Everything green from Down 2 Earth Gardens and Landscapes

Meet Dan from Down 2 Earth Gardens and Landscapes...

Dan Brown from Down 2 Earth Gardens and Landscapes has been in the industry for over 10 years. With qualifications in horticulture and permaculture design, Dan is the go-to man for ecological landscaping and edible gardens. 

His favourite part of the job is getting out and meeting new people. “Young, old, new to town and long timers, everyone has something interesting to share and all you have to do is listen”.

And his favourite thing about his on and off home since 1995 – “its personality”!

“If you imagined that all the cities were at a party and you just arrived and started to introduce yourself around, then I reckon you would immediately warm to Darwin. Darwin would come and shake your hand first and start introducing you to its rich cousins Sydney and Melbourne and then invite you all fishing”. 

Well Dan, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

Get to know more about our self-proclaimed ‘tree hugger’:

What is your favourite plant and why?

Callitris Intratropica - Darwin's very own Christmas tree! Excellent timber to work with, the natural oils have great health benefits and it is highly ornamental especially with a few lights and baubles.

What is your best tip for a water efficient garden in the dry season?

If you have kids then use your bath water to water pot plants. If you are having a shower then put a laundry bucket in there with you. 

What is your best tip for a water efficient garden in the build up?

Ah the build-up! It can be raining one door down from you, yet you are dry as a bone. Get a rain gauge. If you are getting 20mm+ a week then you probably don't need your irrigation to come on much at all other than to keep the pipes clean. Your plants will tell you if they are thirsty - take control of your irrigation controller and make seasonal adjustments. This is also a pivotal mulching period as well as fertilising - be sure to include some microbial activator as part of your fertilising regime.

What is your best tip for the garden in the wet season?

If you haven't mulched and fertilised before the wet starts then do it ASAP.  Take advantage of the rain and get your cuttings to strike or establish some new planting.  

Why did you choose landscaping/gardening/irrigation as a career? 

In the words of William Blake: "To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wild flower”, nature is a wonderful teacher and being in the industry means I have a front row seat.

If you weren’t being an expert irrigator what would you be doing?

If I wasn’t in the industry I would like to own a book shop. 

Fun fact about yourself?

I used to have to shave and wear a suit and tie to work!

Name one item on your bucket list?

My bucket is pretty full already with a wonderful wife, kids, family and friends. If I were to dream big however it would be to go back to university and study Agricultural Science.

Anything extra you would like to add about gardens that you think could benefit the community?

It’s a bit cliché to say, but it is vitally important to put your heart in to your garden. Your garden is not just a motley collection of plants and lawn that you are forced into doing something about on the weekend. Your garden is a habitat; a small part of a diverse, interconnected ecosystem of suburban homes that shelter and foster life. Your role is as a custodian and guardian of your patch.

Click here to find out more about our registered irrigation suppliers.