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February in Western Australia

© John Bottomley

February is with us again, the month where persistently hot summer weather still puts a lot of stress on the garden. We are very satisfied that we installed a reticulation system a few years ago. It has not only helped keep the plants lively during the summer but has helped to save a lot of that valuable commodity, water, due to over watering. Bearing all that in mind I though I might take a look at some of the innovations taking place in garden products; particularly those to do with watering systems. It all started when I visited my local nursery and saw the new plant labels that are used here in Western Australia. They are very strong. They are designed, planned and made so that one does not have to stand on one's head to find out what the name of the plant is. In other words the one I saw had the reverse side of the label written so that it could be read as you turned the label over. Most of the ones now in use here are strong, well designed, colourful, and easily read. I was also interested in new ideas in the plastics manufacturing industry; those who make spray stakes and plant ties. To find out what was new, I visited Premium Plastics who have been making garden products for about six (6) years at their plant about 16 miles north of Perth, Western Australia. There are two products worth mentioning: one is a 'multi flow spray stake made from U/V resistant nylon material,it has three different size jet sprays in one product, an easy access block of nozzle, and no moving parts. The product has been flow tested and I am assured that it works very well. Anyone on the Northern Hemisphere who is looking for new ideas for the spring may find a distributor in their country. There are distributors in Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Israel, United Kingdom, United States, as well as all states in Australia, and in New Zealand. Premium Plastics can be found on their web site www.premiumplastics.com.au. They also manufacture rubber tree ties. These expand as the plant grows without the harmful effects of wire or plastic. Each tie is fully UV stabilised for maximum life and will dramatically reduce the labour costs involved in fitting to the plant. The firm also makes plant carry trays that mean a person can carry 16 plants with ease, 104 cell universal seeding trays, and woven planter bags with handles. The latter can be lifted by fork Lift or Crane; they are made from virgin materials and are UV stabilised; manufactured in sizes from 3 gallons to 500 gallons.