Most Queenslanders have now heard of the smut disease affecting sugar cane in the Bundaberg area. A much smaller grass, green couch (Cynodon dactylon), also is susceptible to its own smut (Ustilago cynodontis). Couch smut was first recorded in NSW in 1907 and is prevalent throughout the mainland states of Australia.

In most cases, it is no more than an annoyance to home gardeners. However, the disease can become a more severe problem and, like its relation sugar cane smut, it is difficult to control once established.

It’s no wonder gardeners get confused when they walk into a retail outlet and are confronted with piles and piles of potting mix, all in brightly coloured bags and all claiming to be the best. If all potting mixes are the same, the dramatic variations in price can only serve to suggest that some companies are making a fortune, or that others are losing an equivalent fortune.

Many plants familiar to subtropical gardeners – like gingers, cannas, bamboos and bananas – have stems which don’t grow upright.

Other plants that we all know well – such as the clumping palms and pineapples – produce low side branches which develop their own roots. These are known as offsets.

In nature these structures are used by plants to propagate themselves. They provide us with a very easy way to multiply our favourite plants as well. It’s multiplication through division!

With summer now here, it’s a great time of year to be out and about enjoying your garden. Dust off the cob webs and get out there. There is a lot of work to do.

Paul discusses various tasks in regards to compost, planting and growth direction through division and pruning as well as tidying, general garden care and storm safety.