Landscaping Styles: Which One Fits Your Home?

There are numerous landscaping styles that one could choose for their home, from the English garden, to the Desert Landscape, the Zen style and everything in between. Choosing and designing a landscaping style to suit your home will take some planning and considerations to ensure that the style you choose will be able to thrive. At Bacchus Marsh & Redgum Garden Centre, we have a huge variety of plants to fit any style that you choose, but first, let’s work out what style is going to suit you and your home. Here are some of the questions you might like to ask yourself to make the decision clearer.

Climate and Conditions

One of the most important considerations you will need to make is about the climate and conditions of your garden space. Some plants will thrive in warmer temperatures in a sunny garden, while others prefer shade. Choosing a landscape style that is congruent with the surrounding atmosphere and conditions will assist the plants to thrive and keep the garden looking beautiful all year. If the area is very dry, then you would be mindful not to choose a landscaping design that has a lot of thirsty plants, otherwise, you would need to spend a lot of time on maintenance.

What Will the Space Be Used For?

Be sure to factor in space for everyone to enjoy doing what they love to do, otherwise, you will end up having a battle on your hands and your landscaping will likely suffer the most. If you have children and pets who will want to use the space for running around, playing games and getting up to mischief you may need to consider this when planning your landscape design. For example, you most likely would not choose to landscape the whole garden area into a Zen garden in this case – but you could decide to have a Zen garden area in one part of the garden, while keeping space for the family to spread out.

How Much Maintenance Are You Prepared to Do?

Some garden styles will thrive very well if they are watered regularly, and then left alone to their own devices, while others will need careful maintenance to keep them looking their best. A big question to ask yourself is how much time you are prepared to commit to your garden, and then make your landscaping choices accordingly. Be realistic!

What Style Will Fit Your Home?

If your existing home has a specific style, then you will want to choose a landscape style that fits in, otherwise in some cases, things might look and feel a bit weird. Having said that, if you fall in love with a landscape style that does not fit the current style of your home you could always give your home a bit of a makeover, or add in some design features that could blend them together.

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Environmentally-Friendly Tips For Keeping Your Garden Pretty

There are so many different ways of using eco-friendly gardening practices for keeping your garden pretty as well as in good health, but here are some important ones to get you started. Be sure to come in to visit us to talk about other tips for keeping your garden beautiful.

Plant Natives

The best rule of thumb for having a well-functioning garden space is to choose plants that are native to the area where you live. These plants will thrive in the climate, as well as blend well with each other, and attract pollinators and be beneficial in other ways. Plants that are not native may not integrate well into your garden. They may not thrive, and could be detrimental to other plants in your garden.

Group Plants Mindfully

It matters where you place your plants. Look at the needs of each individual plant and try to group them according to what their specific needs are. Take into consideration factors such as how much sun they require to be healthy, as well as how much water they like and what sort of soil suits them the best. During the planning stages of your garden, look at your garden as a whole and divide it into different zones for the different needs of your plants.

Welcome the Bees and Insects

You may have heard the story that Morgan Freeman has made his ranch in the United States into a bee sanctuary but may not understand why this is a very important thing for him to do. Most people do not realise that birds, bats and bees are important pollinators for all of the other plants, across the world. Much of the food that you eat comes from pollinators doing their job to keep the plant world humming along (and not just in your backyard, but also in every backyard).

One way that you can assist the longevity of both your own life and the lives of every other living species, is to create a sanctuary for pollinators. This can be done by planting specific plants that attract them. Additionally, insects such as wasps, ladybugs, flies and beetles will eat a lot of the nasties that attack your plants so be sure to add plants that are food for them too! Speak to some of our garden experts at Bacchus Marsh & Redgum Garden Centre for more information about which plants will attract native friends to your garden to keep it in top shape.

Birds Are Your Friends

Creating a space that feels like home for different bird species is another important way of keeping your garden naturally beautiful. Include a bird bath where they can have a drink and play in the water, as well as a bird feeder. Birds will eat caterpillars and grubs, which would eat the leaves of your plants and cause them to become sick.

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Tips For Keeping Your Firewood Dry

If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace to keep those cold winter evenings toasty, then you will want to have a well-stocked supply of dry firewood. It is imperative that you keep your wood stock well organised and dry, to ensure that the wood does not take in moisture or become corrupted by animals.

Why Only Burn Dry Wood?

Freshly cut fire wood has a moisture content of around 50%, but this wood cannot be used as firewood due to a natural bio product that is released when burning wet wood – creosote. Creosote tar lines your chimney, and gradually builds up to the point where it can cause a chimney fire if not cleaned regularly.

Additionally, wet wood tends to give off a lot more emissions and smoke, which are unhealthy for the environment, odorous to your home and harmful to your lungs. Regular inhalation can lead to a variety of health complications.

If all of those reasons aren’t enough to convince you, dry wood is also more energy efficient than using wet wood. During the burning process, wet wood needs to evaporate more water content, which reduces the energy (heat) that is given off by the wood.

Adequate Storage

The optimal moisture content of dry firewood is around 15-20%. Wood that has been split and dried in the correct size for your fireplace is easier to light, and correct storage prevents rot and fungus from settling in.

Air flow around wood allows it to evaporate moisture without it causing rotting, so having a good storage facility/shed/box is important. Additionally, air flow underneath the wood will assist in your wood drying evenly, and allow for any moisture to evaporate without rotting the wood or growing fungus.

Where to Store Wood?

Best practice is for storing the bulk of your wood at least five feet away from the home. This allows it to have enough air flow to dry easily. However, wood that is to be used immediately should be brought into the home at least one day before it is to be burnt. This is because humidity in the home condenses on the surface of the wood if it is cold, which will make it hard to light.

Firewood that is being stored inside needs to be a safe distance away from the fireplace to ensure that there is no chance of it catching a spark and going up in flames. Different local governments have their own regulations about this, so be sure to check what the requirements are for your local area. For tips on building a fire storage area in your garden, talk to one of our gardening experts at Bacchus Marsh & Redgum Garden Centre.

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What You Need To Know About Australian Standard AS4013

During the cooler months of the year, we often feel the pinch of the cold, and we are drawn to heating our spaces and places by any means necessary. Often the most pleasing way to do so is by burning wood, using a wood heater, which brings both the warmth of natural wood as well as the pleasant aromas that accompany this mode of heating. As many of us are aware, we have been burning wood for centuries without too much regulation, but like many things in the world of today, this too has become an area where things are being regulated. As a result, it is important that we are aware of whether our wood heater complies with Australian Safety standards.

The Science behind It

Scientists have been doing a bit of research and discovered that smoke from wood heaters has some distinct elements that include the unburnt fuel that goes into the atmosphere as well as some pollution, which can lead to respiratory conditions if inhaled. They tell us that minimising the wood smoke pollution by ensuring that your wood burning heater complies with the AS4013 will be beneficial to everyone, including your hip pocket.

Choosing the Right Wood Heater

A key inspiration for the Australian Standard is likely to do with the quality of some of the wood heaters that are now on the market. Manufacturing cheap products might work for some companies who save themselves money by not adhering to the Australian Safety Standards, but it will not do you any favours in the long run. Also, you could be contributing to your own ill-health. According to the Consumers Federation of Australia, it was found that in the smoke that is emitted from burning wood, there can be small particles that when inhaled are able to breach the lung lining and end up in the blood stream. Additionally, they found that there might often be other chemicals that end up in the blood stream, which could be detrimental to your health.

Minimising Harm

Thankfully, there are ways of reducing the likelihood of these health risks so it is important to research thoroughly the product you are buying, or talk to an expert who knows more than you do, such as one of our friendly staff at Bacchus Marsh & Redgum Garden Centre. One way of reducing the risk of chemicals getting from the wood into your blood stream is through using wood that is dry, as well as opening the air controls on the device for around 15 minutes after you have put in more wood. It is recommended to buy a wood heater that conforms to the AS4013, as well as choosing one that is more fuel efficient.

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Which Rock Is Going To Rock Your Landscaping?

In Australia, we are lucky to have a vast array of beautiful rocks for use in the many different garden areas, enabling you to bring to life the vision you have in mind of what you want to create. At Bacchus Marsh & Redgum Garden Centre, we know rocks, and with many years of landscaping experience, our expert garden gurus have seen and assisted with a variety of different garden creations. Read about some rocks below, and stop by to let us show you how you can really get your landscape garden rocking.

Mudrock

One of the most versatile and available rocks for landscaping in Australia is Mudrock, also known as River Mud Rock or Mudstone. It is a fine-grained earthy brown silty rock that can be easily split into sheets, which makes it a very versatile rock for creating the landscape that you desire. Mudrock is commonly used for seats, floors, edging, water features, walls and steps, and it is available in varying different sizes and shapes.

Granite

With a medium to coarse grain, granite is available in a variety of colourings, from darker greys and blacks to light pinks and yellows. It is a tough rock, which has seen it commonly used in construction, but it lends itself well to garden landscaping for both a rustic or formal feel. It can be used for a variety of different areas in your garden, including water features, steps, pillars, floors or features.

Pebbles

Is a garden really complete without pebbles? For areas where drainage is needed, pebbles are an excellent choice that is both pleasing to the eye and functional. They are usually taken from creeks, beaches, lakes, rivers or quarries, adding a splash of colour to garden borders, pathways and dry creek beds. Wet them to bring out their unique colours and enjoy the feel as they crunch beneath your feet on pathways.

Volcanic Basalt Rock

Another excellent landscaping rock is Volcanic Basalt, also known as Colac rock or Honeycomb rock. It is a fine grained, dense rock, dark in colour and with a granular appearance. It gets its honeycomb appearance from a process whereby gas bubbles explode to form holes on its surface that over time usually gather mineral matter, which encourages moss to grow, adding character to its appearance. It is commonly used for steps, retaining walls, features and flooring, and it is available as larger stones, varying sizes of pavers or smaller pebbles.

Sandstone

Sandstone is a popular rock for landscaping and construction in Australia, and it is available in a variety of different sizes, shapes and styles. It is a very versatile stone, which can be used for a range of purposes, including walls, features, floors, furniture, edging, and even outdoor ovens. With its soft light brown to orange colouring, it lends serenity to any garden or living space, and it is popular both indoors and outdoors.

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From The Ground Up: Knowing The Importance Of Soil In Landscaping

When landscaping your garden there is much to consider. What sort of plants you want to grow, how you want to design your garden, what you plan to use your garden space for, how much money you want to spend on it, what you need to build to complete the space and who is going to do the work. One area that is of the upmost importance is having a healthy foundation for your plants in which to grow. The health of your soil is one of the fundamental considerations because it can make a huge difference to the longevity of the space and how much maintenance work you will need to do, to keep it at its best.

Healthy Plants

Healthy plants cannot grow in unhealthy soil, the same way good ideas cannot grow in a negative headspace. We all know that keeping your soil in balance is imperative to ensuring that your plants get the best start in life, and that they continue to flourish as the days, weeks and years roll on. But even more important than that, is to ensure that your soil is alive with life and vitality. Your soil is a living breathing organism, so get it into shape before you even think about buying plants. Talk to one of our garden gurus at Bacchus Marsh & Redgum Garden Centre about how to get your soil into shape.

Reduce Pests and Disease

Believe it or not, but the health of your soil will have a big impact on the amount of pests and disease that frequent your garden. Pests and disease are a natural part of the way that Mother Nature cleans up after herself. They come in to clear away anything that is not healthy, to correct the imbalance in the garden. Healthy soil keeps your plants in optimal condition so that your plants are thriving and there is nothing to clean up.

Keep Weeds at Bay

If there are key nutrients missing from your soil, the weeds will come in to provide the missing ingredients that your soil is lacking. They also come in to fill in the spaces that are not covered, which is why mulching is such a great weed deterrent. Creating that balance yourself means that your garden does not have to take matters into its own hands, leaving more of your energy to enjoy your garden, and focus on the fun stuff, rather than fighting weeds, pests and disease.

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How To Start Designing Your Garden

Like any project, creating a garden space will be more successful if you start with a plan and follow the steps to create a space that suits your vision for how you want to use it. Rather than leaping in and throwing your energy around before you have assessed the situation, a plan will make things a lot more manageable and organised. It will also help you to stay on budget, as well as to give you the space to make changes on paper, rather than when you already have things in the ground.

What Have You Got?

The first step is to draw up a map of the situation as it stands. This means drawing the current landscape, including its surrounding areas as well as what you already have growing there. You may be able to incorporate some of the existing garden attributes into your new design. If there are existing hard structures such as pergolas, paved areas and water features, your design plan could work in harmony with them.

How You Want to Use the Space

The next and probably most important question is how you want to use the space. Do you want a quiet Zen Space where you can relax, walk quietly and spend time sitting out in the garden? Would you prefer to use the space for growing food plants and creating a vegetable garden? Or do you want a bit of both? Knowing what you want to do with the space and how you plan to spend your time in there will assist you in creating a design that will work the best and deliver the results that will be most pleasing to you.

Combine the Existing Picture with Your Vision

Once you know what you have got, and what you want to create, start creating. This means drawing up a few different designs about where you want everything to go and what will work best for the vision you have in your mind. Pay attention to which parts of the garden get the most sunshine, and where there are shaded areas at different times of day. Certain plants will thrive best with full sun, while others prefer to have sunshine in the morning, and shade in the afternoon, or vice versa.

Choose Your Plants and Materials

Once you have your design ready to go, now you can make a list of the plants that you will need, what materials you are incorporating and start preparing for how you are going to tackle it. You may find that it is easier to manage if you do a section at a time, but really, it is up to you what feels right, and what will work best for your timeframe.

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Tips To Make The Most Of Your Backyard

We’ve all heard of the tiny house movement, but have you ever considered the joy that can be found in a tiny garden? Those who do not have the luxury of a large garden space to do with, as they please, will be presented with the interesting challenge of making the most of the space that they have. This will mean thinking outside the box, which is always the best place to get the creative juices flowing. The good news is that by implementing some creative gardening methods, a small space can be more than enough for the garden of your dreams.

Create a Focal Point

Even though your garden is small, it doesn’t mean that it has to be boring. If you are putting in an effort to create a garden, you will likely be planning to spend a bit of time in there, so make sure that you create a space that is aesthetically pleasing. Begin by creating a plan of how you want it to look and what you want to include; then draw up a design of your vision. Include a focal point such as a water feature, ornament, large rock or a bench for the garden.

Use Creative Garden Techniques

Make the most of a small space by creating more efficient garden areas. One way to use a wall area is to create a vertical garden. This can be done quite easily and it allows you to grow a variety of different plants along the wall. Vertical gardens are not only economical on space but also on water consumption.

Another technique is companion planting, a Native American tradition that allows for different vegetables to use the same space, assisting each other to grow together. One example of this is corn, beans and squash, which complement and support each other as they grow. There are many different garden techniques that you can use to maximise the space available, so talk to our gardening experts at Bacchus Marsh & Redgum Garden Centre for more ideas.

Attract Wildlife

The joy of sharing your garden with birds and bees is definitely worth the effort of providing a space where they enjoy. This means planting natives and food plants for them as well as providing a water source where they can come to cool off and wet their whistle on a hot day. A bird feeder invites birds to come into the space so that you can enjoy their company, and the sound of their sweet singing creates atmosphere in your garden.

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Four Tips On How To Water Your Plants The Right Way

Like you, if your plants do not get enough water, they start to dry out and will begin to wilt and look unhealthy. Plants need a balance of both water and oxygen to their roots for them to be in optimal condition and have the best growth. Finding that balance is important to ensure that your plants are looking good and in good health. Different planting methods will need a different watering schedule, so do your research and, most importantly, get to know your plants!

Use a Soaker or a Drip Irrigation System

The first tip is to use the correct system for watering. The idea with watering is for the plants to get a thorough watering, evenly, but not too often. It is actually better to do it less often and give them a really good water, than to do it often and give them a quick sprinkle. As the root system benefits from drying out a little, a good soaking after they have been dried out will promote growth of the roots.

Focus on the Roots

When you water, stay away from the leaves as much as possible and focus on the roots. This includes watering evenly around the root area of the plant, to ensure that there is even growth. The roots are the part of the plant that draws all of the nutrients from the soil up and into the plant. Watering the leaves makes your plant much more susceptible to diseases so stick to focusing on the roots.

Water in the Morning

The idea is for the plant to get as much moisture as it needs from the soil around its roots, and then for the soil to dry out enough so that there is not too much water left overnight when the temperature cools down. Watering your plants in the morning allows for the water to be absorbed throughout the day and does not leave too much dampness in the soil overnight, when it can cause problems. Another benefit of watering in the morning is that if the leaves do get wet they will have enough time to dry out before the temperature cools down in the evening, and so prevent disease.

Use Quality Soil and Mulch

Know your soil and ensure that it is in good health before planting. Different types of soil will retain water or allow it to run off and be lost before the plant can get what it needs. You may have to prepare the soil by adding particular fertilisers or organic matter to get it into optimal health before planting. Use mulch to prevent water running off and drying out your soil.

If in doubt about any of these tips, or if you need more information, pop by the Bacchus Marsh & Redgum Garden Centre and have a chat to one of our friendly gardeners.

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Five Tips For Spending Less On Your Garden

Gardening is a relaxing and enjoyable pastime that not only gives you a chance to recharge your batteries as you potter around in the green spaces, but it can also provide you with food that you can eat.

The benefits of spending time in a garden have been recognised by the mental health profession for many years as it is extremely therapeutic to while away a few hours getting your hands and feet into the soil. The costs of raising a garden can sometimes blow out though, which can cause people to think twice before they embark on the adventure of growing their own garden space. Here are some tips for spending less on your garden:

1. Make Your Own Compost

Why buy from outside when you can make your own very simply by using kitchen waste, garden clippings and any other garden waste including sticks and other bits and pieces. Most organic matter can go into your home-made compost, except for a few items of which you need to be aware. Talk to our staff at Bacchus Marsh & Redgum Garden Centre for more information.

2.Grow Your Own Seedlings

Rather than spending your money on seedlings and raising pots from garden shops, make your own out of newspaper or egg shells. Both of these are biodegradable so you can simply put the seedlings in them in the ground, and they will help the soil as they break down.

3.Propagate from Existing Plants

Buying plants can prove to be quite costly, which is why it makes sense to propagate from plants you already have, rather than to go through the expense of buying new ones.

4. Mulching Saves Money and Time

Mulching your garden not only saves you money on water but it also stops weeds from growing, which then reduces your need to work on removing them; this could be costly if you choose to go the chemical method.

5. Do I Really Need This Plant?

Impulse buying, whether it be on miscellaneous items or on plants, can end up costing you quite a penny and in some cases – wasting money. As is often the case, if you buy a plant that you don’t actually have a space for in the garden, yet, you may leave it in the small pot that it came in, while you decided where to put it, and it may end up drying out and dying. Plan where you are going to put your plants before you buy them, so you do not lose money on impulsive purchases!

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