Gardening Australia episode 10 2023: In this episode, Costa takes a delightful journey to a veritable melon paradise, brimming with numerous varieties and flavors. Meanwhile, Jane enjoys a leisurely stroll through a rich and diverse native garden, which showcases a wide array of indigenous plants. Jerry spends some time visiting enthusiastic collectors, who are eager to share their passion for their prized possessions. Our special guest presenter, Jude, demonstrates how to construct a thriving vegetable patch from the ground up, providing helpful tips and tricks along the way.
Finally, we have the pleasure of meeting a dedicated scientist whose work is driven by a fascination with the intricate world of microscopic mosses. Gardening Australia has been a beloved fixture on Australian television screens for over three decades, with its roots firmly planted in the hearts of gardening enthusiasts across the nation. Broadcast on the ABC, the programme has flourished since its inception in 1990, cultivating a reputation for providing reliable and comprehensive gardening advice.
The show is steered by a team of seasoned gardeners and horticulturalists who possess a wealth of knowledge and expertise. These green-fingered gurus guide viewers through the ins and outs of gardening, offering tips on selecting the perfect plants to suit individual gardens, tackling common pests and diseases, and providing insights into soil health and garden maintenance.
Gardening Australia is a popular Australian television program that focuses on gardening and gardening advice. It is broadcast on the ABC and has been airing since 1990. The show is presented by a team of expert gardeners and horticulturalists, who provide tips and advice on a wide range of gardening topics, from choosing the right plants for your garden to dealing with pests and diseases.
Each episode of Gardening Australia serves as a visual exploration of the rich and diverse horticultural landscape found across the vast country. The programme delves into the world of gardening projects and initiatives, showcasing the stunning array of gardens and plants that thrive in Australia’s various climates and regions. From lush tropical paradises in the north to the wildflower carpets of Western Australia, Gardening Australia provides a captivating snapshot of the nation’s botanical beauty.
Gardening Australia episode 10 2023
Marvellous Melons
Chinchilla is a rural town four hours north of Brisbane and it’s well known as the home of watermelon culture. During times of drought in the 1990’s an annual festival was initiated by the struggling melon farmers who wanted to revitalize community spirit. Costa meets one of the founders of the festival.
Daryl O’Leary has grown a few watermelons in his day. He started growing melons at age 12 and established this farm in 1986, now boasting a grand 52 years of melon mastery. Handling most of the operation nowadays is his son, Terry O’leary and his wife Aja. Terry is no lightweight either with 18 years in the melon business. He says that despite Aja moving here only a few years ago, “she’s picked up absolutely everything and knows just as much as me these days.” The family tradition continues with their daughters learning farm skills such as packing and weighing at the same ages as Terry and Daryl.
This landscape receives around 700mm of rainfall per year with many farmers growing melons on rainfall alone, known as “dryland growing”. Terry says, “melons are a desert plant, people often forget that. They do like free-draining soil, they love heat, they just need a good drink of rain every now and then.” Across acres and acres of flat green vines, they’re currently picking fruit from over 14000 plants. Over the course of the year will harvest from a total of around 100,000. While they have access to great machines, it’s all run by people. “No robots yet” says Terry. They have four pickers in the field who follow the machinery as they harvest the melons. The fruit travels up an escalator to three quality checkers who pack them into boxes, and finally driven away by tractor drivers for further checks.
Collector’s Paradise
Some gardeners tend to collect a certain flower or plant which is reflected in the design of their garden. Jerry’s visiting a garden in north Brisbane with a collection of just about anything you can imagine.
Former teacher Robert Raitano transformed a blank canvas in the suburbs into a home garden exploding with the interesting and obscure. Robert says, “I have a passion for the different and obscure, so I wanted to fill the garden with my collections. Where we’re standing today was just lawn with a little timber picket fence, so we transformed the area to what you see today, with paving and gravel and a nice, lush garden.”
With palms in the canopy, one would expect a tropical garden when seen from the street, but what’s found inside is quite a surprise. Robert and partner Ashley built a dry creek bed for Ashley’s love of succulents. They created an illusion of a waterway using different colours of gravel and dry timbers from the local area, and the heat reflected off the rocks creates the perfect microclimate for this collection.
In addition to his love of succulents, Ashley’s had a lifelong interest in bonsai. He started growing his first bonsai at sixteen years old, and says, “I’ve still got it… Many have been lost in between but that one still going.” Ashley has several bonsai in the go at different stages of growth. “I love being able to sit for hours at a time, to just sit and prune. It’s just you and the tree,” says Ashley.
Robert and Ashley have used every part of their 600 square metre block and included an impressive orchid collection. The majority of their orchids are Dendrobium. Robert says, “as an epiphyte, the roots like to dry out between waterings.” Flowering New Guinea orchids particularly love humidity. Robert says he fertilizes weekly, “and I’ve got a misting system as well that helps build humidity in the greenhouse.”
Harvesting Bananas – Gardening Australia episode 10 2023
Bananas may be the most a-peal-ling of all tropical fruits and Josh is here to give us a ‘bunch’ of information on how to harvest and manage one of his favourite fruits.
Josh grows a William Cavendish variety situated in a protected, warm, north-facing spot. At his place in Perth, bananas tend to ripen up towards the end of autumn and early winter. While it’s not yet warm enough for them to colour from green to yellow, Josh says they’re ready to harvest.
How to know when they’re ready
Banana fruits form at the base of each pollinated flower and the flower petals will remain on the tip as the fruit matures. You can tell bananas are ready to harvest when the remnants of the flower petals have fully dried and can be brushed off easily. Another indicator is that the fruit is plump and rounded. Fruit bunches can be heavy so be careful and wear old clothes because the sap will stain permanently.
How to ripen off the plant.
- Cut the entire bunch off its stem with a pruning saw
- Take them to a dry, shady spot with a steady temperature, for Josh this is the laundry room.
- Set a few layers of newspaper on a flat bench to protect the bench from sticky sap.
- Cut each ‘hand’ off the stem using a sharp knife and set onto the newspaper.
- Allow one to two weeks for ripening, then they’re ready to eat! A surplus of bananas can be dehydrated for snacks, frozen for smoothies, or use the overripe ones for baking.
No Dig from Scratch – Gardening Australia episode 10 2023
Guest presenter, Jude, shares some beginner tips on how anyone can get a garden growing from the ground up.
Jude’s garden is pumping with enough fruit and vegetables to feed the family and share the excess, but it all started with a single row of snow peas. Jude says, “you can build (a garden) anywhere, as long as you’ve got these magic ingredients: Sunshine, organic materials, cardboard, water and some hard work.”
Jude revisits the first bed he created to transform it into something much better. “I made the beginner’s mistake of planting straight into the soil. I didn’t know about adding extra nutrients and how important soil is,” says Jude. But with this knowledge now in hand, he’s reusing this space to build a new bed from scratch. This is a no-dig method with layers of nutrients that you can plant straight into!
An Australian Native Plant Paradise: Bev Fox’s Enchanting Garden in Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges
A Passionate Gardener’s Masterpiece
Nestled in the foothills of Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges, a stunning garden flourishes, boasting a remarkable collection of Australian native plants. This exquisite garden, nurtured by the passionate and dedicated Bev Fox, spans a quarter-acre block and is a testament to her love for the country’s diverse flora. The garden not only showcases a vibrant array of native plants, but also attracts an abundance of wildlife, offering visitors an authentic taste of the Australian bush.
A Garden Brimming with Native Treasures
Every nook and cranny of Bev’s garden is filled with thriving native plants, including the verge. She has a particular affinity for Isotoma, which she grows from seed, and takes pride in her rare white-flowering specimen. “It’s potluck what colour comes up. I got a surprise when I saw that one,” she beams. Brilliantly blue Veronia plants, which Bev propagates through autumn cuttings, are scattered throughout the garden, alongside paper daisies and an assortment of other vivid blooms that create a delightful entrance to her home.
Towering Gum Trees and a Garden Transformation
Majestic mugga ironbark and peppermint gums, beloved by local birds, loom over Bev’s garden. These towering trees are the sole original plantings from when she began her transformative journey in 2003. “Apart from the trees, it’s all new… It was a bare palate,” Bev shares. The revamped garden not only lures wildlife to the property, but also offers her a sense of solace. “You get into your own happy place in a garden. I love it. Even when the birds are noisy,” she says.
Capturing the Essence of the Australian Bush
Bev’s garden exudes a natural, authentic ambience that she believes encapsulates the spirit of the Australian bush. By incorporating a diverse range of species and thoughtfully repeating their placement throughout the garden, Bev has crafted a serene, bushland haven. The back garden features shaded, winding gravel paths, with imposing gums casting a cool shadow over an array of shrubs and pots. Though spacious, the backyard is teeming with plants, an effect Bev attributes to her layering technique.
Layering for Light and Interest
To achieve a lush, bushy appearance, Bev employs a layering method in her garden. “I’ve got very small things right along all the edges, then (the next layer is) up to about a metre high, and then (the next layer) a bit higher,” she explains. By strategically pruning the lower branches of the tallest tree, Bev creates room for growth and ensures the garden maintains a bushy look. This approach allows light to filter through and provides visual intrigue all year round.
A Garden Meant for Exploration
Bev’s garden is designed for leisurely strolls and immersion in nature, rather than simply admiring from a distance. Among her favourite plants to visit are the native mint family Prostanthera and the oak-leaved Thomasia. As an ardent plant collector, Bev frequently propagates her garden’s flora through seeds and cuttings, constantly expanding her remarkable collection of native plants.
Through her tireless efforts and unwavering passion, Bev Fox has created an enchanting Australian native plant haven that captures the essence of the bush and provides a sanctuary for both wildlife and visitors alike. Her garden stands as a shining example of the beauty and diversity of Australia’s native flora.
Encouraging Wildlife and Promoting Biodiversity
Bev’s garden serves as a thriving habitat for various bird species and other local fauna, thanks to her careful selection of native plants that provide food, shelter, and nesting opportunities. This biodiverse sanctuary is a living testament to the benefits of incorporating native plants in garden design, which not only supports local ecosystems but also contributes to the preservation of Australia’s unique flora and fauna.
An Inspiration for Fellow Gardeners
For those aspiring to create their own native plant gardens, Bev Fox’s enchanting garden offers a wealth of inspiration and ideas. Her dedication and knowledge shine through in every corner of her garden, and her experience in propagation and plant care can serve as valuable guidance for others embarking on similar journeys.
A Testament to the Power of Gardening
Bev’s garden is not only a breathtaking display of Australian native plants, but also a poignant example of the healing power of gardening. Her story of overcoming personal loss and finding solace in nurturing her garden resonates with many, reminding us that immersing ourselves in nature can bring about profound transformations and foster emotional wellbeing.
A Living Legacy of Australia’s Native Plants
Bev Fox’s captivating garden in the Dandenong Ranges is a remarkable showcase of Australia’s diverse native flora. Through her unwavering passion and expertise, Bev has crafted a vibrant, living legacy that celebrates the unique beauty of Australian plants, encourages biodiversity, and inspires gardeners around the world. As visitors stroll through her enchanting garden, they are not only immersed in nature’s splendour but also witness the transformative power of gardening and the enduring connection between humans and the natural world.
In Gardening Australia episode 10 2023 you will find answers to this questions:
- How to create a native plant garden?
- What are the benefits of incorporating native plants in garden design?
- How to construct a thriving vegetable patch from scratch?
- How to know when bananas are ready to harvest?
- How to propagate Australian native plants?
- How can gardening promote emotional wellbeing?
