just enough rain (10mm) to start the winter vege patch.
i have a fenced garden about 7×10m with good soil that the chooks have been cleaning for the last 6 months.
the chooks have been moved into their other henhouse and now.
before planting i have to rearrange the edging because the recycled timber is falling to bits. i have devised a better way of dividing the garden instead to the present island with edge beds.
then i have to spread the homemade compost, fork it in, and plant.

pepe said:

just enough rain (10mm) to start the winter vege patch.
i have a fenced garden about 7×10m with good soil that the chooks have been cleaning for the last 6 months.
the chooks have been moved into their other henhouse and now.
before planting i have to rearrange the edging because the recycled timber is falling to bits. i have devised a better way of dividing the garden instead to the present island with edge beds.
then i have to spread the homemade compost, fork it in, and plant.

This’ll keep you out of the pubs, Pepe

(Standard jokes in our family: to ladies of the house “that (work) will keep you out of the coffee shops”. With the MOTHS it’s the pubs…just so you know where I’m coming from with the above quote)

Sounds good, and I look forward to your pictures of the work in progress…

All I have to show ATM is mowed/slashed yard

More power to your elbow Pepe !
Yes, that will keep you out of mischief! LOL

This’ll keep you out of the pubs, Pepe
—————————
not really – i don’t do garden work at nights LOL.
i will have to buy in some seedlings as the heatwave has knocked most of my seedtrays.
i admit that the commercial seedlings are better than my own – mostly.

pepe said:

This’ll keep you out of the pubs, Pepe
—————————
not really – i don’t do garden work at nights LOL.
i will have to buy in some seedlings as the heatwave has knocked most of my seedtrays.
i admit that the commercial seedlings are better than my own – mostly.

I’m choosy about where I purchase my seedlings: some come in better potting media than others…

Pepe do you have much experience growing mesclun (F7) mixes?

orchid40 said:

More power to your elbow Pepe !
Yes, that will keep you out of mischief! LOL

bending the elbow also has pub connotations – cut it out girls you’ll give me a bad reputation. LOL

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

This’ll keep you out of the pubs, Pepe
—————————
not really – i don’t do garden work at nights LOL.
i will have to buy in some seedlings as the heatwave has knocked most of my seedtrays.
i admit that the commercial seedlings are better than my own – mostly.

I’m choosy about where I purchase my seedlings: some come in better potting media than others…

Pepe do you have much experience growing mesclun (F7) mixes?

yep – mesclun has become my favourite lettuce mix in the past two years.

pepe said:

orchid40 said:

More power to your elbow Pepe !
Yes, that will keep you out of mischief! LOL

bending the elbow also has pub connotations – cut it out girls you’ll give me a bad reputation. LOL

Does it ??? Hahahaha!! I thought it referred to work !

http://www.localharvest.org/salad-mix.jsp
++++++++++

Here’s a good pitch for mesclun mixes, and what goes in them…

Does it ??? Hahahaha!! I thought it referred to work !
+++++++++++

as in Elbow Grease required to clean surfaces before the “wonder” cleaners came along?

Oh yeah, I’m starting to see where “bending the elbow” was applied as (quite possibly a sarcastic term by a woman?) a double-entendre for drinking…forgot about that connotation…

Dinetta said:

http://www.localharvest.org/salad-mix.jsp
++++++++++

Here’s a good pitch for mesclun mixes, and what goes in them…

i agree with that pitch – and so does ms pepe. she eats more salads than is decently polite and the variety you get in mesclun is perfect for taste variety.
the seed are extremely small tho’- so it pays to either transplant them to spread them out or grow them in seed trays first.

I was reading where beetroot leaves end up in salad as a result of thinning…makes sense…

Dinetta said:

I was reading where beetroot leaves end up in salad as a result of thinning…makes sense…

we haven’t tried beetroot leaves.
lucky1 taught us how to pick baby spinach and rocket leaves – these are indeed fabtab when young.

pepe said:

just enough rain (10mm) to start the winter vege patch.
i have a fenced garden about 7×10m with good soil that the chooks have been cleaning for the last 6 months.
the chooks have been moved into their other henhouse and now.
before planting i have to rearrange the edging because the recycled timber is falling to bits. i have devised a better way of dividing the garden instead to the present island with edge beds.
then i have to spread the homemade compost, fork it in, and plant.

You know pics are mandatory, don’t you? :D

My ‘vegie beds’ (and I use that term very loosely) are still inundated with couch…one day… :(

pepe said:

Dinetta said:

I was reading where beetroot leaves end up in salad as a result of thinning…makes sense…

we haven’t tried beetroot leaves.
lucky1 taught us how to pick baby spinach and rocket leaves – these are indeed fabtab when young.

Baby beetroot leaves taste like dirt. Yuk! Until I get my vegie plots going I buy from the shop. Mostly I just get a boring iceberg but I am sometimes tempted by the mixed gourmet lettuce leaves. If I accidentally get one with baby beetroot, I pick them out and dispose of them I dislike them so much. Well, it’s some little green leaf with a red stem anyway…is that baby beet?

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

Dinetta said:

I was reading where beetroot leaves end up in salad as a result of thinning…makes sense…

we haven’t tried beetroot leaves.
lucky1 taught us how to pick baby spinach and rocket leaves – these are indeed fabtab when young.

Baby beetroot leaves taste like dirt. Yuk! Until I get my vegie plots going I buy from the shop. Mostly I just get a boring iceberg but I am sometimes tempted by the mixed gourmet lettuce leaves. If I accidentally get one with baby beetroot, I pick them out and dispose of them I dislike them so much. Well, it’s some little green leaf with a red stem anyway…is that baby beet?

I thought that’s what they were…

Mind you I don’t like home grown beetroot, but I love the canned stuff…my mother used to prepare beetroot atrociously so I didn’t eat it for years…

My favourite salad mix (can’t get it up here any more) had flower petals and nastursium leaves…

hortfurball said:

My ‘vegie beds’ (and I use that term very loosely) are still inundated with couch…one day… :(

sounds like mine. actually I am probably going to move them, or do away with them altogether. We have some renovations we want to do on the house and the vege patches are just where we want to put some french doors and a patio. I’m thinking that seeing as we are trying to move forward on our dream of a “tree change” and sell this house some time in the future that maybe I should concentrate on making the ornamental garden more respectable.

i only grow 12 beetroot plants a year and i have them growing already.
the cook and i only ever use beetroot in egg sandwiches – which are the vego equivalent of the famously aussie hamburger with beetroot.
i notice that supidmarkets sell the big can of beetroot cheaper than the small can often – so altho’ the canned stuff is delicious much of it is often wasted.

;jolly roger corn will be teady to pick this weekend.
the ‘red’ silks are different to the hybrid corn .

it looks more like a before photo – but this is the state of play in my winter garden at present. i hope to have the winter crops planted here this weekend

pepe said:

it looks more like a before photo – but this is the state of play in my winter garden at present. i hope to have the winter crops planted here this weekend

Geez Pepe, are you a glutton for punishment or what?

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

it looks more like a before photo – but this is the state of play in my winter garden at present. i hope to have the winter crops planted here this weekend

Geez Pepe, are you a glutton for punishment or what?

pulling out the steel stakes was the hard part – it should be edged again pretty quickly.
the ground is still hard – 10mm of rain is not enough – so i will have to soak everything when i spread the compost.
i work slowly dinetta – the word ‘rush’ is no longer in my dictionary.

pepe said:

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

it looks more like a before photo – but this is the state of play in my winter garden at present. i hope to have the winter crops planted here this weekend

Geez Pepe, are you a glutton for punishment or what?

pulling out the steel stakes was the hard part – it should be edged again pretty quickly.
the ground is still hard – 10mm of rain is not enough – so i will have to soak everything when i spread the compost.
i work slowly dinetta – the word ‘rush’ is no longer in my dictionary.

Do the steel stakes have wire holes in them , as for fencing stakes ? What I do , because I’m only a gurl and don’t have bloke muscles , is to bung a big nail in the wire hole and use that for leverage, then put the wind up car jack under and lift them out easily.

pepe said:

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

it looks more like a before photo – but this is the state of play in my winter garden at present. i hope to have the winter crops planted here this weekend

Geez Pepe, are you a glutton for punishment or what?

pulling out the steel stakes was the hard part – it should be edged again pretty quickly.
the ground is still hard – 10mm of rain is not enough – so i will have to soak everything when i spread the compost.
i work slowly dinetta – the word ‘rush’ is no longer in my dictionary.

Yes, good gardens take time…as long as you have a plan…

Happy Potter your method of removing star pickets sounds grouse…excellent idea!!

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

pulling out the steel stakes was the hard part – it should be edged again pretty quickly.
the ground is still hard – 10mm of rain is not enough – so i will have to soak everything when i spread the compost.
i work slowly dinetta – the word ‘rush’ is no longer in my dictionary.

Do the steel stakes have wire holes in them , as for fencing stakes ? What I do , because I’m only a gurl and don’t have bloke muscles , is to bung a big nail in the wire hole and use that for leverage, then put the wind up car jack under and lift them out easily.

What a brilliant idea HP!!

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

pulling out the steel stakes was the hard part – it should be edged again pretty quickly.
the ground is still hard – 10mm of rain is not enough – so i will have to soak everything when i spread the compost.
i work slowly dinetta – the word ‘rush’ is no longer in my dictionary.

Do the steel stakes have wire holes in them , as for fencing stakes ? What I do , because I’m only a gurl and don’t have bloke muscles , is to bung a big nail in the wire hole and use that for leverage, then put the wind up car jack under and lift them out easily.

What a brilliant idea HP!!

if i cant get them out i use the bobcat if i can get it to them.

veg gardener said:

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

pulling out the steel stakes was the hard part – it should be edged again pretty quickly.
the ground is still hard – 10mm of rain is not enough – so i will have to soak everything when i spread the compost.
i work slowly dinetta – the word ‘rush’ is no longer in my dictionary.

Do the steel stakes have wire holes in them , as for fencing stakes ? What I do , because I’m only a gurl and don’t have bloke muscles , is to bung a big nail in the wire hole and use that for leverage, then put the wind up car jack under and lift them out easily.

What a brilliant idea HP!!

if i cant get them out i use the bobcat if i can get it to them.

Mmmm star picket remover

New Inventors – The Picketup

BatZ said:

veg gardener said:

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

pulling out the steel stakes was the hard part – it should be edged again pretty quickly.
the ground is still hard – 10mm of rain is not enough – so i will have to soak everything when i spread the compost.
i work slowly dinetta – the word ‘rush’ is no longer in my dictionary.

Do the steel stakes have wire holes in them , as for fencing stakes ? What I do , because I’m only a gurl and don’t have bloke muscles , is to bung a big nail in the wire hole and use that for leverage, then put the wind up car jack under and lift them out easily.

What a brilliant idea HP!!

if i cant get them out i use the bobcat if i can get it to them.

Mmmm star picket remover

New Inventors – The Picketup

Another New Inventors fan? seen that at the local ag show two years in a row most probably be there this year as well.

veg gardener said:

BatZ said:

veg gardener said:

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

pulling out the steel stakes was the hard part – it should be edged again pretty quickly.
the ground is still hard – 10mm of rain is not enough – so i will have to soak everything when i spread the compost.
i work slowly dinetta – the word ‘rush’ is no longer in my dictionary.

Do the steel stakes have wire holes in them , as for fencing stakes ? What I do , because I’m only a gurl and don’t have bloke muscles , is to bung a big nail in the wire hole and use that for leverage, then put the wind up car jack under and lift them out easily.

What a brilliant idea HP!!

if i cant get them out i use the bobcat if i can get it to them.

Mmmm star picket remover

New Inventors – The Picketup

Another New Inventors fan? seen that at the local ag show two years in a row most probably be there this year as well.

Most definitely – love the New Inventors!

BatZ said:

veg gardener said:

BatZ said:

veg gardener said:

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

pulling out the steel stakes was the hard part – it should be edged again pretty quickly.
the ground is still hard – 10mm of rain is not enough – so i will have to soak everything when i spread the compost.
i work slowly dinetta – the word ‘rush’ is no longer in my dictionary.

Do the steel stakes have wire holes in them , as for fencing stakes ? What I do , because I’m only a gurl and don’t have bloke muscles , is to bung a big nail in the wire hole and use that for leverage, then put the wind up car jack under and lift them out easily.

What a brilliant idea HP!!

if i cant get them out i use the bobcat if i can get it to them.

Mmmm star picket remover

New Inventors – The Picketup

Another New Inventors fan? seen that at the local ag show two years in a row most probably be there this year as well.

Most definitely – love the New Inventors!

i missed the last invention on wednesday is it well worth downloading it? or watching it on abc 2 at 6pm on saturday?

pepe sorry for going off topic.

BatZ said:

veg gardener said:

BatZ said:

veg gardener said:

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

pulling out the steel stakes was the hard part – it should be edged again pretty quickly.
the ground is still hard – 10mm of rain is not enough – so i will have to soak everything when i spread the compost.
i work slowly dinetta – the word ‘rush’ is no longer in my dictionary.

Do the steel stakes have wire holes in them , as for fencing stakes ? What I do , because I’m only a gurl and don’t have bloke muscles , is to bung a big nail in the wire hole and use that for leverage, then put the wind up car jack under and lift them out easily.

What a brilliant idea HP!!

if i cant get them out i use the bobcat if i can get it to them.

Mmmm star picket remover

New Inventors – The Picketup

Another New Inventors fan? seen that at the local ag show two years in a row most probably be there this year as well.

Most definitely – love the New Inventors!

i missed the last invention on wednesday is it well worth downloading it? or watching it on abc 2 at 6pm on saturday?

pepe sorry for going off topic.

i missed the last invention on wednesday is it well worth downloading it? or watching it on abc 2 at 6pm on saturday? pepe sorry for going off topic.
————————————————-
that’s not really off topic.
i think autumn and spring are the best bbq seasons so we had a bbq tonight. a vego one. spuds, zuchs, yams, tofu, mushrooms and a couple other veges. it always ends up being dry. so as aurumn progresses i’ll try adding aoli as a sauce and using alfoil trays to maintain the marinade and try and get a bit more juice in the meal, things like sausages and chops have fat in them but veges don’t.
(now that’s off topic.) oh and btw i do have muscle, so i got those steel stakes out using a crowbar and sledge hammer – LOL.
GA expo here on the long adelaide cup long weekend – we’re going on monday.

veg gardener said:

i missed the last invention on wednesday is it well worth downloading it? or watching it on abc 2 at 6pm on saturday?

pepe sorry for going off topic.

The safety light pavers ??!! Lol it was ok…little lights turn into moving green arrows pointing the way to safety. Couldn’t help but giggle at the ‘show us how it works’, James has good humour in acting =o]

pepe said:

i missed the last invention on wednesday is it well worth downloading it? or watching it on abc 2 at 6pm on saturday? pepe sorry for going off topic.
————————————————-
that’s not really off topic.
i think autumn and spring are the best bbq seasons so we had a bbq tonight. a vego one. spuds, zuchs, yams, tofu, mushrooms and a couple other veges. it always ends up being dry. so as aurumn progresses i’ll try adding aoli as a sauce and using alfoil trays to maintain the marinade and try and get a bit more juice in the meal, things like sausages and chops have fat in them but veges don’t.
(now that’s off topic.) oh and btw i do have muscle, so i got those steel stakes out using a crowbar and sledge hammer – LOL.
GA expo here on the long adelaide cup long weekend – we’re going on monday.

I notice that our Gardening Aust Expo is returning to the RNA Showgrounds this year. They must have realised that I wouldn’t go last year because of the ridiculuous venue.

pepe said:

i missed the last invention on wednesday is it well worth downloading it? or watching it on abc 2 at 6pm on saturday? pepe sorry for going off topic.
————————————————-
that’s not really off topic.
i think autumn and spring are the best bbq seasons so we had a bbq tonight. a vego one. spuds, zuchs, yams, tofu, mushrooms and a couple other veges. it always ends up being dry. so as aurumn progresses i’ll try adding aoli as a sauce and using alfoil trays to maintain the marinade and try and get a bit more juice in the meal, things like sausages and chops have fat in them but veges don’t.
(now that’s off topic.) oh and btw i do have muscle, so i got those steel stakes out using a crowbar and sledge hammer – LOL.
GA expo here on the long adelaide cup long weekend – we’re going on monday.

wish i could go to a GA Expo never been to one.

progress on the winter vege patch.
new edges are in and the old paths are being converted to garden.
now i have to spread the soil and compost and dampen it all tomorrow.
i’ll buy two coir seed raising bricks and use them for planting – even tho’ the soil is loam it is dry and hard.
poor chookies normally have a green garden to move into when the changeover takes place – but not this year

top soil ‘fluffed up’, raked out (old paths have gone).
now for the compost.

pepe said:

top soil ‘fluffed up’, raked out (old paths have gone).
now for the compost.

You’re doing very well there Pepe. Thats some size bed!
Get the compost on then you won’t have to do it tomorrow. lol.
Cheering you on from the sidelines. Go Pepe Go Pepe :D

pepe said:

top soil ‘fluffed up’, raked out (old paths have gone).
now for the compost.

looks good pepe.

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

top soil ‘fluffed up’, raked out (old paths have gone).
now for the compost.

You’re doing very well there Pepe. Thats some size bed!
Get the compost on then you won’t have to do it tomorrow. lol.
Cheering you on from the sidelines. Go Pepe Go Pepe :D

Go Where?
thanks HP.
the body is beginning to feel like a beer – or is that the brain?
anyrate i’m half way thru the compost and feeling pooped.

veg gardener said:

pepe said:

top soil ‘fluffed up’, raked out (old paths have gone).
now for the compost.

looks good pepe.

Looks seriously better than the photo of the other day…how do you plan to get from one side of the bed to the other? Are you going to recycle some old planks as stepping boards?

have you done your ironing?
good – here’s a flower for ya – sedum

here’s a progress update
i have prepared the winter vege patch by spreading 7 wheelbarrow loads of compost. i would have liked 20 wheel barrow loads.
my next task is to get water into the bone dry soil – so i have trenched the whole bed and filled the trenches with water three times.

pepe said:

have you done your ironing?
good – here’s a flower for ya – sedum

I’ve got the sme sedum Pepe and it’s in flower too. Actually it was given to me by Bubba louie which means her’s is probably in flower too.

pomolo said:

pepe said:

have you done your ironing?
good – here’s a flower for ya – sedum

I’ve got the sme sedum Pepe and it’s in flower too. Actually it was given to me by Bubba louie which means her’s is probably in flower too.

yep good plant – virtually no water and they attract bees.
well i’ve planted – toms, parsley, broc, brussel sprouts, pak choi, onions, celery, leeks, lettuce and silver beet.
still got broad beans and spinach to go.

and btw – ms pepe has got the best ever excuse for not ironing – “your best clothes are in the ironing basket because you’ll wear them out in the garden if you have them hanging in ya wardrobe!”

pepe said:

and btw – ms pepe has got the best ever excuse for not ironing – “your best clothes are in the ironing basket because you’ll wear them out in the garden if you have them hanging in ya wardrobe!”

lol! I often have to tell Mr BG to go get changed when he heads for the garage in his work clothes. He’d be “just going to do something”, but it usually ends out a much bigger and messier job than he anticipates.

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

and btw – ms pepe has got the best ever excuse for not ironing – “your best clothes are in the ironing basket because you’ll wear them out in the garden if you have them hanging in ya wardrobe!”

lol! I often have to tell Mr BG to go get changed when he heads for the garage in his work clothes. He’d be “just going to do something”, but it usually ends out a much bigger and messier job than he anticipates.

I keep doing that. If I do have the urge to potter after work, I can’t be bothered getting changed – it’s only ever a small job.. and then of course, I get worm juice or manure or something all over my work clothes!

I keep doing it though as it’s not often I get the pottering urge, so I don’t want to discourage it :)

the pigeons have torn out the brocolli, lettuce and bok choy.

boohoo – weep – sorrow – anger – pigeon pie anyone?

the camera batteries are flat and anyrate i haven’t the heart to photograph the destruction.

GA expo tomorrow – does anyone know what the entrance fee is?

pepe said:

the pigeons have torn out the brocolli, lettuce and bok choy.

boohoo – weep – sorrow – anger – pigeon pie anyone?

bugger :(

yes – bugger
i was confident there were no sparrows around i didn’t put up bird netting.
do i want pigeons anymore?
some broc and lettuce will recover.

Recipes

bluegreen said:

Recipes

ROTFL – thanks
the wednesday market might be easier.

bluegreen said:

Recipes

LOL @ BG.

some pictures of my daughters garden

pepe said:

some pictures of my daughters garden

‘ers a chip off the old block all right…

What are the frond-y things in the second photo from the left? (in front of the Pumpkin?)

What are the frond-y things in the second photo from the left? (in front of the Pumpkin?)
—
chickpeas – and the photo on the left are soya beans – both are flowering here in adelaide !!

i luv the way she has a real permaculture mash in that chickpea photo – carrots, pumpkin, chickpeas, barley, millet and baby spinach all growing together and much of it self sown.

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

some pictures of my daughters garden

‘ers a chip off the old block all right…

What are the frond-y things in the second photo from the left? (in front of the Pumpkin?)

That was going to be my question too. Chick peas eh. Got it.

pepe said:

What are the frond-y things in the second photo from the left? (in front of the Pumpkin?)
—
chickpeas – and the photo on the left are soya beans – both are flowering here in adelaide !!

i luv the way she has a real permaculture mash in that chickpea photo – carrots, pumpkin, chickpeas, barley, millet and baby spinach all growing together and much of it self sown.

Is that a gentle way of saying your lass is an “accidental” gardener? ;)

pomolo said:

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

some pictures of my daughters garden

‘ers a chip off the old block all right…

What are the frond-y things in the second photo from the left? (in front of the Pumpkin?)

That was going to be my question too. Chick peas eh. Got it.

I’ve never seen chickpeas up that close…they’re grown as rotation / soil health crops out here from time to time but I’ve never gone to the field and had a real good bo-peep…

What does she do with the chick peas? Harvest them and dry them for cooking?

Is that a gentle way of saying your lass is an “accidental” gardener?
——————————————
no – you can tell by the seed trays she’s after ‘free food’. she had 100’s of oakleaf lettuce self seed last year and basically we all ate splendid salads for no cost. stuff like – toms, cereals, lettuce, spinach etc – will self seed and all you have to do is organise your beds with a bit of transplanting.

one thing i didn’t like about the GA expo yesterday was the commercial edge – there was a predominant septuagenarian audience who made gardening into an ‘expensive fad’
- ‘free food’ is the right philosophy IMHO.

What does she do with the chick peas? Harvest them and dry them for cooking?
—————————
first time any of us have grown them
- i think they can be eaten raw – used fresh in cooking – thrown into soups and stews.
we have made our own tofu from soya beans – so if they grow they are easy to use as well.

pepe said:

What does she do with the chick peas? Harvest them and dry them for cooking?
—————————
first time any of us have grown them
- i think they can be eaten raw – used fresh in cooking – thrown into soups and stews.
we have made our own tofu from soya beans – so if they grow they are easy to use as well.

This thread gets more interesting by the post…

I have never eaten tofu…what’s it like and what is a good shop brand?

pepe said:

Is that a gentle way of saying your lass is an “accidental” gardener?
——————————————
no – you can tell by the seed trays she’s after ‘free food’. she had 100’s of oakleaf lettuce self seed last year and basically we all ate splendid salads for no cost. stuff like – toms, cereals, lettuce, spinach etc – will self seed and all you have to do is organise your beds with a bit of transplanting.

one thing i didn’t like about the GA expo yesterday was the commercial edge – there was a predominant septuagenarian audience who made gardening into an ‘expensive fad’
- ‘free food’ is the right philosophy IMHO.

That’s interesting…usually the “goldies” are all about growing your own, swapping and networking…

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

What does she do with the chick peas? Harvest them and dry them for cooking?
—————————
first time any of us have grown them – i think they can be eaten raw – used fresh in cooking – thrown into soups and stews. we have made our own tofu from soya beans – so if they grow they are easy to use as well.

This thread gets more interesting by the post…I have never eaten tofu…what’s it like and what is a good shop brand?

all the brands are good
hard tofu is used like a steak – you can breadcrumb and fry it.
silken or soft tofu is a bit like ricotta cheese – you blend it with other ingredients.

soya beans are said to be strictly tropical but my daughter has got them to flower. so we await to see how many beans come off her 6 plants.

to make tofu buy organic beans (beware GM) and boil them in water – wait for the soya milk thus formed to separate in curds and whey – then skim off the curds and press between layers of muslin.

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

Is that a gentle way of saying your lass is an “accidental” gardener?
——————————————
no – you can tell by the seed trays she’s after ‘free food’. she had 100’s of oakleaf lettuce self seed last year and basically we all ate splendid salads for no cost. stuff like – toms, cereals, lettuce, spinach etc – will self seed and all you have to do is organise your beds with a bit of transplanting.

one thing i didn’t like about the GA expo yesterday was the commercial edge – there was a predominant septuagenarian audience who made gardening into an ‘expensive fad’
- ‘free food’ is the right philosophy IMHO.

That’s interesting…usually the “goldies” are all about growing your own, swapping and networking…

ok – so some of them are frugal like me – but the sellers were having a field day with their prices.
i did like the way gardening came to be just about everything in life – plants, foods, skin medications, drinks, tools, books, chooks, biodiversity, animal kindness advocates, crushed rock, clever ideas for bbqs, edging, sweeping, rainwater collection etc.

ok – so some of them are frugal like me – but the sellers were having a field day with their prices.
+++++++++++=

Oh yeah, but there’s suckers around…

I remember saying about 15 years ago that people would not pay $5-$6 per small potato sack for horse or cow poo at a fundraiser for the kindergarten…some people did buy them, but the person running the stall had the prices of other things so high that in the end people took boxes of plants home for free…

I tried to advise $2-$3 per bag…but nup…“we’re trying to make money here”…she and her husband went bankrupt (mostly because of this attitude of hers) and fled town, some years later…

Encountering greed makes people feel bad, I reckon…

pepe said:

Is that a gentle way of saying your lass is an “accidental” gardener?
——————————————
no – you can tell by the seed trays she’s after ‘free food’. she had 100’s of oakleaf lettuce self seed last year and basically we all ate splendid salads for no cost. stuff like – toms, cereals, lettuce, spinach etc – will self seed and all you have to do is organise your beds with a bit of transplanting.

one thing i didn’t like about the GA expo yesterday was the commercial edge – there was a predominant septuagenarian audience who made gardening into an ‘expensive fad’
- ‘free food’ is the right philosophy IMHO.

Can you elaborate Pepe? I’m wondering how they are making it an expensive fad…focus on short lived annuals? A “you MUST have THIS plant, daaaarling, or you’re just nobody” kind of mentality? Just curious how you would manage to suck money out of people where a garden is concerned. The only thing I could really think of is sell plants that don’t like the climate so they die and someone has to buy more, but eventually they’d just reckon your nursery gave really bad advice and would stop going…so it wouldn’t work. Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree, which is why I’m curious. I would have thought gardening is one of only a few areas that CAN’T be like that.

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

Is that a gentle way of saying your lass is an “accidental” gardener?
——————————————
no – you can tell by the seed trays she’s after ‘free food’. she had 100’s of oakleaf lettuce self seed last year and basically we all ate splendid salads for no cost. stuff like – toms, cereals, lettuce, spinach etc – will self seed and all you have to do is organise your beds with a bit of transplanting.

one thing i didn’t like about the GA expo yesterday was the commercial edge – there was a predominant septuagenarian audience who made gardening into an ‘expensive fad’
- ‘free food’ is the right philosophy IMHO.

Can you elaborate Pepe? I’m wondering how they are making it an expensive fad…focus on short lived annuals? A “you MUST have THIS plant, daaaarling, or you’re just nobody” kind of mentality? Just curious how you would manage to suck money out of people where a garden is concerned. The only thing I could really think of is sell plants that don’t like the climate so they die and someone has to buy more, but eventually they’d just reckon your nursery gave really bad advice and would stop going…so it wouldn’t work. Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree, which is why I’m curious. I would have thought gardening is one of only a few areas that CAN’T be like that.

a large part of these Expos are stalls for commercial concerns, so every man and his dog who sells gardening tools, eco-products, tanks, garden ornaments, etc. etc. are there flogging their product.

Can you elaborate Pepe? I’m wondering how they are making it an expensive fad…focus on short lived annuals? A “you MUST have THIS plant, daaaarling, or you’re just nobody” kind of mentality? Just curious how you would manage to suck money out of people where a garden is concerned. The only thing I could really think of is sell plants that don’t like the climate so they die and someone has to buy more, but eventually they’d just reckon your nursery gave really bad advice and would stop going…so it wouldn’t work. Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree, which is why I’m curious. I would have thought gardening is one of only a few areas that CAN‘T be like that.
———————————
it cost $50 for 3 adults to park their car and get thru the gate.
they are selling irrigation systems that you cannot legally use here unless you have a concession
they are selling chook houses for $1,700 and a chook starter kit (includes 2 chooks, feed) for about $100
a herb starter kit cost $16 (a big punnet of herbs)
all sorts of high priced products for beginners.
…and i haven’t got thru’ the door into the main pavilion yet.
small hot chips $5 – iced tea $5.
my wife never bought anything but collected free pamphlets about the arid lands park at port augusta.
my daughter is going thru’ a plant collecting stage and bought some plants.
i walked around talking to people and listening to the free speakers – and finally bought a punnet of broccoli.
the city gardeners were spending up big on books, plants and various tools – they were a grey haired lot and not beginners – but they don’t have the spending restraint you see in the country. i gained an impression that city gardening was a fashionable trend based on a green revolution that is now more the status quo.

it depends on your outlook – i spent 30 years in the hills where all the prices at the show were much lower….. and i’m not a beginner – so i kept comparing prices to those i can get locally.
basically i never saw anything that i couldn’t buy or make for half the price they were asking.
our family will probably not return – but we’re glad we’ve seen it once.

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

Is that a gentle way of saying your lass is an “accidental” gardener?
——————————————
no – you can tell by the seed trays she’s after ‘free food’. she had 100’s of oakleaf lettuce self seed last year and basically we all ate splendid salads for no cost. stuff like – toms, cereals, lettuce, spinach etc – will self seed and all you have to do is organise your beds with a bit of transplanting.

one thing i didn’t like about the GA expo yesterday was the commercial edge – there was a predominant septuagenarian audience who made gardening into an ‘expensive fad’
- ‘free food’ is the right philosophy IMHO.

Can you elaborate Pepe? I’m wondering how they are making it an expensive fad…focus on short lived annuals? A “you MUST have THIS plant, daaaarling, or you’re just nobody” kind of mentality? Just curious how you would manage to suck money out of people where a garden is concerned. The only thing I could really think of is sell plants that don’t like the climate so they die and someone has to buy more, but eventually they’d just reckon your nursery gave really bad advice and would stop going…so it wouldn’t work. Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree, which is why I’m curious. I would have thought gardening is one of only a few areas that CAN’T be like that.

a large part of these Expos are stalls for commercial concerns, so every man and his dog who sells gardening tools, eco-products, tanks, garden ornaments, etc. etc. are there flogging their product.

I get your point Pep but how else are we going to know all that’s available if they don’t flog it somewhere. An Expo is the perfect place I reckon.

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

Is that a gentle way of saying your lass is an “accidental” gardener?
——————————————
no – you can tell by the seed trays she’s after ‘free food’. she had 100’s of oakleaf lettuce self seed last year and basically we all ate splendid salads for no cost. stuff like – toms, cereals, lettuce, spinach etc – will self seed and all you have to do is organise your beds with a bit of transplanting.

one thing i didn’t like about the GA expo yesterday was the commercial edge – there was a predominant septuagenarian audience who made gardening into an ‘expensive fad’
- ‘free food’ is the right philosophy IMHO.

Can you elaborate Pepe? I’m wondering how they are making it an expensive fad…focus on short lived annuals? A “you MUST have THIS plant, daaaarling, or you’re just nobody” kind of mentality? Just curious how you would manage to suck money out of people where a garden is concerned. The only thing I could really think of is sell plants that don’t like the climate so they die and someone has to buy more, but eventually they’d just reckon your nursery gave really bad advice and would stop going…so it wouldn’t work. Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree, which is why I’m curious. I would have thought gardening is one of only a few areas that CAN’T be like that.

a large part of these Expos are stalls for commercial concerns, so every man and his dog who sells gardening tools, eco-products, tanks, garden ornaments, etc. etc. are there flogging their product.

Oh, DOH! The expo itself! Funny I always like to see what’s available and what new products are available. My favourite part was always the display gardens though. :)

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

Is that a gentle way of saying your lass is an “accidental” gardener?
——————————————
no – you can tell by the seed trays she’s after ‘free food’. she had 100’s of oakleaf lettuce self seed last year and basically we all ate splendid salads for no cost. stuff like – toms, cereals, lettuce, spinach etc – will self seed and all you have to do is organise your beds with a bit of transplanting.

one thing i didn’t like about the GA expo yesterday was the commercial edge – there was a predominant septuagenarian audience who made gardening into an ‘expensive fad’
- ‘free food’ is the right philosophy IMHO.

Can you elaborate Pepe? I’m wondering how they are making it an expensive fad…focus on short lived annuals? A “you MUST have THIS plant, daaaarling, or you’re just nobody” kind of mentality? Just curious how you would manage to suck money out of people where a garden is concerned. The only thing I could really think of is sell plants that don’t like the climate so they die and someone has to buy more, but eventually they’d just reckon your nursery gave really bad advice and would stop going…so it wouldn’t work. Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree, which is why I’m curious. I would have thought gardening is one of only a few areas that CAN’T be like that.

a large part of these Expos are stalls for commercial concerns, so every man and his dog who sells gardening tools, eco-products, tanks, garden ornaments, etc. etc. are there flogging their product.

Oh, DOH! The expo itself! Funny I always like to see what’s available and what new products are available. My favourite part was always the display gardens though. :)

Seems we agree HFB. It’s been a long time since Expos were put on without there being a cost involved for the visitors. Once upon a time sample bags at the show were just that…..samples. Now you have to pay to try a sample. Go figure!

pepe said:

Can you elaborate Pepe? I’m wondering how they are making it an expensive fad…focus on short lived annuals? A “you MUST have THIS plant, daaaarling, or you’re just nobody” kind of mentality? Just curious how you would manage to suck money out of people where a garden is concerned. The only thing I could really think of is sell plants that don’t like the climate so they die and someone has to buy more, but eventually they’d just reckon your nursery gave really bad advice and would stop going…so it wouldn’t work. Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree, which is why I’m curious. I would have thought gardening is one of only a few areas that CAN‘T be like that.
———————————
it cost $50 for 3 adults to park their car and get thru the gate.
they are selling irrigation systems that you cannot legally use here unless you have a concession
they are selling chook houses for $1,700 and a chook starter kit (includes 2 chooks, feed) for about $100
a herb starter kit cost $16 (a big punnet of herbs)
all sorts of high priced products for beginners.
…and i haven’t got thru’ the door into the main pavilion yet.
small hot chips $5 – iced tea $5.
my wife never bought anything but collected free pamphlets about the arid lands park at port augusta.
my daughter is going thru’ a plant collecting stage and bought some plants.
i walked around talking to people and listening to the free speakers – and finally bought a punnet of broccoli.
the city gardeners were spending up big on books, plants and various tools – they were a grey haired lot and not beginners – but they don’t have the spending restraint you see in the country. i gained an impression that city gardening was a fashionable trend based on a green revolution that is now more the status quo.

it depends on your outlook – i spent 30 years in the hills where all the prices at the show were much lower….. and i’m not a beginner – so i kept comparing prices to those i can get locally.
basically i never saw anything that i couldn’t buy or make for half the price they were asking.
our family will probably not return – but we’re glad we’ve seen it once.

Ah, yes…the same things I dislike about gardening magazines (not enough to not buy them of course) – the ‘classifieds’ section in the back where they sell prefabricated gazebos and shadehouses for prices that make your jaw drop! Now I get ya!
Have to say though that we did get an absolutely amazing pair of ratcheted loppers from Garden Week years ago and I’ve never seen them in the shops. The thing I really keep my eyes out for is any little stall likely to be selling homemade whiskey marmalade but I’ve been disappointed the last few times. I haven’t gone since the time I met Collie and Bon there.

Have to say though that we did get an absolutely amazing pair of ratcheted loppers from Garden Week years ago and I’ve never seen them in the shops.
—-
yep – its an expo – and getting things and ideas you can’t readily access otherwise is the point of it i spose. so its worth a visit from that viewpoint.

pepe said:

Have to say though that we did get an absolutely amazing pair of ratcheted loppers from Garden Week years ago and I’ve never seen them in the shops.
—-
yep – its an expo – and getting things and ideas you can’t readily access otherwise is the point of it i spose. so its worth a visit from that viewpoint.

I’ve only been to one GA expo…the one in Sept 2001 at Homebush…and the free country music concert afterwards to celebrate the first anniversary after the Olympics. I have a feeling it was the very first Expo. Does anyone know if that is correct?

It was fairly expensive way back then…but some of the talks and displays were really interesting.

my winter garden – just planted and looking pretty scrappy.
it will be a month before it turns green – hopefully

in the first photo the path will be where the hose is.
the whole area will be smothered in mulch and the path will be topped with sand to keep the mud off my shoes.

its full moon so my planting by the moon is totally out of whack.
- and things are not going too well – toms and parsley were growing yesterday and gone today.
methinks all the wild creatures crave a bit of green because the drought is biting harder than ever.
all my pigeons locked inside now. they will have to stay inside until the winter garden has established roots.

They’re saying it augers well for Autumn Rains…I’ve never heard of Autumn Rains but apparently they’re the beginnings of your rainy season????

Dinetta said:

They’re saying it augers well for Autumn Rains…I’ve never heard of Autumn Rains but apparently they’re the beginnings of your rainy season????

autumn rains sounds like a new age band. still i hope their auguring conjures up some rain.

pepe said:

its full moon so my planting by the moon is totally out of whack.
- and things are not going too well – toms and parsley were growing yesterday and gone today.
methinks all the wild creatures crave a bit of green because the drought is biting harder than ever.
all my pigeons locked inside now. they will have to stay inside until the winter garden has established roots.

That was sad to read Pepe. I’m so sorry for the drought you are all trying to condend with. Although we have had some rain, it’s only small amounts and the hoo haa surrounding Hamish has netted us 13.5mls. We only got all day sprinkles out of it. I don’t like to think about another dry winter that might be in store for us.

the carrot experiment didn’t work – liquid fert did not cause forking in the carrots after 8 weeks of application.
bumper crops of beans, zuchs, corn and watermelon are all coming from my december garden

pepe said:

the carrot experiment didn’t work – liquid fert did not cause forking in the carrots after 8 weeks of application.
bumper crops of beans, zuchs, corn and watermelon are all coming from my december garden

G’day all,
Thanks for the experiment pepe. My latest lot of carrots (planted early Feb) are as advanced as the ones I planted nov…giving up on the nov ones…they just aren’t growing. Have had plenty of water, good soil….but as we discussed before the ph might be wrong. Sowed some more Nantes and Topweight carrots last week, got a great germination, prepared the bed following the tips in my original carrots thread…so now it is wait and see.

G’day all,
Thanks for the experiment pepe. My latest lot of carrots (planted early Feb) are as advanced as the ones I planted nov…giving up on the nov ones…they just aren’t growing. Have had plenty of water, good soil….but as we discussed before the ph might be wrong. Sowed some more Nantes and Topweight carrots last week, got a great germination, prepared the bed following the tips in my original carrots thread…so now it is wait and see.
———-
g’day anne
germination is the hard bit so i think your latest carrots will be good.
i have got more carrots planted for winter and a few parsnips beside. parsnips are slow growing but very similar to carrots in their requirements and worth a go. parsnips are the sweetest roast vege of all.

pepe said:

the carrot experiment didn’t work – liquid fert did not cause forking in the carrots after 8 weeks of application.

I would say the experiment did work. You have determined that the application of liquid fertiliser does not cause forking.

:)

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

the carrot experiment didn’t work – liquid fert did not cause forking in the carrots after 8 weeks of application.

I would say the experiment did work. You have determined that the application of liquid fertiliser does not cause forking. :)

i was trying to get them to fork.
i still think a freshly fertilised bed should be used for another crop. but it is useful to know you can boost a carrot crop with liquid fert and it probably will not fork on you. there are all sorts of if and buts tho’.

Interesting about the carrots, Pepe. I never feed mine, and some fork and some don’t in the same batch. It’s a mystery.
it’s all looking very productive in your garden as usual.

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

the carrot experiment didn’t work – liquid fert did not cause forking in the carrots after 8 weeks of application.

I would say the experiment did work. You have determined that the application of liquid fertiliser does not cause forking.

:)

I thought hard ground with too many rocks/pebbles caused forking??

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

the carrot experiment didn’t work – liquid fert did not cause forking in the carrots after 8 weeks of application.

I would say the experiment did work. You have determined that the application of liquid fertiliser does not cause forking.

:)

I thought hard ground with too many rocks/pebbles caused forking??

that too. but he was testing the theory that carrots fork if fed liquid fertiliser.

orchid40 said:

Interesting about the carrots, Pepe. I never feed mine, and some fork and some don’t in the same batch. It’s a mystery.
it’s all looking very productive in your garden as usual.

much of gardening is a mystery.
one of my carrots has gone to seed. that’s one out of a hundred plants just decided to do it different to the rest ???

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

the carrot experiment didn’t work – liquid fert did not cause forking in the carrots after 8 weeks of application.

I would say the experiment did work. You have determined that the application of liquid fertiliser does not cause forking.)

I thought hard ground with too many rocks/pebbles caused forking??

you are going to have to start a vege garden horty !
- despite your prolific horticultural, encyclopedic knowledge of plants – when it comes to carrots – you have much to learn LOL.

pepe said:

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

the carrot experiment didn’t work – liquid fert did not cause forking in the carrots after 8 weeks of application.

I would say the experiment did work. You have determined that the application of liquid fertiliser does not cause forking.)

I thought hard ground with too many rocks/pebbles caused forking??

you are going to have to start a vege garden horty !
- despite your prolific horticultural, encyclopedic knowledge of plants – when it comes to carrots – you have much to learn LOL.

I have much to learn about a lot of things :)
Vegies in general being just one of them.
I encountered an old fashioned climber at a client’s place this week that I have never seen before and couldn’t ID – how embarrassment! (not that she asked me to ID it – I just hate not being able to) It will now be my mission to find out what it is!

I have much to learn about a lot of things :) Vegies in general being just one of them.
——
carrots will fork in good loam free of any stones.
however when it comes to plant id you are quite a valuable source of info.
and yes you need to grow veges – given the time to do it – autumn is a good time – who said that?LOL

a bumper crop of beans – altho’ a peasant maiden with rods of steel would consider picking this many each day to be child’s play – i will be glad when harvest is finished – hi pomolo LOL

pepe said:

a bumper crop of beans – altho’ a peasant maiden with rods of steel would consider picking this many each day to be child’s play – i will be glad when harvest is finished – hi pomolo LOL

they look so yummy and fresh. I find it impossible to get good fresh ones in the shops these days. Looks like you have a couple of varieties? Flat and round types?

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

a bumper crop of beans – altho’ a peasant maiden with rods of steel would consider picking this many each day to be child’s play – i will be glad when harvest is finished – hi pomolo LOL

they look so yummy and fresh. I find it impossible to get good fresh ones in the shops these days. Looks like you have a couple of varieties? Flat and round types?

yep the shop ones are inferior and these are being eaten with practically every meal. we haven’t grown tried of them like we do with most other veges.
yep – most are hawkesbury wonder but there is a second variety – forgot name.

the smaller round beans are called ‘stringless’ BG.

Wow Pepe, what a bumper harvest! You are the King of Beans :)

orchid40 said:

Wow Pepe, what a bumper harvest! You are the King of Beans :)

thanks OC40
i might not pick them for a week and see if we can get some for shelling – you know beans without their pods.

pepe said:

I have much to learn about a lot of things :) Vegies in general being just one of them.
——
carrots will fork in good loam free of any stones.
however when it comes to plant id you are quite a valuable source of info.
and yes you need to grow veges – given the time to do it – autumn is a good time – who said that?LOL

Yes, I can’t believe I haven’t got my vegie beds ready to go yet. It seems to be a never ending rotation just looking after the rest of the garden but I’m biting off little chunks here and there. Perhaps next weekend I should get right into getting the vegie beds ready. I just need somewhere to dump the massive pile of couch infested sand that I will be removing from them…

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

I have much to learn about a lot of things :) Vegies in general being just one of them.
——
carrots will fork in good loam free of any stones.
however when it comes to plant id you are quite a valuable source of info.
and yes you need to grow veges – given the time to do it – autumn is a good time – who said that?LOL

Yes, I can’t believe I haven’t got my vegie beds ready to go yet. It seems to be a never ending rotation just looking after the rest of the garden but I’m biting off little chunks here and there. Perhaps next weekend I should get right into getting the vegie beds ready. I just need somewhere to dump the massive pile of couch infested sand that I will be removing from them…

now that we have had a decent drop of rain and all my water barrels are full I might get up the enthusiasm to get my vege beds going again.

pepe said:

a bumper crop of beans – altho’ a peasant maiden with rods of steel would consider picking this many each day to be child’s play – i will be glad when harvest is finished – hi pomolo LOL

wipes drool off keyboard
They look delicious Pepe! I love green beans.

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

I have much to learn about a lot of things :) Vegies in general being just one of them.
——
carrots will fork in good loam free of any stones.
however when it comes to plant id you are quite a valuable source of info.
and yes you need to grow veges – given the time to do it – autumn is a good time – who said that?LOL

Yes, I can’t believe I haven’t got my vegie beds ready to go yet. It seems to be a never ending rotation just looking after the rest of the garden but I’m biting off little chunks here and there. Perhaps next weekend I should get right into getting the vegie beds ready. I just need somewhere to dump the massive pile of couch infested sand that I will be removing from them…

oops – take your time then. next spring is ok too. bloody couch is hard work.

now that we have had a decent drop of rain and all my water barrels are full I might get up the enthusiasm to get my vege beds going again.
—————
you’ve had a decent crop of broccoli and other veges (in the past) i seem to recall….. and your garden has had a rest – so it should be ready to roll.
no rain here to boast of – just wind (not the sort that comes from beans either). LOL

I bought a bag of sugarsnap pea seeds, Yates…I have just the bed for them…it has not had vegetables growing in it for 2 years…any bullet-point advice please?

pepe said:

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

I have much to learn about a lot of things :) Vegies in general being just one of them.
——
carrots will fork in good loam free of any stones.
however when it comes to plant id you are quite a valuable source of info.
and yes you need to grow veges – given the time to do it – autumn is a good time – who said that?LOL

Yes, I can’t believe I haven’t got my vegie beds ready to go yet. It seems to be a never ending rotation just looking after the rest of the garden but I’m biting off little chunks here and there. Perhaps next weekend I should get right into getting the vegie beds ready. I just need somewhere to dump the massive pile of couch infested sand that I will be removing from them…

oops – take your time then. next spring is ok too. bloody couch is hard work.

That’s why it has been put in the “I’ll do that later” basket. If I’d started on the vegie patches first the rest of the garden would be a jungle by now. I was also trying to decide the best way to tackle the couch. I smothered it in tarps for the first few months with no effect whatsoever so have decided to manually dig out the vegie beds. After I removed the tarps I’ve just been whippersnipping the couch every so often so I can still see the vegie beds taunting me with their presence.

That’s why it has been put in the “I’ll do that later” basket. If I’d started on the vegie patches first the rest of the garden would be a jungle by now. I was also trying to decide the best way to tackle the couch. I smothered it in tarps for the first few months with no effect whatsoever so have decided to manually dig out the vegie beds. After I removed the tarps I’ve just been whippersnipping the couch every so often so I can still see the vegie beds taunting me with their presence.
—————
how big is this vege bed horty?
the couch will die off in winter altho’ it leaves a mat of roots.
you might consider growing your seedlings now and transplanting them as mature specimens when the couch has been forked out.

pepe said:

That’s why it has been put in the “I’ll do that later” basket. If I’d started on the vegie patches first the rest of the garden would be a jungle by now. I was also trying to decide the best way to tackle the couch. I smothered it in tarps for the first few months with no effect whatsoever so have decided to manually dig out the vegie beds. After I removed the tarps I’ve just been whippersnipping the couch every so often so I can still see the vegie beds taunting me with their presence.
—————
how big is this vege bed horty?
the couch will die off in winter altho’ it leaves a mat of roots.
you might consider growing your seedlings now and transplanting them as mature specimens when the couch has been forked out.

Ok there’s two vegie beds, approx 1.5 × 3m (??) each. Couch doesn’t die off in winter here Pepe, it just doesn’t grow much. Unfortunately the beds are also surrounded by couch on all sides including the strip down the middle, so I’ll have to deal with that too or it’ll be into them again as soon as I dig it out. Let me see if I can find a pic…

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

That’s why it has been put in the “I’ll do that later” basket. If I’d started on the vegie patches first the rest of the garden would be a jungle by now. I was also trying to decide the best way to tackle the couch. I smothered it in tarps for the first few months with no effect whatsoever so have decided to manually dig out the vegie beds. After I removed the tarps I’ve just been whippersnipping the couch every so often so I can still see the vegie beds taunting me with their presence.
—————
how big is this vege bed horty?
the couch will die off in winter altho’ it leaves a mat of roots.
you might consider growing your seedlings now and transplanting them as mature specimens when the couch has been forked out.

Ok there’s two vegie beds, approx 1.5 × 3m (??) each. Couch doesn’t die off in winter here Pepe, it just doesn’t grow much. Unfortunately the beds are also surrounded by couch on all sides including the strip down the middle, so I’ll have to deal with that too or it’ll be into them again as soon as I dig it out. Let me see if I can find a pic…

Ouch Horty, your couch is a big job to tackle. It’s my main enemy here too. A constant pain in the ****

hortfurball said:

Ok there’s two vegie beds, approx 1.5 × 3m (??) each. Couch doesn’t die off in winter here Pepe, it just doesn’t grow much. Unfortunately the beds are also surrounded by couch on all sides including the strip down the middle, so I’ll have to deal with that too or it’ll be into them again as soon as I dig it out. Let me see if I can find a pic…

I have the exact same problem…

Ok there’s two vegie beds, approx 1.5×3m (??) each. Couch doesn’t die off in winter here Pepe, it just doesn’t grow much. Unfortunately the beds are also surrounded by couch on all sides including the strip down the middle, so I’ll have to deal with that too or it’ll be into them again as soon as I dig it out. Let me see if I can find a pic…
Photobucket
————————————-
nice pic – very realistic.
ok – 3 options that you have probably already tossed over in that active brain

1. bobcat to remove top 300mm of soil and replace with better soil
2. build up timber edges 300mm higher, lay newspaper and do a no dig
3. fence the whole area as a series of rotating chook pens and let the hens do the weeding.

none of them are easy – but neither is forking out the couch.

pepe said:

Ok there’s two vegie beds, approx 1.5×3m (??) each. Couch doesn’t die off in winter here Pepe, it just doesn’t grow much. Unfortunately the beds are also surrounded by couch on all sides including the strip down the middle, so I’ll have to deal with that too or it’ll be into them again as soon as I dig it out. Let me see if I can find a pic…
Photobucket
————————————-
nice pic – very realistic.
ok – 3 options that you have probably already tossed over in that active brain

1. bobcat to remove top 300mm of soil and replace with better soil
2. build up timber edges 300mm higher, lay newspaper and do a no dig
3. fence the whole area as a series of rotating chook pens and let the hens do the weeding.

none of them are easy – but neither is forking out the couch.

First option is not an option. Weird design means there is only a tiny side pathway so no way of getting a bobcat in and out. A Dingo digger might fit but no guarantees.
With option 2, wouldn’t the couch just come back through? Last time we had a vegie patch, we had carpet underlay, then a very thick layer of newspaper, then the soil. The couch came through the lot.
Option 3 means I’d have to organise the chicken run first as there’s nowhere for them that would be safe overnight from cats and foxes. Also, I’m only renting don’t forget, so don’t want to spend money on major fencing (especially when I don’t have any spare to spend.)

I figure if I dig out one at a time I’ll get there…sooner or later.

With option 2, wouldn’t the couch just come back through? Last time we had a vegie patch, we had carpet underlay, then a very thick layer of newspaper, then the soil. The couch came through the lot.
———
you’ve answered your own question.
one expert (or two) reckon that it can be over fertilised and then sprayed with glyphosphate when in full growth. probably that is the best way……..and then do the no dig.

pepe said:

With option 2, wouldn’t the couch just come back through? Last time we had a vegie patch, we had carpet underlay, then a very thick layer of newspaper, then the soil. The couch came through the lot.
———
you’ve answered your own question.
one expert (or two) reckon that it can be over fertilised and then sprayed with glyphosphate when in full growth. probably that is the best way……..and then do the no dig.

How do all you organic types feel about glyphosate in a vegie patch though? I was considering it for around the outside of the beds, but the beds themselves…the idea gives me pause.

pepe said:

With option 2, wouldn’t the couch just come back through? Last time we had a vegie patch, we had carpet underlay, then a very thick layer of newspaper, then the soil. The couch came through the lot.
———
you’ve answered your own question.
one expert (or two) reckon that it can be over fertilised and then sprayed with glyphosphate when in full growth. probably that is the best way……..and then do the no dig.

I gave up after 3 years of trying to reclaim a couple of garden beds with various methods that had been over taken with couch and resorted to “fusilade” to get it under control, worked really well for that scenario. Not sure if you do want to resort to spraying? This is selective so it didn’t kill off the plants I wanted to keep…

nighteyes said:

pepe said:

With option 2, wouldn’t the couch just come back through? Last time we had a vegie patch, we had carpet underlay, then a very thick layer of newspaper, then the soil. The couch came through the lot.
———
you’ve answered your own question.
one expert (or two) reckon that it can be over fertilised and then sprayed with glyphosphate when in full growth. probably that is the best way……..and then do the no dig.

I gave up after 3 years of trying to reclaim a couple of garden beds with various methods that had been over taken with couch and resorted to “fusilade” to get it under control, worked really well for that scenario. Not sure if you do want to resort to spraying? This is selective so it didn’t kill off the plants I wanted to keep…

I don’t know if I’d use Fusilade on an area I intended to produce food…or Glyphosate for that matter. They say that Glyphosate doesn’t remain in the soil for very long but I don’t think I’d be happy to take the chance, and they are mostly talking about its effects on ornamental plants. I haven’t read about any tests done on whether any residual chemicals can be taken up by food crops. I don’t know that much about Fusilade as it’s not commonly used (as in not as common as Glyphosate) but I do know it’s VERY powerful and that is enough to put me off in this case. It wasn’t THAT long ago that people thought spraying DDT on crops was a good idea. Think I’ll go the manual labour path…at least for the beds themselves. Instead of forking it over I might literally dig out the soil, just have to decide where I want to dump it.

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

Ok there’s two vegie beds, approx 1.5×3m (??) each. Couch doesn’t die off in winter here Pepe, it just doesn’t grow much. Unfortunately the beds are also surrounded by couch on all sides including the strip down the middle, so I’ll have to deal with that too or it’ll be into them again as soon as I dig it out. Let me see if I can find a pic…
Photobucket
————————————-
nice pic – very realistic.
ok – 3 options that you have probably already tossed over in that active brain

1. bobcat to remove top 300mm of soil and replace with better soil
2. build up timber edges 300mm higher, lay newspaper and do a no dig
3. fence the whole area as a series of rotating chook pens and let the hens do the weeding.

none of them are easy – but neither is forking out the couch.

First option is not an option. Weird design means there is only a tiny side pathway so no way of getting a bobcat in and out. A Dingo digger might fit but no guarantees.
With option 2, wouldn’t the couch just come back through? Last time we had a vegie patch, we had carpet underlay, then a very thick layer of newspaper, then the soil. The couch came through the lot.
Option 3 means I’d have to organise the chicken run first as there’s nowhere for them that would be safe overnight from cats and foxes. Also, I’m only renting don’t forget, so don’t want to spend money on major fencing (especially when I don’t have any spare to spend.)

I figure if I dig out one at a time I’ll get there…sooner or later.

how big is the space to get in??? you dont just get one size bobcats u can get different sizes.

HortFurBall, do you have a friend with Roundup? Maybe he/she could mix a small amount and you could spray it…the situation calls for desperate measures…

Dinetta said:

HortFurBall, do you have a friend with Roundup? Maybe he/she could mix a small amount and you could spray it…the situation calls for desperate measures…

Just read that you’re not interested in Roundup…I think a raised bed is your best option…can you get to the local council recycling depot?

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

With option 2, wouldn’t the couch just come back through? Last time we had a vegie patch, we had carpet underlay, then a very thick layer of newspaper, then the soil. The couch came through the lot.
———
you’ve answered your own question.
one expert (or two) reckon that it can be over fertilised and then sprayed with glyphosphate when in full growth. probably that is the best way……..and then do the no dig.

How do all you organic types feel about glyphosate in a vegie patch though? I was considering it for around the outside of the beds, but the beds themselves…the idea gives me pause.

I’m considering it for my next vegetable patch…after you’ve put the soil on top, or built up the no-dig, after a point the roots don’t go down that far…roundup breaks up when it hits the soil…DDT was sprayed directly onto plants intended for human consumption…that’s why NutriMetics formulated their LCD (or whatever): specifically for washing poisons off fruit and vege before eating them…

pepe said:

With option 2, wouldn’t the couch just come back through? Last time we had a vegie patch, we had carpet underlay, then a very thick layer of newspaper, then the soil. The couch came through the lot.
———
you’ve answered your own question.
one expert (or two) reckon that it can be over fertilised and then sprayed with glyphosphate when in full growth. probably that is the best way……..and then do the no dig.

Purely for conversation’s sake, I have read where throwing urea on the couch (to encourage it to grow madly) watering it well, and then placing black plastic weedmat on top will do the trick…you’d prolly only need to control the edging tho…my parents had couch (we don’t) and Dad’s concrete edging kept the couch out…I think it went down about 6” tho…they still get couch but with mulching, it’s manageable…

How do all you organic types feel about glyphosate in a vegie patch though? I was considering it for around the outside of the beds, but the beds themselves…the idea gives me pause.
—————————————————-
fair enough. i delayed 10 years before using any herbicides too.
i don’t think glyphosphate does any damage to worms. i sprayed elephant grass ‘phalaris’ with roundup and then got it out the ground (roots and all) with a maddock 2 weeks after i had sprayed it.
that dead phalaris plant was teeming with worms eating the dead roots.

veg gardener said:

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

Ok there’s two vegie beds, approx 1.5×3m (??) each. Couch doesn’t die off in winter here Pepe, it just doesn’t grow much. Unfortunately the beds are also surrounded by couch on all sides including the strip down the middle, so I’ll have to deal with that too or it’ll be into them again as soon as I dig it out. Let me see if I can find a pic…
Photobucket
————————————-
nice pic – very realistic.
ok – 3 options that you have probably already tossed over in that active brain

1. bobcat to remove top 300mm of soil and replace with better soil
2. build up timber edges 300mm higher, lay newspaper and do a no dig
3. fence the whole area as a series of rotating chook pens and let the hens do the weeding.

none of them are easy – but neither is forking out the couch.

First option is not an option. Weird design means there is only a tiny side pathway so no way of getting a bobcat in and out. A Dingo digger might fit but no guarantees.
With option 2, wouldn’t the couch just come back through? Last time we had a vegie patch, we had carpet underlay, then a very thick layer of newspaper, then the soil. The couch came through the lot.
Option 3 means I’d have to organise the chicken run first as there’s nowhere for them that would be safe overnight from cats and foxes. Also, I’m only renting don’t forget, so don’t want to spend money on major fencing (especially when I don’t have any spare to spend.)

I figure if I dig out one at a time I’ll get there…sooner or later.

how big is the space to get in??? you dont just get one size bobcats u can get different sizes.

Tiny Veg. It’s a squeeze to get a person through, let alone any piece of machinery. I was JUST able to get the wheelbarrow through with a bit of artful maneuvering. Even a baby bobcat wouldn’t make it.

Dinetta said:

HortFurBall, do you have a friend with Roundup? Maybe he/she could mix a small amount and you could spray it…the situation calls for desperate measures…

Hehe Dinetta, given the fact that I’m a gardener by trade, I AM that friend with the Roundup, LOL! Trust me, I’m happy to use it elsewhere, I’m busily poisoning off a patch of lawn where I intend to put a garden bed. I just don’t like the idea for the vegie beds.

pepe said:

How do all you organic types feel about glyphosate in a vegie patch though? I was considering it for around the outside of the beds, but the beds themselves…the idea gives me pause.
—————————————————-
fair enough. i delayed 10 years before using any herbicides too.
i don’t think glyphosphate does any damage to worms. i sprayed elephant grass ‘phalaris’ with roundup and then got it out the ground (roots and all) with a maddock 2 weeks after i had sprayed it.
that dead phalaris plant was teeming with worms eating the dead roots.

Well that’s positive at any rate.

hortfurball said:

veg gardener said:

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

Ok there’s two vegie beds, approx 1.5×3m (??) each. Couch doesn’t die off in winter here Pepe, it just doesn’t grow much. Unfortunately the beds are also surrounded by couch on all sides including the strip down the middle, so I’ll have to deal with that too or it’ll be into them again as soon as I dig it out. Let me see if I can find a pic…
Photobucket
————————————-
nice pic – very realistic.
ok – 3 options that you have probably already tossed over in that active brain

1. bobcat to remove top 300mm of soil and replace with better soil
2. build up timber edges 300mm higher, lay newspaper and do a no dig
3. fence the whole area as a series of rotating chook pens and let the hens do the weeding.

none of them are easy – but neither is forking out the couch.

First option is not an option. Weird design means there is only a tiny side pathway so no way of getting a bobcat in and out. A Dingo digger might fit but no guarantees.
With option 2, wouldn’t the couch just come back through? Last time we had a vegie patch, we had carpet underlay, then a very thick layer of newspaper, then the soil. The couch came through the lot.
Option 3 means I’d have to organise the chicken run first as there’s nowhere for them that would be safe overnight from cats and foxes. Also, I’m only renting don’t forget, so don’t want to spend money on major fencing (especially when I don’t have any spare to spend.)

I figure if I dig out one at a time I’ll get there…sooner or later.

how big is the space to get in??? you dont just get one size bobcats u can get different sizes.

Tiny Veg. It’s a squeeze to get a person through, let alone any piece of machinery. I was JUST able to get the wheelbarrow through with a bit of artful maneuvering. Even a baby bobcat wouldn’t make it.

Time for a dingo.

Time for a dingo.
———————————-
my poodles dig holes down to china so i can lend you them to dig your couch if you like (poodle – dingo – get it?). the trouble is the poodle is an indiscriminate digger so they leave a series of bomb craters around the place. nothing funnier than seeing just the tail and hind legs above ground as the poodle throws dirt in all directions and finally comes out the hole with a face full of dirt. ( i don’t wash the dogs btw)..

anyrate back to my vege patch news. that bit of rain has seen a mass of seeds emerge -
self sown – carrots (100’s), rocket, dill, bok choi and others not yet big enuff to id.
also planted brussel sprouts, lettuce, broad beans, spinach, parsley, carrots, and cabbage looking good but small.
as soon as the wind blows the covers off the seed beds – the sparrows take the seedlings – so the covers stay for 2 weeks more.

Well that’s good, saves you sowing seeds this time Pepe. It’s amazing that the carrots have self seeded, they are sometimes difficult to germinate.

my daughter has put the injured chook back with the other hens. apart from being a bit scared of being picked on, the injured hen has recovered and her foot seems perfect again.

i still haven’t tackled my pigeon overpopulation problem. i can now understand why flocks of a hundred pigeons take to the air as you walk pass certain suburban houses hereabouts. these swarms of circling aerial rats started as a breeding pair of pets a few years ago.

pepe said:

my daughter has put the injured chook back with the other hens. apart from being a bit scared of being picked on, the injured hen has recovered and her foot seems perfect again.

i still haven’t tackled my pigeon overpopulation problem. i can now understand why flocks of a hundred pigeons take to the air as you walk pass certain suburban houses hereabouts. these swarms of circling aerial rats started as a breeding pair of pets a few years ago.

So what does one do about a pigeon overpopulation anyway?

pomolo said:

pepe said:

my daughter has put the injured chook back with the other hens. apart from being a bit scared of being picked on, the injured hen has recovered and her foot seems perfect again.

i still haven’t tackled my pigeon overpopulation problem. i can now understand why flocks of a hundred pigeons take to the air as you walk pass certain suburban houses hereabouts. these swarms of circling aerial rats started as a breeding pair of pets a few years ago.

So what does one do about a pigeon overpopulation anyway?

sell or eat them – the only two options. i guess i could try not feeding them and they might fly away.

pepe said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

my daughter has put the injured chook back with the other hens. apart from being a bit scared of being picked on, the injured hen has recovered and her foot seems perfect again.

i still haven’t tackled my pigeon overpopulation problem. i can now understand why flocks of a hundred pigeons take to the air as you walk pass certain suburban houses hereabouts. these swarms of circling aerial rats started as a breeding pair of pets a few years ago.

So what does one do about a pigeon overpopulation anyway?

sell or eat them – the only two options. i guess i could try not feeding them and they might fly away.

Don’t you dare! I’d rather you eat them than that.

this winter garden was mainly planted on the 6th march – so it is about 20 days old. spinach seedlings are under the birdnetting and only 7 days old as are the peas under straw by fence to the right.

pics of – overview – broccoli seedlings and – a whole packet of lettuce that will be transplanted to adjoining vacant ground in about a weeks time

silver beet and broad beans.
weeding is easy – just hoe between rows

Cool Pepe, it’s looking great and growing fast.
What do you do with so many broad beans ?
I have 3 plants!

celery seedlings not quite ready to plant

Happy Potter said:

Cool Pepe, it’s looking great and growing fast.
What do you do with so many broad beans ?
I have 3 plants!

morning HP –
broad beans are normally picked young, shelled and slowly softened in garlic butter.
they can be used in a lot of recipes – maybe even hungarian. LOL

my summer garden was planted on december 6th and is nearing the end of its life. it is still producing good beans, zuchinis, basil and parsley but the corn was substandard – mainly due to a week of 40+ temperatures and hot north winds.

pepe said:

this winter garden was mainly planted on the 6th march – so it is about 20 days old. spinach seedlings are under the birdnetting and only 7 days old as are the peas under straw by fence to the right.

Looks great Pepe, gee that came along quickly.

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

this winter garden was mainly planted on the 6th march – so it is about 20 days old. spinach seedlings are under the birdnetting and only 7 days old as are the peas under straw by fence to the right.

Looks great Pepe, gee that came along quickly.

thanks horty
it has to do most of its growing while the soil is warm because (normally) the cold nights, cool, dark, wet days of winter will come and stop its growth.

i spend an hour each morning – sometimes more – on the chooks, pigeons and garden. i work from home. it would be very difficult to grow veges from seed unless your main gardener was at home during the day.

its necessary, in dry weather, to water seedlings once, preferably twice, a day for two weeks.
most paid employment these days includes out of hours training, commuting and the social aspects of work. so it would be difficult for a family with two away-from- home workers to grow seeds.

those seedlings you can buy from s/marts and nurseries, save 4 weeks in growing time, and are probably the only way two workers can have a garden.

pepe said:

i spend an hour each morning – sometimes more – on the chooks, pigeons and garden. i work from home. it would be very difficult to grow veges from seed unless your main gardener was at home during the day.

its necessary, in dry weather, to water seedlings once, preferably twice, a day for two weeks.
most paid employment these days includes out of hours training, commuting and the social aspects of work. so it would be difficult for a family with two away-from- home workers to grow seeds.

those seedlings you can buy from s/marts and nurseries, save 4 weeks in growing time, and are probably the only way two workers can have a garden.

thanks pepe. I don’t feel so bad now. I guess the alternative is an auto misting system…

thanks pepe. I don’t feel so bad now. I guess the alternative is an auto misting system…
———————————-
no need to feel guilty BG – its just the situation you’re in.
auto misting is a good idea – if you got r.w.tanks – probably illegal if you haven’t – and the tanks are probably empty anyhow.
i’m just going out to check that everything is damp in my garden now.
it only takes about 15mins to dampen everything that needs it.

the beans that were eaten in their pods are now being shelled before being cooked. the fresh beans are very soft, quick to cook and yummy.

pepe said:

the beans that were eaten in their pods are now being shelled before being cooked. the fresh beans are very soft, quick to cook and yummy.

You have to stop teasing me with beans Pepe. Every time I see them I get a mad craving for them. By all means talk about them but piccies on such a regular basis are just not fair, LOL! Other vegies, no worries, it’s just a bean thing. Also applies to snow peas and sugar snap peas
At the moment I’m craving green beans lightly steamed with garlic and olive oil followed by pavlova with strawberries on top. Gee I wonder why?

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

the beans that were eaten in their pods are now being shelled before being cooked. the fresh beans are very soft, quick to cook and yummy.

You have to stop teasing me with beans Pepe. Every time I see them I get a mad craving for them. By all means talk about them but piccies on such a regular basis are just not fair, LOL! Other vegies, no worries, it’s just a bean thing. Also applies to snow peas and sugar snap peas
At the moment I’m craving green beans lightly steamed with garlic and olive oil followed by pavlova with strawberries on top. Gee I wonder why?

sorry
we have our own garlic too – and like HP – we are saving it for eating and planting out the bought stuff. i have to say that even 60 garlic bulbs doesn’t look like enough for the year. i reckon 120 should be planted each year.

hortfurball said:

At the moment I’m craving green beans lightly steamed with garlic and olive oil followed by pavlova with strawberries on top. Gee I wonder why?

lol!

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

At the moment I’m craving green beans lightly steamed with garlic and olive oil followed by pavlova with strawberries on top. Gee I wonder why?

lol!

Want some Ice Cream with that?

Lovely vegies, Pepe!!

Evening all :)
I’ve been up to my elbows in cakes, cooked the whole afternoon away, black forest, lemon cheesecake , choc mousse cake and a bigggg sponge. Phew I’m stuffed. More cooking tomorrow, then the rest of the week is mine :)

Oh bugga wrong thread :(

veg gardener said:

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

At the moment I’m craving green beans lightly steamed with garlic and olive oil followed by pavlova with strawberries on top. Gee I wonder why?

lol!

Want some Ice Cream with that?

Ice cream with pav?? Eewww…no thanks. Ice cream is for having with the plum pud and brandy butter at Christmas, LOL!