Your Garden Questions Answered
Episode: #4 14/04/07
Presenter: Phil Dudman
Phil visits Northey Street City Farm in Brisbane as it is a place that is a thriving example of what can be achieved when the community gets together to create something special for everyone to share. It is based on good organic gardening principles and is also a great place to learn about ideas you can use in your own garden.
Julia from Maryborough has written in to ask if The Gurus can give her some tips on how to grow a wide range of herbs. Northey Street City Farm has a great idea that will allow you to grow all sorts of herbs and all in the one garden.
You can create a ‘big mound’ which is more commonly called an herb spiral and the idea behind it is just brilliant. For starters one side will get lots of sunshine while the others are quite shaded so that way you will have a spot for both sun and shade lovers.
The area at the top is extremely well drained so that gives you the perfect spot for plants that demand perfect drainage. All the water from the top is drawn down to the bottom so you have a spot for moisture lovers too.
When you think about it, herb spirals can help you save water as well because the same water used for the top plants drains through to provide moisture for the ones below. Not only that, the top of the mound acts as a sort of mulch which helps to hold moisture in the bottom for longer.
Another water saving idea is to pop a few cut off soft drink containers throughout the mound and you can give the plants a carefully measured and steady flow of water deep into the soil, with no wasted runoff.
It is a great way to grow all your favourite herbs while saving precious water as well.
Northey Street City Farm
http://www.northeystreetcityfarm.org.au/
Corner of Northey and Victoria Streets
Windsor
Presenter: Phil Dudman
Phil visits Northey Street City Farm in Brisbane as it is a place that is a thriving example of what can be achieved when the community gets together to create something special for everyone to share. It is based on good organic gardening principles and is also a great place to learn about ideas you can use in your own garden.
Julia from Maryborough has written in to ask if The Gurus can give her some tips on how to grow a wide range of herbs. Northey Street City Farm has a great idea that will allow you to grow all sorts of herbs and all in the one garden.
You can create a ‘big mound’ which is more commonly called an herb spiral and the idea behind it is just brilliant. For starters one side will get lots of sunshine while the others are quite shaded so that way you will have a spot for both sun and shade lovers.
The area at the top is extremely well drained so that gives you the perfect spot for plants that demand perfect drainage. All the water from the top is drawn down to the bottom so you have a spot for moisture lovers too.
When you think about it, herb spirals can help you save water as well because the same water used for the top plants drains through to provide moisture for the ones below. Not only that, the top of the mound acts as a sort of mulch which helps to hold moisture in the bottom for longer.
Another water saving idea is to pop a few cut off soft drink containers throughout the mound and you can give the plants a carefully measured and steady flow of water deep into the soil, with no wasted runoff.
It is a great way to grow all your favourite herbs while saving precious water as well.
Northey Street City Farm
http://www.northeystreetcityfarm.org.au/
Corner of Northey and Victoria Streets
Windsor
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