Episode 15 | Romancing the Rhododendron | Exotic Toad Lilies | Water Chestnuts | Rosebud & St Kilda Community Gardens | My Bamboo Odyssey Begins | Veggie Patch Report |
Summary: . * Romancing the Rhododendron - Joseph Hooker - The Indiana Jones of plant hunting. * Exotic Toad Lilies - A touch of paradise in cool climate shade. * Rosebud Community Garden - Their Story from the beginning and thoughts on starting a community garden. * My Bamboo Odyssey begins - Will my tropical Java Black Bamboo seeds sprout?? * I visit the National Rhododendron Gardens. The garden jewel of the Dandenong Ranges. * My Number One Gal Pal, takes me on a birthday trip to the St Kilda Community Gardens. * The Veggie Patch report including: -The growing of 1000 water chestnuts starts with just one - growing my first water chestnuts. -Tassy Gal's garden update ________________________________________________________ Romancing the Rhododendron (http://digitdownunder.com/shownotes/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Purple-Splendour1.gif) (http://digitdownunder.com/shownotes/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Mauve-Rhododendron1.gif) Sir Joseph Hooker was an intrepid plant hunter, trekking the Himalayas and risking life and limb to discover 45 Rhododendron Species circa mid 1800s. ________________________________________________________ Toad Lily - Trycyrtis (http://digitdownunder.com/shownotes/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Toad-Lily-DDU-8cm-2.gif) Exotic herbaceous plant which apart from needing a little moisture, offers easy care pretty flowers in part to full shade. ________________________________________________________ National Rhododendron Gardens The Rhododendron Gardens are like a jewel in the Dandenongs. Here is a picture of one of the sweeping vistas from the gardens. (http://digitdownunder.com/shownotes/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/rhododendron-gardens-pan.jpg) If you'd like to see more pictures, here is the link to the Walkabout page. http://digitdownunder.com/walkabout/?p=235 (http://digitdownunder.com/walkabout/?p=235) Information on how to get there and the official site can be found at: http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=162 (http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=162) ________________________________________________________ Rosebud Community Gardens Lawsons Park, Leon Ave, Rosebud. Victoria Melway K17 486 Visitors Welcome - If the gardens are locked simply go to the organization "Connections" on the other side of Lawsons Park and they will give you a key. If a member is working in the garden then it will be open. For further information about the Rosebud Community Garden or to enquire about becoming a member contact Amalia Sintihinki from the Rosebud Community Garden on (03) 5986 3467. http://www.peninsulahealth.org.au/news/Callingallgreenthumbs (http://www.peninsulahealth.org.au/news/Callingallgreenthumbs) ________________________________________________________ St Kilda Community Gardens Here is a one of many pictures taken on my birthday trip to the St Kilda community gardens. Luna Park is in the back ground. (http://digitdownunder.com/shownotes/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/St-Kilda-Community-Gardens-luna-park.jpg) More pictures here: http://digitdownunder.com/walkabout/?p=212 (http://digitdownunder.com/walkabout/?p=212) ________________________________________________________ Pictures and updates of Tassy Gal's garden can be found at: http://digitdownunder.com/vegetable-gardening/?p=783 (http://digitdownunder.com/vegetable-gardening/?p=783) ________________________________________________________ The 'no dig' garden bed begins: (http://digitdownunder.com/shownotes/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Crop-Circle-no-dig-garden-straw-only.jpg) Now this is what I call crop circles. The outside pads of hay form the walls and the inside of the doughnut has pads at the bottom and loose straw on top. Time to fill the middle with compost, rock dust and organic fertilizer pellets. Then the zucchini can be planted. More information is available on the Vegetable Garden page.
