DFB's Greenthumb Project

[DFB FGXR6]

Is there a more insufferable weed than English Ivy? I think not, especially after injuring my back trying to pull a large infestation from a fence/gate/garden shed/hedge.

Actually, looking into this, most of that people know of English Ivy (Hedera helix) is actually Irish Ivy (Hedera hibernica).

https://weeds.org.au/profiles/english-ivy/
https://www.walterreeves.com/landsca...dentification/

“Irish Ivy is normally larger than English Ivy, in both its leaves and petioles. The Irish ivy leaf is wider than long, with a broad terminal lobe and the leaves are shiny with greenish, not white veins. Also English ivy has a musty odor, while Irish ivy’s is sweet-ish."





The seeds are highly attractive to birds, helping it spread far and wide. But the ability to take root from any piece of the plant is its hallmark for survival. And because of that extensive root development, it's extremely hard to control, be that chemically or mechanically. I've seen Ivy drink glyphosate as if it were fertilizer. I have heard of using dousing it with kerosene, but that would contaminate the surrounding soil.

[DFB FGXR6]

The start of the winter bare root season this year has been slower than usual. The first delivery from Flemings's arrived at 7am yesterday, of which 600 assorted ornamental and fruiting trees were sorted, labeled, orders pulled and then lined up and buried in sand. A process that took just on 8 hours to complete.

Circa 9am.......................



Eight hours later.....................



A number of varieties were not sent in that initial Fleming's delivery, so there will be a couple of follow up deliveries to follow. The majority of our fruit tree assortment will arrive next week from a secondary supplier. Roses and our yearly allocation of citrus trees typically arrive late June or early July.

[DFB FGXR6]

A couple of months ago, one our supplier reps left a display stand with the intention of showcasing in-season plants. The rep has then been supplying advanced potted specimens to give customers an idea of what they can expect each plant can do. This is all well and good, but my creative brain spotted the potential expand on the idea...................

This plant stand was made by a men's shed, presumably from reclaimed timber. Well, we have plenty of that on hand, with a stack of un-used pallets taking up space in the yard. Pulling them apart was going to be the challenge, so I bought a lever bar from eBay..................

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/355034833921



Before starting the project, I had measured up and drew out a layout plan mimicking the original, I then knew what amount of timber I was going to need.

It took me a bit to figure out the best way to use the lever bar without ruining the timber, but the tool made short work of stripping the pallets down. Following this, I removed all the nails and docked everything to length. Then the fun part of putting it together...............









Including the re-used timber, I also used up an assortment of odd-bod screws, so excluding the pry bar and my labour, I made something from nothing.

I plan to make more of these as time allows, which will be used around the nursery as needed. I was hoping to have a few of these made prior to the bare root roses arriving, they would display well in these.

[DFB FGXR6]

Vision achieved!



The goal wasn't to house all of them, rather to create some visual interest rather than a collection of black pots dumped on the ground. It also makes them more "shoppable".

I have had to shell out on some screws after raiding the odd-bod bucket, but even still, the outlay is minimal.................and I'm enjoying work again.

[Tonz]

at the feet at one end drill a hole, place a axle through, couple ave sized wheels and along the lengtyh about base of bed height couple of longer rails and you have yoursels a cart style wheelbarrow.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Tonz

at the feet at one end drill a hole, place a axle through, couple ave sized wheels and along the lengtyh about base of bed height couple of longer rails and you have yoursels a cart style wheelbarrow.

Ooooo, that gives me an idea for a moveable display at the front entrance.

[.:4:.]

Are all ideas good ideas if its a reason to use the new impact?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

Are all ideas good ideas if its a reason to use the new impact?

Hmmmmm, maybe...........................

[Citroënbender]

Why do I imagine you quickly wheeling the displays to block the entrance when you see a particularly painful customer pulling up?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Why do I imagine you quickly wheeling the displays to block the entrance when you see a particularly painful customer pulling up?

What a good idea!

[DFB FGXR6]

Surely the highlight of the winter landscape, Camellia Japonica season is in full swing....................

[DFB FGXR6]

Just bought myself a set of Knipex pincers to help remove nails from the pallets I've been breaking down. The set at work have gone missing, and while I made do with a claw hammer, I was snapping some of the nail heads using it. Hopefully this will help out.

https://www.totaltools.com.au/46643-...pincer-5001210

[Tonz]

hope you dont snip the buggas off....... like I regularly do

[Tonz]

last big project i did with pallets, very rustic well planned, can seat 60 people inside

image posting

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Just bought myself a set of Knipex pincers to help remove nails from the pallets I've been breaking down. The set at work have gone missing, and while I made do with a claw hammer, I was snapping some of the nail heads using it. Hopefully this will help out.

https://www.totaltools.com.au/46643-...pincer-5001210

Originally Posted by Tonz

hope you dont snip the buggas off....... like I regularly do

It's amazing how easy it is having the right tool for the job, these pincers made short work of the job at hand. I even managed to extract several nails that I couldn't get to budge, and none snipped off. Win-win!!

I'm still knocking these things out, I have made seven of them now, with timber cut for an eighth. This week I have focused on making them with shorter legs, 500mm instead of 750mm. While the 750mm versions are at the perfect height for customers to shop from, I like to display plants at differing heights to create visual appeal.



Because the companies impact driver and drill were being used elsewhere, I brought in my own this week. That Milwaukee M18 Surge is the BOMB! It's just so smooth and quiet, in my mind this would be less fatiguing for someone who uses one of these all day long. The hydraulic gearset means you can creep up on the fastener rather than just smashing it into oblivion, handy for soft timbers or when using it on plastic. Money well spent!

I also found an old stencil of the company name in the shed, previously used to brand tools and equipment from when we had a landscaping division. The lettering is about 90mm high and 300mm long, which fits within the central board. After centering the stencil across facing sides, I applied a thin dusting of satin black spray paint. In keeping with the rustic look, the stenciled company name in black really finishes them off. I would also love to have a stencil made of the company logo to complete the look, perhaps in a contrasting color.

[Citroënbender]

I’ve discovered there is an apparent shortage of popular Elaeocarpus variants in saleable sizing in NSW. Is this also true for your area - or does the winter chill mean it’s not sold much there?

[mad2]

Originally Posted by Tonz

last big project i did with pallets, very rustic well planned, can seat 60 people inside

imageimage posting

image

i saw the bottom pic 1st & went 'round yard'?. that would have taken awhile with all those posts.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I’ve discovered there is an apparent shortage of popular Elaeocarpus variants in saleable sizing in NSW. Is this also true for your area - or does the winter chill mean it’s not sold much there?

We don't carry many Elaeocarpus, so I couldn't say. Having said that, a lot of plants become unavailable during the colder months as the growers run out of saleable stock. The grower more than likely has stock laid down, but they are waiting for spring growth before sending them out as viable, saleable stock. This is often hard to describe to customers from the Amazon generation, you know, we should just be able to order them in at a drop of hat.

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by mad2

i saw the bottom pic 1st & went 'round yard'?. that would have taken awhile with all those posts.

yup few hours, very happy when finally finished. One of those projects you think 'this shouldnt take long.

Everything was second hand/recycled inluding all nuts, bolts wood screws etc

[Citroënbender]

I’m close to calling the cusp of spring here, the air has a different feel and sun a bite. The nurseries which have previously bombarded with emails about stuff including Elaeocarpus spp around now, are seeming much more restricted in their online offerings. I’ll check them in a few weeks and see if it’s changed.

Magnolias are fantastic just now, absolute peak up my way for the deciduous varieties.

[FTE217]

Christ CB you reckon we’re on the turn ?
I think your being influenced that we’ve finally had a couple of weeks of no rain but temps have still been low but sure is a pleasant change feeling some sun for a change.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I’m close to calling the cusp of spring here, the air has a different feel and sun a bite. The nurseries which have previously bombarded with emails about stuff including Elaeocarpus spp around now, are seeming much more restricted in their online offerings. I’ll check them in a few weeks and see if it’s changed.

Magnolias are fantastic just now, absolute peak up my way for the deciduous varieties.

I know what you mean, I could smell the slightest hint of Spring on Monday, which seems early to me but I certainly noticed it. Today with rain and bitter air, not so much.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by Tonz

last big project i did with pallets, very rustic well planned, can seat 60 people inside

imageimage posting

image

Question Tonz on your marvellous pallet pen, is this to lock up your guests ?
Some kind of running over hot coals challenge pit ?
Alot of fun with 60 competitors family more so inlaws ? yer I wouldn't mind a few walking over hot coals haha
Have you a score board close by we haven't seen ?

[Tonz]

used to be an open fire pit but the outside of summer the wind could be a real deterant so I created this as my farewell present April last year.
Its apparently been very popular and successful.
No fire walking or dragons though.

[DFB FGXR6]

Despite there being plenty to keep me busy in winter, a lack of customer flow does become a concern in terms of cash flow. When it's cold and overcast, I can hardly blame people for not wanting to buy stuff for their garden. This year though, I also think cost of living is at play at one end of the spectrum, and at the other, people are jetting off to somewhere warmer now that Covid restrictions are a thing of the past.

After today, I can safely say that spring is now on its way. The days are getting longer, the sunnier and warmer temps are bringing the customers out of the woodwork. Speaking of woodwork..............................





For now, I've finished the display boxes made from old pallets. Actually, someone wanted to buy one the other day, so I may end up having to build some more. At the moment, I've swung into making some custom sign holders. Again, re-claimed timber and some screws. To hold them upright, I've used some pvc electrical conduit I found out back, which then slots into a hole bored into the timber dividers used in our display tanks.







As spring approaches, time is fast running out for these tasks. Spring is about selling, restocking, selling, restocking.......................

[Citroënbender]

I confess, the part which really caught my eye was the models’ legs on the Nandina sign.

But the work is soothingly neat. Can almost smell the wood.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I confess, the part which really caught my eye was the models’ legs on the Nandina sign.

But the work is soothingly neat. Can almost smell the wood.

Of course it did..............

For some reason, I managed to use some hardwood timber for the front slats in most of those for holders, which meant pre-drilling to avoid splitting. With the use of PVC pipe, all are set at 500mm, but I can then extend the pole with a joiner to suit different bench heights. Because the timber is not painted, they won't last forever, but I can replace them as needed going forward. I actually made up a jig to quickly assemble them. All up, I've made about 17 of them now.

Not shown, the bruised index finger I slammed with a hammer trying to pull apart a particularly recalcitrant pallet, or the infected thumb I skewered with a slipped Phillips head driver.

[DFB FGXR6]

Two plants that caught my eye on the way out the door for another week..............

Magnolia doltsopa x laevifolia or Magnolia 'Inspiration' - this is a small evergreen tree that has become quite popular over the last two years, most likely the result of "peak Magnolia Little Gem syndrome". As always, a plant or product becomes so popular that it becomes over planted and customers then look for something new or different.



Both Little Gem and Inspiration grow to similar height and spreads, 4 meters tall and 2 meters wide, making them ideal for smaller gardens or as a small feature tree. They can also be used for informal screening and hedges. Inspiration differs in having a more open canopy and smaller, more fragrant white flowers that appear in late winter to early spring. Unlike other Magnolia daltsopa varieties, Inspiration seems faster growing and more tolerant of frost. We often buy Inspiration in 200mm pots for both sale and as potting stock, whereby they are planted into 330mm pots and grown into advanced specimens, a product line that is doing very well. The above example goes further, being potted into a large 100 Lt bag, ideal for someone wanting an instant effect.

Narcissus jonquilla or Jonquil 'Erlicheer' - from what I can gather, these are a love or hate plant.................all stemming from the scent. I personally love the sweet scent, but I can fully understand why many don't, the fragrance is certainly heady.



A perennial bulb, Jonquil's are often the first bulbs to flower in late winter. There are single flowering varieties, but the double flowered 'Erlicheer' are more substantial looking. You will often see these plants flowering in older gardens, often located under trees.

Fun Fact - the name "Narcissus" has multiple references.

- "Derived from the Greek word narke, which means numbness in English. The name is then in reference to the intoxicating fragrance of some species."

-"Some believe that the name narcissus is derived from the Greek word 'narkao' which means 'to be numb' due to daffodil bulbs being poisonous to animals."

- "Narcissus is a boy's name of Greek origin, meaning “daffodil.” Its origins lie in Greek mythology, where Narcissus was a young hunter known for his exceptional beauty. "

The meaning behind Latin plant names has always intrigued me, in fact it something that was part of my initial training way back in the mid 2000's. For the most part, this aspect of horticulture is pretty useless these days............at a retail level anyway. Still, there is a lot to learn in these Latin names as it will often describe a growing habit, flower type or honor a notable individual.

[prydey]

A question about lawn care...

As we emerge from winter, here in SA is been quite wet lately as well as the odd warm day. This has got the grass active again (and weeds). Over the cooler months I normally put the mower up a notch.

I've been guilty in the past of dropping out back down too soon and ended up nearly killing the lawn instead of helping it.

When is the best time to start mowing shorter again? It used to be santa anna couch but is now mostly Kikuyu.

Also would like some advice on fertiliser. When to start and how often. Thanks.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by prydey

A question about lawn care...

As we emerge from winter, here in SA is been quite wet lately as well as the odd warm day. This has got the grass active again (and weeds). Over the cooler months I normally put the mower up a notch.

I've been guilty in the past of dropping out back down too soon and ended up nearly killing the lawn instead of helping it.

When is the best time to start mowing shorter again? It used to be santa anna couch but is now mostly Kikuyu.

Also would like some advice on fertiliser. When to start and how often. Thanks.

If it's mostly Kikuyu, its pretty hard to kill by mowing too short. Apparently for every runner of Kikuyu on the soil surface, ie the grass you are cutting, there is a matching runner in the soil underneath. So, even if you nuke it by mowing too short, it'll be back soon enough.

More generally, lowering your cut height would be safe to do once the warmth of spring is well underway, and I mean that from a morning chill factor, but also general day temps. That way, you know the grass is actively growing rather than laying in dormancy without the ability to bounce back.

That same concept applies with fertilizer. Spread it too early, and the grass won't make use of it.................the weeds will though. Again, once you have warmer days and can see the grass regaining some colour after winter, you are good to go. I'd say within the next 2 to 4 weeks should be ideal. You can then re-feed again in late December if desired.

Word of warning with lawn food. The faster greening elemental-based products certainly do the job, but you can have an excessive buildup of certain minerals over time. We typically recommend alternating between an elemental-based and organic-based food to mitigate this. As much as it pains me, I'm using Bunning's as a reference to illustrate what I'm talking about. An elemental fertilizer would be something like Scotts Lawn Builder, an organic based alternative being Neutrog Sudden Impact Lawns -

https://www.bunnings.com.au/scotts-l...-food_p2962041
https://www.bunnings.com.au/neutrog-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Also, avoid the usual "Weed n Feed" products. These are extremely high in iron, which makes your lawn deep-dark green and burns the top off broadleaf weeds, only for them to re-grow again, which means you do it again and again.............and then buy more Weed n Feed. Kinda like the Chemical Guys approach to detailing chemicals, as in they only work half effectively, so you use more product, and therefore buy more often.