Gardening expert Kim Syrus answers 7 essential questions retirement village residents should know

The Oakfield Rise Retirement Community had the privilege of hosting Kim Syrus for an exclusive question and answer session recently.

Kim is the Executive Producer and Host of South Australia's lifestyle show 'Outdoors Indoors' and is known for his appearances on 'In the Garden' and 'The Garden Gurus'. 

Kim has also explored gardens and interesting places on the award-winning travel show 'Gurus Explore'. As a garden writer for SALIFE and SALIFE Gardens & Outdoor Living, Kim brings a wealth of knowledge about green spaces. 

During his visit to Oakfield Rise Retirement Estate in Mount Barker, he shared his top tips for gardeners living in Retirement Villages, covering topics such as the best non-invasive trees, chemical free gardening and establishing an outdoor garden. 

We have compiled the best questions below, to share Kim’s knowledge with all who might benefit. 

What are some tips for establishing an outdoor garden? 

Number one thing, sun! Check the sunlight in your garden. What's shady, what's in full sun, also check throughout the seasons. So, when you come to pick the plants, pick the full sun plants for those full sun spots and the ones that like a partial shade, can stay in the shade. 

Any advice on setting up and maintaining a small courtyard garden that looks lush and big? 

The secret to that really is to create some greenery on the walls and on the fences. So the more greenery you can put in the background, will mean that the plants in front will also look lush. So you've got them enveloped by a lovely green envelope and that's going to make your garden look very good. 

Chemical free gardening. Is it possible? 

Yes it is! Starting with getting the soil right. Maintaining a good healthy organic based soil means that anything you plant will grow well. Add some diversity to your garden too; lots of different plants bring in lots of different insects and that maintains a lovely balance in the yard.

What's your recommendation for an attractive tree, preferably deciduous and non-root invasive?

Crabapples are pretty hard to go past, particularly the Purpurea will give you that lovely purple blossom. Also the Forest Pansy and the Cercis will also give you a nice purple blossom too. I think things like Japanese Maples and Crepe Myrtles are also ideal - the Purple Magic Crepe Myrtle with its purply, bronzy foliage would be perfect too. 

Do you have any tips for wicking beds? 

The thing to look out for with wicking beds is drainage. Make sure those drainage holes at the bottom of the wicking bed do not block up, because if they block up, the whole thing fills with water and then you can have problems. So keeping those open is a really important thing. Also the fertiliser you use, try to use organic based fertiliser and not so much chemical ones, which have a lot of salt and can cause a rise in the salt levels. 

How can I stop cabbage white butterflies from appearing on brassicas? 

Firstly, look at putting some decoy butterflies amongst the brassicas. Next is netting. Make sure the net is very fine, less than five millimetres, so they can't land on those brassicas. The other is if you do find any caterpillars, use DiPel, it's very good. 

I’m looking for plants for a small garden, what do I need to know?  

Check out the Green Adelaide website. They've got a fantastic planting guide that will give you loads of advice.

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