Ask Richard

Ask Richard Need help in your garden, need gardening advice, need some problems solved? Send me your questions or photos and I'll help you answer them.

I am passionate about inspiring others to be involved in the outdoors through their gardens. I also want to encourage people to be growing their own produce and getting the most out of their gardens. I have had a passion for gardening since I could walk, inspired by by mum. My qualifications include;
• 44 years in the horticulture industry
• 31 years teaching horticulture at TAFE
• 13 years in the

garden industry in wholesale and retail nurseries
• Years of industry contacts
• An interest in community gardens
• Writing a gardening column for the Illawarra Mercury and articles for Your Garden magazine and many stand alone magazines
• My own garden talkback radio show

21/03/2018

This Saturday, The Compost Heap, Illawarra's only gardening talkback radio show, celebrates 25 years on air. Why don't you join us in sharing the moment. ABC Illawarra, FM97.3, 8.30-9.30.

Wisteria flowers mulch. Its pretty, it is good for the soil, it returns nutrients to the plant it came from, it increase...
27/09/2017

Wisteria flowers mulch. Its pretty, it is good for the soil, it returns nutrients to the plant it came from, it increases soil microorganisms and its free. Winner!!!!

HERBS to get established now• parsley• basil• chamomile• dill• coriander• marjoram• oregano• catnip• thyme• mint• sage
17/09/2017

HERBS to get established now

• parsley
• basil
• chamomile
• dill
• coriander
• marjoram
• oregano
• catnip
• thyme
• mint
• sage

FLOWERS to plant now• coleus• Californian poppy• Sunflower• Allysum• Calendula• Carnations• Cornflower• Delphinium• Holl...
15/09/2017

FLOWERS to plant now

• coleus
• Californian poppy
• Sunflower
• Allysum
• Calendula
• Carnations
• Cornflower
• Delphinium
• Hollyhock
• Larkspur
• Pansy,viola
• Snapdragons
• Stocks
• Sweet William
• wallflowers

VEGETABLES AND PLANTS TO PUT IN NOW• asparagus• broccoli• beetroot• spring onion• carrot• lettuce• potato• silverbeet• p...
13/09/2017

VEGETABLES AND PLANTS TO PUT IN NOW

• asparagus
• broccoli
• beetroot
• spring onion
• carrot
• lettuce
• potato
• silverbeet
• peas
• broad beans
• beans
• asian greens
• cabbages
• capsicum
• corn
• radish
• parsnip
• rocket
OTHERS

• passionfruit
• paw paw
• banana
• citrus
• macadamia
• avocados

WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN IN SEPTEMBER.• Improve your soil with organic matter, manure, compost.• Mulch everywhere in pre...
11/09/2017

WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN IN SEPTEMBER.

• Improve your soil with organic matter, manure, compost.
• Mulch everywhere in preparation for summer.
• Fertilise everything with slow release or complete plant food.
• Re-pot indoor plants to rejuvenate them. Don’t forget the fertiliser.
• Green manure crops can be planted now in vegetable beds you are resting. These can then be turned in as fertiliser. Eg chick peas or any of the pea family.
• Protect new vegetable plantings from damage. Hessian, shadecloth to keep the wind off them.
• Divide rhubarb and artichoke.
• Keep moisture consistent in the soil. Mulch will help but keep watering consistent. An hour slow soaking once a week is better than 5 minutes every day.
• Seaw**d regularly everything.
• Watch for pests-aphids on the new growth on roses and citrus
• Citrus leaf miner will be around soon. Watch for the signs, curling leaves, white lines on leaves, yellowing leaves. The treatment is pruning and white oil.
• Sow lawn seed to fill bare patches in lawns. Top dress in October.
• Hand w**d bindii

As far as the eye can see, Sunrise Nursery is full of deciduous ornamental and fruit trees. All new stock, a great range...
30/06/2017

As far as the eye can see, Sunrise Nursery is full of deciduous ornamental and fruit trees. All new stock, a great range at great prices. Elms, Birch, Maples and Robinia and many more ornamentals. Peaches, Plums, Nectarines, kiwi fruit, apples and pears and nuts in a huge range and many more. Come and check us out over the weekend and enjoy Lime Leaf Cafe while you are there.

Free mulch for my bird's nest fern, thanks to my maple and wisteria.
25/06/2017

Free mulch for my bird's nest fern, thanks to my maple and wisteria.

Lots of beautiful mid winter colour at Sunrise Nursery. Our tables are full, we have plenty of stock to choose from. Fru...
24/06/2017

Lots of beautiful mid winter colour at Sunrise Nursery. Our tables are full, we have plenty of stock to choose from. Fruit trees, ornamentals and Roses are starting to arrive. We have Camellias in flower. Just a short trip up the highway from Wollongong or a scenic drive up the coast. Lime Leaf Cafe is open all weekend for meals and coffee. Such a nice way to spend half a day this weekend.

These beautiful autumn tones belong to Nyssa sylvatica, commonly called the tupelo. A great medium tree with a very nice...
04/06/2017

These beautiful autumn tones belong to Nyssa sylvatica, commonly called the tupelo. A great medium tree with a very nice layered branching habit and fantastic foliage.

Address

Wollongong, NSW
2500

Telephone

0402070791

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