Muddy Boots
- Episodes
- 267
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 10, 2026
About the podcast
Landscape Designer, Keith Edwards, and 'Garden Girl', Elisabeth Kingman, join forces to bring an engaging, informative, and entertaining take on all things gardens. From growing perfect produce to garden design, Keith and Elisabeth will cover it. Come along and get your hands and boots muddy. For more information follow us on Instagram @muddybootspodcast
Episodes 267
Question Time 55!
In this episode:Raised garden bedsAdvice on lining treated-pine vegetable beds, including food-safe PE, LDPE or PVC options and contacting Modbox about food-grade liners.Lilly pilly beetleHow to manage …
Show notes
In this episode:
Raised garden beds
Advice on lining treated-pine vegetable beds, including food-safe PE, LDPE or PVC options and contacting Modbox about food-grade liners.Lilly pilly beetle
How to manage recurring beetle damage on lilly pillies, including the discussion of Eco-Neem and Eco-Oil, regular feeding and improving soil health.Building better vegetable beds
Do you need every soil additive on the market? Keith discusses the importance of building a healthy, nutrient-rich soil rather than overcomplicating the process with too many products.Pruning camellias
How much can you safely reduce an established camellia? Advice includes staged pruning and cutting above dormant buds to encourage new growth.Growing strawberries
When to feed, how to maintain productive plants and how to propagate new plants from the first and second runners.High-pH bore water
A useful discussion about testing total dissolved solids (TDS), managing irrigation and improving soil conditions where bore water has high calcium content.Conifer dieback
Possible physical causes of dieback in pencil conifers, including bird and possum activity, and an alternative approach to shaping damaged trees.Native frangipani
Advice on managing high soil pH and improving growing conditions through soil aeration, lignite humate, rock dust and mulch.Plants mentioned
- Lilly pilly – Syzygium spp. (including the 'Backyard Bliss' cultivar)
- Camellia – Camellia spp.
- Crepe myrtle – Lagerstroemia spp.
- Strawberry – Fragaria × ananassa
- Tomato – Solanum lycopersicum
- Broccoli – Brassica oleracea var. italica
- Citrus – Citrus spp.
- Native frangipani – Hymenosporum flavum
- Elm – Ulmus spp.
- Pencil pine – Cupressus spp. (the exact species is not identified in the episode)
- Gum tree – Eucalyptus spp.
- Oxalis – Oxalis spp.
Products and resources discussed
- Clyde Compost – compost, soil blends and potting mix. Use code MUDDY15 for 15% off.
- Neutrog Sudden Impact for Roses – discussed for feeding strawberries and other flowering and fruiting plants.
- Neutrog Bush Tucker – Australian native plant fertiliser.
- Wild May Fruit Fly Attractant – discussed for fruit fly management.
- Munash Rock Dust – discussed as a source of minerals and trace elements.
- Eco!-Neem and Eco-Oil – discussed for lily pilly beetle management.
- Lignite humate – discussed for improving soil conditions and addressing high soil pH.
- WormTech – a soil and compost blend discussed for raised vegetable beds.
Congratulations to Zoe, this month's winner of the Plant Runner Q&A prize!
For more gardening advice and information, visit muddyboots.net.au
Happy gardening
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookThe birds and the bees - planting to attract pollinators
A garden without birds, bees and butterflies, just isn’t a garden’, says Elisabeth. Today we talk about the importance of attracting pollinators!Australia is home to over 1500 bees and pollinating insects.Here …
Show notes
A garden without birds, bees and butterflies, just isn’t a garden’, says Elisabeth. Today we talk about the importance of attracting pollinators!
Australia is home to over 1500 bees and pollinating insects.
Here are some of the ‘bee magnet’ flowering plants.
- Salvias
- Buddleia (also a favourite with butterflies)
- Echium (check out the wildpretii variety)
- Poppies
- Cosmos
- Alyssum
- Queen Anne’s Lace
- Calendula
- Daisies
- Penstemon
- Natives such as wattles, bottle brushes, westringia, grevillea
- Herbs such as - borage, rosemary, oregano, thyme, basil, yarrow, parsley
Attract bees by also providing them with a source of water and places to hideaway (bee hotels, grasses etc are great places for bees to hide) and keep an eye out for for the gorgeous
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookWhat to Grow, Sow and Know This Month: November
November is when the garden really starts to accelerate. With summer approaching, Keith and Elizabeth cover the jobs worth tackling now — from watering and mulching to planting, pruning, harvesting and getting …
Show notes
November is when the garden really starts to accelerate. With summer approaching, Keith and Elizabeth cover the jobs worth tackling now — from watering and mulching to planting, pruning, harvesting and getting ready for heat.
Prepare for summer
- Consider installing a water tank, including slimline tanks that can be connected together.
- Get irrigation systems set up before the heat arrives.
- Mulch garden beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Aerate compacted soil with a garden fork.
- Consider shade cloth for plants vulnerable to summer burn.
Weeds & mulch
- Firehawk is discussed as an organic weed-control option, including for suckers and unwanted growth.
- Fine pine bark is recommended as a garden-bed mulch.
- Granitic sand is another option, particularly as a fine top mulch.
- Avoid poor-quality green-waste mulch that may introduce weeds.
What to plant now
November is a great time for:
- Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)
- Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)
- Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)
- Capsicum (Capsicum annuum)
- Chillies (Capsicum annuum)
- Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
- Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)
For herbs, try growing them in pots using a quality potting mix:
- Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
- Vietnamese mint (Persicaria odorata)
Summer colour & beneficial insects
Plant potted colour en masse to create summer impact and attract beneficial insects:
- Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
- Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
- Roses (Rosa spp.)
Hoverflies are already active in the garden and their larvae can help control aphids naturally.
Pruning & maintenance
After spring flowering, consider deadheading:
- Camellias (Camellia spp.)
- Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.)
- Gardenias (Gardenia spp.)
- Leucadendrons (Leucadendron spp.)
- Leucospermums (Leucospermum spp.)
When pruning leucadendrons and leucospermums, leave 6–8 leaves behind the cut so the plant can recover.
Keep an eye on pests
Fruit fly is a major concern as the weather warms, particularly around:
- Lemons (Citrus × limon)
- Limes (Citrus spp.)
- Oranges (Citrus × sinensis)
The episode discusses Wild May Fruit Fly Attractant, along with physical exclusion netting for fruit trees and tomatoes.
For tomatoes and other crops, 2 mm insect exclusion netting is recommended.
Other pest-management tips include physical barriers for codling moth and elm leaf beetle, and Eco-Neem for chewing pests.
Other plants mentioned
- Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
- Elm (Ulmus spp.)
- Verbena (Verbena spp.)
The three big jobs before summer
1. Get your water sorted.
2. Get irrigation in place.
3. Get the mulch down.And, importantly, don't forget to enjoy the garden!
Products & resources
MycoGold – BioStim
Used when planting or around established plants to support root development and plant establishment.
BioStim MycoGoldWild May Fruit Fly Attractant
Discussed for managing Queensland fruit fly.
Wild May – Sage HorticulturalClyde Compost
For quality compost and potting mix mentioned in the episode.
Clyde CompostMore Muddy Boots: muddyboots.net.au
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookTough Plants for Tough Places
Tough Plants for Tough PlacesThis week on Muddy Boots, Keith shares some of his favourite plants for challenging garden conditions — from hot, dry and exposed sites to poor soil, coastal winds, heavy clay …
Show notes
Tough Plants for Tough Places
This week on Muddy Boots, Keith shares some of his favourite plants for challenging garden conditions — from hot, dry and exposed sites to poor soil, coastal winds, heavy clay, frost and shade.
We cover how to choose plants for difficult microclimates, improve challenging soils, and select plants that can thrive rather than simply survive.
Plants mentioned
Hot, dry & exposed
- Plane tree — Platanus digitata
- Salvia — Salvia spp.
- Santolina — Santolina spp.
- Rosemary — Rosmarinus officinalis
- Lavender — Lavandula spp.
- Allard's lavender — Lavandula × allardii
- French lavender — Lavandula dentata
- Teucrium — Teucrium spp.
- Euphorbia — Euphorbia spp.
- Limonium — Limonium spp.
- Billy buttons — Pycnosorus globosus
- Artemisia — Artemisia spp.
- Bottlebrush — Callistemon spp.
Poor, dry & coastal soils
- Correa — Correa spp.
- Westringia — Westringia spp.
- Grevillea — Grevillea spp.
- Hakea — Hakea spp.
- Acacia — Acacia spp.
- Black she-oak — Allocasuarina littoralis
- Casuarina 'Cousin Itt' — Casuarina glauca
- Callitris — Callitris spp.
Succulents & dry-climate plants
- Senecio — Senecio serpens
- Cotyledon — Cotyledon orbiculata
- Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' — Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'
- Aloe — Aloe spp.
- Agave — Agave spp.
- Kalanchoe 'Bear's Paw' — Kalanchoe tomentosa
Frost & cold
- Crepe myrtle — Lagerstroemia spp.
- Olive 'Mission' — Olea europaea 'Mission'
- Chinese elm — Ulmus parvifolia
- Black locust — Robinia pseudoacacia
- River birch — Betula nigra
Also featured
- Miscanthus — Miscanthus spp.
- Rudbeckia — Rudbeckia spp.
- Verbena — Verbena bonariensis
- Helenium — Helenium spp.
- Choisya — Choisya spp.
- Astilbe — Astilbe spp.
- Daphne — Daphne spp.
Soil tips
Keith explains why soil preparation is critical, particularly for difficult sites. We discuss compost, broadforking, gypsum for appropriate clay soils, and improving sandy soils with lignite humate.
The episode also highlights the importance of understanding the microclimate before selecting plants — because the toughest plant isn't necessarily the right plant for every location.
Book recommendation
Tough Plants for Tough Places by Sharon Amos — a useful reference for gardeners looking for plants that can handle challenging conditions.
More information
The Plant Runner: theplantrunner.com
The Plant Runner's Great Australian Indoor Plant Survey is also open until 30 November, with a chance to win $1,000 worth of plants and plant care.Muddy Boots: muddyboots.net.au
Thanks to Clyde Compost for sponsoring Muddy Boots. Use code MUDDY15 for 15% off your order.
Happy gardening! 🌱
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookMuddy Boots Special Guest: Stefanie Williams from David Austin Roses
Muddy Boots: The Wonderful World of RosesThis week on Muddy Boots, we’re talking all things roses with Stephanie Williams, International Business Development Manager for David Austin Roses.We explore what makes …
Show notes
Muddy Boots: The Wonderful World of Roses
This week on Muddy Boots, we’re talking all things roses with Stephanie Williams, International Business Development Manager for David Austin Roses.
We explore what makes a great rose, how roses are bred, choosing roses for Australian conditions, soil health, feeding, watering, pruning, pests and disease — and why roses may be much easier to grow than you think.
In this episode
- What makes a great rose — beauty, fragrance, vigour and disease resistance
- How new roses are bred and why it can take 12 years to develop one
- Choosing the right rose for Australian conditions
- Soil preparation, compost, mulch and feeding
- Watering deeply and less frequently once established
- Growing roses in pots and containers
- How and when to prune shrub and climbing roses
- Deadheading and encouraging repeat flowering
- Managing black spot, powdery mildew and aphids naturally
- Why biodiversity and beneficial insects are so important
- Why a rose can be a great choice for beginner gardeners
Roses mentioned
- Constance Spry — Rosa 'Constance Spry'
- Graham Thomas — Rosa 'Graham Thomas'
- Lark Ascending — Rosa 'Lark Ascending'
- Olivia Rose Austin — Rosa 'Olivia Rose Austin'
- Emily Brontë — Rosa 'Emily Brontë'
- Queen of Sweden — Rosa 'Queen of Sweden'
- Tottering-by-Gently — Rosa 'Tottering-by-Gently'
- Princess Alexandra of Kent — Rosa 'Princess Alexandra of Kent'
- Gertrude Jekyll — Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'
Products & resources
- Clyde Compost — use code MUDDY15 for 15% off
- Neutrog Sudden Impact for Roses
- Seaweed products for supporting healthy plants
- Leaf mould and well-rotted horse manure/pony poo for mulching
Key takeaway
Choose the right rose for the right place, give it healthy soil, adequate water, good airflow and a little regular care — and you can enjoy beautiful blooms and fragrance for years.
Thanks to Stephanie for joining us from the UK — and to Clyde Compost for sponsoring Muddy Boots.
For more information, visit muddyboots.net.au.
Happy gardening!
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookQuestion Time 54!
This episode covers flea beetles, tree borers, climbing pumpkins and melons, soil health, stink bugs, fruit fly, worms, wicking beds and a struggling magnolia.Plants MentionedVegetables & fruitEggplant — …
Show notes
This episode covers flea beetles, tree borers, climbing pumpkins and melons, soil health, stink bugs, fruit fly, worms, wicking beds and a struggling magnolia.
Plants Mentioned
Vegetables & fruit
- Eggplant — Solanum melongena
- Apple — Malus domestica
- Rockmelon — Cucumis melo
- Pumpkin — Cucurbita spp.
- Butternut Pumpkin — Cucurbita moschata
- Potimarron Pumpkin — Cucurbita maxima
- Wee Be Little Pumpkin — Cucurbita pepo
- Jack Be Little Pumpkin — Cucurbita pepo
- Tomato — Solanum lycopersicum
- Broccoli — Brassica oleracea var. italica
- Cauliflower — Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
- Capsicum — Capsicum annuum
- Chilli — Capsicum spp.
- Passionfruit — Passiflora edulis
Trees & ornamentals
- Elm — Ulmus spp.
- Oak — Quercus spp.
- Pepperina — Schinus molle
- Fig — Ficus spp.
- Magnolia — Magnolia spp.
Questions Covered
• Flea beetles: Managing infestations on eggplants using Eco-Neem, sticky traps and soil treatment.
• Tree borers: What to do when borers attack mature trees, including pruning, aeration and soil health.
• Growing over arches: Delicious rockmelon and pumpkin varieties suited to vertical growing.
• Soil health: pH, compost, rock dust, broadforking and building healthy soil biology.
• Stink bugs: Simple methods to control these persistent pests.
• Worms: Why worms may come to the surface after adding soil amendments and how to distinguish earthworms from compost worms.
• Brassicas: Why broccoli and cauliflower can remain netted throughout the growing season.
• Queensland fruit fly: Netting, attractants and identifying fruit fly damage.
• White grubs: How to distinguish beneficial orange/yellow-headed grubs from damaging black-headed grubs.
• Magnolia: Helping a mature tree recover after extreme heat and drought.
Products & Resources
- Clyde Compost — https://clydecompost.com.au
Use code MUDDY15 for 15% off. - Neutrog Go-Go Juice
- Neutrog Populate
- Seasol
- Eco-Neem
- Eco-Oil
- MycoGold — https://biostim.com.au/shop/myco-gold
- Digger's Club
- The Plant Runner — https://theplantrunner.com
Plant Runner giveaway: Congratulations this month's winner.
Live Q&A: Join Elizabeth and Keith at Frankston Library at 1pm on Wednesday 21 October.
For more information, visit muddyboots.net.au.
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookMuddy Boots Special Guest: Vince from Clyde Compost
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook
What to Grow, Sow and Know This Month: October
This video is about MBP - October's Garden - RD 22 Sep 2026Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy …
Show notes
This video is about MBP - October's Garden - RD 22 Sep 2026
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookShade Loving plants
Shade Loving plants.Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook
Question Time 53!
Brought to you by The Plant Runner, Keith and Elizabeth answer listener questions on phosphorus levels in wool-industry by-products, fast-growing screening plants, alkaline compost readings, camellias …
Show notes
Brought to you by The Plant Runner, Keith and Elizabeth answer listener questions on phosphorus levels in wool-industry by-products, fast-growing screening plants, alkaline compost readings, camellias struggling in pots, vegetable garden design, moving Hardenbergia, sooty mould and cat-contaminated garden beds. The episode focuses on practical ways to choose plants, improve soil, manage pests and diseases, and design a productive, low-maintenance garden.
Plants recommended in episode
Grevillea spp - Take extra care with phosphorus levels, as grevilleas can be more phosphorus-sensitive than many other Australian natives.
Banksia spp - Another group to monitor when using products containing phosphorus.
-Syzygium australe ‘Straight and Narrow’ Recommended for dense screening; plant approximately 1.2 metres apart
-Escallonia ‘Iveyi’ - A non-native screening option with dark green foliage; plant approximately 1.2 metres apart.
- Viburnum odoratissimum - Suggested where a taller, wider screening plant is required; plant approximately 1.5 metres apart
- Cupressus ‘Arctic Green’ - Recommended for a tall, dense screen; plant approximately 2.2 metres apart.
- Camellia japonica- Planting in the ground is preferred to growing in pots in hot conditions.
- Espaliered fruit trees - Suggested for lining a redesigned vegetable garden.
- Pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchinis and melons - Recommended for growing over tunnels or archways between raised beds.
- Hardenbergia - Can be moved with care; prune it back by approximately one-third, retain as large a root ball as possible and replant promptly.
Products and gardening materials
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookOur Ultimate Guide to the Home Herb Garden
This episode is a practical guide to growing herbs at home, whether you have a backyard, balcony, or sunny windowsill. Elizabeth and Keith discuss the easiest herbs to start with, where different herbs grow …
Show notes
This episode is a practical guide to growing herbs at home, whether you have a backyard, balcony, or sunny windowsill. Elizabeth and Keith discuss the easiest herbs to start with, where different herbs grow best and how to keep plants productive through regular harvesting. They also cover perennial and less familiar herbs, herbs that attract bees and beneficial insects, growing basil and coriander indoors, preserving herbs by drying, and using fresh herbs in cooking.
Herbs can be rewarding, useful, and adaptable—provided each plant is matched with the right light, drainage, moisture, and space.Expert Recommendations — Plants
• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Sage
• Mint — grow in pots because it can spread aggressively in the ground
• Thyme
• Marjoram
• Common mint
• Chives — divide established plants when necessary and remove old bulbs
• Lemongrass
• Chinese chives
• Vietnamese mint
• Spearmint
• Peppermint
• Basil
• Coriander
• Slow-bolt coriander
• Chervil
• Saltbush
• Lemon myrtle
• Tasmanian pepperberry
• Aniseed myrtle (Syzygium anisatum)
• Borage
• Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
• Heartsease
• Goldenrod
• Elderberry
• Nettles
• Mullein
• Slippery elm
• Red rose petals
• Burdock root
• Gotu kola
Also mentioned in this episode:
Diggers Club
Morningside Landscapes
Mudbrick Herb CottageWhere you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookWhat to Grow, Sow and Know This Month: September
September marks the garden’s transition into Spring across much of Australia. Elizabeth and Keith discuss how to prepare gardens for the growing season, including planting, soil preparation, pruning, feeding …
Show notes
September marks the garden’s transition into Spring across much of Australia. Elizabeth and Keith discuss how to prepare gardens for the growing season, including planting, soil preparation, pruning, feeding, lawn care, dividing plants, and attracting beneficial insects. The episode focuses on practical jobs gardeners can tackle now to encourage healthy growth and prepare for productive Summer crops and colourful spring displays.
Plants mentioned in episode:
• Evergreen trees and shrubs, including camellias
• Peas
• Beans
• Berry canes
• Potatoes
• Dahlias
• Horseradish
• Artichokes
• Lily bulbs
• Ginger
• Galangal
• Turmeric
• Violas
• Marigolds
• Alyssum
• Nasturtiums
• Borage
• Comfrey
• Summer-flowering bulbs
• Ornamental alliums
• Crocosmia
• Monarda
• Bottlebrush
• Grevilleas
• Hakeas
• Banksias
• Camellias
• Apple trees
• Pear trees
Product and Tool Recommendations
Neutrog Gogo Juice
Neutrog “Who Flung Dung”F.D Ryan's Broadfork
Neutrog Sudden Impact for Lawns
Rooster BoosterWhere you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookMuddy Boots Special Guest: Cheryl Kearney - Ruffy fires
Cheryl’s chat with the Muddy Boots crew is really a story about shock, survival, and slowly finding your feet again. She talks through the chaos of the Ruffy bushfires — the scrambled updates, the awful wait to …
Show notes
Cheryl’s chat with the Muddy Boots crew is really a story about shock, survival, and slowly finding your feet again. She talks through the chaos of the Ruffy bushfires — the scrambled updates, the awful wait to hear what had happened, and the surreal moment of returning to a completely blackened landscape with only her little house still standing. It’s emotional, but she tells it with such honesty that you can almost feel what those days were like.
From there, the episode becomes a gentle, hopeful look at how gardening helps people heal. Cheryl explains how she started clearing ash, watering anything that looked vaguely alive, and reconnecting with neighbours who were all trying to rebuild in their own way. When Keith organised donations of compost and soil products, it wasn’t just practical help — it gave the whole community a lift. By the end, you really get the sense that growing even a few veggies or seeing a tree reshoot can be the first step back toward feeling normal again.
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookQuestion Time 52!
Another Q&A packed with practical gardening advice, from curl grubs and sick olive trees to thrips, blueberries, wicking beds, Boston Ivy and growing your own passionfruit.🌿 Plants MentionedVegetables & …
Show notes
Another Q&A packed with practical gardening advice, from curl grubs and sick olive trees to thrips, blueberries, wicking beds, Boston Ivy and growing your own passionfruit.
🌿 Plants Mentioned
Vegetables & fruit
- Tomato — Solanum lycopersicum
- Cauliflower — Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
- Blueberry — Vaccinium spp.
- Lime — Citrus × aurantiifolia
- Lemon — Citrus × limon
- Black Passionfruit — Passiflora edulis
Ornamentals & natives
- Olive — Olea europaea
- Lavender — Lavandula spp.
- Rosemary — Salvia rosmarinus
- Ornamental Pear — Pyrus calleryana
- Snow Maiden Grevillea — Grevillea 'Snow Maiden'
- Crepe Myrtle — Lagerstroemia spp.
- Banksia — Banksia spp.
- Boston Ivy — Parthenocissus tricuspidata
- Climbing Fig — Ficus pumila
Plants mentioned as companion/mulch options
- Pea Straw — Pisum sativum
- Lucerne/Alfalfa — Medicago sativa
- Pine — Pinus spp.
🐛 This Episode's Questions
Curl grubs: How to tell beneficial yellow/orange-headed grubs from root-eating black-headed cockchafers.
Olive trees: Supporting mature olive trees showing possible signs of Verticillium wilt, including irrigation, soil health and root support.
Cauliflowers: Identifying whether slugs, snails or earwigs are responsible for damaged leaves.
Rice hull mulch: Why Keith doesn't recommend it as a mulch and alternatives including pea straw and lucerne.
Thrips: Why Success isn't effective against thrips and how Eco-Oil and Eco-Neem can be used.
Blueberries: How often to repot, pruning advice and maintaining acidic soil.
Limes: Why ripe limes can turn yellow — and what happens to their flavour when left on the tree.
Grevilleas & Crepe Myrtle: Can they grow together? Plus designing a garden to provide succession of flowering and attract birds.
Wicking beds: Advice for hot climates, reducing watering requirements and automated irrigation.
Boston Ivy: Why it can take a year to establish and whether it can damage a metal fence.
Passionfruit: Growing black passionfruit from seed, protecting plants from frost and why grafted passionfruit can become invasive.
🧰 Products & Resources Mentioned
- Original LOWY No.1 Anvil Pruner – www.backyardbotanist.com.au
- Neutrog Populate – https://neutrog.com.au
- Neutrog Go-Go Juice – https://neutrog.com.au
- Munash Mineral Rock Dust – https://www.munashorganics.com.au
- MycoGold – https://www.biostim.com.au
- Eco-Oil – https://www.ecoorganicgarden.com.au
- Eco-Neem – https://www.ecoorganicgarden.com.au
- Clyde Compost – https://clydecompost.com.au
- Digger's Club – https://www.diggers.com.au
- The Plant Runner – https://theplantrunner.com
🏆 Plant Runner Giveaway: Congratulations to Gerry, this month's winner, for her question about her 18-year-old olive trees.
Happy gardening! 🌱
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookLandscaping in Difficult Terrain
Got a sloping block, awkward corner, or challenging piece of land that feels impossible to landscape? In this episode, Keith explains why difficult terrain can become one of a garden’s greatest assets. From …
Show notes
Got a sloping block, awkward corner, or challenging piece of land that feels impossible to landscape? In this episode, Keith explains why difficult terrain can become one of a garden’s greatest assets. From creating garden rooms and pathways to making the most of views and natural features, this episode is packed with ideas to help gardeners see opportunities where they once saw obstacles.
Plants recommended in this episode
- Callistemon spp. — Bottlebrush
- Acacia spp. — Wattle
- Eucalyptus spp. — Eucalypt
Products & Tools recommended in this episode
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookWhat to Grow, Sow and Know This Month: August
August is all about getting ready for the spring rush. In this practical seasonal episode, Keith talks through the key jobs to tackle before the garden takes off, from sowing warm-season seeds and planting …
Show notes
August is all about getting ready for the spring rush. In this practical seasonal episode, Keith talks through the key jobs to tackle before the garden takes off, from sowing warm-season seeds and planting flowering annuals to improving soil, feeding organically, protecting fruit trees from disease, and staying alert for late frosts. It’s a useful preparation episode for gardeners wanting to build stronger soil, get ahead of pests and diseases, and make the most of the final weeks of winter.
Seeds to sow indoors or in greenhouse
- Tomato
- Chilli
- Capsicum
- Eggplant
- Black Passionfruit
- Cosmos
- Snapdragon
- Marigold
Seeds to sow directly into your garden
- Snow Pea
- Sweet Pea
- Cornflower
- Poppy
- Carrot
- Potato
- Radish
- Turnip
Seedlings to start in August
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Kale
- Silverbeet
Products & Tools recommended in this episode
- Clyde's Compost
- Neutrog “Who Flung Dung”
- MycoGold
- Neutrog Gogo Juice
- Neutrog Popul8
- Munash Rock Dust
- Neutrog Rooster Booster
- EE Sea Liquid Fertliser
- Lime Sulphur
- Copper Fungicide
- Seasol
- Moon calendar
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookMuddy Boots Special Guest: Jami from Backyard Botanist
Looking for quality gardening tools that actually last, or wondering what products experienced gardeners swear by? In this episode, Elizabeth and Keith chat with Jamie Stewart, founder of Backyard Botanist …
Show notes
Looking for quality gardening tools that actually last, or wondering what products experienced gardeners swear by? In this episode, Elizabeth and Keith chat with Jamie Stewart, founder of Backyard Botanist, about turning a passion for plants into a successful business. From heirloom-quality tools to small-space gardening and the growing demand for well-made products, this episode is packed with inspiration for gardeners who appreciate quality, practicality, and a love of the craft.
Products & Tools recommended in this episode
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookQuestion Time 51!
This month’s Q&A brought to you by The Plant RunnerMoving plants, battling persistent weeds, setting up productive veggie beds, or wondering if you're doing things the right way? In this practical Q&A …
Show notes
This month’s Q&A brought to you by The Plant Runner
Moving plants, battling persistent weeds, setting up productive veggie beds, or wondering if you're doing things the right way? In this practical Q&A episode, Keith tackles a wide range of real-world gardening challenges submitted by listeners from around Australia. Packed with straightforward advice, seasonal tips, and problem-solving solutions, this episode is ideal for gardeners looking to avoid common mistakes and get better results from their gardens.Plants recommended in this episode
- Raphanus sativus — Radish (particularly French Breakfast radish)
- Pisum sativum — Sweet pea
- Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon — Snow pea
- Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon — Sugar snap pea
Products & Tools recommended in this episode
- Clyde's Compost
- Manutec pH Test Kit
- F.D Ryan's Broadfork
- Dicamba Herbicide
- HDPE or LDPE Food-Grade Plastic Liner (for raised garden beds)
- Neutrog Gogo Juice
- Wormly Worm Farms
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookMuddy Boots Special Guest: 2026 MIFGS Award Winner, Conchi Bastin
Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just needing a reset? In this inspiring episode, special guest Conchi Batson shares how gardening became a lifeline during a difficult chapter in her life. Discover how slowing …
Show notes
Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just needing a reset? In this inspiring episode, special guest Conchi Batson shares how gardening became a lifeline during a difficult chapter in her life.
Discover how slowing down, getting your hands in the soil, and reconnecting with nature can transform both your mindset and your garden.
If you’ve ever needed a reason to step outside and reset, this episode will leave you feeling motivated and hopeful.
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookHome Compost Bins (& Prize Winner Announcements)
Struggling with smelly bins, slow breakdown, or compost that just doesn’t work? This episode takes the guesswork out of composting and shows you how to get it right. Keith shares simple, practical insights to …
Show notes
Struggling with smelly bins, slow breakdown, or compost that just doesn’t work? This episode takes the guesswork out of composting and shows you how to get it right. Keith shares simple, practical insights to help you turn kitchen scraps and garden waste into rich, living soil. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to improve your results, this episode will help you compost with confidence and boost the health of your garden.
Products & Tools recommended in this episode
- Clyde's Compost
- Rooster Booster
- F.D Ryan's Broadfork
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookWhat to Grow, Sow and Know This Month: July
July’s Garden – this episode of Muddy Boots highlights essential winter gardening tasks to prepare for spring. Keith emphasises pruning deciduous plants, planting bare-rooted trees and roses, and improving soil …
Show notes
July’s Garden – this episode of Muddy Boots highlights essential winter gardening tasks to prepare for spring. Keith emphasises pruning deciduous plants, planting bare-rooted trees and roses, and improving soil with compost and additives. He recommends planting ornamentals, bulbs, and winter vegetables like brassicas and root crops. Pest control, mulching, and lawn care are also key, along with frost protection. Overall, staying active in winter ensures healthier plants and stronger growth in the coming season.
PLANTS (Recommended by Keith)
- Lagerstroemia indica — Crape myrtle
- Magnolia spp. — Magnolia
- Acer palmatum — Japanese maple
- Acer platanoides — European maple
- Acer saccharum — Canadian maple (sugar maple)
- Paeonia spp. — Peony (both bush and herbaceous types)
- Nerine spp. — Nerine
- Ranunculus asiaticus — Ranunculus
- Brassica oleracea (various groups) — Brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale)
- Spinacia oleracea — Spinach
- Lactuca sativa — Lettuce
- Coriandrum sativum — Coriander
- Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis — Wombok (Chinese cabbage)
- Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis — Pak choy
- Quercus spp. — Oak
- Fraxinus spp. — Ash
- Liquidambar styraciflua — Liquidambar
- Rosa spp. — Roses
- Primula × polyantha — Polyanthus
- Viola spp. — Violet
- Primula spp. — Primula
- Brassica rapa subsp. rapa — Turnip
- Allium cepa — Onion
- Beta vulgaris — Beetroot
- Raphanus sativus — Radish
- Pisum sativum — Peas (including snow peas)
PRODUCTS / TOOLS with hyperlinks
- MycoGold (BioStim)
- Clyde Compost
- Eco Neem
- Eco Oil
- Monash Rock Dust
- Neutrog “Who Flung Dung”
- Neutrog Sudden Impact for Lawns
- FD Ryan Broadfork
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookQuestion Time 50!
Recommended PlantsHibiscus spp. — HibiscusEremophila nivea — Emu BushPhilotheca myoporoides — Long-leaf WaxflowerCorrea backhouseana — CorreaCorrea baeuerlenii — Chef’s Cap CorreaLiriope spp. — LilyturfLiriope …
Show notes
Recommended PlantsHibiscus spp. — Hibiscus
Eremophila nivea — Emu Bush
Philotheca myoporoides — Long-leaf Waxflower
Correa backhouseana — Correa
Correa baeuerlenii — Chef’s Cap Correa
Liriope spp. — Lilyturf
Liriope muscari ‘Evergreen Giant’ — Giant Lilyturf
Liriope spp. ‘Alba’ / ‘Monroe’s White’ — White Lilyturf
Pachysandra insignis — Japanese Spurge
Anthemis ‘Susanna Mitchell’ — Anthemis (chamomile-type)
Anthemis ‘E.C. Buxton’ — Anthemis (chamomile-type)
Rosmarinus officinalis (prostratus) — Prostrate Rosemary
Myoporum parvifolium — Creeping Boobialla
Casuarina glauca ‘Cousin It’ — Cousin It / Prostrate Sheoak
Recommended ProductsEE – Sea Fertliser
Neutrog Bush TuckerWhere you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookPotatoes
Potatoes. The fourth most important staple food in the world. Growing your own is simple and rewarding and incredibly healthy for you.Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website …
Show notes
Potatoes. The fourth most important staple food in the world. Growing your own is simple and rewarding and incredibly healthy for you.
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!
Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | FacebookGardening With and For Kids
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook
What to Grow, Sow and Know This Month: June
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook
Muddy Boots Special Guest: Petrina Blooms
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook
Question Time 49!
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook
Plants that shine in Winter
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook
What to Grow, Sow and Know This Month: May
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook
Question Time 48!
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook
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