Annsleigh Gardens

03/08/2026

Spring is definitely in the air - along with the large number of jonquils in full flower, we saw our first golden wattle in flower a few weeks back so that confirms it! One of our favourite times of the year - a time with so much promise of good things ahead - planting, harvest, warmth and sunny days!

This month we've been busy pruning the hydrangeas, camellia, rhododendrons, salvia and a large number of trees which are looking slightly unkempt. Up until recently we haven't been able to get into the vegetable patch due to minor flooding - seems like we've put the vegetables in the lower part of our gardens which tends to hold the moisture. Although great for the summer season, not so great during our wet winters. :0l

One thing about gardening in Tasmania is that we can get some ferocious winds during the winter months. Only a few weeks back we lost one of our main silver birch trees - this was the main tree which was right next to the entrance to the seed bank. It's left us with an empty looking space which we're still yet to fill. Just trying to come up with some ideas to redesign the area..........

We've also made the most of our cooler winter months working on our website. A couple of things have been added including our 'Organic Fertilizers' range including dry and liquid amendments and foliar spray. Did you know that all of the products in our fertilizer and pest control pages are organic - no chemicals here! We believe that the non-chemical option is definitely the way to go and often achieves either the same or better results! :0)

We hope you enjoy the photos!

Happy gardening!

Kerryn (& Akiera)

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14/07/2026

Just another angle……. :0l

13/07/2026

WE WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL SUNDAY 19th JULY.
As most locals will know, we have had quite a lot of rain the past few weeks which has totally saturated the soil. This combined with the really strong winds yesterday meant that the main tree outside the front of the conservatory has come down - such a shame as it was truly beautiful!
While this creates an opportunity to create something new and exciting, it does mean that we’ve got a big job ahead of us while we remove it (at the moment it is completely blocking the driveway and car park and entrance to the conservatory).

10/07/2026

Along with the cool, crispness of winter comes the rain so not a lot of time spent in the garden this month - truth be told the veggie patch is actually flooded! While we've still managed to harvest all of our bulbs and the odd struggling tomato there's not much else happening down there so the majority of beds are now being rested prior to spring planting.

Yet, while the garden has pretty much become dormant, it's actually one of our busiest times of the month getting ready for spring. We've been busy processing and drying, winnowing and packing seeds. Also had the best time harvesting the mashua and new zealand yams. It' like harvesting carrots or potatoes - such a surprise when you dig them up. Also finally harvested the 'Orange Giant' Amaranth seed heads and have brought them inside to further mature and dry out. Hoping there'll be enough mature seed to put this wonderful variety back onto the market.

One cold, wet, rainy day was allocated to bringing some 1m high Thuja 'Smargad' pots inside to do some fireside topiarising. Sooooooo relaxing and it inspired the beginning of our winter workshops! Hoping to plant them out alongside the driveway entrance to the gardens. Soooooo 'English'!!!!!

We've also introduced our beautiful range of calla lilies - such a beautiful flower! For anyone with 'critter' problems (like us!) they're fantastic as they pretty much leave them alone! That's always a good thing! :0)

In the gardens, we've been busy cleaning out the Japanese Garden, pruning and filling in the gaps in the garden with plenty of camelia standards and topiary. There's still plenty of flowers for the bees although they rarely seem to venture out of their hive - they do love being tucked in with the woollen blanket and the odd hot water bottle! Yes, I do spoil them.......

We hope you enjoy the photos!

Happy gardening!

Kerryn (& Akiera)

Click on the link below to view more photos and our full e-newsletter..........

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05/07/2026

Just arrived 13 varieties of certified seed potatoes. Choose one variety or create your own mix. $8.95/kg. Time to start thinking about spring planting!
www.thelostseed.com.au

04/07/2026

There's still openings available for tomorrow's (Sunday) class!
_______________________________________________

While the garden 'hibernates' during the winter, why not come and master the art of living sculpture and learn the basics of topiary!

Great for anyone interested in learning the tools of the trade and the how to's. In addition to learning which tools to use, basic techniques and demonstration, there is also the option to participate in a practical session where you will create your own 1m high spiral topiary to keep!

COST:
Class Only including notes and demonstration - $25
Class including demonstration plus choose, create and keep your own topiary (tools provided on the day) - $95

Your teacher is Kerryn Martin, the proprietor / grower of The Lost Seed.

When: Sunday 5th July
Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration: 1.5hrs
Where: Annsleigh Gardens 4 Metaira Rd RIDGLEY TAS 7321
NOTE: Class numbers are limited!
Click on link below to book your place!

21/06/2026

It's not just seeds we're saving........ harvested yesterday and now available for planting:
Mashua (Perennial Nasturtium - have you ever seen a bulb so beautiful!!!)
New Zealand Yam (Oca) - Cygnet Yellow
New Zealand Yam (Oca) - Perennial Pink
New Zealand Yam (Oca) - Pearl
New Zealand Yam (Oca) - Fork and Hoe
New Zealand Yam (Oca) - Fork and Hoe Pink
New Zealand Yam (Oca) - Granny's Garden
Visit us online: www.thelostseed.com.au
or instore at Annsleigh Gardens 4 Metaira Rd RIDGLEY TAS 7321

14/06/2026

While the garden 'hibernates' during the winter, why not come and learn the basics of topiary!

Great for anyone interested in learning the tools of the trade and the how to's. In addition to learning which tools to use, basic techniques and demonstration, there is also the option to participate in a practical session where you will create your own 1m high spiral topiary to keep!

COST:
Class Only including notes and demonstration - $25
Class including demonstration plus choose, create and keep your own topiary (tools provided on the day) - $95

PLUS:
Special Session for Homeschool Kids $5
(notes & demonstration only)
Monday 6th July 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Your teacher is Kerryn Martin, the proprietor / grower of The Lost Seed.

When: Sunday 5th July
Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration: 1.5hrs
Where: Annsleigh Gardens 4 Metaira Rd RIDGLEY TAS 7321
NOTE: Class numbers are limited!

Click on link below to book your place!
https://www.thelostseed.com.au/topiary-make-your-own-spiral

31/05/2026

One of our busiest months ever!..... and still recovering from Agfest with over 55,000 people attending. Held over three days we managed to make it through - just!

With four weeks downtime getting ready, setting up and recovery, we managed to find time to extract the seeds from various pumpkins, squash and zucchini - now just waiting for them to dry before we package and make them available on our website. Also, tomatoes are busy fermenting on the bench to clean and purify them, skirret seed is ready for sieving with the crowns almost ready for sale. Have also done a bit of work on our website adding great books and other bits and pieces.

While at Agfest, we did a quick wander and came across a fantastic product - something which we've been looking for for quite a while. We're excited to announce that we've teamed up with 'Tough Soaps', an artisinal, home-based, family business producing soaps, moisturisers and shampoo based largely on tallow - an ingredient used for thousands of years for nourishing and moisturising the skin, hair and everything else. Unlike most others, they actually produce their own grass fed tallow from beef produced on their own farm. The reason it works...... tallow is pretty much bio-identical to our skin's own oils. Makes sense! (see article below)

Another exciting thing this month is that a good friend came and took aerial shots of our gardens. Such a different perspective and such beauty with the Autumn colours. Didn't realise our gutters needed cleaning so badly though! - have added it to the long list of 'To Do's'. We've shared some of the photos below....... Oh, and we also did another interview with Meg & Bec from ABC Rural. Apparently it has already aired but we missed out on seeing it - heard people enjoyed listening though so must have passed the test!!!! :0)

This month we're also introducing the first of our classes / events kicking off with our upcoming 'Guided Forest Therapy Walk'. It's based on the Japanese Shinrin Yoku which means 'forest bathing' and is highly therapeutic. A great way to experience Annsleigh Gardens with all five senses! :0)

Well, that's all for this month.

We hope you enjoy the photos!

Happy gardening!

Kerryn (& Akiera)

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22/05/2026