by Paul Hammond

​Ever wondered about the name of that plant that is growing in the community garden? Or wanted to know if that interesting-looking herb is edible?  Maybe you are wondering if something is a weed?Identifying plants can be a fun and rewarding experience, and thankfully, it's easier than ever with the help of technology! Here's a quick guide to get you started:

Field Guides
There are many publishings available, and some are focused on particular regions in Australia. Some are available in print and others are accessible online.

Tips for Choosing a Field Guide:

• Focus: Consider your specific interests (native plants, edibles, flowers, fruit or vegetables, pests and weeds).
• Region: Some guides may focus on specific regions within your area (e.g., rural areas, coastal regions, etc.)
• Illustrations: Choose a guide with clear illustrations or photographs.
• User-friendliness: Look for a guide that's easy to navigate and understand.

​Some Guides To Get You Started:

Vegetable growing: a guide for home gardeners in Western Australia
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia.
Bulletin 4629 https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bulletins/5/​

How to Do It in the Garden by Sabrina Hahn
Available from Fremantle Press: https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/how-to-do-it-in-the-garden/

Edible School Garden Planting and Maintenance Guide
from the Waste Authority of WA, Wastewise Schools Program
https://www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au/images/resources/wss/Files/2019/10/Edible_Garden_Planting_and_Maintenance_Guide.pdf

​Turning Your Phone into a Plant Detective: The Magic of Image Recognition

How is this possible?  It's all thanks to the incredible technology of image recognition.

Here's a simplified breakdown:

• Capture: You take a photo of the plant using your phone's camera.   
• Analyze: The app uses sophisticated algorithms to analyze the image, identifying key features like the shape of the leaves, the color of the flowers, and even the texture of the stem.
• Compare: The app compares these features to a vast database of plant images and information.   
• Identify: Based on the comparison, the app identifies the plant with a high degree of accuracy, often providing additional details like its scientific name, growing habits, and even care tips.   

It's like having a botanist in your pocket! This technology is revolutionizing the way we interact with the natural world, making it easier than ever to learn about the plants around us.

​For Apple Users:

​For Android Users:

Tips for Using Plant ID Apps:

Clear photos: Ensure your photos are well-lit and in focus.
Multiple angles: Take photos of different parts of the plant, including leaves, flowers, and stems.
Stable connection: A good internet connection is needed for these apps to work effectively.
Cross-reference: Double-check the results with other resources, like a field guide or online database.

By combining traditional observation skills with the power of technology, you'll be well on your way to becoming a community garden plant expert! Happy gardening!

When summer is here it comes a few things to be aware of in our community garden...

Blue tongue Lizards and snakes

• Blue tongue lizards live and roam in the garden, so look before diving your hand into any garden areas. Several water bowls have been placed around the garden for their use so please top them up when you see them empty.
• So far no snakes have been sighted but be alert for the possibility, make a noise and keep your eyes open!

Pests and disease in your patch

• Unfortunately we have tomato blight, red spider mite and pottery mildew popping up in a few areas. Remember we are organic so any sprays need to be carefully selected before use. Please check with someone before spraying.
• Tomato blight all infected leaves should be removed, BAGGED, and put in the green landfill bin. Red spider mites have infected our papinos but they also can go for peppers, tomatoes, capsicum, beans, corn and strawberries. Remove all infected leaves BAG and put in the green landfill bin or use a non chemical option if the infestation is in its early stage.
• Powdery Mildew is common to zucchinis and can spread to rockmelon, grapes and cucumber so nipping it in the but is needed early. Spraying leaves with milk in their younger stage is recommended, never water leaves only the soil, remove infected leaves immediately and put them in the green landfill bin.
• CLEAN ALL GARDEN TOOLS USED WITH DILUTED BLEACH, VINEGAR OR METHYLATED SPIRITS IN A BUCKET THAT CAN BE USED BY OTHERS PLEASE OR WITH A RAG SOAKED IN THE CLEANER. We have vinegar under the sink in the garden.

If you want a non-toxic garden, especially if you are growing your food, then you should use alternatives to toxic chemicals to keep the weeds down. 

Mandurah Community Gardens was contacted by Ella from Consumer Notice to let us know about an article they published regarding alternatives to Round Up. After checking out their article with useful information, we're sure you will agree that this topic is very important if you want to maintain an organic, healthy garden.

We have added the Herbicide topic to the information section on our website, and we welcome any suggestions, feedback or ideas that you have to share.

Read our information page on herbicides here