Sunnymeade garden, Anglesea: a haven for adults and adventure for children

SUNNYMEADE is an award-winning garden in Anglesea, Victoria, open to the public this weekend.

Peter and Simone Shaw in their garden. Picture: Geelong + Surf Coast Living magazine.

DESCRIBE YOUR GARDEN:

It’s a coastal garden of mainly native plants, which is a peaceful haven for adults and an adventurous play space for our four children. We set the house at the back of the block to preserve the stands of stringybarks, and this adds a feeling of depth. Stone walls soften the level changes and gravel paths lead gently around the garden. In a gathering place under the gum trees a fire pit becomes a reflective water bowl in summer. We’ve used a lot of different grasses and native shrubs, some clipped into balls of different sizes. Sunnymeade recently won “Best Use of Plants in the Landscape” in the Victorian Landscape Awards.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: The established stringybarks (Eucalyptus obliqua) add such an interesting element with their twisted trunks, even though it’s difficult to get things to grow underneath.

BIGGEST CHALLENGES:Being in the landscape industry (we’ve operated our business Ocean Road Landscaping for 20 years) and finding time for my garden.

FAVOURITE PARTS:Recently we installed a meandering gravel path that leads through the beds of shrubs to the letterbox. It’s a simple element but it’s changed the way we experience the garden. I always wanted a sculpted lawn — I’m a former greenkeeper. This new area is 140sqm of undulating, dome-shaped hills. It’s a great spot to read.

LESSONS FROM YOUR GARDEN:It has let us all creatively express ourselves in one way or another. Sculptures and art pieces around the place have involved us all. I’d like people to learn that using common, everyday plants in an interesting way is achievable. It’s not a fussy garden and it’s quite low care.

EXTRAS:Funds raised go to Anglesea CFA who are doing a sausage sizzle. Wine tasting by Blake’s Estate winery. Ghazeepore, a large country garden also open near Geelong, has live jazz 2-5pm.

48 HARVEY ST, ANGLESEA. OWNERS: PETER AND SIMONE SHAW

OPEN THIS WEEKEND NOON TO 6.30PM ENTRY $8, UNDER 18s FREE

THIS WEEKEND

OPEN 10AM TO 4.30PM ENTRY $8, UNDER 18s FREE

Ghazeepore

680 Ghazeepore Rd, Freshwater Creek, VIC 3216. Noon to 6.30pm.

Arcadia

6095 Huon Hwy, Glendevie,
TAS 7109

News_Image_File: Kakadu plum. Picture: Emma LupinFLORA
Kakadu plum, one of  the bush tucker foods featured in Weekend A-Plus’s cover story, may be a powerful weapon against Alzheimer’s disease. Ralph Martins, Chair of Edith Cowan University’s Foundation of Ageing and Alzheimer’s disease, says kakadu plum appears to have strong antioxidant properties that could stop beta-amyloid, the toxic agent in Alzheimer’s that kills brain cells. Previous trials have shown cucurmin, the chemical compound in turmeric, protects brain cells from beta-amyloids. Early indications are that the antioxidant properties of kakadu plum are up to seven times greater than curcurmin. Martins speculates that the harsh conditions in which kakadu plums grow results in their producing powerful antioxidants to protect themselves.

TWIG

My tomato plants are healthy but have hundreds of tiny, white flying insects around them. Do they cause damage, and what’s the remedy?

WILMA BRBOT, BY EMAIL

Whiteflies are sap suckers that can also spread viruses. Early control is best. Hang sticky traps made from yellow card or plastic, covered in horticultural glue or vaseline. Spray with Natrasoap or a garlic spray. Ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies are natural predators. High-phosphorus fertiliser and Seasol will strengthen plants.

If we grow a murraya to 2m-3m tall near a stormwater pipe will the roots damage the pipe? If so, what kind of hedge would you recommend?

AGNES, SYDNEY

Any tree or shrub, even small ones, will take advantage of water and nutrients offered by a cracked pipe, but these days stormwater pipes are solid PVC, not the old butt-jointed terracotta sections that frequently cracked. The chance of damage to new pipes is small. Avoid planting directly on top of pipes to prevent crushing weight.

I can’t seem to dig up my potatoes without accidentally damaging them. I’ve tried a spade and a mini-rake without success.

MARTA CZAPKOWSKI, BY EMAIL

Most people use a garden fork and also accept some damage is inevitable. Start further out from the plants and work your way in. If you can dig a trench along the outermost row you can sometimes lift the whole plant across. Use any damaged spuds immediately as they won’t store.

What fertiliser do you recommend to help my vegies grow best?

EBONY CARR, BY EMAIL

Prepare the soil with your choice of compost, worm castings, aged animal manures, and blood and bone. Bagged products such as Organic Xtra, Organic Life, Seamungus and Kickalong contain a good mix of ingredients. Mineral rock dusts are excellent. Liquid feeding every week or two boosts growth rates. Examples are PowerFeed, Charlie Carp, Seamax, Uplift, MaxFeed and Harvest. Mix in some seaweed extract too.

Send your questions to: [e-mail] or Helen Young, PO Box 3098,

Willoughby North, NSW 2068. Website: helenyoung.com.au. The best question for January wins a 30m Premium SuperFLEX hose from Gardena, worth $90.