Apples. The recent 39 degree temperatures proved how resilient apple trees really are. Give them adequate water for the first few years, and they’ll provide sweet rewards for the next couple of hundred.
Berries. Soft fruit like raspberries are delightfully easy to grow given the right conditions, and they’ll fit in all kinds of awkward spaces. Plus, they’re delicious!
Colour. Colour can energise those parts of the garden that need excitement, and provide a sense of relaxed calm in other parts. Or, you can break all the rules and do your own thing.
Dam Levels. Those gardeners connected to Toowoomba’s water supply can look forward to a relaxation of water restrictions in 2010. Let’s not get too carried away though. Water is our most precious resource, and we still need to find ways to use it wisely.
Enthusiasm. If you’re a beginning gardener, don’t let the garden snobs put you off. As far as I’m concerned gardening is a pursuit open to all who have the enthusiasm to give it a go.
Frogs. I believe that gardeners have a responsibility to make a home for wildlife, particularly struggling species like native frogs. Ditch the chemicals and create some habitat.
Global Warming. It’s real, it’s happening, and it will affect Downs gardeners in all sorts of unforeseen ways. Experiment with plants that can handle the booms and busts.
Healing. Don’t underestimate the role gardening can play in healing the body or a busted heart. As garden writer Michael McCoy says “We’re nurtured as we nurture”.
Imperfection. Gardens are alive. They are, therefore, imperfect. This is hard for neat freaks to accept, but on occasions it’s worth letting nature have its head.
Jimbour Station. One of the most inspiring gardens on the Downs. It’s spacious, immaculately maintained and the 19th century style veg garden is a stunner.
Kids. Minimalist, formal style gardens are hostile to lots of things, but none more so than kids. My advice is to loosen up. Make time and space for children.
Labiates. In 2009 I found plants in the Lamiaceae or mint family to be especially useful. Salvias are a favourite, but the family includes agastaches, westringia and many more gardenworthy plants.
Makeovers. The noughties were all about the garden makeover, which has little in common with actual garden making. I’m guessing that the next decade will see the backyard fruit and veg garden make a big comeback.
Nasturtiums. It’s time to rediscover nasturtiums. They’re dead easy to grow, edible and beautiful to boot. I like the old fashioned varieties that scramble all over the place.
Olives. One of the most adaptable plants is the humble European olive tree. Plant them in groves, use them for hedges, or plant one a single specimen tree. They’re worth it.
Poultry. Keeping a few chooks in the garden is a decision few people regret. They’re an outstanding source of manure and a charming presence to have clucking around.
Quercus. One of the most magnificent trees I’ve ever seen is a southern live oak Quercus virginiana, in the grounds of Geham State School. Absolutely worth a spot in a large garden.
Recycle. It’s easy to produce lots of gardening waste, but with some care and thought, it’s possible to minimise what goes into landfill by recycling. Ditch your green bin – compost instead.
Soil. The big dust storm in September ought to be a stark reminder that soil is vital to human life, but if we treat it mean it can blow away, wash down the creek, or fill with salt.
Time. Despite our protestations and fertilisations, plants take time to get established. In 2010, I’m resolving to relish the journey, rather than anticipating the destination.
Ugliness. Modern society dishes out ugliness in droves, be it in the form of buildings, street violence, fashion or electrical retailer ads. Fight back by making your garden beautiful.
Vegies. If you thought 2009 was a big year for home vegie growing, wait until 2010. My tip is that old fashioned veg gardens will be springing up in backyards all over Toowoomba and beyond.
Whining. One of my dad’s favourite sayings is “no-one likes a whinger”. Instead of longing for greener pastures, let’s resolve to make the most of what we’ve got.
X-Factor. To set your garden apart from the crowd, have the confidence to let it truly reflect the personality of you, and your family. The best gardens bear the signature of their owners.
Generation Y. Never before has a generation been so disconnected from nature. Those of us who are experienced growers would be smart to pass on our knowledge and love of gardening.
Zzzz. That’s quite enough for one year. Happy gardening in 2010!
First published in The Chronicle, 26th December 2009.
