RSVP Blog
Grow your Own Food?
Are you a fan of growing your own foods at home in your backyard or, if you're lucky - on your own farm? Do you take pride in your own fresh, organic produce, or does the thought of do-it-yourself agriculture make you itchy? With prices hiking - particularly in organic and macrobiotic markets, it seems far more attractive to cultivate your own groceries and boast about them at the dinner table - or to anyone who'll listen!
What vegetation are you currently harvesting? Do you, like Jamie Oliver, prefer to farm your own poultry? Whether it is in a tiny pot plant; a fenced off patch; or a great big pasture, what foods are you growing? What are your handy food-growing hints? What are the difficulties you've experienced?
Posted by October 8, 2008 2:27 PM
Latest Comments
Hi Perth,
Sounds like you garden is really going for this time of year! I can't grow lemon grass here ... too cold. Chillies are OK, but they have a very short growing season. I've tried the kaffir lime in a large pot on the porch, but didn't move it back near the house one night, and we had a surprise frost (well, it surprised me, anyway!) and lost it.
I've just discovered caperberries, and am trying to find out where they can grow (I think they are probably Mediterranean) and if I can get plants here, will it be worth growing them?
Still going to be working on the food production side of the garden, but have decided to turn the front garden (bit of a mess at the moment) into a dyers garden, and am making a list of possible plants to include.
I lost one of the girls, so am down to two chooks, and am getting one egg per day. I like to crack an egg over Dante's kibble, so I'm having to buy eggs so we can both have some.
Peru? What will you be doing there? That's on my list ... some very interesting textiles come out of there, and they have a strong tradition of hand spinning.
:-D
Posted by: lafileuse at June 5, 2009 7:29 AM
I have just been out messing in the garden again, supposed to be doing the ironing, oh well. I am amazed this year at the amount of bulbs coming thru and so excited to see what will eventuate. A couple of years ago purchased some end of season bulbs from Bunnings at 50c. a packet. I just grabbed numerous packets and planted them not really caring what came up as I love all plants. Last year was non spectacular except for some beautiful blue iris. This year, seems everything is happening so I am looking forward to heaps of cut flowers. I will be cutting back my roses shortly so the front garden will look a little plucked for a while but with all the bulbs flowering should still have lots of colour and very pretty. Out the back the lemon tree and the lemonade tree have both gone nuts. Chillies are going mad again, all different types and lemon grass and kaffir lime doing the same. I have a little mandarin tree and small lime tree which are both struggling but after winter I think they will be okay and found in my garden the most beautiful wax plant and it is called................oh gosh, will think of it in a minute. It has clusters of porcelain type flowers and is so beautiful and now hanging on the fence is an earthenware pot. Hoya, that's what it's called and it is magnificent! Love pottering around but must do some irioning, spare room is an absolute disgrace if I do say so myself. how I wish I still have chooks, I love them and I used to love taking my ice cream buckets full of fresh eggs to friends. Oh well, never mind...when I retire............although thinking of going to Peru for a year now.
Posted by: iaminperth at June 1, 2009 3:43 PM
Very little in the garden. The girls have given me a bit of an egg surplus ... I'm using them to perfect my creme caramel and creme brulee recipes. Tasty little experiments!
:-D
Posted by: lafileuse at April 5, 2009 4:24 PM
Posted by: angela11 at March 30, 2009 10:42 PM
Hi there! :-D At least your veggies should be safe from the snake! Good luck! :-D
(The blogs seem pretty slow, don't they?
I thought the lack of activity would mean the messages would get through faster, but I still waiting on something I posted on Geeks yesterday.)
Posted by: lafileuse at March 31, 2009 12:32 PM
Lafil...it's u & me babe until everyone gets over the loss.
Can't help you with articoke or blueberries , although they are in my planting agenda (blueberries that is ).
Since i moved to the mountain i have planted fresh parsely, mint, and two varieties of chille, but it's all been eaten.... i can't believe the bugs up here! and.. I have a resident bush turkey and a peacock.. they eat everything.! not to mention the carpet snake who's big enough to carry my old cat off.
good luck with your plea for compnaion planting. I'm watching my back right now! Bugs.. ah
Posted by: angela11 at March 30, 2009 10:42 PM
Found a good local source of globe artichoke sets. Will be checking it out this coming weekend. Anyone know about companion planting for these? Companion planting for blueberries?
:-D
Posted by: lafileuse at March 30, 2009 6:54 AM
We've been lucky up here. Temperatures not bad during the day, and cooler at night. We also had good rain before the warmest days. So far we haven't had a hot dry wind ... when we get those, the grass crunches underfoot.
:-/
Posted by: lafileuse at February 2, 2009 8:59 PM
There's probably hundreds of us in the eastern states who are now looking at blowtorched gardens,wondering if it's ever going to be worth doing anything about it again.Given up waiting for rain.
Posted by: artizanne at February 2, 2009 4:54 PM
Posted by: bakerynun at January 10, 2009 7:13 PM
Mmmmm...... apricots! I'll have to try that ... sounds yummy.
:-D
Posted by: lafileuse at January 12, 2009 7:05 AM
Yes I am a great fan of grow your own, I have a myriad of veg growing in tyres that I hounded my mechanic for for weeks. Tomatoes spuds and broccoli, eggplant & cucumber, but with water restrictions here, its a bit difficult keeping them alive.
However having the best of both worlds and being a producer, I get to meet and sample, some of the best and freshest produce known to man. I had the freshest salad tonight followed by organic apricots, I simply halved, threw in the microwave and then added icecream YUM! you could of course refreeze this and have tasty fresh fruit icecream
Posted by: bakerynun at January 10, 2009 7:13 PM
Posted by: missrule at December 31, 2008 6:59 PM
"some plants taste good to dogs. So maybe some don't? Anyone know?"
I know my dog - golden retriever X laborador (and possibly rottweiler) - likes apples and will pick any he can reach. He also likes asparagus. I wondered why one year I wasn't seeing many. I then caught him standing over one, and nibbling his way down the stalk. (Which was a shame for me, because in my universe there is no such thing as too much asparagus.) He also likes wasabe peas. He doesn't like grapes.
Fencing keeps Dante out of plants. I discovered that it doesn't have to be particularly strong or tall. He gets the message. I can keep him out of a room with one of those little wooden 'gates' you use for toddlers, and even though I've seen him jump higher than it, he will just sit outside the room and sigh (he can be very theatrical).
Posted by: lafileuse at January 4, 2009 7:22 PM
That's a great idea, although she hates water. I might fill it up with sand and then i could dampen it. That's a great idea. She seems to take so much time to cool down, its a worry at times. She is not overweight, just feels the heat.
Posted by: iaminperth at January 4, 2009 4:34 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at December 31, 2008 6:15 PM
Perth, go to big W & check out the cheap kids sand pits, they will shaped like shell with a lid or like a tiny wading pool, thats what l use for my dogs on hot days here, just put it under a shady tree & fill it with water :)))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at January 4, 2009 12:26 PM
Posted by missrule at December 31, 2008 6:59 PM ~ Your post reflects you are doing absolutely everything possible to get them away from your plants.
From my own experince with two Red Setters then a litter of 8 puppies, & for months doing all the suggested things, I gave up & started planting star pickets & heavy duty mesh around my garden beds & shrubs!
I tried the trick of moving my most precious plants away from them into the front yard . I should have realised this was futile as the adults would jump the 8 foot cyclone fence & rip off the front screen door when they wanted in :))) Those poor plants got the bite as again.......
The darlings dug up the entire septic & water lines on the place, ate everything from outdoor furniture to screen doors. They were beautiful dogs but gee what a handfull..... FOC (father of child) thought it would be a good idea for the new baby to have a dog....hmmmm :)
Yep if all else fails star pickets & heavy duty mesh or a dog whisperer..... :))))
Good Luck..... hopefully someone might know of a plant that repels dogs. :))))
Posted by: softfeather at January 2, 2009 4:49 PM
Posted by missrule at December 31, 2008 11:53 AM ~ hi missrule. Happy New Year :)
How blessed your young puppies are to have such a wonderful place to live & play.
Focus your energy on them for a while & let the garden go. Try to make time for both you & them. Do you walk them each morning before you set off for work? Double return as all of you stay fit & bond.
Sit outside while you have breakfast & interact with them... they are the same as toddlers they need your attention to guide them to positive behaviour patterns.
I'm sure Drifter & others will have lovey feedback & ideas for puppy play & how to guide them so a happy outcome is the end result for all of you. hmmmm :))))
Take care. SF. X X X
Posted by: softfeather at January 1, 2009 4:16 PM
Hi Minihaha and thanks, I know the dogs get bored - it is after all a long day for them while I'm out, but sadly I have to work. (Only four days a week, shortly reducing to three, but still it is nine hours minimum while I'm out.)
I do provide them with chew toys, balls, treats etc. and they have each other to play with, but nothing is going to keep them occupied for 27 hours a week. They also have the whole plot to roam, including steps to run up and down, and the neighbours' dogs to "talk" to. (Those dogs are not as lucky as mine because they are never walked - mine get two walks a day plus the beach when I'm not working.)
My two only seem to attack certain plants, though, and I've seen the bigger dog start chewing while I've been a few feet away and giving her my full attention, which is what made me think some plants taste good to dogs. So maybe some don't? Anyone know?
Posted by: missrule at December 31, 2008 6:59 PM
We have 39 deg. here tomorrow and my plants are looking a little worse for wear, or at least some of them are. It is so hot and it's also windy at the same time so very burny type weather. My dog is so hot and doesn't really want to do anything at all. She has quite a few cool places to lay down and plenty of fresh water but she still feels the heat terribly. Anybody any ideas for cooling a large dog down without hosing her.
Posted by: iaminperth at December 31, 2008 6:15 PM
missrule your dogs are NOT in love with your plants, they are BORED. Get them something they can play with while you are at work.
Posted by: minihaha64 at December 31, 2008 2:06 PM
Hey, you clever people who know all about plants and suchlike... could I "pick" your brains? I have a 1/4 acre plot which is shared with two young dogs who love digging, especially while I'm at work. So far their victims have included several bromeliads and two kangaroo paws. The little dears have now moved on to the bamboo.
I have tried planting replacements but they have met a similar fate and it's costing me too much to persist. Does anyone know of any plant (other than cacti, to which I have a particular aversion) that dogs hate? TIA as the texters might write ... Claire
Posted by: missrule at December 31, 2008 11:53 AM
Posted by: artizanne at December 31, 2008 8:46 AM ~ Most vegie gardens need lifting & space to let the air circulate to produce a healthy crop. When I lived in the east the humidity was the devil of my crop failures. Is there air good air flow? When I grew vegies I never sprayed anything except worm juice on my crops... My theory was if I can't grow it naturally then I won't grow it.... :))))
Re the tomatoes near apricots...if I had problems with disease in my garden I would be growing something healthy near my long term fruit bearing shrubs & trees.
Vegies are seasonal short term plants. Your trees are long term. One hopes trees will be still be there way down the track.
I hope your garden brings many blessings to enrich your home & your spirit. All the very best for 2009. :))))
Posted by: softfeather at December 31, 2008 10:25 AM
Bugger.... OK which key is it on this keyboard that does that talking tongues sign?
I know it's silly to believe in the technical fairy but I wish she would stop doing it when I post :))))
H2H & Drifter sincere wishes for 2009. Thanks for being you & passionate about it :))))
SF is sooo late for the last day of work for 2008 & she really couldn't give a continental..... bring it on ah ah ah...X X X
Posted by: softfeather at December 31, 2008 10:04 AM
ps.I'm wondering just how true it is that apricots and tomatoes are bad neighbours....?
Posted by: artizanne at December 31, 2008 9:17 AM
Does anyone have the answer to a widespread bacterial blight amongst veggies....and is there an alternative to copper spray?
Posted by: artizanne at December 31, 2008 8:46 AM
Posted by: iaminperth at December 30, 2008 9:30 PM
Is there a problem with that ?
Posted by: outbackdrifter at December 31, 2008 6:52 AM
Posted by: iaminperth at December 30, 2008 9:30 PM - Obviously a "non-believer"...
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 30, 2008 11:57 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at December 30, 2008 9:30 PM ~
Plants are amazing...... If I was to get really serious the day someone posts about their passion & awe with spotting a Thelymitra variegata or a Paracaleana in the wild I will be in like Flynn...
The day I found an old disused pit full of Paracaleana in the south west I was over the moon..... :))))
Gee that would be heaven on a stick for me.... a man who hunts orchids..... :))))
Posted by: softfeather at December 30, 2008 11:42 PM
Well Drifter it gets bettera... one of the frangipani's flowered yesterday & the others are coming into bud..... then in the same pot that the kaktarse is in I ripped out some Hymenocallis litoralis'sssss (meaning more than one) from the old house... they are doing their thing as well. For those scratching their heads they are spider lillies :))
The chillies have come into flower.... subtle to blow ya hat off varieties!...... the lemon basil is looking a bit limp but my fault as I left it a tad late to pop them in....
One thing I've learnt I was too heavy handed with the cow poo on the magnolia grandiflora (Little Gem) & I have sacrificed flowers for growth. It was a scraggy thing 12 months ago so I gave it a good dressing down & it's doubled it's height..... but as I said the energy has been used for growth not flowering..... shame but lesson learnt.......
Gee... from the concrete bare place I moved into 12 months ago this little place is suddenly bursting with all this fertile energy :)))) Just needs a datura & I'll be set for that outdoor bathtub... ;))))
PS.... Thanks for pointing out about the tongues thingo... But you don’t get passion & eloquence at the same time with me…it’s either bubbling over or a dead stop to think about every word to describe how I’m feeling :))))
Posted by: softfeather at December 30, 2008 11:27 PM
You would have to wonder just what kind of plants some people are growing in their gardens after those posts !!
Posted by: iaminperth at December 30, 2008 9:30 PM
Posted by: softfeather at December 30, 2008 2:14 AM
SF, So the Queen is here....... very cool :), Epipyllums ( Orchid cactus ), is one of the Most amazing flowers on the planet & as for the smell...........................it overpower you with a sense of love & beauty ;)
PS Your talking in tongues again :))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at December 30, 2008 6:59 PM
Whooooaaa...... Drifter she birthed tonight! .... My Cactaceae Epiphyllum oxypetalum ~ Queen of the Night ~ Cereus Night Blooming Cactus. Brag brag brag......
Her baby was a beauty..... She didn't start to dilate till dark & she still hasn't reached full bloom & it's midnight. She about 10 inches from outer sepal to sepal or is it petal to petal?????
Each frame was every 15 minutes & not one clanger in the lot.... Love this new camera.... I pushed & panted with her all the way…..Just amazing, a humdinger…..
I whispered softly to her & we listened to Tracy Chapman through the birth.... I have the biggest grin on my face! It's the first time she has flowered for three years & it’s just the best thing to happen so far on my journey... The perfume has filled my home & if it could be bottled ohhh ahhh what a winner…….
This is bliss..... I'm so proud of her..... SF is doing skips all over the place..... Ah hah, ah huh... must post a song for the occasion.
Bring on 2009..... Kachana Kachana.... :)))) Big smile on the dial for bedtime tonight.... hmmmm :))))
Posted by: softfeather at December 30, 2008 2:14 AM
Posted by: softfeather at December 28, 2008 12:05 PM - Ya goof!... lol
Posted by: istj54 at December 28, 2008 12:00 PM - Oh dear....*aaackkk*.... you mean they were [censored] ?? Nooooooooo....! .....*runs away*.... Noooooo...NOOOOO!!!! They were Santa Hats... OK???
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 28, 2008 10:07 PM
Posted by heart2heart57 at December 25, 2008 2:16 PM ~
SF has tears running down her face & the most silly grin.....
My mind is trying to stay focussed on manifesting what I will be doing & my journey in 2009 & now it's reduced to party hats.....
Hmmmmm.....where's that new CD by the Potbelleez - Don't Hold Back :))))
Cheers...SF
Posted by: softfeather at December 28, 2008 12:05 PM
H2H...that may not have been a Santa hat:))
Posted by: istj54 at December 28, 2008 12:00 PM
My slugs had lil Santa hats on last night...
T:)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 25, 2008 2:16 PM
L&t have you ever seen videos of two slugs entwined,dangling by a mucous thread,busily,shagging each others craniums out....?.....Thought you might have........
Posted by: artizanne at December 22, 2008 2:01 PM
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 21, 2008 6:52 PM
Puts a totally new slant on the word "slimy" doesnt it hun hehehe oh thats halarious hahaha
I used to control my slugs and bugs here in tassi, when I was growing lettuces brocolli and cabbage with garlic spray and dishwashing detergent spray in a bottle. You had to use it after rain each time but I had a beautiful crop 3 years in a row totally chemically free.
:)) Nel
Posted by: enchantinel at December 21, 2008 10:07 PM
Posted by: laughsandtalks at December 21, 2008 5:23 PM
LMAO your kidding me hehehehe
:))Nel
Posted by: enchantinel at December 21, 2008 7:35 PM
Marcus has got a big slug... *laughs childishly*.... :)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 21, 2008 6:52 PM
Sexual organs on their head??? *sits and waits for a 'dickhead' comment....* :)))
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 21, 2008 6:42 PM
I had one of the large mottled grey and brown Leopard slugs living under a big paver near the workshop door. I saw it one damp evening eating a few shreds of chicken that had come from my sandwhich. I started giving it a small piece of meat every so often. It didn't take it long to learn to come straight to its feeding station when it emerged
These guys grow up to 8" long. So if either Artizanne or H2H have, or have any recent experience with a slug that big perhaps they could blog on it. And they are 'it's'. Slugs are hermaphrodites and probably have a longer and more involved courtship than most men and a lot of women are happy with. They circle and lick each other for hours then mate by engaging their sex organs that come from the right side of the head. Their babies- both the slugs lay eggs- take about 2 years to reach maturity.
Cheers Marcus
Posted by: laughsandtalks at December 21, 2008 5:23 PM
Posted by: artizanne at December 20, 2008 11:30 AM
Thank you Anne, lm glad your Saffron is doing well, when you get your first lot of home grow saffron l would be looking for a good Paella recipe to try it out on.
You have a great Christmas :)))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at December 20, 2008 1:13 PM
Posted by: artizanne at December 19, 2008 8:24 AM - Umm.... in a word? Cos the dog ain't stoopid... lmao.
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 20, 2008 12:08 PM
Posted by: artizanne at December 19, 2008 12:20 PM - All the time!! It's the snails I hate more though - they make that sweet 'crackle' sound just before you feel the goo on your feet... *aaaaccckkkkkkk!*
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 20, 2008 12:07 PM
Out the Back....belated Birthday greetings,and many thanks for the advice...your expertise is appreciated.Saffron is slumbering nicely.
Posted by: artizanne at December 20, 2008 11:30 AM
H2H...ever stepped on one in the dark in bare feet? ...disgusting! ~
Slip sliding away..... :))))
Posted by: softfeather at December 20, 2008 1:40 AM
Posted by: artizanne at December 19, 2008 8:24 AM - Umm.... in a word? Cos the dog ain't stoopid... lmao.
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 19, 2008 10:03 PM
Posted by: artizanne at December 19, 2008 12:20 PM - All the time. It's the snails I hate more though - they make that sweet 'crackle' sound just before you feel the goo on you feet... *aaaaccckkkkkkk!*
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 19, 2008 10:02 PM
H2H...ever stepped on one in the dark in bare feet? ...disgusting!
Posted by: artizanne at December 19, 2008 12:20 PM
If anyone is having trouble with caterpillar infestations,i have had massive fun with this little concoction.Brew up a mix of chopped rhubarb leaves(toxic) and water for half an hour.Cool.Strain(old stocking).Add shaved soap remnants.Stir.Dilute a bit.Spray over the little critters.Instant.....but do remember to rinse the crops before eating...
Posted by: artizanne at December 19, 2008 8:47 AM
H2H what i don't get is why the dog won't eat 'em...they infest her plate,and she won't even touch her food when they do...horrible critters....
Posted by: artizanne at December 19, 2008 8:24 AM
Posted by: artizanne at December 18, 2008 8:34 PM - Not touchin that one - nuh-uh...
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 18, 2008 9:17 PM
...who cares?At least it keeps the snails etc out....bet my slugs are bigger than yours.....
Posted by: artizanne at December 18, 2008 8:34 PM
Posted by: artizanne at December 16, 2008 3:38 PM - That 'tent' ain't gonna be much good in the rain, hey? LoL :)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 17, 2008 8:36 PM
Princesspenny....re the scarecrow,how about making a slightly raised tent of fine chicken wire...pegging down the corners so's birds can't creep in...very useful way to protect other seeds and seedlings.......
Posted by: artizanne at December 16, 2008 3:38 PM
Posted by: princesspenny69 at December 15, 2008 10:07 PM
" ...So a scarecrow is in order. ANY GOOD IDEAS FOR A SCARECROW??"
I've had reasonable luck with dead CDs. Put some string through them and hang them from branches, or poles. Any little breeze makes them move and scatter light.
Posted by: lafileuse at December 16, 2008 12:54 PM
I know what you mean, I'm trying to get around with a broken foot in a humungous moon boot at the moment and looking after the garden and trying to weed is disastrous. I tried sitting down to get some weeds out the other day and then it took me ages to get up again. Must have been a funny sight to see but gosh it was hard. I just water now and try to keep the tomatoes tied but it's hard. Never mind, all will be well. My lettuces were ruined as i couldn't pick any but I have some good mangoes growing for early next year and the citrus is doing fine.
Posted by: iaminperth at December 15, 2008 11:10 PM
Ugghh, still trying to get used to this blog - and I'm supposed to be savvy at this stuff.
Anyway, had a few more edamame pop up. So will take care of the ones I have. The other beans are doing well - reaching for the sky. But the crows are pulling out the little corn leaves. Apparently they have a lot of sugar in them? So a scarecrow is in order. ANY GOOD IDEAS FOR A SCARECROW??
Thanks
Penny
Posted by: princesspenny69 at December 15, 2008 10:07 PM
Posted by: softfeather at December 14, 2008 5:24 PM - Ta. It will be a couple of months before I'm fully mobile again, but I can still manage to wield a watering can.
It's kinda addictive, huh? Every morning I'm out there to see which lil seeds have taken their first yawn above the ground. The birds here are buggers - especially Maggies with the beans and peas. I guess they think they're little green worms or something when they germinate, coz they yank them out of the ground, realise it's not edible, then move on to the next one. So I end up with a little line of ripped-out dead seedlings. But, I've got their measure this year - a couple of nets from Bunnings, some tent pegs, and now I have happy little beans and peas shooting in safety :)))
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 15, 2008 9:14 PM
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 14, 2008 12:44 PM ~ Sorry to read you came a cropper...
Home grown is rewarding in so many ways. Nurturing the little ones is fun & eating straight from the garden is a joy. Being outside in the evening doing the hand watering with a glass in hand is my one of my ways to de stress.
Sincerely hope your recovery is moving forward at a steady pace. Need all ya energy for the harvest..... :)
Posted by: softfeather at December 14, 2008 5:24 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at December 14, 2008 12:33 AM - *Everything* home grown tastes better than in the shops. Some of it might be psychological, but I think one of the main reasons is that you tend to 'harvest' when things have rippened on the plant, rather than pick them green and ripen with age in storage.
I noticed that everything I grew at home had a much more intense flavour. And the sweetcorn was so good you could eat it raw.
I'm having a bugger of a year with my crop due to personal injury, and my seedlings all carked it when I finally planted them out. So, I've just gone along with seeds and poked them straight into the ground where the seedlings died, and there's already lil green heads poking up all over the place :)
Looks like it'll be another 'late crop' this year - but meh, I put a second 4,500 ltr tank in during the winter, and with all the rain we've been having in Melbourne this last week, both are brim full :))) So at least I've got the water to tide the garden over during the warmer months.
Now all I have to do is be patient (yeh...right!) and wait for me lil darlin's to grow :)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 14, 2008 12:44 PM
....it's still raining,and the molluscs have been lured out of retirement,only to meet some cunning traps,to be composted for the greater good.....
Posted by: artizanne at December 14, 2008 9:44 AM
I'll try both of those suggestions thanks guys. They are going to look nice in a salsa but they are quite different taste and texture to the reds. I'm looking forward to the black ones ripening up, they are fabulous looking at the moment and growing extremely well. I love home grown tomatoes, totally different taste to the ones in the shops.
Posted by: iaminperth at December 14, 2008 12:33 AM
Posted by: outbackdrifter at December 13, 2008 5:48 PM - Melbourne here OBD - I think the yellow 'maties need a constant source of sunshine and warmth (ain't that the truth in other matters as well :)) ). Mine looked spectalular on the bushes - and they fruited like hell. I also tried letting them 'over ripen' several. But, alas, they didn't turn out all that well to eat at all - mushy, sour lil bugger they were.
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 13, 2008 8:11 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at December 13, 2008 12:33 AM
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 13, 2008 3:41 PM
I have never found that with the ones I grow, If tomatos a pithy that a sign of uneven watering, try more orgainic in the soil to hold more water
And as for tart, try cutting of trusis of them & leave till they are a darker yellow, I hope this helps
Posted by: outbackdrifter at December 13, 2008 5:48 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at December 13, 2008 12:33 AM - Yep. Did the 'yellow tomatoes' thing last year, and agreed, they are rather pithy and tart. Actually, I'm not into their texture/flavour at all. So I harvested my lot and made pickles and chutneys etc. with them. They do ok for that and perhaps to add a bit of colour to a salad (yellow capsicum does the same trick). But, as for eating, they don't float my boat...
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 13, 2008 3:41 PM
It rained!....In Melbourne...really rained,38 mm o'night...having got used to the Bureau's ..." a chance of showers" translating as watch the clouds,by all means,but don't cancel the picnic...You fortunate folks nth of the Divide,just don't know how desperate things are here.Everything smells fresh...residual possum smells are gone....ahh.!It's the important things which put a smile on the dial.
Posted by: artizanne at December 13, 2008 8:25 AM
Does anyone know about yellow tomatoes? I have grown some and they look lovely but they are quite pithy inside and very tart. Are we picking them too soon or are supposed to be very tart. I mean screw your face up a little tart. I have never grown them before but this year I planted, red yellow and black as I thought they would be nice in salads and for salsa etc., but not too sure with these ones and there are hundreds of them growing, like weeds.
Posted by: iaminperth at December 13, 2008 12:33 AM
:-D
Should have said "warp in the time-space continuum"?
"Time meant nothing, never would again"
Posted by: lafileuse at December 12, 2008 10:00 PM
Posted by: lafileuse at December 12, 2008 4:16 PM - Um... you might want to re-think that 'timewarp' wish - he might be here quicker than you think..lmao
*keeps one eye on the door, to see if the handle moves*... lol
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 12, 2008 7:13 PM
At the moment, I've wishing I hadn't been so busy the last few months. My backyard food production is limited to 3 chickens (for eggs), some fruit trees and herbs.
Need to get inspired (and possibly need my own personal time warp to squeeze in an extra day during the week).
Posted by: lafileuse at December 12, 2008 4:16 PM
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 12, 2008 12:14 AM
Many thanks for the info about smoking. The hot smoking sounds easier ... less plumbing to think about! :-D
... and your block party sounded great!
Posted by: lafileuse at December 12, 2008 4:13 PM
Posted by: artizanne at December 12, 2008 8:25 AM
"...ok.La Fileuse,shall we hijack this into a weavers forum? I used to do a bit of double weave.....,and then some.What stuff are you doing?"
:-D
I suppose no harm in also talking a bit about weaving ... like French fries on the side.
I only just started weaving this year (OK, I did a workshop several years ago, but it didn't 'take'). I've done some samplers (very interested in the possiblilties of double weave ... we could take this offblog), and last month finished a table runner for my hall stand - plain weave with stripes of lacework in cottolin - 3 colours. Thinking of doing the same pattern in one colour only for curtains for the future loom room. I'd also like to try something with my handspun ... still mulling that over.
Posted by: lafileuse at December 12, 2008 4:12 PM
...ok.La Fileuse,shall we hijack this into a weavers forum? I used to do a bit of double weave.....,and then some.What stuff are you doing?
Posted by: artizanne at December 12, 2008 8:25 AM
Posted by: lafileuse at December 11, 2008 9:22 PM - "Hot" smoking means you both smoke and cook the meat using the smoke and heat-source for the smoke together.
"Cold" smoking (or 'remote smoking') on the other hand means you impart a smoke flavour (and natural preservatives) after or while the meat is being 'cooked' (cured) by other means - often 'chemical' e.g. salting, pickling - salts and acids such as vinegar and citrus juices 'cook' meat too. Or it can be air-dried. With cold smoking, the firebox and source of smoke are usually some distance away (a metre or so), and the smoke channelled via a pipe to the smoking chamber - the meat is smoked via cool smoke without the residual heat of the fire.
A classic example of 'cold smoking' is Prosciutto Crudo (It) or 'Jamon' (Sp) meaning 'raw ham' which is basically air-dried and can be 'cold smoked' during the process to add flavour and longevity, but not actually cook the meat using heat. German Speck is done along those lines too.
There's a fair bit of overlap between hot and cold smoking but basically if the heat of the smoke cooks the meat, then you can probably say it's "hot" smoked...
OBD - in the other foodie blog - the 'Block Party' was a bit of a fizzer this year. We moved it from Friday night to Saturday night so more people could attend and have time to prepare things - but so many ppl were doing other things 'Christmas' like. I shopped all morning, and baked all arvo (breads) and made Dukkah etc., chucked a few prawns in Hoi Sin sauce an on to skewers, and did a nice little 'Pinky' in Thai spices wrapped alfoil on the barbie. Though the numbers were down, those that turned up had a good time.
Kick-off was supposed to be 6pm, and as luck would have it, it was windy all day and it hosed down at 20 to 6 in a nice late afternoon Melb thunderstorm, and I thought *bugger*... there goes the party. But, as is typical in Melbourne, after the downpour passed, it was as still as a church-mouse and the rain abated. It tried to spit a couple of times, but the front had moved through.
So, for those of us that could make it, we had a good time. Plenty of tucker, some late-night open air acoustic guitar work, good friends and the odd ale. Ok, twenty ales then :) (I told you I put a coupla six-packs down for you - but you didn't turn up, so I didn't want them to go off - LoL). A couple of late stragglers coming home from other commitments helped to add to the atmosphere. All in all, a good night - minus a roaring fire. That would have just set it off, but probably put a dirty big scorch mark on the bitumen in front of my joint and had the men in the reflective yellow uniforms spray foam and stuff all over us LoL.
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 12, 2008 12:14 AM
Posted by: lafileuse at December 9, 2008 8:14 AM
this is off the cuff but maybe smokin JD had something to do with it. :)
must try that with my rollie papers. :))a
Posted by: angela11 at December 11, 2008 10:14 PM
Posted by: outbackdrifter at December 9, 2008 4:41 PM
"Do you want to cold or hot smoke in your weber ?"
Uhhhhh ...
I think hot smoking. As I understand it, the meat is then cooked and safe to eat. Cold smoking means you need to cook the meat further by some other means, right? (Though if there are advantages to this, I'll try it too.)
Posted by: lafileuse at December 11, 2008 9:22 PM
Posted by: artizanne at December 9, 2008 3:47 PM
" ... La fileuse....smoking in a table loom?well that's about the only thing I didn't do with my loom...floor,4 shaft....since sold....."
:-D
After I reread my post, I thought I'd get a comment about lighting up a cigarette while curled inside the Weber ... didn't think of that one!
I have also just acquired an 8-shaft, countermarch floor loom (have to admit it was one of those what was I thinking moments ... I have to clean out one of the spare rooms so it will fit) ... still looking like a pile of lumber while it waits until I have the courage to try to reassemble it.
Posted by: lafileuse at December 11, 2008 9:15 PM
I have some wonderful tomatoes growing in the backyard. They are growing in clusters like grapes. This year I planted red one, yellow and black ones, also Basil but again the coriander is hit the dust.
Posted by: iaminperth at December 10, 2008 9:46 PM
Posted by: lafileuse at December 9, 2008 8:14 AM
Do you want to cold or hot smoke in your weber ?
Posted by: outbackdrifter at December 9, 2008 4:41 PM
La fileuse....smoking in a table loom?well that's about the only thing I didn't do with my loom...floor,4 shaft....since sold.....ps have had limited experience with a smoking box.
Posted by: artizanne at December 9, 2008 3:47 PM
I just bought a Weber kettle BBQ just in time for the warmer weather (had to save up again, having spent my BBQ money on a table loom earlier in the year!). Has anyone had experience smoking in one?
I just read the cookbook that came with it, and it talks about smoking. A few years back, I babysat a friend's smoker, and the results were marvelous! I used some woodchips from old Jack Daniels whisky barrels ... can't remember where I bought them from. If the Weber can do as good, I'll be very happy indeed.
Posted by: lafileuse at December 9, 2008 8:14 AM
Posted by: forevernow1 at December 6, 2008 3:46 PM - Austria is a bit of a ways to go to get one though, don't you think? And I'm not sure that trying to knick one and get it out of there is going to work. Would make a great conversation-piece though..LoL... :)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 7, 2008 6:06 PM
Thanks for all the tips guys. Appreciated. Will check out some of those shops.
Ummm Kenny, not sure about a trip to Brisbane. But a good idea just the same. Thanks. lol.
Lilydale - a hop and skip for me. Well almost. Old - Don't think so!
Jen
Posted by: jenniferhi at December 6, 2008 6:16 PM
Posted by: princesspenny69 at December 5, 2008 9:20 PM
Treat them like you would treat tomatos in your area, start them early in peat pots & set them up in a cold frame or hot house, that give them the earlest start you can.
Plant them out in mounds, well drained soil is important, you need a good rich soil so build it up well with bleed & bone, dynamic lifter, compost and finally when you water in your seeds use some good quality seaweed emulsion get things really cooking, one last thing if you get it dust them with a Bacterial inoculant, the same that is used for soybeans
Posted by: outbackdrifter at December 6, 2008 4:00 PM
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 6, 2008 10:45 AM
I've been watching a few 'Marie Therese' 5-globe jobbies on eBay lately - they look pretty schmink and aren't all that expensive by the sound of it.
I noted on my last visit that Schönbrunn Palace had more then enough : )
Posted by: forevernow1 at December 6, 2008 3:46 PM
Posted by: tallerthantom at December 6, 2008 11:58 AM - Yeh... but aren't the chooks in BrisVegas ??
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 6, 2008 1:51 PM
Jen..there's a shop on the corner of Church st.and Bridge rd in Richmond,which sells only antiquish chandeliers...parking's a bugger though..........
Posted by: artizanne at December 6, 2008 12:22 PM
Posted by: jenniferhi at December 5, 2008 9:21 PM
What are you waiting for Jen ....it will only cost you $29 each way for tiger airways tickets and a half priced chook.
Cheers kenny
PS love the yarra valley...OLD lilydale boy
Posted by: tallerthantom at December 6, 2008 11:58 AM
Posted by: jenniferhi at December 6, 2008 8:04 AM
Jen, check out Vintage glamour
Enmore NSW & chandeliers to die for Edgecliff NSW, we deal with them when we are doing restoration work on homestead and historic buildings.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at December 6, 2008 10:57 AM
Yes...definately gotta have those 'dangly bits' on a chandelier (but a bit of a bugger to clean, I bet).
I'd love one those really big, ornate things, but you need a decent room to hang one in (not to mention a bloody strong roof so it don't end up pulling your house down LoL).
I've been watching a few 'Marie Therese' 5-globe jobbies on eBay lately - they look pretty schmink and aren't all that expensive by the sound of it.
A ridgey-didge antique one would be nice, but probably not all that easy to find, and I bet they cost a bomb.
Ah well.... back to the search :)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 6, 2008 10:45 AM
Hi Jeniferhi
saw your blog about chandeliers. Jen excellent chandelier maker in Sebastapol Baallarat where I lived for six months
Simon
Posted by: dragonlove at December 6, 2008 10:22 AM
OBD
Atlantic Bakery in Victoria make a nice rye bread called Hausbrot.
The local Safeway & Coles stock it and it may be available Nationally. It's a dense texture and very palatable.
Also, local Aroma Bakery make a yummy rye swirl bread which is a combination of light and dark rye which has been 'marbled' together.
Its my favourite.
Bon apetit
Posted by: egernia at December 6, 2008 8:58 AM
Thankyou softfeather. I do love my home, very much. Waited a long time to find just the right house. Is 100 years old.
Re the candles. Is very funny. Something has happened to the power in my loungeroom so have been living by candlelight at night for a little while. Haven't wanted to get electrician out until I find the right chandelier and get it all fixed and fitted at the same time. It is lovely with the candles though and I enjoy the whole concept of feeling what it was like to live without electric light.
Another thing is living without central heating and an ensuite, things like that that ourt previous homes have had, but to me it is so worth it for this home and the character of old.
Central heating will come (one day) as money permits but you can only do things as you can do them. As most would know after a marriage split, finances can be so much the tighter.
Jen
Posted by: jenniferhi at December 6, 2008 8:17 AM
Yes I'm still searching ebay and other haunts for my chandeliers. Have a couple ready to be fitted but not the right one yet for the loungeroom or bedroom. The prices have gone through the roof (so to speak) on chandeliers. But they will come to me eventually. (The secret - nudge, nudge, wink, wink,) lol.
And yes I will be doing the entertaining thing. Always use vintage pieces in day to day living anyway. Couldn't live any other way. Modern, minamalist is urk to me. Not that I don't appreciate it for others and the simplicity of clean lines and little clutter, but is just not homely enough or full of character for me.
Jen
Posted by: jenniferhi at December 6, 2008 8:04 AM
I love silver cutlery. I have 2 quite old services that my mother has given me, they are quite plain but I think they look lovely, complete with bone handled knives and have added to the set from some of the antique stores so that I have fish knives and forks as well. I have white damask table linen and for christmas a simple red and green patterned runner for the centre of the table. My mother is also giving me a gorgeous wedgewood table setting ,cream with a narrow dark green and gold patterned border.....hmmm I should organise some dinner parties :)
Posted by: aquamanda56 at December 5, 2008 11:38 PM
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 5, 2008 10:26 PM ~ Any particular style in mind.... lovely dangly bits or the traditional model with super reinforced mountings! ...
Posted by: softfeather at December 5, 2008 11:27 PM
Posted by: jenniferhi at December 5, 2008 9:21 PM - Sounds like you might just need to break out the white linen, polish the silverware, trump up a parfait... and have a few people around to soak all the atmosphere up :)
.... still searching eBay for a fitting chandelier....
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 5, 2008 10:26 PM
Posted by jenniferhi at December 5, 2008 9:21 PM ~ Does the drool factor count when you decide candle or soft electric light. Wouldn't want the candles getting soggy...... :))))
Your home sounds beautiful.... I'm sure the feastive season at your place will be wonderful & brimming with lotsa love.
X X X
Posted by: softfeather at December 5, 2008 10:10 PM
Yes, I'm still waiting to have my chandeliers installed too. lol. High on my priority list.
They are so gorgeous, glamourous, romantic, sparkly and just divine. Quite simple really. lol. (she sighs)
Until then the candlelight has to suffice. But then again candles are gorgeous and romantic too!
Jen
Posted by: jenniferhi at December 5, 2008 9:21 PM
Hi,
Am new to this blog. Have found it very interesting and educational. Thanks.
I'd like to know if anyone has successfully grown edamame (soy beans for table consumption) in Brisbane. I recently planted about 10 seeds, but only 4 have come up after 2 weeks. I bought the seeds on Ebay from a place in Tenterfield.
I love edamame as a summer snack accompanied by a crisp beer. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Posted by: princesspenny69 at December 5, 2008 9:20 PM
Hmmm....must get Bill to install a chandelier for me...
Posted by: heart2heart57 at December 5, 2008 8:30 PM
My other tip. Silver is the new gold.
So go the white tablecloths, with lovely silver accessories. White candles, Sparkling Crystal or cut glass. White tableware, silver cutlery. Add some beautiful silver baubles or similar for your centrepiece. Or touches of turquoise add just that little 'extra.'
Fresh flowers (White christmas lillies just perfect) and your table will be a delicious success before you have even got to the food.
And if you have a beautiful chandelier over the dining table even better.
The vintage gatherer that I am, my other tip is to haunt the op shops and trash and treasure markets to pick up your treasures to put it all together.
Enjoy this magical season everyone. I just love it!
Jen
Posted by: jenniferhi at December 5, 2008 5:35 PM
My little Christmas tip for you all. Being a lover of all things vintage, the latest 'in' is Parfaits!
Forget the plum pudding this year and go the parfait. mmmmmm. Custard, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, thick cream, or beautiful ice-cream, maybe some nuts. And some slivers of chocolate on the side.
The sixties are back! Do the rounds of the op shops for your parfait glasses and away you go.
Jen
Posted by: jenniferhi at December 5, 2008 5:07 PM
Posted by: artizanne at November 30, 2008 8:52 AM - Hmmm.... beetroot chips? They'd have a rather 'earthy' flavour, non?
I guess you'd just have to cut thin slices and air-dry them, being careful not to attract mould during the process.
I saw a neat trick for speeding up making your own 'sundried' tomatoes - they put small halves on a shallow baking tray and into a fan-forced oven on the lowest it would go for an hour or so. Shrivelled them up in no time...
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 30, 2008 12:39 PM
Has anyone ever dried beetroot,or made beetroot chips?(Starting the annual Xmas panic m'self ,H2h)
Posted by: artizanne at November 30, 2008 8:52 AM
Garden Petal Salad.. dress with Lavender honey syrup, and mandarine juice.
I'm sure it will go well with something yet to be discovered.
Posted by: angela11 at November 28, 2008 11:28 PM
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 27, 2008 11:54 AM - You can always opt to bake some 'pumpernickel' yourself yanno.
I've tried various forms of 'seeded' rye-based breads, and each has it's own character. I still use the old fashioned hand-kneaded 'double prove' method for my breads and they all come up trumps.
Pumpernickel (sometimes referred to as 'Volkornbrot') might be a bit trickier, but I'm sure you'd get the knack after one or two goes. If you really want to get that extra zing the 'authentic' stuff has, you'll need to fire up a sourdough starter (and there's more secrets to doing that than the CIA LoL).
Which reminds me, we have our 'block party' in a couple of weeks, so I best stock up on some good quality bread flours :)))
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 28, 2008 12:42 AM
Posted by angela11 at November 27, 2008 8:38 PM ~ Hi Angela :))))
The Chef said the same thing re the bean.... ie the pod once dried.... but I was asking him about the petals as your post asked Drifter -
"can we cook with it? put it in salads as Nasturtiums, roses etc.
I love the idae of eating petals."
I was intrigued with the thought as it sounds more inviting than a lot of things I've seen presented as an inviting salad in some places... :))))
The garden salad that consists of three day old harvested greens & a few flaccid raw vegies that my worms would adore..... Yum Yum... hmmmmmm :))))
Posted by: softfeather at November 27, 2008 9:06 PM
Posted by: artizanne at November 27, 2008 1:19 PM
Yes pumpernickel is great, its one of many different types of german rye bread :)))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 27, 2008 8:53 PM
Posted by: artizanne at November 27, 2008 1:19 PM
Yes pumpernickel is great, its one of many d
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 27, 2008 8:52 PM
Posted by: softfeather at November 27, 2008 12:24 AM
Hello to you lovely earth mother..
Interesting that your chef friend had no idea about Vanilla Orchid.
It made me think about my dad. .. who grew many orchids and a very capable vegatable and fruit grower, in our suburban back yard mind you. and I don't even think he would have known about Vanilla Orchid. (can't ask him now unfortunely)
I worked in an up market Deli for a while , when Dukkah & Chamoula and many Eastern and Europen spices were beginning to be introduced into australia.
We sold vanilla beans, thats what we called them and thats exactly where i thought they came from , a bean, if you look at it , it's very similar. This info has blown me away. If only I knew . Our Chefs didn't or neglected to tell us.
Many blessings. angie
Posted by: angela11 at November 27, 2008 8:38 PM
Outback...pumpernickel wouldn't do....?Just a thought....
Posted by: artizanne at November 27, 2008 1:19 PM
Posted by: artizanne at November 27, 2008 10:39 AM
Anne l have tried Lauckes mix & its abit light for my liking but Thank You anyway :)).
Im a little spoilt in this respect, I have had care packages coming in from Germany for about the last five years, believe it or not bread in a tin, great stuff :)).
The heavy rye bread I like should be the consistency and weight of good dark fruitcake and sliced very thin.
I'm hoping that there must be somewhere in Australia that either bakes or imports.
And if any of you get to try it pleased do, I love it with cheese, good European sausage or my little tins of spicy tuna :))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 27, 2008 11:54 AM
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 27, 2008 9:37 AM
"I see you are in the Burke area..."
No, on Northern Tablelands (where it is cold and wet today). I was most puzzled by that description when I set up the profile with my postal code. And thanks for the info about the timing of the traps ... I was way off base! :-D
(But come next year ... I'll be ready for them!)
Posted by: lafileuse at November 27, 2008 11:40 AM
....OBD spelling ....Laucke.....in Strathalbyn
Posted by: artizanne at November 27, 2008 10:42 AM
Outtheback....Lauke flour mills in SA have premix for German Rye bread,plus other products.......
Posted by: artizanne at November 27, 2008 10:39 AM
G'day All, I'm hoping for help, I'm looking for a good supply of heavy German rye bread, preferably thin sliced and long life packed.
If anyone can help me out with this that would be great :)))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 27, 2008 9:50 AM
Posted by: lafileuse at November 26, 2008 5:31 PM,
I see you are in the Burke area, I was figuring you should have had bud burst about three weeks back but if I'm wrong about that I'm sorry,lm about 390 kms west of you, so l was figuring that that you were the same as us.
What I was getting at about leaving it a bit late was your traps should have been up about six weeks before bud burst to catch the adult moths before they lay eggs.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 27, 2008 9:37 AM
Posted by: softfeather at November 27, 2008 12:09 AM
SF, well lm now lost words, all I can say is thank you :), Remember love & passion for life and everything in it is one of our greatest gifts, don't ever lose it, if you lose it you lose life and then it only becomes an existence :)))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 27, 2008 8:54 AM
Amendment to softfeather's post at some insensible hour ~ You dag girlie.... it's a red bellied black not a black bellied red.... softfeather now needs to go find her bonnet that she threw somewhere when she realised her slip of the tongue...... Dang ..... X X X
Posted by: softfeather at November 27, 2008 1:48 AM
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 26, 2008 12:55 PM ~ Drifter.... contrary to your advice I will still refrain from using *my brew* when I feel necessary for my best interests....... but I thank you most kindly for your viewpoint & clarification on the matter.
I also wish to clarify it is not of my belief that you only like food that *blows the top off your head*. I was merely remarking my recipe did have a bite to the palate but not of the tear rendering capabilities that some of your recipes may inflict.... Now that I have that out from under my bonnet I’ll catch ya in the great garden of this fantastic planet..... :))))
Blessings Drifter Honey X X X
softfeather skips off into the sunset
Posted by: softfeather at November 27, 2008 1:29 AM
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 26, 2008 12:55 PM ~
Drifter I'm blessed by your seal of approval :)))) But I was already in the garden, especially the vegie patch, before your Mama had birthed you :)))) By the age of four I had killed my first snake with a spade! My Granddad would run over the black bellied or brown snakes with the old Victor mower..... then hang them off the fence for the crows.... Ohhhh the peace of the country side.... No wonder I'm such a sensitive soul :))))
I'm NSW sth coast rural upbringing not outback & I had to relearn when I moved to coastal WA. To start a garden from scratch with a PH level of plus 13 & limestone in every spade full was a back breaking challenge but I loved every moment & I will always carry my dream of another garden where I can be at peace with Mama Nature to grow & tend to her bounty..... :))))
I promise I won't step on ya pods.... but be wary wary careful if ya start giving out growing advice for WA native orchids because I will be watching wary carefully. They are MY babies & I get wary mother hen when people touch them or hunt them for anything but to photograph....
But so far ya not doing too bad for a bloke!!!! ..... Just be subtle with the hand full sizes 'cause some of us delicate ones have tiny hands..... Good nite, big smiles & gentle blessings ~ softfeather
Posted by: softfeather at November 27, 2008 1:11 AM
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 26, 2008 2:45 AM ~ All those lovely aromas of our great country side, rain on hot baked earth, the waft of sea weed at low tide.. but what about a compost heap that's really working? That dank earthy smell.... pure bliss for this Earth Mama... By the way how are the bum lettuces going????? I suppose your garden is an arse about thingo :))))
Yes I saw your dukkah post & it sent me off to look for ingredients for yet another homemade Christmas gift. I think I'll do some easy recipes to put with the gifts. My label for your recipe is called the *The Romantic Mans Dukkah* I also put the cook from the Muppets on the label as most of the young ones I work with all grew up with the Muppets! I know all the girls will love it as they try to be as tough as nails & so corporate but go weak at the knees when romance is in the air... It's so good to see romance still wins the day.... it makes my heart soar :))))
Over here we have a bakery run with the blessings of the Benedictine Community at New Norcia. The shop is one of my favourite places to get my Sunday blessings of real bread :)))) As for one of the best lunches I've ever eaten was a lunch put on by Kate Lamont. All 7 maybe 8 courses were accompanied by one of their wines.. it was (orgasmic) shhhh can't say that word out loud! By the end I was so full in more than one way! I don't remember the drive home. I don't remember the next day but I remember ever morsel. Kate explained each recipe, each ingredient, the entire gamut from start to finish & the history of the accompanying wines.. now that was bliss..... If you ever visit here I'll take you there :)))) but you drive dear.....
Posted by: softfeather at November 27, 2008 12:43 AM
Posted by: angela11 at November 25, 2008 7:45 PM - Hi Angela11.
I was visiting a customer today & asked the Chef if he would use the flowers from the vanilla orchid in a salad or to cook. He was dumb struck then he said "God I never thought of that, I will have to ask my Grandmother." I smiled & said no I'm not God but I am a Grandma, but I can't remember my Grandmother using the flowers from orchids in her salads or cooking.
I have been doing a travel back in time the last couple of days, walking with my Grandma as a little one around her vegie garden while she tended & gathered & for the life of me I can't remember her using orchids for this. I can see every room filled with her little posies, the jars in her pantry, the fire stove, the preparation & her cooking & baking!!! Me doing my chores of prep & laying the table with all the trimmings & the delights we were blessed with but for the heck of me I can't see orchids in her food???? Thank you for sparking the memories :))))
Personally I would be tentative to use them. I've done the usual internet searches as I get a bee in my bonnet when things like this arise but I can't find anything. When I'm puzzled by these things I go back to the old recipe of what was it initially grown/used for, how much has it been modified & do we really need it. Maybe Drifter can track this one down.....
Posted by: softfeather at November 27, 2008 12:24 AM
Hi to all..... I hope my posts have not been out of place. I've been watching the cooking & gardening blogs. The memories at first were a little overwhelming due to the loss of my garden. But with reading the posts I've realised it's been cathartic & I thank everyone for helping me to move on :))))
I have been blessed with meeting a few men that are in the same league as Drifter. Men with passion for growing, tending, cooking & using Mother Natures bounty. All these men have touched my heart....
I've started to reclaim another one of my life loves & passions. A big thank you Drifter! Like I say... you are a *Honey* (with great taste in music) X X X
Posted by: softfeather at November 27, 2008 12:09 AM
Posted by: artizanne at November 26, 2008 11:04 AM
Im hope your saffron works out for you this time, By the way l have not forgotten about growing Vannilla Orchid, I will post it tomorrow
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 26, 2008 9:08 PM
Posted by: softfeather at November 26, 2008 8:16 AM
SF, contrary your beliefs that l only like food blows off the top of my head, I can appreciate the subtle use of Chilli, now where's my dictionarie so I can look up subtle :)))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 26, 2008 8:59 PM
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 26, 2008 12:18 PM
"You have really left your run abit late on this but try some of these control ideas"
:-D
Many thanks! (Maybe next year if I'm too late now. Good excuse to buy sherry ... hope they like creme sherry ...)
I thought that the action started after bud burst. It is still very cool here until well after the flowers open. I found little critters still overwintering under flaky bark when I started ... or am I really off-base about their life cycle?
Hope something works ... I'm planning on apple wine next winter.
Posted by: lafileuse at November 26, 2008 5:31 PM
Posted by: softfeather at November 26, 2008 8:16 AM - I posted a great Dukkah recipe in a previous blog. Real easy to make, and a great alternative 'dip' served with fresh home-made bread and olive oil & balsamic vinegar. *yummy* :)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 26, 2008 4:50 PM
Posted by: softfeather at November 26, 2008 7:33 AM
SF, I agree with everything you have said here about cooking and edible flowers in salads, the only thing I would point out is that you only pull up organic and inorganic fertilisers 10 days before harvesting when it is a foliar spray, when it is an organic ground-based fertiliser it's really not a big problem
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 26, 2008 12:55 PM
Posted by: lafileuse at November 26, 2008 6:57 AM
You have really left your run abit late on this but try some of these control ideas
1/ sherry traps, hang 2 lt milk containers in your trees, put about 2 to 3 inchs of cheap sherry in the bottom, this will attract coddling moth blokes ( yes they are all a pack of pissheads but they will die with a smile on there faces), this you use very early in the season.
2/ soap water mixs with chilli or try eco-oil, natrasoap or Beat a Bug, you can get them at most garden shops .
3/ coddling moth traps, l see you already using them, get more but remember they are only really good very early in the season
I hope this helps :)
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 26, 2008 12:18 PM
SF...yep,screaming seed's Dukkah is fab.
Drifter...thanks for the planting instructions for Saffron...just finished following them to the letter...think the problem with the last lot,was too moist over dormancy and too shaded.Fingers crossed.
Posted by: artizanne at November 26, 2008 11:04 AM
Most of the gardeners here appear to cook & I'm sure everyone has chillies growing so I feel/hope it's OK to share my cooking bounty from the garden :))))
With Christmas nearly here this is the time of the year I start to make my homemade presents. One repeated request I have is for *Hot Sherry Vinegar*. Sprinkled on fish or as a dipping sauce for seafood it's refreshing & enhances the taste. 10 red chillies 10 black peppercorns 1 cup sherry vinegar Wash & dry chillies & put into a sterlised bottle with the peppercorns. Pour the vinegar over, seal & label. Takes a week to mature. No need to strain.
A good place to buy seeds, herbs etc for cooking is *Screaming Seeds* in Vic. They are on the net & their dukkah is yummy..... :))))
PS. Drifter if you make this strength it won't even water your eyes. It's not a strength 10 on the hot scale!!!! It's delicate like a soft gentle breeze that whispers round ya ears..... :))))
Posted by: softfeather at November 26, 2008 8:16 AM
The use of flowers in cooking or salads has been around for centuries. With the old being the new, these days we may overlook how things were grown in the past.
Always ensure the flowers have been grown pesticide free and are washed just like any other ingredient you would put in a salad.
Edible flowers not only enhance flavours but can brighten a salad or liven up an ice cream...yum lavender ice cream. Petals from pansies, calendulas, nasturtiums & the cheeky dainty viola are great. Basil flowers are milder than the leaves so give them a try in a salad.
Rose petals can be used but please not roses grown commercially..... NOT good for the tummy.... :( danger to internal health but very good for the romance :))))
If you use flowers for decoration especially ones you dip in egg white & roll in sugar please don't eat as the raw egg can harbor salmonella bacteria.
When I grew flowers for consumption my garden was totally organic but I did stop using my home made liquid fertilizer about 10 days before harvest.
X X X
Posted by: softfeather at November 26, 2008 7:33 AM
Anyone have any tips on coming out ahead against the coddling moth? This season is my official war on the coddling moth. I'm determined to win this time without resorting to spraying poisons. So far I have (starting from the time the flower buds formed):
- Put out Magnet Coddling moth traps
- Brushed away loose bark and sprayed with a wound sealer
- Wrapped the trunk and bases of branches with corrugated cardboard (to trap the critters as they move upwards)
- kept the chickens around the base of the tree
The little apples are about 2cm across now and I'm thinking I should examine those I can get to and remove any that look like they might be affected - more to improve next years crop than this one. Any other ideas? Has anyone tried the above? The apples can still be used if they are affected after removing the little frass filled tunnels ... chopping the good apple bits up for cooking or making country wine, but it would be so nice not to have to do that.
Posted by: lafileuse at November 26, 2008 6:57 AM
Posted by: artizanne at November 25, 2008 8:02 PM
"...cooked 'em and ate them...and lived."
:-D I Think I will leave them to the girls ... they seem to appreciate them. Once I 'recycled' the snail shells from one of those deli kits (shells and a tin of snails) by stuffing them with sauteed mushrooms and garlic/parsley butter. Very nice. Disturbingly similar to the snails.
Posted by: lafileuse at November 26, 2008 6:42 AM
Ahhh... "perfume"... the leaching of Ti-Tree oil in a hot afternoons sun. The soft sweet smell of salt-spray tingling down the arms rounding a bend where the surf pounds the rocks. The cool effervescence of the Eucalypts as the sun descends in a deep ravine after a scorcher in the high country. Or the deserts own fragrance as a fine mist of rare raindrops fall upon the open vastness of red earth and Spinifex.
That exotic pungency of the bean we know as 'vanilla' in its homeland Mexico. The mystique and power of this humble 'spice' - only ever rivalled by the Cacao and Cinnamon plants in time eternal. Foods of the "Gods"...
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 26, 2008 2:45 AM
Angela, it is also used to produce perfumes
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 25, 2008 10:01 PM
Posted by: angela11 at November 25, 2008 7:45 PM
Angela, Yes The vanilla orchid or flat leaved vanilla ( vanilla planifolia), is the plant that produces the vanilla pod, its is also used to make pure vanilla essence
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 25, 2008 9:37 PM
lafileuse....well,many moons ago,my ex did exactly that...fed up the ordinary garden snails..(.only the best lettuce),purged them,cooked 'em and ate them...and lived.
Posted by: artizanne at November 25, 2008 8:02 PM
OB, Is the Vanilla orchid named so because it actually grows a pod or, is it named becasue of colour, perfume etc and if it's the latter can we cook with it? put it in salads as Nasturtiums, roses etc.
I love the idae of eating petals.
A:))
Posted by: angela11 at November 25, 2008 7:45 PM
Drifter....Ok ,where d'you get the vanilla orchid?This I have to try....same conditions as a hoya,I'm guessing.....
Posted by: artizanne at November 25, 2008 5:07 PM
Here is a variant of my risen no dig garden which some of you might be interested in, this seems to be starting to take off in the US and Europe particularly town dwellers and people were small backyards, this from a US site.
Hay or straw bale gardens
Hay or Straw Bale Gardening is a method of gardening in which plants are grown in straw bales, usually wheat or oat straw, rather than in soil. Because it is a mostly soil-less method, it is sometimes considered a form of hydroponic gardening. It is suitable for many types of annuals, and is especially used for vegetable gardening.
Advantages of Straw Bale Gardening
There are many reasons why gardeners turn to hay bale gardens. Probably the most common is poor or difficult soil. A straw bale requires no tilling or mixing of soils to allow for drainage. In this part of South Carolina the soil is mostly very dense red clay that is exceptionally difficult to work and can cause serious drainage issues. Simply growing vegetables in hay bales eliminates these problems. Because the plants are a couple of feet off of the ground, it also makes gardening much easier for the disabled, older gardeners, or just for those who want to avoid back pain. Hay bales are far, far less prone to weeds, and Bale Gardening devotees report fewer pest problems. This means that straw bale gardening makes organic or low-chemical gardening all the easier. A bale garden can be a great solution for that enemy of the gardener, the parking strip (or "hell strip," as many call it). It is also becoming popular in some cityscapes for rooftop and lot gardening.
How to Garden in Straw Bales:
1. Choose your Bales
Most straw bale gardeners recommend wheat straw, but I've heard of success with oat straw as well as mixed grass or alfalfa bales. Do not use pine straw. When choosing your bales you'll want them bound with synthetic twine, which won't rot and allow your planting bed to collapse (if you cannot find synthetic twine, you'll need to use some sort of stakes as support). Try to find older bales that have already begun rotting when you can, though not those that are so far gone as to have lost some of their structure.
(Two straw bales and sugarcane refuge bales should also work just as well ) and
Before you start the curing process, place your bales. They will be constantly wet once you start curing, and will be very heavy and difficult to move. Most bale gardeners prefer to have the bales oriented with the straw vertical for better root penetration, but this is a matter of preference
2. Cure your Bales
The curing process will take about ten days, or longer if you are not using chemicals. First, soak the bales and keep them wet for three days. On the fourth day sprinkle the bales lightly with about five ounces of ammonium nitrate. Continue soaking, and on the seventh day add another two and a half ounces of ammonium nitrate. Continue soaking, and on the tenth day add one cup of 13-13-13 or 10-10-10 fertilizer and water in.
To cure without chemicals, you may to keep the bales soaking for around three or four weeks to allow them to start breaking down. When you start to soak them, they will become noticeably warm or even hot. Do not plant until they have cooled down.
( Using seaweed emulsion, fish emulsion or dynamic lifter liquid super feed should get the same results as fertilisers listed above)
3. Plant
Most gardeners will want to use some soil for planting on the bales. A 2 or 3 inch layer of compost or potting soil on top of the bales should be sufficient, or you can cut quart-sized holes in the bales themselves with a keyhole saw and fill those with a mix of cool compost and soil. Many bale gardeners, though, prefer to use very little soil, and plant directly into the bales. To do so, simply split a crack to plant in with a prying instrument of some sort. Keep in mind, though, that without compost on the bales, you will need to use more artificial fertilizers.
Each bale should hold about two plants for most vegetables, such as tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. More will usually fit well with smaller plants like peppers, greens, or herbs. I don't recommend bale growing with root crops, as the roots will be compressed by the straw and will be difficult to harvest. Very tall crops, such as corn or pole beans, will tip the bale over without some sort of support system. Smaller plants are easier to transplant into bales, so bale growers often transplant somewhat younger than soil gardeners.
4. Grow and Enjoy
Depending on what you're growing and how much fertilizer and compost you use on the bales, you may need to fertilize lightly throughout the growing season. Small amounts of artificial fertilizer should work, though I recommend a compost tea. Keep in mind that, unlike traditional gardening, your plants will be getting next to no nutrients other than what you add to the straw (though overfertilizing is often more dangerous for your plants than underfertilizing is). It is also very important to keep the bales moist throughout the growing season. The bales should retain water surprisingly well, and many gardeners report that they actually use significantly less water with straw bale gardening than they did with traditional methods, but you will certainly need to keep an eye on your plants to make sure that they don't dry out between waterings. One great thing about hay bale gardens is that you will probably not be able to overwater them, as they will allow the excess to drain right out.
You should be able to reuse your wheat straw bales for one year. After that you can compost them, or just break them up where they sit and put new bales over them. This will enrich the soil below and encourage worms to come in and improve it.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 25, 2008 5:03 PM
Posted by: artizanne at November 24, 2008 8:56 AM Dry them and mix them into fertilizer,breed 'em up into pedigree racers....or would some restaurant want them......they are molluscs?
I usually feed them to my girls (3 chickens in a backyard chicken tractor). They are molluscs, and someone told me they used to collect them and sell them to restaurants. They first had to be 'purged'. If I remember correctly, that meant keeping them for a few weeks and feeding them on cornmeal.
(I love escargot, myself, but can't quite decide if it's the snails that are so good, or if they are just my preferred garlic butter delivery system.)
Posted by: lafileuse at November 25, 2008 4:50 PM
Posted by: angela11 at November 23, 2008 6:11 PM
Angela your welcome, what surprises me that more people don't grow more of the more expensive spices.
Vanilla pods & Cardamom along with Saffron are the three most expensive spice in the world, all of them are relatively easy to grow and should do well in this country with the right conditions.
I grow a Vanilla orchid myself & its probably one of the easiest Orchid species I have grown. Mine is on the front varranda, growing out of a 12 inch hanging pot and would have to be close to 3 m long now.
From what I read about Cardamom they also should be relatively easy to grow too.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 25, 2008 1:24 PM
Here is a few more ideas for slug & snail control.
1/ Caffeine is highly toxic to snails & slugs. Mix 10 parts water to 1 part espresso coffee & spray on your plants. Re-apply after rain.
2/ You can also use your beer traps as bait stations, cover the bottom of you beer trap with snail bait the place a small cap full of beer in the middle of it then replace the lid & place something heavy on to of the lid.
Remember when you are cutting the holes in the side of your beer trap, make them only big enough to allow big snail in and cut them very high on the container
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 24, 2008 8:32 PM
I agree with OBDs suggestion of the tried and true beer traps for slugs and snails. My landlord has a few bantam chooks so I do a daily round up for slugs and snails (underside of compost lid is best spot) and chuck them to the chooks who make short work of them. I only have a small herb patch so dont have too much problem with them in there. :-)
Posted by: waternymph47 at November 24, 2008 10:55 AM
H2h...I've decided that if Drifters guaranteed slug trap doesn't work,that I'll do a bit of lateral thinking,and breed the lil mongrels....mine are already the size of beached whales.So what to do with 'em? Dry them and mix them into fertilizer,breed 'em up into pedigree racers....or would some restaurant want them......they are molluscs?
Posted by: artizanne at November 24, 2008 8:56 AM
Posted by: artizanne at November 21, 2008 5:22 PM - Yeh... but the little buggers seem to breed in or near the compost heap, then when my lettuce pops up all green and crisp and happy like, they seem to ditch the compost for way sweeter stuff i.e. my darn lettuce! They seem to get in right under the primary leaves and stay there until harvest time - then again, why wouldn't they? Lettuce needs a good supply of water, and they've got all the food they need where they sleep/live. Nothing worse than picking a prize head with guests around the kitchen area, and you crack it in half and those slimy lil blighters all fall out the bottom *ewwww*.
OBD - I'll give the beer-trap a go this year, but I'm still reluctant as all hell to part with that precious amber fluid. Or stout (for the Portagaff's) for that matter. And I'm not all that keen on fishing them back out of the 'brew' once they have done the drowning thing. Gimme a snake any day, but those dog-dribble ooky tentacle things? No way. *aaacckkk* :)
Bleedin obnoxious darn stinkin slugs. And they're so gooey when you step on them too... :(
Might have to stick to the Snail Pellets for a while, but be a bit more clever where I dole them out to...
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 23, 2008 10:32 PM
Drifter..what?I wasn't accusing him of being the major contributor to that bout of fisticuffs...sorry if you two got yer calvins in a knot.There are two other chaps(?) who I have sniped at.Not useful ones....now pull on your carapace like I have.....
Posted by: artizanne at November 23, 2008 6:39 PM
OB, you are a gem. I have pasted your blurb on growing saffron in my folder. another for the dream garden.
Funnily enough , I picked up a magazine today and there was an article about a Sth Aus couple who have been growing saffron a few years now. They lost their entire crop three years in due to rain. They supply top end restaurants and are know to produce high quality saffron.
thanks :) A
Posted by: angela11 at November 23, 2008 6:11 PM
Posted by: artizanne at November 23, 2008 12:13 PM
Anne, Hmmmmm yes they do grow them commercially New Zealand and Tasmania but they are working with genetic hybrids we have no access to & if they published the cultivation methods you would see that they are plant in mound systems too, you seem to forget that we are dealing with one of the most expensive spice on the planet, so what Im talking about is the base species.
As for talking sweetly to your corms that's up to you, Ive given you the information you asked for what you do with it is up to you
Just a footnote, remember your the one with rotting corms not me but to tell you the true atfer the few remarks you have made to H2H I start to wonder if corms are not the only thing rotting in your life
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 23, 2008 1:11 PM
Drifter....many, many ,thanks......they do grow it commercially in NZ and Tassie.....dealing with it now,should I sweet talk the lil corms?Also thanks for the slug trap!
Posted by: artizanne at November 23, 2008 12:13 PM
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 21, 2008 12:01 PM
H2H, don't knock the beer traps, they work and when the set up their not that messy at all.
This is the website I used when l first set up beer traps in my veggy garden :))))
YOU WILL NEED:
• Large yogurt or marg container with lid – emptied and cleaned
• Inexpensive beer (use dark yeasty beer it works better)
WHAT TO DO:
1. Cut two holes (slug entrances) in the
upper half of a large container.
2. Pour about two inches of beer into the container.
3. Dig a hole near your garden that is as wide as the container. Make the hole deep enough as that the slug entrances will be at ground level.
4. Place the yogurt container into the ground so that the
entrances to the container are flush with the ground.
5. Put the lid on the yogurt container.
6. Check the trap after a couple of days. Throw away or compost the dead slug bodies.
7. After about two days the trap doesn’t “smell” and won’t attract slugs.
Add more bait and try again.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Slugs and snails are attracted to the smell of the beer. They crawl to
the trap, reach in and try to drink, fall in and are drowned.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 22, 2008 4:46 PM
Posted by: artizanne at November 16, 2008 8:45 PM
Anne l have that info you wanted on Saffron Crocus.
First up you have to remember were this crocus come from, Saffron originates around the eastern Mediterranean which is dominated by hot dry summers.
Seeing you are based out of Melbourne you are little behind the eight ball, so we think we've come up with a way and so you can grow them successfully down south
POTTING MIX : the first thing to remember with your saffron potting mix is FREE DRAINING !!, mix up a brew of 50% a very good quality potting mix, 25 % course sand, 25% well rotted compost, good handful of blood and bone and a good handful of dynamic lifter, now this mix rate is based on one full bag of potting mix.
PLANTING OUT : now what we are recommending is to plant out each corm in a 6 inch pots, place each corm about 2 to 3 inches deep, then cover and water well.
The aspect of saffron a very important and it needs as much Sun as it can get no shade if possible, once you have pick your spot in the garden, built up a mounded row about 10 inches high and about 2 foot cross, made up of 50% sand & 50% garden soil, REMEMBER FREE DRAINING, Place each of the pots buried
in the top of each moundabout an inch sticking above the ground, the main thing to remember is that saffron is dormant during the summer so the soil just needs to be just damp in the pots,NOT MOIST & NOT WET just damp. To control the amount of moisture in the pots during the summer, cover the tops of them a clear corrugated fibreglass.
When you start to see the saffron leaves sticking through the surface of the soil in the pots take cover off, this should be about late summer to autumn., give them a watering with half strength fish emulsion till you see the first flower buds forming, remember that you're keeping the pots only damp , then switch to seaweed emulsion to boost flowering.
Once that saffron has finished flowering & you have harvested the stigmas (the best time to harvest is mid-morning on sunny days) the leaves should start dieing back late , pull the pots out of the mound and store them in a dark cool dry place, the next spring plant them out again in the mound, every few years you will have to repot them and divide them up :)))
just a footnote this mate of mine is a chef, he believes that most of saffron we pay a fortune for in the markets, is too old and has lost a lot of its potency for cooking
so he grows most of his herbs and vegetables in an risen no dig garden like mine with hay bale walls, he gets a jigsaw out and cuts holes in the top of the bales on on each end of beds so that saffron pots can fit into them
I hope this helps, If you want more info let me know :))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 22, 2008 3:30 PM
Coffee grounds were supposed to work...didn't...salt.....ground glass?Diversionary tactics,a delicious compost heap?
Posted by: artizanne at November 21, 2008 5:22 PM
I'm not sure if the 'slugfest' was aimed at me or not, but I'm a perplexed as to how the canoe wandered into here in the first place - must have taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque :)
Now, as far as slugs go, the Metaldehyde in Slug Pellets works brilliantly on them, but I'm reluctant to use pellets as they pose a threat to other things that eat them as well. It's such a dilemma when the lettuce are all popping up just to be attacked by a barrage of slugs. And I noticed my lettuce had a bitter edge last year. That kinda worried me, as Slug Pellets are supposed to have a strong bittering agent to deter ingestion by pets etc, and I reckon the bitter in the lettuce may have been from the pellets.
'Beer Traps' are supposed to work for slugs, but it sounds kinda messy *ewwww*, and I don't like the idea of using my precious amber fluid on trapping slugs :( If anyone has some organic alternatives to suggest, I'd be most appreciative.
I do use various blends of garlic/chilli/pure soap/vegetable oil to make up various sprays to zap aphids, cabbage grubs, spider mites etc. and they seem to work pretty well.
This year, I'm thinking of getting a small bottle of pure Pyrethrum and adding a few drops to each spray bottle to help the mix get an initial 'fast knockdown' effect without the need of harsh chemicals. Has anyone experimented with natural Pyrethrum concentrates? Bunnings etc don't stock it, but I have found it on the Net, and I think the 'farmer supplies' stores stock it as well. It's not all that cheap, but being a strong concentrate, it looks like that a few drops in each mix will go a long way.
Any suggestions?
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 21, 2008 12:01 PM
Don't attempt to turn this into a slugfest like closed (phew!)sweet talk topic.....or I'll get the pyrethrum out.....
Posted by: artizanne at November 21, 2008 10:26 AM
Posted by: artizanne at November 20, 2008 10:59 AM - oh... and that was a 'reputable' source, no doubt...
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 20, 2008 7:57 PM
nope,too busy beating the vermin off my triple graft citrus,mate.Besides,someone told me that it's made from barbwire going up Sheiss creek...
Posted by: artizanne at November 20, 2008 10:59 AM
Posted by: artizanne at November 19, 2008 4:48 PM - There's room in the canoe for two...:)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 19, 2008 11:04 PM
No worrys Anne, H2H & I are still paddling in the same direction, we just make detours now and then :))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 19, 2008 9:18 PM
Thanks ....glad you let H2h go paddle his own canoe as per the canoodling blog!Yer expertise is invaluable.....
Posted by: artizanne at November 19, 2008 4:48 PM
Posted by: artizanne at November 16, 2008 8:45 PM
Hi Anne, I dont know much about growing Saffron but I have a mate who grows it, lve just sent him a quick email to him about this problem & l should have a answer for you in a day or so :)
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 19, 2008 12:45 PM
Is there anyone who has successfully grown saffron?My last bulbs rotted.So I'm guessing that you either lift them or keep them dry during dormancy.
Posted by: artizanne at November 16, 2008 8:45 PM
OBD - didn't get a chance to answer you in the other blog. I haven't had the chance to try any of the blackened fish/chicken recipes yet, but rest assured, the are being cut and pasted into my cook-book :)))
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 11, 2008 8:13 PM
Yep...should be on the other blog...sorry,bit of vertigo delerium....it'll pass.You're right Aqua...Rujak it is...should also have turnip in it....have never put ketsap in it though....shall repost
Posted by: artizanne at November 11, 2008 8:41 AM
Posted by: artizanne at November 10, 2008 9:00 PM I believe that is called Rujak and should also have some soy (ketchap manis) in the syrup. an acquired taste though. You will often find that salt enhances the taste of fruit.
Posted by: aquamanda56 at November 10, 2008 11:47 PM
Posted by: artizanne at November 10, 2008 9:00 PM
Anne, A fruitsalad with bite very nice :))))
I hate tell you this but I think its on the wrong blog....................Time to repost :))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 10, 2008 9:25 PM
And now for something completely different...but still on a chilli theme.
An Indonesian fruit and syrup dish.
Red chillis,4 large minced
Brown syrup,1/2 lb.
Mangos,1 lb unripe,peeled sliced
salt, to taste
Sour apples,1/2 lb peeled sliced
Pineapple,1 medium,peeled,diced
Cucumbers,2 large,peeled sliced
Oranges,3 or 4 peeled,diced
Boil the brown sugar in sufficent water to make a medium thickness syrup.
Take the syrup off the burner,but while still hot,add the chillis and salt.Mix.Allow to cool.
Mix the fruit etc. in a big china bowl,add the syrup and leave to stand until the fruit is steeped with the syrup.
Posted by: artizanne at November 10, 2008 9:00 PM
Posted by: angela11 at November 8, 2008 4:42 PM
Angela, I grow them in plastic hanging pots :)
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 8, 2008 5:45 PM
Thanks OB, I guess until the garden comes along I can grow them in pots for now.. :))) A
Posted by: angela11 at November 8, 2008 4:42 PM
Posted by: angela11 at November 8, 2008 9:52 AM
Yes your right it was Fleming’s
Nurseries & landscape designer Jamie Durie
who win in 07 at Chelsea Flower Show :))).
if you are interested there is a new suppier of pitcher plants in the country, do a seach for Pitcher Plant Fever, there pricing & range looks pretty good
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 8, 2008 11:39 AM
OB , I'm sure there is a Nursery from Sth Aus that won gold at the Chelsea Flower show, 2007, I think, for their display of pitcher plants. Tried to find it but didn't have any luck. but found some great sites , searching, with lots of info. They're so exotic & beautiful. .....A
Posted by: angela11 at November 8, 2008 9:52 AM
Don't know , it kind of looks like Zygopetalum . I''l have to check it out further .
Posted by: angela11 at November 7, 2008 10:18 PM
Angela, have you ever grown Zygopetalum ?, if you havent you should have a look at them, they are tops to grow Cymbidiums as they like the same conditions & they have a great little scented flower in late autumn/ early winter
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 7, 2008 4:25 PM
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 6, 2008 10:02 PM
Hi Angela, what species is it, l would like to hear more about it.
Yes pitcher plants are amazing plants, they be tiny little thing to real monsters & come in so many colours & shapes.
One thing I have found with them is that they are alot easier to grow then most people think :))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 7, 2008 2:33 PM
...and you never cease to amaze me.
Posted by: angela11 at November 7, 2008 12:28 AM
Hello there OB
Have a Sth american (name unknown) with gorgeous perfume. It slept for 20 years, and then sent up 4 flower spikes . I was rapt!
....and I can't believe you grow Pitcher plants.They are the most amzing , colourful, intricate and not to mention useful plants I've seen. I swear, when I get my own garden I 'm intending growing a garden full of these, unbelievable! :))
Posted by: angela11 at November 7, 2008 12:25 AM
Posted by: angela11 at November 6, 2008 9:01 PM
Angela, you never stop surprising me, I grow Native Dendrobiums & Sarcochilus as well as Epiphyllum Orchid cactus.
I also try my hand at growing Pitcher Plants
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 6, 2008 10:02 PM
To bad this blog has stopped for so long,, lets get it going again.
I was interested in the orchid discussion. I grow cymbids & cattalaya in pots, but don't seem to get enough flowers for the size of the plants.
I've used all sorts of orchid fertilisers and asked advice and read books. I now just 'throw them a handful of blood and bone' and propergate when needed.
....here goes..
Posted by: angela11 at November 6, 2008 9:01 PM
thanks Drifter, your good karma account is getting full, there will be some 'interest' coming your way. Pete.
Posted by: grego70 at November 2, 2008 3:18 PM
Posted by: grego70 at November 2, 2008 10:34 AM
Grego, I have that info you wanted, the to crucifix Orchid is fairly tolerant of most conditions but my friend informs that it would be wise to plants them in risen beds, she has suggested that you use a good Orchid potting mix and soil, at about a 50-50 ratio, make your planting mound about a foot high and about 3 feet across, mix in some blood and bone and dynamic lifter as well when you are making this Mound,
plant your orchids on top of the mound and then mulch, Water well with some seaweed emulsion at half strength that helps with the transplant shock.
Three thing she told me to tell you to remember.
One/ make sure you mound is in a free draining area.
Two/make you mound under a high tree so your mound will get good morning sun and good afternoon Sun but will have some protection from the hot midday Sun.
Three/to make sure you mound is free draining that doesn't it waterlogged and make it well mulch.
Anyway I hope this helps :)))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 2, 2008 1:52 PM
hhhhmmmm...hidden profile,false profile,starting to sound familiar.Stop wasting our time.Usually I don't respond to a hidden profile.This warranted an exception.Go away.
Posted by: artizanne at November 2, 2008 11:55 AM
Posted by: grego70 at November 2, 2008 10:45 AM - Who is this really? You're obviously not Greg07, so why all the cloak and dagger stuff? Is something similar going on with bob50s? Something's rotten in Denmark, and it ain't the fish...
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 2, 2008 11:32 AM
Bob50's...nope,mimicry,done badly is not my style...time for a name change....that's all.....trying to stay one step ahead of a particularly cruel stalker.
Posted by: artizanne at November 2, 2008 11:30 AM
Bob, say hi to troy the 'little' boy for me
Posted by: grego70 at November 2, 2008 11:14 AM
I get it. ssshhh was disposed of, grego7+0 is reborn.
Posted by: bob50s at November 2, 2008 11:02 AM
Hearty, she was named in spite, she stood up to the boys club best she could but when it got personal .. she got scared off.
Posted by: grego70 at November 2, 2008 10:45 AM
Drifter, i found both red & orange flowered clumps - i just had a google & looking at the pictures I reckon they are Epidendrum radicans. thanks muchly dood.
Posted by: grego70 at November 2, 2008 10:34 AM
Posted by: grego70 at November 1, 2008 6:48 PM
Grego, I know very little about crucifix orchids, everthing l grow are tree dwellers, so l email an orchidhunter friend of mine in QLD, who collects & grows alot of native ground orchids, l should have the info you want this afternoon.
Would you know what species of crucifix orchid it is ????
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 2, 2008 6:41 AM
Posted by: grego70 at November 1, 2008 6:45 PM
Your grammar reminds me of that bloodshield.
Posted by: bob50s at November 1, 2008 9:04 PM
Posted by: grego70 at November 1, 2008 6:45 PM - Off topic, I know, but I don't quite understand. What has knowing someones real name got to do with them being 'disposed of' ??
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 1, 2008 7:58 PM
OBD, do you reckon i can just put the crucifix orchids straight into the ground?
they seen to have air roots...
Posted by: grego70 at November 1, 2008 6:48 PM
thanks OBD, i have saved that bit of info. i'm try to stike 'crucifix' native orchids in my garden as i found a clump nearby.. as suggestions on how to start them off?
Heart, you must have missed how our mate 'Perth' was outed by someone, her ID was revealled publicly by a blogger with NFI. she's gone matey.. i really enjoyed her posts, she was cool.
Posted by: grego70 at November 1, 2008 6:45 PM
Posted by: grego70 at November 1, 2008 1:07 PM
Grego, first thing to remember about Orchid cactusis the environment they growing in, they all come from tropical forest areas and grow high up in the canopy in the forks of branches or anywhere or a small amount of debris collects.
Potting mix I used to this is 50-50 mixture of course and fine Coco peat which makes up most of the commercial orchid mixes and it need to be a free draining, they are very used to going from wet feet to very dry, all my Orchid cactus are potted up hanging baskets or half hanging baskets.
By nature what they are they like shaded spot where they get morning and or afternoon Sun but it shaded at midday, there is something quite interesting that these plants can be slowly worked out into the midday sun, they can tolerate it and some species then leaves will turn red.
As for feeding, first up remember the environment they come from, they are not used to and will not tolerate full strength liquid or granulated feeds, treat them like ferns and only use half strength liquid fertilisers, fish emulsion and seaweed emulsion of the main ones I use, l mix it at the rate recommended for ferns on the label, also when I pot them up on mix in a small amount of blood and bone and l also side dress about three times a year with it as well.
When the flower bud's first appear feed it only with seaweed emulsion and you will find that this will promote more flower buds.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 1, 2008 4:50 PM
Posted by: grego70 at November 1, 2008 12:27 PM - Um... did I miss something somewhere? Who??
Posted by: heart2heart57 at November 1, 2008 4:13 PM
OD, i just potted a Epiphyllum Orchid cactus & they are spectacular - do you have any recommendations for feeding or enviroment? what a good allround feed for cactii?
Posted by: grego70 at November 1, 2008 1:07 PM
Posted by: artizanne at November 1, 2008 11:53 AM
Yes I know water is had to come by, lm glad that your ferney/ rainforst area is still kicking on........grey water/rainwater is a great thing in theses hard times.
The great thing about orchid cactus is they are tree dwellers, so they need vey little water& they add abit of green in a very brown place :)))))
Im glad you have your finger lime now, lm also glad than I was of help in finding them :))))))))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 1, 2008 12:31 PM
this topic went quiet when perth was disposed of by ... you know who.
i live north of sydney & we are getting good rains recently, tanks are full - grass is green ! vegie plot has good young spring/summer veggies coming on.. yeehaa.
Posted by: grego70 at November 1, 2008 12:27 PM
OK Drifter...down here in Melb ,where the dams are 1/3 full,and my tanks are down more than 1000lt in the past month...(.only watering my plants on a needs basis).All the grasses in the open spaces and playing fields are dying already.I miss real rain.So why do I still have a rainforest/fernery area?Because of greywater and harvested rainwater..and it's surprising just what's hanging on....ps the finger limes are in and flowering....ta
Posted by: artizanne at November 1, 2008 11:53 AM
This blog is being too quiet for too long, question for you all who among you grow unusual plants or specialise in a certain type of plant.
As for me l grow Epiphyllum Orchid cactus, they are both have night & daying flower, some species have flowers as big as dinner plates and has a perfume that will intoxicate you. :)))))))))))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at November 1, 2008 9:05 AM
Posted by: artizanne at October 30, 2008 9:59 AM - Well.. there's not really all that much else they can do when you think about it.. lol. Gnomies Rule!
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 30, 2008 9:33 PM
Phew! A Lads& Tossers free zone.
Awww c'mon H2H....the gnomes promise to keep a straight face.
Posted by: artizanne at October 30, 2008 9:59 AM
Posted by: ssshhh at October 28, 2008 6:57 PM - Nawwww.... you don't wanna see that... :)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 30, 2008 8:24 AM
h2h oct.22 @8.41...fascinating visual,could you be a tad more practical and do a rain dance instead?
Posted by: ssshhh at October 28, 2008 6:57 PM
Posted by: amberlight58 at October 22, 2008 9:43 PM - I can see that. LoL :)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 22, 2008 10:34 PM
Sorry H2H,
Just feeling a bit 'silly' tonight!
I know what you mean.
Posted by: amberlight58 at October 22, 2008 9:43 PM
H2H,
How do you plant out seedlings with your bum?
Posted by: amberlight58 at October 22, 2008 9:29 PM
Posted by: ssshhh at October 19, 2008 11:15 PM - Which reminds me - better point my bum towards that garden and start plantinig out some seedlings if I want a crop this year :)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 22, 2008 8:41 PM
H2H Oct 18 @9.30...thanks,yep,I do use the very aromatic spices to good effect as a possum deterrent.I make a mix of chilli,cayene pepper,fenugreek,then on a still day,use spray adhesive on the fences and daub the mix.Works for a while.Everything which can be netted,has been,but when the entire avocado and almond are stripped....wellll....
Posted by: ssshhh at October 19, 2008 11:15 PM
Posted by: waternymph47 at October 19, 2008 11:33 AM - Hmmm.. I thought the Marigolds were good for the 'perfume' their flowers give off, and Nasturtiums were for the nematoads. Either way, the two together are usually good for the garden. The fire ash works wonders on the tomotoes for it's potassium kick too. As ooky as the may seem, cigarette butts are a good source of nicotine - it's more or less been already concentrated for you. Solanacious plants (tomotoes, capsicums, eggplant etc) can be a bit finicky to what you spray on them, and don't usually like being planted too close to the 'alliums' (onion, garlic etc), while those of the 'cabbage-clan' love the company of onions. There's quite a science to gardening, and it's fascinating learning all this stuff. And, how good is it to waltz out into the garden and coming back inside with a basket full of home-grown goodies? :)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 19, 2008 10:13 PM
I have found Lavender planted between the roses helped fend off Aphids and the few that did appear were easily wiped off with fingers when I was hand watering. Marigold's I always thought worked underground to deter nematodes and garlic also works underground.
Either way, between companion planting with herbs and flowers and a few vegies all in together, and encouraging birds to my garden with a big water dish, I never had a bug problem.
I have used BBQ ash on my tomato plants as a deterent to Japanese Beetles ... needed to hit them as soon as I saw them .. but it worked well!
My Swiss In-laws used to make a Nettle Brew as bug spray ... pick nettles(wearing gloves of course) chop into a bucket or bin and pour boiling water over them and leave to stew for a few days, before draining through a strainer and spraying on garden!
They also made a tobacco spray, Ma-in-law used to buy pipe tobacco to brew a spray from!
Also if you are using a biodegadable soap to wash laundry.. grey water is useful in more way's than one!
Posted by: waternymph47 at October 19, 2008 11:33 AM
Posted by: ssshhh at October 18, 2008 2:43 PM - Ahhh... while the aphids might like the 'garlic', they are only going after the 'flowers'. Give them some of the galic-bulb juice, and you'll find they won't like it. A few chillies added to the water as it boils, and a touch of pure soap, and you have a pretty formidable natural pesticide. For those ooky green cabbage grubs, a bit of molasses in the mix does the trick - they'd rather starve than eat molasses. A thimble or two of vegetable oil to the mix makes it stick a bit better, with the added advantage of suffocating the spider-mites etc.
You have to be a bit careful how much of each ingredient you put put in to a certain mix - tomatoes don't like the heavy chilli/garlic.
Marigolds (as KazM) pointed out, are a good companion plant as the flowers release a mild dose of pyrethrin-like substance - natures most powerful insecticide that is in any 'commercial' product worth its salt. Another good companion plant are Nasturiums - they help keep the baddies under the ground away. There's a lot of plants and companion plants that love each other's company, and those that need to be kept apart.
If you Google 'companion plants' you'll find a weath of information on what goes with what, and what doesn't like being too close.
As for the Aphids, a couple of cigarette butts boiled in a litre of water will release more than enough Nicotine to zap those prolific feeders/breeders (and you'll probably notice a million ants arrive once the Aphids have got a colony going. Interestingly enough, the ants don't kill them per se - they 'milk' them).
I'm still struggling to get a really decent crop going, but I've learnt a lot along the way. The only thing that is hard to manufacture is 'water' itself :)
Happy gardening...
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 18, 2008 9:30 PM
Kazmaree @18th,7;58am...Sustainable Gardening Australia have an excellent link on their site re companion planting.Down to earth(excuse the pun)article and chart.Still doesn't explain why the aphids love my garlic...perverse!
Posted by: ssshhh at October 18, 2008 2:43 PM
Of course, you could do it the old fashion way. Put on some gloves, pick them up and squash them in your hands. They are very obliging. They don't run away and have soft bodies. Very effective.
Krazy ~ 7:58 AM ~ are you talking about gardening? You could be describing some of the men I've been out with?? (ha ha just joking joyce . . .)
Posted by: glitteringblue at October 18, 2008 2:05 PM
aqueousdb66 at October 10, 2008 11:41 AM - Amber, white oil or petroleum oil does the mealy bugs and aphids. Available even at supermarket. Apologies to the naturalists.
To keep the aphids off your roses plant some dwarf marigolds under them. Aphids don't like them at all. Garlic is suppose to work too, but I haven't tried it. If you love garlic, you benefit in two ways.
If you are overrun with Aphids, it may be best to do the white oil till the marigolds are grown.
Of course, you could do it the old fashion way. Put on some gloves, pick them up and squash them in your hands. They are very obliging. They don't run away and have soft bodies. Very effective.
Posted by: kazmaree at October 18, 2008 7:58 AM
Am I that bad?? : (
I will stop having fun now and will go to bed : ((
Posted by: glitteringblue at October 16, 2008 10:18 PM
Posted by: glitteringblue at October 16, 2008 9:15 PM
Shewolf, what are you on.......can the rest of us have sum ??? :))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 16, 2008 10:08 PM
Hi Wils, you are a funny girl @ 12:26 PM - tanks not diseases . . .haha, cute!
. . .talking of cute, how cute is it for big bad Drifter to buy "little tines of spiced up tuna" - so very cute. . .just teasing, just teasing : )
Posted by: glitteringblue at October 16, 2008 9:15 PM
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 16, 2008 10:43 AM
I make it out of necessity, fresh bread is a rarity & black bread is impossible to get out here, the best thing about black bread it keeps for a long time & its great with cheese or the little tins of spiced up tuna l get :)))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 16, 2008 8:21 PM
Poor Melvin! The big rat must have bashed him up, he obviously didn't stand a change. My two cats honestly never bother with anything much at all. We did have a very good mouser at once stage but she was run over by some idiots one night but we could be over run by mice now and none of my animals would bother.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 16, 2008 7:40 PM
BEB - you didn't commit a faux pas - just a play on words. Its all in fun. And you are right about changing priorities in councils. Once upon a time, rainwater tanks were banned in many cities because of mosquito borne diseases. Now there are subsidies to help promote them (tanks not diseases).
Posted by: willow29 at October 16, 2008 12:26 PM
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 16, 2008 10:58 AM
Thank you for pointing out my faux par.
As did others.
I find the rest of your post amusing too....meeow hahaha.
Posted by: troyohboy at October 16, 2008 12:08 PM
troyohboy at October 14, 2008 3:14 PM . Thank you for pointing out my faux par. I know you find yourself amusing and you are right others not so much.
It is another cool day in Brissy. We had the most amazing electrical storm last night.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 16, 2008 10:58 AM
outbackdrifter at October 15, 2008 11:52 AM . The black bread sounds delicious. Do you make your own out of necessity or choice? When I was in Fiji they made a yummy sweet bread. One of the Fijian cooks showed me how to make it, did it a few times after we got home but have forgotton now.
I used to love going to the beach and eating fish and chips out of newspaper. Not sure if it is the white paper used now or the decline in old fashioned twice cooked chips, but they are certainly not the same.
On the compost bin subject. Many years ago before store bought compost bins I used to have a timber and wire one in the back yard. The council called and said it was the reason there were rats in the storm water drain and I had to dismantle it in 7 days or risk proeecution. Times change.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 16, 2008 10:43 AM
Egernia, Im pretty sure it is. We used to eat fish and chips from it, remember? And even though its not allowed now, I dont think anyone died from it.
My work shreds documents and I take home the full bags to recycle. I also recycle the paper and newspaper to make briquettes for the fire. I keep a tub near the tap and have it filled with paper mush - and when I fill the horse trough, I make a couple while Im waiting. By the time winter comes, I have a nice stack all dried out.
The mush also makes a good mulch - like a papier mache barrier!
Posted by: willow29 at October 16, 2008 9:10 AM
OBD I have a commercial plastic compost from Bunnings. It has a snap lock lid and plenty of holes for ventilation. There is a 'door' on the bottom for removal of compost.
Willow, I'm very limited in area in my backyard and unable to keep 2 bins. I never thought about newspaper. Is that safe to add? With all that ink?
Sonny, yes the worms have been doing a great job that's why I rewarded them with a bigger home :-)
Thanks for all the tips and advice.
Posted by: egernia at October 16, 2008 8:00 AM
Well, Melvin may be a pampered Puss to a certtain extent but he certainly hasn't lost any of his hunting and territorial instincts.
After the other weeks rat offering he left on the door mat, this week we are nursing wounds from an encounter with some sort of tresspasser on Melvins turf. He spent a day sulking under my bed and when he emerged he had a huge swollen cheek. Probably a bite abcess...it has burst now, Melvin has done sulking and I am just keeping an eye on things incase we need to visit the vet again
Meanwhile my 2 mummy magpies have brought their babies down from the nest and are so far staying in the trees around the house while the mums came to the back door to beg for food........Melvin and the Maggies have a secret agreement to leave each other alone.
My son said he would help me did up my small vegie patch this year so I might have my own vegies yet :)
Posted by: aquamanda56 at October 15, 2008 11:48 PM
Posted by: waternymph47 at October 15, 2008 6:16 PM
Thanks I just checked out his site, his bio looks quite interesting, l might see if l can get a look at his cookbook.
As for his cooking style I can't comment on that because l have never seen him in acton but thank you for the compliment
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 15, 2008 11:02 PM
LAT & Pertharoonie:
Province of Inhambane
Ministry of Fish and Wildlife
MOZAMBIQUE
WARNING
Due to the rising frequency of human-lion encounters, the Ministry of Fish and Wildlife, Inhambane Branch, Mozambique is advising hikers, hunters, fisherman and any motor-cyclists that use the out-of-doors in a recreational or work-related function to take extra precautions while in the bush.
We advise outdoorsmen to wear little noisy bells on clothing so as to give advanced warning to any lions that might be close by so you don't take them by surprise.
We also advise anyone using the out-of-doors to carry "Pepper Spray" with him or her in case of an encounter with a lion.
Outdoorsmen should also be on the watch for fresh lion activity, and be able to tell the difference between lion cub scat and big lion scat. Lion cub scat is smaller and contains lots of berries and dassie fur. Big lion scat has bells in it, and smells like pepper.
Enjoy your stay in
MOZAMBIQUE
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 15, 2008 9:12 PM
Posted by: sonny51 at October 15, 2008 8:01 AM - You have to be a bit careful how much somlina you put in the mix - start by sustituting half a cup of bakers semolina in a 3-cup bread mix. You don't want the bread to come out like concrete LoL. The same bread mix makes a great pizza base
Posted by: willow29 at October 15, 2008 3:26 PM - Ditto on the air getting into the compost. If you can get your hands on 190lt food barells, the make a great composter. The ones I managed to get were 'olive' barells, used to import olives, pickled onions etc. from overseas. They come with a water-tight screwable lid. Make up a small pair of A-frames to support it, with a shaft going through the centre of gravity point of the 'bin'. A piece of 90mm PVC down-pipe with plenty of small air-holes drilled along it and driven up from the bottom through the centre of the bin almost touching the lid makes an excellent 'vent' pipe. Some fly-wire across the exit stops the compost from falling out and the bugs getting in. The beauty of this system is that you can rotate the bin a couple of times each time you add new compost, and this helps to mix things through and of course aerate the mix.
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 15, 2008 8:26 PM
I was listening to a veterinarian on ABC radio the other morning and he was discussing how domesticated cats are actually so different from feral cats that they are almost two distinctive breeds nowadays. He did acknowledge the dreadful misery and destruction and the havoc they cause to wildlife. I know this firsthand having shot a few when they invaded our property in Qld. However, he was saying that the ordinary domestic moggie who is usually over fed and overpampered seems to be totally losing this hunting streak and becoming more of just a docile pet. I don't know if this is borne out by fact but I do know when we lived on the property we had six cats, mainly at the stables and we had to buy rat traps and here in WA I have two and there is a bird bouncing around in the wisteria right next to their cat door. One of our cats in Qld used to lie on top of the budgie aviary and sleep and the budgies used to pull his fur out to build their nests. All the nesting boxes had lovely black and white beds in them of woven cat fur, looked very pretty when the budgies hatched. I remember purchasing six or eight at the markets and ended up with nearly 300, gosh they bred like rabbits !
Posted by: iaminperth at October 15, 2008 8:15 PM
Hi Marcus, Boofer is an early evening boy or girl I suppose. He seems to prefer sweet things and loves the mulberries to the point where there are now few on the tree at all. I think he sort of stripped the bark a little last year as well. When I go out with the dog or and the cats usually trailling behind he moves quickly out of the way to safety but he doesn't seem to be really afraid of us, just moves up on the fence usually. My dog doesn't bother barking at him and the cats take no notice at all now and sometimes I can see his outline on the top of the fence just looking back at us about 2 metres or less away. He loves capsicums and something was chomping on the mangoes last year so whatever it is has a sweet tooth. I won't be doing anything harmful to him at all as he is not harming anything here and even if he is a big rat he seems a friendly one.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 15, 2008 7:14 PM
OBD I thought of you today...
Was watching a Cooking Program on TV with a segment by a guy called Andrew Dwyer He has a web site (not checked it yet) and a Recip Book called Outback .. something.
Somehow I thought you could have done better than the flat looking Damper he did in the coals and corn cooked up in a Wok!! :-)
Posted by: waternymph47 at October 15, 2008 6:16 PM
Poochesinperth.
Seeing Boofer is feeding reasonably well he is probably leaving pellets behind.
The brushy tailed possum I rescued and nursed and who is now an itinerant visitor to his old den high in the workshop leaves his signs. They are characteristic possum and quite rounded. Rodent (rat) scats tend to be pointed and proportionately smaller. Shouldn't be too hard to spot him. Possums are pretty active just after dusk for a couple of hours.
Cheers Marcus
Posted by: laughsandtalks at October 15, 2008 5:43 PM
Thanks OB that is so thoughtful of you to post those recipes. I love bread and I'm going to make some lovely fresh stuff at christmas time.
Although I am not sure if I am going to be in the state this Christmas or not, however, if I am bread is going to be cooked, lovely fresh stuff and we are going to have heaps of seafood and shellfish and copious amounts of fruit and white wine. I am keeping it very simple for Christmas this year and every bit is going to be fresh.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 15, 2008 5:06 PM
get some Worms, they will really help with your composting :)
Posted by: sonny51 at October 15, 2008 3:52 PM
Egernia - make sure it is kept moist and has plenty of air. I have a large pvc pipe with holes drilled in it, in the middle of my compost, so the air can circulate. If you can turn it over, even better.
Also, mix the media - a layer of lawn clippings, a layer of shredded newspaper, a later of dung - (as examples), works better than all of one thing.
Egernia, Id keep both compost bins and let one "stew" while filling the other.
Re crispy crusts, putting a bowl/tin of water in the oven with the bread also works.
Posted by: willow29 at October 15, 2008 3:26 PM
Posted by: egernia at October 15, 2008 2:45 PM
what sort of composting setup do you have ?
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 15, 2008 3:16 PM
Hands up those who compost.
I've just upgraded the size of my compost bin.
I've gone from 100lt to a whopping 240lt (that's not really big).
Anyone got any tips or secrets for composting?
Posted by: egernia at October 15, 2008 2:45 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 14, 2008 10:24 PM
Perth, Thank you but to tell you the truth when you live 340 kms from the closest Big W you learn real quick to make it yourself :)).
Here are a few of my fav recipes for bread & pasta.
BLACK BREAD
INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
355 ml water
30 ml cider vinegar
340 g bread flour
100 g rye flour
6 g salt
25 g margarine
30 ml molasses
15 g brown sugar
15 g unsweetened cocoa powder
0.8 g instant coffee granules
7 g caraway seed
0.5 g fennel seed (optional)
8 g active dry yeast
DIRECTIONS
Place ingredients into the bread machine in order suggested by the manufacturer.
Use the whole wheat, regular crust setting.
After the baking cycle ends, remove bread from pan, place on a cake rack, and allow to cool
German Egg Noodles Spätzle
3 cups flour
4 eggs
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg (optional)
1-2 tsp. salt
4 cups cold water
Put all ingredients into your bread maker & set to mix
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. the dough through the pastamaker and into the boiling water.
then add noodles to boiling water. They cook quickly and are done when they float back to the surface then drain.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 15, 2008 11:52 AM
Thank you for the tips on a crustier bread :) and I will try adding semolina and see how that changes the bread.
Posted by: sonny51 at October 15, 2008 8:01 AM
Thanks H2H, that is so interesting and generous of you to type all that out. Love bread but have to be careful because I always want to eat it whilst its hot with fresh butter and lots of vegemite. Yum love it. Drifer must have some great recipes as well for break and pasta products. It's great to hear from a guy who does stuff and doesn't just sit around all day.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 14, 2008 10:24 PM
Loved the Steak Sandwiches at Kingaroy Races in Qld. We used to take young horses there to get them used to the track. Best thing for me was the delicious steak sandwiches cooked in the open with the best meat ever....yum. Didn't really care if we won or lost, enjoyed my sambo so much.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 14, 2008 10:13 PM
I read somewhere also Marcus that there were tests done on Maccas somewhere and they lasted up to 2 years without any mould and the buns were still soft. I don't know whether that is true or not. I can't stand the smell of Maccas as to me the bread has this sweet sickly smell. I'm not that fussy with food at all but the smell of maccas makes me feel sick. Same with KFC the smell is so strong it almost engulfs you.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 14, 2008 10:12 PM
Talking full of preservatives. Back in our student days a mate lost a Big Mac in the back of his car. When he found it a week later it looked exactly the same.
Posted by: laughsandtalks at October 14, 2008 8:07 PM
Hmmm.. baking bread by hand would have to be one of the most simple and rewarding things to do.
Once you have a decent mix going, just stick with it. Add a few seeds and grains here and there to create different styles. Or some rye flour - but don't go overboard with the rye - there's no gluten in it, and too much rye flour and you end up with a gluggy chewing-gum mix that will just sit there and stare back at you. Oil the mix up a bit and you end up with a ciabatta style bread (though a sourdough starter gives it the bigger holes). There's so many variations you can do with a basic mix that you know works for you once you have the knack.
It pays to buy a decent quality bread flour, and keep the yeast (dried or fresh) in the fridge. The dried stuff lasts months. Keeping everything nice and tepid does wonders for the first rise (prove). Once it's doubled in size, punch it in the middle, then shape it any which way you want. When it's risen again, it's ready to go.
There's a wide variety of different tins etc. to bake in that produce rewarding effects. Even some cute triple-groove teflon racks you can get that look like a wavy sieve. Baguettes/Bread Sticks come up trumps in this. Once you've laid the dough in, score it various ways with a sharp knife. Sprinkle salt crystals, poppy seeds, whatever you want in the 'cracks' - looks sensational when it puffs up.
For a crispier crust, mist it a few times while its rising with a water-mist bottle. But remember to keep it warm, or it won't double-prove properly. For the more delicate baguette finish, mist it a few times while baking too (don't fry your elbows!). Or if you want a heavier 'hungarian' or 'pasta dura' bread with a more robust crust, use some semolina in the mix. A plain old 'cob' loaf needs no tin - just a baking tray and a broad criss-cross slitted pattern on a slightly stiffer dough. Dust with some flour just before baking and it will look just like those foodie-photos. Any of this fresh bread, along with a good olive oil/balsamic vinegar, and a batch of 'Dakkah' (see previous) blog, and you have a sensational 'aperitif' for any gathering (it's always the first to go at our Xmas Street-Party bash).
15 mins & 180 C (fan forced) and most breads will be pretty close to the mark. For a 'sneaky' ingredient, add about a tablespoon of bakers-malt. Go on, have a go at it - you know you want too :)
Your neighbours will be queuing at the door after they float across the yard cartoon-like on that magic waft that freshly baking bread creates...
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 14, 2008 7:49 PM
My pets have kangaroo meat and veges. They all seem to thrive well. The dog has Proplan biscuits as well and the cats also have some biscuits. Dog likes the huge shin bones to chew on, but also likes to bury them. I don't like the canned stuff at all and seem to upset their stomachs. So it's quite easy all around for the kanga meat and veges. Pooch gets a barbecue chook for her birthday each year, minus bones of course and can have a few prawns at christmas but apart from that the diet is pretty bland.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 14, 2008 7:40 PM
I have a breadmaker, wrapped up int he garage somewhere. Might get it out. Isn't pasta dough must made from flour and eggs though and then bashed about a bit. It is so much nicer. I am going to try growing roma tomatoes as well. You can get punnets of little romas in WA and might try them. I particularly like grape tomatoes but don't seem to have much luck with them but will try anything once. Boofer doesn't seem to enjoy tomatoes, he prefers mulberries and capsicum.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 14, 2008 6:40 PM
Posted by: waternymph47 at October 14, 2008 3:28 PM
One more thing, making bread in a breadmaker or making pasta with a pasta maker is really not that hard & does not take a lot of talent.
As for growing Roma tomatoes I will let you on a little secret, they are about one of the most easiest tomatoes to grow, no staking, I put up with heat, disease resistance & tolerates low water conditions better than most other varieties, Romas are what they grown on a broad acres scale and very heavy cropper
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 14, 2008 5:09 PM
Posted by: sonny51 at October 14, 2008 2:40 PM
Yes your right it only takes about 15 mins to make your dough but doing it in the breadmaker means l can set it up when l get home from work & it will be ready for me when l get back from walking the dogs or working on the landrover
By the way it makes great pizza dough too
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 14, 2008 4:23 PM
Posted by: waternymph47 at October 14, 2008 3:28 PM
No having my own restaurant is to much like hard work, long hours, huge setup costs & in the end a really good chance you are going to go under in the first year.
I have run kitchens in the past & thats all l want to do :))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 14, 2008 4:15 PM
OBD is there no end to your talents ???.... baking your own bread making your own pasta,(hunting the roo meat?) growing your own tomatoes ... with your culinary abilities you could be running your own restaurant :-)
Posted by: waternymph47 at October 14, 2008 3:28 PM
BEB - I think you missed Troy's emphasis on the "human" part :)
Posted by: willow29 at October 14, 2008 3:20 PM
Umm, BEB, I was sort of having a laugh that you feed your dog human meat....that is human.....not beef. Said it before and I'll say it again, I find myself hilarious however others....well...maybe not so much.
Posted by: troyohboy at October 14, 2008 3:14 PM
I should try using my breadmaker for making pasta dough. I normally just use a fork :-s and it only takes me about 15 minutes to mix all the ingredients, knead it and put it in the fridge to rest.
Posted by: sonny51 at October 14, 2008 2:40 PM
I have asked RSVP for a "Gardener's or Gardening Community" as we seem to have one for everything else!
Although I notice there isn't an "Animal Lovers Community" for those who like pets other than dogs.
Not sure what will happen though, perhaps they think gardeners are a bit boring and only get "down and dirty" amongst the roses!
Posted by: amberlight58 at October 14, 2008 2:17 PM
Nice one Troy.@12pm.Although I think it went straight through to the keeper.Where did you see that cloud cover?fine and very sunny here about 10 km south of Burleigh
Posted by: tallerthantom at October 14, 2008 2:12 PM
troyohboy at October 14, 2008 12:00 PM . Not really. Canned dog food gives him the runs, and if you buy a whole blade or similiar it is actually cheaper than meat from a pet shop and I can make a curry with it as well. All dpeends on your priorities I guess.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 14, 2008 1:34 PM
I always give my dog human meat
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 14, 2008 10:30 AM
Cripes BEB, that's a little extreme!!!! haha.
Posted by: troyohboy at October 14, 2008 12:00 PM
iaminperth at October 14, 2008 9:01 AM . The reason the pet mince in the supermarkets looks and smells so good is because it has sulphur dioxide(and many other preservatives) in it. This masks any bacteria odurs and stops the meat from going brown. My vet has a notice in his practice warning against giving animals this meat. Sulphur dioxide can lead to a vitaminB1 deficiency, tho the pet food manufacturers deny this. I always give my dog human meat, lots of veges, pasta and rice. My son often walks in the door when I am cooking Barneys food and says dinner smells great.
OBD. I haven't used kangaroo mince in pasta sauces tho I do like a kangaroo steak.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 14, 2008 10:30 AM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 14, 2008 9:01 AM
Perth, lm a bit like you trying to find time to make pasta is a real problem.
One of the tricks I found it use my breadmaker to mix my pasta dough while lm doing something else, in the end it will save you alot of time
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 14, 2008 10:20 AM
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 14, 2008 9:14 AM
BEB, yes your right pork mince is really good pasta sauce also a combination mince really good as well.
One of the best minces I find pasta sauce which is not everyone's cup of tea is kangaroo mince, it's very lean and has good flavour in the end, it is also a great mince for chilli con carne
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 14, 2008 9:56 AM
sonny51 at October 14, 2008 8:41 AM . Have you tried using pork mince instead of beef in your pasta sauces? It has a really good texture. The weather can't make up its mind in Brisbane today. We have had a bit of rain which is great for the gardens.
I have managed to get most of the sooty mould off the gardenias in the house I am looking after, they have even managed to get a few blooms out. A light prune will do wonders for them and they should flower all summer.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 14, 2008 9:14 AM
Posted by: sonny51 at October 14, 2008 8:41 AM
Sonny, your are right there is nothing better than making your own stuff, I also have started making my own pasta & have had a bread maker for awhile.
I also grow a mob of Roma tomatoes so I can make my own base Bolognese source in bulk, it tastes a 1000 times better than tinned tomatoes
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 14, 2008 9:11 AM
Wow Sonny, Good for you. Isn't the home made pasta so much better. Would love to do that but never seem to get the time. I agree with mince as well, unless you pay a fortune for the really good stuff the other is just mainly pet food. I purchased some fresh mince from Woolies for my cat as I couldn't find the cat mince and she wouldn't touch it. I think it must be full of preservatives or something, although the one packaged especially for cats smells beautiful and lovely colour.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 14, 2008 9:01 AM
I have started making my own pasta. I refuse to buy premade mince and grind my own. I make my own bread aswell ( have breadmaker, so it's so much easier). The money I save is worth the extra little effort and the difference in quality is second to none.
Posted by: sonny51 at October 14, 2008 8:41 AM
Posted by: waternymph47 at October 14, 2008 7:35 AM
WN, lucky you at least its raining, but l hope you get your computer problems fixed, been there & done that a few weeks back its no fun & hard on the hip pocket
You have a great day :)))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 14, 2008 8:24 AM
Don't have time for the sand box or BBQ today either .. it's raining here anyway.
Daughter is coming to pick me up soon and we are going to Tuggerah so I can get my PC problems sorted at DickSmiths as well as do some shopping and generally have a nice Mum/Nanna day with Daughter & Grandson.:))
Yesterday I had fun with my little power drill re arranging my Curtains and fittings :))
Had to cancel my fruit and veg man this week .. too much of a good thing I think LOL
OBD I think the sandpit needs a rake thru .. too many people bringing their dogs with them .. (points finger at iaminperth)
Posted by: waternymph47 at October 14, 2008 7:35 AM
I bought a small power saw a couple of weeks ago and went nuts with it cutting long branches off a tree to let more light into the backyard. It had grown so big and had far reaching branches with a lot of shade attached. Had great fun as never used a power saw before but after getting the chain correct the rest was pretty easy. Went a bit nuts with it and the garden is good and have changed a lot of stuff around, lovely roses now starting to bud etc., etc. Really pleased with the result. However, today was the day to clean up all the mess! Oh, what a job, I have dragged, pulled, cut, chopped, carried and hauled great branches around. The result is again good, my hands are a mess and I am so tired. I have just had a shower and made some nice chicken and rice for dinner. Will have a glass of wine and I think just crash. I have an 8a.m. start tomorrow so need to be awake. It was enjoyable seeing the result but am so glad to have the removal of the rubbish organised.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 13, 2008 9:16 PM
Posted by: waternymph47 at October 13, 2008 9:37 AM
Its a shame that you dont have time to play but you have a great day & it sounds like yesterday tucker was spot on the:)))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 13, 2008 10:32 AM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 13, 2008 9:38 AM
Bum nuts = Eggs :)))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 13, 2008 10:21 AM
Boofer is still having his night time visits and has had a little look at my lettuces I think. I was very proud of him and thought well this is okay and I'll leave him alone to do his moonlighting as he is not doing any harm and after all he is a little, albeit quite chubby, living breathing thing. When my daughter gets back we might do a little bit of photography as she has a camera which takes good shots at night and she knows how to use it. So here we are no problems with my visitor, all sorted out, went to water the lettuces and lo and behold my big puppy has planted the biggest bone right in the middle of them all. Dirt everywhere, plants everywhere and looks like a dinasour half buried in the middle. Oh well, at least I have the boofer problem all sorted out.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 13, 2008 10:08 AM
Whatever is a bum nut in an egg ring???
Posted by: iaminperth at October 13, 2008 9:38 AM
Good Morning OBD ..It certainly is a beautiful day but I've no time for the sandpit or BBQ today as I'm in Spring clean mode. I'm cleaning windows washing curtains, trying out the new Bosch power screwdriver I got for my birthday last month to replace some curtain fittings.Eating a huge bowl of muesli and fruit as I check my email.
I did have my meat and 4 yesterday tho .. A lamb chop smeared with fresh rosemary,sage & garlic sizzled in olive oil, served with potato, pumpkin,carrot & broccoli and washed down with a glass of Banrock Station .. followed after a decent interval with an Orange Pancake topped with sour cream and a Strawberry Orange sauce. Only the herbs were home grown but the fruit & veg was fresh delivered at least :-) .. Now back to work .. Have fun at the BBQ :-)
Posted by: waternymph47 at October 13, 2008 9:37 AM
Morning all it's a great day in the outback, definitely a barbecue day so is anyone up for a barbecue in the stand pit garden today, a few beers burn a steak and generally have a flaming good time :)))
And best for all a few hours of not being too serious about anything :))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 13, 2008 8:58 AM
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 12, 2008 8:50 PM
H2H, it's always good to see you getting your daily intake of three and two a day, I think you can write to cackleberries off at your two fruit
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 13, 2008 8:53 AM
auntykaz at October 11, 2008 10:06 PM - Um... todays menu was pretty simple... being "Bathurst Day" and all. Let me see now... 'Beer' is a vegetable, right? So... 3 serves of 'vegetables'. Oysters, plucked from the sea, bacon, a drop of Tobasco, some woor-chester-sheer-shire-shore sauce, and ETA grill sauce... and the Killpatrick is taken care of. 3 nire serves if 'veggies'. 'Green' prawns, garlic, and about a dozen asian sauces rounds out the mix. Another serve of veggies. Kipfler tayties for the potato salad... a few 'local' rissoles, Losing count of the the 'veggies' just about now. But score a couple more, just in case.. [hic] T-Bone or two, a bum-nut in an egg ring. copious smoke and fumes, and there you have it. And.. more 'veggies'. Not so much 'home grown' today, but damn well home cooked. And... loving it :)
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 12, 2008 8:50 PM
Drifter @ 11th,5.45.....Succinctly,not coifed like Sissinghurst,mostly useful,not feral,but planted for the conditions.The small waterfall in the fernery, which I constructed,would be double the size.The veggie patch would be possum proof...(.yep I have netted the whole thing).In short a useful oz garden with some nod to it's past history as a dairy,eg remant bluestone paths.Bit of quirkyness,planters made from old drinking fountains etc.you catch my drift.
Posted by: ssshhh at October 12, 2008 11:04 AM
isn't it amazing how good the taste is of home grown produce. Even a few home grown fresh herbs added to a meal can enhance it. Tomatoes especially, what a difference to the ones purchased and lovely home grown lettuce. Even if you only have a place for a few pots of herbs the difference to your flavours in your cooking will amaze you. Just a simple plate of beautiful red tomatoe slices, boccocini and fresh basil is beautiful of a hot day and looks so tempting with the vibrant colours. It's just a treat to have a few home grown.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 12, 2008 9:02 AM
So, H2H, what was on your menu tonight????........K
Posted by: auntykaz at October 11, 2008 10:06 PM
Just moved intoa new house..so much work, however I am hoping I am not to late to put in a veggie patch.
This used to be farmland up until about 12 months ago and the soil looks great!
Nothing like a tomatoe that actually tastes like a tomatoes....Oh , for some cucumber salad with heaps of garlic.
Posted by: forevernow1 at October 11, 2008 7:22 PM
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 11, 2008 6:21 PM - Uhuh... and not to mention the flavour of home-grown goodies. It's so intense. It's hard to go back to Coles/Woolies and buy their over-inflated everything-tastes-the-same produce when you've had the pleasure of waltzing out into your own garden and hand-picking tonights feed, huh?
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 11, 2008 6:37 PM
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 11, 2008 6:11 PM
Hi H2H, I think all of us should look at growing vegetable garden, the way prices are going of fresh fruit and vegetables in this country & by the time we get them they look like they have been freighted by China.
Growing your own vegetables is looking like a better proposition every day
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 11, 2008 6:21 PM
Ah-HaaaH..!
The first of my seedlings has yawned and poked it's tiny, delicate little green canopy above the seed-box! We're in for a bumper crop this season. Second water tank is in place and both are over half full already. Now all I need is about half a tonne of cow-poo, and we'll grow some serious veggies this year. Roll on the 'harvest'....
Posted by: heart2heart57 at October 11, 2008 6:11 PM
Posted by: ssshhh at October 11, 2008 2:02 PM
come on ssshh it's nothing like the ideal partner check list, picking your ultimate garden is a lot harder.
Now, if you could have any garden you want what would it be ?????
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 11, 2008 5:45 PM
Drifter - my perfect garden is like a park with meandering paths and lovely shade trees and unexpected things around every corner - a birdbath, a parterre, a sculture, a rustic gate with roses climbing over it, a little pond, a fruit orchard and sudden open vistas with pasture and the horses roaming over it. There will be a pretty dam outside the kitchen window, with reed filtration from the waste water, a lovely tree on the side, a little jetty to sit on and contemplate things.. Lots of scented plants - boronias, honeysuckle, jasmine....
Oh well, back to pulling out vines..
Posted by: willow29 at October 11, 2008 4:23 PM
OBD@1.19..that's a bit like the ideal partner checklist!So unfair.....does this page have enough room?Let's just say that mine is evolving s..lo..w..l...y.No thanks to the possums,our drought.But it's all character building....I guess we',re all a little more realistic in our gardening aspirations.A lot more responsible,conserving water,saving seeds,planting for the given conditions....etc
Posted by: ssshhh at October 11, 2008 2:02 PM
I have a question for you all, lf you could have any garden you wanted what would you have........ what is your ultimate garden ?
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 11, 2008 1:19 PM
BeB @10.24p.m!
My pleasure...should have given you some seeds also.
Will "chuck" a few into the planter box and see what happens while I'm away.
Good luck with your Caboolture fellow....some gorgeous gardens up that way!
Posted by: kurli at October 11, 2008 1:07 PM
aquamanda56 at October 10, 2008 11:13 PM .OMG.. what a movie to watch on a Friday or any other night. It has to be the worlds No.1 tearjerker.
Will probably be easier to install a new drip system if the tubing is under ground.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 11, 2008 8:24 AM
Yeah, Jamie Durie, all 5'4" of him, has little cred amongst real landscapers and gardeners according to one veteran and award winner I know. His gardens are short life show items. None of 'em apparently even have drip watering.
Cheers Marcus
Posted by: laughsandtalks at October 11, 2008 3:09 AM
I have a little section of fenced off garden that was a vegie patch. I haven't used it since I bought this house 6 years ago...wow time flies!! Anyway I plan to dig it up this year, I'm taking time off work to get things around here into shape. I have to sort out the watering system the previous owners put in...they did some weird things.....and with the water restrictions etc, they system needs some converting into drippers instead of wastefull sprays, big job I think.
In the old pre divorce house we had a very big vegetable garden, my ex always planted more than enough of everything and I used to make jars and jars of tomatoes and tomato sauces. I also used to make all sorts of things with the huge amount of zuccinis....zuccini bread, slice, patties on the bbq, soup, pickle..you name it.
I just watched the film 'The Note Book', so many people rave about it, any way I ended up a blithering sniffling idiot by the end....can someone pass me more tissues please :(
Posted by: aquamanda56 at October 10, 2008 11:13 PM
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 10, 2008 9:49 PM
BEB, you're spot on with TV presenters, they overplant to the hilt to make it look good in the end of the show but with no vision to 12 months to 5 years down the track, in the same token customers are just as bad as they want there garden look full from day but have no idea what overgrown mess it going to be two years down the track.
The biggest single problem is that most people don't have vision when it comes to putting gardens in :)))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 10, 2008 10:24 PM
kurli at October 10, 2008 9:50 PM . Thank you for your kind words, we certainly covered some topics. It was lovely to meet a "real" person for a change. Thank you again for the Rosella jam, I will have it on toast for brekky AND read up on plants that grow in SEQ
Tomorrow I am going to have lunch with a very nice man who lives at the back of Caboolture, looking forward to seeing his garden.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 10, 2008 10:24 PM
Hey everyone! I actually met "blue eyed blonde " today! What a lovely lady.....definitely NOT a puppet (VBG) even if she doesn;t know what grows in SEQ (Sorry J) VBG.
IaiP.........you know........all the years we had a mixed orchard at Maida Vale,and a grazing property at Gidgiegannup......I NEVER came across any
'roos , rabbits and emus...but no possums!
OBD...how you travelling mate?
Posted by: kurli at October 10, 2008 9:50 PM
outbackdrifter at October 10, 2008 9:09 PM . As a gardener he makes a great stripper. One of the most frustrating things about TV gardeners is that they are not practical. 12 months after they do a reno it needs to be done again.You should see the back yard of the house I am housesitting atm. It is a tropical rainforest, but planted by an english couple fresh from the mother land. It is so dense and over planted. The lady of the house asked me what I would do with it and I told her I would bulldoze it. Another 12 months and you won't even be able to walk thru the paths.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 10, 2008 9:49 PM
:0) All the pets would like you, Perthy, with so much food around. I don’t keep any pets. We did before at my parents’ place. But always too sad to see them “go” each time. So, we don’t keep any now. At my place I have small and big bears, and little dogs, toys only. :0)
See you guys tomorrow night again. Have a very good weekend, Perth and everyone! Hope you all have dates tomorrow. Me, too, with a whole room of them (classmates :0)), for the whole day.
Posted by: ahappyending at October 10, 2008 9:29 PM
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 10, 2008 8:50 PM
Don't start me on Jamie Drury.......what a pain in the .............. & he not that good a landscaper to start with.
The other thing l want to do is replicate an uper story rainforest garden....... now there's a challenge :)))))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 10, 2008 9:09 PM
No Troy, It's not an old boyfriend. I've never had any ratty old boyfriends really, they've all been nice people really. One was a bit of a winger but most have been really nice. I'm more the problem I'm afraid.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 10, 2008 9:01 PM
OBD, that sounds like quite a challenge. I Googled verticle gardens and they looked quite interesting. Most of the articles were on gardens on the sides of tall buildings. There was a bit on veges, mainly growing on trellises or stakes. My eldest son has a new house in Carrum and he wants a Balinese theme in his back yard, complete with verticle water feature. It is a while since I have done any major projects, might have to call Jamie Drury..
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 10, 2008 8:50 PM
Hi Kaz, Horrible this winter, so cold ever morning and it's still pretty cold in the mornings but starting to warm up now. I love Basil. When I make some curries I like to turn then off when they have finished cooking and then cut a few of those little grape tomatoes in half and toss them in with a handful of basil, stir them thru and put the lid back on for a few minutes. Yum beautiful taste and no bitterness from the basil. I like salami, cheese, tomato and basil bread rolls as well. Oh no, no wonder I am chunky at the moment.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 10, 2008 8:07 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 10, 2008 7:41 PM
Its sounds like you have a possum.....Enjoy,
Set a couple of possum boxs out in trees & when you have a vegs growing, put out a feeding tray & that should keep him away for what you want to keep in your garden :))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 10, 2008 7:54 PM
Hey Happy, we have a few birds, and lazy pets and Boofer the rat visits in the evening, he's a nightcap rat, or something. I'm surprised neither cat are interested. When I lived on acreage in Qld we had stables and chook pens etc., and ended up with 6 cats at one time. I once had mice in the house and, you guessed it, had to buy a mousetrap. Couldn't believe how useless they all became after a while. Too much horse food and grain around I think.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 10, 2008 7:46 PM
Yes, Boofer, is a bit of a shaggy looking fellow, he is definitely not sleak and he's not black or brown, he is like a mottley greyish colour. He is about the size of a small cat and scurries along the top of the fence at times. If I come out at night, he does a mad scurry up a tree and then I don't know where he goes. I don't have any food out in the backyard as the animals wander around inside and I feed them inside. I am wondering why I do that now as it would be much easier to have the pet food outside! Boofer has a fairly fat tummy also and a very long tail and he is about the size of a small cat. He is not terribly timid either as he seems to know he can get away quickly. I don't want to kill him and I might just leave him as he is, he likes the mulberries and I suppose if he doesn't bring his family and 300 children with him he can stay.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 10, 2008 7:41 PM
Beb, you & l should join forces, one thing l have a always wanted to do is a vertical water feature with a vertical garden attached, using ferns, orchids, jungle cactus and bromeliads
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 10, 2008 7:33 PM
What I'm talking about is a relatively new way of growing vertical gardens, as l pointed out below, do a Internet search on vertical gardens or green walls, you will be really surprised what you can actually grow in very limited space and on what at any other time would be just be a bare wall.
With this concept of growing any unit owner or renter with even with the a tiny balcony can grow vegetables or anything else they want
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 10, 2008 7:14 PM
Yes Espalier are great, if one of the best ways to grow in fruit trees in general and in a limited area.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 10, 2008 7:06 PM
Bugga. Heucera's look fantastic planted in front of espaliered Camellias.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 10, 2008 5:39 PM
obd, It is not that potent. Have used it and find it very effective. The only chemical in it is the malathion and there is only 5ml. Sometimes you have to hit the little buggers gard and then just control with white oil.
obd @3.43.Now you have mentioned a type of garden I love creating, Espalier. I did wall of Olive trees for a client on a west facing brick wall. It only took about 18months to almost coveer the lattice and it was producing Olives in 2 years. I have also espaliered Cammelias, Citrus, Roses of course and Michelia yunnanensis. I have found the easiest way to attach the shoots to the lattice is with the round rings that are used to attach scrubs to stakes. They can be easily moved as the plant matures. Heuchera's make a great sh
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 10, 2008 5:37 PM
Geez, Perth, l always thought that Perth was warmer than Melbourne. We have had lovely weather and are in for a pearler of a weekend...Maybe you need to relocate......
Coriander l am with you there, l love it and its fresh taste is beautiful.
Basil and l are not the ideal partnership, can't grow it to save myself, but do enjoy it in Italian dishes, also wilted over a poached egg on some lovely thick toast.....
We have been using the mortar and pestle with great results in curries of late, yummo, and l think l have perfected my blend for a Korma love a good Korma, and l can't give you my blend as it is a secret.....sort of like Colonel Sanders but waaaay better...........K
Posted by: auntykaz at October 10, 2008 5:16 PM
Loooooove Bunnings .. and would hapily be shopping for plants there .. sadly .. the place I rent only allows me enough space for a tiny patch under my kitchen window for a herb bed. However I have added a couple of potato sprouts that are growing and may add some tomatoes soon too.
Meanwhile I have a weekly home delivery from 'Fresha Options' who bring me a far greater range of fruit and veg in season than I could ever grow and it is all organic, no poisons .. advertised on a Mother's & Babies Web page as a safe fresh source of fruit and veg. Fresher & cheaper then the supermarkets. I actually found them via my local hair salon as I saw the produce being delivered while I was in there. $37 of produce on my doorstep once a week saves me a lot of shopping . since I practically live on fruit and veg alone .. very little meat no bread, limited dairy!
I grew up with home grown veg so I appreciate a good product when I see it!
I'm also fortunate enough to have a large avocado tree outside my kitchen window and a landlord who has no objection to me enjoying the fruits from it. Boy are they massive .. make the average supermarket avocado look like nothing!
Amber I'm not up on my companion planting as I could be but have always had a relatively pest free garden as long as I also plant Garlic, lavender and marigold and generally mix things up rather than nice neat rows .. chooks and ducks are also a wonderful bug eradicator.
I used to have wild birds taking care of my garden for me in Goolwa .. as long as I put a dish of water in the garden for them to drink and paddle in .. and kept it refresehed(especially after they'd washed grubby beeks and feet in it!
Posted by: waternymph47 at October 10, 2008 3:51 PM
for those among us who don't have the room to have standard traditional gardens, you should have a look at vertical gardening, it's an interesting concept that shows you can grow things from vegetables right through flowering plants straight on walls.
If you do an Internet search for vertical gardens or a guy named Patrick Blanc a French botanist , you will find that a lot of interesting stuff and things you can do from very simple setups right through to very elaborate wall setups
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 10, 2008 3:43 PM
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 10, 2008 8:40 AM
BEB, I agree it looks like a good control mix, the only problem with it is that its going to knock everything for six not just mealybugs.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 10, 2008 3:16 PM
Posted by: amberlight58 at October 9, 2008 11:16 PM
Amber, you can also use biological control mealybugs, do a internet search for company called bugs for bugs in Mundubbera Qld , they sell small amounts of native ladybeetles and wasps to control mealybugs
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 10, 2008 3:03 PM
Hi, Perth, I've been thinking about the rat that's been bothering you. Actually I don't know how to deal with a rat. But is it possible the rat will go away if there is no any food (pet food, or leftover, etc) in the garden? Do I sound silly?
How nice if the garden is only full of blooming flowers, cheerfully singing birds, and happy pets!
Posted by: ahappyending at October 10, 2008 2:53 PM
Perth could it possibly be a ...........wombat?
Posted by: tallerthantom at October 10, 2008 2:53 PM
Perth, perhaps it's an old boyfriend unable to stay away and recognised by the pets hence no response.
Posted by: troyohboy at October 10, 2008 1:38 PM
Drifter@11.49..... Just emailed them....thanks a lot mate.The macadamia nut cracker looks promising....that'd beat me sitting down,hammer in hand,hole in the paving,smashing away at the latest crop.
Posted by: ssshhh at October 10, 2008 1:20 PM
Posted by: ssshhh at October 10, 2008 8:02 AM
Try Perrys Fruit & Nut Nursery in South Australia, They stock Native limes & they will post :)))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 10, 2008 11:49 AM
Amber, white oil or petroleum oil does the mealy bugs and aphids. Available even at supermarket. Apologies to the naturalists.
Posted by: aqueousdb66 at October 10, 2008 11:41 AM
As Amber suggests do a possum check on Boofer. They are common in some SW gardens. He may be a Western ringtail or if shaggier looking a Brushytail. His attraction to the Mulberry bark sounds possumish.
I had a bit to do with the Olive Pink botannic gardens in Alice Springs years ago. They had well over 100 different bush tucker and economic use plants in that arid area garden.
Funny though the only commercially grown food plant exclusively from Australia are Macadamia nuts. Now if you want to attract hungry rats a few of them are the go...
Cheers Marcus
Posted by: laughsandtalks at October 10, 2008 8:52 AM
amberlight58 at October 9, 2008 11:16 PM . Mealybugs are hard to control. Ladybirds and Parasitic Wasps are their natural enemies. I found this mixture on the internet and it is quite good.
2 litres of water
5 milliliters of malathion.
40 millilitres methylated spirits
5 milliliters of dishwashing liquid
A garlic and chilli spray works too, add a bit of dishwashing liquid to it.
Your local nursery can sell you some hard core remedies.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 10, 2008 8:40 AM
Perth,
Are you sure it's not a brushtail possum? We have them here and they get quite large about the size of a large cat or smallish dog (a lot bigger than a chihuaha [not sure about my spelling there] though)
They do tend to destroy plants if they really like them, unfortunately. I know they love roses too, but neighbours of mine with large trees have lots of roses and don't have too many problems.
Posted by: amberlight58 at October 10, 2008 8:30 AM
Drifter...I have been looking for finger limes...the native ones for months,would love to plant native limes.If I could find 'em.I agree,in my inner urban garden,i'm planting more and more bush food types.At least there's a fighting chance of them surviving.I do have tanks,and have halved our water consumption in the past year....ps why do all my innocuous posts get censored?
Posted by: ssshhh at October 10, 2008 8:02 AM
Hi Aqua, This is actually a furry rat with four legs, lol. Marcus said it may not be a rat and he is a big boofer. Now I think more about it I don't know how big rats get so I may have to try to have a better look at him. None of my pets are bothered about him, the two cats take no notice at all and my dog couldn't care less so long as he is not actually in the garden. We had a bird attack a dove right outside our back door in the courtyard, hit the poor thing mid flight and the dove came crashing to the ground in a flurry of feathers and loud thump. Both cats just looked astonished and didn't bother to investigate. My dog looked totally shellshocked for a few minutes and then just wagged her tail madly, like that was a bit of fun. Released the bird a couple of hours later and he seemed fine.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 10, 2008 8:00 AM
Outback @ 4:08 PM
Thanks for that, pehaps I should give it another try.
Now come on all you gardeners, where's all the suggestions on what to do about these horrible root mealybugs?
Posted by: amberlight58 at October 9, 2008 11:16 PM
Oh no, He might invite all the rellies....then I 'm in trouble. I love Coriander and Basil. The basil grows like weeks but the coriander did turn to seed very quickly and it became easier just to purchase from the shop. There is a great Asian supermarket in Northbridge, huge place and they have wonderful asian veges very fresh so when mine went to seed off I went there. I like to grow it though and I want to eat far more veges. I have been too slack over winter and got a bit fed up with myself, I just loathe the cold so it's getting a little warmer now and I need to get out more in the sunshine.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 9, 2008 9:51 PM
Sorry, Perth, about the rat. Can the following help?
How can you kill rats and not harm your dogs in the process?
Put out any type of carbonated beverage, such as coca cola. It will not hurt the dogs but will kill rats as they can't handle the carbonation.
Or:
The best way would be to use a combination of sticky traps and spring traps. I would recommend you have someone or a clinic watch your dog until the job is done. Then there is always fumigation. It requires you and your dog to be out of the premises so as to be safe for everyone involved.
Posted by: ahappyending at October 9, 2008 9:40 PM
Just keeping on with the subject of herbs, I would strongly recommend everyone to have a look at native herbs, just about every culinary herb were used in the kitchen at the moment can be substituted with an Australian native herb.
And also continuing on with citrus theme as well, I would also recommend that everyone looks at native citrus, Australia has native limes and lemons.
In Australia we are very lucky to have an abundance of native foods that can be really utilised in the kitchen.
With the way water restrictions are looking in this country, water wise native herbs could be the way to go in future
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 9, 2008 8:48 PM
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 9, 2008 4:08 PM
I am also a fan of herbs in pots ....I have parsley, chives, basil ...also handy here with so much frost I can move them around for shelter.
I also love home grown tomatoes which do so well in the soil ...I once won Grand Champion Vegetable grower at the local ag. show but it's waaaayyyy too early here we are still having frosts, I'll have to wait.
Posted by: marylulu at October 9, 2008 8:21 PM
Oh I just posted a rat story on the 'Kiss or Tell' blog..... in response to a post by Marcus.
Posted by: aquamanda56 at October 9, 2008 7:59 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 9, 2008 12:55 PM
Perth there is never only just one rat, take it from someone who knows :)))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 9, 2008 5:32 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 10:15 PM
Perth, the trick with coriander is to grow it in a pot under a tree in your garden, so it gets morning and afternoon sun but not sun at midday, plant it in very good in mix and feed it only nitrogen base fertiliser eg fish emulsion to promote leaf growth, keep it well water so plants do not stress, stress coriander bolts straight to seed.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 9, 2008 4:22 PM
Another great way to grow herbs is to grow them in big hanging baskets, the ones with coconut fibre inserts moulded for them, you can plan herbs on top in the basket itself and you can also make slits in the side and plant herbs around the sides of the basket.
I had a friend in Sydney who grew all her herbs and vegetables in half a baskets on her balcony, she had one complete wall on her balcony covered in them .
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 9, 2008 4:08 PM
Posted by: amberlight58 at October 8, 2008 11:01 PM
Amber, the real trick with no dig gardens is a use plenty of seaweed emulsion to get the microorganisms going in the soil and to help with composting process. The other thing to use is plenty of blood and bone and dynamic lifter to compensate for nitrogen that is being locked up in the composting process.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 9, 2008 3:59 PM
Absolutely obd, I have heard of dogs dieing after eating poisoned rats. It is a horrible death for the dogs. The Warfarum in the poison stops the blood from congealing and they slowly blead to death internally. It is not noticed until it is too late.
My dad used to be on Warfarum and I used to tease him about taking rat poison. He didn't think it was funny at all but then again the man had no sense of humour.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 9, 2008 1:23 PM
Oh sounds terrible, I think I might put up with the rat. I think it's only one big boofer and hopefully someone elses cat can catch him sometime. I just won't plant any more capsicums. Really can't have a jack russel, live very close to the city of perth and neighbours would go nuts. Mind you, it's okay for them to have their yappers all day, but I don't want to join in with them, my dog that is.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 9, 2008 12:55 PM
kurli @ 10.35am. That sounds like a plan.
Be careful with rat poison, dogs can be very curious and get into all sorts of tiny places. The poison (Warfarum) often hidden in cereal and is very appealing to dogs. My Beagle ate some rat poison at my parents place a few years ago. The Vet didn't pump his stomach so he was on Vitamin K shots and tablets for almost 12 weeks with regular blood tests for about 4 months. Fortunately he is ok but it was touch and go for a while.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 9, 2008 11:51 AM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 9, 2008 10:41 AM
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 8, 2008 4:12 PM
Perth, see my earlier post on rat control, I still reckon that getting a Jack Russell terrier is the way to go to control rats in your garden
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 9, 2008 11:50 AM
Perth, hares tend to eat bark and to chew through the bases of saplings. Bunnings is my favourite store too.
Posted by: willow29 at October 9, 2008 11:47 AM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 9, 2008 10:41 AM
Perth, be careful with this, yes you will stop your dogs and cats from picking up the rat bait by putting them in pipes but you will not stop them from getting secondary poisoning from eating the dead rats, I have seen a few dogs poisoned this way
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 9, 2008 11:42 AM
Posted by: espritlibrefemme at October 9, 2008 9:29 AM
espritlibrefemme, have a look at the no big garden by described below, the great thing about no big gardens is you can have them anywhere and there is no digging at all, I have even put one on top of concrete.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 9, 2008 11:38 AM
I love Bunnings too, has to be my favourite shop. I can browse for hours. Can't beat the sausages either. I really like the big nursery in Carseldine, not sure what it is called and Hawkins is great too. I drove past a place, think it may have been in Camp Hill area that has a lot of pots. Water features are my favourite things to build. Building them from scratch gives you a much more unique feature. The one I had in my old house was a burgundy fibre glass urn, sitting on river pebbles. There was enough algae and paint coming off it to have a lovely distressed look. I had a red light in it and depending on the flow of the spout it could look like a volcano from my family room doors.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 9, 2008 11:38 AM
What a great idea, hadn't thought of it. I have some pipes left over from when workmen were here last year and they are big enough for a rat to get in but too small for domestic animals. That is such a great idea, thank you so much. I grew some beautiful capsicums last year but I think it may have been rats chomping on them and also I have a mulberry tree in a pot and all the outside bark seems to have been chewed off. Not sure if it is rats, but I think could be. I will attack Bunnings today and start working on it. I love Bunnings, any excuse to go there. Bookshops, Bunnings, Plant Nurseries, open air markets, what bliss!
Posted by: iaminperth at October 9, 2008 10:41 AM
Beb@ 10.04am: Maybe you can con Elf into coming for coffee too??
What about it ELF??
Posted by: kurli at October 9, 2008 10:35 AM
Fantastic! Now we can talk about something real.....gardening.Straight to the point,what to do with pests...next door has chooks and a wonderful walnut tree,so I have a problem with rats.When the dogs were young and not crippled with arthritis,they had a great time goin' rattin'.What to do now? Went to Bunnings...no not to pick up,but got a tub of industrial rat killer.Block form.I hide it in aggie pipes so no innocent critter gets to it....and whammo! It works.Just a thought
Posted by: ssshhh at October 9, 2008 10:29 AM
espritlibrefemme at October 9, 2008 9:29 AM. I think half of Brisbane is built on the side of a rocky mountain. One of my legs has actually got a bit longer navigating the hills.
I am having coffee with kurli tomorrow. Settled in Holland Park now but seems we have run out of contact time on RSVP. I would love to catch up with you, maybe contact me thru Kurli.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 9, 2008 10:04 AM
The plant Elf, the plant.....oh really ! You already have a glamour shot, the one in blue with the puppies. I think that is a really nice one, good colours and beautiful puppies. Big smile didn't go amiss either. I hope you glamour shot isn't going to be one of those like looking thru a fog although you should have a heap of fun. Nothing too sexy now or the site won't let it be uplifted, uploaded, upgraded, up upped, or whatever they call it, have fun and for heavens sake get up off the floor !
Posted by: iaminperth at October 9, 2008 9:40 AM
Drifter, the rock is actually where the rock face was simply dug into and straightened out as a sort of 'lawn' by the previous owners, so grass is growing on it, and you can't stick even a small part of a garden fork into it. I had an amazing garden at my previous home, all done by me, and had plans for here....until I discovered I had been duped!
Hey Perth, what do you mean "scraggy" and "ugly"...you must have me confused with some other profile (ROFL)....
Off for my freebee glamourshot session today, the one I won in an internet competition....and I will post at least one glam shot on my profile....bit wobbly kneed with anticipation.....
Posted by: espritlibrefemme at October 9, 2008 9:29 AM
That's another thing with plants, memories of where they came from. I have a plant in my backyard that my 92 year old neighbour decided I should have a few years back. It was in a huge pot and weighed what seemed like a ton. She was adamant I should have it pot and all so we struggled and pushed and pulled and eventually got this thing to my house. My neighbour has now passed on and the plant is now huge and everytime it flowers I think of my neighbour and how determined she was for me to have it and the dramas we had to get it home.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 9, 2008 8:34 AM
I am definitely going to do the no dig gardening stuff. I love the whole concept of growing food and then the social setting afterwards of swapping/sharing and enjoying it. When we had our property in Qld once a year mushrooms would grow everywhere all thru the paddocks. Family and friends would come over on the weekend, we'll provide the mushies and salad and we would barbecue great big steaks etc., to go with our mushies. Everyone had a bucket to collect their own and we would also always have fresh eggs to give away. It was such a fun sociable time, all ages could join in and it included everyone. I rather like the sociable aspect of growing and cooking your own food and sharing it, I think it is something we have lost now that our society is more afluent. Our focus seems to be on the way we can present expensive over calorie laden meals with a lot of stress and work. It always makes me laugh when we serve our friends enough calories to kill them with a special meal, wheras people we are not that keen on get something plain with half the calories. I am guilty of it I know.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 9, 2008 8:17 AM
I found it! I found the blog! I found it earlier this evening and was happily in the middle of reading all your comments, when my son suddenly needed to check his banking and send what seemed like 100 emails! (he has to get up at 5 in the morning to go to work, so I felt sorry for him and let him "kick me off")
Seems I can only get to the computer in the mornings these days!
So it is now really late and I am really, really tired!
Love your no-dig gardening Outback. I tried growing tomatoes in a no-dig type situation in my last rental house, but I didn't prepare things as well as you did, and my tomatoes kept wilting. I also found earwigs just loved hiding in the straw, so my poor tomatoes had a double whammy, and I hardly got any at all!
I did grow some very sucessfully in large pots that the owners had left behind at the house before, but of course I left the pots behind when I moved.
Now I have my own home again, I am looking forward to eventually having a vegie garden. But I think I may run out of time this year.
I have lots and lots of plants in pots that have travelled with me over the last 3 years, lots grown from cuttings from my original house.
The poor things struggled to stay alive through the drought last year, and I am desperately trying to get them into the ground before it gets too hot again.
I have found that, I suppose due to the stress, some of them are infested with root mealybugs. Can I dip them into something not too toxic?
I would like to save as many of them as I can, as some are cuttings of plants originally grown from pieces given to me by friends.
(That's one of the best parts of gardening, don't you think? The sharing of loved plants by loving and like-minded friends!)
I also have planted a few easy care plants (usually small native shrubs) at every house I have rented.
Some have been ripped out by the owners, but I was delighted when walking my dog past my second last rental house a few weeks ago, to find the new owners had looked after them and a year or so later, they are actually coming along so well!
Yes RSVP a great move, but now we would like our own "community" too! Perhaps "green thumbs" or maybe not so green thumbs? (No imagination I'm afraid!)
Come on everyone, think up a title for a gardening "community" on RSVP.
I love Edna Walling and her gardening ideas (one of the original water-wise gardeners!), I have two of her books. So maybe they could be an inspiration.
RSVP are you keen to cater for gardening singles (and their friends)?
Would be very much appreciated!
Posted by: amberlight58 at October 8, 2008 11:01 PM
Everone should have a herb garden even if it is in a polystyrene box. Curly and Italian parsley, chives, oregano, thyme, basis, mint but not corriander. Just don't like corriander. The only gardens I have now are someone elses (I housesit). I sold my home (Melbourne) about 3 years ago and I miss my garden. I had 35 Iceberg roses, a hedge of Camellias,an arbor with a white Cecil Brunner rose trailing over it. I had planted a Forest Pansy (Cercis canadensis) in a new garden I had created in the front and it was just starting to mature. My vege and herb garden was near the back door so could easily pick fresh stuff. I don't drive past the house, not because I miss the house just the garden. I have bought a Townhouse and will move into it sometime next year, I already have the plans for the garden, can't wait to get started.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 8, 2008 10:25 PM
Hi Yaran, Can you grow coriander. I can grow it but it seems to peak so quickly and then that's the end of it. I can't seem to get it to keep going so that I can just use it as I want to. I love Basil, love Coriander and love all types of mint. The Basil and the Mint is no problem but the coriander just doesn't like me at all and i end up having to buy it. I also have some chilli growing and I couldn't find any tonight. I found one little tiny one on a plant that has been struggling for ages and thought, oh well it's better than nothing I suppose. Well, this tiny thing, about as big as a marble nearly blew my head off. I may take more time with the plant in the future.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 10:15 PM
I love animals Elf, I think they are one the greatest learning tools we can have. I am hoping to get over to Bris but my daughters plans changed and instead of Friday to Sunday conference it turned into a five day conference at Bracken Ridge ? I can't take five days off work but I could have done the Friday night until Sunday night at the Coast. I am disappointed as I have a brother in Bris as well where I used to live and I haven't been able to catch up with him or his family in yonks. I have been remiss though and the holidays I have had have been overseas, trekking, wandering etc. Do you grow lovely herbs in pots at all. You have to grow something, even if it's a little coriander or maybe some basil, or whatabout eau de cologne mint.....now that is a stunner and the perfume stunning. Come to think of it that sounds like you I think ! Bit of an ugly scrappy plant but what a beautiful scent and wonderful to pop into lovely iced drinks in the summer.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 10:08 PM
I limit myself to a herb garden for the time being :)
Posted by: yaran at October 8, 2008 9:46 PM
Posted by: espritlibrefemme at October 8, 2008 8:55 PM
Hi espritlibrefemme, you are can grow on rock, is it horizontal or vertical rock ?
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 8, 2008 9:34 PM
yum, that sounds delicious. I love trying anything with different textures and taste. I love seafood with fruit and meat with fruit and try it when I can, although with teenagers that can prove a problem but hey, I have my one course and they have their four.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 9:11 PM
I can't grow stuff anymore Perth, since I moved into a house with a rock face instead of a garden, and blasting is not an option.
Thanks for telling me I need to chill......
And when are you coming over to Brissie? Can we cacth up for a coffee and a chinwag when you do?
My littlest puppy had her third night at pre-school tonight. She is all sqeak and jumping, and loves the big puppies, seems to like their rough and tumble...she is a charcter, that is for sure! I am very proud of her when she does the 'sit' and 'watch me'. She will watch me for oh so long...seeing as I have a liver treat in my hand and she is staring straight at that...then she jumps all over the big pups who roll her over the floor and she just loves it.... a chip off her owner's block!
Posted by: espritlibrefemme at October 8, 2008 8:55 PM
Perth, have you ever tired Mango Brushcetta. Dice a nice ripe Mango, finely chop a small Spanish Onion and a little Balsamic Vinegar. Toast or fry Ciabatta or similiar bread, rub with fresh Garlic and serve the Mango on top. Yummy.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 8, 2008 8:51 PM
thelynathdiary at October 8, 2008 7:13 PM . Ok I will bite. What is a Triffid? Is it a band from the eighties or a venomous fictional plant in a movie???? Had to google for that information. I would have to agree with OBG, get the biggest chainsaw you have and prune it to ground level, then pour copious amounts of Roundup over it.
Posted by: blueyedblond at October 8, 2008 8:41 PM
Thank you so much for all that info. I will use it as I am so interested in growing really good veges and fruit. I used to have loads of chooks as well and get the best eggs. None of them were killed though and some died of old age, just can't do it, don't want to either. I love podding around in the garden, with the manure and the fish emulsion. Have heaps of worms working away under my mango tree and keep him nice and mulched hoping for some decent ones this year. The winds are so strong in Perth and that causes heaps of problems with mangoes. I have tried a couple of times to put up a barrier, but it blew away, lol! The tree is bigger now though and I think there will be more fruit this year. My neighbours all put their name on one as the taste is magnificent. I love mango with seafood along with grapes and a lovely cold white in the summer. Yum !
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 8:34 PM
Elf, Bring your puppies over here and talk about gardening and food, you are getting too serious on the other blog and it's not healthy you know. Do you grow stuff ? And Kurli, what do you grow, lovely fruit to give away ?
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 8:30 PM
I know with me working and then I like to garden, as I like the colours and the flavours of nature that presents another problems and narrows the gap again when looking for a prospective partner. I love to get really dirty in the garden, just as much as I like to get dressed up to go out. If your partner is not into the fresh food and the amount of effort that gardening takes then there are more problems. I have known a couple of guys who just think gardening is a total waste of time and would pave the whole thing over and hose it off. I can't understand that and it doesn't compute with me because it's all nature and we should do everything we can to preserve it.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 8:28 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 7:43 PM
One more thing Perth if you check with your garden centre, l think you will find they might have pea straw, oaten straw or Lucerne hay & will deliver it.
You can also use instead straw in your bed is sugercane waste & rice hulls
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 8, 2008 8:17 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 7:43 PM
Perth your welcome, l think you will be amazed how much theres bed with produce.
One thing I forget to say was once the bed start settling down just keep adding manure, straw & keep side dressing with blood/bone & dynamic lifter, one a month water with fish & seaweed emulsion, when your tomato start flowering just water with weak seaweed emulsion & you will have a great crop :) .
You can also put some worms in the bed, then make a hole any were in the bed & put veggy scrape in it then cover.
You should get 2 years out of the bed before you have to build a new bed but in the end you have a great pile of compost to add to your new beds.
By the way Roma grow really well in hanging basket too
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 8, 2008 8:07 PM
Whats a triffid? Wasn't there a movie about that, Revenge of the Triffids or something. I grew some beautiful capsicums but every morning when I came out something had been chomping on them, having a wonderful time all night so gave up on that one.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 7:45 PM
Thanks Outback. I'm going to cut and paste that and save it for next year when I hope to have retired and moved. At the moment I have taken every inch of my block with house and existing so not enough room. Also I am very close to the city of Perth and not a lot of places to buy and transport straw. I have always wanted to do that sort of thing though and the whole of that makes sense to me. Used to live on 55 ha in Qld so used to the straw and lucerne and the lovely smells. I am determined to have a wonderful garden so that will be used one day, not too far away. Thanks so much again for taking the time.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 7:43 PM
Posted by: thelynathdiary at October 8, 2008 7:13 PM
With a chainsaw then run LOL :)))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 8, 2008 7:31 PM
Does anyone know how to prune a Triffid?
Got a seed last year and they seem to have a mind of their own.
Did you know plants have a secret too?
All has been revealed inThe Secret Life of Plants"
Posted by: thelynathdiary at October 8, 2008 7:13 PM
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 8, 2008 6:34 PM
Perth this post was for you about tomatos, Try growing roma tomatos they stand the heat better, in a risen no dig garden I have outlined below :)
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 8, 2008 6:57 PM
The One of the best rison no dig garden l ever had was up on bales of straw, I was given 25 bales of straw so I laid 4 bales on their side with a broadside up and buy did that four times, then I laid bales on top of the theres bale around the edge, bales were laid on their side again but with the narrow side up then I drove some tomato stakes into the top bales to hold them in place, this will give you a risen bid with a hollow in the middle.
Cover the bottom of a hollow with newspaper or cardboard to about 1/2 " and then sprinkle a good amount of blood and bone on it, then cover that with tiles of Lucerne hay about 4 inches deep, on top of that cover with good aged cow, sheep or hors manure then sprinkle a good amount of dynamic lifter, on top of this cover with 6 inches or so of clean straw, then water down well and to this for a few days till it settles, if it is more then 6 inches below the top of the bales add more straw and water down then cover with a mix of 50-50 topsoil and compost, fill to the level of the top of the bails, then water down well with some fish emulsion and seaweed emulsion.
Then you can plant whatever you want, once you have planted out your seedlings mulch with more straw and watered them again with seaweed emulsion.
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 8, 2008 6:34 PM
Amber, where are you ???? Look what we have !!!! Our own blog!
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 4:58 PM
Anyway now we have a new blog, I will fill you in on one of the things I grow up here, I'm really lucky with the house I have it as a huge enclosed front veranda which is about 50% glass and with the evaporative cooler that you have to run in the summer you have great conditions to grow exotic plants.
The three main types which are all epiphytic (tree or rock dwelling plants), I grow jungle cactus, native orchids and pitcher plants
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 8, 2008 4:56 PM
Also, I cannot grow decent tomatoes. I have tried the ground, pots, grafted etc. The only ones that have ever been any good are the little tom thumbs and they have grown by the thousand. I could grow them in Qld but in WA just can't do it. Roses grow like weeds here, probably because of the sandy soil but tomatoes, nope, they don't like me.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 4:52 PM
Hey thanks guys, look what happened. See we started our own, power of positive talking I think. Thanks RSVP, hope you get some good tips as well. Now, where do we start, we have got this blog and what are we going to do with it. I also have a mango tree in my garden, trying to keep a bit of Qld going here in WA and I get heaps of flowers but very few fruit. The fruit however is huge and beautiful but I think the climate is a bit harsh. Also, what do we do with left over mangoes, apart from giving them away.
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 4:49 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 1:24 PM
Does anyone know how to combat rats when you own a dog and two cats. I'm terrified of baits but not sure how to catch this little wopper. Suppose a big rat trap with a bait but then my cat would think that was wonderful.
Hi perth get yourself a jack russell terrier they are the best ratters you can get, they are cheap to keep, very environmentally friendly, they will get along with your cats and dogs and best of all they are a fun little dog :))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 8, 2008 4:12 PM
Posted by: hipshaker at October 8, 2008 1:00 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 1:03 PM
Posted by: jenniferhi at October 8, 2008 1:17 PM
Posted by: iaminperth at October 8, 2008 1:24 PM
Posted by: carolinafr at October 8, 2008 1:25 PM
Posted by: hipshaker at October 8, 2008 3:24 PM
Thank you all for your imput on the lemon trees, now it looks like we have a blog :))
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 8, 2008 4:00 PM
Well it looks like someone at RSVP was listening, Great stuff
Posted by: outbackdrifter at October 8, 2008 3:47 PM
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