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Green Walls: A growing trend

You may have noticed that indoor spaces are growing a little greener. Though they go by different names – living walls, green walls, vertical gardens – these new hanging indoor plantscapes seem to be sprouting up in residential and commercial spaces everywhere.

A Green Wall is a partial or completely covered vertical space comprised of a collection of houseplants that gain sustenance from an integrated watering system.

At The Garden Planners, we are a distributor of the Vicinity Greenwall Vertical Garden System.

With an abundance of plants to choose from and access to our advice and wholesale nursery, you can create the look and feel to suit your lifestyle and mood such as planting a fresh edible garden in the kitchen for the cooking enthusiast or utilising lush textual indoor plants for a unique piece of artwork. The options are endless.

We have confidence that even the most novice of gardeners will be able to easily plant an indoor garden and sustain the long-term benefits of indoor greenery, all while utilising minimal space in the room and enjoying an aesthetically pleasing visual effect.

These modular wall planters are a foolproof, low maintenance option for styling any space.

Why Plant A Green Wall?

Green Walls have an abundance of benefits to your health, home and hip pocket.

Improve air quality

There are numerous health and well-being benefits of vertical gardens and living walls with studies continuously showing a positive impact from access to plants.

Acting as a biofilter for the air, living plants use the process of photosynthesis to act much like a sponge, naturally removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air and either trapping them within their own tissue or breaking them down and releasing them as a harmless by-product.

Having an indoor green space can prevent and aid in the recovery of cold and flu and other environmental illnesses as well as assisting in the management of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and fatigue.

Protect your building

The insulating effect also helps preserve your building. Rapid heat fluctuations can cause a building to crack over time. When structures are protected from the suns rays, they can last much longer without needing major repairs.

A Green Wall will also act as an acoustic barrier as the vegetated surface will provide a reduction in high-frequency sounds and the growing medium will create a reduction in low-frequency noises, giving the room a quieter more peaceful feel.

Save on energy costs

With the naturally occurring cooling effect on air movement throughout the building, the Green Wall will reduce the cost of running an aircon system as they will require less energy to cool the air prior to circulation.

In winter, the Green Wall will help reduce heating costs due to the increase in humidity from transpiration.

Save money

Closer to the hip pocket, utilising a Green Wall will not only provide you with an energy efficient solution to keeping the environment comfortable all year round but give you the option to plant your own outdoor organic herb or vegetable garden even in the smallest of areas.

GET IN TOUCH

A Green Wall can help create an indoor sanctuary in your home, office and communal meeting places with a welcoming, relaxing and mood-boosting vibe.

Green Walls are also perfect for entertaining and outdoor dining areas with fresh herbs next to the pizza oven or delicious berries for sunny afternoon snacks.

To find out more information on how you can install a Green Wall or view our demo Green Wall, get in touch with The Garden Planners via 1300 599 989 or pop into our new design studio at 52 Heygarth Street Echuca (by appointment only).

A low maintenance alternative to traditional lawn

There has been a long feud between traditional lawn and artificial turf. Artificial turf has been a misunderstood and misrepresented product in the past.

Here at The Garden Planners, we can provide you with up-to-date information on the best artificial turf which is a low maintenance and the perfect alternative to traditional lawn in an increasingly busy society.

 

Synthetic grass products have come a long way in the past few years with the progression of technology and environmental sciences, providing us with products such as Everest and EzyTurf to help everyday Australian families create a yard they will love spending time in.

Everest and EzyTurf require minimal maintenance. Artificial turf will require only the occasional broom/rake or blow down to remove any debris accumulated and removal of pet messes. Unlike natural grass which contains microorganisms that will break down animal faeces, fake grass must be hosed down or washed to remove animal droppings and other natural substances.

Artificial turf is a water-efficient alternative to traditional lawn. Once installed, artificial turf will only require water for cleaning. This will not only save you money but also save thousands of litres of water over the life of the turf.

Variations of synthetic grass such as Everest and EzyTurf are Australian made products manufactured to Australian standards. They are lead and heavy metal free unlike many inferior overseas products on the market.

They are made using quality raw materials of only the highest grade sourced from reputable companies, and the manufacturing process has numerous checking stages ensuring stringent quality control.

In the past synthetic grass has retained the heat and has been known to be more than 10 degrees hotter in mid-summer. However due to the progression of innovation and new technologies such as “CoolGrass”, artificial grass is being designed to suit the harsh Australian climate and can contain UV inhibitors.

These UV inhibitors are essential in protecting the turf from fading and becoming brittle and allow the product to remain cool in the Australian sun.

This not only provides the Australian environment with a more sustainable product but will give your family a child and pet-friendly place to sit, stand and play for years to come.

With such a high-quality product the appearance of the turf will be sure to impress for a lot longer than its 10-year warranty.

EVEREST

Everest looks and feels unbelievably natural. But that’s not all this fake grass offers, it is proven to reduce the surface temperature of the artificial grass by up to 30 per cent making the area cooler and considerably more comfortable during hot weather.

The market leading technology behind the product allows it to dissipate heat into the atmosphere rather than absorbing it. This premium Australian made artificial lawn product offers all these benefits and is covered by a 10 year manufacturer’s warranty.

EZYTURF

Ezyturf is an alternative Australian made landscape product if you are in the market for a budget synthetic turf product. It offers a great look and a soft feel and is constructed from high quality materials.

Ezyturf is manufactured with a lower sub-pile providing support to the high pile which gives this fake grass a unique blend.

GET IN TOUCH

To find out more information on how you can ensure the grass will always be greener on your side of the fence, get in touch with The Garden Planners via 1300 599 989 or pop into our new design studio at 52 Heygarth Street Echuca (by appointment only).

The Garden Planners Echuca Outdoor Fire Pit1

Designing the right space for an outdoor fire pit

As the temperature dips, it’s a perfect time to make your outdoor space warm and inviting with the inclusion of a backyard fire pit.

Over the past few years, a backyard fire pit has become a popular addition to any outdoor space.

This outdoor centrepiece doesn’t take up a lot of space and can be featured almost anywhere. You can get as simple or as fancy as your time and budget allows.

Designing the right space for an outdoor fire pit should factor in location, ground surface, seating and type of fire pit. However, the number one design factor should be family safety. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and check with your local council for any special permits or requirements.

Here are some tips on designing the right space for an outdoor fire pit:

Residential Backyard Fire Pit

LOCATION

Integrating a fire pit into your backyard’s design can be tricky; the location can often be determined by available space. Also consider whether it will be a square or circular design.

If you love entertaining and often have large gatherings at your home, creating a separate space is a good way to maintain some intimacy between guests.

If you choose a wood burning fire pit, you will need to think about smoke blowing into your house.

Either way, we recommend considering your family’s current and future use of the backyard when picking a spot for your fire pit.

The Garden Planners Echuca Outdoor Fire Pit1

GROUND SURFACE

Once you’ve picked a location for your fire pit, you need to consider the ground surface.

First and foremost, make sure the ground or surface is even to reduce the risk of fire escaping beyond your fire pit.

Other factors include whether it is a permanent area that can be paved or suitable for timber decking, or a temporary area whereby you can use cheaper products like gravel or lawns to save some expense.

 

SEATING

The fire pit is an extraordinary conversation area around which you can have comfortable chairs, benches or sofas.

From a design perspective, a round fire pit can be enclosed by semi-circular seating while a square fire pit can be surrounded by straight walls and benches.

Using materials like timber and bricks to build permeant seating looks fantastic and really creates the right space.

A sunken seating area looks very cosy and comfortable. It provides the perfect entertaining headquarters and also allows for better control of the fire.

Long and wide cushioned benches provide ample seating and invites guests to lounge back, settle in and enjoy the warmth from the fire.

Consider adding accessories like cushions and blankets to provide some support and comfort when guests are gathered around your fire pit.

WOOD VS GAS

Fire pits come in unlimited shapes and sizes but the first question you’ll need to answer is whether to install a wood or gas fire.

When you choose a fire pit design that uses wood, you get more of a campfire feel complete with crackle and smoky aroma. Of course, you have to be more careful about not letting it get out of control and making sure the fire’s out before you go to bed.

Gas is undoubtedly far easier to use than wood with just a flick of the switch.

Safety, efficiency, maintenance and overall cost are all key factors in making your decision.

GET IN TOUCH

There are a large number of design options and styles when it comes to fire pits. Choosing one over another is not that easy.

If you would like help, get in touch with The Garden Planners via 1300 599 989 or pop into our new design studio at 52 Heygarth Street Echuca (by appointment only).

March 20, 2018

Introducing our new landscape design studio

Whether you’re new to gardening, or a seasoned expert, you’ll find plenty of inspiration at our new landscape design studio in Echuca.

After running our business, The Garden Planners, from multiple locations across Australia for the last 20 years, we recently settled down in Echuca/Moama.

In a few short years, we’ve had a lot of fun and success including winning Best Home Based Business at the Campaspe Shire Council Business Awards last year.

Now it’s time to remove the computers, desks, piles of magazines and paperwork from our lounge room (not to mention the semi-load of plants and trees from our poor little backyard!) and step it up.

We’re excited to announce that we’ve moved our business into a new, purpose-built professional design studio in the historic port of Echuca.

The new studio is a place to meet with us face-to-face, plan your new garden and see all the latest in landscaping products under the one roof.

In our new friendly environment, set on the banks of the beautiful Campaspe River, you’ll be able to walk through and see all the latest products from other local suppliers on display.

Everything from mulches and gravels to lawn, pavers and even living walls. We’ll also have our wholesale plant range on show.

We can organise a quote if you’re planning to DIY, or put you in touch with some great local trades to do it for you.

Match this with our free onsite consultation service and you’ll be well on your way to creating your dream garden and being the envy of your neighbours.

With plenty of space for plants, trees and landscape accessories, visiting us will become a whole new experience.

Our new landscape design studio is located at 52 Heygarth Street, Echuca (open by appointment only). Phone 1300 599 989.

Make your garden water efficient

We’ve just sweltered through another heat wave in the southern states. Temperatures soared well above average maximums and it was unusually humid. In Victoria we experienced our hottest night of the summer.

While you’re seeking refuge under the air conditioner or under the water at the local pool, beach or river spare a thought for your garden.

“During summer it’s not just about keeping water up to your garden,” says Craig Turner, Landscape Designer and Co-Director of The Garden Planners.

“You need to make sure you’re getting the most out of the water you use. Thankfully, there are some really smart, simple techniques and great products around that really help.”

Here are some tips to make your garden more water efficient

Water smart

You want every drop of water you apply to your garden to go right to the roots of your plants.

Long soakings several times a week will deliver better results than a little surface watering every day. If you don’t have a watering system drag a sprinkler around in the cool of the morning or evening to ensure everything gets a good soak.

Don’t forget those pots either. Submerging them in a bucket of water until the air bubbles are gone is a good trick.

Mulch, mulch, mulch

Ensuring your garden is well mulched helps conserve water, stops the top of the soil drying out, keeps it moist and can reduce watering by up to 60 per cent.

Mulching also helps prevent weeds, which compete for water – no sense watering the garden only to grow a great crop of weeds!

“Mulch is either organic, like bark, straw and cane, or inorganic like stone and gravel. It doesn’t really matter what type you use as long as the roots are covered.”

We recommend spreading at least 75mm to 100mm of good quality mulch and keeping it topped up during the warmer weather. Spread your mulch when the soil is nice and moist and incorporate some edging to stop it from spreading. See our recent post on garden edging for the best options.

Trap extra water with water storing granules

Water storing granules applied below your mulch or mixed through the potting mix in your pots will help trap and store the water for your plants to access on warmer days.

These granules, which look a bit like sugar crystals when dry, swell like super absorbent sponges when they come in contact with water, storing several hundred times their own weight. They often also contain soluble compounds such as fertiliser. Good quality granules will rehydrate themselves and last three to five years.

Get more water in with liquid wetting products

These products increase the wettability (the ability to take up water effectively) of hard to wet soils, allowing deeper penetration of water into the root zone, and remain active for many months. They make watering, rainfall and liquid feeding more effective…. saving water, time and money. Winner!

We love Seasol Super Soil Wetter and Conditioner; a long-lasting, aquatic safe wetting agent boosted with Seasol seaweed concentrate and humic soil conditioners.

The soil conditioner promotes the development of good soil structure and increases water-holding capacity. It stimulates the growth of beneficial soil microbes, which enhance the fertility and disease resistance of the soil, helps to oxygenate the soil and improve retention and plant uptake of essential nutrients.

Make your mowing matter

Want some great news? In hot weather it’s better if you slow down on the mowing and let your lawn grow a bit longer.

That’s right, less mowing will make for a healthier lawn. Allowing the lawn leaf and thatch layer to grow a little protects the soil and helps hold in the moisture. It’s also likely to need less water. So park your mower in the shed next Saturday and tackle another job, or better still, put your feet up and relax.

Implement some or all of these suggestions at your place and you’ll help your garden not only survive but thrive this summer.

 

Give your garden the edge

Garden edging. It’s something we get a lot of questions about.

Edging serves a practical purpose in your garden, keeping everything where it should be, but it can also be an attractive and creative feature, defining a border, adding texture, structure and colour and drawing attention to all the right places.

“Edging is there for a reason; keeping the soil and mulch in the garden beds and those pesky lawn runners from taking over the garden, but it also plays an important role in the overall look of your garden,” says Craig Turner, Landscape Designer and Co-Director of The Garden Planners.

When choosing edging you need to select a product that suits the design of your garden, after that, the choices are only limited by your imagination and your budget.

Here’s a few options to consider.

Timber

Simple products such as Treated Pine, which is termite resistant, make a great divider for straight gardens. Generally purchased in six metre lengths they can be placed flush with the lawn providing a nice edge for your mower wheel or whipper snipper. It’s a cheap, practical option but isn’t going to add anything much aesthetically to your garden.

Brick

Bricks are great for straight or gently curved garden beds sweeping through lawns.

“I love brick edging,” says Craig. “Installed correctly it looks fantastic and it’s a great way to use up left-over bricks if you’ve built a new home – recycling at it’s best.”

Bricks need to be laid on a firm base of compacted gravel and mortar or concrete; once the base is solid there are loads of pattern options.

“Side-by-side gives you a larger brick face which is great visual feature. It’s also a good for maintenance providing a neat mowing strip. I’d avoid end-on-end. It doesn’t have the same polished look and doesn’t really provide enough depth.”

Steel

Steel is great as it comes in so many profiles and styles making it super versatile. Whether you use galvanised, stainless or the new, on point, trendy Corten Steel, you’ll be able to create practical and attractive edges.

“Steel edging is our favourite option. We like to use FormBoss™. It’s stronger than aluminium, easy to shape into anything from intricate curves to endless straight lines and holds its shape really well.”

FormBoss™ is also really economical. The initial outlay is less than options like plate steel, aluminium and concrete, and because it lasts so well you avoid the cost (and backache) of reinstalling every couple years.

Image from FormBoss™

Check out the latest The Nitty Gritty by The Garden Planners video with our friends from Rock Solid Gardening Supplies in Echuca discussing why this product is fast becoming the number one choice.

Plastic

“If we’re talking edging we have to mention plastic, but it’s an option we’d really recommend you avoid,” says Craig.

Why? Plastic edging is generally dug into the garden with flimsy pegs and left above the ground to battle all the weather elements, including heat, which in our climate will bend the plastic and pull the pegs out of the ground in no time.

Its high profile means it often gets hit by the whipper snipper, or other garden tools and ends up split, cracked and looking pretty ordinary.

“These days there are so many great options to choose from that look amazing and will fit most budgets,” says Craig.

 

P.S. We’re often asked how high edging needs to be to keep birds from flicking mulch everywhere. Unfortunately, you’d need to build the Great Wall of China to stop our black birds! We don’t even try, but we have a few other tricks to deter them. Stay tuned for future blog posts where we’ll share our top tips.

Choose the right fence for safe summer swimming

The weather’s warming up and if you’re a pool owner that means it’s time to roll back the cover and get ready for another season of swimming.

We love our backyard pools in Australia. It’s where we socialise, we exercise and we play. But there’s a serious side to pool ownership and that’s making sure everyone who uses your pool is safe.

Royal Life Saving Society – Australia recently released its 2017 National Drowning Report which showed that, tragically, swimming pools accounted for 45 per cent of all drowning deaths in young children in 2016/17.

“For pool owners it’s not just about being compliant, it’s about the safety of your family,” says Craig Turner, Landscape Designer and Co-Director of The Garden Planners.

“Regardless of whether you have an existing pool or you’re building a new one, you need to ensure you comply with the safety guidelines in your state or territory.”

The design, construction and installation of swimming pools, spas and their safety barriers is subject to strict building requirements. Pool owners also have ongoing legal obligations to maintain their safety barriers at all times.

“Designing the pool fence can be sometimes be overlooked but it really is the most important safety device for pool owners,” says Craig.

There are two basic options for pool fencing.

Perimeter fence

A fence around the yard itself can serve as a pool safety fence, but only if it conforms to the height and gate requirements set by the safety code.

Interior fence

A fence that encloses the pool area leaving the rest of the yard open to general use.

Finding the right style of fence for your pool

Choosing the right pool fencing can be hard. Do you base your decision on cost or appearance? Ultimately it’s a personal decision. As long as your fence meets the relevant Australian Standard, it should reflect your personal style and blend well with your landscaping and home design.

At The Garden Planners we only recommend using Australian made products that conform to Australian Standards 1926.1-2012. We also recommend you contact a professional installer and ask for a Form 15 to be provided prior to installation.

Option 1: Aluminium

The main reason most people choose aluminium pool fencing is because it’s cost-effective. It’s not the cheapest of all pool fence solutions; but compared to glass it’s definitely going to be kinder on your pocket.

Aluminium fences are typically made with tubular upright bars joined by upper and lower rails.

Option 2: Glass

Glass pool fencing gives the most premium feel. With most installations the fence can hardly be seen, so you can enjoy looking at your beautiful pool not a fence.

Glass pool fence panels are made from safety glass of various thicknesses. Panels can be frameless, semi-frameless or channel set and are held in by posts and spigots which are drilled or bolted into the concrete, brick or paving.

Making sure your pool fence is safe

Pool fences need to be maintained. You’ll need to check for loose bars or panels, rust and other signs of wear and tear. You’ll also need to test latches regularly to make sure they’re working correctly. Keeping items like chairs and pot plants away from fences so children can’t use them to climb over the fence is also essential. Royal Lifesaving Society’s home pool safety checklist is a great resource for pool owners to conduct a self-assessment.

There’s no better place to be than by a backyard pool on a scorching day. Make sure yours is safe and let the long summer days roll!

‘We tried to save money by designing our own garden, but it ended up costing us a fortune in lost plants that didn’t survive. How could you have prevented this if I came to you in the first place?’

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: ‘plants aren’t expensive, but design mistakes are’.

Here at The Garden Planners, we have witnessed too many homeowners who have tried to cut corners by buying cheap plants and not thinking about the overall functionality of their outdoor space. Unfortunately these homeowners ended up with plants that just weren’t suited to their environment and a garden design that didn’t match their lifestyle.

For the small investment of between $400 and $600 (compared to the cost of replacing plants that don’t survive) our experienced design team can create a beautiful, affordable and practical garden for you – first time around.

Here’s how it works

We begin every design process with a FREE onsite consultation including analysis of soil, drainage, climate conditions and existing vegetation. This is a critical step for successful plant selection and placement, and to fully understand the functionality of the house and the lifestyle of homeowners.

The next step is to make a list of your needs in order to determine how your outdoor space will be used and get a good feel for the garden style you desire.

Once we have all this information, we provide you with a professional landscape design that is to scale, in colour and easy to read. This electronic plan will detail all the hardscape and planting elements required, including quantities and species, for you to build and construct your dream garden, obtain quotes from contractors or submit to council if necessary.

The Garden Planners’ difference

Right plants in the right place

The most important element of a successful garden is to know what plants grow best where.

Selecting the wrong plants for the wrong locations can not only cost money, in loss of plants, but also cause potential long term problems such as tree roots growing into pipes, breaking concrete paths or disrupting house-foundation slabs.

Picking the right cultivar of plant species is also very important. Sometimes it isn’t as simple as just picking an ‘ornamental pear’, as there are dozens of different varieties, shapes and sizes. 

We ask our clients to talk to us about the type of plants they like and we provide them with realistic options for what will best suit their outdoor space.

Functional for your lifestyle

At The Garden Planners, we believe everyone deserves a garden that is not only beautiful but practical.

There is no point putting in a number of expensive flower beds if you have a dog that likes to dig, or large turfed areas if you don’t have time for lawn mowing.

We take the time to get to know your needs, and understand what is important, in order to prepare a design solution to fit your family.

Whether you need privacy from the neighbours, a large entertaining area or space for the kids to play, we will ensure you get the most value from your outdoor space.

Suited to your environment and climate

The variety of plants on the market today is overwhelming for the average homeowner. 

An inexperienced gardener can easily be enticed to purchase a plant because it looks pretty, and be influenced by clever marketing for products, with little knowledge of its origins or growing requirements.

Our team of experienced and knowledgeable horticulturalists can recommend plants that are suited to your climate to save you time, money and heartache.

Our detailed landscape designs also take into consideration how your garden will grow over time and we will show you how to structure your planting, with massing and layering techniques, to ensure your plants continue to thrive in their new micro climate.

Within your budget

Let’s face it, we all want the best but at what cost? With social media sites such as Pinterest, Houzz and Instagram it can be easy to get carried away and before you know it, you are dreaming of a garden well beyond your budget.

However, a beautiful garden doesn’t have to cost the earth and with a little forward planning and tricks of the trade, you can still have your dream garden without blowing the budget.

We work with you to set a budget and provide realistic options for affordable materials or advice on how to stage your project to achieve the ‘best’ garden to suit your individual needs.

To avoid costly mistakes and get your garden design right the first time around, contact Craig at The Garden Planners today on 0438 463 233.

NITTY GRITTY – SEPTEMBER EDITION

Nitty Gritty - September Edition In this episode we talk to Suzie at Coolabah Turf in Echuca, about Sir Walter turf - and why it's out favourite turf. We also gain some tips from Suzie about looking after Sir Walter turf.

Nitty Gritty – August Edition

In this episode we talk to James at Rock Solid in Echuca, about a simple and effective garden edging product that’s available for DIY gardeners.

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