What's on

In winter plants generally need the following care….

Winter can be a great time to garden as the weather is cool overnight, but frequently the days are perfect for outdoor exercise. It’s a great time of the year for a general clean up.

Many shrubs need pruning in winter, especially deciduous fruit trees, overgrown hedges or shrubs, and roses. This is done in the middle of winter. Aside from rose prunings, clippings can be mulched or composted and returned to the garden.

While plants are dormant, treat common problems like rust, scale, white fly, aphids, and red spider, with lime sulphur. Eco or Pest oil is also useful for cold water on plants

Be mindful of watering late in the day, as cold water on plants overnight can be harmful. Winter can also be a very windy time of the year, so compensate for the desiccating effects of this with a good soak once a week in the morning.

Think about applying some Drought Shield to your garden if you have sensitive plants and are in a frost prone area. It can prevent damage.

This World Environment Day, the United Nations is urging us to learn how all living things on Earth are connected in the web of life and how we can act #ForNature.

Biodiversity on your balcony is one way urban areas can contribute to the health of our ecosystem. What can you do even on a small space?

Water. Create a water bowl (or saucer or both) placing a stick in the bowl to give birds an entry and exit point, and a few larger rocks or pebbles.

Mount a nesting box and insect hotel to encourage different species.

Consider having your own native bee hive.

If you have an area outside in the shade, put in a community Hungry Bin worm farm to recycle your strata's organic matter.

NATIVES, NATIVES, NATIVES. They will attract birds, native bee hives and butterflies - even up high.

By Meredith Kirton

 #worldenvironmentday #itstimefornature

Breathe Easy 

It can be tricky getting some fresh air at the moment.  So if you’re stuck indoors, what can be done?  Plants of course are great air filters.  Backed up by lots of research, including a NASA report that states how great a number of indoor plants are at clearing the air and removing toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.  The study showed that Bamboo palms, Ivy, Moth Orchids, Dracenas, Philodendrons and Mother-in-law’s tongues work wonders, as well as Aloe vera, Boston Ferns, Peace lilies and Spider plants.

Other tips to help you breathe easy include avoiding vacuuming (it stirs up the dust, so mop instead) and mow your grass on clear days.  Keep your windows and doors closed and run the air conditioner, as the air goes through a filter that way. 

Our Top Air purifying super heros

• Boston Fern
• English Ivy
• Spider plant
• Devil’s Ivy
• Peace Lily
• Flamingo Lily
  
• Chinese Evergreen
• Parlour Palm
• Bamboo Palm
• Lady (Rhapis) Palm
• Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)
• Elephant Ear Philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)
• Snake Plant or Mother –in-Law’s Tongue (Sanserveria)
• Draceana marginata
• Draceana fragrans
• Draceana ‘Janet Craig’
• Weeping Fig
• Rubber Plant
• Dieffenbachia
• Homalomena
• Phalaenopsis

The most photographed indoor plants would have to be the fruit salad plant, or Monstera deliciosa. They have become synonymous with Insta and the indoor jungle vibe.  Following closely are giant bird of paradise, or Strelitzia nicolai, which is tall enough to add a great vertical accent to your room and has luscious, banana like foliage.  Both have glossy foliage that creates a lushness to your styling.  For something softer you can’t go past ferns.  Both Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’) and maidenhair ferns (Adiantum spp.) have delicate fronds that add texture and detail to your room.  Ferns like a lot of light and moisture and humidity to thrive, and don’t like windy spots. If you don’t trust yourself with watering, consider a self-watering pot for them so they don’t dry out.

From the 3^rd June till the 23^rd June we are offering special plant and pots combos. For $30 you can choose from either a Taiko gold pot with fruit salad plant or a Squigs natural basket and maidenhair fern.  For $60 there is a great Weft green pot that works perfectly with giant bird of paradise, or a Bhodi chalk toned basket and matching Boston fern.  Happy days!

This World Environment Day, the United Nations is urging us to learn how all living things on Earth are connected in the web of life and how we can act #ForNature.

Biodiversity on your balcony is one way urban areas can contribute to the health of our ecosystem. What can you do even on a small space?

Water. Create a water bowl (or saucer or both) placing a stick in the bowl to give birds an entry and exit point, and a few larger rocks or pebbles.

Mount a nesting box and insect hotel to encourage different species.

Consider having your own native bee hive.

If you have an area outside in the shade, put in a community Hungry Bin worm farm to recycle your strata's organic matter.

NATIVES, NATIVES, NATIVES. They will attract birds, native bee hives and butterflies - even up high.