DFB's Gardening Thread

[Balr14]

Kohler is another local SE Wisconsin brand. I think Kohler uses pretty good engines in their portable and emergency generators. But the others are cheap crap made somewhere else. I am looking at buying a Kohler or Generac (Another local company) generator, as weather is getting more extreme and power outages more common. Most of the small engine and outboard manufacturers are from this area (SE Wisconsin and Northern Illinois).

Sponsored

 

[DFB5.0]

This Xanthorrhoea "Grass Tree" was obstructing the view of Nursery entrance waterfall and needed to be trimmed to gain access to replace a worn out pump. It was also smothered in Mealy Bug and Scale. I suspect it was a case of once started, there was no turning back but the foliage was not looking great so probably for the best to start it again.

The flowers produced by this plant are highly attractive to native birds.

Xanthorrhoea are able withstand bush fires due to their growth points being underground, protected by tightly packed leaf bases. While a bush fire may burn the stumps and turn them black, the fire will actually stimulate new growth and flowering. So, with that in mind, we simulated a bush fire with the help of a gas torch.............

Eight months later, the plant had re-grown with vigor. That whole space was consumed by foliage, with the stumps being completely hidden. I actually like the look of this better and now also shows the waterfall again.

When Xanthorrhoea are harvested for sale, they are burnt like this to reset the plant and stimulate new growth. Never feed Grass Trees, they don't like or need it. Xanthorrhoea only grows about 2.5cm / 1 inch per year, so incredibly slow and why they cost so much when purchased from a nursery. These plants are a protected species and should only be sold with appropriate certification to ensure they are not being harvested to the detriment of the environment, also a factor in their cost.

 

[Brisvegas]

This Xanthorrhoea "Grass Tree" was obstructing the view of Nursery entrance waterfall and needed to be trimmed to gain access to replace a worn out pump. It was also smothered in Mealy Bug and Scale. I suspect it was a case of once started, there was no turning back but the foliage was not looking great so probably for the best to start it again.

The flowers produced by this plant are highly attractive to native birds.

Xanthorrhoea are able withstand bush fires due to their growth points being underground, protected by tightly packed leaf bases. While a bush fire may burn the stumps and turn them black, the fire will actually stimulate new growth and flowering. So, with that in mind, we simulated a bush fire with the help of a gas torch.............

Eight months later, the plant had re-grown with vigor. That whole space was consumed by foliage, with the stumps being completely hidden. I actually like the look of this better and now also shows the waterfall again.

When Xanthorrhoea are harvested for sale, they are burnt like this to reset the plant and stimulate new growth. Never feed Grass Trees, they don't like or need it. Xanthorrhoea only grows about 2.5cm / 1 inch per year, so incredibly slow and why they cost so much when purchased from a nursery. These plants are a protected species and should only be sold with appropriate certification to ensure they are not being harvested to the detriment of the environment, also a factor in their cost.

Thats really clever , great job . I never would have thought of that .

When pandemic started i decided to landscape my pool yard ( lots of time on my hands ) . I probably planted 500 plants and it looked like it was too thin and i wouldnt get coverage , was i wrong and within 18 months i needed to start thinning it out and that continues . i was never a huge garden guy before but now i enjoy it massively . it's good for the soul and was a huge part of getting through the madness of the world for a couple years there ....

 

[DFB5.0]

Thats really clever , great job . I never would have thought of that .

When pandemic started i decided to landscape my pool yard ( lots of time on my hands ) . I probably planted 500 plants and it looked like it was too thin and i wouldnt get coverage , was i wrong and within 18 months i needed to start thinning it out and that continues . i was never a huge garden guy before but now i enjoy it massively . it's good for the soul and was a huge part of getting through the madness of the world for a couple years there ....

Very nice work!

Your story is a pretty common one, many looked to their gardens as a mental health savior during those horrible years. And not just outside, we noticed a massive uptick in indoor plant sales over that time as well.

I think the key thing with gardening is that it teaches and rewards patience.

 

[Balr14]

Those are some beautiful and exotic plants. Wisconsin temeratures range from -20F to +95F. Finding plants that will handle the weather and the deer won't eat limits our options. On the plus side, the weather extremes are unfriendly to most unwelcome pests.

 

[DFB5.0]

One of my favorite tasks at the nursery is potting plants up to grow into advanced specimens. For the most part, we are a retail nursey, buying in the majority of our stock from wholesale growers. There are some exceptions, our range of advanced trees and roses are all potted up by us at the end of winter, but the plants themselves are propagated elsewhere. And as mentioned, we grow-on a selection of plants to value add.

The nursery has a large section behind the scenes where we do this, taking a lower cost plant and growing it on so that customers can buy more advanced specimens to fill gaps or cheat time. The area is set up to be self-sufficient with automated watering and the plants are secured to wires to hold them in place. Occasional inputs include applying slow-release fertilizer, light trimming and in some cases, adjusting the staking to ensure they grow straight and even.

I love this work, the repetitive nature of the task suits my personality. For the most part, we take stock in 6 inch pots, in this case I have selected stock in 8 pots. These are then planted into large 12 inch pots with a high quality potting soil and a dosed amount of slow release fertilizer. The date and variety name are abbreviated on the pot.

I also remove the small stake and install a taller one in anticipation of the coming growth. A coir weed control mat is then applied and the pots watered thoroughly.

Pallets of freshly potted plants are then lined up on the irrigation lines and secured to the wires.

Some plants take only a couple of months before they are then ready for sale. Some require longer. These Magnolia's will likely need 9 to 12 months before they are ready. Our level of standard means we don't put stock on the shelf without a fully developed root system. So while the plant may look big enough in the pot, the real test is if the roots have reached the bottom or sides of the pot. Only then will it be prepared and released for sale.

And just under 7 months later, this stock is now starting to hit the shelves.

From this................

To this..........................

Retrieved from the dripper lines, given a shot of quick acting fertiliser to hold their colour, re-labeled, priced and put into stock. The growth rate on this particular variety called "Kay Parris" is seemingly much faster than "Little Gem", which still have another month or so before they will be ready for sale.

This stock could have gone out earlier, but we make sure the plant has a developed root system before sending them out. This is something that differentiates us from the "big green shed", and why our prices are higher too. Time is money remember.

This is my favorite part of my job, the actual plant side of the business and not the "dealing with the general public" aspect. Plants I can deal with, they don't talk back!

 

[Balr14]

Those plants look great! That has to give you a very satisfying feeling. There's something about seeing things grow that I appreciate a lot more now that I have the time to notice them.

 

[Brisvegas]

Very nice work!

Your story is a pretty common one, many looked to their gardens as a mental health savior during those horrible years. And not just outside, we noticed a massive uptick in indoor plant sales over that time as well.

I think the key thing with gardening is that it teaches and rewards patience.

Aside from the Joy of growing a beautiful garden there is the value added to a property . It's a win win . From buying soil and mulch in bulk from landscaping supplies , Buying tubestock at Rocklea markets at 10c in the dollar compared to the Green Box . Bought a petrol post hole digger to plant out and do posts for decking around pool . I installed all my shadesails and associated posts . built shower and water fountain stand . Installed google controlled low voltage garden lighting , aluminium and hardwood screening etc etc . I think i probably added north of $100k to my property value and i doubt i spent over $20k to do it . What better think to do with youir time in a shitty lockdown . I literally had 100 colourbond moments . Kept me sane . Couple more pics


Edit , still in process of doing front yard and will post pics once done

 

[FrankMCG]

Hello! A few years ago we moved to a house where there is practically no space for a garden, so we can only admire similar ones. We were often bothered by mice earlier, but thankfully there are humane traps like these https://menacetopests.com/best-humane-mouse-traps/. May the Lord protect us from pests!" I really enjoy it when people put all their heart and soul into their favorite activities and improve their living conditions. Wishing you health and success!

 

[DFB5.0]

As a gardener, the single most used tool I use is a pair of secateurs. Made in Switzerland and coming with a lifetime guarantee, Felco are generally considered the industry standard. I know of people who are still using a pair after 30+ years! While Felco make a variety of secateurs and shears, the number 8 and 9 are the best of the bunch.

Felco 8 for right-handed -
https://felco.com/en_au/produits/pruning-shears/felco-8

Felco 9 for left-handed -
https://felco.com/en_au/produits/pruning-shears/felco-8

The 8 and 9 are best suited for extended use due to the more ergonomically designed handles. The angle of the handle allows for a more natural extension of your hand, reducing fatigue.

This pair of Felco 8 are about 12 years old and were given to me by my employer. At the time, I was delighted by this gesture as these are not a cheap item, retailing for about $110. Used extensively over the years, they had got to the point where they just weren't cutting well at all, even after disassembly and sharpened properly. The beauty of Felco though is the full parts backup, meaning an old pair can be made new again.

The cost of a new blade and hook is less than half the price of a new pair.

https://www.forestrytools.com.au/col...-7-8-blade-7-3
https://www.forestrytools.com.au/pro...o-7-8-hook-7-4

Each pair of secateurs comes with this adjustment key, although I used a small ratchet spanner.

Disassembly is easy, remove the hook screw at the top, remove the locking tab screw then remove the central nut.

Push the central bolt out, lift the hook away then wiggle the blade from the two locating pins. Then clean and grease the mating surfaces ready for re-assembly.

Now install the new hook, align and secure the bolt.

Put the new blade onto the locating pins, install the central bolt and tighten the nut to an appropriate torque. Too tight and they wont re-open, too loose and they will be sloppy and increase wear. Re-install the locking tab and screw.

I did not realise how worn the old blade was until offered up to the new one. Keep in mind, I sharpen secateurs quite often to maintain clean cutting. Twelve years on one blade is quite fair all things considered.

Ready for use again and cutting much, much better.

There is a certain satisfaction gained by giving something a new lease of life.

 

[Balr14]

I have some secateurs that are 50 - 60 years old. They don't look like much, but they still work better than the cheap crap they sell in most garden centers and big box stores. But, I do have one problem that maybe you can help me with. In order to dispose of trimmings and yard debris, I have to cut it into pretty small pieces. My old secateurs handle most of it, but don't handle pieces that are a little too large or hard. Can you suggest a one handed cutter that would provide more leverage? I have a two handed shear, but it's not nearly as convenient to use.

 

[DFB5.0]

I have some secateurs that are 50 - 60 years old. They don't look like much, but they still work better than the cheap crap they sell in most garden centers and big box stores. But, I do have one problem that maybe you can help me with. In order to dispose of trimmings and yard debris, I have to cut it into pretty small pieces. My old secateurs handle most of it, but don't handle pieces that are a little too large or hard. Can you suggest a one handed cutter that would provide more leverage? I have a two handed shear, but it's not nearly as convenient to use.

Two ways to go about this -

- Look at ratcheting secateurs/shears.
Amazon.com : ratcheting pruners

- Look at power assisted secateurs.
Bosch 3.6V Cordless Powered Secateurs Pruner Shears, 450 Cuts Per Charge, Micro USB (EasyPrune) : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement

A client loaned me this pair of Bosch secateurs to prune their Pomegranate tree. These act like any other pair of pruners, but when they sense additional pressure being applied, the power function kicks in to shear through the material with ease. It takes a bit to get used to the activation of the assistance, but they certainly work very well.

Makita, Dewalt, Milwaukee and Ryobi all offer variations on the theme.

 

[Balr14]

Thanks a lot. Just what I was looking for.

 

[DFB5.0]

Autumn (Fall) is my most favorite season of all. The summer heat is gone, which makes working outdoors so much nicer. I'm the sort of person who can tell the change in season by the smell in the air. Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer all have a particular scent in the air that is hard to describe but absolutely detectable............to my nose anyway. Spring to me has a sweetness to it, winter being "fresh" and "clean", summer and autumn are harder to describe. Needless to say, the smell of Autumn is delightful and to be savored. The smell of summer on the other hand leaves me with dread, I hate the heat!

So, with Autumn now in full swing, it's now time to start admiring the colors that lead us into winter. This is Vitis Vinifera, or the ornamental grape vine. Grown purely for the lush green foliage in the spring and summer, followed by the most delightful display of yellow, orange, red and purple as the plant heads into winter dormancy.

 

[DFB5.0]

I had the job of cutting down a Camphor Laurel that sprung up and grew unnoticed up and through an Oleander hedge and a Gleditsia. That mean choosing one of the fleet............

Well, it was the 028AV Super that got the job today..................

I have only used this on a couple of test logs before today and was impressed then, and even more impressed after today. What an awesome little saw! It's also very well balanced and fits me very well. So happy I have this saw in my care.

And yes, I run this saw loud and proud so that everyone in a 2-mile radius could hear it running.

Sponsored