6PR Gardening with Sue McDougall

05/11/2021

We have a $250 Waterwise Garden Centre gift card to give away thanks to the Water Corporation
Find out how…

15/03/2021

I'm so excited to be running a plant propagation workshop at the City of Cockburn on Sunday 21st March from 10-12noon. Thanks to Lisa and the team for inviting me to share a passion of mine with like minded gardeners.
If you are interested in learning how to grow natives from cuttings, seeds and division, what to use and the tips and tricks I have picked up over the years, join me on Sunday morning.
Where - Len Packham Clubrooms 96 Cordelia Avenue Coolbellup
Cost - $10 and all equipment supplied (bring your own secateurs)
City of Cockburn
Book through the link
https://www.cockburn.wa.gov.au/City-and-Council/Events-and-News/Events-and-Workshops/Propagating-Native-Plants-with-Sue-McDougall

Native plants are ideal for growing from cuttings. Join Sue to learn the tips and tricks from a well-known expert in our gardening world to propagate native plants.

23/01/2021

With absolutely no water and care - one of my favourite small gums (only 2m high) is ready to burst into full flower. The bees are waiting in anticipation 🐝🐝 ....and the Banksia petiolaris is sending out new growth for next year 💚.
This hardy ground covering Banksia has spread 4m wide and only grows to 30cm high. Planted into sand with sub soil clay its thriving. Now about 23 years old it’s the perfect habitat plant.

Do you have a favourite Banksia or Flowering Gum?

22/01/2021

I’m so impressed with how the Natve Citrus are coping with the hot days and dry season.
If you’ve never grown them, I urge you to give them a go. Perfect for a pot in a hot dry position.
If you want some growing tips tune into News Talk 6PR 882 from 6am.
Delighted to be able to share gardening with Weekends with Simon Beaumont
Desert limes are ready to harvest now, while Ruby Limes and Finger Limes are still a few months away.

11/01/2021

I think many gardeners (regardless of experience) can relate to this t shirt. Unfortunately it finally had to go 🌸💐

07/01/2021

Every now and again a plant comes along that I’m so impressed with that I have to share.
I originally bought some patio roses for
Prizes for a sporting event at the end of November. My daughter won one and I revived it after it had been left inside for way too long.
It was repotted into premium potting mix into an ancient 25cm terracotta pot and it hasn’t looked back. So many flowers, gorgeous perfume and glossy foliage. It’s in a sunny spot and powered through the heat. Only a slight burning of the petals, but nothing to worry about.
Love it and the perfume is gorgeous even in the heat 🥰💕 it’s called Fragrance King Terrazza (a perfect repeat flowering bunch of flowers 💐 🌹)

24/12/2020

Today was hot for the garden. So hot in the sun today that a tray which holds plants from the nursery melted!
Looking around the garden tonight it has stood up pretty well.
Here’s a few tips to ensure the garden survives extra warm days -
🪴Ensure the water being applied is soaking in and not running off.
🍃Measure how much water each plant is receiving - if you are concerned turn the station on and put the sprinkler/dripped in a bucket. Or if you hand water time how long it takes to fill a bucket, this way you know how long it takes to deliver 9litres.
🌿Mulch makes a world of difference to keep root systems cool.
🌵Young plants and seedlings that have recently been planted can be protected from a small branch pushed in next to the plant. This will create temporary shade.
🌳 Watering in the morning is preferable - this way plants can draw on this moisture as they are growing through the day.

Hoping you get a chance to do some gardening over the next few days.
Enjoy my grafted Magenta gum. You could say perfect timing 💕❤️

14/11/2020

A couple of firsts today - spent the morning at 6PR with Monica Kos. 🌟Welcome Monica to weekends and the world of WA gardens. Then I discovered the first flower on my Pink Grafted Gum today.
So exciting to see the colour. I love it. These plants are perfect for small gardens, sunny spots and even large pots.
Hundreds of flowers to follow. 💕
Feed with controlled release native fertiliser now and the beginning of autumn.
These trees are grafted onto a vigorous rootstock, which allows them to thrive in a variety of extreme conditions.
If any shoots appear below the graft, remove quickly as the rootstock will take over the tree quickly.
Have you got a grafted gum? What is your favourite colour?
News Talk 6PR 882

31/10/2020

If you want to talk tomatoes give us a ring now - Harry Trandos is here to share his knowledge
92211882

25/10/2020

Every year on the first warm day of the year the termites are on the fly 🌟. We have a huge Blue Gum stump that is home to millions and millions of white ants.
The flying ants leave the safety of their nest to find somewhere else to settle.
It’s an incredible sight to see them leave. It looks like there is a fan blowing them from within the trunk. It doesn’t take long for the Magpies to get a feed.
I managed to capture some video this afternoon not TV quality by any means, but gives you an idea of what it looks like - nature is amazing 😍

24/10/2020

Im enjoying the Bottlebrush at the moment. Mild conditions through spring ensures flowers are at their peak for weeks and keep the intense colour.
My favourites include - Callistemon Reeves Pink, Callistemon Perth Pink, Callistemon phoeniceus, Callistemon speciosus, callistemon Kings Park Special and Callistemon Pink Ice.
What are your favourites?

17/10/2020

Had a ball today on air - loved it so much Karl and I will be doing it all again tomorrow from 6am. 🐞🌹🐛🍃🍄

Today we talked to Melinda from Wongan Hills Tourism Group and Dr Peter Cuneo who manages the Swedbank and Restoration Research project at the Australian Plant Bank Botanic Gardens Greater Sydney.

https://omny.fm/shows/the-gardening-show/walking-and-wildflowers-in-wongan-ballidu

https://omny.fm/shows/the-gardening-show/plants-in-space

Melinda Godfrey is the President Wongan Hills Tourism Group and she spoke to Sue and Karl about the 2020 Reynoldson Reserve Wildflower Festival. The wildflower show will be held from the 30 October – 1 November at “The Station” in Wongan Hills.

15/10/2020

Every year I fall in love my with Melaleuca elliptica again 🥰. This unassuming Melaleuca is ignored in my garden.
Forcing its way between heavy clay soil, fighting for light and being knocked everytime someone drives on my firebreak, it delivers this time of the year every year.
Commonly known as the Granite Honey Myrtle it’s a proud West Aussie. 😍💚

18/09/2020

If you are looking for somewhere to go tomorrow, head up to the hills for a drive and check out Hilltop Grove Estate. I’m popping my head in from 1pm for a chat. I’ll talk all things gardening and plants - can’t wait 🌿🍃🌷🌹🌻
I’m doing some work with the estate. We are working together on garden designs for gardens on remaining blocks for sale actuallly $5000 towards the garden. So excited to be involved.
Hilltop Grove Estate

Some spring inspiration from my garden to start your weekend 🐛🐞🕸

12/09/2020

In its natural environment Marianthus paralius is considered a threatened species. Luckily we can play a small part in conserving this species by planting one in the garden.
A hardy ground cover that is tolerant of alkaline soil, has stunning foliage, tolerates part shade and bird attracting 💚

05/09/2020

Blueberries and honey a perfect match - 💙🐝

David Parham -
https://omny.fm/shows/the-gardening-show/everyone-loves-blueberries

Rupert Phillips - https://omny.fm/shows/the-gardening-show/bees-in-the-valley

Managing Director and beekeeper Rupert Phillips from House of Honey joined the show to spread his wealth of knowledge! He has his own dedicated honey shop and café for people to taste and learn about bees, a shop where people could experience and understand the amazing insect. Check them out in the...

05/09/2020

Happy Father’s Day wishes for all the incredible role models in our lives. 💚
May you enjoy the day, where ever you are and what ever you chose to do (hopefully being able to enjoy the garden or nature for a short time 😉).

30/08/2020

We speak to Jade Thorpe who grows about 40000 proteas on his family flower farm.
He definitely knows a thing or two about Banksias and Proteas, listen here for the tips to ensure continual flowering.
Jade Thorpe - https://omny.fm/shows/the-gardening-show/growing-australian-natives-and-protea-flowers

Jade Thorpe from the Yelverton Protea Farm knows everything about growing natives flowers and shared his knowledge with our listeners!

30/08/2020

All about wildflowers this weekend. It’s peak season as Grady Brand, senior curator Kings Park and Botanic Garden reveals his favourite locations for wildflowers across the SW Western Australia
Thanks, and as always Grady your enthusiasm and passion for our unique Flora is infectious.
Get out there and enjoy what WA has to offer

Grady Brand - https://omny.fm/shows/the-gardening-show/wildflowers

28/08/2020

For the plant nerds - like me 😜☘️🐛
Plants have an incredible ability to recover from damage if the conditions are right.
When I was pulling weeds to feed the chooks this morning I came across one of the best examples of adventitious roots I have seen for ages.
The root of this oat plant had been damaged at some stage and if you look closely you can see where it had died back. To counteract this damage and to continue survival the plant had started to develop and produce roots from a stem node - these are called adventitious roots.
I almost felt bad pulling it out, when I realised how much effort it had gone to to continue growing.
The botanic world never ceases to amaze me 🌾

28/08/2020

The perfect day - warm sunshine this morning and rain this evening.
Here is a little spring colour and inspiration for your weekend. I took these on a quick tour around my garden this morning before I had to spend the rest of the day in my office 😢.
For more gardening inspiration and ideas tune into 6pr at 6am tomorrow morning. We have a show jam packed with tricks and tips for everything from Lemon to a Hoya.

22/08/2020

Have you ever come across growths like this before? Not all fungi in the soil cause disease and are a problem to plants and animals.
These (pictured) are saprophytic fungi, feeding on dead organic matter, are harmless and most of the time beneficial. They are the primary de composers in natural ecosystems.
The soil web is fascinating, this group of fungi feed on organic matter helping to convert it into humus, and a form that plants can absorb.
Often this is happening underground and we have no idea it’s there, very occasionally they appear on the soil surface. Only causing a problem when there are so many that the pressure behind them lift paving or smother plants.
This Jelly fungi is growing in some bulk potting mix I have ready use up.

21/08/2020

With the official start to spring just around the corner, there are a few quick things you can do to get a head start on the warm weather (and stop the weeds 🤞)
🐛 The Cabbage White Butterflies are seeking out vegies as the weather warms up. Spend a few minutes looking over susceptible plants and pluck off a few caterpillars to avoid a disaster in a few weeks.
🌷Feed bulbs lightly with a complete bulb food. Many are flowering or just starting to flower. Remember to feed after they have finished also - this is will allow bulbs to develop next year’s flowers.
☘️Remove weeds - they grow too fast at this time of the year and take moisture from plants. Mulch after weeding to stop any late germination, growth and seed setting.
🌸Feed hibiscus, bougainvillea and other summer flowering varieties with controlled release fertiliser ready for spring growth.
🌹Apply Sulphate of Potash around roses to build resistance to disease, increase stem strength, intensify perfume and flower colour.
Enjoy my tulips- they have just started flowering - can’t wait to see this years gorgeous colours.
...and if you need inspiration this weekend - looking rather than doing Araluen Botanical Gardens is open with Springtime at Araluen from today until October.

16/08/2020

Audio from this morning’s garden show.
Thanks Karl for another inspiring show. 🍀🌳

More inspiration can be found here:
Trevor Cochrane from The Garden Gurus - back on Nine tonight at 5.30pm
And Bob Melville’s rose tips 🌹🥀

https://omny.fm/shows/the-gardening-show/the-garden-gurus

https://omny.fm/shows/the-gardening-show/master-of-roses

Nine Perth’s local series The Garden Gurus is back for its mammoth 39th series, starting this Sunday evening at 5.30pm! Host Trevor Cochrane came on the show to preview the series, that stars our very own garden expert Sue!

15/08/2020

From worms to broad beans - you can never stop learning when it comes to the garden.🌿
Kevin and Tony are experts in their field improve the soil with worms and broad beans 🍀🌿🌳

https://omny.fm/shows/the-gardening-show/down-to-earth

https://omny.fm/shows/the-gardening-show/grow-broad-beans

Kevin Smith from The Worm Shed gives his top advice on how to set up and care for and use a worm farm.

14/08/2020

Toby White from Crown Alloys dropped a miniature sample of the custom designed planter box up for grabs at the end of the month. These flat packed steel planters look amazing and are made in WA.
Crown Alloys design unique planters for any situation.
Our prize for anyone who rings The Gardening Show has the chance to win a custom designed steel planter box valued at $1000.
Drawn 30th August
Ring 92211882 until 8am this morning and from 6-8am on Sunday to be part of this prize ( great for Fathers Day - just a hint 😉🌿)

14/08/2020

If you are stuck inside waiting for rain to finish, here are a few of my favourite quick jobs to do between showers.

While we can enjoy the sunshine, at this time of the year, it’s the wintry wet days that are needed. There may still be dry soil in certain areas in the garden despite the winter rains. Western Australian soils can become extremely water repellent and will not absorb water without some intervention. The addition of a quality wetting agent to water repellent soils (even during a shower of rain) will be beneficial to ensure the last of the winter rains will soak into the soil.

We live with the threat of frost this month, particularly if the days have been clear and sunny. Protect tender young seedlings with a small tree branch, umbrella or shadecloth cover. Also protect young seedlings from slugs and snails. These destructive pests are very active at this time of the year and it doesn’t take many slugs to devour a punnet of seedlings. Venture outside with a torch after dark and a container of salt solution. Pluck slugs and snails off and throw in the container. This is a quick chemical way of reducing the population. Coffee grounds around seedlings will help protect the plants from further damage.

If you have a mini hot house or green house, later this month is the ideal time to germinate summer vegetable seedlings. Call into your local store for the seed raising mix and seeds. This is all you need to get started. Growing vegies from seed is economical and really easy.

It’s the last chance to transplant advanced shrubs and trees. Take as much of the root system as possible to minimise root damage and moisture loss. If transporting from one property to another lay plants down and wrap in a sheet or hessian if possible. This will reduce moisture loss and stress to the plant. Plant into well improved soil, apply thick layer of organic mulch and keep damp over the next few weeks. Apply a solution of Seasol around the root system fortnightly for the next few months.

Trim citrus trees after they have finished fruiting and before they have started to flower for next years fruiting. If leaves are slightly yellow apply Powerfeed or Fish Emulsion over the foliage, then at the beginning of September apply a controlled release fertiliser around the root zone. Scratch under the soil surface or apply under organic mulch.

Keep an eye out for aphids on roses and vegie plants. These small sap sucking insects usually congregate on the new growth. Control by squashing, hosing off with a high pressure spray of water or spraying a safe spray such as Beat a Bug or Natrasoap – available at your local garden centre. Remember a Ladybug will devour up to 400 aphids in their lifetime, so encouraging these beneficial insects to your garden is very important.

Replant indoor potted plants now to revitalise them as the weather warms up. Trim any damaged leaves and plant into premium potting mix. Rub a white oil solution over the foliage, not only will this clean up any insects it will leave the foliage shiny and glossy.

* Produce from my garden this week - so full of flavour and so easy to grow.

08/08/2020

Living turf provides bushfire protection. We talked to Byron De K**k from Hort Innovation who is the head of Research and Development. The research has found that the turf varieties grown in WA are highly resistant to ignition from fire.
Follow the link to listen to the full interview.
https://omny.fm/shows/the-gardening-show/living-turf

Byron De Knock, Hort Innovation Head of Research and Development joined Sue and Karl to chat about Bushfire protection. Conveying the benefits of living turf – a bushfire retardant - delivered valuable information for the turf industry to promote the use of living turf as a bushfire retardant and...

08/08/2020

Adding a water bowl in the garden or building a pond is easy when you know how. Callinda from Woodvale Fish and Lily Farm joined the garden show this morning to give us some tips on water gardens.

https://omny.fm/shows/the-gardening-show/how-to-grow-care-for-your-water-lilies
(PS Could only find some photos of my Water Iris 💚🥰)