The Diggers Club

Are you growing comfrey in your garden?

With its deep roots, comfrey draws nutrients from the subsoil, sharing them with nearby plants. Its lush leaves make for fantastic compost or liquid feed, and as a living mulch, comfrey naturally suppresses weeds and keeps the soil cosy.

At The Garden of St Erth, our apple trees thrive with a comfrey underplanting. They also flower at the same time as our fruit trees, helping to attract bees and other pollinators. 🐝

🍏 Join us this weekend (2-5 November) at the Festival of Garden Ideas! Hear insights from our experienced St Erth gardeners about how to enhance your garden with companion planting techniques like comfrey.

Vic friends, the long weekend is just around the corner!
Whether you're after a family day out, some quiet garden inspiration, or delicious food, we’ve got you covered:

St Erth: Join us for the Festival of Garden Ideas! With free workshops, garden tours, and a special spring menu, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 🌼

Heronswood: Treat yourself to a cuppa at the Heronswood café, open all long weekend - or simply wander the stunning gardens and soak up the spring blooms.

Cloudehill: Pack a picnic and head to Cloudehill, where you can relax on the lush lawns while the kids run free and explore the magical garden landscapes. Perfect for an afternoon escape! 🧺

And if you can't make it to the gardens this weekend, be sure to carve out some time in nature wherever you are! 🌿

🌼 Whether you’re drawn to subtle beauty or bold bursts of colour, Echinacea is a dependable, hardy perennial that complements most garden styles.

If you're an Echinacea enthusiast, you’ll love these two varieties:
🌸 Echinacea pallida: A delicate beauty featuring soft lavender-pink petals that droop elegantly. This variety is perfect for mixed borders or naturalistic settings and is the latest addition to our echinacea range!
💜 Echinacea ‘Magnus Superior’: Renowned for its large, vibrant purple blooms, this classic variety adds a dramatic focal point to sunny garden beds. It’s now back in stock!

Both varieties are drought-tolerant and thrive in well-drained soil, making them ideal for Australian conditions. Whether you place them in cottage-style borders or pair them with ornamental grasses for added texture, echinacea brings enduring interest to your summer garden.

💬 What’s your favourite echinacea variety? Share your thoughts with us!

🚶‍♂️ Walk through the gardens with us (virtually!)

We recently had the pleasure of hosting 24 incredible Diggers members from across Australia for a series of unforgettable tours with Botanica World Discoveries.

With 10 stunning locations explored, abundant knowledge shared, and new friendships made, these tours truly highlighted what makes our gardening community so special. 🌿

Catch all the highlights and find out how you can join the next one in our latest blog post!

👉 https://www.diggers.com.au/blogs/news/botanica-tours-diggers-club-gardens

Hedge them, pot them, espalier them, or let them grow wide and free - citrus trees are truly a gift in the garden!

The most ornamental of all garden fruiting trees, brilliant evergreen glossy foliage can be enjoyed year-round, the pristine white flowers are deliciously fragrant and the fruit hangs like glowing lanterns in winter and spring.

🍋 Our new arrivals are here! 🍋
We’ve just released some new stunning varieties as well as old favourites, like the sweet Orange ‘Pineapple Sweet,’ the aromatic Orange ‘Bergamot,’ and the unique Yuzu. Whether you’re adding citrus for their fruit or their beauty, now is the perfect time to plant your own citrus grove!

What citrus are you growing?

Some Iceland poppy pics to brighten your feed this Thursday 🌸

Poppies add beauty and colour to any garden spot, and are adored by pollianators. There are many varieties and although many prefer a cooler climate, can be grown in most regions around Australia if you choose the right variety, get your planting time right and choose those that suit your particular climate.

Check out our Poppy guide for tips on choosing the right variety, sowing tips, and care: https://www.diggers.com.au/blogs/learn/how-to-grow-poppy-seeds

📸 we’d love to see your poppy pics, comment your photos below

Steeped in history, the Chaste Tree has been cherished since ancient times for its dual role as a decorative flower and a spice. Known for its fragrant lilac spires that bloom in late spring and summer, this deciduous tree is a magnet for bees, making it a fantastic choice for your garden and the local ecosystem. 🐝💜

Traditionally used in herbal medicine, particularly by monks, the Chaste Tree has also been thought to have various health benefits, from promoting hormonal balance to alleviating menstrual discomfort.

Check out how to grow this unique variety here: https://www.diggers.com.au/products/chaste-tree

Have you grown Chaste Tree before, or are you thinking about it? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Avocado 'warm climate' myth busted! The delectable avocado is capable of being grown in EVERY Australian mainland capital city (except chilly Canberra). Avocados are a single-seeded fruit, specifically a berry, and pack more potassium punch than a banana!

The Hass Avocados pictured are growing happily in Heronswood Garden, on the Mornington Peninsula, in Victoria.

Grow your own slice of sub-tropical paradise 🥑💚

Download our comprehensive growing guide, from pollination to fruiting: https://www.diggers.com.au/blogs/learn/how-to-grow-avocado

🌸 The Festival of Garden Ideas is just around the corner! 🌸

From 2-5 November, The Garden of St Erth will be buzzing with inspiration, free workshops, and guided garden tours. Plus, our special spring menu at the St Erth café is not to be missed!

Dive into gardening topics like:
🌱 Seed sowing
🍓 Backyard berries
🌼 Companion planting
🥕 Summer veggie planning

Why not turn your weekend into a garden adventure? Tag a friend who needs a spring day out in the garden! 🌿

📅 2-5 Nov | 10am-5pm

October is a busy month in the garden, with warmer days bringing plenty of growth! 🌞

Swipe through for your region’s must-do garden jobs - from planting to pruning and prepping your bed and everything in between!🌸

What’s top of your list this October? Let us know below!

Are you using companion planting to boost your summer garden? 🌱🌞

Companion planting isn’t just about pairing plants - it’s about creating a thriving ecosystem in your backyard! From deterring pests to improving growth, here are three powerhouse plants that will elevate your garden this season:

🌼 Marigolds: These vibrant flowers not only attract beneficial insects, but they also help reduce harmful nematode populations in the soil.
Perfect partners: Beans, tomatoes, lettuce

🌻 Calendula: More than just a pretty bloom, calendula’s roots form active relationships with soil fungi, improving soil health and inviting beneficial insects like pollinators and ladybugs.
Perfect partners: Tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries

🌸 Nasturtiums: Known for attracting pollinators and acting as a trap crop for aphids, nasturtiums also suppress weeds when planted densely.
Perfect partners: Zucchini, eggplant, fruit trees (like cherries or peaches)

Let us know what you’re companion planting!

🌟 October's Rare Seed Spotlight: Pumpkin 'Bev's Gramma Trombone'🌟

Could the secret to the perfect Cornish pasty be in this unique squash? Gardener Bev’s grandmother cultivated this heirloom Trombone Squash in her garden on the York Peninsula in the early 1900s, insisting that “only Trombone belongs in pasties!”

After nearly losing the seeds, Bev grew the last four she had, leading to an incredible harvest of two enormous squashes.

Thanks to Bev’s generosity, Diggers members now have the chance to grow this heirloom variety!

Plant a piece of history this October and grow a squash that’s rooted in Cornish tradition 💚

https://www.diggers.com.au/products/pumpkin-bevs-grammatrombone

Looking for the perfect day out this Sunday? Sip & Bloom has you covered, with stunning wines, delicious food, and an incredible lineup of talks and demonstrations.

We'll be there to talk all things heirloom vegies and gardening, we cannot wait to meet you all. Tickets are strongly encouraged, head to: https://www.sipandbloom.com.au/

🌿📚 Exciting news from the garden! A big congratulations to on the release of Your Asian Veggie Patch! 🎉 On Sunday, we had the privilege of hosting Connie at for a beautiful day filled with garden inspiration, planting demos, and book signing.

Her book is the perfect companion for anyone looking to grow their own Asian vegetables at home, with practical tips, guidance, and recipes to get you started. 🌱🥬

Feeling inspired to grow your own fresh harvest? Grab your copy and bring a taste of Asia to your veggie patch and plate!

Sunflowers are a spectacular garden icon and statement blooms to grow in your garden 🌻

While you can definitely sow sunflowers direct, the tasty seeds and tender new seedlings are a very tempting all-you-can-eat buffet for the wildlife that inhabits your garden, so giving them a head start in pots is often protective.

Looking for more sunflower growing tips? Head to our website to learn more: https://www.diggers.com.au/blogs/learn/growing-sunflowers

Take the guesswork out of creative planting with these simple steps:

1. Match flowering times so you don’t plant spring and summer flowering plants together.
2. Combine plants with similar attributes – drought-tolerance, shade needs – so you can pick the right plants for the right place.
3. Choose the colours you like by separating the hot colours of red, orange and yellow from cooler pastel blue, pink, grey and cream to create pleasing artistic pictures.

Pictured: Lamb's Ears 'Big Ears', Salvia 'Mystic Spires', Echinacea 'Purple'.

Do you prefer warm, bold colours or soft, cool tones in your garden?

Spring is here, and it’s time to dig into your dream garden! 🌱✨

As a Diggers member, you get to pick 4 FREE heirloom seed packets this spring - the perfect kickstart to a flourishing garden. Make sure to select your seeds by 30 September and set your garden up for success this season!

Not a member yet? Now’s the time to join Diggers and enjoy the benefits of growing your own, with access to heirloom seeds, expert advice, and a community of passionate gardeners.

👉 Learn more about how a membership can benefit you: https://www.diggers.com.au/pages/join

Wanting to incorporate evergreens into your garden? Evergreens are the perfect addition to any garden, offering structure and life through all seasons! Pair structural plants like Lamb’s Ear and Ballota 'Dwarf' with our stunning flowering evergreens like Teucrium Betonicum and Pink Statice for a balanced mix of texture and colour.

Keep your shrubs in shape with regular pruning, and trim taller varieties to make sure they don’t overshadow their companions. It’s all about harmony in the garden! 🌱

Looking for more inspiration? Learn more about Heronswood's evergreen cottage garden here: https://www.diggers.com.au/blogs/learn/heronswood-s-evergreen-cottage-garden

It’s International Eat an Apple Day! 🍏 Why just eat one when you can grow your own?

Australia is home to hundreds of apple varieties, but you’ll only find a few at the supermarket. By planting your own tree, you’re not only treating yourself to unbeatable flavour but also helping preserve these unique varieties. 🌱

Did you know, you don't need lots of space to grow your own apples! Espaliering your apple trees allows you to grow more in a compact space and still enjoy a generous harvest. Check out our YouTube video featuring St Erth's head gardener, Julian, for expert tips on espaliering your apple trees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiPWFHd8ZBs

Limited space? Here’s how you can create a thriving garden in pots:

1. Containers need regular attention - ensure they get the right amount of sunlight, water, and nutrients.
2. Choose pots with excellent drainage. Steer clear of black pots, as they can overheat in direct sunlight.
3. Some plants thrive in pots better than others. Look for varieties designed for container gardening (such as the ones listed below).
4. Arrange pots together for a cohesive look and easier maintenance. This approach also simplifies watering.

Start your container garden today and enjoy the rewards of homegrown produce!

Want to grow your own native bush food garden? 🌿 It’s a fantastic way to connect with Indigenous Australian culture, boost biodiversity, and add extra goodness to your diet, as many native edible plants are often high in essential vitamins and minerals.

Have you tried growing these bush foods in your garden? Share your experiences below! For more inspiration on what native bushfoods you can grow in your backyard, check out the full article on our website: https://www.diggers.com.au/blogs/learn/grow-a-bush-food-garden

Looking for a rare gem to add to your garden? 🌿

This week’s is the Lord Howe Wedding Lily (Dietes robinsoniana) - a rare Australian native that is endemic to Lord Howe Island.

With stunning white blooms ideal for mass plantings, you can see it in full bloom at Heronswood between spring and early summer. It's the perfect plant for bringing a unique piece of Australian history into your garden!

Flower lovers, check your inboxes - this week's e-news is all about the perfect flowers you can grow to create your own stunning bouquets 💐

Growing your own cut flowers is just like the paddock-to-plate movement, but with blooms for your home instead of veggies! Not only does it celebrate seasonality, but it also reduces flower miles, cuts out chemicals, and invites biodiversity to your garden with bees and beneficial insects.

Grow a mix of perennials, bulbs, and annuals to celebrate the full scope of flowers available and to help provide a feature flower for each posy or vase you create. Cut fresh from the garden, most flowers will have an extended life in your home, bringing a little bit of your outdoors inside.

🌱 Happy Friday, fellow Diggers!

Planning to get your hands dirty with some seed sowing this weekend? We've got you covered with a list of our top picks to kickstart your garden! 🌻🌿

Unsure about your climate zone? No worries - our tailored climate zones are curated for Diggers members. Simply log in on our website to get personalized advice for your garden.

What are you planting this weekend? 🌱 We'd love to see your garden in action - tag us for a chance to be featured!

Join us in celebrating our with this month’s rare seed release: Tomato ‘Aldo’s Oxheart’! A cherished heirloom that carries a rich Italian legacy.

Brought to Australia by Aldo in 1956, this remarkable tomato has been lovingly cultivated and its seeds preserved through generations. Known for its impressive, heart-shaped fruits, Aldo’s Oxheart stands out with its robust, full flavour and meaty texture - making it a standout for everything from sauces and salads to fresh snacking.

The seeds, generously donated by Gabriella Zuch, carry on this legacy. Whether you’re a passionate tomato grower or new to the tomato growing scene, Aldo’s Oxheart offers an exceptional blend of size, taste, and heritage that will enhance your garden and your plate.

Members, mark your calendars for the exclusive drop this Wednesday (4 September) at 6pm! 🍅🌟