Latest news with #PerthGardenShow
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day: Autumn planting and spring planning key focus of Up The Garden Path
Up The Garden Path will return to the Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day for a second year, with an expanded offering bringing a selection of plant sellers and expert advice celebrating the best in gardening. The event formed part of the Field Day for the first time last year, and its genesis is in celebrating gardening and exploring what is possible to grow and thrive in small and large gardens in the Perth Hills and beyond. The sprawling section at the Field Day encourages small landholders with the inspiration and knowledge to create a real-life plant oasis around their homes. This year's event will also have a focus on indoor plants. Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day president Penny Morgan, who is involved with volunteer group Open Garden WA, launched the Up The Garden Path section last year as a way to attract keen gardeners to the event. 'Our new dedicated garden section was very popular last year, so we will be expanding it this year,' she said. 'There will be plants to buy, both ornamental and edible, plus expert local knowledge from the growers themselves.' Ms Morgan — who runs a 44ha olive grove called Felicity's Garden — said the Perth Hills, and Gidgegannup specifically, was a 'unique place' to garden, with heavy soils. 'It is a unique place to grow with a lack of water and challenging soils . . . so the exhibitors that come along are designed to help people grow the best garden possible,' she said. 'We have a big focus on promoting native plants and fire-wise gardens. 'People are also becoming increasingly interested in being self-sustainable, so we also look at vegetables as well.' About nine different exhibitors will come along to the Field Day this year. Among the high-calibre attendees this year is Zanthorrea Nursery owner Ross Hooper, who is bringing about 1000 plants to the Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day for the first time — in conjunction with the business' 50th birthday. Mr Hooper will be attending the Field Day hot on the heels of the Perth Garden Show, held in Victoria Park from May 2-5, and plans to bring along a wide selection of waterwise Australian plants — particularly natives. 'We specialise in Australian natives and want to see more diverse plant selections going into people's gardens,' he said. 'We want to play our part in making animal-friendly gardens.' Mr Hooper — whose grandparents started the business he now owns in 1975 — said he had heard 'excellent feedback' on the Field Day, in terms of attendance and popularity. It also comes at a great time for aspiring gardeners, with Mr Hooper saying autumn was a 'great time to plant'. 'Leading into winter and spring, it is a great time to put in everlasting daisies and annuals . . . and a great time to do some forward planning for spring,' he said. 'A lot of the attendees are small landowners, so they have the space and capacity to put in native gardens.' Among the offerings will be a range of 50x24 tube stock, as well as bigger plants in 140mm pot sizes. 'We will be focused on chatting to people as well as selling plants . . . we love to have a chat, and any queries are welcome,' Mr Hooper said. Up the Garden path is located near the livestock area, near Gate 2 and just a stone's throw from Gate 6, with easy access to the next-door café entertainment area. For those looking for more gardening fun, travel through the café entertainment area to the Bush Verandah, where you will find a free kids' interactive gardening zone. Children can choose a pot, add their favourite plant and personalise it by painting the pot, and take part in making mini worm farms at The Worm Shed. Sue Crosse, of Susa's Gardening Sanctuary, will also be on hand to run flower and veggie seed bombs with children from 10am to 12pm. The Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day is on May 25. To read the official program, pick up a copy of the May 15 edition of Countryman.
Perth Now
26-04-2025
- Perth Now
How West Aussie gardeners can meet Charlie Albone
Keen Perth gardeners will have the chance to learn expert tips from leading landscaper Charlie Albone when he features as a special guest at the Perth Garden Show next weekend. The Sunday Times columnist and Better Homes and Gardens star will be at the event from Friday to Sunday and will be offering up all his green thumb and landscaping advice on the Richgro Knowledge Centre stage. The presenter said the people of Perth were very keen gardeners, one the of the key reasons he enjoys visiting. 'You know they have a real passion for it, and I love sharing what knowledge I have with them and hearing their gardening stories, and it's such a great event to come out to,' he said. 'One of my talks will be with Deryn Thorpe — a local gardener who runs a very good podcast (All The Dirt). Clarissa Feildel and Charlie Albone visit Uluru for a Better Homes and Gardens special. Credit: Supplied 'Then I'm gonna be doing a talk on gardening trends and how to keep your garden healthy and just a few things you need to be doing in the garden that make a big difference to the success of the garden.' Albone also invited readers and viewers to ask burning gardening questions in person and the expo provided a chance to meet them face to face. He is fresh from a trip to Uluru for Better Homes and Gardens, set to air on Friday next week. Joined by cooking presenter Clarissa Fieldel, the pair sampled First Nations cuisine and culture. Albone last visited the red centre 25 years ago as a backpacker. 'I think about what's happened in the last 25 years of my life since that's happened and then you think how long Uluru has been there for and it certainly does make you feel like just a small speck in time,' he said. 'It's an amazing place to go to.' Albone said many people might be surprised to know just how much plant life can grow in harsh environments like the middle of the desert. For those wanting to add a touch of the Northern Territory bush to their gardens at home, Albone recommended saltbush, native berries and coastal rosemary. Perth Garden Show is on from Friday until Sunday at McCallum Park, Victoria Park.
