Your home & garden 26th august 2015

Home &

GARDEN

August 2015 This lovely garden maze was taken at Rose Dene at Curramore when it was open during the Maleny Garden Club’s Gardening on the Edge earlier this year.

GC&M News will feature the whole gardening in the September 9 edition.

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Home &

GARDEN

Students assisting in transforming gardens

NE W

FLOWERS HERBS & VEGGIES NATIVES & FRUIT TREES 2620 Steve Irwin Way, Glenview QLD PH 5494 5980 Mon – Sat: 9 to 4 email: info@gogreenrainforestnursery.com.au web: www.gogreenrainforestnursery.com.au

How clean are your Solar Panels?

A small group of hardworking Year 6 Mooloolah State School boys decided this term that they would like to help the school groundsman prepare the gardens around the school for Spring.

They are keen to get their hands dirty many lunch hours during their week. They are a dedicated group of boys that are learning many things other than just classroom-based work. The groundsman Tim is pleased with their efforts and input.

They are learning important things such as teamwork, cooperation, planning and good oldfashioned physical work instead of being bored in their breaks. They have shown great initiative in their ideas and the work they have completed already.

They are also trying to create a small pond at the front of the school.

It is wonderful to see them fully engaged in weeding, mulching, trimming, digging and planting.

The school gardens are being slowly transformed

and the boys work has proven to be a real hit in the school community.

New nursery opens in Maleny

By Greg Brown Spring has sprung and the new face in native plant nurseries on the Sunshine Coast opens in Maleny on the September 1 (the first day of spring!)

Forest Heart, located in Coral Street, Maleny is your ‘local native plant nursery’ and is owned and operated by Karen and Spencer Shaw and the Brush Turkey Enterprises team.

What’s with the name, I hear you say?

Forest Heart because Karen and Spencer are passionate about our local native flora and

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Zeb, Jack, Chris and Caleb

After Do they look dirty?

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fauna; your local native plant nursery because you’re all welcome; and local native plants because that’s what they specialise in.

Spencer said South East Queensland is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and many plants and animals are under threat from loss of habitat.

But as a community we can all help turn this loss around, by learning about, and planting, some of our amazing diversity of over 3000 local native plant species in SE Queensland alone!

“Before people get worried thinking planting local native plants means planting forest giants that will one day fall in a storm and remodel your house, our goal at Forest Heart is to make available as much of the diversity of SE Queensland flora as we can, including flowering annuals, bulbs, ferns, grasses, shrubs, vines and trees,” he said.

Karen and Spencer invite you to visit Forest Heart this Spring as they launch their nursery.

Check out the newly planted gardens and the great range of plants, tree guards, mulch mats, revegetation and bush regeneration tools, native flora and fauna books, other educational resources and of course some of the best advice on native plants on the Sunshine Coast.

Your Local

Native Plant Nursery

20 Coral Street, Maleny Call 0428 130 769 OPEN

Tuesday to Friday – 9am til 4pm Saturday – 8am til 12noon 36

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AUGUST 26 2015

www.gcnews.com.au

Think ahead and be prepared for the Festive Season Now is a great time to think ahead about preparing for the upcoming Christmas and summer season.

This is traditionally a busy time of year with entertaining and family-time often a priority, and so now is the time to plan those projects and have your property prepared so you can relax and enjoy your time off with friends and family without last minute hassles.

Here at Jaz Build, we encourage our clients to consider any preparation and potential renovation decisions before Christmas. Typically people will call with last minute requests that are impossible to complete in time, but by planning and booking ahead these jobs can be easily completed to let you enjoy the silly season.

People should also be prepared for summer.

Leaking structures should be repaired before the rain season – as water damage can be serious.

Check your roof, gutters, fascias and other areas that need repairs.

In our region, white ants are also a major concern, so either check your property yourself thoroughly or give John at Glasshouse Country Pest Control a call on 0407 439 526.

Christmas is often an expensive time of year. Jaz Build has found that clients are enjoying the great benefits of investing in their own property, and creating a perfect entertaining space. A new bar, deck or outdoor entertainment area will bring the party to you and save money in the long term.

Who doesn’t want to relax and take in the great surroundings we have in the Hinterland and Glasshouse Country region?

Outdoor zones provide an extension of the family home and the opportunity to have some fun in a safe and comfortable environment. Popular additions currently include pizza ovens, fire pits,

pool decking and outdoor barbeques, as well as new patios to extend the family living area.

Also popular are requests for extensions to provide extra room for guests and / or more space for the family.

We offer people design advice that can include changing the feel of a dull room to lighten the space and revitalise your home. You can’t buy the views we have in city real estate – so make the most of this lucky country region and let us assist in helping you fully enjoy your living space.

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jazreno@live.com.au

QBCC No 76420 AUGUST 26 2015 |

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Home &

GARDEN

Orchid Show Diamond Jubilee

What’s on for gardeners in September

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If you like to admire beautiful Orchids then head along to the Nambour Orchid Societies Diamond Jubilee show on Friday and Saturday, August 28 and 29 at the Uniting Church Hall, Coronation Avenue, Nambour. Opening hours are Friday, 8.30am – 4.00pm and on Saturday, from 8.30am - 2.00pm.

Admission is $3.00 with refreshments available. Funds raised from the event will go to the Cittamani Hospice Services. To find out more, email nambourorchids@gmail.com or phone Alison 5441 7201.

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Learn about Urban Gardens

Have you ever wanted your very own organic food garden but have no idea where to start? Well head along to the Beerwah Library on Saturday, September 19, 10.00am - 11.30am.

Join Cath Manuel, from Soil to Supper, to learn about designing and creating a fully functional urban garden from scratch.

Discover simple tips for setting up and nurturing your garden to keep it thriving all year round. Proudly sponsored by Council’s Living Smart Program.

The event is free to attend, however bookings are essential, phone 5475 8989.

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Elimbah-Caboolture Herb Club – September 4, 10.00am meeting at the Caboolture PCYC in Toovey Road, Caboolture. Learn all about the world of herbs. Call Ruth on 5496 7649 to find out more.

Faunawatch – September 9, 8.00am. Fauna spotting through Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, Palm Creek Road, Tanawha.

We start with a walk on one of the several trails, followed by BYO morning tea and general discussion. Phone 0422 429 594 for details.

Glasshouse Country Orchid Society – September 10, commencing at 7.30pm at the Glasshouse RSL, Reed Street, Glass House. This meeting will be the AGM. For more information please call Jan on 5494 2301.

Native Plants Sunshine Coast (was called Society for Growing Australian Plants) – September 13, meet at Pioneer Park car park on the corner of Steve Irwin Way and Caloundra Street, Landsborough at 1.50pm for a walk in Racemosa Reserve led by John Birbeck.

Enquiries prior to September 6 to sgapsuncoast@gmail.com or call 5494 9187.

Hibiscus Society, Sunshine Coast Branch – September 13, 10.00am morning tea followed by meeting and a workshop on ' Fertilisers: How and when to use' at 10.30am at the Woombye School of Arts Hall, Woombye. For more information call 5476 2771.

Peachester Garden Club – September 17, 9.30am at Peachester Hall.

Learn about local plants and gardening from local people. Visitors always welcome. For more information please call Trish on 5496 9169.

Spring Orchid Show – September 25 and 26, Beerwah Community hall (next to Library). Spectacular displays of the best orchids growing on the Sunshine Coast. Plant sales, displays, workshops, raffles, refreshments available. Open from 9.00am. Admission only $2.00, children free.

Maleny Garden Club – September 29, 9.30am at The Old Witta School, Witta Road, Witta. Interesting guest speakers, please bring your own chair and cup or mug. Contact Jan on 5499 9010.

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AUGUST 26 2015

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Local experience… local knowledge… local value There are some new mower men on the ranges at Mountain Mowers, Maleny. The store may be new, but Doc and Col are old hands and familiar faces to many in the region.

Doc Patterson and Col Bald opened Mountain Mowers only a couple of short months ago and have set up their bright new showroom in the old Maleny Rural Traders building in 6 Lawyer Street, Maleny.

There is plenty of hassle-free off-street parking and room to drive straight through, even with a large trailer. The big, open showroom also comes complete with a waiting area and comfy couch.

Between them, Doc and Col have 52 years experience in the industry. Doc is a qualified small engine mechanic and has worked for 38 years in the mower and lawn care industry, including the last 5 as a National Product Manager for lawn care products.

Col’s last 14 years have been spent working in mower shops and is a trade qualified mechanic with experience with all makes and models.

Doc and Col’s extensive knowledge of lawn care and maintenance is put to great use with their free on-site appraisal service. They will come to you and assess what would be the best products to use for your property and advise you on your lawn care needs. They also offer a pick up and delivery service.

Doc and Col can repair most makes and models and all repairs are done on-site with ample room in the workshop to keep everything undercover.

They also have a huge range of accessories instore and fast turnaround of any orders.

Doc and Col want to bring back the friendly oldfashioned service of old and stock only quality brands, including Greenfield, Worldlawn, OleoMac and Bushranger. They are proud to be

bringing back the ever-popular Greenfield ride ons to the Hinterland and are also one of the only stockists on the coast for Worldlawn products, including Worldlawn’s new zero turn range.

Mountain Mowers has everything you need, with mowers, brushcutters, chainsaws, chippers, blowers, multi-tools, Kawasaki engines and more.

Drop in and see Doc and Col for a friendly chat.

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OPEN Monday to Friday - 8am to 5pm Saturday - 8am to 12noon

Ph: 5494 3172

Email: mountainmowers@outlook.com www.gcnews.com.au

AUGUST 26 2015 |

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In the Garden Get Up & Grow STATUES & WALL HANGINGS FROM

Creating natural balance

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AUGUST 26 2015

with Jade King

Spring is just around the corner, although you would be justified in thinking it has been making attempted reappearances quite regularly since Autumn! I always have difficulty deciding what to plant around the seasonal transition time and tend to hedge my bets both ways as per the table. I now have a new patch which was filled using the ‘lasagna layering’ system by some amazing people attending the gardening workshop, so I’ve had my Ag Science students dive in and plant out everything that could possibly consider growing.

Whilst our new garden has only just begun, many more elements need to be added in an attempt to create a naturally balanced system – one where you invite nature into your garden and work with it, not against it.

Whether you are a symmetrical and orderly person like myself, or a freespirited random person, there are key elements that will help to create the balanced garden system, and these include a range of habitats, water and what I call islands of diversity.

Nature truly offers the best pest and disease defenses, and the more you include natural elements, the better equipped your garden will be. From large to small, you can attract birds to combat caterpillars, lizards to feed on grasshoppers, beneficial insects to counteract the pests, right down to beneficial fungi and bacteria that protects the plants, feeds the soil and wages a war on pathogenic organisms.

There are some very simple ways to invite nature to your garden through habitat. You can simply place some rocks and logs around as these provide the best refuge for insect hungry lizards. The beauty of natural elements such as rocks and logs is that they are inexpensive and can make beautiful features.

I’m planning to make islands of diversity, basically small beds planted with a mix of herbs and flowers. I’ll be choosing flowers and herbs that range in height and attract insects. The different heights and plants serve to make a more complex environment, which results in a greater range of species, hence, islands of diversity.

Water is also another key component to any garden. This can be a simple container of water that you regularly flush out to prevent mosquitoes, or it can be a pond that has adequate depth to cater for fish and other aquatic life that will feed on the mosquitoes and garden pests.

Why don’t you go and be creative in your garden and add some simple elements to create a naturally balanced masterpiece! I’ll be sure to keep you updated on how our very basic beginning patch evolves over time.

Until next time in Get Up and Grow!

Vegetable

Preparation

Quantity

Tomato & capsicum

Make a mound of compost/soil/manure and 3 of each mulch well. Plant seedling or seed into a colour pocket filled with soil or seed raising mix

Sweet Corn

Dig in lots of manure and Dynamic Lifter.

Plant seeds direct. Once established sprinkle with Blood and Bone, mound the soil and mulch around the stem.

Block of 20 each month.

Cucumber

Dig in manure and mound. Plant seed direct and mulch thickly. Trellis to increase air flow and reduce powdery mildew.

4 plants each month.

Beetroot

Dress soil with lime and apply a good handful of blood and bone/sq m.

4x1.5m rows

Lettuce

Dig in lots of manure and Dynamic Lifter.

Plant seeds direct. Regular liquid feed.

6 plants each month.

Cabbage, Chinese greens & Kale

Dig in blood and bone and dynamic lifter, and adjust pH to 6.5 - 7.5 with lime. Raise seed in punnets or in-situ.

6 plants each month

Zucchini & Squash

Dig in manure and mound. Plant seed direct and mulch thickly around mound.

4 plants each month.

Beans

Adjust pH to 6.5 - 7.0. Potash can be 20 plants applied sparingly to boost potassium levels. each month.

Mulch/hill around stems as they grow. www.gcnews.com.au

Home & Living

Nutri Ninja 2 in 1 System

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Don’t forget our Miele Sale is still on. Take advantage of the great prices on washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, refrigeration, ovens, range hoods and cooktops. Our package deals will save you even more!

Come and see us – Pat and Nerina – in store for any questions. We provide a great local service, and more importantly care for your needs.

Tefal Actifry Health Cooker

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Call Pat & the team on

5499 9439

Property buyers show a preference for new homes If you’ve got your eye on a brand new property, chances are you won’t be alone.

“Detached houses drove the modest increase in new home sales in June this year, with a 1.7 per cent rise offsetting a 2.9 per cent decline in the sale of multi-units,” revealed Housing Industry Association (HIA) Chief Economist Harley Dale.

He noted that during the first six months of 2015, seasonally-adjusted sales figures were up 0.5 per cent.

A peak was reached back in April, but this hasn’t stopped buyers www.gcnews.com.au

continuing to choose new homes over established properties.

given the go ahead in June was down 1.2 per cent over the previous month.

VIC and NSW emerged as the premier states for sales of detached houses. However, the remainder of the mainland states didn’t quite see such positive results. Throughout the June quarter, sales were down 10.2 per cent in SA, followed by falls of 7 per cent and 3.1 per cent in QLD and WA respectively.

The strongest increases in approvals were witnessed in the ACT and NT, which registered rises of 14.6 per cent and 8.7 per cent. QLD and TAS were the only other jurisdictions to have seen a rise in approvals.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has also released its dwelling approvals data in recent days. It showed that the number of homes

It’s therefore a good idea if you are considering an investment home loan on a brand new property to assess what construction activity is like in your chosen area. This will give you an indication of how much real estate is available.

Want further home loan advice?

Call Teresa Harrison from Smartline today. Whether you are looking for a home loan, an investment loan or vehicle and equipment financing, Teresa can help you.

Teresa Harrison Phone 5422 9458 or 0410 648 098

smartline.com.au/tharrison tharrison@smartline.com.au

Australian Credit Licence 385325

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