Good protection methods include the use of anti-frost cloth, polymer sprays and the use of Seasol, below is a summary direct from the Seasol company which explains how Seasol works on plants to assist in frost protection.

 A significant reduction in cell water potential occurs within 7 days of application. It is the combination of the naturally occurring plant hormones and the alginates contained in Seasol that assists the plant’s greater frost tolerance;

• Seasol lowers the temperature at which cells will freeze and reduces the movement of water into intercellular spaces;
• The ‘anti-freeze’ effect prevents crop damage and hastens the return to productive growth once the temperature improves;
• Seasol is taken up by the plant systemically, the resistance effect has been shown to last for several weeks after an application;
• Seasol contains virtually no nitrogen or phosphorus, therefore will not interfere with other nutritional input programs.

 Please note if you are currently using Seasol that has the dilution rate of 25mL in 9 Litres of water, for use as frost protection you MUST increase this rate to 50mL in 9 Litres and apply at least 7 days prior to the frost event and continue every 7 to 10 days to give maximum protection.

 For very sensitive plants I suggest using both the Seasol and the anti-frost cloth ensuring that the cloth completely covers all the way to the ground.

 A spectacular plant that does not require any frost protection is the relatively new ground cover Camellia‘Snow’.

Snow

You may be familiar with the other ground cover Camellia ‘Marg Miller’ and ‘Snow’ is a direct sport off this popular plant. Produces double white blooms in early autumn with later blooms in winter showing a hint of pink. ‘Snow’ will do best in filter sun or at least part shade. Well worth trying.

Plantman

Ultra-Compact Power for the minimalist on the go

 Click here to watch youtube videoGoal Zero Nomad 7

Prized French Disbud Chrysanthemums, these are bred for pot culture but are also suitable for the garden. In store until Mother’s Day. For more information Click Here

Bagged Roses will be available around mid May so now would be the best time to prepare the site, getting the soil right and improving the drainage. Check the pH (the ideal pH for roses is 6.5 to 7), if your soil is outside this preferred level the rose may suffer in that it will not be able to take up the very important phosphorous along with the other nutrients.

Chrysanthemums ‘French Disbuds’ these spectacular flowering plants are now available. What the grower does to achieve this flower form is quite complex. He first selects a terminal bud that he grades to produce the best flower, he then removes all the other buds and then has to continue to do this bud removal until the selected bud actually opens.

You can of course continue to do this after that flower has completed its cycle if not the plant will continue to produce flowers however not as large as the selected bloom. This French bred Chrysanthemum has been designed for pot culture, however after the main flower has finished they are more then suitable for use in the garden.

For more advice on pH come into store and I will explain pH in more detail, or follow this link The Right pH is Important. For images of the French Disbuds Chrysanthemum Click Here 

Plantman

The pH level within the soil is a measure of how sweet or sour the soil is, referred to as alkalinity (sweet) or acidity (sour). The pH scale is 0 to 14 with 7 being the neutral value. It is important to note that a pH change by one whole point is actually 10 times more alkaline or acid eg. a move of 6.5 to 5.5 is 10 times more acid, as pH is measured on a Logarithmic Scale. To illustrate this method, a pH of 5 is 100 times more acidic than pH7.

Generally, strongly acid soils can create deficiencies in levels of calcium, magnesium, molybdenum and phosphorus. While high alkaline levels will lead to deficiencies in zinc, copper, boron and manganese.

A neutral pH of 7 will be tolerated by most plants however there are some that prefer a different pH value to flourish.

Most gardeners are aware that Azaleas, Magnolias, Camellias and Gardenias for example, prefer an acid pH of between 4.5 to 6, whereas plants such as Peas, Beans, Melons, Cabbage, Geraniums, Lavender and even Cacti prefer a sweeter soil somewhere between 6.5 to 7.5.

As a guide only – to increase the pH by 1 point from say 6.4 to 6.5 in sandy soils you would apply dolomite lime at the rate of around 100 grams per square meter (100 g/sqm). In heavy clay type soils up to 250 grams per square meter (250 g/sqm) should be used and worked in well. Remember this change will take place over a few months.  To decrease the pH level (more acid) by applying Iron Sulphate at the correct dosage application to the soil type (follow the label instructions carefully). Unlike the lime, the sulphate application will have an immediate effect.

Most often clay soils will have a lower pH level. When using a pH tester or kit you need to follow the manufacturers instructions to the letter otherwise the reading could be inaccurate.

REMEMBER IT’S ALL IN THE SOIL.

Plantman

Ein Sheimer

My last article 22^nd February was cut short due to a lack of space, and unfortunately some of the cultural notes on the Thai Ginger and information on Tamarillos (Tree tomatoes) was not published. If you visit our website www.beaudeserthardware.com.au you can read the article in full.

What’s new and arriving this week?

 More tropical apples, the beautiful red dwarf “Anna”, “Golden Dorsett” and “Ein Sheimer” in very limited numbers. These varieties are referred to as low chill, requiring only 250 to 350 chill hours to produce fruit.

Anna

 “Anna” is similar to the “Red Delicious” from the colder climates. “GoldenDorset” is a yellow firm apple that generally flushes pink, flesh is sweet and aromatic. “Ein Sheimer” which originated from Israel is a “Golden Delicious” type, bears young and is very productive. Good quality crisp flesh. “Ein Sheimer” ripens after “Anna”.

 All are self-fertile, however to achieve better cropping these three varieties are excellent pollinators for each other.

Tommy Atkin

 For those of you who are keen on mango, you should try the variety “Tommy Atkins”. This variety is a good cropper with a high resistance to disease. It bears early, possibly the first year, however best practice would be to remove this fruit, allowing the tree to become stronger and more capable of holding the second years crop. Proudces large red fruit blushed with orange and maturing early in the season. “Tommy” is a semi dwarf and self-pollinating mango, with a good shelf life. As with all mangoes colour of the fruit alone is not an indicator of it’s ripeness. Ripe mangoes will always have a very strong sweet fragrance with that familiar aroma around the stem end.

 Just a reminder, if you are bringing to the garden centre, plants that you need assistance with, plants that may have a disease or simply for identification I would appreciate it (a lot) if you put this matter into a sealed plastic bag at least. Thus lessening the chance of contamination.

Turn tap water into refreshing sparkling drinks in seconds.

Making your favourite flavour is so simple, with a wide variety of flavoured syrups available in store or here online. Enjoy traditional favourites such as Cola, Lemon-Lime and Orange, or mixers, including Ginger Ale and Tonic. Most of our syrups allow for the preparation of 12 litres of drink from a single bottle, giving you great value for money