Muddy Boots

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 strawberriesRaspberries - 3 types3 main varieties - Summer fruiting, autumn fruiting and the “dual cropper”- Primo cane cultivars such as ‘Autumn Bliss’, ‘Heritage’, ‘Bogong - suited to warmer or coastal areas (require less chilling to produce new canes)- Floricane are earlier fruiting producing fruit on cane from last year’s growth require a cold winter. Include ‘Chilliwack’, ‘Chilcotin’’Golden Raspberry’. - Dual croppers produce fruit on both old and new canes so have fruit in Summer and Autumn. Include ‘Lloyd George’, ‘Willamette’, Sandford.- Available in Winter as bare-rooted canes or in pots in other seasons. Full SunBlueberries- Buy in pots - Number of varieties with different climactic requirements. Cold loving varieties include Denise, Northland, Brigitta , Milder areas should look for Sunshine Blue or Blue Rose- Full sun to part shade in slightly acidic soil- Tip prune after fruiting- regular feeding requiredBlackberries- Look for non-invasive varieties like the thornless ‘Chester’ and ‘Waldo’. Produce fruit in Summer on last year’s canes. They are vigorous growers up to 10m.Strawberries- Bush Alpine is an easy, runnerless variety. Keith recommends ‘Cambridge Rival’ ‘Chandler’ along with Japanese variety Hokawase. Will yield for 3-4 years of production. - Great to grow in baskets, pots, raised beds. Full sun and lots of organic matter- Plant in April-MayWhere you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 rootstocks - can be important to know what root stock it’s grown on to ensure it’s suited to your conditions and soil. For example “flying dragon” rootstock will tolerate heavier soils and some wetness.Citrus have surface-feeding roots which means their roots like first access to feed and they are heavy feeders. Feed citrus monthly as they have no dormant period. Keith suggests Neutrog Gyganics at half recommended rate but applied monthly. Potassium can help with fruit production    Most citrus don’t like frost! The occasional frost can be tolerated. Keith advises leaving frost burnt leaves on the plant as these can protect undamaged foliage from further frost damageCitrus don’t like competition. Avoid planting in the lawn unless you have a large lawn free area under the canopy of the tree.pH prefer soil 5 - 5.5 and definitely not over 6.Pruning - prune to size where fruit is reachable and ensure centre of tree is nice and open to allow sunlight to all parts of the treePests and diseases are common issues with citrus. Black scale exudes sugary substance that ants feed on and spread and this can cause sooty mould. Regular application of Eco Oil will assist with avoiding pests. Citrus gall wasp originates from Australian native Finger Lime. The gall wasp will create a knobbly growth on the tree that inhibits growth. Prune these off and put straight into rubbish (not compost!).Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 Bordeaux spray from becoming pastyAcer Negundo Box Elder tree can be a weedy speciesCompacted clay soil? Hear Keith’s tips on preparing this soil before planting including loosening with F.D Ryan's broadfork, when to use gypsum and adding products like MycoGoldShade loving perennials - Keith recommends Ajuga, Ligularia dentata reniformis (Tractor Seat Plant), Chatham Island Forget-me-not, Arthropodium, Sedum, Clivia, Primula, Veltheimia BracteataTall plants like Aster falling over? Try crowding with other plants to support. Different forms of salivias, agastache, achillea for example.Cherries (Keith recommends lapin variety) and pears (Keith suggests Packham’s Triumph) both require cross pollination for good crop production.Can you apply crop rotation principles to flowering annuals? Probably not but ensure you are improving soil with Clyde’s lignite, Munash Rock Dust, Clyde's CompostHear how to remove Kaikuyu lawn. Use Slasher, cover with Weed GWhere you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 when planting out pots either directly to the soil or mixed in water.During high growth periods like spring, Mycgold can be added to soil where soil might be depleted. Unlike traditional fertilisers, the live fungal spores contained in this product will continue to work symbiotically with your plants roots long after application.tNot compatible with brassicas or blueberries.Available from Diggers Club or directly through BioStimWhere you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 etcPrune espalier apples and citrusRejuvenate your soil after summer with a broad fork (Keith recommends F.D Ryan's) before adding Rooster Booster, Clyde's Compost, Clyde’s lignite along with a liquid fertiliser like Charlie Carp or  Power FeedFeed citrus - try Harry's Citrus Food or Neutrog GyganicsTomatoes are finishing up and will need to be removedPlant garlic cloves - 50mm in Vic, 100mm in warmer climatesSow brassica seeds - broccoli, cabbage, cauliflowers etcDividing and propagating perennials including Japanese windflowers, dahlias, salvias, sedum, grasses, oakleaf hydrangeaGrow from cuttings - snip off just below a root node, dip into rooting powder and put into pot (or water)Broadfork your lawn and feed with Rooster Booster and keep lawn high until winter monthsPlant bulbs - daffodils, hyacinths, jonquils, irises etc. Plant close together for maximum impact. Underplant Autumn leaves are a great carbon addition in the compost. Enjoy the glorious colours of Autumn and the cooler working weather!Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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’s vegetables. Before any planting, soil was improved with Clyde's Compost and Clyde’s lignite. Morningside Landscapes are assisting with the heavy lifting. Next granitic sand will be laid before they getting starting on irrigation system using Dan micro sprinklers.What’s on Elisabeth’s plant list? Japanese anemone, Crepe Myrtle, Baby Bay Tree, citrus, oleander, smoke bush, correa, leucadendron, liriope, euphorbia, lavender, grasses, viburnum, nepeta, oak leaf hydrangea, salivias, wistringia. Syzygium australe will be used as a screening plant.Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 Bordeaux spray from becoming pastyAcer Negundo Box Elder tree can be a weedy speciesCompacted clay soil? Hear Keith’s tips on preparing this soil before planting including loosening with F.D Ryan's broadfork, when to use gypsum and adding products like MycoGoldShade loving perennials - Keith recommends Ajuga, Ligularia dentata reniformis (Tractor Seat Plant), Chatham Island Forget-me-not, Arthropodium, Sedum, Clivia, Primula, Veltheimia BracteataTall plants like Aster falling over? Try crowding with other plants to support. Different forms of salivias, agastache, achillea for example.Cherries (Keith recommends lapin variety) and pears (Keith suggests Packham’s Triumph) both require cross pollination for good crop production.Can you apply crop rotation principles to flowering annuals? Probably not but ensure you are improving soil with Clyde’s lignite, Munash Rock Dust, Clyde's CompostHear how to remove Kaikuyu lawn. Use Slasher, cover with Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 etcGranitic sand - can be a great alternative for areas between plants, border beds or for paths. Mulch - Keith recommends 10mm pine barkLooking for a live lawn alternative? Herbaceous alternatives include: Creeping thyme, chamomile, prostate rosemary, round baby pigface, pennyroyal, Other plants that are suitable lawn alternatives - baby sunrose, zoysia tenuifolia, pratia pedunculataNative options include dichondra (either repens or silver falls variety) or native violetsConsider establishing a Wildflower Meadow as we explored in an episode in October 2023 (listen now Apple Podcasts or  Spotify)Stepping stones will help keep foot traffic down to reduce damage to your lawn alternativeWhere you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

A happy, cost effective, sustainable garden - who doesn’t love that?Set yourself up by spending the time and money by setting up your garden with good soilCompost - a great, cost effective way to turn your kitchen waste into a valuable product for your garden. Keith recommends Clyde's Lignite Humate before applying compost and then covering with mulch such as granitic sand, fine pine barkPlan your garden ahead to ensure you don’t overspend and select the right plant for the space and conditionsPerennials will be more cost effective than annuals that need replacing each yearConsider native plants - generally require less water and provide habitat forBare-rooted plants - buy in Winter to save money Try propagating from cuttings, division and seed to save moneyGrow your own veggies - rewarding, cost effective, healthier and better for the environment. Raised bed? Keith recommends ModboxConsider an alternative to lawn - find out more on next week’s podcast!Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

Currently own a worm farm or thinking you might like to? This week we meet Richard Thomas from WormloversHear 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 accessories.Whether you’re a large family or living on your own, Richard will explain not only the waste reduction benefits of the worm farm but the reward of the effect of worm castings and worm tea on your garden.New to worm farms? Here’s a few tips to starting:Place the worm farm in full shadeAdd a bedding of compost, soil or other suitable organic matter to the trayAdd composting worms (1000-2000) - these can be purchased from WormloversAdd small amount of garden/kitchen waste as well as waste paper/cardboard - remember not to overfeed your worms!Dilute worm tea to a ratio of 1:10 and use on your gardenWhere you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 OilFrangipane with woolly aphid. Keith suggests controlling with Pyrethrum (add a drop or two of dishwashing liquid)Don’t over prune natives such as chrysocephalum apiculatum - dead head only, particularly in summerMites on plants like Vibernum? Try Mavrik or ECO Neem and Eco OilDilute worm tea to ration of approx 1:10 to 1:15 or hear how to wash through the worm farm to collect worm wee and castings - stay tuned for more tips on worm farms in our upcoming episode!Deter possums from eating your passion fruits by providing a decoy apple!Some basic principles on pH testing and correctionPomegranate trees - best to have 2 plants of different varieties will increase the yield through cross-pollinationOrnamental grape vines excellent for summer shade. Keith suggests Thomson seedless and crimson seedless. Ensure Neutral pH, good potting mix and liquid feedFicus Pumila - a great clinging climberKeith’s top tips on keeping rabbits off your plants! Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 to cooler summer, more zucchini and cucumbers than he knows what to do with and avocados are fruiting! Issues with brown rot has seen Keith drying stone fruit using his Ezidri dehydrator.Late summer planting - Keith suggests lettuce, carrots, beetroot seeds or seedlings, Brussel sprout seedlings (Keith recommends Quality Plants & Seedlings but may have sold out).Other jobs - Summer pruning of fruit trees after the fruit, deadheading of spent flowers and light cutback to encourage late flowering, aerating soil (use a broadfork - check out F.D Ryan's) and mulching.Pests and diseases - Black spot on roses can be treated with 50/50 milk/water applied on a sunny day or copper spray like Kocide. Blossom end rot can occur due to high acidity - prevent/treat by adding Dolomite lime to soil before planting to stabilise pH. Powdery mildew - avoid  by cutting out competing plants and ensuring soil is well fertilised and mulched. Rust - burn out by encouraging new growth (speed up with high nitrogen fertiliser). Passionfruit leaf-hopper, Springtail and other “critters” can be avoided and treated with ECO Neem and Eco OilHappy Summer gardening!Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 bin - No animal products (besides manure & egg shells)! Dog hair and even vacuum lint are ok to go in - who knew!Whether you have room for an open-air compost, a compost bin in the corner of your garden or an apartment with a small worm farm or Bokashi bin, we can all play a part in reducing green waste going into landfill. Applying mulch and organic fertilisers to our garden allows composting to naturally occur in our garden.Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 canopiesAesthetic appeal - creating colour combinations of both foliage and flowersSeasonal appeal - creating colour and interest throughout the year. Eg Casuarina glauca (Cousin It) and Ligularia reniformis and Miscanthus Sinensis “Flamingo”Deter pests - plants like rosemary and passionfruit both deter possums!Attract beneficial insectsLess maintenance generally with native plantsMany hybridized varieties of natives including Acacia Cognata “Mini Cog”, Westringia “Aussie Box” and “Grey Box” and grafted forms of Western Australian flowering gumLearn how to avoid exotic varieties becoming invasive! Eg Bamboo and Rice Paper PlantPhosphorus toxicity? Avoid any type of chicken manure. Keith recommends Neutrog’s Bush TuckerHear Keith’s ideas on the importance of foliage, form and colour!Good luck with your new eclectic mix of natives and exotics!Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 gardenWanting to try gardening with a Moon Calendar? Try this simple calendar readily available online - Moon calendarLime tree looking yellow? Increase mulch right out to drip line, check pH and feed your citrus regularlyHarvesting beetroot seeds? Wait for the seeds to dry out and collect in paper bagScale on citrus? Treat with Eco Oil and feed regularlyBumps on Lilly Pilly- Could be psyllid (plant lice). Feed with Bush Tucker. Treat with Eco Oil and ECO NeemWhere you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 Roundup or consider an organic alternative like Slasher according to the directions.Soil preparation - prepare an existing area and improve soil with addition of quality compost like Clyde's Compost and topping with organic mulch like Who Flung Dung. Keith recommends using a broadfork to penetrate your soil (look for F.D Ryan's). Filling a raised bed? Ensure the base has either a layer of geo fabric or consider using Weed Gunnel. Beds can be filled with layers of organic matter using the “lasagne method”. Improve soil with Munash Rock Dust and fertilise regularly with products like Charlie CarpWhat to plant? Ensure you are planting according to your location’s climate. Decide whether you will plant seedlings or propagate from seed.Set your seeds up for success by using the Moon calendar. Protect your veggies from pests. Hear Keith’s Earwigs control method.Look for organic products like Eco Oil and ECO Neem and consider netting to control cabbage moths and other pests.Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 gardenNorway Maple or Designer Maple Acer platinoides globosum - well suited smaller gardenAcer platinoides Crimson Sentry -well suited smaller gardenPersimon fuyu - delicious orange fruit treeFlat top elm Ulmus glabra “Camperdownii” - medium tree with dense canopyBlack Tupelo - Nysa sylvatica - medium size tree with stunning Autumn foliage Red maple - Acer rubrum - larger stunning Autumn foliageWhite flowering chestnut - Calodendrum capense “Alba” - beautiful larger tree with white candelabra style flowersArgentine ombu - Phytolacca dioica - a HUGE, fast growing evergreen treeCarob Tree ceratonia siliqua - beautiful larger, flowering evergreen treeSo we’ve chosen the tree. What next? Hear how to prepare and plant your tree to set it up for success!Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 ShowersRemoving leaves and pinching tomatoes? Keep a single main trunk,  reduce leaves and pinch out above the last trussBest secateurs? Lowe No 5Some tips for growing a JacarandaSaw flies and other pests? - try Yates BaythroidYet another citrus pest! The bronze orange bug. Try companion plants Marigold, Pansy, Basil or beneficial bugs by Bugs for Bugs or Natures Way Citrus Ornamental Spray or ECO Neem and Eco OilScarab beetle eatling roses? Again prevent further damage with ECO Neem and Eco OilWhere 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 created organically with advice from expert agronomists to ensure a consistent product with suitable pH for the home gardener.The full range includes Certified Organic Dolomite Lime, Certified Organic Blood & Bone, the Booster Blend & the new Lignite HumatesWhat is Lignite Humates? Lignite Humates is brown coal! 20% carbon and 80% humate.Why Lignite Humates? Holds up to 200% more water than your average soil, efficiently breaks down fertilisers and the natural goodness of the soil to assist plant uptake.A great episode exploring a great product!Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

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 without harming the wildlife? Look for certified organic snail bait to avoid impact on wildlife, try home remedies and use products like ECO Neem.  Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook