Nifty's Oddball Plants

20/10/2025

Neville shows a clever way to grow and use our freshly harvested tomatoes, making a delicious Italian tomato paste!

02/10/2025

Why pay $40 a kilo? Grow your own and save.

Turmeric – Planting Roots

The wonder spice is a superfood and a culinary superstar as well. Many medicinal uses are a bonus. Easy to grow in full sun or shade in a pot or in the ground. Being tropical, it loves the hotter months.

Store tubers in a dry, cool location, such as a pantry, until October. Then, plant out into a high-quality potting mix. Each planting tuber can produce as many as a kilo of tubers within the year. Harvest when plants start to yellow off, usually in June to July.

Grow your own:
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30/09/2025

WHAT'S IN FLOWER IN SEPTEMBER?

Coral tree (Erythrina indica), Tahiti Christmas tree ( Metrosideros collina 'Tahiti'), soldier boys (Lachenalia), diosma (coleonema), Geraldton Waxflower, kangaroo paws, bougainvillea, azalea, Camellia reticulata types as well as late flowering japonica varieties, cymbidium orchids, hippeastrum, marguerite daisies, lavender, ornamental peache and plum, bottlebrush, paulownia tree, judas tree, silverbush (Convolvulus cneorum), native hibiscus (alyogyne), Cottonwood (Hibiscus tiliaceus), Aurora Daisy, blue potato bush (Lycianthes rantonnettii), Lemon flowered mallee (Eucalyptus woodwardii), Grevillea particularly the tropical hybrids such as Pink Parfait, Sandra Gordon and Robyn Gordon. New Kings Park varieties include Ruby Dream and City Lights.

Then there is African daisy, westringia, polygala, Lantana montividensis, winter sweet (Akocanthera oblongifolia), cockies tongue (Templetonia retusa), lauristinus (Viburnum tinus), prickly moses (Acacia pulchella), Eremophila 'Kalbarri Carpet', Eremophila splendens, Pimelia physoides, Gillam's bell (Darwinia oxylepis), Hardenbergia comptoniana, Hardenbergia violacea, Kingsmill's Mallee (Eucalyptus kingsmillii), Banksia ashbyii and several aloes, including ‘Eric the Red’.

25/09/2025

The Naked Fig - Digger’s Purple Heart Fig

Discovered in a home garden in Victoria, this is a heritage variety that has been propagated by the Diggers Club for many years. They gave it the name Purple Heart in recognition of its heart-shaped leaves and purple-skinned fruit.

This thin-skinned (naked) fruit has deep red flesh and is very sweet and delicious. Leaves are unusually heart-shaped, making it an ornamental variety as well. Proven performer in Perth gardens. One of the finest eating figs.

A true rarity – you can’t buy this in shops!

23/09/2025

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE

Your vegetable garden is likely flourishing with fresh produce ready for harvest.

Now is the ideal time to savour the delightful taste of asparagus, a true spring delicacy.

As soon as new shoots emerge on your grapevines, begin applying wettable sulphur to prevent powdery mildew. If this has been a recurring issue, continue spraying every two weeks until harvest.

For deciduous fruit trees, practice finger pruning by gently rubbing off any soft young shoots that are growing in unwanted directions.
Consider grafting apple, pear, or nashi scions onto your existing trees to diversify the fruit varieties in your garden.

Now is also the perfect time to plant chokos. Be sure to provide climbing support and half-bury the whole fruit in the soil for optimal growth.

Whiteflies can be a common pest for vegetables, particularly those in the cabbage family. Combat this issue by spraying with Natrasoap.
Construct a bamboo tripod to support climbing beans, peas, and even tomatoes as they grow.

This is your final opportunity to plant potatoes and peas, so ensure you get them in the ground if you haven't done so already.

As you continue to care for your garden, remain vigilant for any pests or diseases that may arise, and address them promptly to ensure a healthy and productive growing season. Enjoy the bounty of fresh produce!

19/09/2025

Discover the Essence of Greece - Kalamata Olive Plants!

Plants in 140mm pots

Transport yourself to the sun-kissed region of Kalamata in the southern Peloponnese, Greece; these plants bring the authentic taste and beauty of Kalamata olives right to your doorstep.

A Gastronomic Delight!
Indulge in the large, almond-shaped, plump, and dark purple olives with a smooth, meaty texture. Often enjoyed as table olives, these are traditionally preserved in wine vinegar or olive oil. Their distinct flavour and culinary versatility make them a true delight for food enthusiasts.
With their appearance, these olives are truly a sight to behold. The Kalamata olive tree stands out with its larger leaves, which are twice the size of those of other olive varieties, adding a touch of uniqueness to your garden landscape.

Embrace the Mediterranean Spirit!
Whether you're an avid gardener or a lover of Mediterranean cuisine, our Olive Kalamata plants are a must-have addition. Enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own olives and relish the opportunity to savour their rich flavours in your favourite dishes.

Plant yours now:
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17/09/2025

ORNAMENTALS

Fungal diseases can also pose a threat to roses during this period. To prevent issues such as black spots, rust, and mildew, apply Mancozeb Plus as a proactive measure.

Cyclamen typically cease flowering around this time, so it’s best to allow them to rest. Position their pots in dry, shaded areas of the garden, like under eaves, to help them rejuvenate.

If your cymbidium orchids are becoming too crowded, consider dividing and repotting them. Use a specialised orchid potting mix to ensure they receive the excellent drainage they need.

Trim back any leggy impatiens that have developed over the winter months. A feeding with Powerfeed will promote rapid new growth and encourage blooms to emerge.

As gardenias enter their active growing and flowering phase, shape them through trimming, provide adequate nutrition, and maintain consistent watering for a stunning and fragrant display this spring.

Now is the perfect time to take cuttings of chrysanthemums. Aim for cuttings that are 5 to 6 cm long, preferably from the soft, young shoots at the base of last season’s flowering plants.

Prune evergreen summer-flowering plants, such as oleander, allamanda, and dipladenia, to maintain their shape and encourage healthy growth.

12/09/2025

Neville's advice is to give your indoor and patio plants a natural boost with biological fertilisers that feed for months, promote vibrant growth, and protect against soil-borne diseases.

Watch now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGSworIbx2I

Neville advice to give your indoor and patio plants a natural boost with biological fertilisers that feed for months, promote vibrant growth, and protect aga...

11/09/2025

Maria from Manjimup’s Macedonian Monster Heirloom Tomato

Fruits up to 1.3kg - plants in 100 mm pots

Original seeds of this heirloom variety came from Macedonia and have been harvested fresh every year by Maria, who lives in Manjimup.

Superb eating tomato, massive, chunky, tasty fruits, dripping with juice. Great for slicing and popping on a slice of toast and cheese.

Find a warm sunny spot in the garden to plant. You will need a strong stake to hold this climbing plant, particularly when weighted down with fruit.

Get yours now:
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08/09/2025

ORNAMENTALS

Start by running your irrigation system to check for any blocked sprinklers or drippers that may require maintenance.

Inspect your hoses for any signs of leaks; repairing or replacing them now will ensure efficient watering as the gardening season begins.
Cut back the spent flowers of Kangaroo Paw to ground level. This not only tidies up the plant but also encourages the emergence of new flower spikes.

Consider making a soothing balm by mixing calendula petals with beeswax for a natural skin remedy.

Trim ornamental grasses, like purple fountain grass, to promote healthy new growth.

Use hedge clippers to tidy up Dianella by removing old flowers, making space for the fresh blooms of the season.

To address petal blight on azaleas, manually remove any faded blooms. In cases of severe infection, apply Mancozeb Plus every 10 days for effective treatment.

Prune hibiscus plants back by at least one-third, ensuring to eliminate any branches that are touching the ground.

Now is an ideal time to prune winter-flowering climbers such as flame vine and Carolina jasmine to encourage robust growth.

Remove faded flowers from spring-flowering bulbs to redirect energy away from seed production, but be sure to leave the foliage intact to nourish the bulbs for next year’s blooms.

Spring is an excellent opportunity to plant annual bedding plants, so prepare to infuse your garden with vibrant colours.

With the arrival of spring, be vigilant against a new wave of w**ds. Take proactive measures to eliminate these unwanted plants in your garden beds and lawns.

For effective w**d control, apply a 75mm layer of chunky composted mulch over your garden beds. Alternatively, you can smother existing w**ds with layers of wet newspaper, then cover with chunky mulch to keep the paper in place.

Continue your efforts to manage snails, slugs, and caterpillars, ensuring your plants remain protected from these pests.

05/09/2025

Neville introduces Heirloom figs which are being revived through careful propagation and pruning, bringing abundant, easy-to-pick fruit to home gardens.

Watch the full video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R18ATSHwGw&list=PLIEm2i_XrTID73kYfIqemvF0Q1sttGNjr

Neville introduces Heirloom figs which are being revived through careful propagation and pruning, bringing abundant, easy-to-pick fruit to home gardens.

28/08/2025

Fern Leaf Cactus - Tough indoor and shade, flowering beauty

Advanced plants in 175mm pots

Scientific name: Selenicereus chrysocardium
- Indoor and shade-loving cactus
- Known for its resilience
- Produces beautiful white night-blooming flowers
- Ideal for home and garden decor
- Easy to care for
- Adds a touch of nature to your space

Shop now:
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