EPISODE ONE
STORY TITLE: Small Garden feature story 1
TX DATE: 4th of April
PRESENTER: Trevor Cochrane

Category: Best small garden
Finalist: Ian Clark
Garden size: 50m2

• One of the tricks with small gardens is establishing the structure or hardscape first and filling in the gaps. Ian?s garden serves a great example of this having used a range of plants that deliver a tropical look and appeal.

• Small gardens tend to require less maintenance and care than larger ones although many principles remain the same.

MULCHING

• Mulching is critical but one problem often found with these courtyards and balcony gardens is they are often only accessible through the house.

• This is the easy way to do it is to use these ?Coir blocks?. Coir or coco peat is the finely shredded husks of the coconuts and it has great moisture and nutrient retention properties.

• This same material is used in most top quality potting mixes. ?

• When dried it can be compressed dramatically allowing it to be sold in blocks, which makes them ideal for use in courtyard, balconies or small gardens. ?

• To turn the block into ready to use mulch, simply place into a bucket and fill it up with water. The water is then easily absorbed and you will have moist mulch ready for use around the garden. Always follow the directions on the product label.

PLANT FEATURE

• Gem magnolia. These evergreen trees make wonderful small garden features and potted specimens.

• These trees are evergreen and there dark glossy green leaves have a browny-red underbelly. The flowers are pure white and sweetly scented with hints of citrus and produced all year round

• They must be planted in the best quality potting mix rich in organic matter and with added nutrients so that it can sustain strong growth and flowering for many months.

• Trevor says ?Over all, this is a great garden and because it was developed up by the owners using their own initiative it gets a big tick from me. Definitely in the running to be the winner of Perth?s best small garden?.

PRODUCT FEATURE

• Brunnings - Easy Wetta Coir Mulch Block
• Coir or coco peat is the finely shredded husks of the coconuts and it has great moisture and nutrient retention properties.

• Product Benefits and features

• One 60L coir block weighs only 4kg ? 60L of regular mulch can weigh up to 20kg. It is much easier to handle and ideal for courtyard or balcony spaces.
• Just add water and the block will slowly expand to 60 litres of premium grade coir mulch.
• Keeps soil moist in hot weather and keeps soil temperature up in colder weather.
• Coir has an extremely high water holding capacity, it is able to absorb, hold and release water many times over so that plants and garden beds are kept moist for longer.
• The highly absorbent coir also acts as an effective deterrent for snails.
• Also great for use as a potting mix for orchids.

For more information about the product click here
To email Brunnings for more information click here
Or simply visit their website www.brunnings.com.au

CONTACT DETAILS
BRUNNINGS - WESTERN AUSTRALIA
PO Box 1746
Wangara, WA 6947
T: 08 9302 4405
F: 08 9302 4465

FINALIST PRIZES FOR BEST SMALL GARDEN SPONSORED BY

Drovers Garden and Lifestyle Centre
$100 gift voucher
$100 worth of products

CONTACT DETAILS:
Drovers Garden and Lifestyle Centre
1387 Wanneroo Road
T: 9206 4644?