Better start my new year photo thread :)

Happy Potter said:

Better start my new year photo thread :)

I am definately impressed. They look lovely and you can be proud of your achievement.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Better start my new year photo thread :)

I am definately impressed. They look lovely and you can be proud of your achievement.

Thanks Pomolo :D I love making them.

I forgot to add the blue check one. here it is.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Better start my new year photo thread :)

I agree with Pom, they are very attractive and professional too. Well done HP!

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I am definately impressed. They look lovely and you can be proud of your achievement.

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Better start my new year photo thread :)

I am definately impressed. They look lovely and you can be proud of your achievement.

Thanks Pomolo :D I love making them.

I forgot to add the blue check one. here it is.

You also forgot to add my favourite one. Now the challenge is for you to figure out which one that is, LOL! :D

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

I am definately impressed. They look lovely and you can be proud of your achievement.

Thanks Pomolo :D I love making them.

I forgot to add the blue check one. here it is.

You also forgot to add my favourite one. Now the challenge is for you to figure out which one that is, LOL! :D

Oh a challenge, is my brain up to it? Dunno lol!

Thank you for your kind words girls :)

MMM tomatoes. And they’re hugeeeee!

Red pear,and the long ones are giant polish.

I picked up this beaut hand mincer from freecycle. It’s a supanova made in Italy and has several weird discs. But I can’t for the life of me work out what those individual discs do. A couple of them look almost like pasta extruders. When I search the brand only the more modern ones come up with the metal discs. It was an elderly lady who gave it to me and she told me these were the best, they don’t make them like this anymore. There was no booklet.
Can anyone enlighten me?

Happy Potter said:

I picked up this beaut hand mincer from freecycle. It’s a supanova made in Italy and has several weird discs. But I can’t for the life of me work out what those individual discs do. A couple of them look almost like pasta extruders. When I search the brand only the more modern ones come up with the metal discs. It was an elderly lady who gave it to me and she told me these were the best, they don’t make them like this anymore. There was no booklet.
Can anyone enlighten me?

Pasta extruders would be my guess too.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

I picked up this beaut hand mincer from freecycle. It’s a supanova made in Italy and has several weird discs. But I can’t for the life of me work out what those individual discs do. A couple of them look almost like pasta extruders. When I search the brand only the more modern ones come up with the metal discs. It was an elderly lady who gave it to me and she told me these were the best, they don’t make them like this anymore. There was no booklet.
Can anyone enlighten me?

Pasta extruders would be my guess too.

In fact I think we are looking at fettuccine, cannelloni, macaroni, spaghetti and rigatoni or penne

bluegreen said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

I picked up this beaut hand mincer from freecycle. It’s a supanova made in Italy and has several weird discs. But I can’t for the life of me work out what those individual discs do. A couple of them look almost like pasta extruders. When I search the brand only the more modern ones come up with the metal discs. It was an elderly lady who gave it to me and she told me these were the best, they don’t make them like this anymore. There was no booklet.
Can anyone enlighten me?

Pasta extruders would be my guess too.

In fact I think we are looking at fettuccine, cannelloni, macaroni, spaghetti and rigatoni or penne

Hmmmm! If thats the case this was a rare find indeed. I will ask my chef fried too, and I will make up some pasta dough soon and give it a burl!

bluegreen said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

I picked up this beaut hand mincer from freecycle. It’s a supanova made in Italy and has several weird discs. But I can’t for the life of me work out what those individual discs do. A couple of them look almost like pasta extruders. When I search the brand only the more modern ones come up with the metal discs. It was an elderly lady who gave it to me and she told me these were the best, they don’t make them like this anymore. There was no booklet.
Can anyone enlighten me?

Pasta extruders would be my guess too.

In fact I think we are looking at fettuccine, cannelloni, macaroni, spaghetti and rigatoni or penne

Ooooo it makes pasta alright! I made a load of rigatoni! Time consuming, but sooooo easy. We love the pasta I make for the lasagne so this will be used often for other shapes. I will make a simple tomato garlic and basil sauce for it tonight :)
Pic later because my camera battery is being charged.

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

bluegreen said:

Pasta extruders would be my guess too.

In fact I think we are looking at fettuccine, cannelloni, macaroni, spaghetti and rigatoni or penne

Ooooo it makes pasta alright! I made a load of rigatoni! Time consuming, but sooooo easy. We love the pasta I make for the lasagne so this will be used often for other shapes. I will make a simple tomato garlic and basil sauce for it tonight :)
Pic later because my camera battery is being charged.

Ta-da!

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

In fact I think we are looking at fettuccine, cannelloni, macaroni, spaghetti and rigatoni or penne

Ooooo it makes pasta alright! I made a load of rigatoni! Time consuming, but sooooo easy. We love the pasta I make for the lasagne so this will be used often for other shapes. I will make a simple tomato garlic and basil sauce for it tonight :)
Pic later because my camera battery is being charged.

Ta-da!

yummo!

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

In fact I think we are looking at fettuccine, cannelloni, macaroni, spaghetti and rigatoni or penne

Ooooo it makes pasta alright! I made a load of rigatoni! Time consuming, but sooooo easy. We love the pasta I make for the lasagne so this will be used often for other shapes. I will make a simple tomato garlic and basil sauce for it tonight :)
Pic later because my camera battery is being charged.

Ta-da!

looking good :)

painmaster said:

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

Ooooo it makes pasta alright! I made a load of rigatoni! Time consuming, but sooooo easy. We love the pasta I make for the lasagne so this will be used often for other shapes. I will make a simple tomato garlic and basil sauce for it tonight :)
Pic later because my camera battery is being charged.

Ta-da!

yummo!

And it was bluddy beautiful! I didn’t take a pic of it with the sauce as the kids had it on the plates and were already tucking in..

Great find, HP! Andcouldn’t have gone to a better home. The pasta looks yummo.

Happy Potter said:

MMM tomatoes. And they’re hugeeeee!

Red pear,and the long ones are giant polish.

good haul.

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

In fact I think we are looking at fettuccine, cannelloni, macaroni, spaghetti and rigatoni or penne

Ooooo it makes pasta alright! I made a load of rigatoni! Time consuming, but sooooo easy. We love the pasta I make for the lasagne so this will be used often for other shapes. I will make a simple tomato garlic and basil sauce for it tonight :)
Pic later because my camera battery is being charged.

Ta-da!

Clever thing.

Happy Potter said:

I picked up this beaut hand mincer from freecycle. It’s a supanova made in Italy and has several weird discs. But I can’t for the life of me work out what those individual discs do. A couple of them look almost like pasta extruders. When I search the brand only the more modern ones come up with the metal discs. It was an elderly lady who gave it to me and she told me these were the best, they don’t make them like this anymore. There was no booklet.
Can anyone enlighten me?

Pretty sure it’s not a mincer at all, but a pasta maker. Clockwise from top left: 1.fettucine; 2.sheet pasta (for making lasagne, ravioli, tortellini etc); 3. canneloni; 4. linguine; 5. penne/macaroni

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

In fact I think we are looking at fettuccine, cannelloni, macaroni, spaghetti and rigatoni or penne

Ooooo it makes pasta alright! I made a load of rigatoni! Time consuming, but sooooo easy. We love the pasta I make for the lasagne so this will be used often for other shapes. I will make a simple tomato garlic and basil sauce for it tonight :)
Pic later because my camera battery is being charged.

Ta-da!

Awesome! You clever chook!

I think BG nailed them better than I did.

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

Ooooo it makes pasta alright! I made a load of rigatoni! Time consuming, but sooooo easy. We love the pasta I make for the lasagne so this will be used often for other shapes. I will make a simple tomato garlic and basil sauce for it tonight :)
Pic later because my camera battery is being charged.

Ta-da!

Awesome! You clever chook!

I think BG nailed them better than I did.

you might be right on the sheet one that I thought cannelloni, it’s not a full circle, is it? although I believe cannelloni can be made from sheets.

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

Ta-da!

Awesome! You clever chook!

I think BG nailed them better than I did.

you might be right on the sheet one that I thought cannelloni, it’s not a full circle, is it? although I believe cannelloni can be made from sheets.

Depends how big they are IRL, I thought the larger circle ones were canneloni but then I saw your response and thought you were probably right. HP is the one to tell us, she has a better idea of the actual size of them.

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

Awesome! You clever chook!

I think BG nailed them better than I did.

you might be right on the sheet one that I thought cannelloni, it’s not a full circle, is it? although I believe cannelloni can be made from sheets.

Depends how big they are IRL, I thought the larger circle ones were canneloni but then I saw your response and thought you were probably right. HP is the one to tell us, she has a better idea of the actual size of them.

They were the size of penne. But they swelled up a bit in the boiling water. They seemed to go harder at first, but softened mostly when stirred into the sauce. Still, very yummy. I will perfect it. It is sooooo much cheaper making your own pasta, and of course healthier. The kids have snaffled the left overs for their work lunches for tomorrow.

Helloooooooo.

This is Muffin Top, my 3 week old crested polish chick :)

Happy Potter said:

Helloooooooo.

This is Muffin Top, my 3 week old crested polish chick :)

Hilarious.

Happy Potter said:

Helloooooooo.

This is Muffin Top, my 3 week old crested polish chick :)

Now that is one weird chook.

Happy Potter said:

Helloooooooo.

This is Muffin Top, my 3 week old crested polish chick :)

Oh! Just adorable HP! Love the name!

This ones even weirder.. Daisy the Belgium D’ Uccle sound asleep on her back on my lap. She loves doing this! lol.

love the chookie pictures HP :)

Something is attacking my pumpkin vine. But the weird thing is, it’s not eating the new growth or the fruit, It’s only attacking a thick part of the vine all, but severing it and from that part on everything dies. I’m losing bulk fruit, four yesterday and another 3 today. And on different parts of the vine.
Grrr!!!!
Whatever could be doing this?

Happy Potter said:

Something is attacking my pumpkin vine. But the weird thing is, it’s not eating the new growth or the fruit, It’s only attacking a thick part of the vine all, but severing it and from that part on everything dies. I’m losing bulk fruit, four yesterday and another 3 today. And on different parts of the vine.
Grrr!!!!
Whatever could be doing this?

I have no idea what it is but it obviously loves it. What a bummer!

Happy Potter said:

Something is attacking my pumpkin vine. But the weird thing is, it’s not eating the new growth or the fruit, It’s only attacking a thick part of the vine all, but severing it and from that part on everything dies. I’m losing bulk fruit, four yesterday and another 3 today. And on different parts of the vine.
Grrr!!!!
Whatever could be doing this?

I’m thinking it looks like slugs. Have gone out at night with a torch?

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Something is attacking my pumpkin vine. But the weird thing is, it’s not eating the new growth or the fruit, It’s only attacking a thick part of the vine all, but severing it and from that part on everything dies. I’m losing bulk fruit, four yesterday and another 3 today. And on different parts of the vine.
Grrr!!!!
Whatever could be doing this?

I’m thinking it looks like slugs. Have gone out at night with a torch?

I did sine abig torch on it but from a distance thinking maybe possum, or rat. I didn’t think of slugs, but wouldn’t there be ‘snail’ trails? I didn’t see any slime.

Happy Potter said:

Something is attacking my pumpkin vine. But the weird thing is, it’s not eating the new growth or the fruit, It’s only attacking a thick part of the vine all, but severing it and from that part on everything dies. I’m losing bulk fruit, four yesterday and another 3 today. And on different parts of the vine.
Grrr!!!!
Whatever could be doing this?

Could it be cutworm?

pain master said:

Happy Potter said:

Something is attacking my pumpkin vine. But the weird thing is, it’s not eating the new growth or the fruit, It’s only attacking a thick part of the vine all, but severing it and from that part on everything dies. I’m losing bulk fruit, four yesterday and another 3 today. And on different parts of the vine.
Grrr!!!!
Whatever could be doing this?

Could it be cutworm?

I’ve never seen it before in any of my cucurbits but then I don’t have cutworm. Though to my knowledge, cutworm starts at the base of the plant which takes it all out. lt does however resemble the type of damage other similar ‘worms’ do, such as Heliothis. Therefore cutworm is a possibility. particularly if there is no apparent evidence of a culprit in the daylight. I’d try looking with a torch at night. Looks like you are going to have to eat those as zucchini.

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Something is attacking my pumpkin vine. But the weird thing is, it’s not eating the new growth or the fruit, It’s only attacking a thick part of the vine all, but severing it and from that part on everything dies. I’m losing bulk fruit, four yesterday and another 3 today. And on different parts of the vine.
Grrr!!!!
Whatever could be doing this?

I’m thinking it looks like slugs. Have gone out at night with a torch?

I did sine abig torch on it but from a distance thinking maybe possum, or rat. I didn’t think of slugs, but wouldn’t there be ‘snail’ trails? I didn’t see any slime.

I really doubt that it is slug damage. It appears to have been bored into and eaten from the inside out. Though you could try using the Bayer methiocarb(blue snail bait) as this killls a range of things that come up out of the soil at night and leaves their bodies on the surface for you to find. Not that I have experience to prove that it will affect cutworm. To my knowledge a barrier will defeat cutworm. Though a barrier the size of your pumpkin vine is a difficult logistic, particularly because pumpkins work best if they can put roots down along the stems.

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Something is attacking my pumpkin vine. But the weird thing is, it’s not eating the new growth or the fruit, It’s only attacking a thick part of the vine all, but severing it and from that part on everything dies. I’m losing bulk fruit, four yesterday and another 3 today. And on different parts of the vine.
Grrr!!!!
Whatever could be doing this?

I’m thinking it looks like slugs. Have gone out at night with a torch?

I did sine abig torch on it but from a distance thinking maybe possum, or rat. I didn’t think of slugs, but wouldn’t there be ‘snail’ trails? I didn’t see any slime.

It’s got to be bigger than slugs hasn’t it? There is a lot of flesh eaten out of those stems.

pain master said:

Happy Potter said:

Something is attacking my pumpkin vine. But the weird thing is, it’s not eating the new growth or the fruit, It’s only attacking a thick part of the vine all, but severing it and from that part on everything dies. I’m losing bulk fruit, four yesterday and another 3 today. And on different parts of the vine.
Grrr!!!!
Whatever could be doing this?

Could it be cutworm?

Does cutworm eat that much?

pomolo said:

pain master said:

Happy Potter said:

Something is attacking my pumpkin vine. But the weird thing is, it’s not eating the new growth or the fruit, It’s only attacking a thick part of the vine all, but severing it and from that part on everything dies. I’m losing bulk fruit, four yesterday and another 3 today. And on different parts of the vine.
Grrr!!!!
Whatever could be doing this?

Could it be cutworm?

Does cutworm eat that much?

Well no, not normally and Roughy’s response was what I expected. I kinda threw the word cutworm into the ring just to see if anyone had any similar experience with a similar kind of damage. Cutworms do basically sever just above soil level and leave a limp fallen over seedling. But the damage here looks similar, just not at a normal part of a plant.

I don’t know but are their pumikin specific pests? I think there is a weevil?

pain master said:

pomolo said:

pain master said:

Could it be cutworm?

Does cutworm eat that much?

Well no, not normally and Roughy’s response was what I expected. I kinda threw the word cutworm into the ring just to see if anyone had any similar experience with a similar kind of damage. Cutworms do basically sever just above soil level and leave a limp fallen over seedling. But the damage here looks similar, just not at a normal part of a plant.

I don’t know but are their pumikin specific pests? I think there is a weevil?

If it were an insect, wouldn’t there be droppings of some sort? There’s no tell tale signs that I can see and believe me I have searched. The pumpkin is growing on a wooden fence behind fruit trees and vege beds and just over the other side is a neighbours shed. There’s about an 8 inch gap between the fence and his shed, some 3 meters long. There’s some whacko alien creature that lives in that gap I reckon. All I can see in the gap is the odd weed seed head and dirt.
The mystery deepens.

Happy Potter said:

pain master said:

pomolo said:

Does cutworm eat that much?

Well no, not normally and Roughy’s response was what I expected. I kinda threw the word cutworm into the ring just to see if anyone had any similar experience with a similar kind of damage. Cutworms do basically sever just above soil level and leave a limp fallen over seedling. But the damage here looks similar, just not at a normal part of a plant.

I don’t know but are their pumikin specific pests? I think there is a weevil?

If it were an insect, wouldn’t there be droppings of some sort? There’s no tell tale signs that I can see and believe me I have searched. The pumpkin is growing on a wooden fence behind fruit trees and vege beds and just over the other side is a neighbours shed. There’s about an 8 inch gap between the fence and his shed, some 3 meters long. There’s some whacko alien creature that lives in that gap I reckon. All I can see in the gap is the odd weed seed head and dirt.
The mystery deepens.

Did you pick up the pumpkin stems and shake them over a pice of paper to see if caterpillar droppings fell out?
Try the blue snail bait.. it even kills mice.

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

pain master said:

Well no, not normally and Roughy’s response was what I expected. I kinda threw the word cutworm into the ring just to see if anyone had any similar experience with a similar kind of damage. Cutworms do basically sever just above soil level and leave a limp fallen over seedling. But the damage here looks similar, just not at a normal part of a plant.

I don’t know but are their pumikin specific pests? I think there is a weevil?

If it were an insect, wouldn’t there be droppings of some sort? There’s no tell tale signs that I can see and believe me I have searched. The pumpkin is growing on a wooden fence behind fruit trees and vege beds and just over the other side is a neighbours shed. There’s about an 8 inch gap between the fence and his shed, some 3 meters long. There’s some whacko alien creature that lives in that gap I reckon. All I can see in the gap is the odd weed seed head and dirt.
The mystery deepens.

Did you pick up the pumpkin stems and shake them over a pice of paper to see if caterpillar droppings fell out?
Try the blue snail bait.. it even kills mice.

Yes I have put the blue bait about now, on your earlier suggestion. There’s no catterpillar poop. I split a couple of the chewed ends to have a look inside and it’s clean as a whistle.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

If it were an insect, wouldn’t there be droppings of some sort? There’s no tell tale signs that I can see and believe me I have searched. The pumpkin is growing on a wooden fence behind fruit trees and vege beds and just over the other side is a neighbours shed. There’s about an 8 inch gap between the fence and his shed, some 3 meters long. There’s some whacko alien creature that lives in that gap I reckon. All I can see in the gap is the odd weed seed head and dirt.
The mystery deepens.

Did you pick up the pumpkin stems and shake them over a pice of paper to see if caterpillar droppings fell out?
Try the blue snail bait.. it even kills mice.

Yes I have put the blue bait about now, on your earlier suggestion. There’s no catterpillar poop. I split a couple of the chewed ends to have a look inside and it’s clean as a whistle.

Growing on a fence? That would exclude cutworm completely. Perhaps think birds or mice.

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Did you pick up the pumpkin stems and shake them over a pice of paper to see if caterpillar droppings fell out?
Try the blue snail bait.. it even kills mice.

Yes I have put the blue bait about now, on your earlier suggestion. There’s no catterpillar poop. I split a couple of the chewed ends to have a look inside and it’s clean as a whistle.

Growing on a fence? That would exclude cutworm completely. Perhaps think birds or mice.

Rosellas. They used to eat my rose stems, just looking for some juicy moisture.

pain master said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Yes I have put the blue bait about now, on your earlier suggestion. There’s no catterpillar poop. I split a couple of the chewed ends to have a look inside and it’s clean as a whistle.

Growing on a fence? That would exclude cutworm completely. Perhaps think birds or mice.

Rosellas. They used to eat my rose stems, just looking for some juicy moisture.

Yes the damage doesn’t look unlike what my budgies do to spinach stems.

Happy Potter said:

Something is attacking my pumpkin vine. But the weird thing is, it’s not eating the new growth or the fruit, It’s only attacking a thick part of the vine all, but severing it and from that part on everything dies. I’m losing bulk fruit, four yesterday and another 3 today. And on different parts of the vine.
Grrr!!!!
Whatever could be doing this?

That’s what happened to our pumpkins! We put it down to slugs or snails but never saw anything.

Photos from my vegeswap yesterday. For once I remembered the camera, lol.
Check out what I got..Dumpsideary Jam..

Happy Potter said:

Photos from my vegeswap yesterday. For once I remembered the camera, lol.
Check out what I got..Dumpsideary Jam..

So how does it work? Do they put something in your box and take one from yours or do you both haggle over what you want to swap for what?

looks like a great event HP. Well done :)

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Photos from my vegeswap yesterday. For once I remembered the camera, lol.
Check out what I got..Dumpsideary Jam..

So how does it work? Do they put something in your box and take one from yours or do you both haggle over what you want to swap for what?

You can haggle or just give away. It’s up to the bringer. We take along whatever we have an excess of so it doesn’t get wasted. Even if it’s all the same seasons produce, someone wants more to preserve. I took a huge bag of eggplants, herbs and bags of rhubarb.
The people who attend love it and the friendships that are made with likeminded growers is fantastic, and gardenening/growing/cooking tips abound :) A baker fellow had an audience talking about his wonderful sourdough rolls and freely gives away the starter dough and helps them with any questions. Very friendly bunch :)

Happy Potter said:

Photos from my vegeswap yesterday. For once I remembered the camera, lol.
Check out what I got..Dumpsideary Jam..

What a great name for the jam. Must remember that.

Is it all swap or can you purchase as well?

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Photos from my vegeswap yesterday. For once I remembered the camera, lol.
Check out what I got..Dumpsideary Jam..

So how does it work? Do they put something in your box and take one from yours or do you both haggle over what you want to swap for what?

You can haggle or just give away. It’s up to the bringer. We take along whatever we have an excess of so it doesn’t get wasted. Even if it’s all the same seasons produce, someone wants more to preserve. I took a huge bag of eggplants, herbs and bags of rhubarb.
The people who attend love it and the friendships that are made with likeminded growers is fantastic, and gardenening/growing/cooking tips abound :) A baker fellow had an audience talking about his wonderful sourdough rolls and freely gives away the starter dough and helps them with any questions. Very friendly bunch :)

I saw those rolls. Couldn’t quite make out if they were biscuits, muffins or what. Glad you settled that.

What a great name for the jam. Must remember that.

Is it all swap or can you purchase as well?
———————————————————-
No money changes hands..very strict on that. It’s barter trade or give away only.

bluegreen said:

looks like a great event HP. Well done :)

Thank you :)
People helping people, and no waste..what I love.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Photos from my vegeswap yesterday. For once I remembered the camera, lol.
Check out what I got..Dumpsideary Jam..

So how does it work? Do they put something in your box and take one from yours or do you both haggle over what you want to swap for what?

You can haggle or just give away. It’s up to the bringer. We take along whatever we have an excess of so it doesn’t get wasted. Even if it’s all the same seasons produce, someone wants more to preserve. I took a huge bag of eggplants, herbs and bags of rhubarb.
The people who attend love it and the friendships that are made with likeminded growers is fantastic, and gardenening/growing/cooking tips abound :) A baker fellow had an audience talking about his wonderful sourdough rolls and freely gives away the starter dough and helps them with any questions. Very friendly bunch :)

Sounds great!

When your that flamin tired that you forget to lie down first, you just put your head down and sleep with your bum in the air.

Happy Potter said:

When your that flamin tired that you forget to lie down first, you just put your head down and sleep with your bum in the air.

awwwww……

:D

LOL! HP, your chickies are too cute for words!

I thought it would be ok to leave the pasta extruder running to grab another ball of dough but obviously I was wrong.
He is banned from the kitchen when I am cooking and knows to stay in his bed under my desk.

Happy Potter said:

I thought it would be ok to leave the pasta extruder running to grab another ball of dough but obviously I was wrong.
He is banned from the kitchen when I am cooking and knows to stay in his bed under my desk.

hee hee!

Happy Potter said:

I thought it would be ok to leave the pasta extruder running to grab another ball of dough but obviously I was wrong.
He is banned from the kitchen when I am cooking and knows to stay in his bed under my desk.

Bad Max. Whose been a naughty boy then?

Happy Potter said:

I thought it would be ok to leave the pasta extruder running to grab another ball of dough but obviously I was wrong.
He is banned from the kitchen when I am cooking and knows to stay in his bed under my desk.

Happy Potter said:

I thought it would be ok to leave the pasta extruder running to grab another ball of dough but obviously I was wrong.
He is banned from the kitchen when I am cooking and knows to stay in his bed under my desk.

Hahaha! That is a great picture though :)

I’m resting, just! LOL.
The man was dragging his feet getting the fernery doors replaced, so I got all the tools and the drill out and asked what other wood would I need to finish it, and of course he hopped to it. He said we’ll call it a night because it was getting dark and there’s no lighting out there..so I got the big spotty out and plugged it in, well there’s light now! ..I woulda done well as a motivator, lol. We’ve just finished for the night but both doors are on and only to clean up tomorrow and it’s done :)

Happy Potter said:

I thought it would be ok to leave the pasta extruder running to grab another ball of dough but obviously I was wrong.
He is banned from the kitchen when I am cooking and knows to stay in his bed under my desk.

Cheeky monkey!

Orange Silkie Roo’s journey begins!
He has a care pack to travel with, favourite food and acv water :)

Happy Potter said:

Orange Silkie Roo’s journey begins!
He has a care pack to travel with, favourite food and acv water :)

Oh that’s so sweet – I love the ‘handle with love’ bit!

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

Orange Silkie Roo’s journey begins!
He has a care pack to travel with, favourite food and acv water :)

Oh that’s so sweet – I love the ‘handle with love’ bit!

The little rooster is already in Portland but will stay in a five star ‘chooktopia’ lady’s place for a few days for some R&R and pampering before going onto Mt Gambier, while the new owner runs about stocking up on some of lil roos’ favourite foods!
That is sooooo sweet.

Update photo and post on the little roo LOL

Room Service at the Chicken Hilton! Fine dining – 3 courses! Fish platter, pellets served on a silver dish and fine orchard apples washed down with an acv blend of h20. Such a fine vintage. Posted on behalf of Anja.

Happy Potter said:

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

Orange Silkie Roo’s journey begins!
He has a care pack to travel with, favourite food and acv water :)

Oh that’s so sweet – I love the ‘handle with love’ bit!

The little rooster is already in Portland but will stay in a five star ‘chooktopia’ lady’s place for a few days for some R&R and pampering before going onto Mt Gambier, while the new owner runs about stocking up on some of lil roos’ favourite foods!
That is sooooo sweet.

I’d say that is one lucky chook.

Happy Potter said:

Update photo and post on the little roo LOL

Room Service at the Chicken Hilton! Fine dining – 3 courses! Fish platter, pellets served on a silver dish and fine orchard apples washed down with an acv blend of h20. Such a fine vintage. Posted on behalf of Anja.

Can you explain the fish? Is this recommended for adults or just bubbies?

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

Update photo and post on the little roo LOL

Room Service at the Chicken Hilton! Fine dining – 3 courses! Fish platter, pellets served on a silver dish and fine orchard apples washed down with an acv blend of h20. Such a fine vintage. Posted on behalf of Anja.

Can you explain the fish? Is this recommended for adults or just bubbies?

Rehoming is stressfull on them and all sorts of protein is good for them as a boost. He’s had the run of the garden since tiny and catching and crating him.. he stopped eating. Cat food to the rescue. Vit C in his food too and a teaspoon of ACV in his water and within a couple hours he was full of beans.
On very hot days I give the 5 adult penned layers a kilo lump of frozen pet mince and it keeps them cool and fed as it thaws. Grain eg. corn can cause them heat stress as it warms them as the crop is digested. I still give them their daily grain ration but at the end of the day when it’s cooler rather than the morning. We haven’t had many hot days though.

Canned cat food is great for a boost to treat any stress eg, being rehomed, when they’re sick or recuperating/ not eating/underweight. Unless they’re very sick, they can’t resist it. Cat food has less sodium than dog food.

Happy Potter said:

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

Update photo and post on the little roo LOL

Room Service at the Chicken Hilton! Fine dining – 3 courses! Fish platter, pellets served on a silver dish and fine orchard apples washed down with an acv blend of h20. Such a fine vintage. Posted on behalf of Anja.

Can you explain the fish? Is this recommended for adults or just bubbies?

Rehoming is stressfull on them and all sorts of protein is good for them as a boost. He’s had the run of the garden since tiny and catching and crating him.. he stopped eating. Cat food to the rescue. Vit C in his food too and a teaspoon of ACV in his water and within a couple hours he was full of beans.
On very hot days I give the 5 adult penned layers a kilo lump of frozen pet mince and it keeps them cool and fed as it thaws. Grain eg. corn can cause them heat stress as it warms them as the crop is digested. I still give them their daily grain ration but at the end of the day when it’s cooler rather than the morning. We haven’t had many hot days though.

Canned cat food is great for a boost to treat any stress eg, being rehomed, when they’re sick or recuperating/ not eating/underweight. Unless they’re very sick, they can’t resist it. Cat food has less sodium than dog food.

I think we’ll have to start calling you Chicken Chick. You don’t just have a few backyard poultry anymore. You’ve become very knowledgeable about them as well.

Heading off to the Centre soon. There is much more I should be doing at home but I suppose it will wait.

Enjoy Tuesday!

Happy Potter said:

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

Update photo and post on the little roo LOL

Room Service at the Chicken Hilton! Fine dining – 3 courses! Fish platter, pellets served on a silver dish and fine orchard apples washed down with an acv blend of h20. Such a fine vintage. Posted on behalf of Anja.

Can you explain the fish? Is this recommended for adults or just bubbies?

Rehoming is stressfull on them and all sorts of protein is good for them as a boost. He’s had the run of the garden since tiny and catching and crating him.. he stopped eating. Cat food to the rescue. Vit C in his food too and a teaspoon of ACV in his water and within a couple hours he was full of beans.
On very hot days I give the 5 adult penned layers a kilo lump of frozen pet mince and it keeps them cool and fed as it thaws. Grain eg. corn can cause them heat stress as it warms them as the crop is digested. I still give them their daily grain ration but at the end of the day when it’s cooler rather than the morning. We haven’t had many hot days though.

Canned cat food is great for a boost to treat any stress eg, being rehomed, when they’re sick or recuperating/ not eating/underweight. Unless they’re very sick, they can’t resist it. Cat food has less sodium than dog food.

Excellent, I’ll let the cats know they have to share, LOL! Great tips here thanks. :)

I dedicated myself to the kitchen this morning. I’ve made all sorts of stuff but I’m over it now.

It’s 34c here and my legs are tired. Off to have a sit and a read. Plus a coffee.

pomolo said:

I dedicated myself to the kitchen this morning. I’ve made all sorts of stuff but I’m over it now.

It’s 34c here and my legs are tired. Off to have a sit and a read. Plus a coffee.

I want a pic of you resting with a book and a coffee :)

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

I dedicated myself to the kitchen this morning. I’ve made all sorts of stuff but I’m over it now.

It’s 34c here and my legs are tired. Off to have a sit and a read. Plus a coffee.

I want a pic of you resting with a book and a coffee :)

It happens a lot. I kid you not.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

I dedicated myself to the kitchen this morning. I’ve made all sorts of stuff but I’m over it now.

It’s 34c here and my legs are tired. Off to have a sit and a read. Plus a coffee.

I want a pic of you resting with a book and a coffee :)

It happens a lot. I kid you not.

Just one pic will do :)

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

I want a pic of you resting with a book and a coffee :)

It happens a lot. I kid you not.

Just one pic will do :)

It’s pretty hard to take a pic with a book in one hand and a coffee in the other.lol

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

It happens a lot. I kid you not.

Just one pic will do :)

It’s pretty hard to take a pic with a book in one hand and a coffee in the other.lol

Then stop posting in my pics thread! LOL Just stirrin hehe..I wondering when you were going to wake up ;)

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Just one pic will do :)

It’s pretty hard to take a pic with a book in one hand and a coffee in the other.lol

Then stop posting in my pics thread! LOL Just stirrin hehe..I wondering when you were going to wake up ;)

Oops! Sorry!

Here’s a yacon tuber 1.5 kg. I have another barrow load of them. IF I can stop the family scoffing the lot, I will roast some tomorrow.

Arh found my pics thread..
Baby Tiahna getting cuddles from the family :D

Awwww, what a little cutie! Such a gorgeous head of hair, too :)

bon008 said:

Awwww, what a little cutie! Such a gorgeous head of hair, too :)

And she’s so good, sleeping and feeding well. It’s a case of pass the parcel with family :)

Happy Potter said:

bon008 said:

Awwww, what a little cutie! Such a gorgeous head of hair, too :)

And she’s so good, sleeping and feeding well. It’s a case of pass the parcel with family :)

looks like she will be getting plenty of cuddles :)

Happy Potter said:

Arh found my pics thread..
Baby Tiahna getting cuddles from the family :D

Lovely shots. A little blondie it seems.

Happy Potter said:

bon008 said:

Awwww, what a little cutie! Such a gorgeous head of hair, too :)

And she’s so good, sleeping and feeding well. It’s a case of pass the parcel with family :)

Thank heavens for the mercy of a good baby.

I found my second wind.. made a quick spud tower.. layers of compost potting mix, horse manure, dirt and straw..there’s about 25 spuds planted it it. It’s sitting on a sewer access cover. That useless space will now grow something :)
Just finished it 5 mins ago and now I’m cold wet and very dirty. And hungry. Hot shower and some tea coming up!

Happy Potter said:

I found my second wind.. made a quick spud tower.. layers of compost potting mix, horse manure, dirt and straw..there’s about 25 spuds planted it it. It’s sitting on a sewer access cover. That useless space will now grow something :)
Just finished it 5 mins ago and now I’m cold wet and very dirty. And hungry. Hot shower and some tea coming up!

are you sure that’s not a hairy himalayan sheep? LOL.
interesting concept – i await reports.

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

I found my second wind.. made a quick spud tower.. layers of compost potting mix, horse manure, dirt and straw..there’s about 25 spuds planted it it. It’s sitting on a sewer access cover. That useless space will now grow something :)
Just finished it 5 mins ago and now I’m cold wet and very dirty. And hungry. Hot shower and some tea coming up!

are you sure that’s not a hairy himalayan sheep? LOL.
interesting concept – i await reports.

I’m waiting to see if it actually grows. Theres a couple methods..line cage with newspaper then manure then spuds on top and cover the spuds with potting mix /compost, then wait until they grow and keep filling the cage until the plant reaches the top.
Mine is a different method: Place manure in and 10 cm thickness of straw against the cage sides and plant the spuds around the outer edge, then keep adding layers of compost mixed with potting mix to cover the spuds until it’s filled to the top. Wetting each layer as you go. The idea is the plants will grow all over it. I can build a second one so I might do it trying method #1.
We will see..

Happy Potter said:

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

I found my second wind.. made a quick spud tower.. layers of compost potting mix, horse manure, dirt and straw..there’s about 25 spuds planted it it. It’s sitting on a sewer access cover. That useless space will now grow something :)
Just finished it 5 mins ago and now I’m cold wet and very dirty. And hungry. Hot shower and some tea coming up!

are you sure that’s not a hairy himalayan sheep? LOL.
interesting concept – i await reports.

I’m waiting to see if it actually grows. Theres a couple methods..line cage with newspaper then manure then spuds on top and cover the spuds with potting mix /compost, then wait until they grow and keep filling the cage until the plant reaches the top.
Mine is a different method: Place manure in and 10 cm thickness of straw against the cage sides and plant the spuds around the outer edge, then keep adding layers of compost mixed with potting mix to cover the spuds until it’s filled to the top. Wetting each layer as you go. The idea is the plants will grow all over it. I can build a second one so I might do it trying method #1.
We will see..

you need to keep the water up to these cages as the drainage is high.

Happy Potter said:

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

I found my second wind.. made a quick spud tower.. layers of compost potting mix, horse manure, dirt and straw..there’s about 25 spuds planted it it. It’s sitting on a sewer access cover. That useless space will now grow something :)
Just finished it 5 mins ago and now I’m cold wet and very dirty. And hungry. Hot shower and some tea coming up!

are you sure that’s not a hairy himalayan sheep? LOL.
interesting concept – i await reports.

I’m waiting to see if it actually grows. Theres a couple methods..line cage with newspaper then manure then spuds on top and cover the spuds with potting mix /compost, then wait until they grow and keep filling the cage until the plant reaches the top.
Mine is a different method: Place manure in and 10 cm thickness of straw against the cage sides and plant the spuds around the outer edge, then keep adding layers of compost mixed with potting mix to cover the spuds until it’s filled to the top. Wetting each layer as you go. The idea is the plants will grow all over it. I can build a second one so I might do it trying method #1.
We will see..

its a bit like a pot so it can’t dry out.
(they need more potash than nitrogen in my opinion.)
harvesting will be easy tho’

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

justin said:

are you sure that’s not a hairy himalayan sheep? LOL.
interesting concept – i await reports.

I’m waiting to see if it actually grows. Theres a couple methods..line cage with newspaper then manure then spuds on top and cover the spuds with potting mix /compost, then wait until they grow and keep filling the cage until the plant reaches the top.
Mine is a different method: Place manure in and 10 cm thickness of straw against the cage sides and plant the spuds around the outer edge, then keep adding layers of compost mixed with potting mix to cover the spuds until it’s filled to the top. Wetting each layer as you go. The idea is the plants will grow all over it. I can build a second one so I might do it trying method #1.
We will see..

you need to keep the water up to these cages as the drainage is high.

Yes, I will leave the hose dripping overnight a couple times a week.
I’ve built spud tower nummer two..lined with paper and planted 5 seed potatoes. I’ll be interesting to see how many kg I will get from each.

Happy Potter said:

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

I found my second wind.. made a quick spud tower.. layers of compost potting mix, horse manure, dirt and straw..there’s about 25 spuds planted it it. It’s sitting on a sewer access cover. That useless space will now grow something :)
Just finished it 5 mins ago and now I’m cold wet and very dirty. And hungry. Hot shower and some tea coming up!

are you sure that’s not a hairy himalayan sheep? LOL.
interesting concept – i await reports.

I’m waiting to see if it actually grows. Theres a couple methods..line cage with newspaper then manure then spuds on top and cover the spuds with potting mix /compost, then wait until they grow and keep filling the cage until the plant reaches the top.
Mine is a different method: Place manure in and 10 cm thickness of straw against the cage sides and plant the spuds around the outer edge, then keep adding layers of compost mixed with potting mix to cover the spuds until it’s filled to the top. Wetting each layer as you go. The idea is the plants will grow all over it. I can build a second one so I might do it trying method #1.
We will see..

I’m glad you explained all that. I was wondering. Will be looking foreward to the final results. If it works it would be a great space saver.

What I’ve been doing. Shifting euc mulch and I am absolutely knackered. Another load coming tomorrow to be shared out. All free. It’s what the tree loppers clearing powerlines dump.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

justin said:

are you sure that’s not a hairy himalayan sheep? LOL.
interesting concept – i await reports.

I’m waiting to see if it actually grows. Theres a couple methods..line cage with newspaper then manure then spuds on top and cover the spuds with potting mix /compost, then wait until they grow and keep filling the cage until the plant reaches the top.
Mine is a different method: Place manure in and 10 cm thickness of straw against the cage sides and plant the spuds around the outer edge, then keep adding layers of compost mixed with potting mix to cover the spuds until it’s filled to the top. Wetting each layer as you go. The idea is the plants will grow all over it. I can build a second one so I might do it trying method #1.
We will see..

I’m glad you explained all that. I was wondering. Will be looking foreward to the final results. If it works it would be a great space saver.

Update on that ‘himalayan sheep’ spud tower..apparently this type wont work as well as the hilled spud tower because if the spuds are planted around the perimiter and leaves grow out the sides, they won’t have a stem long enough to produce many.
I thought then I may as well pull it apart and re start it, but I was asked to leave it to see what would happen, lol!
So…….I’ve started spud tower no 3 nearby, and like spud tower no 2, using the hilling method. I got some more seed spuds from St Erth the other day ‘Pentland Dell’ spuds. It says on the bag’ a traditional English potato highly regarded for it’s creamy fluffy texture that makes the perfect mash or roasting potato. An early to mid crop to mature, large oval shaped tubers that are white skinned and creamy white flesh. Good natural resistance to most pests’.

Goodo! We love our home grown potatoes :)

Happy Potter said:

Goodo! We love our home grown potatoes :)

I have some spuds in a small raised bed this season. Mostly some King Edward that I bought at the local market from the organic seller (certified seed spuds.) They were rather shriveled by the time they got in the ground but sprouting so hopefully they will come good. Also some common supermarket spuds that were sprouting to fill up the bed. I keep checking them but they haven’t broken the surface yet. Always on tenterhooks until the first signs of growth :)

Update on that ‘himalayan sheep’ spud tower..apparently this type wont work as well as the hilled spud tower because if the spuds are planted around the perimiter and leaves grow out the sides, they won’t have a stem long enough to produce many.
I thought then I may as well pull it apart and re start it, but I was asked to leave it to see what would happen, lol!
So…….I’ve started spud tower no 3 nearby, and like spud tower no 2, using the hilling method. I got some more seed spuds from St Erth the other day ‘Pentland Dell’ spuds. It says on the bag’ a traditional English potato highly regarded for it’s creamy fluffy texture that makes the perfect mash or roasting potato. An early to mid crop to mature, large oval shaped tubers that are white skinned and creamy white flesh. Good natural resistance to most pests’. Goodo! We love our home grown potatoes :)

————————————————————
thanks for reporting in – its a pity about the himalayan sheep tower. you might wrap it in black plastic or old felt – but i guess that too is a lot of effort.

‘pentland red’ – a new one on me – i planted a few ‘purple jester’ just for fun.

justin said:

‘pentland red’ – a new one on me – i planted a few ‘purple jester’ just for fun.

Are you planting potatoes now, Justin? As both our summers are so very hot, I (well at least, I think about) base my summer plantings on yours…

Dinetta said:

justin said:

‘pentland red’ – a new one on me – i planted a few ‘purple jester’ just for fun.

Are you planting potatoes now, Justin? As both our summers are so very hot, I (well at least, I think about) base my summer plantings on yours…

people in temperate climates can plant spuds now – but i don’t get frosts here in a peculiar spot north of adelaide – so i plant in autumn and don’t have to water.
i can show you photos if you’re suffering piccie withdrawals LOL.
i have harvested (and eaten) the first crop of last years smalls – dutch cream, desiree and coliban.
i have a field crop of desiree and coliban (plus other leftover spuds) grown in rough furrows for the specific purpose of making vodka.

i don’t have any certified seed spuds because i think $9 per kilo for seed is exorbitant. i do have top quality kifler, dutch cream, sebago spuds from the local green grocer growing well altho’ possibly with too much top growth.

i have just planted beans and corn and will shortly put in the carrots, basil and tomatoes (soil has been prepared for 4 weeks+) . some cueys and zuch seed have just been put in pots.

justin said:

Dinetta said:

justin said:

‘pentland red’ – a new one on me – i planted a few ‘purple jester’ just for fun.

Are you planting potatoes now, Justin? As both our summers are so very hot, I (well at least, I think about) base my summer plantings on yours…

people in temperate climates can plant spuds now – but i don’t get frosts here in a peculiar spot north of adelaide – so i plant in autumn and don’t have to water.
i can show you photos if you’re suffering piccie withdrawals LOL.
i have harvested (and eaten) the first crop of last years smalls – dutch cream, desiree and coliban.
i have a field crop of desiree and coliban (plus other leftover spuds) grown in rough furrows for the specific purpose of making vodka.

i don’t have any certified seed spuds because i think $9 per kilo for seed is exorbitant. i do have top quality kifler, dutch cream, sebago spuds from the local green grocer growing well altho’ possibly with too much top growth.

i have just planted beans and corn and will shortly put in the carrots, basil and tomatoes (soil has been prepared for 4 weeks+) . some cueys and zuch seed have just been put in pots.

i should say that i plant spud, garlic, onion, spinach, carrots, broccoli, onions, celery, lettuce and others all throughout the year – i am searching for the fluke crop, ..for best knowledge of when to plant …. and sometimes i am just planting because i have spare land and free seedlings/ seed.

in 2010 and 2011 i did plant cerified spuds in autumn.

ah OK, thanks Justin…I did think it might be too hot for potatoes in our summer, but if you knew what you were doing you could probably grow them if you had the right “spot” in your yard…

Hows this for a giant gerainium!
This is at a friends place just around the corner from my place. He said it flowers only once in 2-3 years. He told me the name of it but I cann’t remember what it was. He is moving house soon so is going to save some seeds/cuttings.

Happy Potter said:

Hows this for a giant gerainium!
This is at a friends place just around the corner from my place. He said it flowers only once in 2-3 years. He told me the name of it but I cann’t remember what it was. He is moving house soon so is going to save some seeds/cuttings.

It sure is pretty and it has nice foliage too. Almost looks like a fern.

Happy Potter said:

Hows this for a giant gerainium!
This is at a friends place just around the corner from my place. He said it flowers only once in 2-3 years. He told me the name of it but I cann’t remember what it was. He is moving house soon so is going to save some seeds/cuttings.

If you can find out the name it would be good, the leaves look like one I picked up at a CWA stall. I was told it was a geranium but that’s all.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Hows this for a giant gerainium!
This is at a friends place just around the corner from my place. He said it flowers only once in 2-3 years. He told me the name of it but I cann’t remember what it was. He is moving house soon so is going to save some seeds/cuttings.

If you can find out the name it would be good, the leaves look like one I picked up at a CWA stall. I was told it was a geranium but that’s all.

Found it online.

This evergreen aromatic biennial is the largest geranium in the world. Everything about it is large. The deeply cut snowflake shapped leaves grow from thick stems that later support the plant when the leaves die. On large plants leaves can grow to 40cm across! That in itself is showy and is worth growing this plant for.

The huge flower head appears in Spring and grows to 150cm tall and 80 cm across, with hundreds of pinky-purple flowers. A truly amazing sight.

Geranium maderense self seeds readily and is perfect for the cottage garden. It is only half-hardy and will be killed by heavy frost. It is suitable for milder areas or plant in a pot and over winter in a conservatory. When the weather warms in the Spring, bring the plant out after the last frost to flower.

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Hows this for a giant gerainium!
This is at a friends place just around the corner from my place. He said it flowers only once in 2-3 years. He told me the name of it but I cann’t remember what it was. He is moving house soon so is going to save some seeds/cuttings.

If you can find out the name it would be good, the leaves look like one I picked up at a CWA stall. I was told it was a geranium but that’s all.

Found it online.

This evergreen aromatic biennial is the largest geranium in the world. Everything about it is large. The deeply cut snowflake shapped leaves grow from thick stems that later support the plant when the leaves die. On large plants leaves can grow to 40cm across! That in itself is showy and is worth growing this plant for.

The huge flower head appears in Spring and grows to 150cm tall and 80 cm across, with hundreds of pinky-purple flowers. A truly amazing sight.

Geranium maderense self seeds readily and is perfect for the cottage garden. It is only half-hardy and will be killed by heavy frost. It is suitable for milder areas or plant in a pot and over winter in a conservatory. When the weather warms in the Spring, bring the plant out after the last frost to flower.

Geranium maderense
Common Names: Giant Geranium, Giant Cranesbill

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Hows this for a giant gerainium!
This is at a friends place just around the corner from my place. He said it flowers only once in 2-3 years. He told me the name of it but I cann’t remember what it was. He is moving house soon so is going to save some seeds/cuttings.

If you can find out the name it would be good, the leaves look like one I picked up at a CWA stall. I was told it was a geranium but that’s all.

Found it online.

This evergreen aromatic biennial is the largest geranium in the world. Everything about it is large. The deeply cut snowflake shapped leaves grow from thick stems that later support the plant when the leaves die. On large plants leaves can grow to 40cm across! That in itself is showy and is worth growing this plant for.

The huge flower head appears in Spring and grows to 150cm tall and 80 cm across, with hundreds of pinky-purple flowers. A truly amazing sight.

Geranium maderense self seeds readily and is perfect for the cottage garden. It is only half-hardy and will be killed by heavy frost. It is suitable for milder areas or plant in a pot and over winter in a conservatory. When the weather warms in the Spring, bring the plant out after the last frost to flower.

will be interesting to see how it goes where I have planted it then. It is against the house so may not get the full impact of the big frosts.

Happy Potter said:

Hows this for a giant gerainium!
This is at a friends place just around the corner from my place. He said it flowers only once in 2-3 years. He told me the name of it but I cann’t remember what it was. He is moving house soon so is going to save some seeds/cuttings.

That’s even pretty for a Geranium.

Happy Potter said:

Hows this for a giant gerainium!
This is at a friends place just around the corner from my place. He said it flowers only once in 2-3 years. He told me the name of it but I cann’t remember what it was. He is moving house soon so is going to save some seeds/cuttings.

looks good – i like geraniums – is it hardy?

Geranium maderense self seeds readily and is perfect for the cottage garden. It is only half-hardy and will be killed by heavy frost

————————- thanks

Multitasking young dad.. how to settle baby and do your excercises at the same time.

In ugg boots, too… lol!

Happy Potter said:

Multitasking young dad.. how to settle baby and do your excercises at the same time.

sweet :)

are Ugg Boots normal exercise apparel?

Happy Potter said:

Multitasking young dad.. how to settle baby and do your excercises at the same time.

He’s a live baby bouncer.

I don’t think Critter intended to do a gym workout, but saw the opportunity to get in an arm raise or two :)

My daughter needs a decent camera too. We had so much fun captioning this photo

Tiahna’s definately a morning person!

Happy Potter said:

My daughter needs a decent camera too. We had so much fun captioning this photo

Tiahna’s definately a morning person!

lol! “Wait until you see what I have left you in my nappy!”

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

My daughter needs a decent camera too. We had so much fun captioning this photo

Tiahna’s definately a morning person!

lol! “Wait until you see what I have left you in my nappy!”

Yes lol that was one caption.. ‘Good morning Mummy, I’ve got a surprise for you!’ hee hee

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

My daughter needs a decent camera too. We had so much fun captioning this photo

Tiahna’s definately a morning person!

lol! “Wait until you see what I have left you in my nappy!”

Yes lol that was one caption.. ‘Good morning Mummy, I’ve got a surprise for you!’ hee hee

great quality in this gig.

Time for some update pics of my garden just because..

Almond tree that looks like it’s on steroids and didn’t fruit this year. Probably because I dumped many barrowloads of dirty chook coop manure straw around it, because it’d built up because I was recovering..

Apple ‘accidental’ espallier going great :)

raised strawberry beds where lawn used to be..

Silkies run. And my little blue chick is indeed a girl, as hoped. I can uncross everything now :)

Lastly, why Silkie chickens are good for the garden. Bantam Leghorn chooks annihilated their tray of wheatgrass, but the Silkies mowed theirs!

Lastly, why Silkie chickens are good for the garden. Bantam Leghorn chooks annihilated their tray of wheatgrass, but the Silkies mowed theirs!

————————————————————————————————————————————-

lovely photos HP

the chicks are especially cute.
has the almond produced before?

justin said:

Lastly, why Silkie chickens are good for the garden. Bantam Leghorn chooks annihilated their tray of wheatgrass, but the Silkies mowed theirs!

————————————————————————————————————————————-

lovely photos HP

the chicks are especially cute.
has the almond produced before?

Thanks J. I love raising chicks and watching them.

Yes the almond had fruit last year and now entering it’s third year. I had a few thoughts about it.. as it’s an all-in -one almond and that means 2 varieties were grafted onto it and possibly one of the grafts has died off or was lost early on, or it was wrongly labelled and needs a graft. If this was the case then there must have been an almond elsewhere in the neighbourhood that’s been removed..
I will see if I can get some scion wood from an old almond growing somewhere around the traps and see how I go grafting a bit onto mine.

However, I’m still going with the overload of chook manure causing too much lush growth as it never even botthered to put one blossom on. I was waiting to see it covered with flowers but it went straight to leaf.

Might just be the season. My Moor Park apricot has very few fruit, made mostly leaves. And I am certainly not guilty of having fed it anything……

It’s cactus flower show time again :)

Happy Potter said:

It’s cactus flower show time again :)

HP what are the names of those cactus?
they look lovely :)

Happy Potter said:

It’s cactus flower show time again :)

ah cactus.. I’ll have to fight through the jungle to see mine

Happy Potter said:

It’s cactus flower show time again :)

lovely as always :)

Happy Potter said:

justin said:

Lastly, why Silkie chickens are good for the garden. Bantam Leghorn chooks annihilated their tray of wheatgrass, but the Silkies mowed theirs!

————————————————————————————————————————————-

lovely photos HP

the chicks are especially cute.
has the almond produced before?

almonds are a wild tree here – but not many nuts around that i have noticed – i will ask just in case its a lousy season generally.

olives are fantastic again this year if the small budding fruit is indicative.

Thanks J. I love raising chicks and watching them.

Yes the almond had fruit last year and now entering it’s third year. I had a few thoughts about it.. as it’s an all-in -one almond and that means 2 varieties were grafted onto it and possibly one of the grafts has died off or was lost early on, or it was wrongly labelled and needs a graft. If this was the case then there must have been an almond elsewhere in the neighbourhood that’s been removed..
I will see if I can get some scion wood from an old almond growing somewhere around the traps and see how I go grafting a bit onto mine.

However, I’m still going with the overload of chook manure causing too much lush growth as it never even botthered to put one blossom on. I was waiting to see it covered with flowers but it went straight to leaf.

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

justin said:

Lastly, why Silkie chickens are good for the garden. Bantam Leghorn chooks annihilated their tray of wheatgrass, but the Silkies mowed theirs!

————————————————————————————————————————————-

lovely photos HP

the chicks are especially cute.
has the almond produced before?

almonds are a wild tree here – but not many nuts around that i have noticed – i will ask just in case its a lousy season generally.

olives are fantastic again this year if the small budding fruit is indicative.

Thanks J. I love raising chicks and watching them.

Yes the almond had fruit last year and now entering it’s third year. I had a few thoughts about it.. as it’s an all-in -one almond and that means 2 varieties were grafted onto it and possibly one of the grafts has died off or was lost early on, or it was wrongly labelled and needs a graft. If this was the case then there must have been an almond elsewhere in the neighbourhood that’s been removed..
I will see if I can get some scion wood from an old almond growing somewhere around the traps and see how I go grafting a bit onto mine.

However, I’m still going with the overload of chook manure causing too much lush growth as it never even botthered to put one blossom on. I was waiting to see it covered with flowers but it went straight to leaf.

All-in-One is basically the same tree you’d have if you bought a Californian paper-shell. The tree is named all-in-one because you don’t need a pollinator.
It is one of the main commercial almond production trees. Their cropping does improve if you use a pollinator such as have a bee hive.
http://www.ehow.com/info_8777913_do-almond-trees-need-pollination.html

Happy Potter said:

It’s cactus flower show time again :)

What a lovely show!

trichome said:

Happy Potter said:

It’s cactus flower show time again :)

HP what are the names of those cactus?
they look lovely :)

Thank you Trichrom. The darker pink one is a gymnocalycium baldianum and not sure of the light pink but obviously it’s similarly named.

All-in-One is basically the same tree you’d have if you bought a Californian paper-shell. The tree is named all-in-one because you don’t need a pollinator.
It is one of the main commercial almond production trees. Their cropping does improve if you use a pollinator such as have a bee hive.
http://www.ehow.com/info_8777913_do-almond-trees-need-pollination.html

—————————————————
Read it. There were heaps of bees about then and now. Others around me have hives. Well I’ll have to wait until next year to see if it blossoms.

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

It’s cactus flower show time again :)

What a lovely show!

Thanks D. I never tire of this annual flowering, they’re always so pretty.

Happy Potter said:

trichome said:

Happy Potter said:

It’s cactus flower show time again :)

HP what are the names of those cactus?
they look lovely :)

Thank you Trichrom. The darker pink one is a gymnocalycium baldianum and not sure of the light pink but obviously it’s similarly named.

thanks for that HP

One of my favouritest places to go to, a wetland swamp nearby. Not in the summer though, for snakes.
This’ll be the next fight, to save this from a six laned freeway. We’re told it’ll be protected, but s’pect that’ll only be because no one will have the money for the road.

A residents photo.

What I’ve been making since I got up, a ladies cake lol, choc almond base, chook mousse and choc shavings.
It’s going to quilters Xmas party break up tomorrow.

Happy Potter said:

One of my favouritest places to go to, a wetland swamp nearby. Not in the summer though, for snakes.
This’ll be the next fight, to save this from a six laned freeway. We’re told it’ll be protected, but s’pect that’ll only be because no one will have the money for the road.

A residents photo.

good luck with that.

Happy Potter said:

What I’ve been making since I got up, a ladies cake lol, choc almond base, chook mousse and choc shavings.
It’s going to quilters Xmas party break up tomorrow.

a chocoholics delight :D

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

One of my favouritest places to go to, a wetland swamp nearby. Not in the summer though, for snakes.
This’ll be the next fight, to save this from a six laned freeway. We’re told it’ll be protected, but s’pect that’ll only be because no one will have the money for the road.

A residents photo.

good luck with that.

I think it’s good to see.

Some of the last pics for this thread. Parts of the yard and chooks.

Well that came out a bit whacko.. normally I’d take off the first ‘centre’ word and they go across the page.

Happy Potter said:

Some of the last pics for this thread. Parts of the yard and chooks.

the toms look good
so do the chooks

Happy Potter said:

Some of the last pics for this thread. Parts of the yard and chooks.

The one beside the waterer / feeder looks just like Goldie, but Goldie is gold all over of course…

Drat, wrong photo…the one with the topknot…

Dinetta said:

Drat, wrong photo…the one with the topknot…

The boofheads? All silkies have that mad poof on their heads :)

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

Drat, wrong photo…the one with the topknot…

The boofheads? All silkies have that mad poof on their heads :)

So that’s what Goldie must be…she’s a hard worker, has settled down a lot more since the move here and hears my voice constantly … her preferred perch is right beside Pancho and she snuggles her head under his chest…

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

Drat, wrong photo…the one with the topknot…

The boofheads? All silkies have that mad poof on their heads :)

So that’s what Goldie must be…she’s a hard worker, has settled down a lot more since the move here and hears my voice constantly … her preferred perch is right beside Pancho and she snuggles her head under his chest…

Aww. Pic?

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

Drat, wrong photo…the one with the topknot…

The boofheads? All silkies have that mad poof on their heads :)

My next door neighbour had them when we were lads.. He called them ooftey pays

some derivative of gay

Happy Potter said:

Aww. Pic?

It will have to be with my camera. Just Goldie? Bit difficult to catch her snuggling up to Pancho … competition has increased by 8 hens…can’t believe they just sit down and let him “service” them, as the neighbour so delicately put it…I guess he must say, in roosterspeak, “Excuse me madam” but all I can see is he just walks up, the hen settles down et voila! “serviced” hen…

PainMaster you need something to distract you from the Silence of the Quacks…chocolate helps…

Oi! some of my mother’s best broodies were those topknots…could handle up to 8 “normal” eggs very well, but in the end Mum would just set 6…worth every grain of their tucker they were…and would fight to the death (for real) against chicken hawks…

Dinetta said:

Oi! some of my mother’s best broodies were those topknots…could handle up to 8 “normal” eggs very well, but in the end Mum would just set 6…worth every grain of their tucker they were…and would fight to the death (for real) against chicken hawks…

My oldest and best silkie mum Lin Lin has 10 hardfeather large breed chicks, turning her into a 20 legged hovercraft, lol. They were day olds that were snuck under her, but she could easily sit on 10 eggs. She is quite heavy, eats a lot and really beefs herself up in readiness for egg sitting duty.