Hello and welcome to the MARCH newsletter - it's now officially Autumn (and I can hear a collective sigh of relief from Perth gardeners!).  It is still Bunuru though - the indigenous 'second summer' - which goes to show that the first nations people had a very good understanding of our weather patterns, and that the European tradition of observing four seasons doesn't quite fit!  We know March is still likely to be hot... but hopefully no more heatwaves in the forties?  And I'm sure you've noticed that the days are getting shorter.  This is a sure fire way to know that the seasons are changing; and our plants notice it too.  So it's time to get busy in the garden again.  A lot of gardens (including mine) look a little sad at this time of year after such a strong summer - there's definitely work to do and plants to trim and replace.  That means it's a good opportunity for reassessing our gardens - what has worked, what definitely didn't work - and where to go from here. What kind of resilient garden should we be building for the future?

Given this harsh summer and the number of mature trees that are being removed because of PSHB at some of our beloved open spaces like Hyde Park, Kings Park etc (see last month's newsletter for information if you're not sure what we're talking about) - PLEASE consider planting more trees if you can!  There are many excellent small and medium trees suited to smaller suburban yards; yes - they take time to grow - but what a fabulous gift for future generations you're giving!  Humans and animals alike will benefit in the future.  Perth has the lowest percentage of tree canopy coverage (16% and shrinking) than any other Australian capital city.  If you'd like to find out more, and how you can advocate for more trees - see this page (WA Tree Canopy Advocates).

If you attended the Kalamunda Garden Festival on the weekend, you may have heard one of the many fabulous speakers giving their knowledge on gardening in our tough climate.  It was a fabulous day and very well attended.  If you missed it, the next festival is on Sunday, 2nd June so put it in your diary now!  Closer to the time, keep an eye on our socials as we will have some free passes to give away for the event.  If you visited our little display you may have had the opportunity to grab a sample pack of Cassies Clay +.  This is a new & improved Kaolin clay blend; finer, and with a higher clay content and a naturally low pH (around 5).  So if you're looking at adding clay to your autumn garden to help its resilience for coming summers, do come on in and check out Cassies!  Bring in a small sample of your soil and we can do a pH test, and give recommendations on what would be best to add to build structure and nutrients in your soil. 

Easter Trading Hours 2024:

CLOSED Good Friday 29 March
OPEN Easter Saturday 30 March 8.30 - 4.00
CLOSED Easter Sunday 31 March
CLOSED Easter Monday 1 April

If you're planning on getting some projects done in your garden over Easter - please take note of our opening hours above.  If you're thinking about a bulk delivery, please book in ASAP as we're going to be busy in the short week leading up to Easter and, if you leave it too late, unfortunately you may miss out.

We hope you have a happy & safe Easter and we look forward to seeing you SOON @ Green Life!

Linda & all the team

In this newsletter:

Jobs for the March Garden
What to Plant NOW
Open Gardens - Horticultural Hospitality!
Know your ONIONS!
Garlic - Now's the time to plant
Photo competition winner
VIP Special offer
Retailer update

Jobs for the March Garden

• Prep your soil! Where you intend to plant your winter vegies, get some OM (organic matter) into the soil. This could be your own compost, or some aged manure, or you can try our one of our Concentrate products - which is made exactly for the purpose of enriching your sandy/depleted soil. If soil is particularly difficult to wet, use a good quality wetting agent (like Eco-wet), and look at incorporating more clay to assist with water holding next summer. Charlie Charcoal is also fabulous for helping gardens hold onto nutrients and moisture. We already use clay and Charlie in our mixes - but both are available as separate products if you choose to add your own amendments.
• Check your compost. It's time to get it into your garden. If it's not quite ready (and you're not ready to use it) give it a good turn, maybe add water (if it's a bit dry) and get it cooking away for another week or two. You can dig in immature compost and it will continue to break down in the soil - but don't plant directly into it; instead use a few handfuls of a good quality potting mix to put around your seeds/seedlings so they can get established.
• Grow a green manure crop. Early Autumn is a great time to throw in some green manure seeds, which you can allow to grow for as long as you like before turning it through the soil. This is an inexpensive way to add organic matter to the soil (just remember the longer it grows, the more OM you get to 'harvest'). Just remember to slash it or dig it through before it sets seeds. Our green manure packs contain a wide variety of plant types - the theory is no matter what the conditions are in your garden, something is going to thrive and produce for you.  1kg will cover up to 20m2.
• Pumpkin & Zucchini might be showing signs of powdery mildew (pictured right) as the nights are getting cooler. This is quite normal and may signify the plant is nearing the end of its seasonal lifespan. You can spray with milk & water (1:9) every couple of days to help slow down the spread; but apart from that avoid overhead watering and keep nurturing the plant to help the last fruit reach maturity.  At the end of the season, pick off new flowers to get the plant to concentrate its energy into fruit that is already forming.
• Save seeds! If plants have been great performers in your garden this summer, leave some fruit to mature and collect the seed to use next year (provided of course you have grown non-hybrid varieties). Remember to allow seed to dry (remove pulp, etc) and store in something like a paper bag or recycled envelope and correctly label it (your future self will thank you!). Store seed in a cool, dark place where mice can't find it! Seeds are very precious - so why not use the resource nature is providing you. 
• Sow your seeds. While it's time to save your summer seeds, it's time to be planting your winter crops.  Use seedling trays (or recycle punnets/small pots - just give them a really good scrub first and leave out in the sun to dry).  This gives you a little more flexibility to move trays around and nurse them if we have any hot/dry spells.  We carry arguably Perth's biggest range of heritage & organically grown seed in Perth - come on in and check out our range.  New orders are coming in regularly.  Check out our top tips for growing from seed right here.  
• Order bare rooted trees. If you're looking at planting either fruiting or ornamental trees over winter, now's the time to get some advice, and order what you're needing. Our friends at Guildford Town Garden Centre will be able to help you - they bring in a massive order each year; and by putting your name down now, you won't miss out on popular varieties. A good nursery will be able to advise you on ideal location, whether you need a pollinator (for fruiting trees), how suited the variety is to your local conditions, and how large the tree will eventually grow. All things you need to consider BEFORE you buy. A tree is a fabulous asset to your home, and should be treated as an investment - something to treasure, but not rush into without due consideration.

What to Plant NOW

Oooooh, so many things to choose from in Autumn! Check out our when to plant guides (there's one on vegies and one on herbs), plus there's also an extended e-guide 'Top 12 Edible plants for Autumn/Winter' - all are FREE to download.  If you're new to gardening, the Top 12 guide has come very useful info; looking in-depth at popular winter vegies.  Plus there's heaps of fact sheets on Perth growing - see the 'Learn' tab above.

To access our free downloads - you must sign up to become a member.  Once you've signed up, you MUST check your email and activate your membership in the link sent to you in order to gain access.  (It is a required security default.)  Any trouble with downloads?  Let us know if you have any issues, and we can help.  The member's section has a quick monthly guide of what to grow, plus a reminder of the moon phases for optimal planting out - so why not give moon planting a go and see how it works for you?  (We still have 2024 moon planting calendars available for sale if you want to get a jump on the season.)

Autumn/Winter vegie seedlings are coming back into store - we had our first delivery this week, and more will be coming from now on.  Also we've got our Certified Organic Garlic IN STORE and ready to go - Rojo and Purple Stripe varieties are in stock.  Also spray free local Elephant Garlic is here - so come on in and don't miss out.

A quick list to consider planting includes:

Artichokes (globe), Asian greens, Beetroot, Beans, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Coriander, Endive, Kale (pictured right), Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Peas, Parsnip, Radish, Rocket, Silverbeet, Snow peas, Spinach, Spring onions, Swede, Turnip.  

Potatoes are about a month away - watch this space!

Open Gardens - Sharing is Caring!

I'm sure you'd agree that there's nothing nicer than having a look around someone's garden.  I find it doesn't really matter what style of garden it is - the way that other people lay things out, group plants together, and use landscape features or art in the space is always interesting and usually inspiring.  The allure of visiting others' gardens extends beyond mere love of plants; it fosters a sense of community, shared passion, and inspiration. Whether seeking design ideas, horticultural insights, or simply a serene escape, each garden holds a tapestry of experiences waiting to be discovered.

Joy from Open Gardens WA reached out to us recently to extend an invitation to Green Lifers to consider opening their garden in 2025.  Before you scroll on by - please have a think about it!!  Did you know that you don't have to have a large garden to open it to visitors?  (The organisers will often group garden opening dates together so that people can see several gardens on the same day.)  With many gardens getting smaller, it's vitally important to showcase what can be grown in a typical garden and what CAN be achieved.  Your garden does not have to be perfect - or "finished" (like - what garden ever is??) and you can work with Open Gardens to plan ahead and make sure that the garden is opened at the optimal time of year for it to be seen at its best.

Whether your garden style is formal, or you've devoted your yard to sustainability and created a food forest behind your front fence - if your family and friends make a bee-line to your garden to look around then chances are that others will also love the opportunity to view it.  The organisers are looking for interest and variety, whether large or small.  Sustainability and biodiversity gardens are gaining momentum and many of our customers have a lot of fabulous experience to share in this arena.  (They would love to be able to organise an 'Edible Gardens' weekend, for example!)

The good thing about working with Open Gardens WA is they help you get ready for opening your garden, and provide you with assistance on the day.  

They provide:

• Insurance
• Shire Approvals
• Publicity- including comprehensive social media advertising, flyers & leaflets
• Signage
• Guidelines and instructions
• Helpers at the gate
• A loan of catering equipment (if you wish to sell afternoon teas, for example)
• LOTS of advice from others who have opened their gardens before you!

The entrance fees from your Open Garden are split equally between you and Open Gardens West Coast.  The fees help pay for insurance, website and other running costs.  Many people who choose to open their gardens use it as an opportunity to fundraise for a cause close to their heart, donating their portion.  Or a portion of their portion - it is totally up to you.

Curious? Visit the Open Gardens WA 'How It Works' page, have a read, and reach out for more information - you've got nothing to lose! 

The Versatile Allium:  (Part 1) Know your Onions!

One of our lovely customers contacted us recently to ask us to put out some info about growing onions in Perth, especially to discuss the difference between long day & short day onions, and varieties.  Unfortunately there's not too much information I could find about which varieties are which among our available types - but I would assume that in Australia, pretty much all seed (and seedlings) sold here would be short day onions - because that's what grow best here!  What am I talking about?  Well, you're about to know your onions!!

Onions are often overlooked in home gardens due to their easy availability in stores, and they're generally not expensive.  However, onions are actually a versatile and rewarding vegetable to grow. There are significant benefits to cultivating them at home, especially if you're keen on organic produce and understanding exactly what goes into your food. Commercially grown onions often face herbicide and fungicide treatments to control weeds and diseases, but growing your own allows for a more natural approach - and you know exactly how they've been grown.

Understanding the onion varieties and their planting times is crucial for a successful harvest. Varieties are categorized based on the length of daylight they require to bulb, ranging from short day to long day and (just to be confusing) intermediate types.  From what I've read, intermediate types aren't particularly fussed about daylight length; they have a more uniform time to form bulbs after planting rather than rely on day length.

Long day onions thrive in regions characterized by long summer days with extended daylight hours, such as Northern Europe. These varieties require more hours of daylight (15 hours or more) to form bulbs, making them suitable for planting in such regions. Long day onions are reputed to be more pungent, and store better.  Possibly the longer growth period forms harder cells?  At least that's the theory.

Conversely, short day onions are more suitable for areas like Australia, where summers are marked by shorter daylight hours. These varieties require a relatively short amount of daylight (10-12 hours) to bulb.  Most Australian onions are short day or intermediate day varieties, with planting occurring from April/May to August for a late November to March harvest.  There is such conflicting information online about how long varieties take to mature - I would read the seed instructions then simply observe how they perform in your garden.  Keep a diary so that next year you can compare.  4-6 months to maturity seems to be a fairly safe assumption.

Onions can be grown from seed (plant in trays or direct sow) or purchased as seedlings.  Either way, once seedlings are ready for planting out (or if in the ground - once they're maybe 10cms high) the seedlings will need to be thinned.  (Pictured below are some we grew that *probably* were not thinned like they should have been!!!) Purchased punnets can be carefully soaked in water and seedlings teased apart to plant individually.  Plant each new plant about 15-20cms apart.  Liquid feed and keep an eye on weeds and that's about all you need to do! Check on the bulb formation (onions form bulbs that stick out a bit above ground so it's quite easy to gently check on the size) and once nearing maturity, tops will start to go brown on the edges and fall over.  Leave in the ground for a week or two then carefully lift out.  Dust off excess dirt (don't wash) and allow the onions to dry out on open shelves - good air circulation will prevent rotting.  After a couple of weeks, dried tops & roots can be cleaned off along with any excess flaky skin, and the onions can be stored in a cool dry spot for several months until used.  Keep an eye on stored onions though and make sure any going 'off' are removed. (If you've ever had the pleasure of smelling a rotten onion, you'll know why.)

While we think of  'onions' as things with a bulb covered in a papery skin - the onion family also includes Leeks, non-bulbing onions like spring onions, and others with small bulbs/swollen stems like shallots.  Then there's garlic and chives too!  Onions, leeks, garlic are traditionally planted in autumn and harvested in spring/summer - but spring onions and chives do very well in Perth all year around - and are a good option to grow in the hotter months.  All parts of onions are edible.  Onion tops of all varieties can be used like spring onions if you like!

Bulbing onions come on brown/gold skinned varieties (like Ailsa Craig - a large onion, Gladalan Brown, and Cream Gold), white skinned (Gladalan White, White Spanish) and red skinned (Red Creole, Amposta Purple).  Generally brown skinned onions are more strongly flavoured and used in cooking, while white onions are more mild and used in a variety of dishes either cooked or raw, and are often pickled.  Red skinned are the most mild/least pungent so are commonly used in salads.

In terms of seed varieties, as always there are open-pollinated and hybrid options. Open-pollinated varieties (named above) produce offspring similar to the mother plant so if desired you can save your own seed. Hybrid varieties are bred for a particular reason - ie. more uniformity, higher yield, or disease resistance, but seeds from hybrid crops cannot be reused as they do not produce true reproductions of the mother plants.

Onions are relatively hardy.  As far as soil goes, they do like some well prepared soil (add blood & bone to boost nitrogen early in the growing cycle to get healthy shoots which will support bulb formation.)  Avoid adding additional extra nitrogen in the 2nd half of the growth cycle as you may encourage leaf growth over bulb growth.  Lush leafy growth may encourage black aphids too.  While the pungency of onions will deter many pests, there is (of course) one variety of black aphid that has adapted to love onions and they are quite a hard aphid to deal with.  Pyrethrum spray directly on the aphids is probably the best way to deal with them.  Keep the area well weeded (they don't like competition) and make sure the soil has good drainage - they don't like wet feet.  Wet conditions may lead to fungal problems, and affect yield.

Onions form good companions with cruciferous vegies (cabbage family), carrots, lettuce and beetroot & silverbeet.  So why not try growing a variety (or two) of onions this autumn.  They're a worthwhile and tasty winter garden staple and worth a place in your autumn planting calendar.

The Versatile Allium: (Part 2) A Guide to Growing and Using Garlic

Garlic, a beloved ingredient in many cuisines worldwide, is not only flavorful but also relatively easy to cultivate. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice, growing garlic can be a rewarding experience. Here's everything you need to know about growing and utilising this versatile allium.

Growing Garlic

Garlic thrives in friable, humus-rich soil with good drainage and plenty of sunlight. Prepare your soil by incorporating compost and a little clay if needed, especially for sandy soils. Local and organically grown garlic cloves are recommended for planting, as imported cloves are treated and may not germinate.

Plant individual cloves with the pointy side up, at a depth similar to the bulb, from autumn to late winter, leaving about 15cm between plants. Keep the garlic patch weed-free to prevent competition for nutrients and sunlight. Regular watering is necessary until the rains come, but avoid waterlogging.

Garlic typically takes 6-9 months to mature, depending on the variety and season. Harvest when the leaves die back, usually in late spring or summer. After harvesting, remove excess dirt and hang the bulbs to dry in a cool, dry place. Properly stored garlic can last several months.  If you're wanting to make sure you have a full year's supply, there are several ways you can preserve garlic; I have found cleaning the cloves up a little and placing them in ziplock bags in the freezer a very easy way to have your own garlic on hand for cooking.  Also you may like to research 'honeyed garlic' - the flavour that the honey gives to stir-fry's and roasted vegies is ah-may-zing! 

Garlic cloves are not only delicious in various dishes but also offer numerous health benefits. They contain natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, making them particularly beneficial during cold and flu season. Additionally, garlic has been scientifically proven to help lower cholesterol.

In the garden, garlic can serve as an effective natural pesticide against pests and fungus diseases. A homemade garlic spray, made by steeping chopped garlic cloves in warm water overnight, then strained and sprayed can help deter garden pests when applied as a contact or leaf spray.

As a companion plant, garlic helps confuse insect pests and is commonly interplanted with roses, brassicas, and fruit trees. It's also relatively low-maintenance, with few pests bothering it, although black allium aphids can be a challenge in some areas.  Pictured are russian garlic flowers emerging from their coverings (which look like adorable pixie hats) - the flowers of all alliums are quite striking; balls of tiny individual flowers either purple/pink (chives) or white (most onions/leeks).

Varieties and Tips

There are many garlic varieties to explore, each with its unique flavor profile and characteristics. Look for locally grown types adapted to your region for best results. This year, we have Certified Organic locally grown Rojo and Purple garlic available.

For something different, try 'Elephant Garlic,' which produces large bulbs and has a milder flavor reminiscent of leeks. Despite its name, it's not true garlic but a close relative.  We have Elephant Garlic in store too - so come and grab some.  Elephant garlic (pictured right) is lovely to add to your garden - it has beautiful flowers - large white balls on tall stems (pictured above)  They're worth growing for those alone!

Remember to save some of your harvest for replanting next season, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh garlic. 

From planting to harvest, garlic offers both culinary delight and practical benefits in the garden. Whether you're adding it to your favorite recipes or using it as a natural pest deterrent, garlic is truly a versatile member of the onion family and worth cultivating in your garden.

Photo Competition Winner

Thank you to 'Teddy's Edible Garden' on Instagram for sharing this photo they posted of a delivery of 3m3 of Acid Concentrate to their house in Dalkeith.  (Check out their page if you're after edible garden inspiration!). 

Olivia (the person behind the page!) had this to say:

"I have lychee, longan, 2x custard apples, fuyu persimmon, red Dacca and dwarf Nathan bananas, have just planted papayas, and  have citrus (yuzu, cara cara, mandarin, and calamansi), cherry, nectarine, 2x plums, and Jujube.. I think that’s all of them 😅 I have very alkaline soil and bore water and I think they would enjoy the lower pH, the acid concentrate will be spread across my back garden where all the fruit trees are."

Wow, what a range of fruit trees!  Our Acid Concentrate has been designed as a soil improver to bring down pH of alkaline soils; so if you're near the coast, this could be a great product to help your garden overcome high pH; or to give acid loving plants a good feed.  (We recommend using it under mulch or digging it into existing garden beds.  For best results, don't allow concentrates to dry out.)

Olivia has won a $50 store credit to spend with us.  Next time it could be YOU - so make sure you snap a photo of your Autumn gardening projects and send them in via our FB page/Insta messaging or via email to info(at)greenlifesoil.com.au  - with subject 'photo competition' and a short paragraph about what you're growing/loving in your garden!!

VIP Special

This month, we'd like to offer our VIP's discounts on our "famous" 3-Way Feeder Mulch.  This is one of our most popular mulches - as the name suggests, it is a blend of three products - compost, blended aged sheep & cow manure, and a woody mulch.  To this, we add some Sassy Frass - which is hugely beneficial in promoting beneficial fungi in the soil.  Sassy Frass & the woody mulch work together to assist in making conditions suitable for a range of soil fungi - which in turn, assist plant health and build soil structure - leading to increased water and nutrient retention.  The organic matter in the compost blend (which is activated by our special inoculants) and manure also feed the plants; so it's the perfect combination for feeding & protecting your soil. 

3-Way Feeder Mulch can be used on all plants; including natives.  It's particularly good for shrubs, trees, fruit trees & roses.  It can be used for potted plants too.

Our discount this month applies to bags AND bulk product.  If shopping in store or ordering over the phone, please mention the VIP discount to our team.  For the month of March (offer ends close of business 30th March [Easter Saturday]) 3-Way bags will be $10 each (regular price $14 each) and bulk product will be $37.50 per scoop (regular price $50/scoop). So come into store if you want to take advantage of the biggest savings.  

Can't make it in?  We've still got something for our online customers... You must be logged into the VIP/members section of the website to see your special price for bulk 3-Way Feeder Mulch.

So with NOW the time to feed up your fruit trees, come on in and stock up on our VIP 3-Way Feeder Mulch special deal this month!

Retailer Update

Please support your local independent retailer who supports us! The specialist retailers listed here will be happy to give you gardening advice and help you with our products - please call to check what lines they carry as they can't stock all of our products (but may be willing to get stock in for a custom order - if you ask nicely!). Some of these fabulous retailers also offer a home delivery service (marked with *)  - so why not go local?  (Please contact the store directly for details.)

Bar Botanik - North Perth 9227 6758 (Indoor Potting Mix & Aroid Mix only)
Daisy Field Organics - Fremantle
Garden Elegance - Subiaco 9381 2197
Guildford Town Garden Centre* - Guildford 9279 8645
Harbour Plants*- South Fremantle 0439 967 034
Hydroponics Guru (Living Soil only) - Wangara 0430527575
Kambarang Garden Centre* - Bentley 9458 5944
Lighthouse Fruit Tree Nursery - Parkwood 0411 166 034
Miaflora - Inglewood 9343 6334
Newstead Outdoors* - Greenwood 9334 6334
Nibali Stockfeed* - Hamilton Hill 9433 2211
Richo's 4 Hydro - Joondalup 9301 4462
Stanbee Stockfeeds* - Barragup 9581 2390
Supreme Plants - West Swan 0499 887 275 (Blueberry Mix only)
Swan Valley Station - Swan Valley 0427 371 001
Tass1 Trees - Middle Swan 0419 988 344
Urban Revolution* - Victoria Park 6102 1068
Utopia Nursery - Bullsbrook 0455 659 622
Waldecks Kingsley* - 9309 5088
Waldecks Melville* - 6317 0939
Waldecks Stirling* - 9254 6730
Zanthorrea Nursery - Maida Vale 9454 6260 (pictured right)

Ardess Nursery (Albany) 9842 9952
Australind Landscaping Supplies 9796 1720
Blossoms Nursery (Denmark) 9848 2014
Boyup Brook Co-op (Boyup Brook) 9765 1001
Extracts Landscaping Supplies (Toodyay) 0417 202 718
Great Northern Rural Services (Geraldton) 9964 1274
Hillview Garden Centre (Bridgetown) 9761 1672
Margaret River - Nutrient Ag Solutions 9758 7677 (Premium Potting Mix & Compost)
Mitre 10 Margaret River 9757 2455  (Square Foot Mix & Veg Concentrate)
Naturaliste Landscape Supplies (Busselton) 9754 8081
Soils Ain't Soils (Busselton) 97515 322 

THANK YOU for being part of our Green Life family!  We hope to see you in store soon.  Check out our newsletter next month & stay up to date with our Facebook and Instagram pages for announcements, stock arrivals and general good gardening vibes!