Category: Garden Doctor by Dr. Kris

‘Dear Garden Doctor, I have no worms in my garden soil. I just started my first compost pile, my friend tells me it won’t work as I don’t have worms in my garden. I have lived here for 2 years and have rarely seen any. My husband says there won’t be any worms to get […]

Water Gardens lsquoDear Dr Kris I would like to have a water feature garden in a large sealed pot with plants such as water lily or lotus but I am not sure how to tell the difference between these Are there any other types of plants or even fish that I could grow in a water garden what are the main factors to consider for this type of gardening Thankyou in advance Beatricersquo From majestic flowers to the tranquil sounds of trickling water and the serenity of flickering reflections all are a welcome presence in any garden A water feature can range in size from a small water bowl or fountain right up to a series of large cascading pools Container water gardens are much easier to develop maintain and rearrange the bigger the water feature the more maintenance and work it will require

Guava Growers lsquoDear Dr Kris I have pests attacking my guava tree that has been growing for several years I have noticed that last year it produced less fruit than in previous years and some sort of pest seems to be getting in there The leaves and stems have a white sticky substance all over them and I have noticed leaves in the bushier parts are being eaten The plant has heaps of foliage but it seems to be very dry almost shrivelled Is this from the pests because the tree gets plenty of water How can I negate the damage Thanks in advance Roger Instead of trying to treat the fungus and pests heavy pruning is the way to go A guava tree or nearly any plant for that matter will always benefit from a trim as long as it is done at the right time For a fruiting tree such as yours the best time to

New Year Gardening ldquoTo forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselvesrdquo Gandhi The New Year is the perfect time to develop new plans make changes or look for ways to improve your garden January is one of the most optimistic times of the year If you donrsquot consider yourself a gardener then become one You donrsquot even have to have yard to start a garden You can begin with something as simple as a pot plant on the windowsill growing some basil or parsley All you need is a container and some soil You may be surprised to find out how much can be grown in windowsill pots flowers succulents and herbs Gardening is also a calming activity that has been shown to improve conditions such as dementia and stress Gardening will help you stay fit and active and is easy to do because it is fun To increase your success rate k

Nutrient Soup Sea Minerals For thousands of years humans have utilised the minerals and vegetable products of the sea for both food and fertiliser Now well documented research has shown that seawater can have profound effects on both plant and animal life as long as sodium chloride is not over applied Dr Maynard was one of the early pioneers of using sea minerals for fertiliser also known as seawater agriculture He began his lifelong research in sea energy agriculture in 1936 His goal was to replicate the perfect chemistry of the ocean and return it back into the depleted soils He felt this was the key to proper nutrition a stronger immune system and a healthier life Dr Murray often wondered why landbased animals suffered from so many forms of chronic disease while sea animals generally enjoyed vigorous health Murray theorized that the apparent difference in disease resist

Lower Blood Pressure with Hibiscus Rosella Dear Dr Kris I have heard that hibiscus tea has a range of health benefits for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol since I have a plant growing in the garden I was wondering if it is possible to use this to make the tea and if so how Do I use the leaves or the flowers and must it be fresh or dried Thanks in Advance Edward Seminyak Hibiscus tea is also known as hibiscus rosella or rosella tea It is made from the flower of Hibiscus sabdariffa not be confused with the more common China Rose Hawaiian Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa sinensis Hibiscus sabdariffa is thought to have originated in tropical Africa although hostprical records indicate that it has been cultivated in India Asia and parts of the Pacific for centuries It will grow from the tropics to semiarid e

Shrivelled Tomatoes Dear Dr Kris I have been trying to grow tomatoes many times here in Bali with very little success Using seed I bought or using seed from a fresh tomato washed and dried Usually the plants start well then when its almost ready to bloom some leaves show tracks like a tiny insect is burying tuners inside it This goes on until the plant shrivels and dies I have tried many things like always using a new pot new soil and new location the end result is always the same Can you explain what is happening Thank you Jules Growing tomatoes in a tropical climate can have its difficulties The tomato originally from South America can grow year round in warm climates though dry season crops are definitely much easier to deal with compared to growing them in the wet season The humidity of the wet season ca

Attracting Wildlife to the Garden Hello Dr Kris We are making a new garden What are the best local plants we can plant to attract birds butterflies and bees in a Sanur garden Big thank you Margot Growing plants that are native to your area is the best idea for most gardens not only will they be easier to grow they will also be much more attractive to all pollinators Every garden benefits from having wildlife and pollinators Birds bees and butterflies are among the best Without them there would be fewer flowers fruits and vegetables Attracting pollinators to the garden is another cog in the wheel of holistic gardening Thankfully the same gardening practices that help to attract wildlife also improve air water and soil quality It only takes a few plants and a little planning to create a habitat for birds bees and butterflies which are helpful additions to your