How big should I make the hole for my plant?
Roughly twice the width and twice the depth of the plastic pot your plant was bought in. Backfill the hole with Rich Organic Soil, remembering to go wider and always mound a bit on top if you are planting in a clay base soil.
 
When do I prune my plants?
The general rule for pruning is straight after flowering or fruiting. Deciduous trees and roses are always done in July whilst bare. Please feed them at the same time.
 
How often should I feed my plants?
At Lee Rowan's we recommend feeding your plants 3 times a year ( Spring, Summer & Autumn) with a slow release fertiliser. This can be supplemented with a liquid fertiliser once a month if needed.
 
How often do I prune my hedge?
A light trim every 3 months is best to keep your hedge bushy and dense. If you let it grow to the height you want and then trim there will be empty spaces near the bottom of the hedge.
 
How often do I need to water my plants?
There is no definite answer to this question as it depends on the particular type of plant and the time of the year, as well as its' location in your garden. The best way to see if a plant needs watering is to bury your fingers into the soil at the base of the plant. In general in our hot Australian summer once a day is necessary, while in winter once or twice a week should be sufficient. Take the time to water down into the soil. It is much better to water the garden thoroughly less often, instead of frequent shallow waterings.
 
What time of day should I water?
The best time for watering is usually early morning or late afternoon. The hottest part of the day should be avoided, along with the evening as many fungus problems can develop with plants being wet all night.
 
If repotting a plant what size pot should I use?
Repotting should always be done in a pot the next size up to avoid excess soil being wasted, as well as the problem of collecting too much water. Always use fill in some form in the bottom of the pot to add in drainage.
 
Can I use Rich Organic Garden Soil in my pots?
No. Garden soil is only for the open garden and will compact hard in pots. Potting mixes are specially formulated with peat to stay friable (easy to break up) in the container and keep the plant healthy.
 
If creating a garden for the first time what depth should I make the soil?
This can vary between existing soils but the general rule is 30cm spade depth of a rich Organic soil. If your existing soil has a clay base, then it is always good to add a top dressing of gypsum first to help break up the clay particles. Remember a better prepared soil will give much better results later.
 
Can I grow fruit trees and vegetables in containers?
Yes. Both vegies and fruit trees can be easily grown in pots for patios and smaller courtyard gardens. There are now many dwarf & pot varieties available at our 3 Garden Centres. We advise a 50 / 50 mix of Rich Organic soil and Potting mix, with of course some drainage material at the bottom of the container. Try to position them in as much sun as possible.
 
What are the best hedge plants for the Newcastle, Central Coast & Hunter region?
Murraya, Lilly Pilly, Photinia Red Robin, Japanese Buxus, Viburnum and Metrosiderous.
 
How fast will my plants grow?
This will depend on the time of the year you are planting but if you have a good depth of Rich Organic soil and regularly feed your plants this will certainly speed things up. A regular trim will often spur plants on to produce new foilage.
 
How much mulch should I use in my garden?
Mulching your garden is very important as a deterrent for weeds and for retaining moisture. We advise a depth of approximately 100mm for maximum results.
 
What is the best mulch to use?
In general finer mulches suit more formal gardens with larger, more colourful mulches suiting native or "greener" gardens. The answer to this question is really a personal choice, often related to the look of the mulch rather than the effectiveness of it. Any mulch will be of benefit to your plants' natural growth.
 
What should I consider when planning my new garden?
Think how you want the space to be used first, then consider all the variables that go into the function of the garden. Do you have children, a pet, or want a generous entertaining area? What type of garden will fit into your lifetsyle? How much is your budget? Once you have decided what you want from your garden, then you have to think about size restrictions and what style of garden will complement your house. If you find all of this too hard, why not call in to our Warners Bay store and enquire about the different levels of garden design /consultation we have available for you.
 
Do you do garden designs for council approval?
Yes. At our Warners Bay store we have an "in house" Landscape Designer who can prepare submissions for Council. Please enquire by email, or phone to discuss your requirements.