Meet the team: Gary Sobey

Staff profile:
Gary Sobey

What is your position at ASQ Garden & Landscape?
I’m a horticulturist, retail sales assistant and I also take care of the butterfly garden.

How long have you been working at ASQ Garden & Landscape?
Since ASQ Skydancers opened in October 2011.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy meeting new people, getting to know customers and finding out about their gardens.

How did you end up in this field of work?
I was born into it! I grew my first orchid at 9, I had my first nursery job at 18, then I went on to run and own two plant nurseries.

What are your hobbies?
Growing orchids, breeding butterflies, fishing, my dog and seeing my grandkids.

What do you like best about autumn?
The cool nights, warm days and rain - all things that are good for the garden!

What is your favourite plant?
Orchids! I also like native plants which encourage birds and insects into the garden.

In a few words, sum up ASQ Garden & Landscape:
It is a pleasure to be part of this wonderful, locally owned company.

Order your bare root stock today

We are fast approaching the time of year for planting your new season fruit trees and flowering ornamentals!

At ASQ Garden & Landscape we have access to a great range of quality trees at affordable prices. From fruit trees including apples, plums and cherries to ornamentals such as magnolias, acers and many weeping varieties, we have just what you need to add a new lease of life to your garden.

This year we are not only offering bare root trees, but we also have order forms for bare root roses!

We have a large range available including standard, patio, bush and climbing roses. Many of your favourite varieties are available at bare root prices. Save money by buying bare root stock, and get the planting and growing guidance you need from our friendly, qualified staff.

Order forms are available in-store and on our website, but be quick because orders are due by 31 May, 2018.

Come in and see the team at ASQ Garden & Landscape today and find out what bare root plants will best suit your garden!

Download our Bare Root Fruit Trees & Ornamentals order form 

Download our Bare Root Roses order form

Hello, autumn!

With summer behind us and winter not too far away, now is the perfect time to get your garden up to date while also enjoying the quiet, balmy nightsl. 

There is a lot to do in the garden before the cold weather arrives. Start by tidying any perennials that are looking a little worse for wear by trimming them back to maintain a good shape and removing any dead stems.

Autumn is a great time to revamp your soil by turning it over and forking in compost and gypsum. Your garden will also benefit from a decent feed of Grow Better Organic Fertiliser so it can be stored in the plant over winter.

Next on the list is to feed your lawn, or even plant new lawn before the soil gets too cold.

We hope you enjoy this beautiful season, it really is the perfect time to get out and be active in your garden!

Thank you for attending our 2017 VIP Nights!

On Tuesday 21 and Thursday 23 November we hosted our annual VIP Nights at ASQ Skydancers in Harcourt. 

Attendees enjoyed exclusive discounts, clearance tables, fine food, live music by Leigh Turner and presentations from our top suppliers including Mike from Grow Better, Jane from Coolibah Turf and Leigh from Purtill’s Nursery. 

This year we also presented our Community Rewards Program cheques across the two nights. Our Community Rewards Program has been designed to support a range of community groups within the region. Each time an ASQ VIP member makes a purchase at ASQ Garden & Landscape a percentage of the sale goes to the organisation of their choice.

Organisations who received cheques over the two nights included:
- Castlemaine Health
- CWA Central Victoria
- Campbells Creek Primary School
- Harcourt CFA
- BAWCS
- MASARG
- Harcourt Valley Primary School
- Eaglehawk CFA
- Castlemaine CFA
- Bendigo Health
- Mt Alexander Animal Welfare Inc

For more information about our Community Rewards Program or to sign up as a VIP please click here

Soak your garden with Rapid Soak 

Grow Better Rapid Soak saves time, water and plants by preventing the roots from drying out. By increasing the water holding capacity of the soil, Rapid Soak also prevents water run-off and improves fertiliser distribution. It breaks up the surface tension of the water allowing it to flow more readily, right down to the roots of your plants. Rapid Soak is a very quick, effective and economical way to increase the water holding capacity of your soil this summer!

Christmas is just around the corner and we all have that one family member who is hard-to-buy-for, so why not surprise them with a gift that keeps on growing? Plants are a unique, thoughtful and lasting gift that everyone from the avid gardener to black thumb can enjoy! 

Some of our favourite plants for Christmas gifts include:
- Poinsettia
- Succulent
- Bonsai
- Citrus tree
- Herbs
- Cactus
- Orchid
- Peace Lily

Find the perfect gift at ASQ Skydancers

Visit ASQ Skydancers in Harcourt and find something special for even the most hard-to-buy-for person!

Our range of deliciously scented Ecoya candles, diffusers, wax melts and even beauty products are sure to delight any lucky recipient. If your’re searching for something a bit more personal, check out our stunning display of jewellery, including pieces by Sybella and Tiger Tree. Our range of home made and locally sourced food products are perfect for Christmas hampers and stocking fillers. From Jamie’s Fine Dressings to Chocolate Provedore, there is something for both sweet and savoury lovers.

So if you’re stuck for Christmas gift ideas this year, make sure you visit ASQ Skydancers in Harcourt where you’re sure to find something for every member of the family.

Things to do in the garden this summer

The garden is a spectacular place to be in summer. Whether you enjoy outdoor entertaining or just sitting back and enjoying the serenity, there is still plenty of gardening to be done in the warmer months!

These are our top tips for helping your garden thrive this summer:

Water, water, water!
- Give your established trees and shrubs an hour long soak twice a week
- Give your vegies a generous soak each day
- Check your hoses and watering systems to make sure they are all in working order

 Make the most of mulch
- Pine bark, bush bark, black bark, pebbles, and straw make wonderful mulches 
- Use approximately 50mm of mulch when covering your garden beds

Your garden isn’t just thirsty, it’s hungry, too! 
- Fertilise your lawns, roses, fruit trees, shrubs and hedges with Grow Better Organic Fertiliser
- If your garden needs an extra boost, apply some Seasol PowerFeed 

Pruning
- Clear any dead shrubs and long grass around your home to reduce fire hazards 
- Dead head your roses and cut back lavender and daisies to encourage new growth

Water plants and ponds

There is nothing better than relaxing in the garden during summer, so why not add some water to your backyard and turn it into an outdoor oasis the whole family can enjoy? 

The sight and sound of water in a garden can be very soothing and is easily achieved. Whether you’re thinking of adding a small water feature or a large pond filled with fish, there are plenty of options when designing your own piece of paradise. Adding plants to your water feature or pond will not only look beautiful, but it will also help to keep the water healthy and create a great ecosystem for your garden. 

For expert advice on creating your backyard oasis and choosing the right products, visit your local ASQ Garden & Landscape store!

Did you know?

Lawn Solutions Oxafert Herbicide & Fertiliser is a pre-emergent which controls a variety of annual grasses and weeds! Oxafert attacks weeds as soon as they come in to contact with the herbicide and will not harm your healthy turf or inhibit turf growth.