Gin Gin Garden Club’s Claire Austin shares some of her hard-earned gardening lessons

Here is what we have learned in our six years at Gin Gin:

Perseverance. Every September I seem to have to replace some of the little murrayas that didn’t survive the frosts. As they gradually get bigger and more tolerant, I am replacing fewer each year. I think it will be worth it.

Explore your local area. I have learned so much from others, particularly around what to plant. One of the best bits of advice I have received is to go for a drive around your local town or visit your neighbours and see what’s growing locally.

Coffee-table books are beautiful and provide inspiration, but I don’t live in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales or the Cotswolds in England. I need to remember this. I have tried to achieve the cottage garden look by substituting plants such as oleanders for peonies. There are periods where I don’t have time to get into the garden and do all my jobs. When I haven’t done much in the garden, it’s the simple things like mowing the lawn or mulching a garden bed that give me instant satisfaction.

The juggle is real. Trying to garden with little kids around is hard. There’s only so much time I’ve got up my sleeve to get things done. As the days get longer, I like to get into the vegie patch after the kids are in bed.

Going for a wander around the garden after being away is the best welcome home. Seeing how much things have grown and changed; taking the time to appreciate being home. I love to pick big bunches of flowers to have around the house, especially my favourite David Austin roses.

Google is my friend and there are so many online resources that I have turned to for advice: video tutorials, planting guides and inspiration. From UK gardening writer Monty Don’s YouTube videos on pruning roses to Costa’s tips for composting, there is lots of information available from experts to help old hands and new gardeners alike. Here are some of my favourites:

The Diggers Club

The Diggers Club offers a range of video tutorials, fact sheets and advice. There are countless tips on everything from sowing carrot seeds to preparing for bare-root roses. Members receive access to discounted plants and seeds, a seasonal magazine and a timely newsletter with information on what to do in your own climate.

Gardening Australia 

Gardening Australia has a range of fact sheets, stories and tips on growing gardens and vegie patches available on its website. Watch the television program on the ABC at 7:30pm on a Friday night (or catch up on iView) for loads of garden advice from horticulturalists, or you can follow the show on Instagram for inspiration and how-to videos. Information is also available through a monthly magazine.

Dream Gardens

Dream Gardens follows the design evolution of some of Australia’s most beautiful gardens. Watch how dream gardens become a reality on the ABC, 8pm Friday (after Gardening Australia) or on iView.

Monty Don 

Monty Don is great for some northern hemisphere–based inspiration. Follow this UK garden guru on Instagram for tips and advice for the garden or check out his YouTube videos on how to take cuttings from roses and lavender.

SPRING GARDEN CHECKLIST

1. Fertilise

Spring is the time to fertilise and feed your garden as everything starts to grow again after winter is over.

2. Mulch

I generally mulch to about 5cm thickness. This keeps weeds under control and moisture in.

3. Check your watering system.

Make sure sprinklers and drippers are all working before summer.

4. Plant

I like to finish off plantings in early spring, so the roots have time to establish before it gets too hot.

5. Sow summer flowering seeds

This year I’m going to sow cosmos, zinnias, sunflowers, marigolds and echinacea.

6. Start planting spring and summer crops

I’ll plant corn, tomatoes, cucumber, zucchinis, capsicum and eggplant.

7. Seek inspiration

Visit a friend or neighbour whose garden you love. Wander in their garden and absorb their wisdom.

Claire Austin runs the Gin Gin Garden Club —an online garden community she founded in 2019.

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