they don’t compare with cyclones but some current pests here

P1 – wats yama callems
P2 – burnt bananas leaves
P3 – born again locusts

P1 – the maturity and density of the garden helped most things survive the heat
P2 – big reds are putting on bulk
P3 – artichokes and sunflowers with the purple kings on a trellis. why does one sunflower have multiple heads and one is a single?

P1 – the chooks have just been let in an old garden section – now that the winter toms are finished
P2 & 3 – where the chooks were is becoming the winter garden.

pepe said:

they don’t compare with cyclones but some current pests here

P1 – wats yama callems
P2 – burnt bananas leaves
P3 – born again locusts

Burned banana with pepe in background?

AnneS said:

Burned banana with pepe in background?

Oh yes, so it is! Well!! He doesn’t look like I thought he would…reminds me of that shot that used to do the rounds, somebody photographing his apartment interior prior to putting it on the market…however Pepe (if that’s him) is wearing clothes thankfully (TIC!!)

Dinetta said:

AnneS said:

Burned banana with pepe in background?

Oh yes, so it is! Well!! He doesn’t look like I thought he would…reminds me of that shot that used to do the rounds, somebody photographing his apartment interior prior to putting it on the market…however Pepe (if that’s him) is wearing clothes thankfully (TIC!!)

lol

AnneS said:

pepe said:

they don’t compare with cyclones but some current pests here

P1 – wats yama callems
P2 – burnt bananas leaves
P3 – born again locusts

Burned banana with pepe in background?

geez – his head looks like a camera.

pepe said:

AnneS said:

pepe said:

they don’t compare with cyclones but some current pests here

P1 – wats yama callems
P2 – burnt bananas leaves
P3 – born again locusts

Burned banana with pepe in background?

geez – his head looks like a camera.

he’s got a dirty big black eye…

AnneS said:

pepe said:

they don’t compare with cyclones but some current pests here

P1 – wats yama callems
P2 – burnt bananas leaves
P3 – born again locusts

Burned banana with pepe in background?

LOL Sprung!!!!

like the blue sky pepe :)

1 less Bunny in the Hunter Valley now.

pepe said:

P1 – the maturity and density of the garden helped most things survive the heat
P2 – big reds are putting on bulk
P3 – artichokes and sunflowers with the purple kings on a trellis. why does one sunflower have multiple heads and one is a single?

Nice looking tommys. Did the top get broken off the multiple flower one? That would cause the plant to sprout out all over the place. Is my guess anyway.

pain master said:

like the blue sky pepe :)

ha – i wonder why.

does your house have a bunker?

Veg gardener said:

1 less Bunny in the Hunter Valley now.

you’ve got them too? there’s about ten around here.

Did the top get broken off the multiple flower one? That would cause the plant to sprout out all over the place. Is my guess anyway.
———
no it has a central flower as normal. it stopped growing tall and developed multiheads instead.

pepe said:

Veg gardener said:

1 less Bunny in the Hunter Valley now.

you’ve got them too? there’s about ten around here.

Sure do Pepe, Hit a few each morning on my way to work.

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

Veg gardener said:

1 less Bunny in the Hunter Valley now.

you’ve got them too? there’s about ten around here.

Sure do Pepe, Hit a few each morning on my way to work.

and they are immune to calisee virus. you got a gun? i used to shoot them but i’m too close to other people now.

pepe said:

pain master said:

like the blue sky pepe :)

ha – i wonder why.

does your house have a bunker?

yup, the ducks are in it now…

pepe said:

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

you’ve got them too? there’s about ten around here.

Sure do Pepe, Hit a few each morning on my way to work.

and they are immune to calisee virus. you got a gun? i used to shoot them but i’m too close to other people now.

Not sure about the Virus, Yep we have a gun, there not bad at our place, couple of rabbit holes down the back paddock, dog loves chasing them.

pepe said:

Did the top get broken off the multiple flower one? That would cause the plant to sprout out all over the place. Is my guess anyway.
———
no it has a central flower as normal. it stopped growing tall and developed multiheads instead.

A mutant ninja turtle “eh.

these three shots of a praying mantis are relatively successful – for me.

these shots are less successful
P1 – cicada??
P2 – green looper on beans
P3 – baby ladybugs?? (and PS – is that powdery mildew on the leaves?)

pepe said:

these three shots of a praying mantis are relatively successful – for me.

Sweeeeet:)

pepe said:

these shots are less successful
P1 – cicada??
P2 – green looper on beans
P3 – baby ladybugs?? (and PS – is that powdery mildew on the leaves?)

Hard to say Pepe….. if the plant is getting old it very well could be after all this weather.

pepe said:

these shots are less successful
P1 – cicada??
P2 – green looper on beans
P3 – baby ladybugs?? (and PS – is that powdery mildew on the leaves?)

i have just been told it’s a Katydid.

pepe said:

pepe said:

these shots are less successful
P1 – cicada??
P2 – green looper on beans
P3 – baby ladybugs?? (and PS – is that powdery mildew on the leaves?)

i have just been told it’s a Katydid.

Kathy did what;P

Lucky1 said:

pepe said:

pepe said:

these shots are less successful
P1 – cicada??
P2 – green looper on beans
P3 – baby ladybugs?? (and PS – is that powdery mildew on the leaves?)

i have just been told it’s a Katydid.

Kathy did what;P

Katy…….silly spelling virus….

pepe said:

and they are immune to calisee virus. you got a gun? i used to shoot them but i’m too close to other people now.

a .22 air rifle does the job nice ..and quiet. As long as you can get reasonably close to them

our banana has suffered the same …just had 8 days where the temp here at home hasn’t dropped below 4oc during the day wit 3 days of 47/8 the nights get to about 30c
My favourite cook just finished a heap of old style tomato relish just before the heat came. we were getting about 2kilos a day from our 12 plants …I never remove laterals tho……too lazy:)

pepe said:

these shots are less successful
P1 – cicada??
P2 – green looper on beans
P3 – baby ladybugs?? (and PS – is that powdery mildew on the leaves?)

Katydid maybe?

pepe said:

these three shots of a praying mantis are relatively successful – for me.

A question for you please. Is the mantis on your beans? If so, do they have bean rust or something? I get spots like that on my dwarf beans that eventually cover the leaves and they go yellow all over and then fall off. Should I be treating them with something or what? It doesn’t seem to affect the cropping and we still get heaps to eat.

pepe said:

these shots are less successful
P1 – cicada??
P2 – green looper on beans
P3 – baby ladybugs?? (and PS – is that powdery mildew on the leaves?)

I can’t see and powdery mildew. the first one is not a cicada.

drylander1 said:

our banana has suffered the same …just had 8 days where the temp here at home hasn’t dropped below 4oc during the day wit 3 days of 47/8 the nights get to about 30c
My favourite cook just finished a heap of old style tomato relish just before the heat came. we were getting about 2kilos a day from our 12 plants …I never remove laterals tho……too lazy:)

2 kilos can be 20 toms. that’s a mighty fine return.
i’ve just sat for hours pruning and tying my toms. a lot of work – but hey – the cook’s happy.
and those black russians are just sensational.

do you remember the cook in ‘alice in wonderland’ saying – ‘…it’s mostly pepper…’? – well the toms are better still with pepper IMHO.

pain master said:

pepe said:

these shots are less successful
P1 – cicada??
P2 – green looper on beans
P3 – baby ladybugs?? (and PS – is that powdery mildew on the leaves?)

Katydid maybe?

yes – so my daughter’s friend says – is it a sort of cicada?

pomolo said:

pepe said:

these three shots of a praying mantis are relatively successful – for me.

A question for you please. Is the mantis on your beans? If so, do they have bean rust or something? I get spots like that on my dwarf beans that eventually cover the leaves and they go yellow all over and then fall off. Should I be treating them with something or what? It doesn’t seem to affect the cropping and we still get heaps to eat.

very clever question – i would expect nothing less from you

…however … i’m going to handball it to someone else… yes they are beans and that is the stuff i meant to ask if it were powdery mildew …

pepe said:

drylander1 said:

our banana has suffered the same …just had 8 days where the temp here at home hasn’t dropped below 4oc during the day wit 3 days of 47/8 the nights get to about 30c
My favourite cook just finished a heap of old style tomato relish just before the heat came. we were getting about 2kilos a day from our 12 plants …I never remove laterals tho……too lazy:)

2 kilos can be 20 toms. that’s a mighty fine return.
i’ve just sat for hours pruning and tying my toms. a lot of work – but hey – the cook’s happy.
and those black russians are just sensational.

do you remember the cook in ‘alice in wonderland’ saying – ‘…it’s mostly pepper…’? – well the toms are better still with pepper IMHO.

I prefer the Black Krim to Black Russian

pepe said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

these three shots of a praying mantis are relatively successful – for me.

A question for you please. Is the mantis on your beans? If so, do they have bean rust or something? I get spots like that on my dwarf beans that eventually cover the leaves and they go yellow all over and then fall off. Should I be treating them with something or what? It doesn’t seem to affect the cropping and we still get heaps to eat.

very clever question – i would expect nothing less from you

…however … i’m going to handball it to someone else… yes they are beans and that is the stuff i meant to ask if it were powdery mildew …

I get spots like that on bean leaves and while I don’t know what it is, it worsens as they age so I think it’s just that they are old. I stop picking the spotty leafed lot to save seeds and plant the next lot of seedlings. I haven’t been without fresh and tender green beans in over a year.

pepe said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

these three shots of a praying mantis are relatively successful – for me.

A question for you please. Is the mantis on your beans? If so, do they have bean rust or something? I get spots like that on my dwarf beans that eventually cover the leaves and they go yellow all over and then fall off. Should I be treating them with something or what? It doesn’t seem to affect the cropping and we still get heaps to eat.

very clever question – i would expect nothing less from you

…however … i’m going to handball it to someone else… yes they are beans and that is the stuff i meant to ask if it were powdery mildew …

sounds like mosaic bean virus to me pom.
Have a look at this
http://dwpicture.com.au/picture.asp?picture=59126&cat=Plant%20Diseases&cat2=Plant%20Diseases&cat3=Mosaic%20Virus

AnneS said:

pepe said:

pomolo said:

A question for you please. Is the mantis on your beans? If so, do they have bean rust or something? I get spots like that on my dwarf beans that eventually cover the leaves and they go yellow all over and then fall off. Should I be treating them with something or what? It doesn’t seem to affect the cropping and we still get heaps to eat.

very clever question – i would expect nothing less from you

…however … i’m going to handball it to someone else… yes they are beans and that is the stuff i meant to ask if it were powdery mildew …

sounds like mosaic bean virus to me pom.
Have a look at this
http://dwpicture.com.au/picture.asp?picture=59126&cat=Plant%20Diseases&cat2=Plant%20Diseases&cat3=Mosaic%20Virus

AnneS gets the rosette. I went down to check on mine and that is exactly what it is. One very stunted plant has it worse than the rest but it still produces good beans.

Now the big question…..Do I spray? What with if it’s necessary?

I just pulled the offending plants last year and stuck with climbing beans. I seem to have more success with them

AnneS said:

I just pulled the offending plants last year and stuck with climbing beans. I seem to have more success with them

Because ours are in a raised bed they are the perfect height for picking. Climbing ones might need a ladder.

pomolo said:

AnneS said:

I just pulled the offending plants last year and stuck with climbing beans. I seem to have more success with them

Because ours are in a raised bed they are the perfect height for picking. Climbing ones might need a ladder.

Fair enough. I think dwarf beans are probably nicer (not as stringy), but lately I just don’t have much luck with them

AnneS said:

pomolo said:

AnneS said:

I just pulled the offending plants last year and stuck with climbing beans. I seem to have more success with them

Because ours are in a raised bed they are the perfect height for picking. Climbing ones might need a ladder.

Fair enough. I think dwarf beans are probably nicer (not as stringy), but lately I just don’t have much luck with them

Do you use one of those groovy bean slicers? They’ve been around for years but not many people know about them AFAIK.

pepe said:

pain master said:

pepe said:

these shots are less successful
P1 – cicada??
P2 – green looper on beans
P3 – baby ladybugs?? (and PS – is that powdery mildew on the leaves?)

Katydid maybe?

yes – so my daughter’s friend says – is it a sort of cicada?

nah more related to grasshoppers, definitely herbivorous… Common name Leafy Katydid, not so common name Paracaedicia serrata

pepe said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

these three shots of a praying mantis are relatively successful – for me.

A question for you please. Is the mantis on your beans? If so, do they have bean rust or something? I get spots like that on my dwarf beans that eventually cover the leaves and they go yellow all over and then fall off. Should I be treating them with something or what? It doesn’t seem to affect the cropping and we still get heaps to eat.

very clever question – i would expect nothing less from you

…however … i’m going to handball it to someone else… yes they are beans and that is the stuff i meant to ask if it were powdery mildew …

we had something similar on our beans early on, and we thought it may have been Bean Mosaic virus… We fed up the Beans and got them healthy and the virus went away. It did come back during a stressful dry period but the beans regained their vigour once again….

sounds like mosaic bean virus to me pom.

—————————————————————————-

thanks anne – i will research mosaic virus a bit.

i saw your biggest tom weighs +500 gms. that’s big and i might have to reassess my estimate of L1’s harvest weight.

i’m just out weeding the garden if you want me. just yell. LOL.

pepe said:

these shots are less successful
P1 – cicada??
P2 – green looper on beans
P3 – baby ladybugs?? (and PS – is that powdery mildew on the leaves?)

Yes they are baby ladybugs/ladybirds, I can see no powdery mildew, and pretty sure that is a grasshopper, but definite that it’s not a cicada. :)

What did you say you were planting out, Pepe? I think it was in another thread…

Dinetta said:

What did you say you were planting out, Pepe? I think it was in another thread…

“planting onion, lettuce and celery”

..and a second type of lemon grass in the tropical garden.

it’s a heck of a lot of work because everything needs birdnetting – and that needs a structure.

getting there ….to be continued
(interrupted now by cooking tea – boiled veges with a blue vein cheese sauce and fried walnuts)

pepe said:

Dinetta said:

What did you say you were planting out, Pepe? I think it was in another thread…

“planting onion, lettuce and celery”

..and a second type of lemon grass in the tropical garden.

it’s a heck of a lot of work because everything needs birdnetting – and that needs a structure.

getting there ….to be continued
(interrupted now by cooking tea – boiled veges with a blue vein cheese sauce and fried walnuts)

Thanks…

ooooh, blue vein cheese sauce…delicious… is this plus the walnuts, the protein for the meal?

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

Dinetta said:

What did you say you were planting out, Pepe? I think it was in another thread…

“planting onion, lettuce and celery”

..and a second type of lemon grass in the tropical garden.

it’s a heck of a lot of work because everything needs birdnetting – and that needs a structure.

getting there ….to be continued
(interrupted now by cooking tea – boiled veges with a blue vein cheese sauce and fried walnuts)

Thanks…

ooooh, blue vein cheese sauce…delicious… is this plus the walnuts, the protein for the meal?

yep and purple beans for protein as well.

newsflash : the white birdnetting from B now comes in precut lengths and seems to be half price as an opening offer. i like it.

the jap pumpkin and rock melons are starting to spread and some pumpkins are forming.
i’ve watered them well with an upside down soakit hose and will give them some liquid fert soon.
i need about 30 japs for a year round supply – provided they store that long.

the new winter garden was turned into a desert by the chooks but now that they’ve been moved it’s actually hard to get stuff started in it. the pigeons still believe it’s their territory and anything green stands out on the brown dirt. thus birdnetting is needed on every crop.

P1 – foreground is root crops – carrots, beetroot, turnips – spinach and lettuce as well. background snow peas and telephone peas. all now 4 weeks old.

P2 – new tunnel with diggers lettuce mix and celery planted either side of a pigeon poo trench a la peter bennet. in the shed polystyrene trays with onion, perpetual spinach and broccoli seed

all looks good pepe.

pomolo
you asked what the cure for mosaic virus in beans was.
i have research and there aint none.
pull them out.

the reason the mantis was on the beans is because certain aphids spread the disease.

this is definitely a personal best for me and tomatoes. i know other people in sa and nsw are doing better ( and westaliens, vics and qbillies have a few rain problems) but a pb is a pb!

P1 overall
P2 romas ripe and 1 black russian and a couple summinelse.
P3 romas unripe a cut black russian
P4 the big reds (biggest 400gms +) deformed but hey?…

P1 – noisy miners
P2, P3 & P4 – a grass parrot – red breasted?

pepe said:

this is definitely a personal best for me and tomatoes. i know other people in sa and nsw are doing better ( and westaliens, vics and qbillies have a few rain problems) but a pb is a pb!

P1 overall
P2 romas ripe and 1 black russian and a couple summinelse.
P3 romas unripe a cut black russian
P4 the big reds (biggest 400gms +) deformed but hey?…

I’m impressed! and jealous!

those big reds are not deformed, they just haven’t had the wrinkles bred out of them like some other varieties.

pepe said:

this is definitely a personal best for me and tomatoes. i know other people in sa and nsw are doing better ( and westaliens, vics and qbillies have a few rain problems) but a pb is a pb!

P1 overall
P2 romas ripe and 1 black russian and a couple summinelse.
P3 romas unripe a cut black russian
P4 the big reds (biggest 400gms +) deformed but hey?…

Stewed tomatoes?

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

this is definitely a personal best for me and tomatoes. i know other people in sa and nsw are doing better ( and westaliens, vics and qbillies have a few rain problems) but a pb is a pb!

P1 overall
P2 romas ripe and 1 black russian and a couple summinelse.
P3 romas unripe a cut black russian
P4 the big reds (biggest 400gms +) deformed but hey?…

Stewed tomatoes?

tomato with pepper and cheese sandwiches – plus -
- sauce
- chutney
- pizza bases
- salads

- add your own.
one thing about toms is that there are many uses.

pepe said:

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

this is definitely a personal best for me and tomatoes. i know other people in sa and nsw are doing better ( and westaliens, vics and qbillies have a few rain problems) but a pb is a pb!

P1 overall
P2 romas ripe and 1 black russian and a couple summinelse.
P3 romas unripe a cut black russian
P4 the big reds (biggest 400gms +) deformed but hey?…

Stewed tomatoes?

tomato with pepper and cheese sandwiches – plus -
- sauce
- chutney
- pizza bases
- salads

- add your own.
one thing about toms is that there are many uses.

Sounds good to be my Crops not as big as that, How Many Plants do you have If I do ask.

I’m impressed! and jealous! those big reds are not deformed, they just haven’t had the wrinkles bred out of them like some other varieties.
———————————

thanks.
when it comes to sauces i’m just chopping them in the processor. so i’m not attempting to skin them – so wrinkles are not such a problem

Sounds good to be my Crops not as big as that, How Many Plants do you have If I do ask.

———————-
not sure
let me count on fingers

11 in the main trellis – 1 big red, 8 romas, 2 others?? black russian and summin else.
2 others alone – not sure what
two black russians with the climbing beans.

the three i’m not sure of haven’t produced yet.
15 in all
(4 defunct brandywines now in the chook cage)

i will grow the brandywines again over winter because they gave me xmas toms – and were the most appreciated because they were first.

pepe said:

this is definitely a personal best for me and tomatoes. i know other people in sa and nsw are doing better ( and westaliens, vics and qbillies have a few rain problems) but a pb is a pb!

P1 overall
P2 romas ripe and 1 black russian and a couple summinelse.
P3 romas unripe a cut black russian
P4 the big reds (biggest 400gms +) deformed but hey?…

What can I say, but Well Done?

fairy claps for Pepe

Congratulations…

pepe said:

I’m impressed! and jealous! those big reds are not deformed, they just haven’t had the wrinkles bred out of them like some other varieties.
———————————

thanks.
when it comes to sauces i’m just chopping them in the processor. so i’m not attempting to skin them – so wrinkles are not such a problem

I gave up skinning tomatoes many years ago…if you grow your own it’s not really necessary …

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

this is definitely a personal best for me and tomatoes. i know other people in sa and nsw are doing better ( and westaliens, vics and qbillies have a few rain problems) but a pb is a pb!

P1 overall
P2 romas ripe and 1 black russian and a couple summinelse.
P3 romas unripe a cut black russian
P4 the big reds (biggest 400gms +) deformed but hey?…

What can I say, but Well Done?

fairy claps for Pepe

Congratulations…

LOUD claps! Wonderful toms

What can I say, but Well Done? fairy claps for Pepe Congratulations…
———

thanks Dinetta

we had a maggie beer recipe – a cheese and basil frittata.
this climate grows basil well – so that famous combo of toms and basil looks like being in most meals until march.

LOUD claps! Wonderful toms
-

thanks HP.

i’m reading up on tomato curries and they seem to provide a surprising way of consuming toms as well. i had always thought tomatoes were not in asian cooking.

pepe said:

What can I say, but Well Done? fairy claps for Pepe Congratulations…
———

we had a maggie beer recipe – a cheese and basil frittata.
this climate grows basil well – so that famous combo of toms and basil looks like being in most meals until march.

Lurve Maggie Beer recipes! so simple but elegant as well…

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

What can I say, but Well Done? fairy claps for Pepe Congratulations…
———

Lurve Maggie Beer recipes! so simple but elegant as well…

Damn, I can’t find the ABC website with the recipes on them…will try again…

Dinetta said:

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

What can I say, but Well Done? fairy claps for Pepe Congratulations…
———

Lurve Maggie Beer recipes! so simple but elegant as well…

Damn, I can’t find the ABC website with the recipes on them…will try again…

this frittata came from a book – ‘Maggies Table”

i only used it because i had the eggs, the toms and the basil – and hey pesto – i had the ‘Quake’ as a substitute for the ricotta she called for.

pepe said:

Dinetta said:

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

What can I say, but Well Done? fairy claps for Pepe Congratulations…
———

Lurve Maggie Beer recipes! so simple but elegant as well…

Damn, I can’t find the ABC website with the recipes on them…will try again…

this frittata came from a book – ‘Maggies Table”

i only used it because i had the eggs, the toms and the basil – and hey pesto – i had the ‘Quake’ as a substitute for the ricotta she called for.

…or ‘Quark’ maybe …?

bbl.

three things

1. i nearly photographed a blue wren this morning – it was in the frame but focus was slightly out so i missed it

2. collected a trailer load of sheep poo – at last – first time the weather has been suitable in weeks. we got 11mm of rain yesterday. the rw tank is only one quarter full (or three quarters empty depending on your outlook).

3. the big black beetle that has featured in pep’s place before is indeed a compost beetle. i saw it in the sheep poo heap.

that’s all

now to empty the trailer – on fruit trees i think – and the tropical corner.

pepe said:

three things

1. i nearly photographed a blue wren this morning – it was in the frame but focus was slightly out so i missed it

2. collected a trailer load of sheep poo – at last – first time the weather has been suitable in weeks. we got 11mm of rain yesterday. the rw tank is only one quarter full (or three quarters empty depending on your outlook).

3. the big black beetle that has featured in pep’s place before is indeed a compost beetle. i saw it in the sheep poo heap.

that’s all

now to empty the trailer – on fruit trees i think – and the tropical corner.

Good work with the sheep poo…is that a compost beetle or dung beetle? The fruit trees are “so” gonna luv u!!

pepe said:

three things

1. i nearly photographed a blue wren this morning – it was in the frame but focus was slightly out so i missed it

2. collected a trailer load of sheep poo – at last – first time the weather has been suitable in weeks. we got 11mm of rain yesterday. the rw tank is only one quarter full (or three quarters empty depending on your outlook).

3. the big black beetle that has featured in pep’s place before is indeed a compost beetle. i saw it in the sheep poo heap.

that’s all

now to empty the trailer – on fruit trees i think – and the tropical corner.

pepe, was your tank full at any stage?

pepe said:

three things

1. i nearly photographed a blue wren this morning – it was in the frame but focus was slightly out so i missed it

2. collected a trailer load of sheep poo – at last – first time the weather has been suitable in weeks. we got 11mm of rain yesterday. the rw tank is only one quarter full (or three quarters empty depending on your outlook).

3. the big black beetle that has featured in pep’s place before is indeed a compost beetle. i saw it in the sheep poo heap.

that’s all

now to empty the trailer – on fruit trees i think – and the tropical corner.

Sounds good mate, come up and pick horse and cow poo up around the paddocks?

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

three things

1. i nearly photographed a blue wren this morning – it was in the frame but focus was slightly out so i missed it

2. collected a trailer load of sheep poo – at last – first time the weather has been suitable in weeks. we got 11mm of rain yesterday. the rw tank is only one quarter full (or three quarters empty depending on your outlook).
3. the big black beetle that has featured in pep’s place before is indeed a compost beetle. i saw it in the sheep poo heap. that’s all
now to empty the trailer – on fruit trees i think – and the tropical corner.

Good work with the sheep poo…is that a compost beetle or dung beetle? The fruit trees are “so” gonna luv u!!

i will get another shot of the beetle – but compost i think. ID needed

putting manure around the fruit trees once a year feels good. i’ll run the lawn mower over the prunings and get a catcher full of green mulch for each tree as well. should be enough for the year – especially if i get round to applying – epsom salts, iron chelates and seaweed before mulching.
where does the time go?

pain master said:

pepe said:

three things 1. i nearly photographed a blue wren this morning – it was in the frame but focus was slightly out so i missed it
2. collected a trailer load of sheep poo – at last – first time the weather has been suitable in weeks. we got 11mm of rain yesterday. the rw tank is only one quarter full (or three quarters empty depending on your outlook).
3. the big black beetle that has featured in pep’s place before is indeed a compost beetle. i saw it in the sheep poo heap.
that’s all now to empty the trailer – on fruit trees i think – and the tropical corner.

pepe, was your tank full at any stage?

yes it overflowed – it has been a good winter year with above average rainfall.

pepe said:

pain master said:

pepe said:

three things 1. i nearly photographed a blue wren this morning – it was in the frame but focus was slightly out so i missed it
2. collected a trailer load of sheep poo – at last – first time the weather has been suitable in weeks. we got 11mm of rain yesterday. the rw tank is only one quarter full (or three quarters empty depending on your outlook).
3. the big black beetle that has featured in pep’s place before is indeed a compost beetle. i saw it in the sheep poo heap.
that’s all now to empty the trailer – on fruit trees i think – and the tropical corner.

pepe, was your tank full at any stage?

yes it overflowed – it has been a good winter year with above average rainfall.

how do you feel your consumption has been? You’re down to a quart now, so your savings off of your water bill, will it be long before the tank has paid for itself???

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

three things 1. i nearly photographed a blue wren this morning – it was in the frame but focus was slightly out so i missed it
2. collected a trailer load of sheep poo – at last – first time the weather has been suitable in weeks. we got 11mm of rain yesterday. the rw tank is only one quarter full (or three quarters empty depending on your outlook). 3. the big black beetle that has featured in pep’s place before is indeed a compost beetle. i saw it in the sheep poo heap. that’s all now to empty the trailer – on fruit trees i think – and the tropical corner.

Sounds good mate, come up and pick horse and cow poo up around the paddocks?

er thanks – i think?
i have collected horse manure – but from stables not paddocks.
i’ve spread the stuff around the trees now – and you do clean up weeds and bury ant nests etc. while you’re doing it – so when you’re finished it all looks good.

pain master said:

pepe said:

pain master said:

pepe, was your tank full at any stage?

yes it overflowed – it has been a good winter year with above average rainfall.

how do you feel your consumption has been? You’re down to a quart now, so your savings off of your water bill, will it be long before the tank has paid for itself???

it cost $10K but we would be saving close to a $1K per year.

it’s difficult to work the economics but there’s no doubt it feels good.
your own water, good drinking water, no chlorine and the price of water is going up.
so yeah – a good investment.

pepe said:

pain master said:

pepe said:

yes it overflowed – it has been a good winter year with above average rainfall.

how do you feel your consumption has been? You’re down to a quart now, so your savings off of your water bill, will it be long before the tank has paid for itself???

it cost $10K but we would be saving close to a $1K per year.

it’s difficult to work the economics but there’s no doubt it feels good.
your own water, good drinking water, no chlorine and the price of water is going up.
so yeah – a good investment.

you drink it? what? after you add the barley, hops and malt?

pepe said:

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

three things 1. i nearly photographed a blue wren this morning – it was in the frame but focus was slightly out so i missed it
2. collected a trailer load of sheep poo – at last – first time the weather has been suitable in weeks. we got 11mm of rain yesterday. the rw tank is only one quarter full (or three quarters empty depending on your outlook). 3. the big black beetle that has featured in pep’s place before is indeed a compost beetle. i saw it in the sheep poo heap. that’s all now to empty the trailer – on fruit trees i think – and the tropical corner.

Sounds good mate, come up and pick horse and cow poo up around the paddocks?

er thanks – i think?
i have collected horse manure – but from stables not paddocks.
i’ve spread the stuff around the trees now – and you do clean up weeds and bury ant nests etc. while you’re doing it – so when you’re finished it all looks good.

yeah, Plenty here and over the road. Goat poo is a Pain the the butt to pick up out of paddocks.
Might hit me mate up for a Load of straw mixed in with cow poo, Or even a couple of old round Bales as mulch.

pepe said:

pain master said:

pepe said:

yes it overflowed – it has been a good winter year with above average rainfall.

how do you feel your consumption has been? You’re down to a quart now, so your savings off of your water bill, will it be long before the tank has paid for itself???

it cost $10K but we would be saving close to a $1K per year.

it’s difficult to work the economics but there’s no doubt it feels good.
your own water, good drinking water, no chlorine and the price of water is going up.
so yeah – a good investment.

Pepe, taste the difference when you go somewhere and have a drink from the tap?

Veg gardener said:

Pepe, taste the difference when you go somewhere and have a drink from the tap?

YYYEEESSS!!!

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

pain master said:

how do you feel your consumption has been? You’re down to a quart now, so your savings off of your water bill, will it be long before the tank has paid for itself???

it cost $10K but we would be saving close to a $1K per year.

it’s difficult to work the economics but there’s no doubt it feels good.
your own water, good drinking water, no chlorine and the price of water is going up.
so yeah – a good investment.

Pepe, taste the difference when you go somewhere and have a drink from the tap?

Oh yeah veg. There is no comparison. Tank water is definitely best!

Dinetta said:

Veg gardener said:

Pepe, taste the difference when you go somewhere and have a drink from the tap?

YYYEEESSS!!!

Dislike the taste, but will drinking it when I Have to.

Dinetta said:

Veg gardener said:

Pepe, taste the difference when you go somewhere and have a drink from the tap?

YYYEEESSS!!!

It works the other way around too. When I was a kid I HATED the tank water at my relly’s place. It tasted so metalic, but when ever they visited us they hated the town water and made a bee line to our tank that we considered was only for the garden.

AnneS said:

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

it cost $10K but we would be saving close to a $1K per year.

it’s difficult to work the economics but there’s no doubt it feels good.
your own water, good drinking water, no chlorine and the price of water is going up.
so yeah – a good investment.

Pepe, taste the difference when you go somewhere and have a drink from the tap?

Oh yeah veg. There is no comparison. Tank water is definitely best!

Hear, hear! The water tank that goes to kitchen and vanity taps here are part of the reason I decided pay a little bit more rent for this house.

bubba louie said:

Dinetta said:

Veg gardener said:

Pepe, taste the difference when you go somewhere and have a drink from the tap?

YYYEEESSS!!!

It works the other way around too. When I was a kid I HATED the tank water at my relly’s place. It tasted so metalic, but when ever they visited us they hated the town water and made a bee line to our tank that we considered was only for the garden.

lol, No Mains water here, runs out the front but No Point being connected to it.

Veg gardener said:

bubba louie said:

Dinetta said:

YYYEEESSS!!!

It works the other way around too. When I was a kid I HATED the tank water at my relly’s place. It tasted so metalic, but when ever they visited us they hated the town water and made a bee line to our tank that we considered was only for the garden.

lol, No Mains water here, runs out the front but No Point being connected to it.

If you lived in Bris you’d legally have to. :(

bubba louie said:

Veg gardener said:

bubba louie said:

It works the other way around too. When I was a kid I HATED the tank water at my relly’s place. It tasted so metalic, but when ever they visited us they hated the town water and made a bee line to our tank that we considered was only for the garden.

lol, No Mains water here, runs out the front but No Point being connected to it.

If you lived in Bris you’d legally have to. :(

Install tank and have it Plumbed up for a drinking water tap? Mains only went in about 4-5years ago.
Sorry pepe for Hijacking the thread.

Veg gardener said:

bubba louie said:

Veg gardener said:

lol, No Mains water here, runs out the front but No Point being connected to it.

If you lived in Bris you’d legally have to. :(

Install tank and have it Plumbed up for a drinking water tap? Mains only went in about 4-5years ago.
Sorry pepe for Hijacking the thread.

We aren’t allowed to plumb tank water into the kitchen if mains is available. The Bris City Council doesn’t consider it safe for human consumption. :(

bubba louie said:

Veg gardener said:

bubba louie said:

If you lived in Bris you’d legally have to. :(

Install tank and have it Plumbed up for a drinking water tap? Mains only went in about 4-5years ago.
Sorry pepe for Hijacking the thread.

We aren’t allowed to plumb tank water into the kitchen if mains is available. The Bris City Council doesn’t consider it safe for human consumption. :(

Not so many years ago local councils wouldn’t allow people to install tanks on new houses. Now there are grants to encourage people to.

It’s all a matter of time, I’d say.

bubba louie said:

Veg gardener said:

bubba louie said:

If you lived in Bris you’d legally have to. :(

Install tank and have it Plumbed up for a drinking water tap? Mains only went in about 4-5years ago.
Sorry pepe for Hijacking the thread.

We aren’t allowed to plumb tank water into the kitchen if mains is available. The Bris City Council doesn’t consider it safe for human consumption. :(

thats a shame. Thought they would be all for it

Yeehah said:

bubba louie said:

Veg gardener said:

Install tank and have it Plumbed up for a drinking water tap? Mains only went in about 4-5years ago.
Sorry pepe for Hijacking the thread.

We aren’t allowed to plumb tank water into the kitchen if mains is available. The Bris City Council doesn’t consider it safe for human consumption. :(

Not so many years ago local councils wouldn’t allow people to install tanks on new houses. Now there are grants to encourage people to.

It’s all a matter of time, I’d say.

When I was very young my father made rain water tanks for a living. Then BCC made everyone get rid of them. Now they want them put back, but not for drinking.

bubba louie said:

We aren’t allowed to plumb tank water into the kitchen if mains is available. The Bris City Council doesn’t consider it safe for human consumption. :(

That didn’t change with the drought either, did it? Unreal. So if you want to drink tank water, you have to haul it to your kitchen?

Veg gardener said:

bubba louie said:

Veg gardener said:

Install tank and have it Plumbed up for a drinking water tap? Mains only went in about 4-5years ago.
Sorry pepe for Hijacking the thread.

We aren’t allowed to plumb tank water into the kitchen if mains is available. The Bris City Council doesn’t consider it safe for human consumption. :(

thats a shame. Thought they would be all for it

They’re all for tanks but not for drinking.

Dinetta said:

bubba louie said:

We aren’t allowed to plumb tank water into the kitchen if mains is available. The Bris City Council doesn’t consider it safe for human consumption. :(

That didn’t change with the drought either, did it? Unreal. So if you want to drink tank water, you have to haul it to your kitchen?

AFAIK.

Veg gardener said:

bubba louie said:

We aren’t allowed to plumb tank water into the kitchen if mains is available. The Bris City Council doesn’t consider it safe for human consumption. :(

thats a shame. Thought they would be all for it

I don’t know…we provided a billet for some school from Brisbane, about 15 years ago…we said don’t drink the mains water, it’s untreated and straight out of Lake Maraboon: you can shower in it, wash your hands and brush your teeth, but only drink the rain water…silly girl refused to shower, bought bottled water to drink and brush her teeth…city born and bred…had never heard of rain or tank water…I said to MrD that she wouldn’t have been any better off if she’d stayed on one of the cattle or irrigation farms…I hoped she left with a headache…

pain master said:

pepe said:

pain master said:

how do you feel your consumption has been? You’re down to a quart now, so your savings off of your water bill, will it be long before the tank has paid for itself???

it cost $10K but we would be saving close to a $1K per year.

it’s difficult to work the economics but there’s no doubt it feels good.
your own water, good drinking water, no chlorine and the price of water is going up.
so yeah – a good investment.

you drink it? what? after you add the barley, hops and malt?

no you clown – pure clean rainwater – geez you need an edew kayshon.

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

pain master said:

how do you feel your consumption has been? You’re down to a quart now, so your savings off of your water bill, will it be long before the tank has paid for itself???

it cost $10K but we would be saving close to a $1K per year.

it’s difficult to work the economics but there’s no doubt it feels good.
your own water, good drinking water, no chlorine and the price of water is going up.
so yeah – a good investment.

Pepe, taste the difference when you go somewhere and have a drink from the tap?

i like rainwater from my tank best of all.
you can keep the bottled water.

Dinetta said:

Veg gardener said:

Pepe, taste the difference when you go somewhere and have a drink from the tap?

YYYEEESSS!!!

me too, I can’t handle tank water… bleeecchhhhh!

Veg gardener said:

bubba louie said:

Veg gardener said:

lol, No Mains water here, runs out the front but No Point being connected to it.

If you lived in Bris you’d legally have to. :(

Install tank and have it Plumbed up for a drinking water tap? Mains only went in about 4-5years ago.
Sorry pepe for Hijacking the thread.

its OK – i agree with the rainwater drinking thing

bubba louie said:

Veg gardener said:

bubba louie said:

We aren’t allowed to plumb tank water into the kitchen if mains is available. The Bris City Council doesn’t consider it safe for human consumption. :(

thats a shame. Thought they would be all for it

They’re all for tanks but not for drinking.

flushing the toilet i suppose – mumble grumble.
(hey would you guys stop adding to the LHS to allow me to the top)

bubba louie said:

Veg gardener said:

bubba louie said:

If you lived in Bris you’d legally have to. :(

Install tank and have it Plumbed up for a drinking water tap? Mains only went in about 4-5years ago.
Sorry pepe for Hijacking the thread.

We aren’t allowed to plumb tank water into the kitchen if mains is available. The Bris City Council doesn’t consider it safe for human consumption. :(

Hear hear!

pain master said:

Dinetta said:

Veg gardener said:

Pepe, taste the difference when you go somewhere and have a drink from the tap?

YYYEEESSS!!!

me too, I can’t handle tank water… bleeecchhhhh!

No nono I was defending tank water…can’t see where I was praising tap water…

Dinetta said:

pain master said:

Dinetta said:

YYYEEESSS!!!

me too, I can’t handle tank water… bleeecchhhhh!

No nono I was defending tank water…can’t see where I was praising tap water…

I know that D, I was just saying that yes, me too can taste the difference and it is dire rubbishy stuff.

pain master said:

pepe said:

pain master said:

pepe, was your tank full at any stage?

yes it overflowed – it has been a good winter year with above average rainfall.

how do you feel your consumption has been? You’re down to a quart now, so your savings off of your water bill, will it be long before the tank has paid for itself???

I so want to say something about Pepe’s consumption but I won’t.

pepe said:

bubba louie said:

Veg gardener said:

thats a shame. Thought they would be all for it

They’re all for tanks but not for drinking.

flushing the toilet i suppose – mumble grumble.
(hey would you guys stop adding to the LHS to allow me to the top)

Me 3…….Please.

P1 – the dehydrater in use. semi-dried toms in 4-5 hours.
P2 – ‘cuse me AnneS – note weight LOL.
P3 – the ponds and bouganvillea

edible weeds
P1 – portulacea, neverdie, purslane
P2 – amaranthus – features in stephanie alexanders book

pepe said:

edible weeds
P1 – portulacea, neverdie, purslane
P2 – amaranthus – features in stephanie alexanders book

Do you grow those for eating? I probably haven’t ever been hungry enough to try the weeds around the place.

pomolo said:

pepe said:

edible weeds
P1 – portulacea, neverdie, purslane
P2 – amaranthus – features in stephanie alexanders book

Do you grow those for eating? I probably haven’t ever been hungry enough to try the weeds around the place.

chuckle – no we haven’t eaten either so far.

the portulacea has grown from the rain water – i think?

the young leaf of the amaranthus will be nibbled tonight – i suspect it’s similar to rocket.
…and i’m betting that rocket was a weed once upon a time.

pepe said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

edible weeds
P1 – portulacea, neverdie, purslane
P2 – amaranthus – features in stephanie alexanders book

Do you grow those for eating? I probably haven’t ever been hungry enough to try the weeds around the place.

chuckle – no we haven’t eaten either so far.

the portulacea has grown from the rain water – i think?

the young leaf of the amaranthus will be nibbled tonight – i suspect it’s similar to rocket.
…and i’m betting that rocket was a weed once upon a time.

I read somewhere that rocket is a weed that grows along the roadsides in some country. Now where was that?

pomolo said:

pepe said:

pomolo said:

Do you grow those for eating? I probably haven’t ever been hungry enough to try the weeds around the place.

chuckle – no we haven’t eaten either so far.

the portulacea has grown from the rain water – i think?

the young leaf of the amaranthus will be nibbled tonight – i suspect it’s similar to rocket.
…and i’m betting that rocket was a weed once upon a time.

I read somewhere that rocket is a weed that grows along the roadsides in some country. Now where was that?

Italy?

bubba louie said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

chuckle – no we haven’t eaten either so far.

the portulacea has grown from the rain water – i think?

the young leaf of the amaranthus will be nibbled tonight – i suspect it’s similar to rocket.
…and i’m betting that rocket was a weed once upon a time.

I read somewhere that rocket is a weed that grows along the roadsides in some country. Now where was that?

Italy?

probably – an american writer noted the following ‘weeds’ in the hedgerows near rome

oregano, thyme, rosemary, lavendar, garlic, choko, raspberries, endive, tarragon, chicory, kiwifruit, hazelnut, feijoa and guava.

pepe said:

bubba louie said:

pomolo said:

I read somewhere that rocket is a weed that grows along the roadsides in some country. Now where was that?

Italy?

probably – an american writer noted the following ‘weeds’ in the hedgerows near rome

oregano, thyme, rosemary, lavendar, garlic, choko, raspberries, endive, tarragon, chicory, kiwifruit, hazelnut, feijoa and guava.

Wow, that’s a delicious list of weeds :)

pepe said:

probably – an american writer noted the following ‘weeds’ in the hedgerows near rome

oregano, thyme, rosemary, lavendar, garlic, choko, raspberries, endive, tarragon, chicory, kiwifruit, hazelnut, feijoa and guava.

not weeds, wild plants. All our agricultural plants were wild somewhere at sometime, albeit in a more primitive form.

When I was in England I kept thinking how weedy the roadside verges were, until it occurred to me that they were “native” to that country (blackberry etc.)

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

probably – an american writer noted the following ‘weeds’ in the hedgerows near rome

oregano, thyme, rosemary, lavendar, garlic, choko, raspberries, endive, tarragon, chicory, kiwifruit, hazelnut, feijoa and guava.

not weeds, wild plants. All our agricultural plants were wild somewhere at sometime, albeit in a more primitive form.

When I was in England I kept thinking how weedy the roadside verges were, until it occurred to me that they were “native” to that country (blackberry etc.)

most would be neglected plants gone wild.

pepe said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

edible weeds
P1 – portulacea, neverdie, purslane
P2 – amaranthus – features in stephanie alexanders book

Do you grow those for eating? I probably haven’t ever been hungry enough to try the weeds around the place.

chuckle – no we haven’t eaten either so far.

the portulacea has grown from the rain water – i think?

the young leaf of the amaranthus will be nibbled tonight – i suspect it’s similar to rocket.
…and i’m betting that rocket was a weed once upon a time.

I have the one where the flower looks liek dreadlocks but never game to try Pepe, email me and let me know as I always pull them out, they come up like weeds here lol

semi-dried tomatoes – yummo – a very concentrated taste.
there are four layers but we reckon that’s a total of two jars. they are now put into olive oil.

easy to see where the cost is – labour, energy and small quantities.

pepe said:

semi-dried tomatoes – yummo – a very concentrated taste.
there are four layers but we reckon that’s a total of two jars. they are now put into olive oil.

easy to see where the cost is – labour, energy and small quantities.

Oooh, yum. I wish I got around to using my dehydrator more often.

The Estate said:

pepe said:

pomolo said:

Do you grow those for eating? I probably haven’t ever been hungry enough to try the weeds around the place.

chuckle – no we haven’t eaten either so far.

the portulacea has grown from the rain water – i think?

the young leaf of the amaranthus will be nibbled tonight – i suspect it’s similar to rocket.
…and i’m betting that rocket was a weed once upon a time.

I have the one where the flower looks liek dreadlocks but never game to try Pepe, email me and let me know as I always pull them out, they come up like weeds here lol

will do – i’ll pick the small, young leaves (like rocket).

bon008 said:

pepe said:

bubba louie said:

Italy?

probably – an american writer noted the following ‘weeds’ in the hedgerows near rome

oregano, thyme, rosemary, lavendar, garlic, choko, raspberries, endive, tarragon, chicory, kiwifruit, hazelnut, feijoa and guava.

Wow, that’s a delicious list of weeds :)

I remember watching the chef, can’t remember his name, on “Gondola on the Murray” make a tradition Italian dish that basically translated to Weed Pie. He collected them all from amoung the vines on a friends vinyard. The Greeks are pretty keen on their “weeds” as well.

pomolo said:

pepe said:

edible weeds
P1 – portulacea, neverdie, purslane
P2 – amaranthus – features in stephanie alexanders book

Do you grow those for eating? I probably haven’t ever been hungry enough to try the weeds around the place.

All the PNGeans would look at me all funny like when I ate Portulaca or even Day Lillies.

bubba louie said:

bon008 said:

pepe said:

probably – an american writer noted the following ‘weeds’ in the hedgerows near rome

oregano, thyme, rosemary, lavendar, garlic, choko, raspberries, endive, tarragon, chicory, kiwifruit, hazelnut, feijoa and guava.

Wow, that’s a delicious list of weeds :)

I remember watching the chef, can’t remember his name, on “Gondola on the Murray” make a tradition Italian dish that basically translated to Weed Pie. He collected them all from amoung the vines on a friends vinyard. The Greeks are pretty keen on their “weeds” as well.

That would be Stefano de Pieri?

pain master said:

bubba louie said:

bon008 said:

Wow, that’s a delicious list of weeds :)

I remember watching the chef, can’t remember his name, on “Gondola on the Murray” make a tradition Italian dish that basically translated to Weed Pie. He collected them all from amoung the vines on a friends vinyard. The Greeks are pretty keen on their “weeds” as well.

That would be Stefano de Pieri?

It would.

pepe said:

P1 – the dehydrater in use. semi-dried toms in 4-5 hours.
P2 – ‘cuse me AnneS – note weight LOL.
P3 – the ponds and bouganvillea

Oh pepe! Well done! That is brilliant! That’s not one of the brandywines is it? I thought they were more smoothe skinned? No wrinkles?

AnneS said:

pepe said:

P1 – the dehydrater in use. semi-dried toms in 4-5 hours.
P2 – ‘cuse me AnneS – note weight LOL.
P3 – the ponds and bouganvillea

Oh pepe! Well done! That is brilliant! That’s not one of the brandywines is it? I thought they were more smoothe skinned? No wrinkles?

thanks
but no it is not brandywine
big beef by yates.

pepe said:

edible weeds
P1 – portulacea, neverdie, purslane

Grows around here, Dunno if I’d eat it seems to grow via anything.

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

edible weeds
P1 – portulacea, neverdie, purslane

Grows around here, Dunno if I’d eat it seems to grow via anything.

i haven’t had it yet either. kinda like eating saltbush LOL.

Thee – we had the amaranthus – steamed by stirring it in the freshly cooked pasta. very good – it added that last minute freshness associated with parsley added to pasta at the last minute.

pepe said:

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

edible weeds
P1 – portulacea, neverdie, purslane

Grows around here, Dunno if I’d eat it seems to grow via anything.

i haven’t had it yet either. kinda like eating saltbush LOL.

Thee – we had the amaranthus – steamed by stirring it in the freshly cooked pasta. very good – it added that last minute freshness associated with parsley added to pasta at the last minute.

I just pull it out and bin it.

i notice that some greek type cooking programmes by visiting chefs highlight bowls of ‘greens’.

undefined ‘greens’ – thistle?, wild turnip?, doc?, – i reckon they are substituting ‘weeds’ – and getting very good value for money.

pepe said:

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

edible weeds
P1 – portulacea, neverdie, purslane

Grows around here, Dunno if I’d eat it seems to grow via anything.

i haven’t had it yet either. kinda like eating saltbush LOL.

Thee – we had the amaranthus – steamed by stirring it in the freshly cooked pasta. very good – it added that last minute freshness associated with parsley added to pasta at the last minute.

I have been told you can cook it like spinach.

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

Veg gardener said:

Grows around here, Dunno if I’d eat it seems to grow via anything.

i haven’t had it yet either. kinda like eating saltbush LOL.

Thee – we had the amaranthus – steamed by stirring it in the freshly cooked pasta. very good – it added that last minute freshness associated with parsley added to pasta at the last minute.

I just pull it out and bin it.

have you tried feeding it to the chooks? Or do they have so much already that they don’t eat it?

bluegreen said:

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

i haven’t had it yet either. kinda like eating saltbush LOL.

Thee – we had the amaranthus – steamed by stirring it in the freshly cooked pasta. very good – it added that last minute freshness associated with parsley added to pasta at the last minute.

I just pull it out and bin it.

have you tried feeding it to the chooks? Or do they have so much already that they don’t eat it?

Grows from the leafs BG, dad doesn’t want it spread around the paddocks.

Veg gardener said:

bluegreen said:

Veg gardener said:

I just pull it out and bin it.

have you tried feeding it to the chooks? Or do they have so much already that they don’t eat it?

Grows from the leafs BG, dad doesn’t want it spread around the paddocks.

fair enough.

bluegreen said:

Veg gardener said:

pepe said:

i haven’t had it yet either. kinda like eating saltbush LOL.

Thee – we had the amaranthus – steamed by stirring it in the freshly cooked pasta. very good – it added that last minute freshness associated with parsley added to pasta at the last minute.

I just pull it out and bin it.

have you tried feeding it to the chooks? Or do they have so much already that they don’t eat it?

chooks demolish amaranthus.

interesting pests are very interested in -

… – beetroot leaves.

Veg gardener said:

bluegreen said:

Veg gardener said:

I just pull it out and bin it.

have you tried feeding it to the chooks? Or do they have so much already that they don’t eat it?

Grows from the leafs BG, dad doesn’t want it spread around the paddocks.

We had it in the front lawn, spent a good weekends work pulling it all out.

i personally think we will all embrace ‘greens’ very soon

beetroot leaves, rocket, cooked cos lettuce, endive, nettle, wild grasses etc.

highly nutritious.

pepe said:

i personally think we will all embrace ‘greens’ very soon

beetroot leaves, rocket, cooked cos lettuce, endive, nettle, wild grasses etc.

highly nutritious.

..and don’t forget nastursium leaves…

pepe said:

i notice that some greek type cooking programmes by visiting chefs highlight bowls of ‘greens’.

undefined ‘greens’ – thistle?, wild turnip?, doc?, – i reckon they are substituting ‘weeds’ – and getting very good value for money.

in PNG, anything vegetative and green and edible was referred to as “greens”, this ranged from Aibika, to choko tips and pumikin tops and chinese lettuce to some very weedy tasting herbaceous weeds.

pepe said:

AnneS said:

pepe said:

P1 – the dehydrater in use. semi-dried toms in 4-5 hours.
P2 – ‘cuse me AnneS – note weight LOL.
P3 – the ponds and bouganvillea

Oh pepe! Well done! That is brilliant! That’s not one of the brandywines is it? I thought they were more smoothe skinned? No wrinkles?

thanks
but no it is not brandywine
big beef by yates.

Cool

pepe said:

semi-dried tomatoes – yummo – a very concentrated taste.
there are four layers but we reckon that’s a total of two jars. they are now put into olive oil.

easy to see where the cost is – labour, energy and small quantities.

Gee you’re doing well there.

The Estate said:

pepe said:

pomolo said:

Do you grow those for eating? I probably haven’t ever been hungry enough to try the weeds around the place.

chuckle – no we haven’t eaten either so far.

the portulacea has grown from the rain water – i think?

the young leaf of the amaranthus will be nibbled tonight – i suspect it’s similar to rocket.
…and i’m betting that rocket was a weed once upon a time.

I have the one where the flower looks liek dreadlocks but never game to try Pepe, email me and let me know as I always pull them out, they come up like weeds here lol

Plus they seed like mad and so hard to get rid of. Eating them would help with the problem.

pepe said:

i notice that some greek type cooking programmes by visiting chefs highlight bowls of ‘greens’.

undefined ‘greens’ – thistle?, wild turnip?, doc?, – i reckon they are substituting ‘weeds’ – and getting very good value for money.

My SIL (who is Greek) and I were talking about cooking weeds the other day when we were watching an episode of Costa’s Gardening Odyssey on DVD. It’s quite common among Greeks to use some weeds in their cooking. I forget now which ones he was talking about but I think from memory dandelion is very popular.

Veg gardener said:

bluegreen said:

Veg gardener said:

I just pull it out and bin it.

have you tried feeding it to the chooks? Or do they have so much already that they don’t eat it?

Grows from the leafs BG, dad doesn’t want it spread around the paddocks.

I think you mean the portulacca Veg. AFAIK Amaranth grows from seed.

bubba louie said:

Veg gardener said:

bluegreen said:

have you tried feeding it to the chooks? Or do they have so much already that they don’t eat it?

Grows from the leafs BG, dad doesn’t want it spread around the paddocks.

I think you mean the portulacca Veg. AFAIK Amaranth grows from seed.

I was talking about the Portualacca (photo 1) dunno must of got mis read some where.

P1 – basil looks beaut but crusader beetle is a problem
P2 – tiny little spider on orange leaf
P3 – first echinacea flowers forming

hundreds of starlings just dropped in for a chat

pepe said:

hundreds of starlings just dropped in for a chat

They sure did!!!

pepe said:

P1 – basil looks beaut but crusader beetle is a problem
P2 – tiny little spider on orange leaf
P3 – first echinacea flowers forming

feed the crusader to the spider?

pepe said:

hundreds of starlings just dropped in for a chat

Alfred Hitchcock anyone?

this is a bit of a potpourri for sunday night

Photo 1 – all these basil leaves eventually fitted into one of those plastic containers. 3 hours of picking, washing, spin drying and than layering, pressing, salting and finally olive oiling – gives you a supply of preserved winter basil. we have done it once before. just take out the freezer, remove as many leaves as you want and return the rest to the freezer.

Photo 2 – the top of a hollyhock becomes pest central – moan

Photo 3 – more of an ‘evidence of a sighting’ than a photo. we do have wrens and i’m going to get a photo – one day.

dindins

Pepe..re the basil..
I pick bunches of it, bring inside then on a sheet of plastic wrap I pull all the leaves off, say a big handful, roll it up tight into golf ball size and freeze. 10 mins maximum. Then when frozen I put all the balls of basil into a zip lock bag, expel the air and back into the freezer.
A chef told me to do this and it works fine.

Happy Potter said:

Pepe..re the basil..
I pick bunches of it, bring inside then on a sheet of plastic wrap I pull all the leaves off, say a big handful, roll it up tight into golf ball size and freeze. 10 mins maximum. Then when frozen I put all the balls of basil into a zip lock bag, expel the air and back into the freezer.
A chef told me to do this and it works fine.

OK HP – no salt no olive oil but a vacuum
- um – no vacuum here and ours preserves the taste and colour.

two ways are better than one.

pepe said:

this is a bit of a potpourri for sunday night

Photo 1 – all these basil leaves eventually fitted into one of those plastic containers. 3 hours of picking, washing, spin drying and than layering, pressing, salting and finally olive oiling – gives you a supply of preserved winter basil. we have done it once before. just take out the freezer, remove as many leaves as you want and return the rest to the freezer.

Photo 2 – the top of a hollyhock becomes pest central – moan

Photo 3 – more of an ‘evidence of a sighting’ than a photo. we do have wrens and i’m going to get a photo – one day.

dindins

they’re too large for my dial-up but I believe you pepe… ;)

the wren photo trimmed

pepe said:

the wren photo trimmed

I see her now… pepe, listen to her, learn her song and mimic that voice while remaining relaxed and in a comfy spot. The males will come to you but it takes time. Birds are social animals and they prefer you to be making noise and movement. If you go silent and freeze, they will think that you are a predator.

Think like a wren, be like the wren. pepe = wren.

pain master said:

pepe said:

the wren photo trimmed

I see her now… pepe, listen to her, learn her song and mimic that voice while remaining relaxed and in a comfy spot. The males will come to you but it takes time. Birds are social animals and they prefer you to be making noise and movement. If you go silent and freeze, they will think that you are a predator.

Think like a wren, be like the wren. pepe = wren.

interesting – odd imitating a bird to snap the others – but it makes sense. thanks PM

pepe said:

pain master said:

pepe said:

the wren photo trimmed

I see her now… pepe, listen to her, learn her song and mimic that voice while remaining relaxed and in a comfy spot. The males will come to you but it takes time. Birds are social animals and they prefer you to be making noise and movement. If you go silent and freeze, they will think that you are a predator.

Think like a wren, be like the wren. pepe = wren.

interesting – odd imitating a bird to snap the others – but it makes sense. thanks PM

I have been to “bird-parks” here in Australia where they do not allow you to bring in recordings of birds, because it can disrupt the breeding cycle. Some bird-nerds record the mating calls and replay them in order to bring the birds nearer???

a heck of a lot is going on now that it’s nearly autumn.

the echinacea is flowering, the skinks are running around as tho’ they owned the place and this little native bush is producing bush potatoes (i think).

eggplant are late at my place this year but one of them is a monster.
speaking of strange happenings – this corn has formed an exposed cob on the top of the male tassles.

harvest time – corn, beans

…- and plenty of pumpkins

pepe said:

speaking of strange happenings – this corn has formed an exposed cob on the top of the male tassles.

Did you grow 2 different varieties at the same time pepe? The Boy (AKA #1 son) told me recently that if you have 2 varieties growing at the same time they will cross pollinate and revert to non sweet type. Perhaps in that situation you get the cobs setting like yours. One lot of my corn did that earlier this year and we think it was because I accidentally sowed two types at the same time

AnneS said:

pepe said:

speaking of strange happenings – this corn has formed an exposed cob on the top of the male tassles.

Did you grow 2 different varieties at the same time pepe? The Boy (AKA #1 son) told me recently that if you have 2 varieties growing at the same time they will cross pollinate and revert to non sweet type. Perhaps in that situation you get the cobs setting like yours. One lot of my corn did that earlier this year and we think it was because I accidentally sowed two types at the same time

quite possible anne – four corn survived an earlier planting and they rest of the seed were planted four weeks later. it might well have been two different seed.

pepe said:

eggplant are late at my place this year but one of them is a monster.
speaking of strange happenings – this corn has formed an exposed cob on the top of the male tassles.

Still waiting for my eggplants to set fruit……

Now that it’s cooler I really need to get into the weeding and prunning.

Pulled out my feral pumpkin vine yesterday. It was strangling too many other things and I never get any pumpkins unless I pollinate them myself.
The Pawpaw fell over in the wet and it’s still just lying there. I really haven’t done much since Christmas and it shows.
It’s a bugga MrBL being away because I can never start the mulcher and the weed pile on the lawn is growing.

And I MISS him too. :(

bubba louie said:

Now that it’s cooler I really need to get into the weeding and prunning.

Pulled out my feral pumpkin vine yesterday. It was strangling too many other things and I never get any pumpkins unless I pollinate them myself.
The Pawpaw fell over in the wet and it’s still just lying there. I really haven’t done much since Christmas and it shows.
It’s a bugga MrBL being away because I can never start the mulcher and the weed pile on the lawn is growing.

And I MISS him too. :(

weep weep – poor lonely bubba.
time to slowly get into action. take it easily – one of my back muscles is slowing me up but i can still operate.
i guess you know the seasons – probably your planting times are different to here.

pepe said:

bubba louie said:

Now that it’s cooler I really need to get into the weeding and prunning.

Pulled out my feral pumpkin vine yesterday. It was strangling too many other things and I never get any pumpkins unless I pollinate them myself.
The Pawpaw fell over in the wet and it’s still just lying there. I really haven’t done much since Christmas and it shows.
It’s a bugga MrBL being away because I can never start the mulcher and the weed pile on the lawn is growing.

And I MISS him too. :(

weep weep – poor lonely bubba.
time to slowly get into action. take it easily – one of my back muscles is slowing me up but i can still operate.
i guess you know the seasons – probably your planting times are different to here.

I don’t really have a proper veg patch so planting times aren’t an issue. If I get the urge to plant veg I just stick in whatever is in season where ever it fits.

Just back from the vet, again.

The scab fell off the old girls wound and it was a bit mucky underneath. It’s a bit infected so she’s on antibiotics. Let’s hope this is the end of it.

the peppermint box gum (e. odorata) is our indigenous gum and it’s in flower.
bees, spotted moths, wanderers and wasps are all pollinating it.
that moth is not usually so blurred but there twas a little breeze yesterday when the photos were taken.
beautiful – i love autumn.

pepe said:

the peppermint box gum (e. odorata) is our indigenous gum and it’s in flower.
bees, spotted moths, wanderers and wasps are all pollinating it.
that moth is not usually so blurred but there twas a little breeze yesterday when the photos were taken.
beautiful – i love autumn.

Gorgeous, pepe. That’s what I love about having local plants – you’re supporting such a beautiful, complex ecosystem. And so much entertainment value from observing all the visitors!

bon008 said:

pepe said:

the peppermint box gum (e. odorata) is our indigenous gum and it’s in flower.
bees, spotted moths, wanderers and wasps are all pollinating it.
that moth is not usually so blurred but there twas a little breeze yesterday when the photos were taken.
beautiful – i love autumn.

Gorgeous, pepe. That’s what I love about having local plants – you’re supporting such a beautiful, complex ecosystem. And so much entertainment value from observing all the visitors!

well said bon
ms. p. and i did hang around the ‘native corner for a while. apart from the trees and pollinators there is a lovely smell from the pollen – ms. p. is asthmatic but didn’t suffer.

they are also providing shade at present because most are now 4 metres high. the native birds are coming to this area altho’ up ‘til now the magpies have dominated.

i am having great success with my lemon verbena syrup. it mixes very well with all the commonly sold fruit juices including -
- orange/mango. cranberry/grape, apple -…

my daughter has now produced a chocolate-mint syrup – excellent mixed with the nighttime cocoa drink.

these herbal admixes do appear to benefit sleep, strength etc.

for our tropical members – ginger is ‘spose to help many ailments and would be a worthwhile admix to most juices as well.

I’d be interested in how you make the Lemon Verbena Syrup as I have some cuttings growing.

bluegreen said:

I’d be interested in how you make the Lemon Verbena Syrup as I have some cuttings growing.

LEMON VERBENA SYRUP
wait for plant to grow into 1.2m high tree.
start pruning asap – probably november. prune branches and strip leaves. my plant keeps regenerating from nodes along the branches – very similar to a basil bush.

boil sufficient water to cover your stripped leaf haul – dissolve sugar in water – then turn off the heat and either -
- put leaves in saucepan (do not boil) and submerge using potato masher or
- pour sugared water over leaves.

leave to seep for at least two hours and preferably overnight.

pepe said:

the peppermint box gum (e. odorata) is our indigenous gum and it’s in flower.
bees, spotted moths, wanderers and wasps are all pollinating it.
that moth is not usually so blurred but there twas a little breeze yesterday when the photos were taken.
beautiful – i love autumn.

I love that moth. We get them here. They are one of the culprits that dirty up my windows. Lovely though. Pure white with red and black pin prick spots. Now I know what they feed on. Thanks Pepe.

pepe said:

bluegreen said:

I’d be interested in how you make the Lemon Verbena Syrup as I have some cuttings growing.

LEMON VERBENA SYRUP
wait for plant to grow into 1.2m high tree.
start pruning asap – probably november. prune branches and strip leaves. my plant keeps regenerating from nodes along the branches – very similar to a basil bush.

boil sufficient water to cover your stripped leaf haul – dissolve sugar in water – then turn off the heat and either -
- put leaves in saucepan (do not boil) and submerge using potato masher or
- pour sugared water over leaves.

leave to seep for at least two hours and preferably overnight.

thanks :)

the biggest eggplant i’ve ever seen.

if i can preserve it i will.
any ideas?

pepe said:

the biggest eggplant i’ve ever seen.

if i can preserve it i will.
any ideas?

Mr Bon makes an eggplant pickle which is apparently very awesome :)

pepe said:

the biggest eggplant i’ve ever seen.

if i can preserve it i will.
any ideas?

are you sure it is safe to eat? Looks like a mutant to me!

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

the biggest eggplant i’ve ever seen.

if i can preserve it i will.
any ideas?

are you sure it is safe to eat? Looks like a mutant to me!

it’s delish – we just grilled two big slices on the barbeque.

i think its 3 or 4 eggplants rolled into one. we are having an exceptional growth year in s.a.

bon008 said:

pepe said:

the biggest eggplant i’ve ever seen.

if i can preserve it i will.
any ideas?

Mr Bon makes an eggplant pickle which is apparently very awesome :)

good idea – charmaine solomon has a 1 kilo recipe –
this thing is about 1700 gms – i forgot to weigh it before slicing.

pepe said:

i am having great success with my lemon verbena syrup. it mixes very well with all the commonly sold fruit juices including -
- orange/mango. cranberry/grape, apple -…

my daughter has now produced a chocolate-mint syrup – excellent mixed with the nighttime cocoa drink.

these herbal admixes do appear to benefit sleep, strength etc.

for our tropical members – ginger is ‘spose to help many ailments and would be a worthwhile admix to most juices as well.

You’re such a clever bloke Pepe. Wish D was the experimental type too. In the kitchen I mean. Phew! That was close.

pepe said:

the biggest eggplant i’ve ever seen.

if i can preserve it i will.
any ideas?

It looks like conjoined triplets at least!

bon008 said:

pepe said:

the biggest eggplant i’ve ever seen.

if i can preserve it i will.
any ideas?

Mr Bon makes an eggplant pickle which is apparently very awesome :)

Could you get the recipe from him Bon? I’m not an eg plant fan but would try it in any other form rather than plain slices.

pomolo said:

bon008 said:

pepe said:

the biggest eggplant i’ve ever seen.

if i can preserve it i will.
any ideas?

Mr Bon makes an eggplant pickle which is apparently very awesome :)

Could you get the recipe from him Bon? I’m not an eg plant fan but would try it in any other form rather than plain slices.

Hi pomolo,

Mr Bon says he started with this one, but then improvised heavily – depending on what he had available etc:

http://kitchenware.bizhosting.com/Eggplant_Pickle_recipe.html

bon008 said:

pomolo said:

bon008 said:

Mr Bon makes an eggplant pickle which is apparently very awesome :)

Could you get the recipe from him Bon? I’m not an eg plant fan but would try it in any other form rather than plain slices.

Hi pomolo,

Mr Bon says he started with this one, but then improvised heavily – depending on what he had available etc:

http://kitchenware.bizhosting.com/Eggplant_Pickle_recipe.html

Thanks for the fast reaction. I shall try it and see how it goes. D loves them and I would like to join him.

pomolo said:

bon008 said:

pomolo said:

Could you get the recipe from him Bon? I’m not an eg plant fan but would try it in any other form rather than plain slices.

Hi pomolo,

Mr Bon says he started with this one, but then improvised heavily – depending on what he had available etc:

http://kitchenware.bizhosting.com/Eggplant_Pickle_recipe.html

Thanks for the fast reaction. I shall try it and see how it goes. D loves them and I would like to join him.

Same here. I think I was put off eggplant as a child, and I haven’t yet found the dish to encourage me to give them another chance. This pickle smells pretty strong – I haven’t tasted it yet though. Mr Bon thinks it’s the bees knees :)

bon008 said:

pomolo said:

bon008 said:

Hi pomolo,

Mr Bon says he started with this one, but then improvised heavily – depending on what he had available etc:

http://kitchenware.bizhosting.com/Eggplant_Pickle_recipe.html

Thanks for the fast reaction. I shall try it and see how it goes. D loves them and I would like to join him.

Same here. I think I was put off eggplant as a child, and I haven’t yet found the dish to encourage me to give them another chance. This pickle smells pretty strong – I haven’t tasted it yet though. Mr Bon thinks it’s the bees knees :)

We haven’t got any growing ATM but when we do I will try the recipe. Poor D does without them because I don’t like them. I will show him.

pepe said:

beautiful – i love autumn.

Autumn, spring, winter and summer – seasons in order of preference :)

I love crunchy deciduous leaves underfoot in autumn, then frosts underfoot in winter and spring.

pomolo said:

pepe said:

the biggest eggplant i’ve ever seen.

if i can preserve it i will.
any ideas?

It looks like conjoined triplets at least!

Octomum of the eggplant world?

pepe said:

the biggest eggplant i’ve ever seen.

if i can preserve it i will.
any ideas?

send it up here.

pomolo said:

pepe said:

i am having great success with my lemon verbena syrup. it mixes very well with all the commonly sold fruit juices including -
- orange/mango. cranberry/grape, apple -…
my daughter has now produced a chocolate-mint syrup – excellent mixed with the nighttime cocoa drink. these herbal admixes do appear to benefit sleep, strength etc. for our tropical members – ginger is ‘spose to help many ailments and would be a worthwhile admix to most juices as well.

You’re such a clever bloke Pepe. Wish D was the experimental type too. In the kitchen I mean. Phew! That was close.

it happened like this -
- last summer i found a one and only recipe for Lemon Verbena and it required 6 juices including lemon and apricot nectar. it was about a $15 hit so we only ever had it twice for dinner parties.

- this summer the LV grew very big like everything else this year so i had to prune. i made a batch of drinks with the LV syrup added and they disappeared.

- realising i was onto something cheap and quick – i bought lots of different fruit juices – partially because we were drinking heaps of coffee, alcohol, water, soda water etc and getting tired of all of them. everyone agrees that it blends very well with a wide range of juices.

so it took two years and was accidental rather than experimental and now i’m passing this on to youse lot – get a lemon verbena tree!

it’s probably a good pot specimen and the smell – Oooooh – better than eau-de-cologne and spearmint – sweeter than basil – a winner!

pepe said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

i am having great success with my lemon verbena syrup. it mixes very well with all the commonly sold fruit juices including -
- orange/mango. cranberry/grape, apple -…
my daughter has now produced a chocolate-mint syrup – excellent mixed with the nighttime cocoa drink. these herbal admixes do appear to benefit sleep, strength etc. for our tropical members – ginger is ‘spose to help many ailments and would be a worthwhile admix to most juices as well.

You’re such a clever bloke Pepe. Wish D was the experimental type too. In the kitchen I mean. Phew! That was close.

it happened like this -
- last summer i found a one and only recipe for Lemon Verbena and it required 6 juices including lemon and apricot nectar. it was about a $15 hit so we only ever had it twice for dinner parties.

- this summer the LV grew very big like everything else this year so i had to prune. i made a batch of drinks with the LV syrup added and they disappeared.

- realising i was onto something cheap and quick – i bought lots of different fruit juices – partially because we were drinking heaps of coffee, alcohol, water, soda water etc and getting tired of all of them. everyone agrees that it blends very well with a wide range of juices.

so it took two years and was accidental rather than experimental and now i’m passing this on to youse lot – get a lemon verbena tree!

it’s probably a good pot specimen and the smell – Oooooh – better than eau-de-cologne and spearmint – sweeter than basil – a winner!

I will now investigate lemon verbena for my herb garden. Thanks for all the info on it.