Episode: Eight
Air Date: 18th of October 2008
Presenter: Neville Passmore
Story Title: Mitre 10 – Water-efficient plants

Are you looking for some tough, drought resistant plants for a dry garden? Neville heads down to his local Mitre 10 garden centre to find out which plants will grow best in a dry climate.

Step 1: Plant Selection

• Look at plants from countries that have similar climates to your own.
• Visit the Mitre 10 website to find your nearest Mitre 10 store that has a garden centre.
• Ask the helpful staff at your local Mitre 10 Garden Centre to help you choose plants that will grow best in your garden.
• Pick up a free copy of the Mitreplan “Water efficient plants for dry gardens” for a list of suitable plants.

Step 2: Preparation and Planting

• Before planting, you should use a soil improver to add organics to the soil.
• Use a controlled release fertilizer (granulated fertilizers can burn the roots).
• Mulch is the key to successful gardening.
• Use a pebble mulch to shade the soil and add colour to your garden.
• A layer of weed mat will keep the weeds suppressed.
• Spray your plants with a seaweed extract to get them settled.

Featured Plant – Society Garlic

• Easy to grow and tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions
• Water efficient
• Leaves can be used in cooking
• Strap-like grey-green leaves
• Leaves stay green all year round
• Clusters of narrow tubular lilac-mauve flowers in warm climates
• When not in flower it looks similar to garlic chives and has a similar smell

Contact

For more information and for your Mitreplan visit www.mitre10.com.au or visit your local Mitre 10 Store.