Hello and welcome to Winter/Makuru

As I write, IT'S RAINING!!!  We've waited such a long time for rain - our gardens are sighing with relief.  Let's hope we get good, steady soaking rain that can replenish the creeks and groundwater systems and give our poor trees and gardens some reprieve.

While it's winter, it's perfect growing conditions here in Perth; our vegie garden is booming and I hope yours is too!  We can certainly help you get your garden in great shape - come in and see us!  Bring in a small soil sample and we'll do a free pH test, and look at options for improving your soil's health and resilience.  The June 'title' photo is of our garden - basically planted out in April, and we're harvesting from it daily.  A purple bok choi I picked yesterday weighed 932gms!  Our tiny garden is something of an experiment - we've started weighing the produce as we pick it to see over time how much it's producing.  We'll keep you posted!

Did you get along to the Kalamunda Garden Festival on the weekend?  We were a little nervous what the weather would do considering the forecast - but on the day we had two light showers, and apart from that, the sun came out!  So there were good numbers of people and lots of happy gardeners.  The next festival (Spring) is on Sunday, 7th September - so mark it in your diaries now!

Have your say on YOUR local environment! Further in this newsletter I have included some info taken from the website for World Environment Day (5th June).  While the issues of environmental degradation can seem overwhelming, we need to act locally where we can to make a difference.  If you haven't already - PLEASE check out the Urban Greening Strategy for Perth & Peel survey (link is here) - CLOSING 7th June.  The policy will impact local and state governments to help recognise and value tree coverage in our suburbs & I'm sure the benefits of that are fairly obvious to us all (especially in Summer!)

I hope this newsletter inspires you to get outside and enjoy your garden, as well as explore and protect your local environment.

Until next time, happy gardening.

Linda & The Team @ The Green Life Soil Co

We're hiring!

GLSC is looking for a retail star to join our team; the role would be casual (at least initially) 2 days a week - Saturdays essential.  

We're looking for someone with a passion for gardening and permaculture - horticultural or permi qualifications would be well regarded, as would previous retail experience.  The role would involve customer service in store and over the phone, and you'd need to be comfortable using a computer.  A level of fitness is required as you'd be on your feet and helping customers by loading bags. If you'd like the opportunity to discuss this further, please send through an email/resume to team@greenlifesoil.com.au

Jobs to do in June

• Weeding: with the rain and colder weather upon us weeds started rearing their ugly heads. The good news is now is one of the best times to do something!  Younger & smaller weeds have less developed root systems and are easier to pull.  Use a hoe to easily chop & uproot weeds between your plants.  If hand weeding, don't weed when the soil is really wet - allow it to dry out after rain for a day or two. Take a bucket with you, collect them all and add them to your compost or use them to make a fertiliser. See our fact sheets on organic weed control (and weed tea) here. Mulching will help protect your garden and reduce weeds.
• Preparing soil (Asparagus/Rhubarb): Although these have not yet arrived in store it is a great time to start preparing for planting. Use these easy steps to prepare your soil. 1. Picking a spot: Rhubarb prefers morning sun and partial shade and Asparagus prefers more of a full sun position. 2. Remove any existing weeds or grass from that area. 3. Both Asparagus and rhubarb prefer a rich and fertile soil. Prepare your soil by digging in compost and manure, and/or adding some blood and bone (optional). For an easy option, use our Vegie Concentrate which is a blended soil improver, Certified Organic, rich & ready to go! If you can hold yourself back from harvesting in first year, it will enable the plant to establish itself well for future seasons. For more in-depth information on growing Rhubarb and Asparagus see our fact sheets here (scroll down the right hand column and flick through the pages to find the relevant fact sheets!). (Stock should be arriving in July - so watch this space!)
• Preparing soil for Fruit Trees: Preparing your soil before you plant fruit trees or ornamentals is crucial. Researching to find the right tree for your location is essential for success. A little bit of planning and preparation now will save problems in the future. If you have poor sandy soil (like most of Perth), then digging some Soil Builder (General Concentrate) through those areas will be very beneficial. We spent a lot of time and energy perfecting our soil builder/concentrates to ensure your plant is provided with all the trace elements and nutrients that may not be available in poor sandy soils; plus we add minerals like clay & biochar to assist with water holding.  It's a complete soil improver - no need to add additional fertilisers.  Bare root trees will soon be available at good nurseries; so now's the time to do your research.  What do you want to grow?  Is there a variety well suited to your location?  Does it need a pollinator?  Plan ahead so you don't miss out - you may like to contact the nurseries to put your name down to secure the varieties you want.
• Transplanting/Moving trees: If you feel like some of your trees or shrubs could use a better position, then now is the time to move them! If you are moving deciduous plants, wait until all the leaves have dropped. Find a new spot where you think they would suit the conditions more and prepare the soil. Dig out as much of the root ball as possible and re-plant immediately. Cleanly trim damaged roots, and it's often a good idea to trim the top growth a little too.  Giving your plant a good dose of seaweed/kelp will help with transplant shock. Transplanting can be tricky but when successful can be rewarding - and if a plant is not thriving or desirable where it is, what have you got to lose by giving it a go?
• Feeding your Garden: Using a liquid fertiliser can be very beneficial to your garden. Most of our vegie patches at this time of year have leafy greens and winter vegies growing. Feeding your vegies with something like Fish Hydrolysate, a kelp/seaweed mix, Verigrow or Worm Wizz will boost growth and provide a good harvest!  Mix it up - try rotating between your liquid fertilisers, as they all have slightly different elements to add to the soil.  Remember if you're feeding very regularly, use less than the recommended amount. [If you're shopping in store, look out for the fertility bundle package deal we're offering on fish hydrolysate and kelp.]
• Feed your Garlic:  Now's the time to side dress garlic with blood & bone or something like Multigrow (composted chicken manure).  The nitrogen boost now will get them growing strongly to support good bulb growth later.
• Planting Flowers: Winter for our gardens can feel a little dull. Planting some flowering annuals or bulbs will brighten up the garden, fill any gaps and bring a sense of warmth with a touch of colour to the garden. Try planting some Calendula in the garden- pretty bright orange and yellow flowers which can be used as a medical herb and used for to add a touch of colour to salads. In fact, there are many edible flowers that make a great addition to salads, desserts, or a garnish for a fancy touch!. Check out our fact sheet here.

What to plant now

Don’t worry ~ it's not too late to plant vegies to enjoy in the next couple of months; need inspiration? - check out our winter/spring vegie guides here.

We have seedlings and heaps of heritage seed varieties being delivered to us regularly, so check out what is in season & in stock to plant in your garden. A list of things to plant now includes:

Artichoke (globe), Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Coriander, Dill, English spinach, Jerusalem Artichokes (now in stock!!  See our growing info here.) Kale, Kohl rabi, Leek, Lettuce, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Potatoes, Radish, Silver beet, Snow peas, Spring onion, Strawberries, Turnips.

Pictured above/right is a big, nuggety Jerusalem Artichoke - they're locally grown & spray-free - so come on in and grab a few and get them growing.  Related to sunflowers, they're a hardy plant that has delicious, nutty tubers.  Once you've grown them, they're easy to regrow (they often leave tiny babies behind in the ground when you harvest them) so are a great addition to your garden - even pop them into flower beds; the attractive, yellow sunflower-type flowers grow quite tall so are good along the back of a garden bed or along a fence line.

Good Bugs - how to spot the good guys in our gardens!

Many gardeners are vigilant about insect pests in their gardens - for good reason!  Nobody likes having their beloved seedlings or plants infected or eaten after we have put so much energy into nurturing them.  We are often asked for advice from customers when "something" is attacking their plants - and sadly many are keen to reach for sprays and treatments before knowing what the pest may be in their garden.

From an organic gardening perspective, it's essential to know WHO is the culprit - different insects can be targeted with specific treatments; so you really need to know what you're dealing with or you could be wasting your time (and money!).  Any 'broad spectrum' insecticide tends to be quite heavy duty - and not something you really should be going to unless the situation is dire.  We always advocate the soft approach first, and escalate only if necessary.

The reason to avoid using pesticides (especially systemic & heavy duty ones) is that you will also impact beneficial insects and neutral bystanders who form part of the food chain for other creatures.  It pays to take a breath and really LOOK at who's in your garden.  Pictured above/right is an adult Green Lacewing - a tiny little insect you'd almost overlook - but they're one of the good guys we need to be aware of.

There are a number of helpful critters out there, and it pays to know what you're looking it - lest you think they're the bag guys and wipe them out!  As always, we highly recommend the use of the 'My Pest Guide Reporter' app - it's FREE, and a great way to have garden pests and diseases ID'd by experts.  Click on the link for more information.

Let's look at some of the good guys you might find in your West Australian garden:

Lacewings 

Lacewings are beneficial insects known for their pest control capabilities. There are brown and green lacewings. Adult lacewings, identifiable by their long lacy wings, feed on nectar, honeydew, and pollen rather than aphids. These adults are often seen on flowers at dusk and lay their eggs on the undersides of leaves.

Lacewing larvae have elongated grey/brown segmented bodies, six legs, small pincers, and often carrying aphid casts (dead bodies) on their backs, and are the most beneficial stage for pest control, voraciously feeding on aphids, mites, thrips, whiteflies, mealybugs, and leafhoppers. Capable of consuming up to 1,000 aphids a day, they play a crucial role in managing pest populations. After 2-3 weeks of feeding, the larvae spin cocoons, emerging as adults after five days to continue the life cycle. Both types of lacewings are weak flyers, managing only a few meters at a time, and their larvae, active during the day, are especially effective in controlling pests on vegetables and roses. Lacewings are also used commercially to manage pest populations in nurseries and horticultural crops, ensuring effective and natural pest control throughout the season.

Lacewing eggs (pictured above/right) are laid on long little 'hairs' - and are quite distinctive.  If you see these, you know that Lacewings have arrived to help with pest control in your garden.

Hoverflies

Hoverflies are often mistaken for bees, due to their yellow markings on black bodies and hovering flight. They're smaller; about 1cm long. They're among the best pollinators in our gardens. During warmer months, they are visible in large numbers, completing their life cycle in about a month. Adult hoverflies feed on pollen and are crucial for pollination, while their larvae, which are pale green to yellow with a pale stripe down their sides, are superb predators of aphids, caterpillars, thrips, and scale. These slug-like larvae can often be found on foliage, actively hunting pests, making them invaluable for natural pest control. Instead of spraying for aphids, gardeners should look for these beneficial larvae nearby.  Don't confuse them with caterpillars; observe their behavior and you will be able to tell the difference!

Flies and Wasps

There are many species of Wasps and Flies that are beneficial in our gardens - it seems a bit harsh to lump them all in together!  While some make excellent pollinators in our gardens, others are parasitic and lay their eggs into the larvae or eggs of other insects - including aphids, caterpillars, citrus leaf miner, vegetable/stink bugs, scale - and more!  Many adult wasps and flies are stingless and if they feed at all during their adult stages, feed on nectar from flowers. Even Paper Wasps - which can deliver a nasty sting - are useful pollinators (adults feed on nectar) and they feed caterpillars to their young.  So tolerating their nests (providing they're not located where you're going to be in close contact) is encouraged. Robber Flies are assassins - catching many flying insects, spiders, grasshoppers, etc. on the move.

Pictured above/right are aphids - the dull brown ones are 'aphid mummies' - or aphids that have been parasitised by wasps.  Also pictured (the critter that looks a bit like a caterpillar) is a hoverfly larvae.

Spiders

OK, so technically NOT insects; but many spiders are hunters and will catch whatever they can - including caterpillars, flies, mosquitoes - etc.  Obviously those that make a web rely on flying insects, but wolf spiders (and a few other types) are active hunters.  So next time you find a wolf spider has strayed indoors - instead of reaching for the insecticide, be brave!  Use a container or glass and lid to catch & release it outside (where it wants to be anyway - trust me!).
There are a number of other insects that help with caterpillar control - pictured right is either a predatory stink bug or an assassin bug caught in the act dealing with a caterpillar in my garden a few years ago!  (It was fascinating to watch and yet another way to pass the time in the garden!!)

Ladybugs

Most of us are happy with the idea of ladybugs in our garden - for some reason these insects are deemed 'cute' where as any other beetle or bug - not so much!  Anyway - these winners of the popularity contest are also great to keep aphids under control.  Adults can eat 20-50 aphids a day, but their larvae are much more voracious - eating up to 200 per day!  The larvae (pictured above/right) look quite different to the adults - so it's important to recognise them.  If you have aphids on your roses or vegies, before  you reach for any sprays, keep a close eye out and see whether or not the good guys are turning up to do the job for you.

Mealy Bug Destroyer

This is a type of Ladybird beetle - a fairly non-descript plain brown colour - but it's larvae (pictured here) are voracious eaters of mealy bugs and soft scale insects; and they've evolved to mimic their appearance.  So please do have a very close look if you think you have mealy bug on your plants.  This critter is native to the Eastern States, but has been deliberately introduced here as a pest control agent. 

Praying Mantis

These big dudes might be scary looking but they're harmless to humans; preferring a range of insects to eat - including grasshoppers, aphids and caterpillars.  They are adept hunters, and will often be motionless on branches & flowers; waiting for prey to come along.  Females are larger and flightless, while males are smaller and have wings.  Keep an eye out for Mantis egg sacks too - which are like little baskets about 2-2.5cms long/round.  Each can contain up to 200 baby mantises - many of whom will cannibalise their siblings!  It is estimated that out of this sack it's lucky if a few make it all the way to adulthood.

These are just some of the more common beneficial types of insects that will help keep balance in our gardens, if we let them.  As you can see, as many adults are nectar feeding, it is important to have the food sources in our gardens for them - so let things go to flower, and plant things that will help attract the good bugs. Some vegetables and herbs like parsley, carrot, dill, fennel, & coriander flowers are very attractive.  And also things like:  Cosmos, Alyssum, Daisies, Dianthus, Calendula, Lavender, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Queen Annes Lace, Rosemary, Statice, Tansy, Yarrow, Zinnia.

A huge THANK YOU to Faye Arcaro for providing some of these awesome photos of insects taken in her garden, and supporting info!  You can catch Faye every Saturday morning on Curtin FM's "Let's Talk Gardening" show - and the recorded podcast each week, and she often presents her informative 'Bug talks' at garden festivals & clubs around Perth.  Keep your eyes out for the next opportunity to learn from her. 

Soil - #Generationrestoration

June 5th is the UN's World Environment Day.  The focus this year is on the urgent need to regenerate the soil and waterways across the globe in order to sustain the earth's growing human population and to sustain ecosystems for the animals and plants that need them for survival.  There are some great resources on the website: https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/get-involved/practical-guide - I'd urge you have a look and share widely!  

Some of the interesting facts (taken from the UN's website) are shared below:

Soil and water 

• Almost 60 per cent of all species live in soil, making land the planet’s most biodiverse habitat. 
• Healthy soils store massive amounts of carbon, which, if released, would cause a huge spike to planetary warming.
• Only 0.5 per cent of water on Earth is useable and available freshwater. Climate change is dangerously affecting that supply.
• Over the past two decades, land-based water storage—including soil moisture, snow and ice— has dropped at a rate of 1 centimetre per year with severe ramifications for water security and food production.

Drylands

• Drylands - areas which face great water scarcity—cover 41 per cent of the Earth’s land surface and 78 per cent of the world’s rangelands.
• Drylands generate 44 per cent of global crops, are the source of feed for half of the world’s livestock and support the lives and livelihoods of more than 2 billion people. 
• Despite what the name suggests, drylands are home to more than a quarter of the world's forests, a third of global biodiversity hotspots and provide critical migration points for birds. 

Deserts

• Deserts cover more than one-fifth of the Earth's land area and are found on every continent.
• The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world, spanning 9.4 million square kilometers, about the size of Canada.
• Despite its reputation for being lifeless, the Sahara Desert is home to 500 plant species, 70 mammalian species, 100 reptilian species, 90 avian species, and several arthropods, such as spiders and scorpions. 
• Many deserts are expanding because of climate change but some countries are fighting back including the 22 countries in Africa that border the Sahara Desert where the Great Green Wall initiative aims to restore 100 million hectares of land through a mosaic of green and productive landscapes. 

Forests

• Forests cover 31 per cent of the Earth but they are not equally distributed as more than half of the world’s forests are found in only five countries: Brazil, Canada, China, the Russian Federation and the United States of America.
• Forests are home to more than half of the world’s land-based species of animals, plants and insects.
• More than 28,000 plant species are currently recorded as being of medicinal use and many of them are found in forest ecosystems.
• Soil microorganisms are important in producing antibiotics. Penicillin, for example, comes from a small fungus living in the soil.
• The largest organism on Earth is a fungus in the Blue Mountains of the United States. Covering about 965 hectares of land, the fungus could be as ancient as 8,650 years, which would earn it a place among the oldest living organisms in the world. 

Freshwater

• Lakes, rivers and wetlands hold 20–30 per cent of global carbon despite occupying only 5–8 per cent of its land surface.
• The Nile River is widely regarded as the world’s longest waterway. Starting in East Africa, it flows through 11 different countries and stretches 6,695 kilometres.
• Approximately 1.4 billion livelihoods worldwide are directly reliant on access to fresh water, including jobs related to the food and beverage, energy and water industries.

Farmlands

• Every five seconds, the equivalent of one football pitch of soil is eroded. Yet, it takes 1,000 years to generate 3 centimetres of topsoil.
• Every year more than 24 billion tonnes of priceless topsoil are washed or blown away worldwide, as the land is overcultivated and overgrazed and trees and forests are cut down. 
• The world will need to raise its food production by 60–70 per cent to feed a projected human population of 9 billion by 2050 even as the current agricultural expansion continues to threaten forests and biodiversity.
• Close to 75 per cent of the world’s fruit and seed crops depend, at least in part, on pollinators like bees. Pollinators contribute to 35 per cent of the world’s total crop production, pollinating 87 of 115 leading food crops worldwide.  
• Despite their importance, pollinators are in serious decline, primarily due to intensive agricultural practices, pesticide use, invasive species, diseases and climate change. 
• Globally, at least 2 billion people depend on the agriculture sector for their livelihoods, particularly poor and rural populations.

Cities

• Cities occupy three per cent of the Earth’s land surface but are home to more than half its people. 
• Cities account for 75 per cent of global resource and energy use and produce more than half of global waste and at least 60 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. 
• More than one-third of the biggest cities, including Barcelona, Bogota, New York and Tokyo, source a significant proportion of their high-quality drinking water from protected forests nearby. 
• Trees in urban areas can cool the air by up to 5°C, reducing air conditioning needs by 25 per cent. Urban trees provide multiple health benefits such as cleaner water. They also clean the air and reduce flooding among many other benefits.

Sometimes it seems so overwhelming - so what can we do, locally, to make a difference?  

• Plant trees and be vocal!  Ask your local councils and government to protect & increase our urban tree canopy
• Plant flowering plants (especially natives) to provide food sources for insects, pollinators, reptiles, birds & animals
• Do your part to lower your carbon footprint - even small reductions in our use of water, electricity, fuel & waste collectively make a difference
• Refuse, Reduce, Repurpose, Repair & Recycle where you can.  When buying new - look for well made products that (hopefully) last longer
• Grow some of your own food - eat fresh, local, in season produce and avoid food miles where you can  
• Compost your kitchen & green waste and add to soil health (and reduce landfill)
• Keep positive and help spread the good stories!  
  
  
  

VIP Special Offer

A couple of months ago we ran a discount for VIP's on our 'famous' 3 Way Mulch.  It was so well received, we've decided to do it again!!!  (And we've now got Three Way Mulch in our printed bag range - look at us being all fancy!!!)

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 June (offer ends close of business 30th June) 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 garden & build your soil, come on in and stock up on our VIP 3-Way Feeder Mulch special deal this month!

Photo Competition

I'm pleased to say we received quite a few entries into our monthly photo competition over the past few weeks - keep the photos coming; as there's someone drawn randomly each month for a $50 store credit - there's nothing stopping you from entering every month, so put it in your calendar!  Photos can be submitted by email (put 'photo competition' as the subject line) or via Messenger.

This time, we've chosen Adrian - who is doing some work to prep his garden for future success:-

Good evening,

Just wanted to enter this photo of my veggie patch into the photo competition. 

I've been working on turning a patch of sand into soil, using Charlie Charcoal, Rock Dust, multi grow and more recently some green manure. 

This is the first time I've grown green manure, thanks for your helpful advice, it looks like it's about ready to turn over!

Regards, Adrian H.

Adrian lives in Kinross, and like many of our Perth customers, has a sandy soil to work with.  Putting some effort into building the soil now will definitely pay off for many seasons to come!  Thanks Adrian for sending in your pic & we look forward to seeing how it develops over time.

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 0450 793 720
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 (pictured above)
Supreme Plants - West Swan 0499 887 275 
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

All Things Stock (Muchea) 0480 740 638  
Ardess Nursery (Albany) 9842 9952
Australind Landscaping Supplies 9796 1720
Boyup Brook Co-op (Boyup Brook) 9765 1001
Extracts Landscaping Supplies (Toodyay) 0417 202 718
Great Northern Rural Services (Geraldton) 9964 1274
Handy Hands Nursery (Karratha) 9413 1801
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 & Dunsborough) 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!