardy. Can be cut back hard. Keith suggests aerating the surrounding soil with a broad fork (check out F.D Ryan's)
• Hedge trimmers - Keith recommends AEG or EGO battery operated models
• Kurrajong trees attacked by the Kurrajong Bag Moth won’t usual destroy the tree but where size allows try ECO Neem and Eco Oil
• Rose with botrytis? Remove affected leaves/petals and bin them 
• Hydrangea cuttings should be taken late summer for propagation
• Planting an Avocado tree? - plant on mound, feed well and mulch with pea straw or lucerne. Plant min 8m from the nearest Eucalyptus tree.

Thank you for your great questions again!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Steps to follow:

1. Start with a ‘wish list’ - consider how you would ideally want to use the space. Do you want a BBQ, a pool, outdoor seating, a pond, vegetable garden etc. Look at the paved areas - do you want decking, paving, granitic sand etc. 
2. Start a Pinterest Board can be a great way to explore what you like and compile your ideas.
3. Consider zones including those that you don’t want to be seen (utility area, clothes line etc)
4. Create your plan (or employ a landscape architect), drawing in your structures, paving, decking and plants. Using the council plan of your house and garden will help you work to scale to work out the quantities of what you need - eg for soil, plants etc
5. Before commencing, existing vegetation will need to be poisoned and remove any unwanted materials. Slasher is an excellent organic herbicide
6. Lay down the paving decking etc
7. Bring in the soil and additional materials for soil improvement. Soil improvement is the number one factor to growing a healthy, lush garden. Adding Compost, Clyde’s lignite humate to improve the soil and using products like MycoGold will give your plants a great start. Mulch - Keith recommends granitic sand over the top of soil. 
8. Irrigation best to go in before the plants. Check out Dan Modular Sprinklers
9. Planting - Autumn when they can get established before the winter.

Consider a landscaper to do the initial work of the pathways, decking, soil and irrigation systems if this is too much work.

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Le Sac is a gardening belt designed to be both practical and stylish. Cotton/canvas, machine washable, built for comfort with plenty of pockets for your gardening essentials (even a pocket for your Airpods!). Affordable at $75.95

Find out also about Sahra's other venture - The Wool Shed. The Wool Shed is an intimate, farm-to-table experience, situated on a working farm in Burragate on the far South Coast of New South Wales.

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Lemon tree with droopy branches from so much fruit? 4 stakes and lightly tying the branches to support them, could help here. Alternatively, remove some of the fruit
• Cut flower bed in a raised bed - Keith recommends a wild flower mix. Look at The Seed Collection 
• Direct or pre-propagate in a greenhouse? Check the seed pack. Peas, beans etc can be sown directly
• Hibiscus rubra with spots and holes. Could be metallic flea beetle. Treat with ECO Neem and Eco Oil (including the soil and under the leaves), also try Diatomaceous Earth or companion planting with fennel or coriander
• Ficus stipulata (pumila or minima) is a great choice for covering a fence where the soil depth is minimal
• Hear about the benefits of Comfrey and the experience at the Garden of St.Earth. Other crops like lucerne, beans, peas and “Clever Clover” also have benefits to the soil.
• Keith recommends MycoGold - added at time of planting

Thank you for your great questions again!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Grafting is bringing a tree with good root structure together with best the quality and size of fruit. Rootstock is grown then the trunk is cut above the ground and the desired fruiting tree is grafted onto this trunk. 

The most common root stock is Trifoliata due to its smaller size, disease resistance and tolerance to cold. Troyer is another common rootstock and “Flying Dragon” is another rootstock ideal for pots or smaller spaces due to its slow growing habit.

Most rootstocks have a life span of approximately 10 years. Expect to have to replace your tree after this time. Occasionally a rootstock may send up a shoot. This should be removed to ensure it doesn’t dominate the fruiting part of the tree.

Citrus care - regular (weekly) deep watering, feed regularly with Neutrog Gyganics or Harry's Citrus Food and regularly spray with a mix of ECO Neem and Eco Oil

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Hedging is a great way of creating different zones
• Plants like Syzygium australe (Straight and Narrow) are perfect for a tall narrow screen
• Grasses like the giant form of Miscanthus sinesis can be used to divide areas
• Areas can be divided by using different materials and structures such as concrete reinforcing mesh to grow a creeper on or vertical timber screening that can be softened with plants like Festuca glauca
• Varying heights can also enhance a feeling of different rooms or zones. Sunken seating areas, raised garden beds or even raised pools for example (check out Plungie Pools)
• Garden lighting helps create areas at night
• Covered seating/pergola areas - consider a deciduous climber to give shade in summer and light and sun in winter
• Water features such as birdbaths, fountains, showers add interest and a calming element
• Paths link the rooms. Paths can be created using bluestone pavers, concrete pavers, grass, sleepers

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

The certified organic Australian Medicinal Herbs grow, process and sell from their farm - “paddock to packet”. 

A fascinating episode where Elle talks about the workings of their business as well as sharing some tips for the home gardener on using herbs for remedial purposes.

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Granitic sand and Decomposed Gravel - what’s the difference? Granitic sand is crushed rock under 4mm. Keith thinks “Deco Gravel” as the listener refers to, is essentially the same.
• Carrot seeds where tomatoes have previously been, good or bad? Good! “Carrots love tomatoes”
• NPK - Potassium helps with flowering and fruiting. Apply organic potassium alongside Munash Rock Dust to improve productivity
• pH - very Alkaline results. Hear what Keith thinks is going on!
• Strawberry with a lot of runners and not so much fruit. What’s going on? Use only the first runner (best genetics). Cambridge Rival and Chandler varieties are what Keith would recommend. (refer to our Berry episode on 23.4.24)
• Repot lemons or put them in the ground? Do either. Remove by tipping on its size and use hose to loosen soil. Either put into the ground (hole twice the size of the root ball or into a pot larger than the last)
• Roses? Where to buy and what to look for? Look for reputable growers. David Austin roses come with Keith’s recommendation
• Black volcanic soil is highly reactive and can crack. Can be improved with addition of Clyde’s lignite and Clyde's Compost.  Gypsum and Rooster Booster may help for the lawn in these conditions
• WA listener looking for screening plants as a wind break - Keith recommends checking out Domus, Hortbiz and Frenchams. Take a look at their range. 

Thank you for your great questions again!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

With Elisabeth busy with garden and house renovations this week, we have decided to replay one of our listeners favorite episodes. 

Perennials. Elisabeth thinks these are a “must have” in every garden.

What is a perennial? A plant that persists for several years producing stems and flowers and dying back (or becoming dormant) in Winter. Herbaceous perennials completely die back in Winter (like a peony for example).

Perennials often have long flowering periods. Cut back before the Autumn Equinox for another flush of flowers. Many perennials are Mediterranean and drought tolerant but there are a huge variety of plants with differing requirements.

Numerous online retailers include Woodside Perennials, Woodbridge Perennials, Antique Perennials, Treasured Perennials

Top 10 of Elisabeth and Keith, gives us a total of 20 (or 21!).

1. Hydrangea Macrophylla 
2. Hydrangea Quercifolia
3. Allium
4. Salvia Mystic Spires
5. Salvia Leucantha including the purple, white velour and pink velour varieties
6. Sedum Autumn Joy
7. Achillea including Moonshine, Terracotta, Cerise Queen, Hela glashoff, Parchment
8. Digitalis (Foxglove) and Digiplexis
9. Liatris Spicata
10. Hellebore
11. Sisyrinchium Striatum
12. Geranium Rozanne
13. Echinacea
14. Buddleia 
15. Rudbeckia Goldsturm
16. Lavender
17. Helenium dunkle pracht
18. Stachys byzantina (Lambs Ears)
19. Scabiosa Midnight
20. Crepe Myrtle 
21. Lilac

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Delicious berries. Maybe you already grow your own or maybe you don’t know where to start. This week’s episode looks at 4 main berry types - raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries

Raspberries - 3 types
3 main varieties - Summer fruiting, autumn fruiting and the “dual cropper”
- Primo cane cultivars such as ‘Autumn Bliss’, ‘Heritage’, ‘Bogong - suited to warmer or coastal areas (require less chilling to produce new canes)
- Floricane are earlier fruiting producing fruit on cane from last year’s growth require a cold winter. Include ‘Chilliwack’, ‘Chilcotin’’Golden Raspberry’.
- Dual croppers produce fruit on both old and new canes so have fruit in Summer and Autumn. Include ‘Lloyd George’, ‘Willamette’, Sandford.
- Available in Winter as bare-rooted canes or in pots in other seasons. Full Sun

Blueberries
- Buy in pots
- Number of varieties with different climactic requirements. Cold loving varieties include Denise, Northland, Brigitta , Milder areas should look for Sunshine Blue or Blue Rose
- Full sun to part shade in slightly acidic soil
- Tip prune after fruiting
- regular feeding required

Blackberries
- Look for non-invasive varieties like the thornless ‘Chester’ and ‘Waldo’. Produce fruit in Summer on last year’s canes. They are vigorous growers up to 10m.

Strawberries
- Bush Alpine is an easy, runnerless variety. Keith recommends ‘Cambridge Rival’ ‘Chandler’ along with Japanese variety Hokawase. Will yield for 3-4 years of production. 
- Great to grow in baskets, pots, raised beds. Full sun and lots of organic matter
- Plant in April-May

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Join us to hear Keith’s tips on growing citrus. Follow Keith’s tips for healthy, disease free, fruit producing citrus in your home garden.

• Citrus trees love full sun and free draining soil. Not sure where to put it? Put it in a pot.
• Citrus are grown on different rootstocks - can be important to know what root stock it’s grown on to ensure it’s suited to your conditions and soil. For example “flying dragon” rootstock will tolerate heavier soils and some wetness.
• Citrus have surface-feeding roots which means their roots like first access to feed and they are heavy feeders. Feed citrus monthly as they have no dormant period. Keith suggests Neutrog Gyganics at half recommended rate but applied monthly. Potassium can help with fruit production    
• Most citrus don’t like frost! The occasional frost can be tolerated. Keith advises leaving frost burnt leaves on the plant as these can protect undamaged foliage from further frost damage
• Citrus don’t like competition. Avoid planting in the lawn unless you have a large lawn free area under the canopy of the tree.
• pH prefer soil 5 - 5.5 and definitely not over 6.
• Pruning - prune to size where fruit is reachable and ensure centre of tree is nice and open to allow sunlight to all parts of the tree

Pests and diseases are common issues with citrus. Black scale exudes sugary substance that ants feed on and spread and this can cause sooty mould. Regular application of Eco Oil will assist with avoiding pests. Citrus gall wasp originates from Australian native Finger Lime. The gall wasp will create a knobbly growth on the tree that inhibits growth. Prune these off and put straight into rubbish (not compost!).

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Another packed episode of excellent questions from our listeners and hear more about what Keith does (when he’s not talking to us about gardening!)

Some great tips this week include:

Your ECO Neem and Eco Oil mix can be made up and left in the sprayer for use. Adding a couple of drops of detergent can help others like Bordeaux spray from becoming pasty

Acer Negundo Box Elder tree can be a weedy species

Compacted clay soil? Hear Keith’s tips on preparing this soil before planting including loosening with F.D Ryan's broadfork, when to use gypsum and adding products like MycoGold

Shade loving perennials - Keith recommends Ajuga, Ligularia dentata reniformis (Tractor Seat Plant), Chatham Island Forget-me-not, Arthropodium, Sedum, Clivia, Primula, Veltheimia Bracteata

Tall plants like Aster falling over? Try crowding with other plants to support. Different forms of salivias, agastache, achillea for example.

Cherries (Keith recommends lapin variety) and pears (Keith suggests Packham’s Triumph) both require cross pollination for good crop production.

Can you apply crop rotation principles to flowering annuals? Probably not but ensure you are improving soil with Clyde’s lignite, Munash Rock Dust, Clyde's Compost

Hear how to remove Kaikuyu lawn. Use Slasher, cover with Weed

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• BioStim’s MycoGold can be add back beneficial fungal spores to our soil to replenish what has been lost through fertilising, chemical herbicides etc. 
• This product is available to the home gardener. A small amount can be added at the seedling stage or when planting out pots either directly to the soil or mixed in water.
• During high growth periods like spring, Mycgold can be added to soil where soil might be depleted. Unlike traditional fertilisers, the live fungal spores contained in this product will continue to work symbiotically with your plants roots long after application.t
• Not compatible with brassicas or blueberries.

Available from Diggers Club or directly through BioStim

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Pruning and deadhead perennials such as hydrangeas, salvias, lavender etc
• Prune espalier apples and citrus
• Rejuvenate your soil after summer with a broad fork (Keith recommends F.D Ryan's) before adding Rooster Booster, Clyde's Compost, Clyde’s lignite along with a liquid fertiliser like Charlie Carp or  Power Feed
• Feed citrus - try Harry's Citrus Food or Neutrog Gyganics
• Tomatoes are finishing up and will need to be removed
• Plant garlic cloves - 50mm in Vic, 100mm in warmer climates
• Sow brassica seeds - broccoli, cabbage, cauliflowers etc
• Dividing and propagating perennials including Japanese windflowers, dahlias, salvias, sedum, grasses, oakleaf hydrangea
• Grow from cuttings - snip off just below a root node, dip into rooting powder and put into pot (or water)
• Broadfork your lawn and feed with Rooster Booster and keep lawn high until winter months
• Plant bulbs - daffodils, hyacinths, jonquils, irises etc. Plant close together for maximum impact. Underplant 
• Autumn leaves are a great carbon addition in the compost. 

Enjoy the glorious colours of Autumn and the cooler working weather!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Keith drew up plans for the garden using council plans and including Elisabeth’s plant selections and ideas.

Elisabeth started the transformation with the most visible section. Two ModBOX raised beds are accessible to the kitchen for Elisabeth’s vegetables. 

Before any planting, soil was improved with Clyde's Compost and Clyde’s lignite. Morningside Landscapes are assisting with the heavy lifting. 

Next granitic sand will be laid before they getting starting on irrigation system using Dan micro sprinklers.

What’s on Elisabeth’s plant list? Japanese anemone, Crepe Myrtle, Baby Bay Tree, citrus, oleander, smoke bush, correa, leucadendron, liriope, euphorbia, lavender, grasses, viburnum, nepeta, oak leaf hydrangea, salivias, wistringia. Syzygium australe will be used as a screening plant.

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Another packed episode of excellent questions from our listeners and hear more about what Keith does (when he’s not talking to us about gardening!)

Some great tips this week include:

Your ECO Neem and Eco Oil mix can be made up and left in the sprayer for use. Adding a couple of drops of detergent can help others like Bordeaux spray from becoming pasty

Acer Negundo Box Elder tree can be a weedy species

Compacted clay soil? Hear Keith’s tips on preparing this soil before planting including loosening with F.D Ryan's broadfork, when to use gypsum and adding products like MycoGold

Shade loving perennials - Keith recommends Ajuga, Ligularia dentata reniformis (Tractor Seat Plant), Chatham Island Forget-me-not, Arthropodium, Sedum, Clivia, Primula, Veltheimia Bracteata

Tall plants like Aster falling over? Try crowding with other plants to support. Different forms of salivias, agastache, achillea for example.

Cherries (Keith recommends lapin variety) and pears (Keith suggests Packham’s Triumph) both require cross pollination for good crop production.

Can you apply crop rotation principles to flowering annuals? Probably not but ensure you are improving soil with Clyde’s lignite, Munash Rock Dust, Clyde's Compost

Hear how to remove Kaikuyu lawn. Use Slasher, cover with

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Synthetic? Elisabeth is not a fan, will Keith convince her that they have a place?

• Before considering an alternative, consider a few elements - amount of sun, foot traffic, water conditions etc
• Granitic sand - can be a great alternative for areas between plants, border beds or for paths. 
• Mulch - Keith recommends 10mm pine bark
• Looking for a live lawn alternative?
  •  Herbaceous alternatives include: Creeping thyme, chamomile, prostate rosemary, round baby pigface, pennyroyal, 
  • Other plants that are suitable lawn alternatives - baby sunrose, zoysia tenuifolia, pratia pedunculata
  • Native options include dichondra (either repens or silver falls variety) or native violets
  • Consider establishing a Wildflower Meadow as we explored in an episode in October 2023 (listen now Apple Podcasts or  Spotify)
• Stepping stones will help keep foot traffic down to reduce damage to your lawn alternative

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Hear about the history of Wormlovers and their journey over the last 10 years and learn from Richard’s knowledge on the benefits of worm farms for the home gardener. Check out the Wormlovers website to see the range of not only worm farms but planter boxes, wicking beds and other garden accessories.

Whether you’re a large family or living on your own, Richard will explain not only the waste reduction benefits of the worm farm but the reward of the effect of worm castings and worm tea on your garden.

New to worm farms? Here’s a few tips to starting:

• Place the worm farm in full shade
• Add a bedding of compost, soil or other suitable organic matter to the tray
• Add composting worms (1000-2000) - these can be purchased from Wormlovers
• Add small amount of garden/kitchen waste as well as waste paper/cardboard - remember not to overfeed your worms!
• Dilute worm tea to a ratio of 1:10 and use on your garden

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

• Passionfruit hoppers can be controlled by weekly spraying of ECO Neem and Eco Oil
• Frangipane with woolly aphid. Keith suggests controlling with Pyrethrum (add a drop or two of dishwashing liquid)
• Don’t over prune natives such as chrysocephalum apiculatum - dead head only, particularly in summer
• Mites on plants like Vibernum? Try Mavrik or ECO Neem and Eco Oil
• Dilute worm tea to ration of approx 1:10 to 1:15 or hear how to wash through the worm farm to collect worm wee and castings - stay tuned for more tips on worm farms in our upcoming episode!
• Deter possums from eating your passion fruits by providing a decoy apple!
• Some basic principles on pH testing and correction
• Pomegranate trees - best to have 2 plants of different varieties will increase the yield through cross-pollination
• Ornamental grape vines excellent for summer shade. Keith suggests Thomson seedless and crimson seedless. Ensure Neutral pH, good potting mix and liquid feed
• Ficus Pumila - a great clinging climber
• Keith’s top tips on keeping rabbits off your plants! 

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

The trial garden - what’s living up to expectation and what’s not! Some disappointing new varieties of Rudbeckia. Agastache and salvias are always winners and eryngium (Sea Holly) also performing well.

Keith’s edible garden - late tomatoes due to cooler summer, more zucchini and cucumbers than he knows what to do with and avocados are fruiting! Issues with brown rot has seen Keith drying stone fruit using his Ezidri dehydrator.

Late summer planting - Keith suggests lettuce, carrots, beetroot seeds or seedlings, Brussel sprout seedlings (Keith recommends Quality Plants & Seedlings but may have sold out).

Other jobs - Summer pruning of fruit trees after the fruit, deadheading of spent flowers and light cutback to encourage late flowering, aerating soil (use a broadfork - check out F.D Ryan's) and mulching.

Pests and diseases - Black spot on roses can be treated with 50/50 milk/water applied on a sunny day or copper spray like Kocide. Blossom end rot can occur due to high acidity - prevent/treat by adding Dolomite lime to soil before planting to stabilise pH. Powdery mildew - avoid  by cutting out competing plants and ensuring soil is well fertilised and mulched. Rust - burn out by encouraging new growth (speed up with high nitrogen fertiliser). Passionfruit leaf-hopper, Springtail and other “critters” can be avoided and treated with ECO Neem and Eco Oil

Happy Summer gardening!

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Finally an easy guide to why we should we be composting, getting started and maintaining a perfect, odour-free compost. 

• We learn about the Carbon:Nitrogen ratio (ideally 1 part carbon to 3 parts nitrogen)
• the role of microbes in breaking down compost. 
• What can and can’t go into the compost bin - No animal products (besides manure & egg shells)! Dog hair and even vacuum lint are ok to go in - who knew!
• Whether you have room for an open-air compost, a compost bin in the corner of your garden or an apartment with a small worm farm or Bokashi bin, we can all play a part in reducing green waste going into landfill. 
• Applying mulch and organic fertilisers to our garden allows composting to naturally occur in our garden.

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Keith outlines some of the benefits of growing natives and exotics in the one garden. These include:

• Ability to grow different combinations by creating micro climates from exotic tree canopies
• Aesthetic appeal - creating colour combinations of both foliage and flowers
• Seasonal appeal - creating colour and interest throughout the year. Eg Casuarina glauca (Cousin It) and Ligularia reniformis and Miscanthus Sinensis “Flamingo”
• Deter pests - plants like rosemary and passionfruit both deter possums!
• Attract beneficial insects
• Less maintenance generally with native plants
• Many hybridized varieties of natives including Acacia Cognata “Mini Cog”, Westringia “Aussie Box” and “Grey Box” and grafted forms of Western Australian flowering gum