Angus Stewart is a renowned Australian horticulturist with over 35 years of experience in the gardening industry. He studied horticulture at Sydney University and has since presented on many Australian television programs and written books. Some of his biggest achievements include successfully breeding commercial cultivars of Australian plants. Stewart advocates for sustainable gardening techniques like composting and provides tips on maintaining different areas of the garden, such as plants, grass, timber decking and paving. He emphasizes researching plant and material needs, timing maintenance correctly, and using organic methods to care for the garden with minimal costs and maximum success.

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AngusG A R D E N I N G W I T H
Renowned as one of Australia’s best horticulturists, Angus Stewart from Gardening Australia has
spent the last 35 years making a name for himself in the Australian gardening industry. To learn
more about Stewart and his green thumb, April Davis chats to him about his career and his tips
for maintaining a landscaped garden.
After developing a love for the great outdoors,
and all the garden has to offer at a young
age, Stewart has built his life around the
great outdoors.
“As a young child I used to love getting into the
vegetable garden, and thought that the whole
garden should be edible. That view changed
over time, [and has since] developed into
something more balanced,” he says.
Stewart studied Agricultural Science with a
major in Horticulture at Sydney University, which
led him to open his business – a plant breeding
and horticultural consulting company he has
been running for 35 years.
As well as running his own business, Stewart has
presented on a host of well-known Australian
television programs, including Better Homes &
Gardens, and most notably, Gardening Australia,
where he has dedicated more than 13 years to
educating the public on all things
gardening. If that wasn’t enough,
he also has a strong presence
across Australian broadcast
media and the publishing industry.
“I have been a gardening
presenter on ABC Radio 702 for
the last 25 years. I have written
five books about Australian
plants and hundreds of magazine
articles for various publications,”
he says.
On top of his thriving career,
Stewart has been recognised
by some of the country’s most
reputable award committees,
receiving a range of accolades for
his dedication to his craft.
“I have won three Horticultural
Media Association of Australia
Laurels awards for my media
work, as well as the [Nursery
& Garden Industry Australia]
(NGIA) Allan Seale award for
media achievements, and an
NGIA award for my outstanding
contribution to Horticulture,”
says Stewart.
As a lover of all things to do with the garden,
one of his biggest achievements is his success
breeding commercial cultivars of Australian
plants. Some of these include: kangaroo paws,
goodenias and rice flowers, which are sold
across Australia and overseas. In the coming
years, he intends to continue this work on a farm
he recently purchased on the Tasman Peninsula
in Tasmania.
“I intend to create a large garden and arboretum
of trees from around the world. I plan to continue
my plant breeding and horticultural work from
there as well,” he says.
KNOW YOUR STUFF
Whether you’re having a professional landscape
your space, or are doing it yourself, learning
how to care for it in the long-term is a must.
As Stewart explains, understanding how your
garden will grow is essential!
“Be sure to quiz the landscape professional
who has done the job about what maintenance
is required, particularly in respect to pruning,
feeding and watering. Even if you’re contracting
out the maintenance, you should understand the
process, so you can ensure things are on track.
“Many gardeners love growing edible plants,
[which is why] worm farms and other
composting systems are such an important
part of making [your garden thrive] with
minimum cost and maximum success.”
Also, be ruthless in replacing plants that are not
doing what they’re supposed to,” he says. When
caring for your landscaped area, however, make
sure you don’t go overboard.
“Heavy-handed pruning techniques are the
biggest issue,” says Stewart. “Timing your
pruning, feeding and watering is the next biggest
issue. Inappropriate plant selection and planting
too close together is another common problem,
although [be aware] plant labels can often be
misleading. Careful research and attention to
detail pays big dividends,” he says.
ONE STEP AT A TIME
If your garden contains a range of different plants
and features, both soft and hard, you’ll likely
need to undergo a different maintenance routine
for each. Here, Stewart outlines how you should
care for each area of your garden.
Plants
Every plant will be different.
Some will require full sunlight,
others plenty of water, and some
particularly high-maintenance
varieties, may require regular
fertilising and pruning. It’s
essential you research each plants
ideal conditions before you plant
anything, so you can ensure your
space is reflective of the Garden
of Eden, not a barren landscape.
“Research when and how to
prune your plants, as well as
when to feed and water them.
[It’s also advisable to] select
plants that have minimal, or no
issues with pests and diseases,”
he says.
Grass
Like with plants, each grass
species will need to be cared
for differently. It’s a common
misconception that all grass
is the same. There are in fact
hundreds of different types of
grass, all of which are unique
and require varying levels of maintenance.
“Select the right variety for your [garden’s lighting
levels] and climate, to ensure your lawn will grow
well with minimal input. Mow regularly during
the growing season, and use organic fertilisers
that will keep your lawn and its underlying soil
healthy in the long-term,” Stewart advises.

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“Weed matting is never fool-proof, as soil and other organic matter will inevitably
accumulate on top of it and will provide a site for weeds to get established. Using
very coarse mulch on top of weed matting will decrease the problem.”
Timber Decking
As Stewart explains, “a stitch in time saves nine”.
Timber decking may seem like a simple, no-fuss
option for homeowners who want an outdoor
area that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy
to maintain. Timber finishes, however, still need
to be cared for if you want to achieve optimal,
long-lasting results.
The most important thing you’ll need to do is to
oil your deck regularly to prevent rot or the colour
from fading. Also make sure that after the timber
has settled when it’s installed, that you stain the
timber to protect it from the elements.
Paving
Paved outdoor areas are easy to maintain and,
if cared for properly, can withstand even the
toughest conditions. But, don’t be fooled into
thinking you’ll never have to touch them – even
easy to care for finishes require a little love and
attention from time to time.
“Depending on the type of paver, I find that
regular sweeping will help keep weeds from
getting established. Some types of pavers, such
as concrete, will benefit from the application
of sealants, particularly in high-wear areas,”
he says.
When it comes to other hardscaping elements,
such as statues, fencing, garden edging and
lighting, Stewart recommends you “research
the requirements of the item before you
purchase it, as finishes will vary and will have
different maintenance requirements.”
WEED OUT POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
One of the biggest things you’ll notice when caring
for your garden is the prevalence of weeds. These
buggers are persistent, and tend to thrive in
almost any climate, but with a few precautionary
steps, you can mostly weed them out. As Stewart
explains, weed matting is a useful tool, but some
dirty work may still be required.
“Weed matting is never fool-proof, as soil and
other organic matter will inevitably accumulate
on top of it and will provide a site for weeds
to get established. Using very coarse mulch on
top of weed matting will decrease the problem.
Alternatively, bare weed matting can be cleaned
from time to time to prevent weed build-up,”
he says.
AngusG A R D E N I N G W I T H
If you’ve taken all the necessary precautions, but
the weeds in your garden keep persisting, a little
weed killer will work wonders.
ORGANIC MATTERS
Stewart is a big advocate of sustainable gardening
techniques, and as such, is a fan of composting.
“I am a great advocate of composting, and
particularly the use of worm farms to create your
own liquid and solid organic fertiliser from the
various organic materials that many people see
us waste. It is your most useful resource that can
dramatically reduce the cost of fertilising your
garden, and keeping your plants healthier. Many
gardeners love growing edible plants, [which is
why] worm farms and other composting systems
are such an important part of making [your
garden thrive] with minimum cost and maximum
success,” he says.
Plus, if space is at a premium, there are plenty of
innovative composting systems that can be used
in both small and large spaces.
As you can see, you don’t need a horticultural
degree to undertake some simple garden
maintenance. With the help of Australian
gardening specialists, such as Angus Stewart,
all the information you need is well within reach.
You can visit Stewart online at his website,
www.gardeningwithangus.com.au, where he
attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors per year,
or, his new book, The Australian Native Garden, is
also available from all leading booksellers.
Angus Stewart, www.gardeningwithangus.com.au
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