Gardens and Unicorns

Have you ever made a New Year's resolution and kept it?

I read a funny saying the other day about New Year's resolutions. It said, "My New Year’s resolution is to become a unicorn". I think many of us tend to over exaggerate our expectations of ourselves and in doing so, our New Year’s resolutions become a bit of a fantasy.

For this reason I don't make them anymore.

unicorn in a garden

Instead, I prefer to say - I have set my intentions for the year ahead.

If you could set your intentions for year ahead now, what would they be?

Would any of those intentions be green-orientated?

Is this the year for that vegetable patch to finally get planted, or to start landscaping the back yard? Maybe it's something really simple, like intending to care for your plants more.

Whatever it is, keep it simple as we don't want yards full of unicorns!


Personally, I think the first step to not having a garden full of unicorns is to be honest with ourselves.

So many of us don't like being wrong. I of course don't have a problem with being wrong because I'm always right......

Seriously though, I find the biggest hurdle in sharing gardening knowledge is asking people to be honest about their soil.

We might be certain of the type of soil in our gardens, but how many of us can honestly say we have continually added organic matter into that soil to make it rich and healthy? How many of us can honestly say that we fertilise or replenish (add composts) our soil every three months and liquid fertilise every two weeks?

Sometimes the difference between rarely and often can be the secret to unlocking our gardens full potential.

Some of us may already be doing this, but how much of this water and fertiliser is really getting into our soils and how much is the root of the plant really getting?

With this continued horrible heat we are experiencing, our plants dry out much sooner than we think. In addition, this heat and wind has a tendency to suck any excess moisture out of both the soil and foliage of the plants.

Soils can quickly become hydrophobic and this hydrophobia can lead to unhealthy plants and sometimes, even the death of a plant. Even if you think you are a great waterer, hydrophobic soil can strike anywhere, at anytime. It can happen in gardens, lawns and pots.

The problem with hydrophobic soil is that it doesn't just stop water from getting to your plant, it can also stop fertilisers from penetrating the soil.

While mulching and composts can help, I find the quickest and easiest way to combat hydrophobic soil is with a soil wetter.

I know I've mentioned this before, but I see this lack of water in the soil is a common problem and I know from my own experience that soil wetters do make a difference. I use Soil Soaker, either in granular or liquid form, at Trevallan Lifestyle Centre and at home. I prefer the granular, but my mother and sister prefer the liquid. Either way, both do a fantastic job.

Another product I love to use in this heat is my liquid fertiliser 'Silica and Potash'. Regular use of Silica and Potash Foliar Spray reduces heat and frost damage, as well as wind burn. It improves plant growth, flowering and fruit count. It also makes plants physically tougher, and we all know that tough plants are more resistant to pest and fungal attack.

So let’s get rid of the unicorns in your garden and instead, start creating a healthy, thriving garden environment.