Episode: #4 23/09/2006
Presenter: Sue McDougall

The Garden Gurus have been inundated with viewers signing up to join our online garden club. On the club site there is so much local gardening information at your fingertips 24 hours a day as well as the feature to get your garden questions answered by one of the gurus. Questions have been coming thick and fast and many members have the same query.

It is spring and we are in the month when most people get inspired to do some gardening. Many of our members have just moved into a new house and have spent all their money on the house and now there is not much left over to start the garden. So they want to know how they can save money and get a garden at the same time.

If there is one piece of advice you take away from this show it is to do with soil improving. Spend most of your budget on soil improving, even if it means buying smaller plants in the short term. Many plants can adapt to poor soil conditions and will grow, but to get plants to thrive dig soil improver in the soil when planting and the bigger the hole the better.

As a general guide we talk about digging a hole twice the size of the pot, but if you dig a hole even bigger, the good soil is around the roots and the plant can get established quickly and develop into the deeper cooler soil. This is one of the key points in starting to create a water wise garden.

Succulents are so easy to grow and there is a stunning collection in the garden centres at the moment. They are the perfect water wise plant for black thumb gardeners!

Once you get some growing they develop small pups that can be broken off and planted into different containers. For something different select a few old china cup or small dishes, fill the cup with cacti and succulent mix or seed raising mix and then plant the small pieces of succulents in them. Water in lightly, being careful not to drown the plants.

The planters will not need watering again for about 4 weeks and will thrive on a verandah in a well lit position, out of the rain. When they get too big, plant out in the garden and start again.

Now what could be more waterwise than that?

For inspiration on some waterwise plants why not visit Kings Park wildflower Festival which opens next Thursday the 28^th September and goes through until the 2^nd October. The festival showcases the best of WA?s flora.

For more waterwise ideas join our online garden club!