Asthma gardens

Saturday 12noon-1pm. SYDNEY GARDEN TALK 2RRR 88.5 FM
Feature interview with Michael McNaught, horticultural liasion officer at Eden Gardens.
What changes can you make to an existing garden? See asthma website below.
Spray your living christmas tree with DroughtMaster, an acrylic polymer which fixes any mould spores, before you bring the tree into your home.
http://www.edengardens.com.au/
To visit the asthma display garden go to Eden Gardens Cnr Lane Cove and Fontenoy roads, North Ryde, Ph (02) 9491 9900
For further information about asthma free gardening go to http://www.asthmansw.org.au/ or ring 1800 645 130

Vegetable Hero: Cucumis sativus or Cucumbers.
Cucumbers aren’t picky about soils. As long as your soil is well-draining and has a pH of around 6.5. Add in plenty of organic compost so that they have the proper nutrients to grow strong and healthy. To make sure your garden bed has the proper drainage you can build the soil into mounds (like mini volcanoes) that are about a ruler length and a bit, apart Wet the soil first and then sow 4 -5 seeds into the top of each mound. Make sure the mounds don’t dry out, especially during hot weather so add some sugar cane or tea tree mulch. Of course if you’re watering too much and wondering why nothing is germinating, that’s because the seed has rotted away. When your seeds have germinated, pick out the strongest couple and throw away the other couple so you don’t get overcrowding.

Water regularly at the base of each plant – keeping leaves dry will reduce the risk of powdery mildew disease – and feed every couple of weeks with a soluble plant food.
 Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that is spread by spores carried by the wind. Look for white to gray fungal deposits on the leaves and stems of your cucumbers. As the mildew spreads, the leaves may begin to drop off. There are varieties of cucumbers available that are resistant to this disease. You can also try a natural fungicide. 1 part whole milk to 10 parts water. Make up into a spray bottle and spray directly onto the leaves.

PLANT OF THE WEEK:

HYDRANGEA:

Pictured: Hydrangea "Ayesha" features cupped petals.

Where they grow best?

There is nothing difficult in growing hydrangeas.

The natural habitat of hydrangeas is a woodland setting. This means dappled shade. Morning sun is good –southerly or easterly aspect, or in the shade of tall trees, but not afternoon sun because the flowers will deteriorate (scorched and bleached looking) much quicker if they receive hot afternoon sun.

Hydrangeas are hardy and can take some frost as they lose their leaves in winter anyway.

Mulch well with compost and some form of animal manure. Feed heavily in spring.

WINNER OF PLANT OF THE WEEK: Ann from East Ryde, wins a Hydrangea "Endless Summer"-a repeat flowering Hydrangea. for ringing in with a gardening question on how to get rid of white fly.
Use Natra Soap a concentrate available from Yates.
Spray needs to make direct contact with the pest.
 
WHAT'S ON
Sunday 20 December. Carols spectacular at North Ryde Common in support of local Rotary clubs. Festivities start at 5pm at suburban Sydney’s biggest and best carols show. Admission is free. Food stalls and drinks plus rides for the children. School choirs and well-known artists will be on stage singing some of your favourite carols. Spectacular Fireworks Finale at 9.30pm.

Monday 21 December Botanical Christmas Craft - Kids’ Activity at Royal Botanic Gardens. Make special Christmas decorations and wreaths from plant materials. When: Mon 21 Dec, 2 sessions daily: 10.30 am-12 noon & 1-2.30 pm
Where: Community Education via Woolloomooloo Gate
Cost: $15, Friends $13.50
Enquiries: 9231 8134

Green Christmas ideas: Christmas is a great opportunity to give gifts to the people we care about. However, we need to be mindful of making sure the gifts we give are more sustainable.
Consider giving someone a voucher for a service this Christmas. Services use fewer resources than manufactured goods but still contribute to the economy! Ideas include:

1.  Dinner at a café or restaurant
2.  Subsription to "Friends of the Botanic Gardens." http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/
3. Tickets to a theatrical performance, concert, movie.
4.  A cooking class, gardening course from Eden Gardens, photography or other course…
5. Lawnmowing or general gardening service.

For more sustainable Christmas ideas visit the CSIRO website:
http://www.csiro.au/science/Sustainable-Christmas.html