Blue Duck Gardens
Blue Duck Gardens
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NZ Cabbage tree - garden friend or foe?
Cordyline australisthe NZ Cabbage tree, tī kōuka is a much maligned species. In New Zealand gardens it’s sometimes considered a foe because it drops fronds where they are deemed a problem. However there is much more to this amazing species and its cultivars. Watch this video to find out more about Cordyline australis, its history and uses.
For more information see www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-plants/cabbage-tree-ti-kouka/
Переглядів: 77

Відео

Looking good and doing good in gardens
Переглядів 166 місяців тому
Gardens can do more than one thing. Surprise, surprise. Think about plantings that achieve multiple functions. Not just looking good but providing food, habitat for creatures, herbs - medicinal and culinary. And these can be mixed together to provide a garden that doesn’t just look good for the neighbours. Not just a seperate aesthetic garden and a vege garden out the back but an integrated, pr...
Weeding without chemicals - vinegar on driveways, paths and pavers.
Переглядів 3066 місяців тому
In this video Brent explains how he uses simple household vinegar to weed through hard surfaces - paths, driveways and pavers.
18 November 2023
Переглядів 82Рік тому
Having trouble getting your lawn to grow? In this video Head Gardener Brent gives one clear message. No light, no lawn. Note we’re not lawn specialists but if you want an unsuccessful lawn just ask us ;)
Feeding your garden in Spring.
Переглядів 28Рік тому
How do you feed a garden in Spring? In this video our Head Gardener, Brent, talks about using aged sheep poo. The key points are: 1. Use it sparingly. It's powerful stuff and you don't want to overdo. 2. Feed plants consistent with their needs. Natives don't necessarily need much if they're growing in their native soils. Similarly some plants actually suffer with excess fertility. We've recentl...
Weeding without chemicals
Переглядів 81Рік тому
How do you weed without chemicals? At Blue Duck Gardens we choose to deal with weeds without chemical weedkillers. In this video, Brent, explains why and gives a couple of examples of how we deal with weeds. And remember, weeds are just plants doing their jobs in nature!
How to get rid of Wandering Willie
Переглядів 1,5 тис.Рік тому
Tradescantia fluminensis aka Wandering Willie is a miraculous plant that does well in New Zealand conditions. Problem is that it does too well! It's hard to get rid of. In this video Brent, Head Gardener at Blue Duck Gardens, tell us how to deal with this plant using organic methods. Principally, shading it out. Oh, and by the way, chickens love it and will get rid of every little bit.
How to design a garden - Pt 1
Переглядів 632 роки тому
How do you design a garden? In this video we talk from a freshly planted spring garden in Lower Hutt. Learn about unity - creating a cohesive and consistent garden. Focal points - drawing the eye to a specimen tree. Assymetry - balancing the seesaw.
Spring planting success, Avoid garden mistakes.
Переглядів 242 роки тому
How do you get your plants to grow well? Well, plant them in the place where they will do best. In this video Brent talks about the importance of putting the right plant in the right position.
How to kill slugs - beer traps.
Переглядів 1152 роки тому
Are the slugs getting the better of you? There are many methods of slug control. Some benign, some toxic, some effective, some not. In this video Brent talks about one method of slug control that works for him. Beer traps. Simple concept. Easily executed. Very effective.
How do I get rid of gorse? Without chemicals.
Переглядів 2,4 тис.2 роки тому
Gorse. What to do about it? You can burn it, poison it, cut it back, cut it down, cut it out...and it just keeps coming back. Watch this video to learn about gorse and how to deal with it. For inspiration check out this video about Hinewai Reserve - an amazing bush restoration project based on the premise that gorse is not a problem - it can provide a solution. Note there is another way - knock...
Feeding Roses - the organic way.
Переглядів 802 роки тому
In this video Brent talks about using blood & bone to feed roses. Plus a non-animal product alternative. He's feeding the roses at the end of winter. This is unusual but the weather in his area was unseasonably warm and the rose had produced its first true set of leaves.The general rule of thumb with blood & bone is one cup per square meter. Fork or hand-mix it into the soil and then water ligh...
Peastraw mulch for beginners.
Переглядів 3842 роки тому
Pea straw mulch is a popular choice for gardens, particularly for vegetable gardening. Blackbirds love throwing it about and it's worm heaven! So what is it and how do you use it? A word of caution. Select your supplier with care because sometimes pea straw comes with chemical residues. This may manifest as deformed, curled or dismorphic plants in your pea straw mulched gardens.
Foliar feeding - healthy plants are happy plants.
Переглядів 442 роки тому
Feeding plants via their leaves, foliar feeding, is an efficient way to get nutrients where they need to be. In this video we talk about the basics of foliar feeding. On our clients properties we use comfrey tea which we have brewed ourselves and liquid seaweed as a supplementary feed. It strengthens the plants, reducing issues and helping the plants thrive.
What is mulch?
Переглядів 9022 роки тому
Learn about mulch and its benefits. Mulch is a layer of organic matter that is used as a top layer over the ground in and around plants to conserve moisture, help suppress weeds and create soil. To be effective, you have to choose the right mulch for your situation and lay it correctly for maximum effect. With organic wood mulchI'd recommend a layer of compost underneath or your plants may be d...
Growing plants in winter. Advice for gardeners. SD 480p
Переглядів 282 роки тому
Growing plants in winter. Advice for gardeners. SD 480p
How to prune apple trees in winter - home gardens.
Переглядів 2 тис.2 роки тому
How to prune apple trees in winter - home gardens.

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @beautyandthewind
    @beautyandthewind Місяць тому

    Love this Brent. We’ve got a big guy in the backyard that really feels like the heart of the property. They are amazing.

    • @blueduckgardens7201
      @blueduckgardens7201 Місяць тому

      Thanks. Keep your eye out for vids this summer on intentionally planting weeds and retaining a garden aesthetic.

  • @AngelaVara-i4l
    @AngelaVara-i4l 4 місяці тому

    My grand daughter is moving into a flat and the garden is huge,she wants to plant rhododendrons and needs mulch.

    • @blueduckgardens7201
      @blueduckgardens7201 4 місяці тому

      I'm in Lower Hutt NZ. There has been a lot of rain over the last two years, persistent through winter and spring, and rhodos haven't been doing as well as usual. Excepting those in hill-side gardens. So I've been cognescent of not applying too deep a layer of mulch at ant one time. About 75cm is plenty and keep it away from the stems.

  • @Laydown-gamers
    @Laydown-gamers 6 місяців тому

    Great work not appreciated

  • @zarniabaker1232
    @zarniabaker1232 8 місяців тому

    Thank you, this is very helpful

    • @blueduckgardens7201
      @blueduckgardens7201 8 місяців тому

      Just back from the Amazon where it’s a native. Growing where it’s supposed to be.

  • @AntonioMarques-ip9eu
    @AntonioMarques-ip9eu 10 місяців тому

    Any Eco organic herbicide that won’t contaminate the soil for the tradescantia?

    • @blueduckgardens7201
      @blueduckgardens7201 8 місяців тому

      Sorry to be slow responding. I wouldn’t use anything on the soil in any garden - benign or not. Just gotta pull it out assiduously, and build the soil up/mulch over it. Pretty any weed killer fails against this stuff. It grows back and/or you just end creating the conditions for other weeds to grow.

  • @karenkroll9030
    @karenkroll9030 Рік тому

    Thanks for the good info, Brent.

  • @laurodren
    @laurodren 2 роки тому

    Excellent video! To the point and very informative. I'm getting a goat 🐐 😅 but really, I seriously want to get rid of the Gorse just because my dog keeps getting hurt.

    • @blueduckgardens7201
      @blueduckgardens7201 2 роки тому

      Thanks so much. Hope you watched the Hinewai video. It's inspirational.