i transplanted the lettuces from the row that held a whole packet of seed. each trowel full of seedlings i dug contained about 20 small plants. so i’ve planted out 80 seedlings and there’s about 180 to go. where i am going to put that many lettuces? lucky or rook – anyone local want lettuce seedlings?
which reminds me – we are going to the arid lands botanic park in port augusta april 22-24. anyone up that way want lettuces or a visit ?

it doesn’t take much space to plant 60 garlic bulbs – 2nd year capsicum and tahitian lime tree doing well – watermelon have lots of small melons but nothing worth picking

i’ve just swept the bedroom floor and i think the ‘big bang’ theory is wrong –

probably there was a nice clean universe at the start – and then all this dust just drifted in from no where, accumulated in the corners, and formed planets using spider web as binders.

the winter vege garden (4 weeks old) and the front garden thru’ ms pepe’s nice clean windows.

some closeups of the winter veges – rocket, lettuce, peas growing thru’ straw as RB suggested they would, broccoli and b sprouts

ok – so i’m bored and boring – must go and have a nap

pepe said:

the winter vege garden (4 weeks old) and the front garden thru’ ms pepe’s nice clean windows.

You are out in the country aren’t you Pepe? I don’t know but I always pictured your place in a reasonably built up area. Why is that?

pomolo said:

pepe said:

the winter vege garden (4 weeks old) and the front garden thru’ ms pepe’s nice clean windows.

You are out in the country aren’t you Pepe? I don’t know but I always pictured your place in a reasonably built up area. Why is that?

possibly because i’m only 10 minutes drive from the big smoke of gawler
- or possibly because i’m so sophisticated you thought i was a city slicker LOL – btw – Addison Mt Benson section 49, 2006 shiraz – is worth seeking out.
How’s mr P doing ?

pepe said:

i’ve just swept the bedroom floor and i think the ‘big bang’ theory is wrong –

probably there was a nice clean universe at the start – and then all this dust just drifted in from no where, accumulated in the corners, and formed planets using spider web as binders.

Just be glad you have dogs that don’t shed their fur. Got fluffballs in corners here that look like something has died lol

Just be glad you have dogs that don’t shed their fur. Got fluffballs in corners here that look like something has died lol
——————————
true – i’ve got mice who do a fair impression of dead fur balls tho’. LOL.

pepe said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

the winter vege garden (4 weeks old) and the front garden thru’ ms pepe’s nice clean windows.

You are out in the country aren’t you Pepe? I don’t know but I always pictured your place in a reasonably built up area. Why is that?

possibly because i’m only 10 minutes drive from the big smoke of gawler
- or possibly because i’m so sophisticated you thought i was a city slicker LOL – btw – Addison Mt Benson section 49, 2006 shiraz – is worth seeking out.
How’s mr P doing ?

I haven’t ever been able to track down the wine we had at Luckys place and boy I’ve tried everywhere. I’m into Sacred Hill cab merlot ATM.

I will make a note of your new recommendation though.

Mr P is doing fine thank you. He has had the last two stents put in and now we wait quietly for full recovery and then he should be right to return to normal activity again. Good health isn’t important until you lose it.

pomolo said:

Mr P is doing fine thank you. He has had the last two stents put in and now we wait quietly for full recovery and then he should be right to return to normal activity again. Good health isn’t important until you lose it.

I’ve obviously missed a lot.

Pepe, where abouts are you? i wonder cos a few years ago i lived in Baraba and in Hoyleton, now i’m over the other side of Adelaide in Yumali. I might be down your way come end of week, Hubby bought a 4 wheeler on ebay and its just out of gawler. I want to be gardenening right now, but can’t bend over, and my house slaves are on garden strike!

Turkeymum said:

Pepe, where abouts are you? i wonder cos a few years ago i lived in Baraba and in Hoyleton, now i’m over the other side of Adelaide in Yumali. I might be down your way come end of week, Hubby bought a 4 wheeler on ebay and its just out of gawler. I want to be gardenening right now, but can’t bend over, and my house slaves are on garden strike!

morning turkeymum.

you would be welcome to visit but giving details here is dangerous. in the past i have operated through lucky1. just wait and i’ll check with her.

Turkeymum said:

Pepe, where abouts are you? i wonder cos a few years ago i lived in Baraba and in Hoyleton, now i’m over the other side of Adelaide in Yumali. I might be down your way come end of week, Hubby bought a 4 wheeler on ebay and its just out of gawler. I want to be gardenening right now, but can’t bend over, and my house slaves are on garden strike!

TMum…….. if you email me at ducksrus(at)bigpond(dot)net(dot)au I can pass on your email to pepe and he can then contact you.

Please title the email from Turkeymum, so I know who it is from that.:D

Lucky1 said:

Turkeymum said:

Pepe, where abouts are you? i wonder cos a few years ago i lived in Baraba and in Hoyleton, now i’m over the other side of Adelaide in Yumali. I might be down your way come end of week, Hubby bought a 4 wheeler on ebay and its just out of gawler. I want to be gardenening right now, but can’t bend over, and my house slaves are on garden strike!

TMum…….. if you email me at ducksrus(at)bigpond(dot)net(dot)au I can pass on your email to pepe and he can then contact you.

Please title the email from Turkeymum, so I know who it is from that.:D

thanks lucky

pepe said:

Lucky1 said:

Turkeymum said:

Pepe, where abouts are you? i wonder cos a few years ago i lived in Baraba and in Hoyleton, now i’m over the other side of Adelaide in Yumali. I might be down your way come end of week, Hubby bought a 4 wheeler on ebay and its just out of gawler. I want to be gardenening right now, but can’t bend over, and my house slaves are on garden strike!

TMum…….. if you email me at ducksrus(at)bigpond(dot)net(dot)au I can pass on your email to pepe and he can then contact you.

Please title the email from Turkeymum, so I know who it is from that.:D

thanks lucky

No worries……..

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

i’ve just swept the bedroom floor and i think the ‘big bang’ theory is wrong –

probably there was a nice clean universe at the start – and then all this dust just drifted in from no where, accumulated in the corners, and formed planets using spider web as binders.

Just be glad you have dogs that don’t shed their fur. Got fluffballs in corners here that look like something has died lol

LOL! I understand completely, HP. Sometimes I swear I could knit another dog out of all the fur that comes off my big boy, especially when I brush him after he’s had his bath

Speaking of which, you’re all going to think I’ve lost it now but I am collecting the fur from one of my cats when I groom her as I am convinced that one day I will have enough to ask a spinner (if I can find one) to turn it into wool for me. I think this first began because the comb collects the fur in little weaves like the crinkles in freshly shorn wool. Maybe I’m nuts but it seemed like a good idea at the time and I just kind of kept collecting. Her fur is a lovely range of tawny colours and so soft, like angora.

hortfurball said:

Speaking of which, you’re all going to think I’ve lost it now but I am collecting the fur from one of my cats when I groom her as I am convinced that one day I will have enough to ask a spinner (if I can find one) to turn it into wool for me. I think this first began because the comb collects the fur in little weaves like the crinkles in freshly shorn wool. Maybe I’m nuts but it seemed like a good idea at the time and I just kind of kept collecting. Her fur is a lovely range of tawny colours and so soft, like angora.

dog hair underwear was the rage at one stage – supposed to be very soft…

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

Speaking of which, you’re all going to think I’ve lost it now but I am collecting the fur from one of my cats when I groom her as I am convinced that one day I will have enough to ask a spinner (if I can find one) to turn it into wool for me. I think this first began because the comb collects the fur in little weaves like the crinkles in freshly shorn wool. Maybe I’m nuts but it seemed like a good idea at the time and I just kind of kept collecting. Her fur is a lovely range of tawny colours and so soft, like angora.

dog hair underwear was the rage at one stage – supposed to be very soft…

umm – the topic has been waylaid and its getting close to hijacked LOL.

pepe said:

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

Speaking of which, you’re all going to think I’ve lost it now but I am collecting the fur from one of my cats when I groom her as I am convinced that one day I will have enough to ask a spinner (if I can find one) to turn it into wool for me. I think this first began because the comb collects the fur in little weaves like the crinkles in freshly shorn wool. Maybe I’m nuts but it seemed like a good idea at the time and I just kind of kept collecting. Her fur is a lovely range of tawny colours and so soft, like angora.

dog hair underwear was the rage at one stage – supposed to be very soft…

umm – the topic has been waylaid and its getting close to hijacked LOL.

you think? LOL!

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

Speaking of which, you’re all going to think I’ve lost it now but I am collecting the fur from one of my cats when I groom her as I am convinced that one day I will have enough to ask a spinner (if I can find one) to turn it into wool for me. I think this first began because the comb collects the fur in little weaves like the crinkles in freshly shorn wool. Maybe I’m nuts but it seemed like a good idea at the time and I just kind of kept collecting. Her fur is a lovely range of tawny colours and so soft, like angora.

dog hair underwear was the rage at one stage – supposed to be very soft…

I wouldn’t imagine dog hair undies to be that soft, and somehow putting dog fur near your nether regions just seems so wrong…

pepe said:

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

Speaking of which, you’re all going to think I’ve lost it now but I am collecting the fur from one of my cats when I groom her as I am convinced that one day I will have enough to ask a spinner (if I can find one) to turn it into wool for me. I think this first began because the comb collects the fur in little weaves like the crinkles in freshly shorn wool. Maybe I’m nuts but it seemed like a good idea at the time and I just kind of kept collecting. Her fur is a lovely range of tawny colours and so soft, like angora.

dog hair underwear was the rage at one stage – supposed to be very soft…

umm – the topic has been waylaid and its getting close to hijacked LOL.

Oops! Sorry! It’s a kind of one thought leads to another thing…plus, you did it too! LOL!

hortfurball said:

pepe said:

bluegreen said:

dog hair underwear was the rage at one stage – supposed to be very soft…

umm – the topic has been waylaid and its getting close to hijacked LOL.

Oops! Sorry! It’s a kind of one thought leads to another thing…plus, you did it too! LOL!

Doh! Sorry again, it was BG. I thought it was you who mentioned the dog hair undies for some odd reason Pepe.

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

Speaking of which, you’re all going to think I’ve lost it now but I am collecting the fur from one of my cats when I groom her as I am convinced that one day I will have enough to ask a spinner (if I can find one) to turn it into wool for me. I think this first began because the comb collects the fur in little weaves like the crinkles in freshly shorn wool. Maybe I’m nuts but it seemed like a good idea at the time and I just kind of kept collecting. Her fur is a lovely range of tawny colours and so soft, like angora.

dog hair underwear was the rage at one stage – supposed to be very soft…

I wouldn’t imagine dog hair undies to be that soft, and somehow putting dog fur near your nether regions just seems so wrong…

Hey HFB, I have a friend who spins wool, she might give it a go :)

hakea laurina – pincushion hakea – toughest of all the tough – this one has grown in the root zone of 30 year old pine trees – and practically no water from us.

my other natives – now they are above the head they feel more like a forest

the last of the beans. its been a great crop but i can see why people jump at the opportunity to buy them prepackaged – this lot took me an hour to shell.

pepe said:

the last of the beans. its been a great crop but i can see why people jump at the opportunity to buy them prepackaged – this lot took me an hour to shell.

very pretty.

pepe said:

the last of the beans. its been a great crop but i can see why people jump at the opportunity to buy them prepackaged – this lot took me an hour to shell.

they look very pretty and yummy :)

pepe said:

the last of the beans. its been a great crop but i can see why people jump at the opportunity to buy them prepackaged – this lot took me an hour to shell.

You’ll enjoy them all the more then, won’t you?

:)

You’ll enjoy them all the more then, won’t you?
————

not necessarily – some were a bit chewy.
altho’ the colours are green, white, pink and red there are only two types of beans. the ‘stringless’ are pure white. the hawkesbury wonders start as young green beans, then turn white – pink, and finally a dark kidney red.
i should have sorted them because the old ones are tougher.
both the ms and i ran our figures thru’ them – they are stickier than the dried bean.

The beans look gorgeous Pepe, very colourful, but I don’t know if I could be bothered spending an hour shelling them like you did! Hmmm…

rethinks all beans other than stringless in her own soon-to-be patch

hortfurball said:

The beans look gorgeous Pepe, very colourful, but I don’t know if I could be bothered spending an hour shelling them like you did! Hmmm… rethinks all beans other than stringless in her own soon-to-be patch

do you get frost ? i don’t think anywhere south of sydney can plant french beans until september.
still i look forward to seeing you tame that couch patch and planting out some edibles.
the couch should die back over winter so a quick removal of the worst roots and then fertiliser is probably the way to go. you will have to redig in spring when the couch reemerges.

pruned the lemon tree again – climbed two rungs of the ladder and cut the top growth. i’m keeping the height to 2.5m. i always fear pruning in case i should stand back and find i don’t like what i’ve done – but this time its ok – just cut off 6 green lemons by mistake.

i planted lucky’s tarragon roots and my celery seedlings.
here’s some shots of the 6 week old winter garden – the only thing missing is winter – and btw veg – one tom is now over the top of its tree guard.

i have some garlic harvesting from last year and hanging in the shed.
i have also planted some garlic for this year but……………………

…. this packet of 8 chinese garlic bulbs costs $1,65 and is no good for eating because it is all sprouting – so why not plant it ?

3 photos were repeated – sorry.

garlic grows in ordinary soil and grows very close together – so you can theoretically grow 100 bulbs in a square metre. cheap, needs no soil prep, needs very little space and can be used as a pest deterent between roses, it’s useful as chook wormer as well as being easy to give away – do it !

the only downside is – it takes 9 months to grow – so this lot gets harvested next december.

pepe said:

i have some garlic harvesting from last year and hanging in the shed.

great looking crop of garlic there. if nothing else I should plant some garlic this autumn…

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

i have some garlic harvesting from last year and hanging in the shed.

great looking crop of garlic there. if nothing else I should plant some garlic this autumn…

yep – just buy a packet of chinese garlic from the supermart – put it on your list now.
morning BG.

pepe said:

…. this packet of 8 chinese garlic bulbs costs $1,65 and is no good for eating because it is all sprouting – so why not plant it ?

Morning all. Nice sunny morning here with a gentle breeze. Been out watering and trying to fix up the mess my chooks made of the garden. They are becoming quite adventurous now and roaming over a much wider area than they used to. They have now discovered the vegie patch with all its lovely new shoots. Looks like we’ll have to fence the garden or else make their yard more escape-proof…that would be a pity though because I like having them roaming around at will (as long as they leave the vegies alone)

My son-on-law’s mother gets garlic off me even though it’s not a particularly full flavoured one. She refuses to buy Chinese garlic because she says that they their garlic fertilize with human excrement….has anyone heard of that before? If it’s true I’d be a bit reticent to use it too…even for planting

because she says that they their garlic fertilize with human excrement…
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Oops! Got that a bit back-to-front didn’t I? Meant to say that “they fertilize their garlic with human excrement”.

AnneS said:

Morning all. Nice sunny morning here with a gentle breeze. Been out watering and trying to fix up the mess my chooks made of the garden. They are becoming quite adventurous now and roaming over a much wider area than they used to. They have now discovered the vegie patch with all its lovely new shoots. Looks like we’ll have to fence the garden or else make their yard more escape-proof…that would be a pity though because I like having them roaming around at will (as long as they leave the vegies alone)

My son-on-law’s mother gets garlic off me even though it’s not a particularly full flavoured one. She refuses to buy Chinese garlic because she says that they their garlic fertilize with human excrement….has anyone heard of that before? If it’s true I’d be a bit reticent to use it too…even for planting

It won’t harm the garlic you grow.

The chooks will though.

pepe said:

…. this packet of 8 chinese garlic bulbs costs $1,65 and is no good for eating because it is all sprouting – so why not plant it ?

I was shoping yesterday for garlic to plant and because it was chinese garlic, bleached white and rootless I wouldn’t buy it. Maybe I should have got it afterall.

Yesterday we planted capsicum, carrot, spinach and some spuds are showing their leaves through the soil. Peas still to go in as well.

pomolo said:

pepe said:

…. this packet of 8 chinese garlic bulbs costs $1,65 and is no good for eating because it is all sprouting – so why not plant it ?

I was shoping yesterday for garlic to plant and because it was chinese garlic, bleached white and rootless I wouldn’t buy it. Maybe I should have got it afterall.

Yesterday we planted capsicum, carrot, spinach and some spuds are showing their leaves through the soil. Peas still to go in as well.

most garlic in shops has been irradiated to stop it shooting.. So yeah if you get one growing.. then consider yourself lucky.. but then who wants to grow irradiated stock.. send me your addy at the right time of year and I will send you the perfect garlic.. organic and not irradiated.. not grown with human excrement.

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

i have some garlic harvesting from last year and hanging in the shed.

great looking crop of garlic there. if nothing else I should plant some garlic this autumn…

That’s right. I ment to complement you on the garlic too .

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

i have some garlic harvesting from last year and hanging in the shed.

great looking crop of garlic there. if nothing else I should plant some garlic this autumn…

That’s right. I ment to complement you on the garlic too .

I’ve so much garlic in the ground since I never get aound to digging it all up.

This may cost me if I get a wet winter but we haven’t had one of those for twenty years.

Anyone living close enough to me so that it doesn’t dry up on delivery is welcome to a sample for growing. It truly is the nicest garlic ..

AnneS said:

Looks like we’ll have to fence the garden or else make their yard more escape-proof…that would be a pity though because I like having them roaming around at will (as long as they leave the vegies alone)

I fence off the vege patch, although if they are determined they can still get in. It usually deters them though. I prefer to do this that have the chooks locked up all the time.

roughbarked said:

.. send me your addy at the right time of year and I will send you the perfect garlic.. organic and not irradiated.. not grown with human excrement.

is now the right time of year? :)

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

…. this packet of 8 chinese garlic bulbs costs $1,65 and is no good for eating because it is all sprouting – so why not plant it ?

I was shoping yesterday for garlic to plant and because it was chinese garlic, bleached white and rootless I wouldn’t buy it. Maybe I should have got it afterall.

Yesterday we planted capsicum, carrot, spinach and some spuds are showing their leaves through the soil. Peas still to go in as well.

most garlic in shops has been irradiated to stop it shooting.. So yeah if you get one growing.. then consider yourself lucky.. but then who wants to grow irradiated stock.. send me your addy at the right time of year and I will send you the perfect garlic.. organic and not irradiated.. not grown with human excrement.

I intend to go to the green grocer to get some real garlic anyway RB. Thanks for the offer though.

I have been growing my own garlic for years. Enough for the kitchen and the garden…..

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

I was shoping yesterday for garlic to plant and because it was chinese garlic, bleached white and rootless I wouldn’t buy it. Maybe I should have got it afterall.

Yesterday we planted capsicum, carrot, spinach and some spuds are showing their leaves through the soil. Peas still to go in as well.

most garlic in shops has been irradiated to stop it shooting.. So yeah if you get one growing.. then consider yourself lucky.. but then who wants to grow irradiated stock.. send me your addy at the right time of year and I will send you the perfect garlic.. organic and not irradiated.. not grown with human excrement.

I intend to go to the green grocer to get some real garlic anyway RB. Thanks for the offer though.

I dunno if it’s different because we’re over west rather than east, but we hardly ever having trouble finding the local, purple-ish garlic. Pretty well every IGA has it in stock.

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

.. send me your addy at the right time of year and I will send you the perfect garlic.. organic and not irradiated.. not grown with human excrement.

is now the right time of year? :)

it is If I can get it to you fresh as all my garlic is well shot.. I’ll go take some photos if you like. I need to have dug it all up and spread it out.. but it is like a weed all over the yard now because each plot I make always has some left after I dig .. Even though I may dig up four beer cartons full. There is still enough to make the patch look the same in the next spring..

bon008 said:

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

most garlic in shops has been irradiated to stop it shooting.. So yeah if you get one growing.. then consider yourself lucky.. but then who wants to grow irradiated stock.. send me your addy at the right time of year and I will send you the perfect garlic.. organic and not irradiated.. not grown with human excrement.

I intend to go to the green grocer to get some real garlic anyway RB. Thanks for the offer though.

I dunno if it’s different because we’re over west rather than east, but we hardly ever having trouble finding the local, purple-ish garlic. Pretty well every IGA has it in stock.

I’m on a mission so I’ll find some. I don’t give in too easily.

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

.. send me your addy at the right time of year and I will send you the perfect garlic.. organic and not irradiated.. not grown with human excrement.

is now the right time of year? :)

it is If I can get it to you fresh as all my garlic is well shot.. I’ll go take some photos if you like. I need to have dug it all up and spread it out.. but it is like a weed all over the yard now because each plot I make always has some left after I dig .. Even though I may dig up four beer cartons full. There is still enough to make the patch look the same in the next spring..

if you wait until Monday and then post it in some damp newspaper in a zip-lock bag or something then it might be OK.

pomolo said:

bon008 said:

pomolo said:

I intend to go to the green grocer to get some real garlic anyway RB. Thanks for the offer though.

I dunno if it’s different because we’re over west rather than east, but we hardly ever having trouble finding the local, purple-ish garlic. Pretty well every IGA has it in stock.

The stuff I grow is pinkish/purplish yes and sweet.
I’m on a mission so I’ll find some. I don’t give in too easily.

AnneS said:

My son-on-law’s mother gets garlic off me even though it’s not a particularly full flavoured one. She refuses to buy Chinese garlic because she says that they their garlic fertilize with human excrement….has anyone heard of that before? If it’s true I’d be a bit reticent to use it too…even for planting

Well I wasn’t going to say anything after Pepe’s efforts in planting the garlic but I wouldn’t eat or plant any consumables that have been grown in China. I think I watched the same current affairs program your son-in-law’s mother did. It all started with an article on finding high levels of e-coli in the bags of supposedly ‘washed and ready to eat’ mixed lettuce leaves. Chinese grown vegetables don’t meet Australian Standards for hygiene. I’m not sure why they are still allowed in – must be some loophole.

bon008 said:

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

most garlic in shops has been irradiated to stop it shooting.. So yeah if you get one growing.. then consider yourself lucky.. but then who wants to grow irradiated stock.. send me your addy at the right time of year and I will send you the perfect garlic.. organic and not irradiated.. not grown with human excrement.

I intend to go to the green grocer to get some real garlic anyway RB. Thanks for the offer though.

I dunno if it’s different because we’re over west rather than east, but we hardly ever having trouble finding the local, purple-ish garlic. Pretty well every IGA has it in stock.

That’s because IGA only sells locally grown produce as opposed to Coles and Woolies, which imports most of their ‘fresh’ produce from overseas and interstate. :)

hortfurball said:

bon008 said:

pomolo said:

I intend to go to the green grocer to get some real garlic anyway RB. Thanks for the offer though.

I dunno if it’s different because we’re over west rather than east, but we hardly ever having trouble finding the local, purple-ish garlic. Pretty well every IGA has it in stock.

That’s because IGA only sells locally grown produce as opposed to Coles and Woolies, which imports most of their ‘fresh’ produce from overseas and interstate. :)

Oh, that’s another reason I don’t support extended shopping hours. I’d hate for our IGA’s to go under with the competition and be forced to only shop at C or W.

That’s because IGA only sells locally grown produce as opposed to Coles and Woolies, which imports most of their ‘fresh’ produce from overseas and interstate. :)
————
oh my goodness !
- i have to put in a good word for the 3,000 y.o. chinese agriculture here
- by burying their human waste (night soil) the chinese not only maintained the fertility of their ground
- they also avoided the 12 plagues that ravished europe in the first millenium AD.
- they were less inclined to destroy the soil thru’ non-organic practices as well.

btw i bought the garlic from foodland – which is IGA – i think.

i guess if you can find a better garlic you should – however the price is important.
by planting 200 or more corms this year, i will have my own seed next year.

pepe said:

That’s because IGA only sells locally grown produce as opposed to Coles and Woolies, which imports most of their ‘fresh’ produce from overseas and interstate. :)
————
oh my goodness !
- i have to put in a good word for the 3,000 y.o. chinese agriculture here
- by burying their human waste (night soil) the chinese not only maintained the fertility of their ground
- they also avoided the 12 plagues that ravished europe in the first millenium AD.
- they were less inclined to destroy the soil thru’ non-organic practices as well.

btw i bought the garlic from foodland – which is IGA – i think.

i guess if you can find a better garlic you should – however the price is important.
by planting 200 or more corms this year, i will have my own seed next year.

I figure by that stage, it would probably be ok anyway. :)

hortfurball said:

hortfurball said:

bon008 said:

I dunno if it’s different because we’re over west rather than east, but we hardly ever having trouble finding the local, purple-ish garlic. Pretty well every IGA has it in stock.

That’s because IGA only sells locally grown produce as opposed to Coles and Woolies, which imports most of their ‘fresh’ produce from overseas and interstate. :)

Oh, that’s another reason I don’t support extended shopping hours. I’d hate for our IGA’s to go under with the competition and be forced to only shop at C or W.

I appreciate the thought – I just don’t see the link between the trading hours and the disadvantage to smaller shops. If we think it’s worth giving smaller shops a legal “leg up” – some kind of advantage to help them stay in competition against the big guys – then I reckon we should do it through legislation which says “we want to help the little guys stay in competition against the big guys” – not legislation that says “no one can shop after X o’clock or on Sundays. I want the two issues separated.

But then, I’m hoping to be back to a CSA-type arrangement soon so shopping hours won’t affect me so much in terms of food stuffs.

i’ve been up on the roof taking some aerial shots.
here’s the old summer garden – the corn, beans and watermelon have been mown and cowdung spread over the remains. this would normally form a layer of compost on top of the soil but there’s no rain – and the chlorinated mains water kills a lot of bacterial activity.

and some aerials looking down on the progress of the winter garden – now about 6 weeks old

Hey Pepe
what’s the red stuff from your above shot, at the front leftish?

outside the fenceline things are pretty dry

Muschee said:

Hey Pepe
what’s the red stuff from your above shot, at the front leftish?

red and purple ? – both are the bouganvillea – much loved and hated – for it is both colorful and thorny.
g’day muschee

The basil is still powering along?

Looks like the summer garden will come back well once the rains arrive…and they will, Pepe!

Dinetta said:

The basil is still powering along? Looks like the summer garden will come back well once the rains arrive…and they will, Pepe!

i have replanted in one small area with garlic and taragon . i have spare dill, parsley, b sprouts, cabbages, lettuces and rocket i can plant using mains water. if i want to plant a quick green manure crop from my leftover barley, broad bean and pea seeds i will have to wait for rain.

“it will come !!! “ quoteth dinetta “when !!!” screameth pepe LOL
btw – i am eternally grateful for a society that provides mains water on tap through the harshest droughts.

I used to wonder too, some years ago…these were the days when Yeehah was carting water from her creek in buckets…no running water there apparently…before she got married and moved …I remember looking at the sky and thinking “will they ever come again in my lifetime?” and it looks like they have, so it’s your turn next…

Yes, I very much appreciate running water too…I can’t believe that we shower and wash our clothes in water suitable for drinking…well the townies do, we don’t but still it is piped from the dam…

pepe said:

and some aerials looking down on the progress of the winter garden – now about 6 weeks old

Oh I’m feeling dizzy…….

pepe said:

i’ve been up on the roof taking some aerial shots.
here’s the old summer garden – the corn, beans and watermelon have been mown and cowdung spread over the remains. this would normally form a layer of compost on top of the soil but there’s no rain – and the chlorinated mains water kills a lot of bacterial activity.

Pepe I meant the second photo (where you see the whole pool) there’s a reddish shrub at the bottom of the photo

Pepe I meant the second photo (where you see the whole pool) there’s a reddish shrub at the bottom of the photo
————————————————————
I have those plants from Pepe…… great little self seeders. They are amaranthus

Lucky1 said:

Pepe I meant the second photo (where you see the whole pool) there’s a reddish shrub at the bottom of the photo
————————————————————
I have those plants from Pepe…… great little self seeders. They are amaranthus

Thanks Lucky…that was my thought as well. I’ve been checkin it out at Eden seeds and wondered if anyone actually used it for eating. They say the seed has 18% protien, which is higher than wheat and corn. It should be eaten popped. Does sound interesting.

Muschee said:

Lucky1 said:

Pepe I meant the second photo (where you see the whole pool) there’s a reddish shrub at the bottom of the photo
————————————————————
I have those plants from Pepe…… great little self seeders. They are amaranthus

Thanks Lucky…that was my thought as well. I’ve been checkin it out at Eden seeds and wondered if anyone actually used it for eating. They say the seed has 18% protien, which is higher than wheat and corn. It should be eaten popped. Does sound interesting.

I was very impressed with the plant and when offered some seedlings… I jumped at it:D

Oh I’m feeling dizzy…..
—————————-
-those ones are a bit cavenous try these

the swale and native corner

Now you know why we love going to pepe’s place…….

Lucky1 said:

Now you know why we love going to pepe’s place…….

yepm looks like he has alot of gardens.

veg gardener said:

Lucky1 said:

Now you know why we love going to pepe’s place…….

yepm looks like he has alot of gardens.

And it so interesting to see too.

have to save up some dough (cash) and go on a little holidays if pepe dont mind :P

Thanks Lucky…that was my thought as well. I’ve been checkin it out at Eden seeds and wondered if anyone actually used it for eating. They say the seed has 18% protien, which is higher than wheat and corn. It should be eaten popped. Does sound interesting.
——————
its very hard to separate the seed from the fluff. the seed are tiny, tiny – like a poppy seed but smaller.
they are good chook food.
btw – i threw 6 silver beet leaves over the fence to my chooks – by the time i opened the gate and walked past – the leaves were all eaten…..and another thing…. they go on strike and won’t lay eggs if i don’t give ‘em some green stuff each day…. and Aspro (the rooster) is the union boss !

Lucky1 said:

Now you know why we love going to pepe’s place…….

i don’t force you up onto the roof !!!
… altho’ the view is good from there.

pepe said:

Thanks Lucky…that was my thought as well. I’ve been checkin it out at Eden seeds and wondered if anyone actually used it for eating. They say the seed has 18% protien, which is higher than wheat and corn. It should be eaten popped. Does sound interesting.
——————
its very hard to separate the seed from the fluff. the seed are tiny, tiny – like a poppy seed but smaller.
they are good chook food.
btw – i threw 6 silver beet leaves over the fence to my chooks – by the time i opened the gate and walked past – the leaves were all eaten…..and another thing…. they go on strike and won’t lay eggs if i don’t give ‘em some green stuff each day…. and Aspro (the rooster) is the union boss !

Pepe is it easy to grow via seed, spose its not best in my veggie garden, turning the front garden into a mix bed some veggies herbs and flowers i am thinking, trying to find a good spot for some Bannanas the lady up the road is giving me some Rhubarb and Bannana Plants.

pepe said:

Lucky1 said:

Now you know why we love going to pepe’s place…….

i don’t force you up onto the roof !!!
… altho’ the view is good from there.

Need to get me drunk to get my feet off the ground…LOL

Pepe is it easy to grow via seed, spose its not best in my veggie garden, turning the front garden into a mix bed some veggies herbs and flowers i am thinking, trying to find a good spot for some Bannanas the lady up the road is giving me some Rhubarb and Bannana Plants.
——————————-
amaranthus is very easy to grow from seed – in fact its a weed.
silver beet is still the best (most preferred) chook feed tho.
i have planted some black sunflowers for them.

Lucky1 said:

Pepe I meant the second photo (where you see the whole pool) there’s a reddish shrub at the bottom of the photo
————————————————————
I have those plants from Pepe…… great little self seeders. They are amaranthus

Commonly known as “Love lies bleeding isn’t it”?

AnneS said:

Lucky1 said:

Pepe I meant the second photo (where you see the whole pool) there’s a reddish shrub at the bottom of the photo
————————————————————
I have those plants from Pepe…… great little self seeders. They are amaranthus

Commonly known as “Love lies bleeding isn’t it”?

not sure – ‘cockscomb’ maybe.
i used to call it celosia.

pepe said:

AnneS said:

Lucky1 said:

Pepe I meant the second photo (where you see the whole pool) there’s a reddish shrub at the bottom of the photo
————————————————————
I have those plants from Pepe…… great little self seeders. They are amaranthus

Commonly known as “Love lies bleeding isn’t it”?

not sure – ‘cockscomb’ maybe.
i used to call it celosia.

I thought celosia was different

I thought celosia was different
———

you’re right – but plant id is/never was my strong point.

pepe said:

I thought celosia was different
———

you’re right – but plant id is/never was my strong point.

I only know amaranthus because of a seed mix that we sowed at our previous home and it went mental…. I can truly understand that it could be a weed

Muschee said:

Lucky1 said:

Pepe I meant the second photo (where you see the whole pool) there’s a reddish shrub at the bottom of the photo
————————————————————
I have those plants from Pepe…… great little self seeders. They are amaranthus

Thanks Lucky…that was my thought as well. I’ve been checkin it out at Eden seeds and wondered if anyone actually used it for eating. They say the seed has 18% protien, which is higher than wheat and corn. It should be eaten popped. Does sound interesting.

My ex (vegetarian) used to sprinkle amaranth on his brekkie every morning. Good protein sources are important for vegos. Admittedly we bought ours processed and in a packet though. It is tasty – got a sort of grainy/popcorny taste.

pepe said:

Thanks Lucky…that was my thought as well. I’ve been checkin it out at Eden seeds and wondered if anyone actually used it for eating. They say the seed has 18% protien, which is higher than wheat and corn. It should be eaten popped. Does sound interesting.
——————
its very hard to separate the seed from the fluff. the seed are tiny, tiny – like a poppy seed but smaller.

No wonder the processed stuff tastes like popcorn then…it’s obviously been puffed…it’s bigger than a poppy seed (but not by much)

rain has come – 45mm
so i have forked the cow manure into the mulch of last years summer garden, and furrowed the bare soil of the ‘meditation garden. i will plant chick peas and green manure crops in the meditn and brassicas and barley in the old winter garden

the winter garden should flourish now because it has reached a decent size before the cold weather

chooks are all inside waiting for the crows game to begin – i will join them

seeyas at half time

pepe said:

the winter garden should flourish now because it has reached a decent size before the cold weather

Gee it’s certainly come along well…

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

the winter garden should flourish now because it has reached a decent size before the cold weather

Gee it’s certainly come along well…

i’m picking lettuce and bok choy, plus silver beet for the chooks, but it will be a while before i get broccoli, spinach and sprouts.

LOL at the ‘meditation garden’! It does look a bit zen with all those neat furrows. :D

hortfurball said:

LOL at the ‘meditation garden’! It does look a bit zen with all those neat furrows. :D

it illustrates that 90% of a gardeners time is spent in preparing the soil. we will plant barley green manure followed by winter spuds in one section. peas, broad beans and chickpeas both for harvest and for soil prep + weed suppression go in the other. meanwhile i’ll improve the drainage by digging and hilling.

it will probably be two years before we have designed and planted the actual meditation garden. ms pepe is listing the indigenous plants likely to go in this unirrigated garden.

the zen is in the doing – and patience.

pepe said:

hortfurball said:

LOL at the ‘meditation garden’! It does look a bit zen with all those neat furrows. :D

it illustrates that 90% of a gardeners time is spent in preparing the soil. we will plant barley green manure followed by winter spuds in one section. peas, broad beans and chickpeas both for harvest and for soil prep + weed suppression go in the other. meanwhile i’ll improve the drainage by digging and hilling.

it will probably be two years before we have designed and planted the actual meditation garden. ms pepe is listing the indigenous plants likely to go in this unirrigated garden.

the zen is in the doing – and patience.

Oh, you’re actually going to have a meditation garden. I thought you were being funny and calling it that because the furrows look somewhat like a raked sand garden.

Oh, you’re actually going to have a meditation garden. I thought you were being funny and calling it that because the furrows look somewhat like a raked sand garden.
——————-
ummm – i just call it a meditation garden.
what is a meditation garden i wonder? – ah well the barley is in.
two days after rain the ground is full of little white roots. three days after rain its covered in green shoots. weeds are remarkable plants.

pepe said:

Oh, you’re actually going to have a meditation garden. I thought you were being funny and calling it that because the furrows look somewhat like a raked sand garden.
——————-
ummm – i just call it a meditation garden.
what is a meditation garden i wonder? – ah well the barley is in.
two days after rain the ground is full of little white roots. three days after rain its covered in green shoots. weeds are remarkable plants.

Yup, and no weeds means yo’ got troubles wit’ yo’ soil, bro’….

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

Oh, you’re actually going to have a meditation garden. I thought you were being funny and calling it that because the furrows look somewhat like a raked sand garden.
——————-
ummm – i just call it a meditation garden.
what is a meditation garden i wonder? – ah well the barley is in.
two days after rain the ground is full of little white roots. three days after rain its covered in green shoots. weeds are remarkable plants.

Yup, and no weeds means yo’ got troubles wit’ yo’ soil, bro’….

true – but this ground was a rubbish tip – so it has the worst imaginable weeds.

interestingly the drought did mean the main paddock weeds were replaced by native grasses.

that recent rain has brought on a massive weed take.
i’m killing the tiny weeds off by raking and hoeing out in the ‘meditation garden”
however elsewhere we are getting masses of californian poppies, hollyhocks and marigolds – so wildflower garden coming up.