Muddy Boots

Citrus trees - a complex and needy tree to grow but worth it when you are well rewarded with abundant fruit. We have regularly discussed their heavy feeding requirements and the long list of pests that can cause problems. Today, instead, we are discussing “root stock”. Grafting is bringing a tree with good root structure together with best the quality and size of fruit. Rootstock is grown then the...

Whether you have a large rural garden or a small city balcony, creating “zones” will help you make the most out of the space and optimise its functionality. Hedging is a great way of creating different zones Plants like Syzygium australe (Straight and Narrow) are perfect for a tall narrow screen Grasses like the giant form of Miscanthus sinesis can be used to divide areas Areas can be divided by u...

Herbs - an essential in every kitchen and a favourite in every garden. This week we talk to Elle from Australian Medicinal Herbs . Hear the story of Elle’s transition from the police force to medicinal herbs.  The certified organic Australian Medicinal Herbs grow, process and sell from their farm - “paddock to packet”.  A fascinating episode where Elle talks about the workings of their business as...

Q&A time again! Who will be this month’s lucky winner of the fabulous prize donated by The Plant Runner ? Granitic sand and Decomposed Gravel - what’s the difference? Granitic sand is crushed rock under 4mm. Keith thinks “Deco Gravel” as the listener refers to, is essentially the same. Carrot seeds where tomatoes have previously been, good or bad? Good! “Carrots love tomatoes” NPK - Potassium...

Perennials 30.4.24 With Elisabeth busy with garden and house renovations this week, we have decided to replay one of our listeners favorite episodes.  Perennials. Elisabeth thinks these are a “must have” in every garden. What is a perennial? A plant that persists for several years producing stems and flowers and dying back (or becoming dormant) in Winter. Herbaceous perennials completely die back...

With Elisabeth busy with garden and house renovations this week, we have decided to replay one of our listeners favorite episodes.  Delicious berries. Maybe you already grow your own or maybe you don’t know where to start. This week’s episode looks at 4 main berry types - raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries Raspberries - 3 types 3 main varieties - Summer fruiting, autumn fruiti...

With Elisabeth busy with garden and house renovations this week, we have decided to replay one of our listeners favorite episodes.  Join us to hear Keith’s tips on growing citrus. Follow Keith’s tips for healthy, disease free, fruit producing citrus in your home garden. Citrus trees love full sun and free draining soil. Not sure where to put it? Put it in a pot. Citrus are grown on different roots...

Who will be the lucky winner of this week’s prize from The Plant Runner ? Another packed episode of excellent questions from our listeners and hear more about what Keith does (when he’s not talking to us about gardening!) Some great tips this week include: Your ECO Neem and Eco Oil mix can be made up and left in the sprayer for use. Adding a couple of drops of detergent can help others like Bordea...

Ever heard of mychorrhizal funghi or have any idea how they benefit your garden? Well this week, we meet Tim Lister from BioStim who explains all! BioStim’s MycoGold can be add back beneficial fungal spores to our soil to replenish what has been lost through fertilising, chemical herbicides etc.  This product is available to the home gardener. A small amount can be added at the seedling stage or w...

Autumn is here and there is plenty to do in the garden! This week, hear Keith and Elisabeth’s suggestions on what to get done in the garden this Autumn. Pruning and deadhead perennials such as hydrangeas, salvias, lavender etc Prune espalier apples and citrus Rejuvenate your soil after summer with a broad fork (Keith recommends F.D Ryan's ) before adding Rooster Booster , Clyde's Compost...

We’ve heard Elisabeth mention “my new garden” a number of times. Now we have the opportunity to follow Elisabeth’s journey to creating her new dream garden. Keith drew up plans for the garden using council plans and including Elisabeth’s plant selections and ideas. Elisabeth started the transformation with the most visible section. Two ModBOX raised beds are accessible to the kitchen for Elisabeth...

Who will be the lucky winner of this week’s prize from The Plant Runner ? Another packed episode of excellent questions from our listeners and hear more about what Keith does (when he’s not talking to us about gardening!) Some great tips this week include: Your ECO Neem and Eco Oil mix can be made up and left in the sprayer for use. Adding a couple of drops of detergent can help others like Bordea...

What alternatives are there to the classic, Australian lawn?  Synthetic? Elisabeth is not a fan, will Keith convince her that they have a place? Before considering an alternative, consider a few elements - amount of sun, foot traffic, water conditions etc Granitic sand - can be a great alternative for areas between plants, border beds or for paths.  Mulch - Keith recommends 10mm pine bark Looking...

Currently own a worm farm or thinking you might like to? This week we meet Richard Thomas from Wormlovers Hear about the history of Wormlovers and their journey over the last 10 years and learn from Richard’s knowledge on the benefits of worm farms for the home gardener. Check out the Wormlovers website to see the range of not only worm farms but planter boxes, wicking beds and other garden access...

Find out who will be this month’s Q&A winner of The Plant Runner ’s prize! We have been inundated with excellent questions, here are some of the topics discussed this month: Passionfruit hoppers can be controlled by weekly spraying of ECO Neem and Eco Oil Frangipane with woolly aphid . Keith suggests controlling with Pyrethrum (add a drop or two of dishwashing liquid) Don’t over prune natives...

What’s growing in Keith’s garden?  Flowers, trees and of course lots of edibles. This week we take a closer look at what’s happening in his beloved garden. The trial garden - what’s living up to expectation and what’s not! Some disappointing new varieties of Rudbeckia . Agastache and salvias are always winners and eryngium (Sea Holly) also performing well. Keith’s edible garden - late tomatoes due...

Today we go back to one of Keith’s favourite topics! Where everything in a good garden starts - the soil. Finally an easy guide to why we should we be composting, getting started and maintaining a perfect, odour-free compost.  We learn about the Carbon:Nitrogen ratio (ideally 1 part carbon to 3 parts nitrogen) the role of microbes in breaking down compost.  What can and can’t go into the compost b...

Today we explore the world of native and exotic plants. What is a native plant? What is an exotic plant?  How can we integrate these different designs into our garden spaces? Keith outlines some of the benefits of growing natives and exotics in the one garden. These include: Ability to grow different combinations by creating micro climates from exotic tree canopies Aesthetic appeal - creating colo...

Our first Muddy Boots Q&A for the year! Find out who will be this month’s Q&A winner of The Plant Runner ’s prize! Types of nutrient rich mulch - what to choose? Mushroom, Lucerne, Pea straw? Keith recommends Who Flung Dung   Poppy seeds - an easy one to grow by sowing directly into your garden Wanting to try gardening with a Moon Calendar? Try this simple calendar readily available online...

Elisabeth is ready to fill her new raised beds and start her veggie patch. Maybe you are too? This month, Keith gives us some great advice on getting started with growing your own food. Location, location, location - lots of sun is an absolute must! Type of veggie patch - options include a raised bed or building into existing lawn or garden bed. Eradicating grasses and weeds with a herbicide like...

No garden is complete without trees! This month Keith shares his top 10 favourite trees for the Australian garden. Full moon maple - Acer japonicum vitifolium - well suited smaller garden Norway Maple or Designer Maple Acer platinoides globosum - well suited smaller garden Acer platinoides Crimson Sentry -well suited smaller garden Persimon fuyu - delicious orange fruit tree Flat top elm Ulmus gla...

Our last Muddy Boots Podcast for the year! Thank you to our loyal listeners this year! Find out who will be this month’s Q&A winner of The Plant Runner ’s prize? After a climbing rose in yellow or orange hues? Keith suggestions -  Banksia rose , Maigold , Summertime , Golden Showers Removing leaves and pinching tomatoes? Keep a single main trunk,  reduce leaves and pinch out above the last tru...

Drought tolerant gardens. There are plants that, once established, are drought tolerant, however, there are ways of creating conditions for making your plants and garden less reliant on water. Where you can find all things Muddy Boots! Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/  Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook  

For regular listeners the name Clyde's Compost will be familiar. But did you know Clyde’s Compost has a brand new product? Lignite Humates is what Keith would call a “game changer”.  Hear from Vince from Clydes about both the original Clyde’s compost and his brand new product. Why Clyde’s Compost? Originally created for the family’s intense vegetable gardening farm,  Clyde’s Compost has been...

This week Elisabeth asks Keith to share some tips on how to encourage wildlife into her new garden. Grow it and they shall come! Both a perennial or natives style garden can be created to maximise wildlife. Birdbaths, rocks and nesting logs will all assist with creating places for wildlife to enjoy. Plants like Dianella Revoluta with edible berries will attract birds. Looking to treat pests withou...