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Thursday 15 June 2017
Written by Julie Mann

Warm up at ASQ Skydancers!

With a variety of delicious breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and kid’s meals, our new menu will have you wondering what to order next!

The highlight of the new menu is the addition of our hot spiced Harcourt Apple Cider, the perfect cure for a cold winter’s day. With the option for non-alcoholic or the addition of butterscotch schnapps, this unique recipe really is something the whole family can enjoy. A new range of hot chocolates is sure to delight the sweet-tooth of the family with dark, white and peppermint flavours now on the menu as well as our new turmeric latte which is a delicious caffeine-free, anti-inflammatory, immune boosting super drink which tastes great, too!

ASQ Skydancers really is the perfect place to sit back, relax and take some time out this winter, all whilst enjoying the beautiful surrounds.

View our new menu here!

ASQ Skydancers winter menu

Thursday 15 June 2017
Written by Mick Wyatt

Keep your fire burning

Now that winter has well and truly set in, we don’t want you running out of firewood!
If you need to keep the home fires burning, or you’re soaking up the atmosphere around your backyard fire pit, then grab some of our redgum firewood!

Bulk redgum $148.95 per m3 
available at Castlemaine, Eaglehawk and Maryborough

Bagged firewood $9.95
available at Castlemaine and Harcourt

ASQ firewood

Thursday 15 June 2017
Written by Rebecca Dajcic

Tea Camellia 

The Tea Camellia is a spectacular evergreen which can be kept in a pot or used for hedging. The fragrant white flowers open up to display a yellow centre and are complimented by the beautiful, glossy leaves, which can be used to make Chinese tea! Native to Asia, Tea Camellias are grown across the globe in tropical and subtropical regions. Although these beautiful plants prefer to grow in moist conditions, they are easy to grow in Victoria with the right love and care. Position your Tea Camellia away from wind and the harsh sun and keep it in slightly acidic soil.

To brew your own Chinese tea using the leaves from your Tea Camellia, pick two leaves and a bud then roll them to break down the structure. Allow the leaves to dry for 6 to 12 hours, then place them on a tray in the oven at 200 degrees for approximately 20 minutes. Shred the leaves then store them in a container ready for your next pot of tea!

ASQ tea camellia

Thursday 15 June 2017
Written by Robert Zimmer

Get pruning this winter!

Winter is the best time to prune, as most plants are either dormant, or towards the end of their flowering season.

Plants are pruned to improve their shape, maintain good health and to encourage flowering along with new, bushy growth. When pruning, it’s important to keep in mind that in order to produce good and consistent crops, trees need to produce new wood. Another reason for pruning is to let ample light and airflow into the centre of the plant.

A few basic tips to remember are:
1. Be sure to use a sharp, clean pair of secateurs and cut on a 45 degree angle, away from the bud
2. Remove any deadwood and growth that is shooting straight up or back in towards the middle of the plant
3. Then cut last season’s growth back evenly by about a third to an outward facing bud

After pruning, water well with a generous amount of Grow Better Plant Starter to enhance the health of your plants.

For some, the prospect of pruning can be a little daunting, but you will do your trees more good than harm by pruning them. And for the home gardener the best way to learn how to prune is to just give it a go!

Thursday 15 June 2017
Written by Elisabeth Gallagher

Richgro Lime Sulfur

Start your spring cleaning early with Richgro Lime Sulfur!

A particularly humid autumn has left your plants vulnerable to pests and fungal diseases. Lime Sulfur is a mixture of calcium polysulfides, making it one of the most effective pest control products on the market. Before spraying plants, clean up any fallen leaves and spray the Richgro Lime Sulfur according to the directions listed on the back of the bottle!

ASQ Richgro lime sulfur

Thursday 15 June 2017
Written by Robert Zimmer

English Box

With its dark green leaves, English Box remains a very popular ornamental plant for gardeners.

Valued for its tolerance to being pruned within an inch of its life, its evergreen nature has a great acceptance for topiary and hedging. At this time of year, English Box can be planted bare rooted. It’s also a great time to give established English Box a good feed of Grow Better Blood & Bone and lime to keep them green!

June Special Offer: Bare rooted English Box $4.95 each (was $12.95)

ASQ english box1

Thursday 15 June 2017
Written by Julie Mann

Bush roses 

Winter is a great time of year to buy and plant bush roses! There are many varieties to choose from including Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, David Austin’s and Delbard’s. Bush roses require at least six hours of sunlight per day, so find a suitable position where they can soak up the sun before planting!

June Special Offer: Bare rooted Bush Roses $9.95 each (was $19.95)

ASQ bush roses

Thursday 15 June 2017
Written by Robert Zimmer

Stand out with our exclusive grafted roses!

We’re very excited to announce the arrival of our exclusive double and triple grafted roses! With five different varieties exclusive to ASQ Garden & Landscape, these plants will bring a unique element to your garden.

Neapolitan Delight is a fragrant rose bush boasting three unique blooms. One has a pink flower with a dark centre, another has a soft yellow flower with a red eye and the third flower displays different shades of pink, peach and apricot.
Cotton Candy was grafted using three different iceberg varieties. With white, burgundy and pink blooms, this rose bush is the perfect option when you can’t decide!
Strawberry Clouds offers two unique flowers. One has a soft yellow flower with a red eye, while the other displays different shades of pink, peach and apricot.
Lemon Sorbet is a fragrant rose bush with two unique blooms. One has a soft yellow flower with a red eye, while the other is a traditional iceberg with soft white petals.
Rhapsody Swirl offers two beautiful flowers. One has a unique purple-blue flower, while the other displays pure white flowers.

Visit your local ASQ Garden & Landscape store to pick up your double and triple grafted roses before they sell out!

DSC 0772 Copy

Tuesday 18 April 2017
Written by Robert Zimmer

It's time to order your bare rooted fruit and ornamental trees! 

We are fast approaching the time of year for planting your bare rooted fruit and ornamental trees! At ASQ Garden & Landscape we have access to a great range of quality trees at affordable prices. Save money by buying bare rooted stock, and get the planting and growing guidance you need from our friendly, qualified staff.

Order forms are available in-store now or you can download a PDF version by clicking here! All orders are due by May 31, 2017 so come in and see the team at ASQ Garden & Landscape today, and find out what the best options for your garden will be.

Come along to our May demonstration day to find out all about planting your bare rooted stock!
Date: Saturday, 13 May 2017
Time: 10:00 to 10:30 am
Venue: ASQ Garden & Landscape Eaglehawk, Harcourt and Maryborough

Bare root order forms

Tuesday 3 January 2017
Written by Robert Zimmer

Tea herbs – for a refreshing cool tea this summer!

Herb teas are far from flat and flavourless! Whether you are looking for fruity or spicy, soothing or lively, simple or sophisticated, you can find a tea that has a taste and personality that suits you perfectly! A cool and crisp iced tea is the quintessential summer drink and is delightfully refreshing. It can also offer flavour options and health benefits beyond those of a traditional tea. And best of all, you can grow the ingredients in your very own garden!

Chamomile – German
- Promotes relaxation and sleep
- Anti-inflammatory
- Great for both the garden and in pots

Mint – Ginger
- Aids digestion
- Anti-inflammatory
- Fast growing and great in pots

Sage – Pineapple
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Promotes sleep
- Great for cottage gardens and pots

Peppermint
- Aids digestion
- Promotes healthy skin
- Muscle relaxant
- Great for pots

Lemongrass
- Aids digestion
- Promotes healthy skin
- Anti-inflammatory
- Great for pots

Tuesday 8 November 2016
Written by Mike Donsen - Grow Better

Potting mixes - buyer beware!

There is a misconception with many consumers, that potting mix is just a bag of dirt! This couldn’t be further from the truth. Like anything, you pay for what you get.

Grow Better only produce potting mixes that are made to Australian Standards. Australian Standards ensures quality. Grow Better are audited by Australian Standards on a quarterly basis and we do a self-audit for every 70 pallets that we produce. One measure that is undertaken is to ensure that a radish root grows 4cm in a specified time frame.

Terracotta & Tub mix is a complete potting mix. It is made from 100% graded pine bark, is composted for 6-8 weeks and is turned 4 times. Both the pH levels and temperature are tested on each turn. Microbes, nutrients and moisture are added prior to the composting procedure. Terracotta & Tub contains a slow release fertiliser, a wetting agent and water storing crystals. This mix is also ideal for hanging baskets as it holds 10% more moisture than a premium potting mix.

So when you invest in a great plant, don’t cut corners on your potting mix. Your body requires nutritional food and so does your plant!

Thursday 28 July 2016
Written by ASQ Garden & Landscape

Winter

Winter is the perfect time to wander through your garden and see what needs attending to!

Use this opportunity to tidy up your garden beds, build compost, do some pruning and spraying as well as introduce new plants, or reorganise old ones, to give your garden a boost. Also apply a soluble potassium fertiliser such as Sulphate of Potash to open up the circulatory system of your plants to help thicken foliage and protect it from cold stress.

Many plants and bulbs can be safely lifted and divided now, as often perennial plants become overcrowded and benefit from this splitting and replanting process. It’s a wonderful way to introduce new plants, trade with other plants and bring new life to an old favourite within the garden.

You may have a rose that would be better suited in a new position, or a sun loving plant that has become overshadowed and no longer flowers. Winter provides a great opportunity to take stock of your garden and outdoor area, and make changes and improvements that you will really enjoy the benefits of come spring.

Tuesday 25 October 2016
Written by ASQ Garden & Landscape

Spring

It’s certainly been a cold and wet winter this year and at last we are starting to see a rise in temperature and a few more sunny days ahead on the weather forecast!

As we launch into spring, it’s a great time to get back out into the garden and tidy up any mess the winter months have made! A job that will be waiting for just about every gardener is eradicating weeds. Even if you have been diligent with them over the winter months, they have certainly appeared thick and fast these last few weeks! Unfortunately, the spring conditions will only encourage them to thrive even more, so they need to be dealt with! Depending on the weeds you have in your garden, you should either hand weed, dig out or spray any emerging weeds now

With the weeds taken care of, now is a great time to add some new vitality to your garden! Select a few new plants to add some colour and vibrancy and find something that will change the look of an existing space in your garden. It’s a great time to plant just about anything! 

Your lawn will also need some love and attention after the cold weather and the winter frosts. A feed of PowerFeed followed by a good dose of fertiliser will help with the recovery process along with the promotion of new growth. 

You can also start your spring vegie patch now, and rejuvenate your garden mulch.

Spring is such an enjoyable season, and for those of us that love our gardens, it’s a great time to be out in it! We can help you with all the right advice and gardening products you need to complete your gardening tasks, so call in and see us today!

Thursday 28 April 2016
Written by Robert Zimmer

Autumn, the perfect time to plant beautiful bulbs!

Bulbs are very versatile and are a must for any gardener that enjoys a good display of colour in the spring. Planting bulbs is best done between March and May for most varieties. Good drainage is absolutely essential for your bulbs, so choose your spot carefully. If you are planting your bulbs in a garden we recommend using Premium Garden Soil and if you are planting them in pots, use a good quality potting mix – both available at ASQ Garden & Landscape.

Soil preparation for your bulbs is preferable a month or so before planting (so, right now). Dig in some Grow Better All Purpose Plant Seed and turn the garden bed over to at least the depth of your spade. Add compost or other fibrous material to enrich the soil and keep it open.

Mass planting in garden beds will be quite spectacular, but smaller plantings can look good too.
It is your garden, so you should do whatever suits your particular style!

More Articles ...

  1. Effective summer watering
  2. Butterflies
  3. Freshen up your lawn for spring!
  4. Planting fruit and ornamental trees

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Providing quality quarry products, premix concrete and garden and landscaping supplies across Central Victoria with sites located in Eaglehawk, Long Gully, Newbridge, Harcourt, Castlemaine and Maryborough.

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