I’ve drawn a line through the June calendar… and am looking for a new or another shoe-box for the receipts.

:)

AussieDJ said:

I’ve drawn a line through the June calendar… and am looking for a new or another shoe-box for the receipts.

:)

Mine are all doing something and I have bought a pretty one from the newsagent’s…

Forgot it is July but have been marking the eggs /7….

BG I got my solar system from sky power Australia, hoppers crossing. Lovely fellow, Charles. Our system is an 8.3 kW, 2 inverter with 42 panels. Best thing we ever did. There was only the two of us, but the youngest returnee and her bf are living with us full time now until their house is built, around Xmas completion, we hope. Plus we look after Giant Son from afar with his washing, and cooking food packs for him.
When our one for one rebate gets cut off, in about 2 years, we hope to be able to store the excess.

Happy Potter said:

BG I got my solar system from sky power Australia, hoppers crossing. Lovely fellow, Charles. Our system is an 8.3 kW, 2 inverter with 42 panels. Best thing we ever did. There was only the two of us, but the youngest returnee and her bf are living with us full time now until their house is built, around Xmas completion, we hope. Plus we look after Giant Son from afar with his washing, and cooking food packs for him.
When our one for one rebate gets cut off, in about 2 years, we hope to be able to store the excess.

Meant to add, buy batteries to store the excess. We wouldn’t be off grid completely though, I don’t think that would be allowed, or would probably cost a packet to have the connection taken away.

Happy Potter said:

BG I got my solar system from sky power Australia, hoppers crossing. Lovely fellow, Charles. Our system is an 8.3 kW, 2 inverter with 42 panels. Best thing we ever did. There was only the two of us, but the youngest returnee and her bf are living with us full time now until their house is built, around Xmas completion, we hope. Plus we look after Giant Son from afar with his washing, and cooking food packs for him.
When our one for one rebate gets cut off, in about 2 years, we hope to be able to store the excess.

sounds like the one for one rebate has made it worthwhile getting the big system, as I have been advised that it is not worth producing more than my immediate needs. Some electricity retailers hike the price of their power up for people on solar so much that it is not worth the extra investment. The typical price you get paid now is 8c per kw for your solar, but they charge you 30c per kw thereabouts to buy it back! So you plan on going hybrid after the 2 years? I have been advised to wait a while until the price of batteries have come down more.

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

BG I got my solar system from sky power Australia, hoppers crossing. Lovely fellow, Charles. Our system is an 8.3 kW, 2 inverter with 42 panels. Best thing we ever did. There was only the two of us, but the youngest returnee and her bf are living with us full time now until their house is built, around Xmas completion, we hope. Plus we look after Giant Son from afar with his washing, and cooking food packs for him.
When our one for one rebate gets cut off, in about 2 years, we hope to be able to store the excess.

Meant to add, buy batteries to store the excess. We wouldn’t be off grid completely though, I don’t think that would be allowed, or would probably cost a packet to have the connection taken away.

That answers my question :)

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

BG I got my solar system from sky power Australia, hoppers crossing. Lovely fellow, Charles. Our system is an 8.3 kW, 2 inverter with 42 panels. Best thing we ever did. There was only the two of us, but the youngest returnee and her bf are living with us full time now until their house is built, around Xmas completion, we hope. Plus we look after Giant Son from afar with his washing, and cooking food packs for him.
When our one for one rebate gets cut off, in about 2 years, we hope to be able to store the excess.

sounds like the one for one rebate has made it worthwhile getting the big system, as I have been advised that it is not worth producing more than my immediate needs. Some electricity retailers hike the price of their power up for people on solar so much that it is not worth the extra investment. The typical price you get paid now is 8c per kw for your solar, but they charge you 30c per kw thereabouts to buy it back! So you plan on going hybrid after the 2 years? I have been advised to wait a while until the price of batteries have come down more.

I would have gotten the system anyway just for the relief from the biggest bill, and so we can take advantage of the sun for our power needs. The thing is, with little or no rebate and no battery storage, you could still get the system you need and use the bulk of your power needs during the day when the sun is shining, laundry, oven, etc. to maximize the benefit., using the power as it’s being generated.

It’s been a rainy afternoon and I was going to knit. But I surfed for free sewing patterns. Isn’t this a wonderful site!

http://www.tudorlinks.com/treasury/freepatterns/index.html

It was a wild and blustery night here, and very tiring too. The roof of the rear chicken coop came loose, noise woke me. Hubby was on nightshift, so off I went with nails and hammer and got it secured enough to stop the thing banging until he could fix it today.
Then an hour later, about 3 am, chooks were upset at something..immediately thought fox and Max was already at the back sliding door trying to get out. I let him out and he barreled after it..turned out to be two cats. Barked his head off at them. Then I had to hold his snout shut and say shhhh, they’re gone already!
Luckily cats can move fast and they got away.

Then next doors had a branch from a gum tree go through their window. Oh the noise! They were awake from the coop roof banging, then Max barking, so the husband was making he and his wife a cuppa and then the branch went through the window.

Even for my mad life this was too much and I went to bed at 4 am and slept until 12.

I’m making honey jumbles..one half with white icing and the other pink. * note to self: when using red food colouring, wear gloves, lest you end up looking like you’ve cut your hands up!

Hello, Gardeners. Between showers I harvested the yacon this morning. And dug in chook poo and woodash. And cut down the asparagus. I might do the apple tree pruning in between afternoon showers. It is a triple graft and it’s going to have a brutal pruning this year. I haven’t done the nectarine and peach yet either, so they can join the queue as well.

buffy said:

Hello, Gardeners. Between showers I harvested the yacon this morning. And dug in chook poo and woodash. And cut down the asparagus. I might do the apple tree pruning in between afternoon showers. It is a triple graft and it’s going to have a brutal pruning this year. I haven’t done the nectarine and peach yet either, so they can join the queue as well.

nice harvest there :)

Now I have to work out what to do with them. They are splitting, so they won’t keep too long. We ate some raw before, that’s OK. But I’ll have the oven on to cook some lamb tonight, so I’ll try doing some like smashed potatoes and see how they go.

Pink galahs, little corellas, sulpher crests….must be winter…there was a dead pigeon on the front grass this morning…not a mark…

Ooh, this thread needs bumping.

I have been domesticated this morning. Last night I hand washed a couple of small floors (toilet and bathroom). Yes, on my hands and knees. It has to be done sometimes to get into the corners properly. I am not the house cleaner here, Mr buffy does that because I’m still consulting 4 days a week and he has only casual ambulance work so is home most of the time. And he is away at a training conference, so I can get into the tidying and cleaning stuff. I’m also on leave for two weeks and that is always something that makes me clean.

So, this morning I cleaned the oven. Yuck. And the pantry floor….moved stuff out, crawled around and washed the floor. I don’t think I’ll get too much more enthusiastic. I might sit and do some knitting for a while soon.

Knitting would be therapeutic after that surge of domestic goddess impulses…

Haven’t got to the knitting yet. I have showered and washed my hair and I’ve got potatoes on boiling to make mash. I am going to make salmon patties for myself for tea tonight. They feel so luxurious, but are mostly potato!

I’m sitting for a bit contemplating how lucky I was that this young fella was not in the aircraft that was actually shot down. Though indeed he flew through the same zone while a lot of other aircraft were shot down.

Meet my grandson.

Still intent on climbing upwards.

roughbarked said:

I’m sitting for a bit contemplating how lucky I was that this young fella was not in the aircraft that was actually shot down. Though indeed he flew through the same zone while a lot of other aircraft were shot down.

Meet my grandson.

Still intent on climbing upwards.

Good to see him wearing himself out for the night…this is the Canberra grandson?

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

I’m sitting for a bit contemplating how lucky I was that this young fella was not in the aircraft that was actually shot down. Though indeed he flew through the same zone while a lot of other aircraft were shot down.

Meet my grandson.

Still intent on climbing upwards.

Good to see him wearing himself out for the night…this is the Canberra grandson?

:) it was myself who erected this public park swings setup. No, he’s the Norwegian grandchild who flew through the Ukraine war zone while they were shooting down planes. The Canberra one/s are/will be both, granddaughters.

It is only a few more weeks until the second granddaughter arrives in Canberra.

roughbarked said:

:) it was myself who erected this public park swings setup. No, he’s the Norwegian grandchild who flew through the Ukraine war zone while they were shooting down planes. The Canberra one/s are/will be both, granddaughters.

Close call…reading between the lines, they’ve been to visit Australia just the last few weeks? In the light of recent events you must be ever so relieved they are on solid ground…

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

:) it was myself who erected this public park swings setup. No, he’s the Norwegian grandchild who flew through the Ukraine war zone while they were shooting down planes. The Canberra one/s are/will be both, granddaughters.

Close call…reading between the lines, they’ve been to visit Australia just the last few weeks? In the light of recent events you must be ever so relieved they are on solid ground…

In more ways than I will ever tell the internet.

I can imagine you are thankful indeed RB. A shocking business.

bluegreen said:

I can imagine you are thankful indeed RB. A shocking business.

I am thankful that I’m not one of those parents, grandparents, cousins or what have you; related to all those children who had no idea in the world that this could have happened to them.

Well I need to give Super Mario 63 a spell for a bit…have got 63 Shine Sprites and 63 Star Coins…all gobble-de-gook to you but it’s been consuming my waking hours for the past month or so…think how much knitting I could have achieved instead…the last bit is the hardest I’m told, because the creator “didn’t want people whining the game was too easy”….ugh!

roughbarked said:

It is only a few more weeks until the second granddaughter arrives in Canberra.

Hoping all goes well for the birth :)

My next grandie is due Xmas day and is apparently a boy.

Even if you know what they’re going to be, it’s still a lovely occasion when they turn up…

This isn’t the couple with the little girl already?

Dinetta said:

Even if you know what they’re going to be, it’s still a lovely occasion when they turn up…

This isn’t the couple with the little girl already?

Yes it is. The little ones been at my place today and chasing chooks :)

Happy Potter said:

Yes it is. The little ones been at my place today and chasing chooks :)

My chook chasing was recorded…at about that age, I was…and I thought the chickens were like the Easter Egg chickens and tried to squeeze one…the squeals and diving by the adults was most satisfactory….

OK my saga last night, took the dawg for a walk in 5C temp…quiet country road, nobody expected until the early morning…just as I was getting out, tried to put the car key together but uh oh, the sensor thingy in the middle was missing!

Now I must say that the key came to me like this, I have Ragamuffin’s car for the year she is in Chile, and the metal key bit was wobbly “but that’s OK mum”…also I didn’t know that the little clog charm on her key ring had a bell and was driving the dogs mental when walking around with the key in my pockets…cos the bell meant Car! Ride! Keep an eye on the missus! Back to the key, this is a “smart key”, with buttons to open and close the doors from outside the car. Sometimes the casing comes apart but I just put it back together and once P told me about pushing the key right in to the ignition I was able to get it out of the ignition when the car was stopped.

Last night I opened the car OK, put Shadow in, went to open the gate, then drove out from under the house and to my quiet walking road. Get there, put key casing back together…Whaaat? Inside bit is missing!?!? Good search around, it must have dropped somewhere either in the driver footwell or on ground just beside driver door, locked car physically with key, took Shadow for walk to calm down, bracing walk, what? Definitely need a beanie for this. Got back to car, searched again (always take my torch and phone with me)… Still no go, managed to open door locks by holding my mouth just so, all aboard and start car….nup…will turn on but not ignite…key light flashing on dash…don’t fancy 8 mile walk home in that weather with temperature plummeting…rang P…says he doesn’t know…go to open door ….what’s that in the “handle”? Look, oh goodness it’s got buttons! Put it into key casing, shut casing together…yippee the car will start!

I think smart car keys are over-rated.

Got home and found a wide rubber band to wrap around key casing several times…took bleeding bell clog charm off the key and put on a Digger’s hat made from an old penny, instead…

P is going to ask at the local dealers where he is, but I’m going to tell him if it’s too many hundred $$$, I’l stick with the rubber band…

Dinetta said:

I think smart car keys are over-rated.

Got home and found a wide rubber band to wrap around key casing several times…took bleeding bell clog charm off the key and put on a Digger’s hat made from an old penny, instead…

P is going to ask at the local dealers where he is, but I’m going to tell him if it’s too many hundred $$$, I’l stick with the rubber band…

The thing is that all they have inside them is a two bob watch, so why do they cost so much? They aren’t waterproof or even dustproof. They certainly aren’t foolproof or childproof.

roughbarked said:

The thing is that all they have inside them is a two bob watch, so why do they cost so much? They aren’t waterproof or even dustproof. They certainly aren’t foolproof or childproof.

Since you said that, I’m wondering if it’s to limit theft? There should be a spare key but pretty sure Ragamuffin has either lost it or it’s buried in her personal goods somewhere…

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

The thing is that all they have inside them is a two bob watch, so why do they cost so much? They aren’t waterproof or even dustproof. They certainly aren’t foolproof or childproof.

Since you said that, I’m wondering if it’s to limit theft? There should be a spare key but pretty sure Ragamuffin has either lost it or it’s buried in her personal goods somewhere…

Hi Dinetta,

I have the same problem with my Toyota key. After spending over $100.00 each time to have the casing replaced and the new key cut (notice how the key shaft is built in to the casing?) I’d had enough. Spoke with the auto locksmith (the one who’s been happy to take my money my money) and decided not to get another and make do with the broken one for a bit longer. Well, lo and behold, he suggested I look at eBay for cases. I bought a pack of 3 for $10.00 (came with batteries too) and the locksmith was happy to cut all of the key shafts at the same time for … $7.00 each!

So do some research and talk to the auto locksmith before spending a cent.

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

The thing is that all they have inside them is a two bob watch, so why do they cost so much? They aren’t waterproof or even dustproof. They certainly aren’t foolproof or childproof.

Since you said that, I’m wondering if it’s to limit theft? There should be a spare key but pretty sure Ragamuffin has either lost it or it’s buried in her personal goods somewhere…

Oh and the bit that keeps falling out is not replaced. This thing needs to be very close to the sensor near the ignition to get the car started (hence the key light on the dash). When my key was in pieces, I often just placed it on top of the steering column and it worked. Yes, it is a security feature – you’re supposed to have the key with you to get it started.

Speedy thank you very much indeed for this information. I’ll pass it on to P as he wouldn’t be keen to pay the $100s if we can get out of it for $50 ±…will look on the internet later.

Thanks again…

Treated myself to a cappucino at a local coffee shop this morning…we finally have a good barista in town, the coffee is excellent…I would have bought some raisin toast to go with it but the dog food (which is why I went down town) was more expensive than I thought so I ran out of change…I’ve told P we have to go one morning, before the cold weather goes away, it’s a memorable experience…

Yeah, coffee! Just made myself a tall double shot latte. And a banana squashed on toast for brekky. Half a slice fills me, the other half being attacked by the little hamburg chick inside in the crate.
Nothing like a fluffy dog sleeping on your feet for a footwarmer. The heatings on low-ish, about 18C, but if I get cold I have my chair lecky throw to wrap around me, and stick my toes under Max :)

The carport is jammed to the roof of things for a hard rubbish pick up, will have to organize that very soon. The trailer is still full of horse manure and I had to practically climb over it to reach a bale of hay stored in a black plastic bag, on top of an IBC tank. I couldn’t drag it over to me though. The mans awake now so I will get him to get out for me. The chookies nest boxes and bedding needs changing today.

Yes I really should do the chookens under-roost as well, been trying for a week now to get motivated…no excuses as it’s been watered and should not be very dusty…and dust their roosts with lime…

Happy Potter do you tip out the old nesting materials and replace with new? I just throw it out when there’s a squashed egg in it…

Dinetta said:

Yes I really should do the chookens under-roost as well, been trying for a week now to get motivated…no excuses as it’s been watered and should not be very dusty…and dust their roosts with lime…

Happy Potter do you tip out the old nesting materials and replace with new? I just throw it out when there’s a squashed egg in it…

Yes, and compost it.

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter do you tip out the old nesting materials and replace with new? I just throw it out when there’s a squashed egg in it…

Yes, and compost it.

Oh I compost mine as well, why waste it…

Going to give the wormies some coffee grinds today, and some Golden Yolk pellets…I don’t give the coffee grinds often to the worms but I’ve read where they’re useful for wormie digestion…

Dinetta said:

Going to give the wormies some coffee grinds today, and some Golden Yolk pellets…I don’t give the coffee grinds often to the worms but I’ve read where they’re useful for wormie digestion…

Worms on caffeine. Not sure whether it’ll aide their digestion, but will probably make them appear more active and “healthy”. Hopefully they won’t get any knots in their stomachs :)

Speedy said:

Dinetta said:

Going to give the wormies some coffee grinds today, and some Golden Yolk pellets…I don’t give the coffee grinds often to the worms but I’ve read where they’re useful for wormie digestion…

Worms on caffeine. Not sure whether it’ll aide their digestion, but will probably make them appear more active and “healthy”. Hopefully they won’t get any knots in their stomachs :)

Haha Speedy! I did read where wormies have crops too, like chickens, and they need a little bit of roughage to help grind their food…I thought they drank it as it melted but nope there’s some mechanics at one end or the other of a worm with regards to digestion…

Yep, even the humble worm is a complicated creature. Yuppie worms now need coffee grounds for grinding stones. Soon they’ll be wanting half-caf latte grounds :)

Shhhh!

Dinetta said:

Shhhh!

Hahahaha!

Oooh, got a back hurty. Rest time now.
The man and I were digging the kikuyu out from the nature strip. Just the long runners. Then he put the fork through the storm water drain. What is with him and breaking drains!? He punctured the top of it, rang his fave plumber (who I bet was rolling his eyes, again) and told him how to sleeve it. So he did that, then we went back to what we were doing. I was shaking the dirt out of the clumps and loading the garden cart.
The chooks for a massive pile of grass to pick through. The girl and her bf are going to cook some tea. It is handy having the youngins about :)

Sending off my son’s family. Little did I know at the time that they would fly through the same Ukrainian airspace in the opposite direction. As my son said, “They shot down several planes while we were in the air. Pure chance they got someone else”.

Fellers have a talent for finding underground hoses with forks, etc. P stabbed one, right beside the house, it was 1 and a bit inches in diameter and his fork (or was it the crowbar?) stabbed it – underground – ….

Great having the young ‘uns to provide you with the occasional meal…beats heading to the rubbedy ,,,,not that you would do that often I suppose…

I need a new, cheep wheel barrow…the old one has a flat tyre and the bolts look rusted on…otherwise I’d buy a new wheel…I think it will be about a month before I recover from purchasing those two stovetop elements but look at it this way, I’ve got them now and cooking is a lot safer…These elements are a fraction of the cost on the internet but I wasn’t sure of the sizing…the details are on the tax invoice so I’ll keep that for future reference…bit like granny’s axe this stove…x heads, y handles but it is a good axe that keeps on going…

roughbarked said:

Sending off my son’s family. Little did I know at the time that they would fly through the same Ukrainian airspace in the opposite direction. As my son said, “They shot down several planes while we were in the air. Pure chance they got someone else”.

Scarey!! So glad this is not the last photo you will have of them!!

Dinetta said:

Fellers have a talent for finding underground hoses with forks, etc. P stabbed one, right beside the house, it was 1 and a bit inches in diameter and his fork (or was it the crowbar?) stabbed it – underground – ….

Great having the young ‘uns to provide you with the occasional meal…beats heading to the rubbedy ,,,,not that you would do that often I suppose…

I need a new, cheep wheel barrow…the old one has a flat tyre and the bolts look rusted on…otherwise I’d buy a new wheel…I think it will be about a month before I recover from purchasing those two stovetop elements but look at it this way, I’ve got them now and cooking is a lot safer…These elements are a fraction of the cost on the internet but I wasn’t sure of the sizing…the details are on the tax invoice so I’ll keep that for future reference…bit like granny’s axe this stove…x heads, y handles but it is a good axe that keeps on going…

My original irrigation system died due to fork impalings and spade chops. Pays to draw a map where they are. Rusty bolts can be undone with an application of WD40 or angle grinder depending upon what works.

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Sending off my son’s family. Little did I know at the time that they would fly through the same Ukrainian airspace in the opposite direction. As my son said, “They shot down several planes while we were in the air. Pure chance they got someone else”.

Scarey!! So glad this is not the last photo you will have of them!!

Sadly this bliss does not belong to those who lost loved ones in those hours.

roughbarked said:

My original irrigation system died due to fork impalings and spade chops. Pays to draw a map where they are. Rusty bolts can be undone with an application of WD40 or angle grinder depending upon what works.

We “knew” the pipe was there “somewhere” but until it was impaled, not exactly where…You’re right a map is the answer…like the underground telephone cable…

OK I forgot about the WD40 (it does a marvellous job on the shower doors as well) so I’ll do that first thing in the morning…thanks for the reminder…I think Sonny Jim has left his angle grinder here…not sure…

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

My original irrigation system died due to fork impalings and spade chops. Pays to draw a map where they are. Rusty bolts can be undone with an application of WD40 or angle grinder depending upon what works.

We “knew” the pipe was there “somewhere” but until it was impaled, not exactly where…You’re right a map is the answer…like the underground telephone cable…

OK I forgot about the WD40 (it does a marvellous job on the shower doors as well) so I’ll do that first thing in the morning…thanks for the reminder…I think Sonny Jim has left his angle grinder here…not sure…

Angle grinder is last resort. You’ll need to buy new bolts if you use it.

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Sending off my son’s family. Little did I know at the time that they would fly through the same Ukrainian airspace in the opposite direction. As my son said, “They shot down several planes while we were in the air. Pure chance they got someone else”.

Scarey!! So glad this is not the last photo you will have of them!!

Indeed, what a blessing. I’m grateful with you.

My son said he would love a multigrafted fruit tree, like this:

I replied, could you put up with having me stay for three years?

roughbarked said:

My son said he would love a multigrafted fruit tree, like this:

I replied, could you put up with having me stay for three years?

…and he said “yes”?

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

My son said he would love a multigrafted fruit tree, like this:

I replied, could you put up with having me stay for three years?

…and he said “yes”?

Still awaiting an answer. He’ll probably be still trying to convince his wife that it could be a good idea.

roughbarked said:

My son said he would love a multigrafted fruit tree, like this:

I replied, could you put up with having me stay for three years?

longer, surely, as it would need constant maintenance to keep it all in balance?

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

My son said he would love a multigrafted fruit tree, like this:

I replied, could you put up with having me stay for three years?

longer, surely, as it would need constant maintenance to keep it all in balance?

He both needs and wants to learn the skills. My session would be to start the tree and get him started on the remainder of the work. He knows the basics by watching me but there is a lot of science in a tree such as the one in the image. It has forty varieties on it. That would take many more than three years.

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

My son said he would love a multigrafted fruit tree, like this:

I replied, could you put up with having me stay for three years?

…and he said “yes”?

Still awaiting an answer. He’ll probably be still trying to convince his wife that it could be a good idea.

Gramps are the best for kiddies…

Just looking at the photo….is that tree on a roof top?

Dinetta said:

Just looking at the photo….is that tree on a roof top?

Yes.

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

Just looking at the photo….is that tree on a roof top?

Yes.

…. and it would have taken a lot more than three years to make the tree.

>>It has forty varieties on it. That would take many more than three years.<<

Not to mention access to the heritage collection that the tree’s maker had.

Here is the full information. You couldn’t do it without the resources the guy had.

http://mail.sciencealert.com.au/news/20142107-25892.html

buffy said:

>>It has forty varieties on it. That would take many more than three years.<<

Not to mention access to the heritage collection that the tree’s maker had.

indeed.

buffy said:

Here is the full information. You couldn’t do it without the resources the guy had.

http://mail.sciencealert.com.au/news/20142107-25892.html

One needs the material. This is true.

Good morning Gardeners. We have 8 degrees and still dark. Today I plan on doing more digging. In the scoria and dirt. I didn’t get much done yesterday because the drizzle kept coming in.

We’re getting drizzle here…sometimes…

roughbarked said:

buffy said:

Here is the full information. You couldn’t do it without the resources the guy had.

http://mail.sciencealert.com.au/news/20142107-25892.html

One needs the material. This is true.

The difference being of course that I had no intention of attempting to access the same material he used in this project. The varieties I’d need would be ones that had proven performance in Norway.

I don’t do grafting but it sounds like a marvellous challenge, RoughBarked…could probably do it with mango trees? Have at least an R2E2 and common mango combo?

Dinetta said:

I don’t do grafting but it sounds like a marvellous challenge, RoughBarked…could probably do it with mango trees? Have at least an R2E2 and common mango combo?

Yes. This is achievable.

Then there’s Calypso….and Golden something…not real keen on Bowen Specials, I think they are too big…

Not as pretty as stonefruit when in bloom, that’s the only thing…

So, we ended up cutting grass at Casterton today.

My first daffodil is just opening here. Tomorrow I will work in this garden.

buffy said:

So, we ended up cutting grass at Casterton today.

My first daffodil is just opening here. Tomorrow I will work in this garden.

I have peach and apricot flowers before the almonds open.

I had a look at my new garden bed, now I know I put enough bulk compost in it to a certain level, but now I look in it and it has reduced by 50% and is mostly added soil and shredded newspaper. Should I throw in the missing half as roost leavings, or should I add only 25% roost leavings and 25% commercial mixes (mushroom compost, 5 in 1 compost, etc etc)? Or should I just focus on composting first?

Dinetta said:

I had a look at my new garden bed, now I know I put enough bulk compost in it to a certain level, but now I look in it and it has reduced by 50% and is mostly added soil and shredded newspaper. Should I throw in the missing half as roost leavings, or should I add only 25% roost leavings and 25% commercial mixes (mushroom compost, 5 in 1 compost, etc etc)? Or should I just focus on composting first?

If you are not going to plant straight away then I would chuck whatever you have straight in and let it mellow in situ. If you want to plant then the roost leavings might be a bit too strong for young seedlings.

Thanks BlueGreen…that gives me another perspective…we can expect the August winds to rock up this year so I might leave off the plantings for about 4 weeks, will just add the commercial bagged stuff to the bed to settle and continue to compost the roost leavings…

The most available nutrient is from the freshest compostings. ie; turning it into a garden bed to decompose, puts all the nutrient into the bed rather than at the bottom of the compost heap.

Still getting late dews. By late I mean they hang around most of the day.

Is this a veggie bed? If you don’t need it yet, I’d personally be tempted to dig in the chook stuff and throw in bean or pea seeds. You might get a crop, but you’ll certainly get something green to dig in later.

buffy said:

Is this a veggie bed? If you don’t need it yet, I’d personally be tempted to dig in the chook stuff and throw in bean or pea seeds. You might get a crop, but you’ll certainly get something green to dig in later.

see. Whatever we are on.. it is the same thing in regards to gardening a bed.

Down here, collecting a bag of HP every hour, re-using those big plastic, re-sealable dog food bags…watering the shrubs/trees…have explained to Sonny Jim that these are the framework of the yard, the lawn will come back with the rains…seriously I do not see the point of watering grass during the winter months, anyhow…the GrandFather puts pressure on SJ to “water the lawn”…GF cuts down all trees he possibly can and grows grass instead…I think he likes sitting in a chair to hand water the stuff…he is 85 now…

Have also worked out where Sonny Jim can have his vegetable garden…it is the old rose bed and I have applied mulch and manures over the years so the soil is OK…the old compost heaps are beside it and can just be scattered over…when we chop down the leucaena at the beginning of spring, we can frame the plot…doesn’t have to be precise…

Inside the house I have been cleaning up the floor-drobe in one bedroom…most of it needs laundering again so will take that home so’s not to fill up the septic trench here…I told you we cleaned out two fridges the other day? So progress is being made.

Finally started my bookkeeping course courtesy of TAFE…MYOB payroll has changed , added a few more bells but hey bells are useful…

plink

Aaaargh! Who dropped that pin????!!!!

Dinetta said:

plink

Aaaargh! Who dropped that pin????!!!!

Woke me! LOL

A sick chook, a sick daughter, babysitting..you know how it is. One day I’ll get dressed, the dressing gown is getting a bit grubby.

Happy Potter said:

A sick chook, a sick daughter, babysitting..you know how it is. One day I’ll get dressed, the dressing gown is getting a bit grubby.

Gosh yes, I know how it is…it all happens at once and by mid afternoon you realise you’re still in the dressing gown…

Ummmm…

Nothing happening here garden wise, but I have been introduced to a Spinning and Knitting Forum….

bluegreen said:

Ummmm…

Nothing happening here garden wise, but I have been introduced to a Spinning and Knitting Forum….

Expanding your circle of acquaintance…great!

Cold wet weather coming your ways down there…enjoy…

Brought some “heels” back of my brunfelsia … hang on while I check the name…yep that’s right…bother Sidney Sheldon, he’s written a book with that name…hope I’m successful at striking these…there was a root still in the ground but it looked a bit sick, so I reburied it in the hope that might get a lucky strike as well…this is no ordinary brunfelsia, it only flowers in spring but the perfume is paradise…I think it might be a Lady of the Night even tho’ that is supposed to be yellow-cream-white…