Peter's garden know-how (no ute required)

Moving here with his family in 1963, it’s safe to say Peter’s a true-blue Territorian.

He ran a domestic gardening, landscaping and irrigation business from his Holden ute during the 80s and 90s.

These days the ute’s gone and the mower semi-retired, but Peter’s still in the business of irrigation.

What’s the favourite part about what you do?

My favourite part is turning on an irrigation system for the first time and watching it operate properly.

What’s your favourite plant and why?

My favourite plant is the Cuban Royal Palm as they stand defiant even in the face of cyclones.

Top tip for the dry?

I would recommend thick mulch with heavy foliage during the dry season.

Best tip for the build up?

My best tip for a water efficient garden in the build-up would be to use an organic fertiliser dug into the ground.

Top wet season tip?

Turn the irrigation off, let the rain do its job and start pruning!

What do you like most about living in Darwin?

I’ve always said that Darwin is a nice dot on the map somewhere between Sydney and Singapore.

If you weren’t doing this?

Writing books and exploring the Territory.