1 Green Thumb Gardening

08/09/2026

Does my lawn need aeration.
Probably not. Test to see how dry it is. If it is dry and hard.
High chance you just need a good watering. Give it a good deep slow soak. May need multiple waterings to reduce run off.
If this doesn't work then aerate. At least the soil will be softer for the corer.

26/08/2026

🌱 Supporting Local Businesses – 1st Class Lawn Care

G’day everyone,

I’d like to introduce Nigel and his team from 1st Class Lawn Care.
1st Class Lawn Care specialises in professional lawn renovation services, including:

• Dethatching
• Core aeration
• Top dressing
• Lawn fertilising programs
• Complete lawn renovations

It has been wonderful building relationships with other local gardening businesses that we can confidently work alongside.

While 1 Green Thumb Gardening can carry out lawn renovations, hiring specialised machinery can sometimes double or even triple the cost. Because 1st Class Lawn Care owns the right equipment, Nigel can often complete this work far more cost-effectively for our customers.

If your lawn needs some serious attention, you’re welcome to contact me, or speak directly with Nigel on 0438 162 143.

You can learn more here:
https://1stclasslawncare.com.au/

Working together to achieve better results for our customers. 🌿

https://fb.watch/Jf1m7UwhK2/?

01/08/2026

If you are time poor, prioritise w**d management over mowing your lawn.
In winter grass slows down, w**ds are in full growth.
Spray your lawn and gardens.
You may have to use chemicals to start but this will be reduced in following years
Use natural pre emergents like Earthlife - Breakdown.
Working with nature not against it.

26/07/2026

🌿 August is just around the corner!

If you're wondering what jobs to tackle in the garden next month, here's a handy checklist to get you started.

A little preparation now can make a big difference once spring arrives.

✔ Prepare garden beds for spring planting.

✔ Feed citrus and fruit trees.

✔ Finish pruning roses.

✔ Top up mulch.

✔ Feed your soil before the growing season begins.

What jobs are on your list for August?

Healthy soil, healthier plants. It really is that simple.

21/07/2026

20/07/2026

We have been helping to clean up a property of w**d trees like privet, celtis, to***co and lantana. Today was on a steep slope having to to use ropes and harness

14/07/2026

14/07/2026

Mushroom compost is one of my favourite soil amendments for roses, especially in Toowoomba where many gardens have heavy clay or tired soils. It doesn’t just feed the rose—it improves the soil the rose lives in.

What mushroom compost does for roses

🌱 Improves soil structure

Mushroom compost is rich in organic matter.

* Heavy clay soils become more open and drain better.
* Sandy soils hold more water and nutrients.
* Roots can grow deeper and more freely.

For roses, healthy roots equal stronger flowering.

💧 Increases water-holding capacity

Organic matter acts like a sponge.

During Toowoomba’s dry spells, roses stay hydrated for longer, reducing stress between watering.

🦠 Feeds the soil biology

As it breaks down, mushroom compost provides food for:

* beneficial bacteria
* fungi
* earthworms
* other soil organisms

Those organisms release nutrients gradually, making them more available to the rose.

This fits perfectly with your philosophy:

Healthy soil → healthy biology → healthy plants.

🌸 Encourages bigger blooms

Mushroom compost isn’t a high-analysis fertiliser, but it slowly releases nutrients including:

* Nitrogen
* Phosphorus
* Potassium
* Calcium
* Magnesium
* Trace elements

The nutrients are gentle and long-lasting rather than giving a quick flush of soft growth.

🌿 Adds calcium

One thing people often overlook is that mushroom compost usually contains a reasonable amount of calcium because growers often use lime during mushroom production.

Calcium helps:

* stronger cell walls
* healthier new shoots
* improved root development
* overall plant resilience

🌡️ Buffers soil temperature

A 3–5 cm layer around the base of roses helps keep the soil cooler in summer and warmer during winter frosts.

⸻

A few cautions

Fresh mushroom compost can:

* contain relatively high soluble salts
* be slightly alkaline

For established roses this usually isn’t an issue, but I wouldn’t pile large amounts directly against young plants or stems.

Well-aged mushroom compost is ideal.

⸻

How I would use it

Knowing the way you’re building your soil-first programs, I’d probably recommend something like:

Winter (after pruning):

* 20–30 mm mushroom compost around each rose
* Garden Mate for calcium and magnesium
* Soil biology (Noculate + Microstart Fungi Mix)
* Mulch over the top with aged bark or wood chip

The compost feeds the biology, the biology feeds the rose.

⸻

One interesting fact

Many rosarians say:

“Feed the soil, not the rose.”

08/07/2026

Beautiful soil biology

07/07/2026

Nitrogen drawdown occurs when soil microbes use available soil nitrogen to break down carbon-rich (woody or dry) materials. To prevent this from stunting your plants,

Understanding Nitrogen DrawdownWhen you add high-carbon materials (such as woodchips, bark, or straw) to your garden, they have a high Carbon-to-Nitrogen (\(C:N\)) ratio. Soil microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) require nitrogen to decompose these materials. If the mulch itself does not contain enough nitrogen, the microbes will pull it directly from the top layers of your soil, causing a temporary nitrogen deficiency for your plants. #