Did you know: Seaside daisies, the erigeron species are technically a weed

Ground Covers

TODAY'S GARDENING TOPIC: There are some fabulous ground covers, Ajuga repans, Ameria, Scleranthus, a moss like native), sea side daisy and Heuchera.

Jane's Top Tips Index

DID YOU MISS SOMETHING ON-AIR?: Don't worry, you'll find everything you need in this easy-to-follow index thanks to Magic 1278's resident Garden Guru!

Austin Health has a number of green garden projects, one being the Sensory Garden at the Royal Talbot Hospital. If you have chance to visit this beautiful and inspiring garden you will also be inspired.

Myrtle Rust

IMPORTANT GARDEN ALERT: Recently there has been myrtle rust disease detected in parts of Victoria. Don’t cut or remove any material – phone DPI on 1800 0840881.

Autumn Bulbs

The naked ladies pop up so regularly in February – they are really a belladonna lily and pink is the most common colour but there is a white one with the most beautiful fragrance.

Herbs

It is always worth visiting the Australia’s Open Gardens. Recently there was one that was a haven for herbs and lots of fruit trees. Herbs like lemon balm, thyme, fennel, Vietnamese mint and parsley. Lemon verbena is a popular herb and looks really good in flower right now.

Climbing plants

You always get good value out of climbing plants, you can always cloth an ugly building and outdoor “dunny”, fence or arbour and so many of them give a lot of colours. Hoyas give you perfume as do Stephanotis, Mandavilla and the Himalayan Honeysuckle with its giant blooms.

Sandy Soils

I recently filmed for Gardening Australia a garden in Frankston who by Val Coates with totally sandy depleted soil but where she has created a very fine garden. Find out how Val prepares her soil - without fertilising.

Tree Change

I recently read in the Herald Sun an article written by Sally Bennett talking of a fellow who bought 40 hectare of land on the Great Ocean Road not to develop or to build anything but to plant thousands of trees. Find out more here.

Bulb Catalogue

There are some lovely bulbs for spring even though it seems a long way off you can start preparing by ringing to get catalogues, usually free, from the growers. They are always inspirational to look through to order a selection later in autumn, check out Jane's favourite suppliers here.

Perfect Passionfruit

People are always wanting to know more information about passionfruit. Click here to hear Jane's top tips on how to encourage pollination and produce wonderful fruit.

Let's Propagate!

Here is a new book by Angus Stewart ‘Propagation for the Home Gardener or the Nursery Professional’. It deals with seed, division, cuttings, budding and grafting of introduced and native species.

Vegies

Time to plant out beetroot, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, all great to grow from seed or seedling. Why not grow so carrot, leek or lettuce. Don’t forget to cut back and use herbs like basil, thyme and sage.

Timely Tasks

Watch out for the cabbage white butterflies that are dancing around in the garden as they will land and lay their eggs and in a week’s time you will find your bok choy completely decimated by little green caterpillars.

Iron Deficiencies

In coastal soils you often see plants that don’t get enough iron. The best thing to do is mix compost, animal manure and peat moss with one handful of iron sulphate and put it into holes around the bush.

Butterflies in the Garden

There are butterflies may not pollinate a vegetable garden like bees do but they are an important part of the garden. To attract butterflies plant daisies and asters, buddleias, acacias, even weeds like nettles.

Time To Plant

In the vegie garden you can plant broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Asian greens, spring onions, leeks and continuous planting of lettuce.

The Science Barge

This is a wonderful educational resource that I have learnt about – it floats up and down the Hudson River in New York. It is a sustainable urban farm, a greenhouse floating on the river with tomatoes, melons, greens all powered by energy from the sun and the wind.