Open Garden: Tranquillity, Victoria

TRANQUILLITY, in Melbourne’s southeast, offers magnificent views of Port Phillip Bay and beyond to the hills of the You Yangs.

Tranquility garden

149 A’Beckett Road, Narre Warren North, Victoria VIC 3804

Owner: Barbara Muma

Open this weekend 10am to 4.30pm, entry $7, under 18s free.

DESCRIBE YOUR GARDEN: It’s in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs in elevated, semi-rural surroundings. The 0.8ha garden is reached by a descending avenue of trees and is designed around a large lake. It was originally a dam, constructed about 50 years ago. The garden is cottage-style closer to the house, with informal beds of perennials and roses around a central lawn. Below the lake is a bushwalk area, with natives to replace the black­berries and weeds. I’ve developed different areas at a time in the 25 years I’ve been here rather than having a grand plan.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: There are magnificent views across to Port Phillip Bay and beyond to the hills of the You Yangs. The lake sometimes has intricate swirling patterns from the breeze and the border of dwarf Agonis flexuosa ‘Nana’ seems to dance in tune.

BIGGEST CHALLENGES: Watering is ­labour intensive during drought but at least we can pump from the lake. Rabbits are an ongoing battle.

FAVOURITE PART: The privacy and serenity, and watching the water fowl go about their daily routines, eating grass and stealing apples. I’ve counted 63 different bird species, not including our chooks.

WHAT’S LOOKING GOOD: The crabapple archways are covered in rosy apples. Late-blooming perennials are in flower and the roses are full of promise. Persimmons, pomegranates, quince, figs, guavas, citrus and the avocado are all in fruit.

EXTRAS: My partner, Australian composer David Urquhart-Jones, will be performing a ­selection of his piano pieces.

MORE OPEN GARDENS

Tranquility: 16 Station Rd, Locksley, NSW

Pawl’s Retreat: 45 Sitella Rd, Howard Springs, NT

The Prickly Pair House: 63 Sturdee St, Linden Park, SA

Corniche Garden: 30 Corniche Place, Brookfield, Qld

Sunday only

Wychwood: 80 Den Rd, Mole Creek, TAS. $8

Green Sprig: 34 Kiln Rd, Nowergup, WA

FLORA

THE popularity of wall gardens is growing, but affordable and stylish options for home gardeners have been limited. Recognising the gap, Sydney landscape architect Steve Batley has developed Vgarden, an elegant offering for vertical gardens.

Made in Australia using strong, lightweight aluminium, it’s designed for maximum plant performance and
simple installation.

SlimRack, to attach to any wall, comes in various sizes and colours while SlimStand is a freestanding unit, ideal for rentals or where you can’t drill into walls.

Plant performance is maximised due to the unique design that interconnects the soil behind each shelf, allowing growth in units as narrow as 400mm.

Details: vgarden.com.au or 1300 515 304

TWIG

Q: Can self-sown loquat seedlings bear fruit?

Gabrielle Pounsett, Melbourne

Most self-sown seedlings of fruit trees can bear fruit, but because of genetic variability, they may not have the characteristics you want. Some are true to type, but often seedlings are taller trees, take much longer to bear fruit, and have inferior quality fruit. In loquats, seedling-grown trees usually have very large seeds and little flesh. Look for named, grafted cultivars.

Q: We’re making our first vegetable garden. What planting mix is required? Should I get seedlings or seeds?

Chloe Taura, by email

To garden soil add compost, manures, worm castings or other organics. To fill raised beds, buy vegetable garden soil in bulk or use Debco Raised Bed Mix. Some vegies best grown from seed are carrots, peas, snow peas, beetroot and broad beans. Seedlings are easier for beginners; to plant now try any leafy and Asian greens, broccoli, spring onions and leeks.

Q: Is there a way of telling whether roots of a large potted plant are growing into the ground or tree roots are coming up into the pot?

Peter Shannon, Geraldton, WA

Either is a problem, but usually it’s the former. Tilt the pot and sever any roots between the drainage holes and the ground. Repotting will let you see what’s happening, correct the problem and improve the plant’s prospects. Sit pots up on pavers so any protruding roots are air-pruned.

Q: My macadamia tree’s nuts have borer worms. How can I be rid of them without using harmful pesticides?

Graham Folland, Brisbane

Macadamia nut borers are the larvae of a moth, which also affect lychee, longans and some ornamentals. Trichogramma wasps that parasitise the eggs are available, plus excellent information, from bioresources.com.au. Dipel is a biological control but must be sprayed before the caterpillars enter the nuts.