Hortiman

Sharpening Secateurs

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:05:12 +1100

Check out this great ‘How to on sharpening secateurs!

newsflick: One of the winning entries from the RSPCA Young...

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:13:04 +1100

One of the winning entries from the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards – a synchronised caterpillar eating team taken by Georgia Hardy, 12, which won the 12 to 15-year-old group. (Georgia Hardy)

What are you ‘lichen’ this Christmas?

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:11:00 +1100

What are you ‘lichen’ this Christmas?

Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then...

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:00:00 +1100

Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them.
— Bill Vaughan

earthhour: Smaller font = bigger forests

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:29:54 +1100

earthhour:

Smaller font = bigger forests

For more check out www.hortiman.com

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:18:07 +1100

For more check out www.hortiman.com

Sensational Salad Bowl Project

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:47:00 +1100

Are you looking for the perfect gift this Christmas? Maybe you are you looking for a project to keep you busy over the holiday season? Here is a project that tastes as good as it looks. It will either make the perfect gift or perfect addition to any sized garden.

Add a bit of fun like this novelty gift-card made from a small ornament (in this case a small watering can) and you have the perfect package for someone special this festive season.

Follow these simple steps to create your own…

Step 1: Select a nice broad bowl and some salad greens. When choosing what lettuce to use I opt for non-hearting varieties (don’t grow into balls like Iceburg lettuce) that can be harvested leaf-by-leaf. Here I have chosen Cos lettuce varieties and Mizuna.

Step 2: Make sure that the pot you select has a drainage hole (essential!) and fill with potting mix. The one used in this project is a certified organic mix of which there are a few on the market.

Step 3: Fill with the potting mix to the top and then lightly firm down with your hands to give yourself a lip of at least 1cm to make watering easier.

Step 4:Remove your seedlings from their punnets and work out which are the larger growers (to put in the centre) and which are smaller.

Step 5: I have added Violas to this bowl which will colour up both the pots as well as the salads made from them (the flowers are edible). Check at your local garden centre what edible flowers are in season. Thoroughly water in your creation to settle all of your tasty little friends!

Step 6: You can also add a bit of fun! This little watering can makes a great gift card (as well as reminds the recipient - in this case Mum, to water!).

FOR MORE SEE www.hortiman.com

Create your own Tasty Herb Pot

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:24:00 +1100

Follow these steps to create a beautiful herb pot that makes either a great addition to any home or a lovely living gift this Christmas. The selection of herbs is up you and can be customised to what you use most.

STEP 1

Visit your local garden centre and collect small pots or punnets of the herbs commonly used in the kitchen, potting mix and a suitable pot to house them all. In this project I have used a terracotta strawberry pot that are available at most retailers in various sizes. I have also included some seasonal annuals in this planting for a bit of colour (plus the Viola flowers can be used to brighten up salads!)

STEP 2

Fill with good quality potting mix to the level of the side pockets. These mixes are generally a bit more expensive but well worth it in the long run.

Step 3

When planting your herbs remember that some can be divided like these chives. Simply pull them apart into smaller quantities.This could even lead to excess clumps which you could even keep yourself.

Step 4

Firm each of your herbs into their planting pockets around the pot and fill any gaps with potting mix trying to remove any air-pockets as you go.

Step 5

Continue filling your pot so that you can plant out the top, leaving a minimum of 1cm space from the top which will make watering easier and mean it will not overflow too easily.

Step 6

Plant in your larger growing herbs (in this case Rosemary) which will have more room to grow and fill around with other smaller herbs and even some colour (Viola & Nasturtium flowers can also be mixed though salads to brighten them up).

Step 7

Apply a slow release fertiliser that will maintain the plants for months ahead.

Step 8

Water your new creation to settle in all of the plants as well as the potting mix. Let it drain and it is done! Who would not want to receive such a beautiful and useful gift?

www.hortiman.com

fastcompany: An Open-Source Hydroponic Vertical Garden With A...

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:38:04 +1100

fastcompany:

An Open-Source Hydroponic Vertical Garden With A Built-In Social Network

unconsumption: gardensinunexpectedplaces: Today’s how-to:...

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:09:09 +1100

unconsumption:

gardensinunexpectedplaces:

Today’s how-to: Transform a pallet into a (succulent-filled) table. Even the legs for this garden-table project are repurposed: they were found at a garage sale.

Details: DIY Succulent Pallet Table | Far Out Flora.

On the Unconsumption Tumblr, we’ve posted examples of other furniture items made from reclaimed pallet wood, but not this table — until now! Looks like some nice woodcraft and gardening work.

Photo

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:08:24 +1100

Sweet peas are so lovely. Here is a pic of one I took a few...

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:52:00 +1100

Sweet peas are so lovely. Here is a pic of one I took a few weeks back.

For more see www.facebook.com/hortiman

The amazing Cordyceps fungus. David Attenborough explains this...

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:29:00 +1100

The amazing Cordyceps fungus. David Attenborough explains this amazing fungal parasite that infects ants, controlling their numbers. Watch it, it is amazing!

For more check out www.facebook.com/hortiman

Melbourne’s Urban Forest Strategy

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:21:31 +1100

Melbourne’s Urban Forest Strategy

"The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is right now."

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:14:26 +1100

““The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is right now.””

- Ian Shears -Manager Urban Landscapes City of Melbourne

Check out www.facebook.com/hortiman

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:00:08 +1100

Check out www.facebook.com/hortiman

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:17:00 +1100

Subscribe to our newsletter

Growing herbs on your window sill? Check out this cool planter...

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:32:00 +1100

Growing herbs on your window sill? Check out this cool planter from Elho. It includes three-bladed scissors that mount to its side that will have your herbs diced-up in no time at all.

Check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/hortiman

Ho, ho, ho…rticulture ;) Hortiman has put on his Santa...

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:23:28 +1100

Ho, ho, ho…rticulture ;)

Hortiman has put on his Santa hat in the lead up to Christmas! I will have to see if we can organise some special garden gifts for followers this month… stay tuned to our Facebook page for details www.facebook.com/hortiman

yourearthhour: Matthew Carroll from Hortiman is Earth Hour’s...

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:32:27 +1100

yourearthhour:

Matthew Carroll from Hortiman is Earth Hour’s garden adviser. In his first blog post, he talks about ways people can set up a garden using a very small space - dwarf fruiting trees, espaliers, greenwalls and vertical gardens, hanging baskets, indoor crops and multi-purpose plants.

In today’s world, it’s easy to think it’s too difficult for young people to have the time and space to cultivate a garden, especially if they live in an apartment. But Hortiman will be answering questions on Earth Hour’s Facebook page today from 4 PM EST (US) to dispel this myth.

If you have any questions or would like further information visit Hortiman on their website or check them out on Facebook. To find out more about the many benefits of plant life in your life visit Plant/Life Balance on Facebook.