DFB's Greenthumb Project

[DFB FGXR6]

Is there a more insufferable weed than English Ivy? I think not, especially after injuring my back trying to pull a large infestation from a fence/gate/garden shed/hedge.

Actually, looking into this, most of that people know of English Ivy (Hedera helix) is actually Irish Ivy (Hedera hibernica).

https://weeds.org.au/profiles/english-ivy/
https://www.walterreeves.com/landsca...dentification/

“Irish Ivy is normally larger than English Ivy, in both its leaves and petioles. The Irish ivy leaf is wider than long, with a broad terminal lobe and the leaves are shiny with greenish, not white veins. Also English ivy has a musty odor, while Irish ivy’s is sweet-ish."





The seeds are highly attractive to birds, helping it spread far and wide. But the ability to take root from any piece of the plant is its hallmark for survival. And because of that extensive root development, it's extremely hard to control, be that chemically or mechanically. I've seen Ivy drink glyphosate as if it were fertilizer. I have heard of using dousing it with kerosene, but that would contaminate the surrounding soil.

[DFB FGXR6]

The start of the winter bare root season this year has been slower than usual. The first delivery from Flemings's arrived at 7am yesterday, of which 600 assorted ornamental and fruiting trees were sorted, labeled, orders pulled and then lined up and buried in sand. A process that took just on 8 hours to complete.

Circa 9am.......................



Eight hours later.....................



A number of varieties were not sent in that initial Fleming's delivery, so there will be a couple of follow up deliveries to follow. The majority of our fruit tree assortment will arrive next week from a secondary supplier. Roses and our yearly allocation of citrus trees typically arrive late June or early July.

[DFB FGXR6]

A couple of months ago, one our supplier reps left a display stand with the intention of showcasing in-season plants. The rep has then been supplying advanced potted specimens to give customers an idea of what they can expect each plant can do. This is all well and good, but my creative brain spotted the potential expand on the idea...................

This plant stand was made by a men's shed, presumably from reclaimed timber. Well, we have plenty of that on hand, with a stack of un-used pallets taking up space in the yard. Pulling them apart was going to be the challenge, so I bought a lever bar from eBay..................

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/355034833921



Before starting the project, I had measured up and drew out a layout plan mimicking the original, I then knew what amount of timber I was going to need.

It took me a bit to figure out the best way to use the lever bar without ruining the timber, but the tool made short work of stripping the pallets down. Following this, I removed all the nails and docked everything to length. Then the fun part of putting it together...............









Including the re-used timber, I also used up an assortment of odd-bod screws, so excluding the pry bar and my labour, I made something from nothing.

I plan to make more of these as time allows, which will be used around the nursery as needed. I was hoping to have a few of these made prior to the bare root roses arriving, they would display well in these.