TONY'S TIPS

A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all our customers, past and present.This year is a bit different for us. After nearly 40 years of owning and operating Acorn Nursery, John and Melissa have sold the business. It's been a privilege to serve and be part of this community for almost four decades and to watch our team, your families, your gardens, and many roses, herbs, box hedges, and oak trees grow.While we're saddened that this chapter of Acorn Nursery is coming to a close, we're happy to be passing the baton to the capable hands of the Charles family, who...

Somehow the year has flown by and we suddenly have seven weeks until Christmas! Coincidentally, this is the perfect amount of time for flowering seedlings to mature and many other plants to settle in. Plant now for a beautiful display over the holiday season!Acorn Nursery is open as usual from 8am to 5pm every day over the Melbourne Cup weekend. It's a great time to get out and enjoy some gardening! Tony's Tips November 2024 It’s been a lovely spring so far and as the season continues, all the warm-weather plants are coming into their own! November is a great time to...

We know this public holiday is to celebrate the Grand Final but it happens to be the perfect time to be out in the garden. New flowers are everywhere and more are opening up as the days get longer and the soil warms. We are open from 8am to 5pm as usual today. We hope to see you soon! Tony's Tips October 2024 Spring is well underway and we now have many of the cold-sensitive plants in store. This includes Impatiens, Cucumbers and the first Basil for protected positions. We have over 30 varieties of tomatoes, as well as a...

It might be hard to believe but, if you know where to look, the signs of spring are there. Magnolia and other blossoms are going at full force and this is the time to start planting flowers and veggies for spring and summer. If you've been into the Nursery recently, you may have noticed the big For Sale sign out the front. While there are a few changes on the horizon, rest assured we are not going anywhere for a while. We are still here to help you with all your garden and gifting needs and look forward to seeing...

We haven't quite reached the end of winter but the first signs of spring are there if you look! Fresh green growth is just starting to show, blossom are budding and magnolia flowers are forming. This is a great opportunity to plant trees and do larger landscaping projects so they're ready to start growing like crazy as soon as spring really gets going. If you need assistance or you're not sure what your garden needs, our friendly team of qualified horticulturalists are always happy to help!     Ecoya Plug In Diffuser - $49.95 The ECOYA Plug-In Diffuser simplifies home...

As the proverb goes; 'wise men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.' Many of our favourite trees take decades or even longer to reach full size. A tree planted now will provide not only shade, but also cleaner air and a cooler climate for our children and grandchildren. As part of Garden Centres Australia, we're joining the One Tree Per Child initiative, with the aim of encouraging every child to plant at least one tree. Purchase a tree for a child in your life and you will receive a planting guide and a commemorative certificate.As...

As winter begins, some plants are well and truly into dormancy while others are just taking off. Even in these colder months, there's always something going on in the garden! Tony will be running his annual rose pruning demonstration over the King's Birthday long weekend, at 10am on Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th. As our resident rose expert, he will simplify and demystify the process and will gladly answer any and all questions you may have. Tony's Tips June 2024 It’s the start of winter but also the start of many things in the garden. Traditional Camellia japonicas...

Autumn is nearing its end but we're still finding plenty of joy in the garden! This is a fantastic time to plant cool-season colour or prepare your garden for spring. Mother's Day is just over two weeks away so we've put together a little gift guide to help you out. If your mum is more of a plant lover, we have some absolutely gorgeous cyclamen in at the moment. They look fantastic wrapped up in our signature gift wrapping. Mother's Day Gift Guide   Spa Luxuries Trio - $45 A self-care ritual to restore wellbeing, just what mum needs! This...

After a hot summer, autumn weather is finally here and we are loving it! This is the ideal time to be out in the garden, enjoying the last of summer blooms and preparing for the cooler months. Acorn Nursery and the Oaks cafe will be closed tomorrow for Good Friday. We will reopen at 8am on Saturday and will be open as usual for the rest of the Easter long weekend. We hope we'll see you then!   Daffodil King Alfred - from $15.00 King Alfred is a fantastic trumpet daffodil that flowers early in the season so you wont...

Summer is officially over but in many ways this is the best time of the year in Melbourne. Long sunny days and nights that become more crisp as the season progresses are perfect for many of our favourite plants. Easter is coming up at the end of the month. We will be closed for Good Friday but open from 8am to 5pm every other day of the long weekend. It's a great time to get some gardening done! Tony's Tips March 2024 I’m always glad to see autumn with its lovely weather, it is kinder to the garden and gardeners.If...

We've had some hot weather as well as plenty of rain and cooler days this summer and many plants are looking all the better for it! This may be the last month of summer but it certainly isn't the end of warm weather here in Melbourne. We're open from 8am to 5pm as usual today. We hope to see you in the nursery! Tony's Tips February 2024 We've reached the final month of a slightly cooler and wetter summer than usual. This has been ideal weather for gardening and planting as new plants can settle in without getting burnt. Echinacea...

What a fantastic time of the year to be out in the garden! Our tomato harvest is just getting started and will be sure to pick up steam over the month. Many other plants are also showing off their very best flowers!Acorn Nursery is open from 9am to 5pm until the 5th of January but closed on New Years Day. From Friday the 5th, we'll be back to our regular hours of 8am to 5pm. The Oaks Cafe will also reopen on the 5th! Happy New Year from everyone at Acorn Nursery and The Oaks Cafe. We hope to see...

All of a sudden summer is here and Christmas is around the corner! Read on for a few Christmas gift suggestions plus Tony's tips for a spectacular garden this month!Acorn Nursery will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. From all of us here at Acorn Nursery and The Oaks Cafe, we wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! The Acorn Gift Guide  Food and Beverage Gifts Barbeque Grill Master Collection - $55 What could be a better accompaniment to Christmas lunch than a selection of delicious mustards, chutneys and sauces? There's no need...

The weather this weekend is looking perfect for gardening and we can't wait to get out there. This is the best and easiest time to plant a veggie garden, prepare your garden for a Christmas display, or just generally enjoy being surrounded by greenery. Acorn Nursery and The Oaks Cafe will be open with normal operating hours over the Melbourne Cup weekend. The nursery is open from 8am to 5pm every day. The Cafe is open from 8am to 5pm on weekends and 8am to 4pm on weekdays. We hope to see you soon! Tony's Tips November 2023 We've reached...

This warm start to spring has woken up the garden and everything is looking great! This is our favourite time of the year to spend time in the nursery as everything is so full of life and just raring to go. If your garden isn't bringing you joy, don't fear! Our team of experts are ready and waiting to help you find the perfect plants. Hope to see you soon! Vintage Wooden Corner Shelf - $1,295 Do you have a corner in need of brightening up? This expertly handcrafted vintage shelf is angled to fit! It also has a beautiful patina...

Spring has spung! The weather is slowly warming up and our gardens are coming out of their winter slumber. We love watching the blossom buds burst each year in the nursery and we can't wait for the riot of colour they herald. We've had another amazing shipment of treasures arrive from India just last week! It's almost impossible to choose a favourite item but check out a few of them below. We're unpacking new things every day so be sure to visit us in store to see for yourself! Blue Vintage Low Cabinet - $1,995 A beautifully weathered low cabinet...

Spring is just around the corner and even showing a few early signs! Magnolias are starting to bloom, tulips are poking through the soil and everything is starting to wake up. This is the perfect time to make sure your garden will be absolutely gorgeous this spring. Keep an eye out because we also have a new shipment of treasures arriving from India soon! We can't wait to unpack the handmade furniture, vintage copper and brass, and other curios! Tony's Tips August 2023 It’s almost spring! Blossom season has arrived with Plums, Almonds and Magnolias flowering and roses are shooting...

Mid winter can be quiet in the garden, but it's also an opportunity to prepare for warmer weather. A little bit of preparation now will make all the difference come spring!We're thrilled to announce that our donations to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre have reached over $100,000! We ask for a gold coin donation for gift wrapping and the total for this is now $68,898.50. Combined with $31,500 from Acorn Nursery, we have been able to give $100,398.50. Thank you for your contribution to this fantastic cause. Tony's Tips  July 2023 July sees us past the shortest day of the...

It's easy to think of winter as a time when not much is happening in the garden but that doesn't have to be true! Many plants, including natives, hellebores, and camellias are at their absolute best over the next few months. Even for the less active plants, this is the best time to be giving them a bit of love. This is the perfect time of year for a lot of planting, pruning and feeding. A little preparation now will make all the difference in spring and summer! Tony's annual rose pruning demonstration will be on at 10 am this...

Autumn has reached its final month with a little burst of lovely, bright weather. This is the perfect time for any major planting you might have planned, as well as a great opportunity to brighten up the garden for winter. Mother's Day is just around the corner so we've put together a little guide of things she will love. If you don't see the right thing for your mum, pop by! Our team of experts are ready to help you find the perfect gift every time. The Oaks Cafe is taking bookings for Mother's Day Brunch, Lunch and in between...

Autumn is in full swing and we are loving the transition into crisp weather and cool weather gardening. We know the crossing work at Surrey Hills and Mont Albert stations can make it a little tricky to get to us but rest assured, we have plenty of parking. We think the beauty of the nursery at this time of year is well worth the trip. You can also always shop online or over the phone and delivery is available. We will be closed on Good Friday next week, but open from 8am to 5pm as usual for the rest of...

After a slow start and some scorching days, summer has come to an end. Autumn is here! We often think that autumn is when Melbourne is at its most beautiful. The days are long, the weather is mild and many plants are putting on a show before winter. Perfect for spending time in the garden! Tony's Tips March 2023 It’s always nice to see the start of autumn, which brings with it milder weather and a change in available stock. New season azaleas, daphnes, cyclamen, pansies and violas are available to plant now for cool season colour and perfume. With...

Would you look at that, it's a brand new year! We had a cool and damp start to the summer but the hot weather has well and truly arrived and gardens are looking lush!We're open from 9am to 5pm every day until the 5th of January, when we will return to our usual 8am to 5pm hours. The Oaks Cafe will also be reopening on the 5th!This is the time to enjoy the results of your work over the winter and spring. However, if your garden still needs a little something, our team of qualified horticulturalists are always here to...

Somehow another year has flown by and we've made it to the festive season! This is the perfect time of year to be out in the garden as the results of your work will pay off in flowers and veggies for months to come.We've put together a little gift guide to help you with your Christmas shopping and our team of expert staff are always on hand to find the perfect thing for even the most hard to buy for recipient!The Nursery will be open as usual from 8am to 5pm every day until Christmas, then closed Christmas Day, Boxing...

It may still be cool and wet but we are entering the last month of spring and our gardens are well and truly waking up! We'll be open all weekend and on Melbourne Cup Day. This is a great opportunity to get your garden looking gorgeous as the festive season is just around the corner! Come in and see us, our qualified team of horticulturalists will be happy to assist you with anything your garden needs. Tony's Tips November 2022 Welcome to the last month of what has been a very wet and fairly cool spring so far. Hydrangeas are...

We may be in the second month of spring but this is when things really get going in the garden! Whether you want to grow your own veggies, plant something special, or just update things with some annual colour, now is the time to do it.  Tony's Tips  October 2022 This is the time for growth! There is so much happening this month with roses flowering and veggie and herb seedlings ready to go in the ground. We have over 40 varieties of tomatoes and a wide range of chillies, as well as an expanding range of new season perennials....

Spring is finally here! A chill is still in the air and many trees are still bare but the signs are there if you look! Now is the time to come out of hibernation and into the garden. No matter the size of your garden, our team of experts are here to help you make it come to life with flowers, foliage and veggies!  Tony's Tips  September 2022 It’s spring! The most exciting time of the year! Every day brings change with lush new foliage and blossom everywhere. All that growth must be sustained so feeding gardens, lawns and potted plants...

It certainly doesn’t feel like it but our gardens are telling us that spring is on the way! Magnolias are always the first to bloom and ours are in bud and starting to put on a show. Many deciduous plants, including roses, are also sending out fresh new shoots. Slowly but surely, things are starting to wake up! If you’ve been thinking about planting larger trees, this is the very best time to do it. No matter your gardening project, our team of horticulturalists are here with expert advice and planting suggestions. Tony's Tips August 2022 August may be the...

This frosty weather might make us feel like all of Melbourne is hibernating along with our gardens but passing the shortest day of the year means that spring is not far off! We like to take advantage of this time to plant large trees and start planning for new growth. A little bit of gardening is a great way to keep warm outside! Tony's Tips July 2022 We have passed the shortest day of the year, which in my mind is the quietest point in the annual horticultural cycle. The early bulbs are flowering, the early blossom will start this...

Winter is upon us and many plants are entering a period of dormancy. This doesn't mean our gardens have to be boring, many plants love the cooler temperatures!  Winter is also a great time to get things done in the garden. Tony has some excellent advice for pruning roses below but if you need a little more help, don't stress! Our famous rose pruning demonstrations are back over the Queen's Birthday long weekend. Join us at 10am on Sunday the 12th and Monday the 13th of June for an in-depth demonstration and discussion of pruning all types of roses. Pearl...

Mother's Day is fast approaching so we've put together a guide with a few special things we think mum will love. Whether she's an avid gardener or just deserves a little pampering, we have something for every mum.The Oaks Cafe is now taking bookings for Mother's Day with sittings at 8am, 10am, 12pm and 2pm. Give them a call on 98907107 to ensure you don't miss out!To all mothers, caregivers and maternal figures, we wish you a joyful and relaxing Mother's Day on May 8th.  Mother's Day Gift Guide The Nurture Trio - $45 Treat mum to a nurturing set...

Welcome to the April newsletter. Mid-autumn is always a beautiful time in Melbourne. The weather is very pleasant and our gardens are loving it! Coming up this month we have school holidays - a perfect time to get the kids into the garden. A great way to pique their interest is to let them choose something to plant and take care of. Nothing more satisfying than flowers or veggies you grew yourself! As a little heads up, we will be closed on Good Friday this year but open every other day of the Easter long weekend. Happy gardening! Tony's Tips...