Get Paid to Grow Shade

Treebate WA: How to Get $150 for Planting a Tree

🌳 The WA Tree Rebate Scheme:

If you live in Western Australia and you’ve been thinking about planting a tree, now’s the time. The WA Government is offering $150 cashback per person for planting an approved native trees. The scheme is called Treebate, and here’s exactly how it works.

What Is Treebate?

Treebate is a rebate program launched on 28 July 2025 by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER). It’s part of a broader push to increase tree canopy and biodiversity in WA suburbs.

Get up to $150 reimbursed. The program will run for up to four years or until 10,000 rebates are claimed each year.

ISSUES?

treebate@dwer.wa.gov.au

Who Can Apply?

To qualify, you must:

Be a Western Australian resident aged 18 or over.

Purchase an eligible native tree from a WA-based commercial nursery, Like Primal Fruits Perth.

Buy the tree on or after

28 July 2025.

Submit a claim with the required documents.

You can only claim once per person per financial year.

What Trees Are Eligible?

The tree must be native to Australia

and be expected to grow to

3 metres or more when mature.

It must not be declared a weed under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007

You’ll need a plant label with either the common name or botanical name, which must be submitted with your claim. If your plant does not have a label ask Cyrus to find you one.

You must submit:

A photo of the plant label

An itemised tax invoice

showing nursery ABN, purchase date, name of the tree (common or botanical) and price paid.

Handwritten invoices are not accepted.

How to Claim

You have two options:

✅ 1. ServiceWA App

(Recommended)Requires a verified

Digital Identity

(Standard level or higher)Upload your label photo and tax invoicePayment usually processed within 7 business days.

Claim status can be tracked in the app

📄 2. Using the Paper Form must include 100-point ID documents. Submit by post with printed label photo and invoice

Processing may take up to 30 days. Both options are subject to the annual cap of 10,000 claims, so apply early.

Why Treebate Exists

Treebate is designed to increase urban shade and reduce heat. Boost biodiversity with native plantings. Encourage individuals to take climate action on their own properties.

It’s part of a $6.9 million investment by the WA Government to support healthier, greener suburbs.

Here's a small selection of trees on the list at ServicesWA...

Raspberry Jam Wattle – Grows to 5m, prune to 2m, thrives in Perth heat. Smells like raspberry jam when cut. No toast required.

Golden Wreath Wattle – Hits 6m, prune to 2.5m, easy and fast. Flowers look like yellow fireworks. Great for bees and showing off. Seeds taste good and sap is tasty.

Elegant Wattle – Maxes out around 4m, prune to 1.5m, very Perth-hardy. Great nitrogen fixer. Name sounds fancier than your friends' trees. Best of the wattleseeds and ok sap.

Boab – Eventually 10–15m, prune when young, not for small gardens. Edible pulp inside pod. Looks like a tree swallowed a bottle. Difficult in Perth.

Soap Tree (Alphitonia) – Up to 8m, prune to 3m. Easygoing and drought-tough. Leaves lather like soap — nature’s shampoo.

Native Gardenia (Atractocarpus) – 3–6m, prune to 2m, needs some shade. Edible fruit, smells amazing. Better than your deodorant. Needs cross pollination for fruit.

Lemon Myrtle – 4–6m, prune to 1.5m, grows well with care. Edible leaves for tea and cooking. More lemon than lemons. Full sun after 5 years. Most intoxicating scent, you'll love it!

Various Kurrajong – Usually 6–10m, prune to 2–3m. Hardy as nails. Seeds edible when roasted. Trunks store water like camels. Peanut Tree closely related, shouldpass as this but ask them first.

Black Bean (Moreton Bay Chestnut) – Up to 20m, prune when young, only for big yards. Seeds edible after detoxing. Poisonous if you wing it. You know those magic beans?

Fingerlime – 3–5m, prune to 2m. Needs a little love but worth it. Tiny caviar-textured lime pearls. Fancy bush tucker. Who doesn't like fingerlime?

Desert Lime – Around 3m, prune to 1.5m. Made for Perth. Fruit is tart, edible, and great for sauces. Hardy little battler. Tough.

Lime Bush (Citrus glauca) – 2–3m, prune to 1m. Native lime with zing. Loves heat. Fruit tastes like citrus with a punch in the face.

Tuckeroo – 6–8m, prune to 3m. Easy and tough. Berries not for you, but birds love 'em. Great street tree.

Koda (Ehretia acuminata) – 10–12m, prune early to shape. Edible berries. Uncommon in gardens, but tougher than it looks.

Blue Quandong – 5–8m, prune to 2.5m. Fruit’s edible but needs prep. Grows in rough conditions. Bright blue fruit like marbles.

Emu Bush (Eremophila) – 1.5–3m, prune to shape. Very hardy. Flowers attract native bees. A WA favourite with a fancy name. {ick one that fruits...but it'll never fruit anyways.

Rock Fig (Ficus platypoda) – 5–8m, prune to 2–3m. Grows in rocks, literally. Fruit edible but variable. Birds go wild for them.

Cluster Fig (Ficus racemosa) – 10–15m, prune to 3m. Fruit grows straight off trunk like tree acne. Edible, sweet when ripe. Difficult in Perth.

Macadamia – 6–10m, prune to 3m. Likes water. Nuts are rich, creamy, and profitable if the cockatoos don’t get them first. A fav....

Various Tea Trees (Melaleuca) – 3–10m, prune to 2m. Hardy and fragrant. Nectar feeds bees. Some species good for antiseptic oil.

Waterbush (Blueberry Tree, Myoporum) – 2–4m, prune to 1.5m. Tough coastal plant. Fruit looks like blueberries but not as good. Pretty though. Fastest growing.

Emu Apple (Owenia)– 3–6m, prune to 2m. Fruit edible but sour. Aboriginal medicine icon. Looks like it should be in Jurassic Park. If not eaten fully ripe will make you hullucinate.

Gumbi Gumbi (Pittosporum angustifolium) – 2–7m, prune to 1.5m. Edible leaves used as tea. Known for traditional medicinal use. In Fact the most powerful medicinal plant in WA ....probablly. A must have.

Burdekin Plum – 10–15m, prune when young. Fruit edible after ripening off the tree. Great shade tree if you’ve got room. Fruits can go sweet in covered in a blanket in the dark for 14 days after falling.

Illawarra Plum – 8–12m, prune to 3m. Tasty fruit on female trees. Tree is a living fossil from dinosaur times. Needs a male and female to fruit so get 3-5.

Various Quandongs (Santalum species) – 3–6m, prune to 2m. Edible fruit. Root hemiparasite – needs a host plant. A social tree, basically.

WA Sandalwood – 3–5m, prune to 2m. Host-dependent. Nuts are edible raw or roasted. Smells like money and temples. You are not allowed to sell anything from this tree without a permit. And Permit system is a cartel in WA.

Lilly Pilly (Bush Cherry) – 3–8m, prune to 2.5m. Fruit edible in jams. Glossy leaves, fluffy flowers. Everyone in Perth has one.

Blue Lilly Pilly – 2–5m, prune to 2m. Smaller leaves and bluish tinge. Edible fruit, great hedge. Possums approve.

Kakadu Plum – 3–5m, prune to 2m. Fruit rich in Vitamin C. Grows slow in Perth but worth it. Traditional superfood. Almost impossible togrow in Perth outside.

Various Terminalia – 5–10m, prune to shape. Some with edible nuts or fruit. Big shade trees with character and history. Rarely seen here in Perth.

Treebate FAQs

1. What is Treebate?

$150 rebate for planting a native tree per person.

For example, 4 adults in the household claim $600 total.

2. Who can claim?

WA residents, 18+, one per person yearly.

3. Tree requirements?

Native, not a weed, grows 3m+.

4. Where to buy?

WA-based commercial nursery only.

5. What proof is needed?

Plant label photo + tax invoice (with ABN).

6. Handwritten receipt OK?

No.

7. Claim how?

ServiceWA app (fast) or paper form (slow).

8. Processing time?

7 days (app), 30 days (paper).

9. Can I claim more than one?

No, one per person.

10. Can I claim shrubs?

No, must be a tree 3m+.

11. Can I buy now, claim later?

Only if bought on/after 28 July 2025.

12. What if it dies?

Try your best

13.Can the Plant be placed in a pot? Yes

14.Is this a plant list available? Yes, on ServicesWA

15.My plant is not on the list? Call or email ServiceWA

Helpful links:

Official Treebate page:

wa.gov.au/treebate

Treebate FAQs:

Treebate Frequently Asked Questions

ServiceWA app info:

Treebate in the ServiceWA app

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13 ways to be summer ready!

One of the surest ways to have tough fruit trees for a hot dry summer in Perth is by encourage strong roots and making the soil as healthy as possible. Here's over 13 ways to be summer ready! All mentioned in my book and talked about on most consults I do for people. Free advise here!

Mineral Magic and even stuff like Zeolite and Spongolite encourages stronger roots by... acting like a microscopic sponge that holds water and nutrients right next to the roots, while also providing silica to make the plant's cell walls physically tougher against heat stress.

Watering deeper and less often helps by... training the roots to grow down deep to find moisture in the cooler subsoil, rather than staying near the hot surface where they are vulnerable to drying out. Especially true for a place like Perth in summer.

Using compost and mulch helps a lot by turning the soil into a moisture-holding sponge and creating a protective "blanket" on top that stops the sun from evaporating the water before the tree can drink it.

Throwing around leaves from the Soap Tree (available on our website) (Alphitonia) reduces hydrophobic soil by... releasing natural saponins (soaps) when they get wet; these break the surface tension of the water so it can penetrate into waxy, dry sand instead of just running off the top.

Creating more shade (dropping temperatures by 15°C or more) helps by reducing the stress on the tree's leaves so they don't shut down, and keeping the soil surface cool enough that the beneficial microbes and feeder roots don't die off.

Letting weeds grow and mulching before they go to seed (using dynamic accumulators) helps by allowing these deep-rooted plants to "mine" minerals from deep underground and bring them to the surface; when you chop them, those minerals are released to feed your fruit trees.

"Chop and drop" everything! This helps by mimicking a forest floor; it instantly covers the soil to lock in moisture and slowly feeds nutrients back to the tree as the green material breaks down. Added bonus! Grows everything cut more vigourously by x 3.

Planting incredibly dense helps by creating a "micro-climate" where plants shade one another and trap humidity, protecting the group from the harsh, drying easterly winds. And giving more to cut and most importantly halts more dry wind evaporation from bare soils.

Watering after the sun has set helps by... giving the water time to soak deep into the root zone throughout the cool night without being immediately evaporated by the hot sun.

If your soil is way too sandy consider adding clay and rock minerals This helps by permanently coating the sand particles so they attract water rather than repel it, fixing the "Perth sand" problem where water runs straight through without wetting the roots.

Whitewashing the trunks helps by... painting the trunk with a diluted white water-based paint to reflect the sun, preventing the bark from splitting and boiling the sap on 40°C days. Added bonus! The light more evenly reflects a softer diluted light on other parts of the garden.

AU$29.00

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“3 Easy Fixes to Grow Better in Perth” – A local’s guide to turning sand into soil and stress into fruit

Why This Book Might Save Your Garden (And Your Sanity)

Let’s be real. Gardening in Perth is brutal. The sun’s like a heat lamp, the soil’s beach sand in denial, and the advice online usually comes from people living in places with actual rain.

This book was written for the rest of us — the ones trying to grow fruit trees in soil that barely qualifies as dirt.

If your mango looks miserable, your citrus is crispy, and your soil repels water like it’s allergic — this book is for you.

What’s Inside the Book?

It’s simple. Just three major fixes — the kind that flip your garden from “why even bother” to “holy hell, is that a jaboticaba!”

Shade is the Gamechanger

Most of us think plants need sun. Truth is, they need a break from it. Especially here. You’ll learn how to create cool microclimates that make plants thrive — even in 40°C.

Soil Life is Everything

Forget fertiliser wars. If your soil isn’t alive, nothing works. You’ll learn how to wake up the fungi, bacteria, worms, and microbes that do the real work — and how to keep them happy without spending a cent.

Syntropic Systems (Nature’s Cheat Code)

This is more than layering. It’s a full ecosystem approach. The book covers:

Succession planting

– putting fast growers and slow growers together so they support each other

Strata

– using tall trees, shrubs, vines, and groundcovers like nature does

Chop-and-drop

– creating instant mulch from living plants

Natural spacing

– ditching rows and using plant relationships instead

Species synergy

– choosing the right crew to grow togetherIt’s how forests work. You just do it faster, in your backyard.

Why You Should Buy It (Before Your Plants Riot)

If you’ve tried everything and your garden still looks like it’s recovering from a heatwave, this book is your shortcut.

It’s local. It’s practical. It doesn’t waste words. And it’s full of cheeky humour to make the struggle less grim.

At $31 paperback, it costs less than one future dead fruit tree.

What Happens If You Don’t Buy It?

You’ll keep guessing.

Keep burning through money and sad stories or worse....losing a prized rare specimen.

Keep wondering why your neighbour’s avocado tree is thriving and yours looks like it’s been hexed.

And eventually, you might give up.

But Perth doesn’t need perfect gardeners. It needs smart ones — the kind who learn how to work with the land and climate, not against it.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t a book about being the perfect gardener. It’s about giving your plants a fighting chance, even in Perth and beyond, like Geraldton even.

If you want fruit trees that survive heatwaves, soil that holds water, and a garden that works like nature — buy the book.

Keywords: Perth gardening, syntropic gardening WA, how to fix sandy soil, fruit trees in Perth, soil life, chop and drop, succession planting, shade for gardens, regenerative gardening, food forest Perth

Let me know if you want this turned into an email, Insta post, or flyer.

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Farmers Guide to Nature Based Easy Growing

Rare Fruit Trees That Laugh at Drought

Why thirsty plants don’t belong in the foundation of new establishment—and what to grow first instead

Got a block full of sun, dust, and stubborn soil? Perfect. That’s exactly what drought-tolerant fruit trees love. If you're sick of dragging hoses and topping up tanks, it's time to stop growing needy plants first and start planting the legends that thrive on tough love. Create the shade first.

These drought-hardened fruit trees don’t just survive—they feed you, fix the soil, bring in birds, and set the stage for something bigger.

Start With the Tough Ones

These are the pioneers. They don’t care if it’s 45°C and dry as toast.

Thorny hedges, nutrient-rich cherries, deep-rooted nut trees, and classic Mediterranean performers all belong here. Once established, these trees need little from you—just space, mulch, and time. They become the foundation of your future forest.

Cover the Ground or Watch It Die

Bare soil is dead soil. Plant ground covers that cool the roots, trap moisture, and feed soil life.

Choose sprawling edibles, bulletproof natives, and moisture-trapping clumpers. Mix in coastal toughies, salt-tolerant creepers, and nitrogen-fixing ground layers. Healthy soil starts with keeping it covered.

Add Some Shrubs for Structure

Shrubs are the backbone. Low-growing, multi-use, and low maintenance, they stabilise soil, block wind, and feed the ecosystem.

Include nitrogen fixers, hedge-formers, flowering natives, and cultural standouts. Think of them as the glue that holds your system together.

It’s Not Just a Garden – It’s a System

These plants are pioneers. They break up clay, drop leaf mulch, call in fungi, and block the wind so others can grow. These are the bones of a future forest—the kind that waters itself and feeds you with no fuss.

That’s syntropic design. But it starts with the rough-and-ready types. Plant now, shade later.

Skip the princess plants. Choose the ones that laugh at drought and build the future from the ground up.

Living Fences: Edible Windbreaks That Work Hard and Feed You

Block the wind, feed the family, and keep the neighbours guessing what you're growing

Why waste good land on a dead fence when you can build a living one that shades, shelters, and produces?

Living fences do it all: define boundaries, protect fruit trees from wind, offer privacy, and produce food. Some even have thorns to keep out unwanted visitors.

Mix spiky enforcers with fast fillers and climbing vines. Add ground covers below and edible shrubs along the inside edge. Use curved lines, overlap species, and let them grow into each other.

These green walls do more than mark territory—they create thriving edges full of food, shelter, and life.

Fruit Forest Islands: Why Dense Planting Works Better Than Rows

Because nature doesn’t do neat rows—and neither should you

Nature prefers clusters, not lines. Dense planting creates shade, traps moisture, blocks wind, and boosts soil life. That’s why fruit forest islands work.

Plant tall trees in the centre, midsize trees around them, shrubs next, then vines and groundcovers. Fill the middle with logs and mulch. Let everything overlap.

Leave pathways between islands or connect them into a forest. Vary species to boost pollination. Plant densely and let it sprawl.

It looks wild, but it works better. Lower water use, higher diversity, and more food, faster.

Profit From the Paddock: 7 Ways Rare Fruit Trees Can Make You Money

Turn your backyard jungle into a side hustle

Your rare trees can do more than feed you. They can build a business. Here’s how:

Sell trees or cuttings.Sell fruit fresh or processed.Run pick-your-own events.Offer workshops or guided tours.Supply cafes or herbalists.

A tree that gives food, shade, cuttings, and customers? That’s a keeper.

Biofuel Trees: Fruitful Species That Can Power More Than Your Pantry

Because some trees run deeper than dinner

Some trees don’t just feed you—they produce fuel, soap, shade, pest deterrents, and animal fodder. Mix them into your outer zones. Use them as windbreaks, shade lines, or biomass producers.

When fuel prices rise or power fails, these trees become your backup.

Wildlife Friendly, Human Tasty: Trees That Attract Birds and Still Feed You

Because sharing fruit doesn’t mean going hungry

The right trees bring in pollinators, keep pests down, and feed the birds and you.

Mix early-dropping fruit trees with dense shrubs and decoy species. Add flowers and fragrant herbs. Overplant to reduce pressure. A buzzing, chirping, shaded garden is a healthy one.

The Final Push: Soil Fixers, Climate Survivors, Hillside Heroes, Bush Tucker Gold, and a Year-Round Feast

Because your land should work with you, not against you

Plant trees that feed the soil, survive harsh weather, thrive on slopes, and bring native flavour.

Choose nitrogen fixers, drought-hardy species, erosion controllers, and seasonal producers. Plan your calendar for staggered harvests. Stack them in layers, mulch deep, and avoid straight lines.

This is how you build a self-watering, low-work, year-round food system.

Appointments available at Primal Fruits Perth. Rare stock. Limited numbers.

Keywords: drought tolerant fruit trees, edible hedge, food forest WA, syntropic design, bush tucker, low maintenance orchard, rare fruit trees Australia

Hardy plants

Feijoas

Not a lot of people (including me just today!) know that Feijoas need chill hours! Feijoas (Acca sellowiana) generally require 50 to 200 chill hours, depending on the variety. Chill hours refer to the time spent in temperatures between 0°C and 7°C in June-August, which are necessary to trigger proper fruiting. Without enough chill hours, flowering and fruiting may be poor. ATM, Perth averages aroung 250-400 chill hours annually. For example, some varieties thrive with as few as 50 chill hours, but 100-200 hours is considered optimal for better fruit production. Feijoas typically fruit once a year, usually between late autumn and early winter (April to June in Perth). However, there are occasional reports of out-of-season flowering, That's why I did some quick research as my White Goose has flower buds now! This is not common btw. In terms of growing season, feijoas prefer cool winters and mild summers (around 25-33°C). They are suited to subtropical to temperate climates and can tolerate a range of soil types, as long as waterlogging is avoided. For fruiting, feijoas benefit from cross-pollination, although there are self-fertile varieties available. If planted in full sun with good moisture during the fruit development stage, feijoas will remain productive for over 30 years, making them a long-term investment for the garden.

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What is Primal Fruits Perth?

Mission

Primal Fruits Perth: Transforming Backyards into Thriving Food Forests

In the heart of Perth, where scorching summers and unpredictable weather challenge even the most experienced growers, Primal Fruits Perth is leading a quiet revolution. Run by Cyrus Roussilhes, a rare fruit tree specialist with a deep passion for permaculture and syntropic design, Primal Fruits Perth is more than just a nursery. It’s a community-driven hub that teaches people how to grow rare and exotic fruit trees with minimal effort and maximum reward.

A Vision Rooted in Sustainability

Primal Fruits Perth isn’t just about selling fruit trees. It’s about empowering people to take control of their food supply by transforming their backyards into low-maintenance food forests. Cyrus has a knack for finding and propagating rare, high-performing fruit varieties that thrive in Perth’s tough climate. His approach focuses on selecting plants that not only survive but produce abundant fruit with minimal care.

The nursery stocks over 700 varieties of fruit trees, including hard-to-find Eugenias, Garcinias, Jaboticabas, and many Australian natives that offer both beauty and nutrition. Every plant sold comes with expert advice on soil preparation, watering, and maintenance, ensuring that growers get the best possible results.

Rare and Exotic Fruits: Growing the Impossible

Cyrus’s passion lies in pushing the boundaries of what can be grown in Perth. He’s introduced locals to fruit varieties they’d never dreamed could thrive in WA’s climate—such as Lucs Garcinia, Bacupari, Achacha, and even different types of Eugenia. Through grafting, propagation, and trial and error, Primal Fruits Perth has proven that with the right care, even the most tropical fruits can adapt to Perth’s conditions.

One of Cyrus’s standout achievements is his expertise in growing and propagating Jaboticaba varieties. His book on jaboticabas, available on Amazon, is a testament to his knowledge and serves as a guide for growers looking to succeed with this fascinating fruit.

Knowledge, Not Just Plants

What sets Primal Fruits Perth apart is its emphasis on education. Buying a tree is just the beginning of the journey. Through Easy Home Growing, Cyrus teaches people how to create thriving gardens using natural resources and syntropic design principles. His methods focus on soil improvement, companion planting, and creating microclimates that mimic nature’s ecosystems.

Free guest speaking, consultations, and online articles offer practical, science-backed techniques that help growers avoid costly mistakes. Whether it’s understanding pollination compatibility, identifying signs of nutrient deficiencies, or pruning tips, Primal Fruits Perth ensures that customers leave with the knowledge needed to succeed. All in the simplest way.

Syntropic Design: The Secret to Low-Maintenance Success

Cyrus promotes syntropic farming methods, which focus on mimicking natural forest layers to create self-sustaining ecosystems. By carefully selecting and layering plants, he creates gardens where trees, shrubs, ground covers, and root crops work together to improve soil health, conserve moisture, and deter pests.

This method dramatically reduces maintenance while increasing biodiversity and resilience. Gardeners save water, eliminate the need for chemical fertilisers, and produce nutrient-dense food with minimal effort.

Why Choose Primal Fruits Perth?

For anyone serious about growing rare fruit trees in Perth, Primal Fruits Perth is the go-to destination. Here’s why:

Unmatched Variety:

Over 700 types of fruit trees, including rare and exotic varieties.

Expert Advice:

Personalised support from someone who has successfully grown these trees in Perth’s challenging climate.

Community Impact:

A commitment to making home-grown food accessible to all.

Syntropic Design Knowledge:

Techniques that transform gardens into thriving, low-maintenance food forests.Ready to Start Growing?

Primal Fruits Perth isn’t just a nursery—it’s a movement. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grower, Cyrus is ready to guide you on your journey to creating a sustainable, productive garden. Visit Primal Fruits Perth today, and take the first step toward turning your backyard into a food-producing paradise.

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Blueberries in the ground in Perth?

Yes I've changed my tune and now saying to people it's possible... Just I little extra work. Mixing 25L of acidic soil conditioner (Green Life Soil Company) 50/50 with your soil will help lower the pH, but it may only bring it down to around pH6.5-7 from pH 8. To reach the ideal pH of 4.5-5.5 for blueberries, you'll need to add more acidic materials regularly like pine mulch and pine needles or elemental sulfur. Most of us water with scheme water that can be pH 8-9, undoing our efforts. Btw Coco Peat just won't cut it as it's not acidic enough. Including a blueberry-specific fertiliser weekly can further acidify the soil and support plant health. ($20 a bottle at Primal Fruits Perth) The effect might holds for several months, but regular pH testing and ongoing amendments will be necessary for maintaining the correct pH. Additives That Won’t Help Lower Soil pH: 1. Mushroom Compost: Typically has a neutral to slightly alkaline pH, which won’t help lower soil pH. 2. Lime: Used to raise pH, making the soil more alkaline. 3. Wood Ash: Increases soil pH, making it more alkaline. 4. Manure: Generally has a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. 5. Bone Meal: Alkaline additive that raises soil pH. 6. Dolomite Lime: Raises pH due to its alkaline nature. 7. Eggshells: High in calcium carbonate, they raise soil pH. 8. Crushed Oyster Shells: Alkaline, will increase soil pH. 9. Seaweed/Fish Emulsion: Typically neutral and doesn’t affect pH significantly. 10. Perlite: Neutral pH, mainly used for aeration and drainage. Additives That Likely Help Lower Soil pH: 1. Peat Moss: Highly acidic, commonly used to lower soil pH. 2. Pine Needles: Acidic, slowly lowers soil pH over time. 3. Elemental Sulfur: Strongly acidic, effectively lowers soil pH. 4. Aluminium Sulfate: Quickly lowers pH, commonly used in gardening. 5. Iron Sulfate: Acidifies the soil, helping to lower pH. 6. Coffee Grounds: Slightly acidic, can help lower soil pH. 7. Cottonseed Meal: Acidic, often used to lower pH in soil. 8. Sphagnum Moss: Acidic, useful for lowering soil pH. 9. Vinegar (Diluted): Can temporarily lower pH when used in small amounts. 10. Composted Oak Leaves: Acidic, helps reduce soil pH over time.

Mineral Magic

The question I’m asked most often—whether someone buys one tree or 30—is: *How do I prepare the soil?* The answer depends on how good your soil is to begin with. How can you tell? Does your soil have white filaments running through it? That’s microbial gold. Or is your yard just a water-repelling sandpit? If you’ve followed me, you’ll know I’m all about building soil structure to support microbes, fungi, and bacteria. When they thrive, your plants thrive—with less fertiliser, less watering, and less stress. The trick? Continuously adding compost, manure, and organic matter to keep the cycle alive. But wouldn’t it be great to build that microbial “housing” in one go, like when transplanting? Is there a shortcut for a long-term solution? Finally, the answer is *mostly* yes. Mineral Magic, a WA-made Garden Conditioner, is a game-changer. For just $45 for 10 kg, it’s a one-time application that transforms your soil. Made from ancient plankton fossils, it boosts water and nutrient retention while creating a habitat for soil life. Even at 500 g/m², it helps sandy soil hold water and nutrients for decades. Mix 5-20% into soil or garden beds—simple as that. It also releases plant-available silicon, strengthening plant cells to resist drought, heat, and pests. Certified organic and waterwise-approved, it’s ideal for all gardens. Want bigger blooms or more veggies? Use higher rates for exotic plants and veggies. Even native plants benefit with just a handful. One application. Decades of benefits. Save water, grow stronger plants, and stress less. It’s that easy. Buy now for pickup or delvery.

Mineral Magic

Fighting off Dementia

Could the greatest improvements to fighting off dementia begin in your garden and the community garden? Incorporating diverse fruits, herbs, and vegetables in your diet can reduce dementia risk. Replace alcohol with herbal teas like lemon balm or chamomile for better sleep and brain health. Blueberries, blackberries, and pomegranates offer antioxidants to protect against high cholesterol and blood pressure. Leafy greens like kale and spinach improve eyesight, while longevity spinach helps manage diabetes, reducing dementia risk. Saffron and turmeric lift mood and fight inflammation too. A biodiverse garden in a community garden setting also encourages social engagement, fighting isolation, and boosts brain resilience through mental stimulation. ----- Want more info? Read on ... To lower the risk of dementia, adding specific fruits, herbs, and vegetables to your diet can make a big difference. Swap alcohol for herbal teas like lemon balm or chamomile to improve sleep and brain health. Drinks like coconut water or kombucha provide hydration and probiotics as alternatives. Leafy greens like kale and spinach, rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, improve eyesight and lower dementia risk. Carrots and sweet potatoes, high in beta-carotene, also enhance vision and protect the brain from oxidative stress. Longevity spinach helps lower blood sugar and fight diabetes, a key dementia risk factor. Including it in your diet improves insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation, both critical for brain health. Antioxidant-rich fruits like blueberries, blackberries, and pomegranates protect the brain from high cholesterol and blood pressure, supporting vascular health and reducing cognitive decline. Saffron and turmeric fight depression and inflammation, protecting brain circuits from damage that could lead to dementia. Swiss chard and St. John’s wort also offer mental health support. To combat social isolation, a community garden encourages gatherings, while visual stimulation in a busy garden engages the brain, improving cognition and boosting overall brain health. Diverse gardens provide nutrients that promote healthy neural activity. The colors, textures, and smells stimulate multiple senses, strengthening brain function and reducing dementia risk. Colourful gardens also foster physical activity and exploration, improving memory through increased blood flow. These spaces offer learning opportunities, building neuroplasticity and resilience in the brain. A garden full of plants like capsicum, broccoli, walnuts, and flaxseeds supports sensory organs and brain function. Biodiversity strengthens your body and mind, creating a natural defense against dementia. Finally finishing off with the ever controversial glass of red wine. Drinking one glass of red wine might help with dementia prevention due to antioxidants like resveratrol, which may protect brain cells. Moderate consumption is linked to better heart health, which supports brain function. However, excessive alcohol increases the risk of cognitive decline. Some studies show benefits, but it's hard to know if red wine alone helps or if other factors like diet and lifestyle matter more. It's better to focus on a healthy lifestyle overall—exercise, a good diet, mental stimulation, and managing chronic conditions are proven ways to reduce dementia risk.

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Spinach & Teas

The term "spinach" is often used to describe various leafy greens that generally require light cooking. While some of these greens can be eaten raw in small amounts, they are usually considered salad greens when consumed this way. Examples of such greens include Sisso spinach and young passionfruit leaves. Spinach as a General Term "Spinach" is not limited to the common spinach plant but can refer to many different types of greens, even those from other plant families. Amaranth and chard, for example, are often considered "spinach" in some regions. This broad definition allows for a wide range of leafy greens to be used in cooking. Fruit Tree Leaves for Consumption and Tea In addition to common greens, many fruit tree leaves can also be used for culinary or medicinal purposes, particularly in teas. These leaves are packed with nutrients and have long been used in traditional remedies. Famous tea leaves: - Guava leaf, known for aiding digestion and lowering blood sugar levels, with a mild taste - Coffee leaf, less common but offering a tea with lower caffeine than coffee and a pleasant, mild flavour - Mango leaf, traditionally used for blood sugar regulation and gut health, with a slightly sweet, earthy taste Leaves Commonly Used as Edible Wraps Large, broad leaves are often used as wraps in various cuisines, adding subtle flavours to food during steaming, grilling, or baking. Examples include: - Grape leaf, commonly used in Mediterranean dishes like dolmas, with a tangy taste - Banana leaf, often used in Asian and Latin American cooking for wrapping food during steaming or grilling, imparting a mild, sweet flavour - Papaya leaf, used in some cultures for wraps or in curries, with a slightly bitter taste and medicinal properties - Mulberry leaf, high in nutrients and used in wraps, particularly after being steamed or boiled to soften Other Edible Leaves Some leaves, though not commonly eaten, are nutritious and can be used in teas or cooking. Examples: - Strawberry leaf, often used in tea, contains tannins and vitamin C, known for aiding digestion and reducing inflammation - Passionfruit leaf, young leaves are edible and can be added to salads or cooked, commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine My Favourite Spinach Varieties Right now, my two favourite spinach varieties are: - Longevity spinach, also known for its medicinal properties, often used in traditional remedies to help with blood sugar control and inflammation. It can be eaten raw or cooked and thrives in warm climates - Brazilian Sissoo spinach, a perennial green with a mild, earthy taste. It is easy to grow and is often used in stir-fries, soups, or salads These greens offer a rich variety of uses, both for their nutritional value and their culinary versatility. Have you tried any of these, or do you have a favourite green you like to cook with?

Spinach & Teas

Gardening Journey

Gardening is more than just a hobby; it's a heartfelt journey, a nurturing act that binds us to the earth. As gardeners, we dream of creating lush, bountiful jungles that not only feed us but also provide a sanctuary for our wellbeing and nature itself, like insects. Frogs, birds and more. Yet, this path is not without its challenges. The capricious weather can test our patience like Perth's bloody hot summers, financial constraints can limit our resources, and the relentless reminding of water restrictions can seem like an unyielding adversary. These obstacles can sometimes feel overwhelming, casting shadows over our dreams. But even in the face of these trials, we press on. We strive to cultivate beauty and sustenance, to create a refuge from the chaos of the daily modern life. Gardening is a labour of love, a testament to our resilience and dedication. Each seed we plant, each bud that blossoms, a fruit seen for the first time brings us closer to that dream. In this journey, we all have aspects we find challenging. Perhaps it's the frustration of watching a cherished plant wither despite our best efforts, or the weariness that comes with endless weeding. What is your greatest fear? The worry that our garden won't thrive, or the anxiety over the unpredictable nature of weather and pests? Yet, these fears and frustrations are also part of the journey. They teach us patience, resilience, and the importance of nurturing not just our gardens, but also our own spirits. They remind us that gardening, like life, is full of ups and downs, triumphs and setbacks. The journey itself, the learning, the improving, the progress, all of this make the dream a reality. So, what do you strive for? Will you see your hard work bear fruit, the satisfaction of a garden that feeds you and nourishes your purpose? We strive for a place where our families can gather, where nature can find a foothold amidst the concrete and chaos of urban life. Most importantly, we strive for the peace and fulfillment that comes from being a part of something greater than ourselves, from knowing that we are contributing to the beauty and sustainability of our world. In the end, gardening is more than just growing plants; it's about cultivating hope, resilience, and a deeper connection to the earth and to each other. It's a journey of love and learning, one that shapes us as much as we shape the land. When people visit my ever-evolving garden, I love to hear where they are at in their journey. Gives me warm tingles when I hear this and I'm not afraid to admit gives me great joy to know that whatever early or mature stage they are in their garden the experience they had at mine may have inspired them enough to bring them a little closer to theirs.

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For those wondering why the Indian Blackboy Peach is named as such?

The name Indian refers to American Indians, while peaches aren’t native to the USA, they arrived so early that settlers believed they were. Spanish explorers introduced the peach, and by 50 years after Cortez, they were widespread in Mexico and grew in St. Augustine, Florida by 1565, thanks to missionaries. John Lawson, traveling Carolina in the early 1700s, described the “Indian Peach,” a large, juicy fruit with reddish skin and a thick stone, believed to be native. This hardy peach, known as the "Vinegar Peach," was valued for its resilience and ability to withstand harsh conditions. French settlers in Louisiana encountered peaches in 1698, likely from Spanish influences. The Indian Peach reached South Carolina by 1806 and was prized for its deep brown skin and unique ability to grow true from seed, unlike most peaches. Although this variety faded from markets by the late 1800s, some nurseries still offer what they call “Indian Blood Peach,” though its authenticity is uncertain. Those interested in heirloom fruit trees may find joy in seeking out the closest relative to this historic peach. Yes I'm stocking these currently 😊

The dreaded citrus gall wasp

What to do

Scientific Name: Bruchophagus fellis. Native to: Australia, especially in NSW and Queensland. Why Mediterranean Citrus? They fancy the good life—mild winters, warm summers, and fresh growth in spring. Travel Distance: They’re homebodies, rarely wandering more than a few hundred metres. Lazy or loyal? Lifespan: Adults live just 5-10 days but plan their year-long larval takeover well in advance. Egg Laying: Mums start in spring (October to December), laying up to 100 eggs in soft branches—imagine that many kids! Control Methods - Drowning: Dunk infested branches in water. It’s a swim lesson they won’t survive. - Peeling: Get surgical—peel the bark, evict the larvae. House rules! But this method is the most unreliable. - Burning: For when you’re really done with them, torch the branches. It’s a BBQ with a twist. - Galls are like wasp condos but at the expense of your citrus tree. - Monitoring in late spring is like catching a sneaky neighbour before they wreck the joint. Photo: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/plan.../citrus-gall-wasp-control

Banyan Fig

Ficus benghalensis, the Banyan tree, holds deep cultural significance in India, symbolising life, wisdom, and shelter. Its vast canopy offers shade for gatherings, and its figs sustain wildlife. When kept as a bonsai in a pot, it brings those same virtues into your home. The intricate roots and branches symbolise growth and patience, making it a serene and beautiful addition to any space. Easy to care for, it thrives with light and minimal pruning, capturing its majestic presence in a small, manageable form, perfect for any environment.

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