The topics below have been the focus of some of our previous GGP Peer Evenings. If you would like to attend our GGP Peer Evenings, watch them via live stream or view recordings of our recent peer evenings in our Industry Library. To access these events and recordnings, become a GGP here.

Pest Control

  • Dan Papacek from Bugs for Bugs discussed the issue of Fruit Fly. It is a difficult pest that can do a lot of damage in a small amount of time. The best weapon is a ‘systems approach’, he said. This includes baits, monitoring, sanitation and physical controls like netting.
  • Dr Paul Horne of IPM Technologies presented on the science of Integrated Pest Management and explained how it can be a highly effective and sustainable method of pest control. Dr Horne also detailed practical examples of IPM strategies for our GGP’s to use.
  • Angelo Elliades of Deep Green Permaculture detailed a number of methods and techniques to reduce chemical use such as IPM, including physical and cultural controls. He also covered the latest biological controls now on the market.
  • Arborist Joe Kellett discussed some of the pests and diseases that can be seen on trees in urban areas. He detailed treatments and preventative measures.
  • Dr. Colin Young from Fair Dinkum Fertilisers & Melbourne University discussed the Environmental impact of snail pellets and the effectiveness of seaweed fertilisers.
  • Mathew King from Ryset and Richard Thomas from Wormlovers discussed netting for pest control and worm farming.

Trees

  • A garden tour at Melbourne Polytechnic Fairfield discussing urban tree selection and management – Joe Kellett, more than 30 years in the industry working, studying and teaching arboriculture, and now runs his own arb consultancy business.
  • Summer fruit tree pruning at Montsalvat. A tour and history of the gardens with head gardener Jo Douglas and then a hands on pruning workshop with orchardist and nursery person Graham Morrison.
  • Summer fruit tree pruning with the Heritage Fruit Society at Petty’s Orchard. Including pruning workshops and early variety apple tastings.
  • John Fitzgibbon from Metro Trees discussed with us the importance of considered tree selection in urban environments with regards to our changing climate.
  • Value of trees in the urban environment – Dr. Greg Moore, Burnley Horticultural College.
  • The art of espalier is a technique that has been used for centuries. Given the interest in produce gardens and gardening in small spaces, Chris from Merrywood Plants explained the techniques involved and how to use and manage espaliers effectively.
  • Reviewing the effectiveness of past pruning cuts and shaping of fruit trees at Montsalvat – Matt Mason, Arborist and Trainer & Graham Morrison, Orchardist, Nursery Owner and community radio presenter
  • Tree and shrub selection for urban environments starved of space – John Fitzgibbon, Metro Trees

Plant Selection

  • Horticulturist and GGP member Neil Perkins presented a selection of drought tolerant plants. He chose not to focus on succulents and cacti, but instead showed other species which can also handle less water. His bias was towards the uncommon.
  • Are you confident that you can expertly use native grasses in residential lawns and garden beds? Dr Ian Chivers, founder Native Seeds Pty. Ltd., leader in research and development of Australian native grasses.
  • Plant Selection – Teena Crawford, Manager, Smith & Gordon Wholesale Nursery who has had an extensive career in the horticultural industry, including retail and wholesale nurseries, landscaping and garden maintenance and studied horticulture at Burnley Horticultural College, Melbourne University.
  • Clumping non weedy bamboos – Dale and Pauline Farrell, Owners of Bamboo Grove Nursery, after extensive careers in horticulture, including nursery, garden maintenance, design and irrigation.
  • Diana and Graham Sargeant are the owners of an organic rose business. They discussed with us what they’ve learnt over more than 30 years growing, and teaching others to grow, roses organically.

Biodiversity

  • Horticulturalist and zoologist Dr Wouter van Dongen. Wouter specialises in creating and maintaining wildlife attracting gardens and landscapes, and took us through the important considerations when designing for wildlife.
  • Nest boxes and habitat for birds and wildlife as a GGP’s service to customers – Patrick Fricker, Nature Connects
  • Dr Charles Meredith. Dr Meredith presented on the topic Gardening for Biodiversity – from bush gardens to gardening for the bush.

Food Production

  • How honey bees fit into urban lifestyles – Raphie Kruse, hive owner; Jane Dennithorne, horticulturalist, Angelo Eliades, SGA Industry and Science Research Officer.
  • Edible Gardens – Making them work for the customer – Karen Sutherland, Edible Eden Design

Soil and Fertilisers

  • Helen Lovel from Neutrog explained how the South Australian company uses chicken manure to produce biological fertilisers, including one developed by Angus Stewart and soil scientist Simon Leake, and another with the Rare Fruit Society of SA. The fertilisers are inoculated with beneficial bacteria.
  • Soil scientist Dr Peter May explained the importance of good soil structure for home gardens. He encouraged members to get soil professionally tested to avoid costly mistakes. He also gave advice on renovating seriously degraded soils.
  • Ricky Dent of Green Man Char told us about the production of biochar and smoke water concentrate, how they can be used in horticultural applications as well as their positive environmental benefits.
  • Rock dust; how it works in soils for microbes and plants – Rhys Hamlyn, Geosoil Australia
  • How soil testing underpins good plant performance and sustainable gardening practice – Chris Panter,  Director Soil Microbiology, SWEP Analytical Laboratories.  A Canadian (who has not lost his accent) M.Sc. (Agr.) in Soil Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton.  He has had lecturing positions in several tertiary institutions and acted as a consultant.
  • Dr Peter May discussed the importance and consequences of soil health in urban horticulture.
  • Ken Bailey of Gibsons Groundspread joined us to talk about commercially available composts. He also discussed what to look for in a fully matured compost product and the strictly monitored processes involved in their manufacture.
  • Soil Structure & Soil Biology – Paul McMorran, Bulleen Art & Garden, Richard Lee, Kabuu, Dugald Noyes, Heide Museum of Modern Art
  • Hot composting – Dugald Noyes, Heide Museum of Modern Art
  • Getting the most out of commercially available composts / Soil biology and soil health – Declan McDonald, Senior Soil Scientist, SESL Australia

Landscape Materials

  • Paul McKay’s business, Julia’s Onsite Timber Milling, specialises in turning fallen and felled trees in urban areas into useable timber. Paul explained why he wants this timber to be given a new life instead of being burned or chipped, and how the timber is milled and used in new projects.
  • Frances Saunders of Chisholm Institute of TAFE discussed the sustainability of a number of commonly used landscape materials, and discussed ways to make a smaller environmental impact by choosing the right products.
  • A practical discussion led by landscaper, designer and lecturer Dean Speldewinde explaining the importance of permeable surfaces in the garden. This presentation included an overview of permeable surface options and how to incorporate them into the garden.

Sustainable Garden Design and Assessments

  • Frances Saunders of Chisholm Institute of TAFE and Simon Branson of Green Change Solutions discussed sustainable garden assessments. They outlined considerations for when assessing properties of varying scales, from both design and maintenance aspects.
  • Successful landscape design and construction business owner Brian Rankin discussed the importance of combining all aspects of business sustainability, from environmental practices, to financial and personal sustainability.
  • Urban Conservation: Have we achieved our dreams – Urban Gardening and Biodiversity – Alan Noy, Director of Indigenous Design (est.1987), worked for state and local government in the fields of conservation, mine rehabilitation.
  • Garden Design ideas from Europe – Jane Dennithorne, Design Hortensis
  • Sustainable garden design – Ryan Young, Ryan Young Design.
  • Professional gardener and landscape designer Roy Roberts has a career spanning more than 20 years. Roy shared with us some of his discoveries so far, as well as his thoughts on working with nature rather than against it.

Urban Greening

  • John Hassall discussed green roofs including their history, benefits and how to build them. How Europe has embraced the idea, with 12 percent of roofs in Germany being green. and how to make a green roof properly, including water-proofing, root barriers, drainage and growing media.
  • John Hassall of Greening Landscapes on vertical gardens. John starts with a bit of history, highlighting the work of France’s Patrick Blanc. The main types of green wall systems, construction and installation and maintenance were discussed, as were environmental benefits of green walls.

Climate Change

  • Dr Greg Moore discussed an unexpected effect of heatwaves on urban trees in Melbourne. Three pests – mistletoe, elm leaf beetle and psyllid – fared badly in the extreme hot weather of February 2009. This, he explained, gives us a glimpse of what climate change might mean. There will be losers, but there may be opportunities for other species.
  • Given our rapidly changing climate, Adrian from HR Products showed us some of the latest technology being used in irrigation systems. Wifi, bluetooth, weather sensors and weather data can now all be utilised to provide efficient and effective irrigation systems.
  • New Irrigation – controllers and water use minimisation, Brendan Collins, Reece Plumbing
  • Irrigation – Water efficient gardening – Geoff Conellan, G & M Consulting
  • Recent technological advances and the tried and true in garden irrigation – Adrian Saville, HR Products
  • A fascinating presentation by SGA board member Dr Greg Moore on the evolution of plants. Taking us back hundreds of millions of years to the movement of the earth’s plates, and the impact this had on the distribution and evolution of all plant species. Dr Greg Moore, world authority on trees, spoke about the evolution of plants. This talk is the second in a two-part series. It focused on Australian plants and how understanding their evolution could help us make better choices for our gardens under climate change.

Garden Tours

  • Members met at Petty’s Orchard in Templestowe and were treated to a demonstration of fruit tree pruning. Some were shown a few tricks using their own secateurs. Fred, from the Heritage Fruit Society, spoke about tree structure and growing fruit trees in the home garden.
  • Dr Greg Moore took us on a tour of the very special Burnley Gardens, which have served as an invaluable teaching resource to Burnley students since the 1860’s.
  • We visited the Macleod Organic Community Garden with founders Paul and Robin Gale-Baker. They showed us the amazing progress they’ve made at the garden as well as detailing their processes for designing and building wicking beds.
  • Ranger Katy Marriott took us on a tour of Darebin Parklands. She showed us some recent plantings and discussed how these types of plantings can be modified to suit smaller urban areas.
  • A rare opportunity for a behind-the-scenes tour at the Royal Botanic Gardens – Melbourne with Peter Symes (Curator of Horticulture) and Neil Perkins (Team Leader – Horticulture).
  • Michael Tanner, Head Gardener at Boroondara Cemetery, showed us around the site and discussed the challenges and rewards to managing this unique 12 1/2 hectare landscape.
  • In conjunction with the Heritage Fruit Society we visited the historic Petty’s Orchard. We heard about the orchard and the significance of their collection, did some pruning demonstrations and tasted some of their early ripening heritage apple varieties.
  • A walk through his Riparian Woodland restoration project with Dugald Noyes, Head Gardener at Heide – Museum of Modern Art. Dugald discussed the history of the site and the work being undertaken restoring this significant area by the Yarra.
  • Sustainable Garden Tour: Showcasing the house and garden which was designed to be as sustainable as possible – Diana Cotter,  sustainable garden designer, plant specialist, workshop presenter, runs garden programs at a primary school and Supported Residential Homes.
  • An onsite meeting and discussion at Admon Machinery, detailing how to make smart, sustainable choices regarding your equipment and machinery. Also a demonstration of the new range of tools with rechargeable batteries for commercial applications.
  • Reviewing the respective merits of the unique collection of trees at Burnley Horticultural College – Dr Greg Moore at Burnley Horticultural College, Melbourne University.