Green Life Soil Co Newsletters!

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2024-10 October 2024

Hello and welcome to October. Spring is well and truly here and September was our busiest month EVER - and of course, as Murphy's Law predicts, we had some machinery breakdowns that affected our production capacity for a big chunk of it... We're still trying to catch up, so we sincerely apologise if orders have been delayed during this busy time. If you're coming any distance to pick up soil or bags, it may be an idea to call in advance just to check we've got stock available in the next little while! But some good things have happened too - we're excited to share that The Greenhouse Organic is back! Leesa has started doing her lovely organically grown seedlings again, and we're currently well stocked with seasonal vegetables ready to grow. Leesa delivers to us on Wednesdays, so if you want best pick, there's your hot tip!!

What to plant NOW & a reminder of Spring gardening jobs for October
Build your soil NOW for summer resilience in your garden
Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus - what it means for WA tomato lovers
VIP Special Offer, Photo competition winner, Retailer update & more!

2024-09 September 2024

Welcome to Spring! We're in Djilba - the first season of spring in the Noongar calendar, when things are waking up from winter and the bush comes alive with flowers and newborn animals. It's the time of year where we can have all kinds of weather! Warm days; then more rain and cold! Instinctively we know it's time get busy in the garden and "help" nature in our backyards... not that nature really needs helping - but I guess when we're talking highly ornamental or food gardens, we do need to work with nature to get her to bend a little to our will, in order to achieve the outcomes we're aiming for!

What to Plant NOW & Jobs for your Spring garden
Luffa - weird & wonderful (and we're running a kids competition to grow them!)
Compost accelerators - what are they (and how do they work?)
VIP Special Offer, Photo Comp Winner, Retailer Update & More!

2024-08 August Newsletter

Hello and welcome to AUGUST! We can certainly say that WINTER has arrived - with plenty of much needed rain and some colder weather... But I can see signs of spring in the garden already; so the seasons' relentless march continues! Don't waste the opportunity that some sunny weather brings to get outside and into your garden to tackle those jobs that need doing now.

What to plant NOW & handy reminder - August gardening jobs
Winter Blues - mental health and why gardening is good for you!
Bees & Beneficials - what to plant to attract them to your garden
VIP Special offer, retailer update & more!

2024-07 July newsletter

Hello, and welcome to July! We've now passed the shortest day of the year and have settled into winter - definitely some chilly nights and beautiful, but crisp days! We hope you've had a chance to get out and enjoy our lovely winter sunshine and get some of your gardening and outdoor jobs done while the opportunity's there. With some more rain on the horizon any new plantings will settle in well.

What to Plant Now & Jobs for the July/Winter Garden
Wicking Bed Mix & All About Wicking Beds
Indoor Plants - Why they're so good for us & our recommended Top 10 to keep your home healthy
VIP Special Offer, Photo competition winner, Retailer update & MORE!

2024 June Newsletter

While it's winter, it's perfect growing conditions here in Perth; our vegie garden is booming and I hope yours is too! We can certainly help you get your garden in great shape - come in and see us! Bring in a small soil sample and we'll do a free pH test, and look at options for improving your soil's health and resilience. The June 'title' photo is of our garden - basically planted out in April, and we're harvesting from it daily. A purple bok choi I picked yesterday weighed 932gms! Our tiny garden is something of an experiment - we've started weighing the produce as we pick it to see over time how much it's producing. We'll keep you posted!

Jobs for the Winter garden & what you can grow NOW!
Good bugs - who are they (and how to recognise them in your garden)
World Environment Day - how can we make positive changes?
Photo competition, VIP Special Offer, Find your local retailer & more!

2024-05 May Newsletter

Welcome to MAY! It's lovely to have seen a little rain AT LAST! - As I write this today we had some showers this morning; I can see the garden is smiling!!! Things seem to be growing in front of my eyes with this combination of warmer days but cooler nights. It's a great time to be in the garden so make the most of the season while you still can!

What to plant NOW & Jobs for the May garden
Retic Renovation - what to look for to get your irrigation system working perfectly
Manure - what are the benefits of using poo in your garden & what kind is 'best'?
Photo comp winner, Retailer update, VIP special offer & MORE!!!

2024-04 April newsletter

Hello & welcome to April! It's transitioning to Djeran in the Noongyar calendar - the time of year when the weather cools, and cooler nights bring dew in the mornings. We hopefully will begin to get some rain and traditionally weather and wind patterns change. I'm sure you've experienced the chillier mornings; although the days and evenings have still been warm!

Jobs to do in the April Garden & What to plant NOW!
Nematodes - how to improve your soil solve this issue
Have your say on our Urban Tree Canopy (and what is a Miyawaki Forest, by the way?)
Photo Comp Winner, VIP Special Offer, Retailer Update & MORE!

2024-03 March Newsletter

Hello and welcome to the MARCH newsletter - it's now officially Autumn (and I can hear a collective sigh of relief from Perth gardeners!). I'm sure you've noticed that the days are getting shorter. This is a sure fire way to know that the seasons are changing; and our plants notice it too. A lot of gardens (including mine) look a little sad at this time of year after such a strong summer - there's definitely work to do and plants to trim and replace. That means it's a good opportunity for reassessing our gardens - what has worked, what definitely didn't work - and where to go from here. What kind of resilient garden should we be building for the future? Hopefully, we can inspire you!

What to plant NOW that Autumn's here! (and a handy reminder of seasonal jobs)
The Versatile Allium - Know your Onions!
The Versatile Allium - Growing Gorgeous Garlic
Retailer update, VIP special offer, Photo Competition winner & more!

2024-02 February newsletter

Welcome to February! It's the Noongyar season of Bunuru - the hottest part of the year. And - as always - it's STINKING HOT as schools go back! We've had a hot summer so far; and it's always a struggle to keep a Perth garden thriving under these conditions; although it's easier once plants are established in well prepared soil, and ensuring they receive regular water, and they're well mulched! The heat adds additional stress to plants - meaning that insect pests often seem to be worse too - chilli thrip and spider mites seem to be quite bad at the moment. A lot of people have been reporting it's a bad year for tomatoes so if yours are struggling along and still fruiting, you're doing well! I have seen photos of fabulous crops too - so I'm happy that some have had success.

What to Plant in the February garden
Summer garden jobs (and how to help your garden THRIVE!)
PSHB - Polyphagous shot hole borer - be on the alert!
Bokashi composting, VIP special, Photo Comp winner, Retailer update & more!

2024-01 January newsletter

Hello & Happy New Year! Welcome to 2024... We're back at work @ Green Life and looking forward to a fabulous year! Can you believe we've been at our 'new' premises for four years now? Time has flown by; it's been a busy few years. We closed between Christmas & New Year (as we have done the past few years) and the team all enjoyed the break. Whilst we've had a few hot days, overall December was fairly kind to us weather wise... Let's hope that January & February will also be kind! But we do know there's likely to be some hot spells ahead just because it's Summer - so hopefully we can help with tips & advice to keep your garden alive over this time of year.

What to plant NOW in the garden (and a handy reminder of summer jobs!)
Garden Pests - Army Worm on the march
Garden Pests - Rats. How to help keep them out of your vegie garden
VIP special offer, Photo competition, and much more!

2023-12 December newsletter

Welcome to December & Summer & Birak! We've certainly had a taste of summer already - our thoughts are with those who suffered damage in the recent bushfires in Perth's northern suburbs - Let's hope the rest of the season is fire free and without brutal heat waves! Hotter temperatures put all of our gardens under pressure; so we've got some handy reminders for you of how to beat the heat (and help your garden) this summer. Thankfully December has been a little more gentle ~ at least so far!

Jobs to do in the December Garden
What to Plant NOW & Santa's little helper gift ideas
Top tips to help your garden thrive this Summer
VIP special offer, Retailer update & more!

2023-11 November newsletter

We're well & truly into Kambarang - the 2nd spring in the Noongyar calendar, where the weather is warming, the reptiles are on the move, and the first flush of winter wildflowers have finished. Summer is just around the corner; but we do have a bit of 'all over the place' spring weather ahead, no doubt! There's still time to get your spring vegies in the ground now - and it's definitely time to mulch! I hate to mention the "C" word but Christmas is not far away - so it's time to get the place ship shape in time to kick back for the summer holidays.

What to Plant & Jobs in the November Garden
Get Growing! Our top 10 easy summer vegies.
Seed Saving - keep the best "bloodlines" going in your garden!
Photo comp winner, VIP Special Offer, Retailer Update & More!

2023-10 October newsletter

Hello and welcome to the October newsletter! Spring is definitely upon us - with some warmer days and a bit of rain - it's the usual mixture for this time of year. Gardens are responding with lots of flowers, growth - and a bit of confusion with plants a bit unsure at times... but that's the joy of gardening! We've certainly had a busy month @ GLSC. Thank you to our lovely customers who keep on coming back; supporting us and sharing their love of gardening. Designing your property and garden/s is such a crucial factor in gardening success - with changing climate/reduced rainfall we definitely need to think about what we grow, where we grow it, and how we grow it. In this vein, we've got an article below on climate resilient gardens - I hope you enjoy it.

Jobs for the October Garden & What to Plant NOW!
Climate Resilient Gardening - what it is; and how to be a part of it!
Keeping Chickens - what to grow for them & how to care for your garden helpers
VIP Special Offer, Photo Competition Winner, Retailer Update & More!

2023-09 September newsletter

Hello and welcome to Spring! It's officially here, although the weather over the last few weeks has been very spring like already. We've enjoyed some glorious sunny days and the plants are feeling it too - in the bush around where we live, we can see it coming alive with wildflowers. It seems to happen very quickly. With lots of open gardens, Araluen and many other parks and gardens throughout Perth and the countryside all putting on a great show, it's a great opportunity to get out and enjoy what's on offer. The Nannup Flower & Garden Festival has just wrapped up, and this coming Sunday, 3rd September, it's the Kalamunda Garden Festival again (held first Sunday of each season). Come on up and check out the many plant sellers, gardening related stall holders, and some of the fabulous talks that have been scheduled.

What to plant now it's SPRING & Jobs to do in the garden
Retic Reno - industry expert gives us top tips to sort out your sprinkler system!
Citrus Gall Wasp - now's the time for action
VIP Special Offer, Photo Comp Winner, Retailer Update & more!

2023-08 August newsletter

Hello, and welcome to August! We're now transitioning to the Noongar season of Djilba - the 'first spring' - a season of transition between what we recognise as Winter and Spring; wildflowers are starting to appear, and many native animals are breeding or have bred and are raising their young. Hopefully we can expect more rain, but we can also have some clear and sunny days with cold temperatures. The weather's certainly been cold - a number of frosts have left some damage in the garden; and it seems a bit more rain is needed to fill up the creeks/dams before summer. Let's cross our fingers for a nice balance of sun & rain in the weeks to come. There's still plenty to do in the garden right now and we hope we've got inspiration & tips to get you motivated and active in your garden when those sunny windows are here.

Jobs to do in the August garden, and what to plant NOW!
Top tips - growing Asparagus & Rhubarb
How to deal with frost in your winter garden
Photo comp winner, Retailer update, VIP special offer & more!

2023-07 July

Hello, and welcome to July! We're definitely in Winter now - but in Perth, that's an ideal time to be in the garden! I trust you're enjoying things you've got growing already; and remember now's the time to consider succession planting crops to keep you harvesting into Spring. (Yes - Spring!) We've passed the Winter solstice so days will gradually get longer again as the seasons roll around. Check out our article on the benefits and tips for succession planting below.

What to plant NOW
July jobs in the garden (and school holiday suggestions)
Succession Planting - what is it, and how can it benefit you?
Winter Lawn care, and more!

2023-06 June Newsletter

Hello - welcome to JUNE! It's officially WINTER and we're transitioning to Makuru in the Noongyar calendar - the wettest and coldest time of the year when the Indigenous Australians would move away from the coast to inland rivers and waterways; changing their diet to animals and seasonal plants. Many native birds are beginning to prepare for breeding, and in the bushland, you'll see wildflowers like Hovea and other blues/purples like the Dianella berries and Purple Flags (Patersonia) appear. Don't the seasons roll around quickly?

What to Plant NOW! (Jerusalem Artichokes now in stock)
Jobs for the June garden
Foodcubes - wicking wonderful, Retailer update, Photo Comp Winner & more!
Pet friendly gardens & Plants

2023-05 May Newsletter

At last it seems we're experiencing some "proper" Autumn weather - lovely sunny days; but with chilly mornings! It's nice to have received some rain - but for a while there I was thinking we were going from Summer straight to Winter. While we definitely need more rain - let's hope fine weather will grace us for the Perth Garden Festival - coming up 11 - 14th May at Langley Park in the city. That's Mother's Day weekend - so why not take your Mum for a day out and spend some time with her? Tickets are available online, but we've got tickets to WIN - see below for all the details. Paul & I are giving a talk on Friday 12th @ 2.30pm on the main stage - so if you're around, come along and say hi!!

What to plant NOW & Jobs for the May garden
Potatoes - determinate and indeterminate - what's the difference?
Cabbage - King of Cruciferous vegetables
WIN tickets to the Perth Garden Festival, Photo Competition Winner, Retailer update & MORE!

2023-04 April Newsletter

Welcome to April! Prime gardening season is upon us as the weather begins to cool down. We've passed the equinox so days will be getting noticeably shorter as the weeks progress. In our garden we're still harvesting summer vegies like eggplant, zucchini, pumpkin, capsicum, chilli and tomatoes. But it's time to be thinking about all the winter crops to get started (if you haven't already) and saving seeds from your best producing summer crops. If you're planning some major garden projects in the coming weeks, please make note of our trading days for the public holidays...

Jobs in the April Garden & What to Plant NOW
Green Manure - why, what, when!
Biosecurity update - Qld Fruit Fly - be alert!
VIP Special Offer, Retailer Update, Photo Competition & MORE!

2023-03 March newsletter

Well, it's officially here... while there's more hot days to come, we know day length is shortening, and the signs are there for the plants that a changing season isn't far away... And it's a fabulous time (the best time?) to garden in Perth. (As I write this - it's even RAINING! And there's lots to do in the Autumn garden - we hope we can inspire you with this newsletter to get started; or at least - to get planning! Don't miss the window of opportunity that is opening in order to reap the rewards for months to come with delicious home grown winter vegies!

What to grow in March
Jobs to do in the Autumn garden
Growing Garlic - it's time!
Designing a new garden, Photo comp winner, VIP special offer, and MORE!

2023-02 February newsletter

We've enjoyed a milder summer to date - but historically February tends to bring some VERY hot weather (seems to always be the week when school goes back - am I right?) But as summer is technically 2/3rds through - we gardeners start to get excited about the change of season in the next month or so. For gardeners, February's a time of 'hanging in there!' - keeping gardens alive, and planning for Autumn, which officially is only a month away. We know weather can be hot right up into April, but day length is shortening, nights are generally cooler, and there'll be a change in the air before much longer.

Jobs for the garden in February & How to keep your garden healthy
What to plant NOW; and getting seeds started for Autumn
VIP Special offer, Photo Competition, Retailer Update & more!
Passionfruit - tips & tricks for growing

2023-01 January newsletter

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I trust you had a lovely Christmas and some time to yourself to enjoy some quiet time outdoors! Now that the new year is here; it's a time of celebration and reflection - in our gardens, too! Hopefully you're celebrating with harvests of homegrown goodness; and reflection on what's worked well, what you'd like to remember for next spring, and what your intentions are for the autumn season - when it eventually rolls around. Luckily, the weather over Christmas was a little kinder to our gardens (and us!) this year.