Hello and welcome to December...  DECEMBER!

Wow, where did 2025 go??  I guess that's life passing us by - hopefully the year's been a good one for you and your garden.  And with 2026 just around the corner, if you feel like it's time to make some positive changes (in either life or your garden!) the new year always seems like an opportunity to hit the 'reset' button, don't you think?

November's been a busy month - we're loving this milder spring, and even been blessed with a little bit of rain here and there!  Take advantage of it while it lasts, and get those jobs done - because we all know the heat isn't far away.  December is officially SUMMER and in the Noongyar seasons we enter Birak - the first summer. Traditionally we experience hot days, and cooling sea breezes (if we're lucky!) in the afternoons.  Soon, we'll see the gorgeous native Christmas trees in full bloom - as pictured right (Moodjar) Nuytsia floribunda

In our gardens, we need to prepare - sensible planting taking into account shade and shelter, watering regime and soil health to sustain life.  Hopefully in this newsletter we can provide you helpful tips to get the most from your gardens at this time of year.

The Kalamunda Garden Festival (Summer edition) is on Sunday, 7th December at Stirk Park in Kalamunda.  Paul & I will be there again hosting the Green Life Soil Co speaker's marquee - and as always - we've got an exciting line up of speakers on "our" stage including Gardening Australia presenters Costa & Hannah Maloney, 'All the Dirt' podcast presenter Steve Wood, and from Kings Park we have Chelsea Payne - Curator of Arbor culture who will be presenting on how to choose a native tree to suit your property, and how to take advantage of the Government's Treebate program!!  And remember there are THREE STAGES running at the Festival - so you're always spoilt for choice with topics to choose from.

If you would like to WIN a double pass to the December festival - simply enter our photo competition BEFORE Friday night 5th December.  (I'll draw winners and notify them Saturday 6th).  Please email your entries to info[at]greenlifesoil.com.au to go in the draw.  (Entries received after the 5th will still be eligible for the $50 store credit draw - this will be a separate draw taking place later in the month.) 

We will be closing for a Christmas break (see dates below) so do pop in before your holidays to get all you need for your garden projects, and we hope to see you again when we reopen in January. 

If you're wanting to place an online order for bagged products to be delivered before Christmas - please get your orders in by Monday morning, 15th December for guaranteed delivery prior to Christmas closure.  We'll do our best to accommodate later orders - but we'd hate to disappoint you. For bulk deliveries - you have a little more time; but first come = first served, so don't delay - get  your orders in as soon as you can.

THANK YOU for all of your support in the year and we wish you & yours a happy, safe and rejuvenating Christmas and New Year.

Cheers from all of us @ The Green Life Soil Co

CHRISTMAS TRADING HOURS 2025

Our last date of trade will be Tuesday, 23rd December -
Re opening Monday, 5th January

In This newsletter:

Top 7 tasks to tackle in your December garden
What to plant NOW
Charlie Charcoal - Benefits of Biochar
Zucchini - the quiet achiever?!
Monthly Newsletter Special (It's Charlie!!)
Welcome to the family Green by Nature
Retailer Update

Jobs to do in the garden NOW!  Here's 7 top timely tasks to get you on top of your backyard.

1. Mulch! If you haven't already mulched your garden, don't delay. Use a good quality soil wetter (Like Eco-wet) on hydrophobic soils, and get your mulch down. If you've laid mulch earlier in Spring, check to see how much has broken down & whether there's areas that need topping up. (Vegie gardens in particular that have been mulched with straw or pea straw may need a top up as the straw breaks down fairly quickly.)
2. Dead head and feed your roses and other spring flowering plants like lavender that have finished to tidy them up and encourage another flush of flowers.
3. Get your garden & outdoor area ready for Christmas! Tidy up pot plants in patio areas (indoor ones too!) trim off tired or dead growth, and repot them (just one size up if need be) with fresh soil for an instant pick-me-up. Treat hanging baskets and pots with a soil wetter if they're drying out too quickly, or move them if possible to a more protected spot. Grab some potted colour of summer loving flowers like petunias, portulaca, salvia and vincas to brighten up your entertaining area.
4. Get your seeds started for succession plantings of lettuce, beans, and another crop of corn. It's not too late to plant cucumber, pumpkins, melons, zucchini etc. from seed if you get cracking.
5. Fruit trees should be netted and protected against fruit fly by now ~ or as fruit is beginning to form.  Thin fruit crops - it seems counter-intuitive, but it will result in larger and better tasting fruit. It will mean that you'll likely get a good crop the following year, too.  Thinning fruit takes stress off the plant and encourages even fruiting patterns. Bagging grapes will need to happen once they start to flesh out & before the birds find them.  Tip prune grapevines to encourage vines to put energy into forming fruit, rather than spreading foliage. 
6. Put out water for birds & animals!  Now temperatures are climbing, a permanent water source (simply a bowl you top up) will be appreciated by creatures.  A saucer with pebbles or a stick that bees and wasps can use to climb out (so they don't drown) is a great idea.  Check them daily but especially in heatwave conditions as your locals will come to depend on them.  Good news - they'll be doing pest control duty when they visit!
7. Give Clay Spray a try to help prevent Citrus Gall Wasp.  They're active NOW and will be laying eggs in the warm weather.  Clay Spray forms a barrier over the stems of plants which discourages insects from egglaying under the bark.

What to Plant NOW

Check out our FREE when to plant guides on our website- but here's a quick reminder list:

Basil, Beans (snake beans are highly recommended for summer, as they can handle the hot weather), Beetroot, Capsicum, Chilli, Carrots, Chokos, Cucumber, Eggplant, Ginger, Leeks, Lettuce, Loofah, Malabar Spinach, Okra, Parsnips, Pumpkin, Radish, Rockmelon, Rosella, Silverbeet, Spring Onions, Squash, Strawberries, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Zucchini (see our article below for top tips on growing this great veg!).

Seed orders are coming through regularly; so our range is continually changing.  We've got fresh seedlings and herbs too - so pop in and grab what you need to fill gaps in your Summer crops.

Why Biochar (Charlie Charcoal) Is a Game-Changer for Perth Gardens

If you’ve visited Green Life over the past few years, you may have already heard us mention biochar – or noticed that we include our own certified organic version, Charlie Charcoal, in all of our soil mixes. Biochar is far from a new idea. Indigenous cultures across Australia, Africa and the Amazon have used charcoal-rich soils for hundreds of years to grow extraordinarily productive gardens.

Today, modern research is catching up and validating what gardeners have known all along. Biochar is one of the most powerful, long-lasting ways to improve soil health, plant resilience and water efficiency, and it’s especially useful for Perth’s challenging, sandy soils.

What Is Biochar? (And What Makes Charlie Charcoal Special?)

Biochar is a high-carbon material made by heating organic matter, usually wood, in a low-oxygen environment. This process, called pyrolysis, locks carbon into a stable form that lasts hundreds to thousands of years once added to soil.

Charlie Charcoal is produced from hardwood at very high pyrolysis temperatures (650°C+), which burns off almost all volatile organic compounds, creates a stable and consistent product, ensures a low, stable pH of around 4.9, produces exceptionally high internal porosity, and prevents hydrophobicity so it never becomes water repellent. This makes Charlie Charcoal ideal for WA’s naturally alkaline, nutrient-poor coastal sands.

How Biochar Benefits Your Garden

1. Improves water retention and reduces irrigation needs.

Biochar holds around twice its weight in water, improves wettability, prevents water repellency, and reduces watering needs by about 30%. Local trials show dramatically improved soil moisture compared to identical soils without biochar.

2. Boosts nutrient holding and delivery.

Perth’s sands have extremely low nutrient-holding capacity, often with CEC in single digits. Charlie Charcoal has a CEC of 24 and a TEC of 46, giving soil a bigger “nutrient tank”. It captures fertilisers in the root zone instead of letting them wash away. In trials, corn grown in degraded soil amended with 25% Charlie Charcoal showed no nutrient deficiency, despite no fertiliser being added.

3. Helps balance Perth’s alkaline soil pH.

Perth’s coastal sands typically sit near pH 7.3, which is almost ten times more alkaline than the ideal pH for nutrient uptake. Charlie Charcoal’s low pH naturally moderates alkaline soils. Blending it into sandy soil helps move the pH closer to plant-friendly levels without burning roots.

4. Supports healthy soil biology.

Biochar’s porous honeycomb-like structure (see close up pic above) provides habitat for beneficial microbes, reduces soil-borne disease pressure, increases tolerance to stress, drought and toxins, and creates a more resilient soil ecosystem over time.

5. Strengthens plant cell walls due to high silicon levels.

Silicon strengthens plant tissues, improves pest resistance, reduces lodging and enhances stress tolerance. Perth soils average around 17 ppm silicon; ideal is above 100 ppm. Charlie Charcoal contains around 160 ppm. Trials show stronger, healthier plants with reduced pest pressure.

6. Safe for natives due to low phosphorus.

Charlie Charcoal contains very low phosphorus (around 13 ppm), making it safe for native plants. In gardens with high phosphorus from overuse of manures, Charlie Charcoal helps dilute the excess and reduce nutrient lock-up.

7. It lasts a lifetime.

Unlike compost or manures, biochar does not break down, leach or gas off. It remains in the soil permanently. One application provides lasting benefits.

How to Use Charlie Charcoal in Perth Gardens

• General garden beds: Mix into the top 10-20 cm of soil at around 1-2 litres per square metre for maintenance or up to 12 litres per square metre for major improvement. Charging biochar first by mixing it with compost or soaking in liquid fertiliser for 24 hours gives faster results, although uncharged biochar can still perform very well.
• Vegie beds: Blend at 5-10% by volume with compost and soil.
• Fruit trees and shrubs: Add 2-4 litres per planting hole mixed with compost and existing soil.
• Native gardens: Use lightly at 5-10% by volume.
• Clay soils: Improves drainage significantly. Because both clay and biochar can be acidic, add lime if needed to correct pH.
• Potting mix: Add 10-15% Charlie Charcoal to extend potting mix life and reduce watering needs. Excellent for strawberries, tomatoes, herbs and long-term pots.
• Compost systems: Add 10-15% to compost piles for faster breakdown, reduced odour, better moisture control and richer microbial activity.

Climate Benefits

Research from UNSW and international studies shows biochar can increase crop yields by 10-42%, store carbon in soil for hundreds to thousands of years, reduce greenhouse gases including nitrous oxide by 12-50%, and improve soil organic carbon by up to 20%. Globally, biochar could remove 300-660 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2050, similar to Australia’s current annual emissions.

When you add Charlie Charcoal to your soil, you’re not only improving your garden - you’re helping the planet.

Charlie Charcoal is certified organic, Waterwise (Smart WaterMark approved), long-lasting, safe for natives and proven in WA soils. Whether you’re revitalising a vegie patch, improving sandy garden beds, planting natives or building long-term soil health, biochar is one of the most effective tools available.

For more information, give us a call at The Green Life Soil Co or visit charliecharcoal.com.au.

Newsletter Special Offer

If you've never tried Charlie Charcoal now's the perfect time to give it a go!

This month's special offer is our 25L bags of Charlie Charcoal for $25.00 each in store (normally $32).

Come on in and pick up a bag (or several) and get the permanent benefits of biochar in your garden.  Offer valid in store only, up until close of business on Tuesday, 23rd December.  If you can't make it into store by then - call up (or email) and pay - we can set aside stock for you to collect in the new year if paid up front.

Zucchini - a Superstar from Garden to Gourmet

A great summer crop for WA is Zucchini.  It's relatively easy to grow, with few pest and disease issues.  Zucchini plants are high yielding, so you don't need many plants to enjoy regular harvests.  (Word of warning - you probably DON'T need a punnet of 8 plants!!).  In America, some clever clogs came up with the concept of "Sneak a Zucchini onto your neighbour's porch day" - given that the plants are so prolific you may struggle to give them away - so clandestine deliveries may be required!!  I've seen some great pics of people dressing up or staging their zucchinis - just for a bit of fun.  But in all seriousness - they're useful plants, so consider planting one or two this summer.  Here's some tips on how to grow and use zucchini.

• Grow from seed, or choose healthy seedlings, and plant in a sunny position in the garden.  Allow at least 75cms for the mature size plants.  Zucchini are related to pumpkin and cucumber - while they don't form a trailing vine, they do sprawl.  They can be staked as they grow; training the plant to grow vertically can give better airflow around the plant and developing fruit, as well as save a bit of space in your garden.  
• Zucchini can be grown in pots - but choose something of a decent width and depth - at least 30cms; bigger if possible.
• Plant into improved soil (our vegetable concentrate is a great way to prep the soil), and make sure you water regularly.  Zucchini cope with our summers providing they receive regular watering, like all vegetables.  (Leaves may droop on hot days, but they will recover once the day cools) Keeping your plants well-watered means you'll avoid bitter fruit, too.
• Zucchini plants grow male and female flowers, so plants are self-fertile.  You'll notice that male flowers will develop first; the theory being the plant is training the pollinators!!  Once you see female flowers form (look for the tiny undeveloped fruit at the base of the flower) you can assist by hand pollinating with a paint brush if you feel it's necessary.  If fruit do not develop and fall off - that's a sign they haven't been pollinated.
• Fertilise your zucchini plant every few weeks/once a month during the growing season.  A light sprinkle of blood & bone, or a feed with a liquid like fish hydrolysate and/or kelp will keep the plant thriving.
• Once the fruit begin to form, they will grow quickly.  Pick when smaller for more tender zukes.  Regular harvesting will keep the plant producing.
• Relatively pest free - young seedlings may be damaged by snails, slugs or slaters.  Keep developing fruit off the ground if you can to avoid slater damage, too.
  Zucchini (and all their cucurbit relatives) are prone to powdery mildew - so if you can avoid overhead watering and ensure good airflow around plants, this will help.  Treat any symptoms early with bicarb or milk sprays as a simple, organic treatment.

Using your Zucchini Harvest

There are MANY ways you can use your zucchinis - whether raw or cooked.

They're great raw either sliced or cubed and added to salads - use instead of (or as well as) cucumber.
They can be spiralized and used as a lower-carb/high fibre alternative to spaghetti or noodles.  You can use them raw or lightly steamed if preferred, if you like them soft.
You can grate zucchini and use them in baking; they make slices and cakes moist and add body.  Make healthy muffins, bread or tortillas.
There are recipes online for slices, fritters, casseroles.  Add them to your weekly family staples (spag bol, anyone?) to add some extra vegie goodness.
If you have an airfryer, make yummy fried chips.  Sliced thinly with a bit of seasoning, they'll disappear quickly.
You can dehydrate zucchini and store to use later; and then put it through a food processor to make a powder.  This can be used as a coating or stock powder.
I like zucchini cut in half lengthways, then grilled, topped with capers and cheese.
And even if the zucchini harvest gets on top of you - pick the flowers, and stuff them for something a bit different - they're edible too!

Still too many zucchinis?  You could always sneak them onto your neighbour's front verandah...

Newsletter Competition

We'd like to congratulate Lynn from Toodyay as our $50 store credit voucher winner this month!  She sent in this photo of her garlic harvest, and had this to say:-

Dear Green Life Team,

As a keen consumer of garlic, I have made many attempts to grow a successful garlic crop in my Toodyay veggie patch.  After years of mediocre results, I was very excited to harvest my latest batch. I purchased two heads of certified organic Purple Stripe Garlic from Greenlife and planted the cloves in early April this year. By mid November I was rewarded with a wonderful crop despite the showers of rain that fell when I was trying to dry out the bed before digging them up. At the moment the garlic is spread out on my mesh sieve to cure. I will certainly be repeating this effort next year but next time I will buy twice as much. After all, garlic is good for you, right?

Many thanks,  Lynn

Thanks for sending in your photo, Lynn.  I can understand why you're excited to grow more next year - there's nothing as good as home grown!!

If you've got a great harvest of any fruit or veg, or you're developing your green thumb growing flowers or natives - whatever is YOUR thing - send us in a photo via email or messenger with a few lines telling the story of your garden journey and YOU could be our winner next month.

Welcome to The Green Life family - Green By Nature, Collie

Jayne Green, who runs Green By Nature (a professional gardening business in Collie), has been making a regular trek to GLSC for some time - stocking up on our soils to use in her gardening business.  She has loved the results so much, she has decided to become a stockist in her area.  After doing the consultation with the local Council, Jayne has set up to sell GLSC's bagged products - and she recently took her first delivery.  

If you're in the region, Green By Nature is open at 9 River Avenue, Collie between 9.30 - 5.30 Monday to Sunday.  You can contact Jayne on 0475 251 554.

Retailer Update

Please support your local independent retailer who supports us! The specialist retailers listed here will be happy to give you gardening advice and help you with our products - please call to check what lines they carry as they can't stock all of our products (but may be willing to get stock in for a custom order - if you ask nicely!). Some of these fabulous retailers also offer a home delivery service (marked with *) - so why not go local?  (Please contact the store directly for details.)

Anketell Stockfeeds/Nibali Anketell 9419 5711
Aquaponics WA / Hydroponic Xpress - Canning Vale 9455 2133 (Aquatic mix only)
Bar Botanik - North Perth 9227 6758 (Indoor Potting Mix & Aroid Mix only)
Daisy Field Organics - Fremantle 0450 793 720
Garden Elegance - Subiaco 9381 2197
Guildford Town Garden Centre* - Guildford 9279 8645
Harbour Plants*- South Fremantle 0439 967 034
Hydroponics Guru (Living Soil only) - Wangara 0430527575
Kambarang Garden Centre* - Bentley 9458 5944
Lighthouse Fruit Tree Nursery - Parkwood 0411 166 034
Miaflora - Inglewood 9343 6334
Newstead Outdoors* - Greenwood 9334 6334
Nibali Stockfeed* - Hamilton Hill 9433 2211
Richo's 4 Hydro - Joondalup 9301 4462 
Stanbee Stockfeeds* - Barragup 9581 2390
Supreme Plants - West Swan 0499 887 275
Swan Valley Station - Swan Valley 0427 371 001
Tass1 Trees - Middle Swan 0419 988 344
Urban Revolution* - Victoria Park 6102 1068
Utopia Nursery - Bullsbrook 0455 659 622
Waldecks Kingsley* - 9309 5088 
Waldecks Melville* - 6317 0939
Waldecks Stirling* - 9254 6730
Zanthorrea Nursery - Maida Vale 9454 6260

Ardess Nursery (Albany) 9842 9952
Australind Landscaping Supplies 9796 1720
Boyup Brook Co-op (Boyup Brook) 9765 1001
Great Northern Rural Services (Geraldton) 9964 1274
Green By Nature (Collie) 0475 251 554 (pictured above)
Handy Hands Nursery (Karratha) 9413 1801
Hillview Garden Centre (Bridgetown) 9761 1672
Margaret River - Nutrient Ag Solutions 9758 7677 (Premium Potting Mix & Compost)
Mitre 10 Margaret River 9757 2455 (Wicking Bed Mix & Veg Concentrate)
Naturaliste Landscape Supplies (Busselton) 9754 8081
Soils Ain't Soils (Busselton & Dunsborough) 9751 5322

THANK YOU for being part of our Green Life family!  We hope to see you in store soon.  Check out our newsletter next month & stay up to date with our Facebook and Instagram pages for announcements, stock arrivals and general good gardening vibes!