Question Time 54!

In this episode:Raised garden bedsAdvice on lining treated-pine vegetable beds, including food-safe PE, LDPE or PVC options and contacting Modbox about food-grade liners.Lilly pilly beetleHow to manage recurring beetle damage on lilly pillies, including the discussion of Eco-Neem and Eco-Oil, regular feeding and improving soil health.Building better vegetable bedsDo you need every soil additive on the market? Keith discusses the importance of building a healthy, nutrient-rich soil rather than overcomplicating the process with too many products.Pruning camelliasHow much can you safely reduce an established camellia? Advice includes staged pruning and cutting above dormant buds to encourage new growth.Growing strawberriesWhen to feed, how to maintain productive plants and how to propagate new plants from the first and second runners.High-pH bore waterA useful discussion about testing total dissolved solids (TDS), managing irrigation and improving soil conditions where bore water has high calcium content.Conifer diebackPossible physical causes of dieback in pencil conifers, including bird and possum activity, and an alternative approach to shaping damaged trees.Native frangipaniAdvice on managing high soil pH and improving growing conditions through soil aeration, lignite humate, rock dust and mulch.Plants mentionedLilly pilly – Syzygium spp. (including the 'Backyard Bliss' cultivar)Camellia – Camellia spp.Crepe myrtle – Lagerstroemia spp.Strawberry – Fragaria × ananassaTomato – Solanum lycopersicumBroccoli – Brassica oleracea var. italicaCitrus – Citrus spp.Native frangipani – Hymenosporum flavumElm – Ulmus spp.Pencil pine – Cupressus spp. (the exact species is not identified in the episode)Gum tree – Eucalyptus spp.Oxalis – Oxalis spp.Products and resources discussedClyde Compost – compost, soil blends and potting mix. Use code MUDDY15 for 15% off.Neutrog Sudden Impact for Roses – discussed for feeding strawberries and other flowering and fruiting plants.Neutrog Bush Tucker – Australian native plant fertiliser.Wild May Fruit Fly Attractant – discussed for fruit fly management.Munash Rock Dust – discussed as a source of minerals and trace elements.Eco!-Neem and Eco-Oil – discussed for lily pilly beetle management.Lignite humate – discussed for improving soil conditions and addressing high soil pH.WormTech – a soil and compost blend discussed for raised vegetable beds.Congratulations to Zoe, this month's winner of the Plant Runner Q&A prize!For more gardening advice and information, visit muddyboots.net.auHappy gardeningWhere you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/  Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

A garden without birds, bees and butterflies, just isn’t a garden’, says Elisabeth. Today we talk about the importance of attracting pollinators!Australia is home to over 1500 bees and pollinating insects.Here are some of the ‘bee magnet’ flowering plants.SalviasBuddleia (also a favourite with butterflies)Echium (check out the wildpretii variety)PoppiesCosmosAlyssumQueen Anne’s LaceCalendulaDaisiesPenstemonNatives such as wattles, bottle brushes, westringia, grevilleaHerbs such as - borage, rosemary, oregano, thyme, basil, yarrow, parsleyAttract bees by also providing them with a source of water and places to hideaway (bee hotels, grasses etc are great places for bees to hide) and keep an eye out for for the gorgeous Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/  Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

November is when the garden really starts to accelerate. With summer approaching, Keith and Elizabeth cover the jobs worth tackling now — from watering and mulching to planting, pruning, harvesting and getting ready for heat.Prepare for summerConsider installing a water tank, including slimline tanks that can be connected together.Get irrigation systems set up before the heat arrives.Mulch garden beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds.Aerate compacted soil with a garden fork.Consider shade cloth for plants vulnerable to summer burn.Weeds & mulchFirehawk is discussed as an organic weed-control option, including for suckers and unwanted growth.Fine pine bark is recommended as a garden-bed mulch.Granitic sand is another option, particularly as a fine top mulch.Avoid poor-quality green-waste mulch that may introduce weeds.What to plant nowNovember is a great time for:Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)Capsicum (Capsicum annuum)Chillies (Capsicum annuum)Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)For herbs, try growing them in pots using a quality potting mix:Marjoram (Origanum majorana)Vietnamese mint (Persicaria odorata)Summer colour & beneficial insectsPlant potted colour en masse to create summer impact and attract beneficial insects:Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima)Roses (Rosa spp.)Hoverflies are already active in the garden and their larvae can help control aphids naturally.Pruning & maintenanceAfter spring flowering, consider deadheading:Camellias (Camellia spp.)Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.)Gardenias (Gardenia spp.)Leucadendrons (Leucadendron spp.)Leucospermums (Leucospermum spp.)When pruning leucadendrons and leucospermums, leave 6–8 leaves behind the cut so the plant can recover.Keep an eye on pestsFruit fly is a major concern as the weather warms, particularly around:Lemons (Citrus × limon)Limes (Citrus spp.)Oranges (Citrus × sinensis)The episode discusses Wild May Fruit Fly Attractant, along with physical exclusion netting for fruit trees and tomatoes.For tomatoes and other crops, 2 mm insect exclusion netting is recommended.Other pest-management tips include physical barriers for codling moth and elm leaf beetle, and Eco-Neem for chewing pests.Other plants mentionedStar jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)Elm (Ulmus spp.)Verbena (Verbena spp.)The three big jobs before summer1. Get your water sorted.2. Get irrigation in place.3. Get the mulch down.And, importantly, don't forget to enjoy the garden!Products & resourcesMycoGold – BioStimUsed when planting or around established plants to support root development and plant establishment.BioStim MycoGoldWild May Fruit Fly AttractantDiscussed for managing Queensland fruit fly.Wild May – Sage HorticulturalClyde CompostFor quality compost and potting mix mentioned in the episode.Clyde CompostMore Muddy Boots: muddyboots.net.auWhere you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/  Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Tough Plants for Tough PlacesThis week on Muddy Boots, Keith shares some of his favourite plants for challenging garden conditions — from hot, dry and exposed sites to poor soil, coastal winds, heavy clay, frost and shade.We cover how to choose plants for difficult microclimates, improve challenging soils, and select plants that can thrive rather than simply survive.Plants mentionedHot, dry & exposedPlane tree — Platanus digitataSalvia — Salvia spp.Santolina — Santolina spp.Rosemary — Rosmarinus officinalisLavender — Lavandula spp.Allard's lavender — Lavandula × allardiiFrench lavender — Lavandula dentataTeucrium — Teucrium spp.Euphorbia — Euphorbia spp.Limonium — Limonium spp.Billy buttons — Pycnosorus globosusArtemisia — Artemisia spp.Bottlebrush — Callistemon spp.Poor, dry & coastal soilsCorrea — Correa spp.Westringia — Westringia spp.Grevillea — Grevillea spp.Hakea — Hakea spp.Acacia — Acacia spp.Black she-oak — Allocasuarina littoralisCasuarina 'Cousin Itt' — Casuarina glaucaCallitris — Callitris spp.Succulents & dry-climate plantsSenecio — Senecio serpensCotyledon — Cotyledon orbiculataAeonium 'Schwarzkopf' — Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'Aloe — Aloe spp.Agave — Agave spp.Kalanchoe 'Bear's Paw' — Kalanchoe tomentosaFrost & coldCrepe myrtle — Lagerstroemia spp.Olive 'Mission' — Olea europaea 'Mission'Chinese elm — Ulmus parvifoliaBlack locust — Robinia pseudoacaciaRiver birch — Betula nigraAlso featuredMiscanthus — Miscanthus spp.Rudbeckia — Rudbeckia spp.Verbena — Verbena bonariensisHelenium — Helenium spp.Choisya — Choisya spp.Astilbe — Astilbe spp.Daphne — Daphne spp.Soil tipsKeith explains why soil preparation is critical, particularly for difficult sites. We discuss compost, broadforking, gypsum for appropriate clay soils, and improving sandy soils with lignite humate.The episode also highlights the importance of understanding the microclimate before selecting plants — because the toughest plant isn't necessarily the right plant for every location.Book recommendationTough Plants for Tough Places by Sharon Amos — a useful reference for gardeners looking for plants that can handle challenging conditions.More informationThe Plant Runner: theplantrunner.comThe Plant Runner's Great Australian Indoor Plant Survey is also open until 30 November, with a chance to win $1,000 worth of plants and plant care.Muddy Boots: muddyboots.net.auThanks to Clyde Compost for sponsoring Muddy Boots. Use code MUDDY15 for 15% off your order.Happy 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 

Muddy Boots: The Wonderful World of RosesThis week on Muddy Boots, we’re talking all things roses with Stephanie Williams, International Business Development Manager for David Austin Roses.We explore what makes a great rose, how roses are bred, choosing roses for Australian conditions, soil health, feeding, watering, pruning, pests and disease — and why roses may be much easier to grow than you think.In this episodeWhat makes a great rose — beauty, fragrance, vigour and disease resistanceHow new roses are bred and why it can take 12 years to develop oneChoosing the right rose for Australian conditionsSoil preparation, compost, mulch and feedingWatering deeply and less frequently once establishedGrowing roses in pots and containersHow and when to prune shrub and climbing rosesDeadheading and encouraging repeat floweringManaging black spot, powdery mildew and aphids naturallyWhy biodiversity and beneficial insects are so importantWhy a rose can be a great choice for beginner gardenersRoses mentionedConstance Spry — Rosa 'Constance Spry'Graham Thomas — Rosa 'Graham Thomas'Lark Ascending — Rosa 'Lark Ascending'Olivia Rose Austin — Rosa 'Olivia Rose Austin'Emily Brontë — Rosa 'Emily Brontë'Queen of Sweden — Rosa 'Queen of Sweden'Tottering-by-Gently — Rosa 'Tottering-by-Gently'Princess Alexandra of Kent — Rosa 'Princess Alexandra of Kent'Gertrude Jekyll — Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'Products & resourcesClyde Compost — use code MUDDY15 for 15% offNeutrog Sudden Impact for RosesSeaweed products for supporting healthy plantsLeaf mould and well-rotted horse manure/pony poo for mulchingKey takeawayChoose the right rose for the right place, give it healthy soil, adequate water, good airflow and a little regular care — and you can enjoy beautiful blooms and fragrance for years.Thanks to Stephanie for joining us from the UK — and to Clyde Compost for sponsoring Muddy Boots.For more information, visit muddyboots.net.au.Happy 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 

This episode covers flea beetles, tree borers, climbing pumpkins and melons, soil health, stink bugs, fruit fly, worms, wicking beds and a struggling magnolia.Plants MentionedVegetables & fruitEggplant — Solanum melongenaApple — Malus domesticaRockmelon — Cucumis meloPumpkin — Cucurbita spp.Butternut Pumpkin — Cucurbita moschataPotimarron Pumpkin — Cucurbita maximaWee Be Little Pumpkin — Cucurbita pepoJack Be Little Pumpkin — Cucurbita pepoTomato — Solanum lycopersicumBroccoli — Brassica oleracea var. italicaCauliflower — Brassica oleracea var. botrytisCapsicum — Capsicum annuumChilli — Capsicum spp.Passionfruit — Passiflora edulisTrees & ornamentalsElm — Ulmus spp.Oak — Quercus spp.Pepperina — Schinus molleFig — Ficus spp.Magnolia — Magnolia spp.Questions Covered• Flea beetles: Managing infestations on eggplants using Eco-Neem, sticky traps and soil treatment.• Tree borers: What to do when borers attack mature trees, including pruning, aeration and soil health.• Growing over arches: Delicious rockmelon and pumpkin varieties suited to vertical growing.• Soil health: pH, compost, rock dust, broadforking and building healthy soil biology.• Stink bugs: Simple methods to control these persistent pests.• Worms: Why worms may come to the surface after adding soil amendments and how to distinguish earthworms from compost worms.• Brassicas: Why broccoli and cauliflower can remain netted throughout the growing season.• Queensland fruit fly: Netting, attractants and identifying fruit fly damage.• White grubs: How to distinguish beneficial orange/yellow-headed grubs from damaging black-headed grubs.• Magnolia: Helping a mature tree recover after extreme heat and drought.Products & ResourcesClyde Compost — https://clydecompost.com.auUse code MUDDY15 for 15% off.Neutrog Go-Go Juice Neutrog Populate Seasol Eco-Neem Eco-Oil MycoGold — https://biostim.com.au/shop/myco-goldDigger's Club The Plant Runner — https://theplantrunner.comPlant Runner giveaway: Congratulations this month's winner.Live Q&A: Join Elizabeth and Keith at Frankston Library at 1pm on Wednesday 21 October.For more information, visit muddyboots.net.au.Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/  Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

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 video is about MBP - October's Garden - RD 22 Sep 2026Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/  Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook 

Shade Loving 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 

Brought to you by The Plant Runner, Keith and Elizabeth answer listener questions on phosphorus levels in wool-industry by-products, fast-growing screening plants, alkaline compost readings, camellias struggling in pots, vegetable garden design, moving Hardenbergia, sooty mould and cat-contaminated garden beds. The episode focuses on practical ways to choose plants, improve soil, manage pests and diseases, and design a productive, low-maintenance garden.Plants recommended in episodeGrevillea spp  - Take extra care with phosphorus levels, as grevilleas can be more phosphorus-sensitive than many other Australian natives.Banksia spp - Another group to monitor when using products containing phosphorus.-Syzygium australe ‘Straight and Narrow’ Recommended for dense screening; plant approximately 1.2 metres apart-Escallonia ‘Iveyi’ - A non-native screening option with dark green foliage; plant approximately 1.2 metres apart.- Viburnum odoratissimum - Suggested where a taller, wider screening plant is required; plant approximately 1.5 metres apart- Cupressus ‘Arctic Green’ - Recommended for a tall, dense screen; plant approximately 2.2 metres apart.- Camellia japonica- Planting in the ground is preferred to growing in pots in hot conditions.- Espaliered fruit trees - Suggested for lining a redesigned vegetable garden.- Pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchinis and melons - Recommended for growing over tunnels or archways between raised beds.- Hardenbergia - Can be moved with care; prune it back by approximately one-third, retain as large a root ball as possible and replant promptly.Products and gardening materialsMycoGoldWeed GunnelClyde's CompostMunash Rock DustECO NeemEco OilNeutrog Popul8Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/  Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook