Week 2 February 2001: This week we have started on a new garden. We give each garden a name so we are able to keep track of our plants. This new venture will be known as the Pole Garden because it is close to the pole carrying our power line. The area of this new garden is 35 square metres and will accommodate about 100 plants. Small plants (up to 1.5 metres) will be cultivated in this garden. Correas, Eremophilas and small grevilleas will some of the plants that will have a home in the Pole Garden. It is a tough garden to establish, as many large and small rocks have to be removed. Creating this garden is truly groveling in the gravel.
This Saturday is the day for our fortnightly garden talk back programme. It is broadcast on the local ABC radio network that covers about a quarter of NSW. We cover topics such as native plant cultivation, wildlife and environmental topics. Usually receive a number of questions and comments during the programme and telephone queries afterwards.
Although we are retired (and have been for nearly 6 years) we are involved in a number of projects at the University of New England. This week we collected plant material, from the garden for practical classes and are also involved in two Acacia seed germination experiments. We assist with these projects on a voluntary basis as we feel that in retirement you need to keep mind and body active.
Started our own experiment this week. We have germinated some Banksia coccinea seeds and have seedlings about 5 centimetres high. This Western Australian Banksia is difficult to establish in eastern states. Most native plants prefer acid soil but we read somewhere that some WA Banksias grow in limestone areas where the soil is alkaline. With this in view, we have planted the seedlings in large pots. Half will receive no treatment whilst the other pots were treated with dolomite to increase soil alkalinity. We will be reporting results be they positive or negative.