I’m Renting So I Can’t Garden? Really? - Jul 10, 2025
Dear gardening friends
My friend Khaled snapped this photo of me saving the trees planted outside his shop in Queen street last summer. I noticed the leaves were drooping early in the morning so I went back to my car and got my watering cans and Wettasoil.
Wettasoil is an agricultural detergent that removes the oily barrier and allows potting mix to get wet again. You'd be amazed how many plants die because the root ball dries out, and once this happens it repels the water.
The soil around the plant can be moist but once the root ball dries out it's almost impossible to get it wet again.
These trees survived, the Wettasoil helped and then rain came and the trees have taken off. The roots have now grown into the surrounding soil so they can now source water themselves.
You be surprised how many of your plants die because of this too. Potting mix is made from Woodchip and recycling Greenwaste so when it gets dry it repels water. Dunk plants in a bucket of water before planting in your garden, you'll be amazed what a difference it makes.
Do you remember when people had flower gardens?
Every Autumn we'd have 100s of customers coming into the nursery to buy Pansy and Viola seedlings.
I can still hear one of my elderly customers asking me "If we had any Lollipop Primulas?"
In those days gardeners planted annuals every autumn and spring, so they had colour in their gardens. They had more time to garden and they just loved the colours.
We still have flower gardens around our nursery. Every season Karyn plants flowers that she's been growing for years. I caught the colours in the setting sun during the week. It was after all that rain and the Snapdragons were showing so much colour.
The White Alyssum make a nice border, the Snappies behind are coming into flower. Do you look in to see what Karyn has planted?
Her Poppies will be starting to flower this week.
If you want to know her secrets you better come talk to her during the week.
Just parked my car outside this beautiful old house in Campbelltown. As I looked in through the big gate, and into the garden, I noticed the sun shining on this Agave.
Could a plant look more perfect than this?
People ask me all the time what's my favourite plant? How could I possibly answer that? I love plants. I've noticed someone has done a beautiful job here landscaping this garden.
Landscape designers do a course to become qualified, but it would be like teaching someone to paint. Good Garden Designers just know which plants go together.
It's a gift.
I'm so lucky because I see moments like this everyday. Look at the light and shadows in this photo. Look around you, there's beauty everywhere.
You know how you're renting and you can't garden because you might have to move? Well you can still garden in pots and you can take them with you when you move.
Cactus and succulents grow beautifully in pots. They don't need your constant care, they are very forgiving. They are very collectable.
Growing plants is good for your health. It gets you outside where you can hear the birds and smell nature. It gets you outside.
Flowers make you happy. Tim's Best Potting mix makes your plants happy! Come and see our Potted Colour selection. It's looking fabulous. Just 4 plants can change your life. Plant some in pots and they will make your garden smile through winter.
You still have time to grow Winter Vegetables.
Cabbage, Cauliflower, Garlic, Silverbeet, Broccoli, Lettuce, Carrots, Onions and Peas. Gardening in winter is easier. Dig Tim's Cow manure into your soil for better results.
The Red Scarfs are back!!!!!!
Come get one, $10.00, bargain.
Happy gardening
Tim