One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato

The first time I heard the words seed potato I imagined a packet of seeds looking somewhat like bean seeds! How wrong I was.  Seed Potatoes are what you use to grow potatoes and look like baby potatoes.  About 1kg of certified seed should produce about 10kgs of potato. 

The varieties of certified seed potato seem endless – Dutch Cream, Sebago, Pontiac and Desiree are just a few.  There are red ones, pink ones and even blue ones!  Some are good for boiling or mashing, some are better for baking and frying, there are even some that are perfect for microwaving! Some are all-rounders.  How you like your potatoes cooked is how you choose which variety to grow. 

Why should I buy certified seed potato, why can’t I just plant the sprouts that grow from my potatoes from the grocery store? 

Potato plants can carry many potato diseases: bacterial, viral, and fungal; and some of these are passed on through potato tubers. Plant viral infections are persistent and can not only affect your potato plants but your neighbourhood’s plants as well.  All plants in the potato family can be affected like tomatoes, eggplants and chillies. These diseases can also contaminate soil and make an area implantable.

If using non certified seed potatoes the chance of having a disease outbreak is increased.  This is because the appearance of a growing potato crop, or the harvested tubers, is not a reliable guide to the pathogen level in the tubers. For example, late season viral infections may not be apparent until the next season’s crop is growing. So give your vegetable patch a little TLC and start with healthy certified seed.

Potatoes like a sunny well drained position.  It is best to plant them in rich fertile soil that has not had potatoes grown in for at least 3 years.  The best time to plant potatoes is 2-3 weeks before the last frost. The seed should have shoots of about 1cm long; this usually takes about 4 weeks, if seed was bought in June. Large seed can be cut into two, three or four. The cut surface should dry for a couple of days before planting.

The principle for growing potatoes is the same whether you grow them in the ground or in pots. 

1.      Plant the certified seed potato in soil and as they grow and the potatoes start to show through the soil pile more soil up around them. Potatoes form on the surface, when you pile soil up onto of them continually it helps stops the potatoes from being exposed to light and going green. (Green potatoes can upset the stomach) This process also helps produce more potatoes.

2.      Harvest your potatoes when the lower leaves on the plants start to turn yellow. You can dig only what you need and to leave the other plants to grow on. If you want to dig and store your potatoes cut the tops off and allow 2-3 weeks before digging.

 

Dug potatoes should be kept in a cool dark spot.

 

 

Good luck and just think how amazed your friends will be when at your Summer pool party you have blue potato salad!

 

 

Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, where have you been?

It kind of feels like I've been everywhere in the last few weeks.

 

It all started when I attended a Foyster's Communications Round Table Master Class. Amanda Foy (Foyster's Principal) is a communications specialist. Foysters Facebook page states I help people and businesses communicate. What's your super power?

 

Why is helping businesses and people communicate a super power and why is it relevant to me?

 

It's because Amanda realises that communicating with people is more than just speaking to someone. It is everything visual and verbal to do with your business or personal life.

Her passion for this is evident and she started me a on a wonderful journey that hopefully in time will not only improve my personal communication skills but also my ability to communicate to the world at large why I think Trevallan is an amazing experience.

 

The other place I've been is the Stamford Hotel in Brisbane. Now if you don't know this hotel think luxury, style and taste all on the banks of the Brisbane River. Why was I here – the dirty finger nailed, sandal wearing gardener?

 

I was recently lucky enough to be chosen to be a part of a group 'Horticulture – The Next Generation. Emerging Leaders'. The group consists of 25 people from across Australia that belong to the vast horticulture industry – florists, farmers, landscapers, researchers, wholesalers and retailers.

 

The first workshop was held at the Samford Plaza and was run by Russell Cummings of Strategic Business Development and Mindshop.

 

Wow, what an amazing and mind boggling two days.

 

I think I'm still recovering and trying to put a lot of what I learnt into practice. What made this workshop amazing was that I actually came away with useful tools that I want to put into place. Plus Russell took a picture of my plan of attack over the next twelve months and will be checking up on me so another reason to get my butt into gear.

One thing Russell helped quantify for me was "What makes Trevallan Lifestyle Centre so Special" or more importantly "Why do I do what I do?". Paragraph after paragraph was written but he wanted a simple one liner. How do I put all that is Trevallan into one line? Then it came to me, it was so simple.

 

The Trevallan Lifestyle Centre Team wants to make YOU happy.

 

I could now write the endless paragraphs on how we want to make you happy but it doesn't really matter because everyone is different and has different needs and wants.

The main thing is we want you leave Trevallan with a smile on your face. We really do want to give your life some TLC.

 

So where does all of this lead me, what does it really mean?

 

It means that over the coming months you will begin to see some changes occurring. Nothing to be afraid of, more excited about (that's more of a reminder to me)!

 

I'll be using Trevallan's facebook page effectively. I'll be communicating with you the 'likers'. I'll be sharing with you all the things that make up Trevallan. I'll be helping you and giving advice. I'll be sharing things that make me smile. Hopefully at the end of each day one of my posts if not all would have made you smile too.

 

If you are signed up for our email you would have received our new format newsletter. I'm hoping this is another way I can connect with you. I know many of you can't physically stop by the shop so hopefully through the newsletters and Facebook I can ignite your passion not only for gardening but for all things beautiful.

 

I've begun the process of a web page that will also include online ordering. So when you can't make it to Trevallan we can make it to you.

 

If you stop by the shop you will be seeing some changes too. You all know I love to redesign but usually the reigns are held tightly in place… well the reins have been cut loose. So there's been some changes already with a few more to come. Many are simple and you may not even realise and some are standoutish but hopefully all in all the changes will make your visit to Trevallan even more enjoyable than before. Those smiles can be bigger and brighter.

 

I may not have been to London but it sure feels like I've had a rock stars whirl wind tour.

 

Here's to smiling more and a hell of a lot of TLC!

Trevallan's Search is Over

Trevallan's Search for Ipswich's Best Garden 2012 is over.  The public have chosen a winner. 

The winner is

Deb Sutton

Congratulations Deb.  Deb Sutton was finalist number five if you want to check out her garden again. 

We had close to 400 votes from all over the world via the blog and in-store.

Deb's garden really is inspiring and beautiful with its hidden nooks and delightful plants.  A masterpiece that is constantly changing and evolving.  If you are lucky enough to live near Ipswich Deb has an Open Garden in October so you can all visit and see her amazing handiwork. (I'll post more details soon)  Deb has won an amazing array of prizes - a Searles Pack – 30lt Peat 80, Five in One 30lt, 7kg Penitraide, a Pohlmans Plants Pack, a Plant of Health Pack – 4lt Triple Boost, 10kg Organic Link and a Trevallan Gift Voucher.

A  big congratulations needs to be given to the other finalists for they too had amazing gardens.  What I loved most about this year's finalists was that all showed not only a love and enthusiasm for gardening but their gardens were all so very different.

Thank you everyone that entered and voted.  Thank you too to my wonderful sponsors Plant of Health, Searles, Pohlmans and Trevallan Lifestyle Centre.

The Perfect Plant

I can find the beauty in most plants but like everyone else I am always on the hunt for the perfect plant. You know the one – grows in full sun or part shade, does not require me to fight with my twisted and kinked hose every day to water it, looks good even when I forget to fertilise, flowers most of the year, doesn’t have a scent so I can’t drive the neighbours batty and doesn’t require me to trim it to make it look good!  Oh, and I forgot to mention only grows about a metre so it looks good in a garden or in a pot and it doesn’t mind the cold or the heat!



Pieris 'Temple Bells' in Bud

You are all laughing now because you think the perfect plant doesn’t exist. Well I think it does. 

Are you ready for it? The perfect plant is called Pieris Japonica 'Temple Bells'. Now when you all go rushing out to your local nursery to get the perfect plant, you must make sure you ask for Pieris japonica 'Temple Bells' as I don’t know any other Pieris that grows as well in Ipswich.

This highly ornamental plant has extremely dark green lush foliage that forms a dense mound.  In the warmer months its new growth is a brilliant red that fades to copper then green.  Though it is slow growing it still forms a nice shrub in a year or two.

It’s the almost continuous flowering that makes this plant perfect. The flowers can start their show as early as March.  The plant becomes covered with small lime green bell shaped buds that as the weather cools grow and open to form pure white bells that appear to be dripping off the plant. The flowers remind me of the lily of the valley flower. By the time the warmer weather kicks in, the white bells have dropped leaving the greenish ‘bell holders’ still on the bush for another month or so.   It almost seems that the plant is in flower for more than half a year due to its three phase flowering process.

I have grown this plant in a pot in full sun for years now and it has always looked fabulous.  It can thrive in some shade too. As Pieris Japonica 'Temple Bells' won’t win any medals for fastest growing plant but not the slowest growing plant either - you can expect it to reach around a metre in height.

Pieris 'Temple Bells' in Bloom

This beautiful plant can be used as a feature plant in a pot or as a low hedge in a garden. It is versatile, easy to maintain and looks good all year whether it’s hot or frosty cold. Always use excellent quality potting mix (I use Searles' Peat 80) or garden soil and try to fertilise every season with a complete organic slow release fertiliser (I use Plant of Health's Organic Link).

Pieris japonica 'Temple Bells' really is the perfect plant. Give your garden some TLC this weekend and get a Pieris.  It will reward you all year.

Trevallan Lifestyle Centre Garden Competition

Voting

Well the finalists have been announced - Leonie Peasey, Marie and Basil Streeting, Barry Beetham, Deb Sutton, Tracey Patterson, and Agnes Maskalans.  Congratulations to you all.

It’s now up to the public of Ipswich to decide who has Ipswich’s Best Garden.

All I can say is “Oh my goodness, these gardens are amazing!”  You, the public, will have trouble deciding on a winner

To vote for your favourite garden just "Like" or comment "my favourite" on the post that contains your favourite. 

Don’t forget to share on Facebook too and let all your friends know how amazing Ipswich’s gardens are.

Don’t forget it’s all about what does your garden mean to you not who has the neatest lawn or the prettiest flowers!

Finalist Six in Ipswich's Best Garden Competition

Basil and Marie Streeting

Our Garden means so much to us. It's changed over the years and with the water restrictions we have had to adapt.  Our main love is our cacti and succulents because we love anything unusual and they are easy to maintain. We are always amazed at the show of flowers from some of these thorny and sometimes unattractive little plants.

Our epiphyllum cactus are our love and when hanging baskets bloom in October they are a special sight. We are like kids again, going out every hour or so to see them as they fully open.

We completely 'rocked' the bottom half of the yard last year after we lost it all with the rain.  It nearly killed us but gives great satisfaction.

Our garden eases our pain, our worry and any fear for the future. When we come into our garden we are at peace. Times means nothing and all we need is a few pots or an empty space, each other and the world is ours.

Our garden is 'us'. We are etched into every inch of it and just like us it's not perfect. It's quirky, it’s fun and like us frayed a bit on the edges.

I love being a gardener because we are a special breed. We understand why your nails are dirty and you are covered in soil. We don't care if you look a mess and you have to duck into Woolies for milk. When I see someone like that I cry 'Comrade' and we are instantly linked by the same passion.

Finalist Five in Ipswich's Best Garden Competition

Deb Sutton 

I'm not sure when my love of gardening started, for as long as I can remember I have loved flowers. Above all else I must have flowers.

My Grandmother spent her spare time gardening amongst spectacular annuals, Mum (87) has been a keen gardener for 65 odd years. I guess it's been born and breed in me, although my four siblings are not gardeners.

My present garden, 15 years in the making started with a bare block, bar a small Poinciana tree. It's been done my way, mistakes and all. No plan, just making a garden when money and time permitted and adding to it over the years.

Today it's not what it started out to be, due to the large Poinciana spreading its limbs much wider than its allotted space. So what was once a sunny perianal garden has been altered to a shade loving area.

I like to break up the plantings with other things; an old plough, cast iron bits and pieces, wagon wheels, seats, fountain, statues, a church door, a ruin, birdhouses, a secret garden, a chandelier and lots of pots.

The garden is filled with cuttings and plants from family and gardening friends- lots of memories. I am at my happiest at the end of the day, sun going down, glass of wine in one hand and the hose in the other.