Do Things Your Own Way

‘All gardeners know better than other gardeners’ – (allegedly) Chinese proverb

It fascinates me how skill is acquired in different ways when learning an artform; classical musicians with weekly lessons, painters working away in their studios etc.

The internet has made access to horticultural information easier than ever; but sifting through this information can be tricky as gardening is an incredibly site-specific art-form.

I completed formal studies in horticulture and garden design, but for me I think most of my skills came from wanting to create something in the garden and then figuring out how to achieve that.

Image: clipped forms are not to everybody’s taste; but it’s your garden so find what brings you joy

Advice from garden books and websites etc is invaluable but is also not gospel. Always look at the plant in front of you, observe carefully how it grows and behaves and then think about how its performance can be maximised through pruning, feeding etc.

Maybe you want that climbing rose to have a more lanky form so it frames the doorway that it is surrounding? Maybe that shrub that needs semi-shade in Melbourne can grow in full sun in Trentham? Maybe an extra chop-back is required so that a particular perennial does not become overly-leggy in our rich Trentham soils.

After asking several Chinese friends I’ve come to the conclusion that the proverb ‘All gardeners know better than other gardeners’ has actually been made up by a westerner… none of them had heard of it! However, it’s true; we all think we know better! Search out all the information you can to benefit from the knowledge and experience of other gardeners, then see for yourself what works best in the context of your garden.

Happy gardening,

Landscape Designer Kaz Krasovskis
Insta: @kazkrasovskis
www.kazkrasovskis.com.au