Smarten-Up Garden Maintenance and Lawn Care

19/11/2025

10/10/2025

24 hours later , looks worse than it is. Slight itch but the burning pain caused by calcium oxalate crystals from Agave americana

09/10/2025

Have been asked to remove a couple of Agaves by one of my lovely customers. First one a large Spike Agave, ( Agave Americana ) took a couple of hours but got it out no issues. Filled two green bins as they are have thick fleshy leaves.
Came back today to remove the second Agave, and within 30 minutes of he removal process, I had a burning intense red raised rash on my right forearm, despite wearing thick gauntlet gloves. Pain, so intense it was unbearable for 20 minutes. I had nothing but Shea butter hand cream with me, which I smeared on, it seemed to help. I decided to try and finish the job, within 5 minutes the same searing pain was back. Called it quotes, rushed home , took a Telfast, stripped off and just stood under a cool shower till the pain subsided. Ian gave me a strong pain killer , applied the old rememdy, Calamine lotion and now I am seeing a significant reduction in the redness, the pain and the swelling. This nasty brute is the agave angustifolia , and I’ve just read it is a rather nasty skin and eye irritation! You don’t say🙁 I still have to remove the lower portion of the plant, and I’m not looking forward to it.

19/01/2025

If a new year brings a desire to have a tidy flourishing garden , I am a qualified horticulturalist with several openings available. Located in the leafy suburb of Burraneer I can assist you in getting your garden looking good again.
It may just be a clean up and w**d, or pest and disease identification. Send me a message and we will talk

23/11/2024

Once a dark area of the garden, comes to life with a variety of white flowering and green foliage

04/11/2024

My alcantera is flowering- that’s good and it’s also bad

29/06/2024

Imagine, I found this ficus thrown out , just half the size . A little tlc and now found a new home, new pot. Look after her Julie G.

28/06/2024

Part gardener, part mountain goat. All in a day’s work 👍

03/06/2024

I don’t know what I’d do without my mini battery hedger. Makes this job so much quicker

17/05/2024

Angus was very happy to receive a new sample treat , esp on his 10 th Birthday

02/04/2024

Back on deck Tuesday 9th, having a short break .

11/12/2023

Some before and after shots. 100 litre Lagerstroemia Natchez x 2 , 300 mm murraya paniculata to form mini hedges and Buxus microphylla 300mm balls. Gardenia floridas ( sunny cnr) and Magnifica for shade