Start Me Off Slowly Here... (Tools)

[cheeky]

Ok ... while I'm on a roll here, I'm going for it...

My new place has all kinds of flowers and trees. If you ask me which kind, I'd say "the pretty kind". ;D

What do I know I have for sure? ... Ok, let's see.

A lemon tree, what I believe to be a crab apple tree (though my husband who knows nothing about this thinks it's a plum tree), tulips, rose bushes, geraniums.

What I have but I have no idea what they are? Lots of tall purple flowers I've never seen before - but are quite popular. I'm Canadian, now living in Melbourne Australia, so what do I know? Whatever this flower is (I'll find out for you), grows to about 3 feet in height with a big ball of purple flowers at the end. I've also got some tree that has "bunches" of grape like fruit on it, but they look more like olives. For all I know, it's an olive tree. (I'll find out for you, or post a pic).

What else do I have? Honestly ... too many to remember, and I don't recognize much of it. So I'll have to get back to you on that. I know I've got a lot of "ground cover" plants that I'm scared to go into in case there's a snake. (May I remind you, I'm Canadian and forgot all about the shark/snake problems until it was too late!)

I know I have A LOT of geraniums, which I'm happy about because coming from Montreal, I remember being able to plant those babies really early in the season and they lasted past the first snow. Sturdy buggers!

All that being said, I'm ashamed to say I've bought a rake for $2.50 at our local version of Home Depot (which is Bunnings). And a pair of general "sequiters" (I think they're called), for about $8.

Aside from a massive amount of garden garbage bags, what else do I need? (The hose was provided).

I'm also talking about fertilizers. The "earth" seems to be quite sandy.

Just kinda ... I don't know ... spin me around and face me in the right direction. I'd be much obliged.

[Compost Pharmer]

If possible, post some pics of your trees and flowers.
What may you change from Canada to Australia? Just curious.
How do you like it, compared to Canada?

[Laura]

That is what I was wondering my-self..why the HUGE change? From ;D to

[cheeky]

Well there's really only one answer - LOVE!

My husband is Australian, I'm Canadian. It was a toss up, really. But I decided to come to Australia because he had a better job and his father was ill ... And G-d forbid we'd be that far from home and get a phone call that his dad wasn't doing well.

As Murphy's law would have it ... My husband lost his job the day before we were to go "back home" to Canada, this past September. And while we were there, his father was ill and died before we made it back home.

But I like it here, so I'm staying put. Wasn't too crazy about the heat yesterday (which even Australians were complaining about). 43 Celcius, which is about 110 Farenheit. In Canada, we'd count in the "humidex". They don't bother here - that's just the reading on the thermometer.

I was also surprised to note that I thought the "UV Factor" went up to ten. It doesn't. Not sure what the max is, but I've seen it go up to 12 in the past few weeks, which basically means that you burn if you think about the sun. Oh, and the hole in the ozone layer? Yeah, that's right over Australia.

How lovely. NOT.

Oh and by the way ... Pics are coming. I couldn't possibly expect advice from you without. Won't be long.

[lilsparrow]

Cheeky, you are going to phit in just phine here!!!

[Compost Pharmer]

;D ->

cheeky, thanks for the explanation. You might as well enjoy it as long as you are living there. It must seem strange to have 100° F + for Christmas Day, and not snow. Looking forward to your pics.

[Pharmer Phil]

the 'ball' on a stick flower sounds to be Allium, guessing of course, and they could be olives...can't wait to see your pics.
So as far as the soil, lets start with what you have 'nearby'.
so throw us some pics, and we will scan your sorroundings...are you close to a major city or smal town?
I KNOW greg is waiting to view them pics, he'll see some 'ammendments' hiding near by!

[Songbird]

Sounds like high-risk gardening to me!!

You're a brave woman! Please assure us you'll protect yourself, or Phil won't tell you nuttin' !! Huh, Phil?!
(jes' kiddin')

seriously, it sounds like you've got quite a bit going on there! Maybe I missed it, but how much land do you have??

[Talks With Beagles]

Cheeky: After I logged off last night, I got to thinking about what tools you will need. The first thing is a spade. Get a traditional number two long handle at first. Later you might find a need for some other kind, but this will get you started and may be all you ever need. Buy the sturdiest one you can find. You will be amazed at how easy it is to break one of those things.
Next you will need some kind of a hoe. There are lots of different kinds of hoes, so get a cheap one at first in case you don't like it.

If you have a lawn, you are going to need a lawn mower. With sandy soil, you might be better to let it go wild and chop it with a weed whacker a few times a year. Keep it short right around the house to discourage mice and other critters from moving in with you, but do something else with the rest of the yard.

I don't know what a "sequiter" is, but I'm guessing it's some kind of clipper. For your monster rose bushes, you will probably need a two handed "lopper". This looks like a bolt cutter, but it's for bushes and trees. If it was mine, I'd take a chain saw to it, but you don't need a chain saw unless you will be cutting firewood. At 110 degrees Farenheit, I'm guessing that is the last thing on your mind right now. A key hole saw is also good for pruning, but I wouldn't buy one just for that. If you already have one, it just saves you from buying a pruning saw.

That's enough for now. I am getting exhausted just thinking about all the work you are going to do.

[TennOC]

Good advice to have a good spade, good hoe and loppers. I don't know what you'll do about the sharks in your garden, we don't have those here.

[wannabe]

cheeky said:

Aside from a massive amount of garden garbage bags, what else do I need? (The hose was provided).

Put those garbage bags away and start a compost pile instead. It's free fertilizer. Make sure you have a good mixture of fresh, green vegetation and dried-up brown vegetation or shredded/chipped woody stuff, and you're good to go. Keep it moist and shaded.