Autumn II

Watching Manchurian pears, Boston ivy and plane trees of Melbourne go through their extraordinary colour change is almost enough to make me truly change my mind about deciduous trees. My last entry made me realise the amazing technicolour show they transpose onto us each year. When I first started as a gardener about four years ago, everything was so different from being a nursery assistant in the native wholesaler that I could not appreciate the wonders of other species. Now, as I mature in my horticultural ways and see beauty in non-native plants. I also have come to really like Autumn. I have always liked the crisp mornings followed by the warm days. I loved Spring at the nursery because I thought this was when most things came alive and in part that is true. Although, I've learnt that all seasons have their moments of glory sights, sounds and smells. I never stop learning in the field. Its wonderful.

Autumn

When I worked in the Nursery, I didn't really notice Autumn. Let's rephrase

that, in an Australian native nursery (Of course, there are a few Australian deciduous trees - Example: Toona ciliate - Australian Red Cedar & Adansonia gibbosa syn. Adansonia gregorii - Boab Tree. There are also some semi-deciduous natives such as Brachychiton acerifolis - Illawara Flame Tree & Grevillea robusta - silky oak. The nursery I worked in, however were only evergreens), it does not have the same BANG as it would in lets say, you're run of a mill nursery. Working around the outer suburbs and some areas in Brighton with their mainly evergreen trees, made life as a Gardener relatively leaf free. Working in Toorak, Malvern, Mont Albert with corridors of Deciduous trees and land mark exotic trees truly makes a former native plants only horticulturalist to dig deep into herself and realise that 'we're not in Kansas any more'. Plain trees are losing their leaves; magnolias, Japanese maples, Crepe Myrtles, Ceders, Dog Woods and ornamental pears are just some of the trees which go through the Autumn change. And although the colour change is so wondrous, the picking up of leaves is somewhat a nightmare for the Gardener. In some councils, there are trucks that pick up the leaves in the gutters throughout this time. This makes our jobs a little more easier. However, blowing leaves into the gutters for someone else to pick-up seems a little lazy. Windy showers are also key elements of Autumn which also makes picking up leaves a chore. Angry neighbours despise gardeners blowing leaves onto their properties, however are fine when their gardeners do the same.

Before, when I worked in the native nursery, I wondered why anyone would plant deciduous trees. However, since working as a gardener, I think I understand. It is gorgeous to drive through corridors of such species and see the change in their foliage throughout the seasons. I have come to appreciate the beauty that lies within these trees. And seeing their nude trunks in the Wintry months. I would not, however, like to be surrounded with these trees as it would be too depressing. However, seeing a few amongst our evergreen species is special. Every tree has its purpose and it may have taken me some time to figure this one out, I am glad its been shown to me.

White in the Garden

I like colour in gardens. Some grand houses looks sofisticated in just one colour. Its is usually white. White gardens apparently equates to sofistication and wealth. I wonder why, because if I had lots of money, I would want my garden to look different to my neighbours. However, in some wealthy areas, the landscapes are the same and the colours are just white. Boring. There are so many beautiful rich and elegant species out there and all I see is white. Ice berg roses, Gardenias, vibernum and Trachelospermum jasmoides. All these species would look lovely by themselves, amongst colour.

Chemicals versus Eco-alternatives.

As a gardener, we have many decisions to make. One, which, I think is very important, is whether we should or shouldn't use chemicals in place of alternative methods. For example, using chemical based pesticides/insecticides/herbicides.

Carbaryl is a very strong pesticide, which pretty much kills all that it has contact with. However, at what cost? Not only is it unsafe to our environment, it is also a poison to us. The problem with a lot of pesticides, is that after time, insects become resistant to it. What happens next? Other chemicals are then used and the viscious cycle starts again. I believe pesticides like Carbaryl should be banned. It will come to its used by date soon enough and then what happens? There are environmental alternatives we can use. Why are they not more readily used? Laziness? Cost? Society?


The one thing I believe in, is education. Whether we want our teens to stop drinking, or saving the environment; nothing can be 'fixed' until we are educated into reason. Kids are not going to stop drinking just because the Baby Boomers or Gen X say its bad, they need to be educated from a young age that alcohol is a drug - plain and simple. The environment is not suddenly going to get better. People needs to understand this.

Saving the environment is being jammed down everyone's throats at the moment due to Government change. You talk about the Government, and no one gives a crap about the environment or climate change. I am as sick of their talk as anyone and I'm a believer. Education in our schools about what will happen if we stick to the chemical fertilisers and climate change may get through.


I want my children to have the opportunity of a great life and atmosphere to grown up in. I don't want them to miss out on what I've taken for granted - fresh drinking water, fresh produce, etc. To those who says it has nothing to do with them; what about the next generation and the next? Have we turned into such a selfish entity? Its very sad.


Carbaryl or Eco oil, Eco-neem? A pesticide which is poisonous to its user or a safe alternative? Of course, its the Gardener's decision and for what ever reason they decide, I do hope they are able to live with it. And the next generation.

Plantings...

Seeds are the beginning of any living thing's life, if we want to be technical. For plants, they come in an arrange of different sizes and colours. Some are round, some are hairy, some need to scarified before they can be germinated. Some can only be planted in specific conditions and times.

I went to Heronswood on the weekend which is the home to Diggers (www.diggers.com.au). Which if any gardener knows, its incredibly hard to go into a place like this and not leave without buying anything. I bought some seeds and planted them yesterday. I have a mini greenhouse at about 30 cm square and another one, a little larger at a metre squared. I picked up some great species. Sturt Desert's Pea, Sweet Basil, Dwarf Pea & Capsicum 'Black Pearl'. My mum and I became mesmerised with the latter plant with its deep purple foliage and fruit. We both were so enraptured with it, we both bought the seeds.

Under my 30 cm greenhouse, I have had success with lettuce, beetroot and onions. I am hoping I will have the same such success with my new conquests. My no-dig plot has become home to my seedlings propagated under the greenhouses. Most have survived after their trip. Some, alas have passed on.

Melbourne had terrific storms on the weekend and rain was plentiful. Before I went away (for the three day weekend we were blessed with), I was a little worried for my Choisya ternata, watermelon and two tomato plants. When I came back yesterday, all species were looking very vibrant after a large drink of water. Also, before I went away, I planted some geraniums and had been a little worried they had washed away. Luckily, when I returned, they were still there. I am not the biggest fan of geraniums, however, after working as a Gardener, now for three years, I've come to respect them. They suit our climate and therefore should be used more.

I have also cuttings, which I do not know will work. In the past, I have been lucky with Myoporum parvifolium however, I know that this particular plant is very easy to strike. So I will just cross my fingers and hope that my news cuttings work.