Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
There is one thing I have noticed about water restrictions in
Melbourne. When people's lawns die out they are replaced by weeds and large bare patches. The overall effect is to make the garden look exceedingly bad. People just give up tending it altogether since no matter what you do it will look bad. Many gardens in my suburb were showpieces - now they look like the kind of gardens that yobbo's have. When I drive across Melbourne at the end of summer I see a parched strangled looking city that is a shadow of its former self. Clearly it is a city that has lost its pride. State Governments used to call Victoria the garden state. You'll note that this description has dissapeared from the lexicon. It would be a joke to continue using it. There appears to be a change afoot regarding gardens, especially lawns. Peter Cundall recently said something to the effect that lawns are a thing of the past and appearred to be endorsing the new parched look of Australian cities. I suspect he hasnt had sex in a long time. New drought hardy gardens are being pushed. These generally consist of large areas of gravel and half strangled looking flax type plants that you see in deserts. I am reminded of a scene in the movie "Sparticus" where Kirk Douglas is working in some sort of open cut mine. All you see is gravel gravel gravel. These type of gardens are appalling - when you compare them to a traditional garden like Melbourne's botanical gardens the effect is stark. What worries me is what fate lies in store for my garden. I have invested a lot of time in it and take pride in it. In addition, it is the only way I have of expressing my creativity. It's my own little patch of the world that I regard as a tranquil refuge from a world that's spinning off its hinges.Now it would seem that I am destined to have a yobbo style garden or else one of those appalling gravel themed gardens. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
"Nick" wrote in message oups.com... There is one thing I have noticed about water restrictions in Melbourne. When people's lawns die out they are replaced by weeds and large bare patches. The overall effect is to make the garden look exceedingly bad. People just give up tending it altogether since no matter what you do it will look bad. Many gardens in my suburb were showpieces - now they look like the kind of gardens that yobbo's have. When I drive across Melbourne at the end of summer I see a parched strangled looking city that is a shadow of its former self. Clearly it is a city that has lost its pride. State Governments used to call Victoria the garden state. You'll note that this description has dissapeared from the lexicon. It would be a joke to continue using it. There appears to be a change afoot regarding gardens, especially lawns. Peter Cundall recently said something to the effect that lawns are a thing of the past and appearred to be endorsing the new parched look of Australian cities. I suspect he hasnt had sex in a long time. New drought hardy gardens are being pushed. These generally consist of large areas of gravel and half strangled looking flax type plants that you see in deserts. I am reminded of a scene in the movie "Sparticus" where Kirk Douglas is working in some sort of open cut mine. All you see is gravel gravel gravel. These type of gardens are appalling - when you compare them to a traditional garden like Melbourne's botanical gardens the effect is stark. What worries me is what fate lies in store for my garden. I have invested a lot of time in it and take pride in it. In addition, it is the only way I have of expressing my creativity. It's my own little patch of the world that I regard as a tranquil refuge from a world that's spinning off its hinges.Now it would seem that I am destined to have a yobbo style garden or else one of those appalling gravel themed gardens. Do you have the money and a spot to put in a tank? If so do it and prepare for next year's summer. It will rain again, and as BP said be prepared. Jim Waiting for rain in southern inland Qld. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
"Nick" wrote in message
There appears to be a change afoot regarding gardens, especially lawns. Peter Cundall recently said something to the effect that lawns are a thing of the past and appearred to be endorsing the new parched look of Australian cities. I suspect he hasnt had sex in a long time. That is an extremely silly thing to say. You just spent ages telling us that your suburb looks ghastly, gardens now look they are owned by yobbos, the State is no longer called the garden State, but then say that a garden expert who SHOULD notice how hard it is to maintain lawns in our new drier climate hasn't had sex in a long time!!!!!!!!!!! If you think that Cundall hasn't had sex lately then by your own post about dying lawns and yobbos, you indicate that you must be a virgin. You may not like not having a lawn but its the new reality unless you are prepared to do some serious work. New drought hardy gardens are being pushed. And sensibly so. These generally consist of large areas of gravel and half strangled looking flax type plants that you see in deserts. You haven't looked close enough or hard enough. Look up Michael McCoy for a start. His gardens do feature gravel but then so do most of the best gardens in Britain. It's a great medium for keeping the place looking neat and simply wonderful as a growing medium on the edges of paths for self seeders. And if you know anything about gardening then you will recognise the name of Beth Chatto who is one of Britian's greatest gardeners and gardens in a very dry location. Get her book on gravel gardening out of the library and then come back and tell us how ugly gravel is, if you dare. Her dry gravel garden is qunitessentially lush English gardening at its best. It's al labout plant choice and design for beauty not about ow much water you can waste. What worries me is what fate lies in store for my garden. I have invested a lot of time in it and take pride in it. In addition, it is the only way I have of expressing my creativity. It's my own little patch of the world that I regard as a tranquil refuge from a world that's spinning off its hinges.Now it would seem that I am destined to have a yobbo style garden or else one of those appalling gravel themed gardens. Then get off your butt and do some research. You can still have a very beautiful and traditional garden but you need to make wise plant choices and have a very small patch of lawn which may not be a grass lawn. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
snipped good reply
Then get off your butt and do some research. You can still have a very beautiful and traditional garden but you need to make wise plant choices and have a very small patch of lawn which may not be a grass lawn. Absolutely. I've managed to have great gardens in SE qld, which hasn't had decent rain for, oh, about 10 years. Still, we are all used to it, and have tanks and recycle all water instead of having automated sprinkler systems galore as all your apparently garden guru neighbours most likely had. I had roses, herbs, vegies, the works, all on water bucketed out from washing machine and bath; as we were buying water at $80 every two weeks, every drop was precious. I wasn't the only one, everyone else in the community does too. Now I live in the tropics, I still use my watering can; a hose just doesn't feel right. Time you people who've had water while the rest of australia hasn't adjust your gardening methods, buy some tanks, and get on with life. Moaning about how sad your dead lawn is and expecting the government to build bigger dams won't cause rain, and it will evaporate from the dams when it does. If you have a tank, you'll be laughing over your green lush garden while those around you complain. Oh, and learn to mulch. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
Nick wrote:
Many gardens in my suburb were showpieces - now they look like the kind of gardens that yobbo's have. When I drive across Melbourne at the end of summer I see a parched strangled looking city that is a shadow of its former self. Clearly it is a city that has lost its pride. Nope, you are an idiot with his head up his arse. There appears to be a change afoot regarding gardens, especially lawns. Peter Cundall recently said something to the effect that lawns are a thing of the past and appearred to be endorsing the new parched look of Australian cities. I suspect he hasnt had sex in a long time. Lawns are a totally fscking useless idea and there is a mile long list as to what is wrong with them New drought hardy gardens are being pushed. These generally consist of large areas of gravel and half strangled looking flax type plants that you see in deserts. Stop watching commercial TVs and start to think for yourself. Gardens that look like a design from a TV show just show what low inteeligence you have. What worries me is what fate lies in store for my garden. Since you are such an obvious selfish dickwad, may I suggest you install a greywater diverter to water your lawn. They were right, future wars will be fought over water {:-). Everyone in the street stopped wasting water on their luscious lawns, except one selfish prick who continue to pour it one. I wonder why it died? He does have bare ground. Lol, I love my culturally diverse front verge; paspalum, bindi, barell medic, white clover, red clover, something bird cage keepers keep knocking off, dandelion, oats(?) and kikuyu. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
"meeee" wrote in message ... snipped good reply Then get off your butt and do some research. You can still have a very beautiful and traditional garden but you need to make wise plant choices and have a very small patch of lawn which may not be a grass lawn. Absolutely. I've managed to have great gardens in SE qld, which hasn't had decent rain for, oh, about 10 years. Still, we are all used to it, and have tanks and recycle all water instead of having automated sprinkler systems galore as all your apparently garden guru neighbours most likely had. I had roses, herbs, vegies, the works, all on water bucketed out from washing machine and bath; as we were buying water at $80 every two weeks, every drop was precious. I wasn't the only one, everyone else in the community does too. Now I live in the tropics, I still use my watering can; a hose just doesn't feel right. Time you people who've had water while the rest of australia hasn't adjust your gardening methods, buy some tanks, and get on with life. Moaning about how sad your dead lawn is and expecting the government to build bigger dams won't cause rain, and it will evaporate from the dams when it does. If you have a tank, you'll be laughing over your green lush garden while those around you complain. Oh, and learn to mulch. and if you don't already do it cut your lawn high and mulch the grass back in to it. rob |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
"George.com" wrote in message ... "meeee" wrote in message ... snipped good reply Then get off your butt and do some research. You can still have a very beautiful and traditional garden but you need to make wise plant choices and have a very small patch of lawn which may not be a grass lawn. Absolutely. I've managed to have great gardens in SE qld, which hasn't had decent rain for, oh, about 10 years. Still, we are all used to it, and have tanks and recycle all water instead of having automated sprinkler systems galore as all your apparently garden guru neighbours most likely had. I had roses, herbs, vegies, the works, all on water bucketed out from washing machine and bath; as we were buying water at $80 every two weeks, every drop was precious. I wasn't the only one, everyone else in the community does too. Now I live in the tropics, I still use my watering can; a hose just doesn't feel right. Time you people who've had water while the rest of australia hasn't adjust your gardening methods, buy some tanks, and get on with life. Moaning about how sad your dead lawn is and expecting the government to build bigger dams won't cause rain, and it will evaporate from the dams when it does. If you have a tank, you'll be laughing over your green lush garden while those around you complain. Oh, and learn to mulch. and if you don't already do it cut your lawn high and mulch the grass back in to it. rob Yep, great tip there....or do what DH does and don't cut it at all |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
"meeee" wrote in message
news the dams when it does. If you have a tank, you'll be laughing over your green lush garden while those around you complain. Oh, and learn to mulch. and if you don't already do it cut your lawn high and mulch the grass back in to it. rob Yep, great tip there....or do what DH does and don't cut it at all oh please, you people, lawns are just SO passé anyway - pete cundall's right. g anyway, i'm just wondering if someone who trolls a gardening n.g. is called a gnome. :-S kylie |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
g'day nick,
mmm did post a reply seems to have gotten lost? anyhow if gardeners have thought it through for this predominately dry country of ours, they would be nurturing indemic native species very suited to the gardeners growing conditions. no good trying to grow a water loving plant in a garden that doesn't get lots of rain, as it is the same with the aspect of the yard and where gardens are ie.,. things that need a northern or eastern aspect may not do terribly well on a western aspect. the asian infuence may suit some if they want that ordered look but to me they always seem hotter and drier gardens in our climate. and every gardener should be making use of the recycled water, and have a rainwater tank of sunbstantial capacity installed. but i do applaud those who have let their lawns/garden go to rack and ruin so to speak, so called weeds are better than nothing just shows what could be achieved in gardens if a lesson was taken from the weeds. and at the end of the day the use of mushroom compost in gardens and then covered with heaps of usefull mulch eg.,. hay, sugar cane mulches, the gardens won't dry out as much, and use far less water. and if garens are planted along the contours and stgructures are set to trap run off water and put it underground that will bring up the moisture capacity of the whole yard. On 17 Oct 2006 05:04:14 -0700, "Nick" wrote: snipped With peace and brightest of blessings, len -- "Be Content With What You Have And May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In A World That You May Not Understand." http://www.gardenlen.com |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
"gardenlen" wrote in message ... g'day nick, mmm did post a reply seems to have gotten lost? anyhow if gardeners have thought it through for this predominately dry country of ours, they would be nurturing indemic native species very suited to the gardeners growing conditions. no good trying to grow a water loving plant in a garden that doesn't get lots of rain, as it is the same with the aspect of the yard and where gardens are ie.,. things that need a northern or eastern aspect may not do terribly well on a western aspect. but i do applaud those who have let their lawns/garden go to rack and ruin so to speak, so called weeds are better than nothing just shows what could be achieved in gardens if a lesson was taken from the weeds. and at the end of the day the use of mushroom compost in gardens and then covered with heaps of usefull mulch eg.,. hay, sugar cane mulches, the gardens won't dry out as much, and use far less water. and if garens are planted along the contours and stgructures are set to trap run off water and put it underground that will bring up the moisture capacity of the whole yard. unfortunately on many lawns Len they are dead level, such is the appeal of manicured grass. If you want rain we'll gladly give you some, it has been cool and wet this month after a glorious warm and sunny september. How your garden, is the mushroom compost still going ok? Given its low mix of NPK my suspicion is that it will be depleted in a growing season with around 1/2 the nutrients used up. What are your experiences with it long term? I have used some as a base in a raised bed which has just been planted with lettuces. Rob |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
Here in WA water shortages have been with us since the late 1960's, and look
like continuing for a goodly while yet. If it comes down to a choice of potable water coming from my drinking tap, or a green lawn I sure as hell know which choice I'd make. My 2 cents worth is that Nick adapt to the new water way of the world or go the way of the other dinosaurs. Flooz in a hot dry WA! "Nick" wrote in message oups.com... There is one thing I have noticed about water restrictions in Melbourne. When people's lawns die out they are replaced by weeds and large bare patches. The overall effect is to make the garden look exceedingly bad. People just give up tending it altogether since no matter what you do it will look bad. |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
g'day rob,
you can send the rain anytime you like mate, we will welcome it with open arms. we pretty much use mushy compost exclusively it is affordable and easy to get, have you seen our latest project on our site? i ahve read a lot of comment that is sort of against mushy but for us those things never happen, we are growing summe crops in our beds (just started last autumn) after a full crop of brassicas still with some cabbages to come and silverbeet still abound from the plants first planted in the autumn. we use hay mulches and add our kitchen scraps under the mulch so this all feeds the agrden along with when a crop is finished the remains gets pulled and broken up roughly (no shredder this time) and laid back on that spot and covered with mulch, now next autumn i reckon we'll be adding more mushy on top of what is there and mulching that and on we go. On Thu, 19 Oct 2006 23:51:18 +1300, "George.com" wrote: "gardenlen" wrote in message .. . snipped With peace and brightest of blessings, len -- "Be Content With What You Have And May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In A World That You May Not Understand." http://www.gardenlen.com |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
"gardenlen" wrote in message ... g'day rob, you can send the rain anytime you like mate, we will welcome it with open arms. we pretty much use mushy compost exclusively it is affordable and easy to get, have you seen our latest project on our site? i ahve read a lot of comment that is sort of against mushy but for us those things never happen, salt content? I have read certain comment but that surely would depend on from what the compost is made. rob |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
g'day george,
pretty much all mushroom compost straight from the farm i would expect to be the same/similar product, so what may be in one i would expect to find in another. i have read that some say there are ph problems, but so far in all the years we have used it all things have grown well, the pictures on our page must show that? and the end result product as well. salt is probably in everything even the natural landscape, and salt is bandied around as someway to influence chat eg.,. there is a recipe on our site to make liquid detergent for clothes etc.,. i contains 1 cup of washing soda (salt), i've had people target that cup of salt (mind you when the regular off the shelf items don't even list salt), and say that this is not good to recycle in the garden. we ahve used our grey water for over a decade even with off the shelf items, and no problems as all our plants are always healthy. and at the end of the day it leaves me pondering how one cup of salt in 20 litres of product distributed through 6,400 litres of end product grey water, spread over a whole garden. and our worm populations have always been very good you don't get good results without them. how many gardenrs use fertilisers that contain sulphate? lots and lots i would say, a scientific person once pointed out to me that when you mix water with sulphate you get sulphuric acid, and those products that contain that for the main probably have anyhwere between 5% & 20% max of the other active ingredients. so i guess i said all that to say observations and results just don't support the negative camps theories. On Fri, 20 Oct 2006 21:03:14 +1300, "George.com" wrote: snipped With peace and brightest of blessings, len -- "Be Content With What You Have And May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In A World That You May Not Understand." http://www.gardenlen.com |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Water restrictions and gardens
Every ounce of our used water goes back into our ground as we have a Septech treatment plant. Treated waste (black & grey water) is dispersed via dripper lines - it's clean and clear enough to even provide a veggie garden with but it is not recommended but really you could. Nearly every property in our area has these and it's always green wherever one is installed. Some builders of new homes are now incorporating treatment plants and I certainly don't know whether you can have one on your average suburban block but on a bigger block I think every new house should seriously consider treating their own waste and it's worth considering putting them into older existing dwellings/properties. If most people did this it would be an enormous help re our water problems. Our water needs to be valued like liquid gold. |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Re Water Restrictions | Australia | |||
Drier conditions & water restrictions - what to do? | United Kingdom | |||
Water Restrictions | Edible Gardening | |||
Hey George ( Water Restrictions | Edible Gardening | |||
Water restrictions / Grey water / efficient drip feed system. | Australia |