Muddy Boots

Muddy Boots: The Wonderful World of Roses
This week on Muddy Boots, we’re talking all things roses with Stephanie Williams, International Business Development Manager for David Austin Roses.
We explore what makes a great rose, how roses are bred, choosing roses for Australian conditions, soil health, feeding, watering, pruning, pests and disease — and why roses may be much easier to grow than you think.
In this episode
What makes a great rose — beauty, fragrance, vigour and disease resistance
How new roses are bred and why it can take 12 years to develop one
Choosing the right rose for Australian conditions
Soil preparation, compost, mulch and feeding
Watering deeply and less frequently once established
Growing roses in pots and containers
How and when to prune shrub and climbing roses
Deadheading and encouraging repeat flowering
Managing black spot, powdery mildew and aphids naturally
Why biodiversity and beneficial insects are so important
Why a rose can be a great choice for beginner gardeners
Roses mentioned
Constance Spry — Rosa 'Constance Spry'
Graham Thomas — Rosa 'Graham Thomas'
Lark Ascending — Rosa 'Lark Ascending'
Olivia Rose Austin — Rosa 'Olivia Rose Austin'
Emily Brontë — Rosa 'Emily Brontë'
Queen of Sweden — Rosa 'Queen of Sweden'
Tottering-by-Gently — Rosa 'Tottering-by-Gently'
Princess Alexandra of Kent — Rosa 'Princess Alexandra of Kent'
Gertrude Jekyll — Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'
Products & resources
Clyde Compost — use code MUDDY15 for 15% off
Neutrog Sudden Impact for Roses
Seaweed products for supporting healthy plants
Leaf mould and well-rotted horse manure/pony poo for mulching
Key takeaway
Choose the right rose for the right place, give it healthy soil, adequate water, good airflow and a little regular care — and you can enjoy beautiful blooms and fragrance for years.
Thanks to Stephanie for joining us from the UK — and to Clyde Compost for sponsoring Muddy Boots.
For more information, visit muddyboots.net.au.
Happy gardening!
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
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This episode covers flea beetles, tree borers, climbing pumpkins and melons, soil health, stink bugs, fruit fly, worms, wicking beds and a struggling magnolia.
Plants Mentioned
Vegetables & fruit
Eggplant — Solanum melongena
Apple — Malus domestica
Rockmelon — Cucumis melo
Pumpkin — Cucurbita spp.
Butternut Pumpkin — Cucurbita moschata
Potimarron Pumpkin — Cucurbita maxima
Wee Be Little Pumpkin — Cucurbita pepo
Jack Be Little Pumpkin — Cucurbita pepo
Tomato — Solanum lycopersicum
Broccoli — Brassica oleracea var. italica
Cauliflower — Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Capsicum — Capsicum annuum
Chilli — Capsicum spp.
Passionfruit — Passiflora edulis
Trees & ornamentals
Elm — Ulmus spp.
Oak — Quercus spp.
Pepperina — Schinus molle
Fig — Ficus spp.
Magnolia — Magnolia spp.
Questions Covered
• Flea beetles: Managing infestations on eggplants using Eco-Neem, sticky traps and soil treatment.
• Tree borers: What to do when borers attack mature trees, including pruning, aeration and soil health.
• Growing over arches: Delicious rockmelon and pumpkin varieties suited to vertical growing.
• Soil health: pH, compost, rock dust, broadforking and building healthy soil biology.
• Stink bugs: Simple methods to control these persistent pests.
• Worms: Why worms may come to the surface after adding soil amendments and how to distinguish earthworms from compost worms.
• Brassicas: Why broccoli and cauliflower can remain netted throughout the growing season.
• Queensland fruit fly: Netting, attractants and identifying fruit fly damage.
• White grubs: How to distinguish beneficial orange/yellow-headed grubs from damaging black-headed grubs.
• Magnolia: Helping a mature tree recover after extreme heat and drought.
Products & Resources
Clyde Compost — https://clydecompost.com.au
Use code MUDDY15 for 15% off.
Neutrog Go-Go Juice 
Neutrog Populate 
Seasol 
Eco-Neem 
Eco-Oil 
MycoGold — https://biostim.com.au/shop/myco-gold
Digger's Club 
The Plant Runner — https://theplantrunner.com
Plant Runner giveaway: Congratulations this month's winner.
Live Q&A: Join Elizabeth and Keith at Frankston Library at 1pm on Wednesday 21 October.
For more information, visit muddyboots.net.au.
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

This video is about MBP - October's Garden - RD 22 Sep 2026
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook

Shade Loving plants.
Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!

Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ 
Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook