Table mushrooms Agaricus bisporus Compost is prepared over 2-4 weeks put into bags with mushroom culture 9spawn) for 10-14 days 4-5 cm layer of moist soil placed over top. mushrooms in 2-4 weeks. crop every 2-3 weeks for about 3 months compost usually a mix of straw and horse or […]
Garden
33 posts
Element Use in Plant Signs of Deficiency Appears Calcium Ca Needed for cell walls, roots, leaves, pollination and fruit set. Younger leaves are distorted. Leaves may appear corrugated Leaves more frail – will break before they bend Leaves are more erect or upright than usual Leaf margins curl […]
If building isn’t your thing you can buy raised garden kits – these range from tarpaulin type, to metal. (some assembly is required) There is a huge range in price, so hunt around, there are lots of options out there. If you are looking for something more permanent, then […]
Before you begin, how large is your garden? Propagating your own seeds can take up a lot of space. As an example: My Triffid! A mini cabbage. Just ONE mini cabbage. It is currently about a metre square. It’s enveloped a large part of my garden, swamped the peas […]
A herb spiral is a permaculture concept that puts all your culinary herbs at your fingertips. The design of the spiral is such that it allows for a wide variety of herbs and growing conditions. Heat loving dry herbs go at the top, whereas herbs that prefer shade and moisture […]
Herbs that like Sun Herbs that like Shade Herbs that Like Moist Herbs that Like Dry Herbs that Spread Basil Bergamot Bergamot Garlic Chives Catnip Lavender Chives Borage Lavender Lemon Balm Oregano Cilantro Chives Oregano Mint Rosemary Lemon Balm Coriander Rosemary Thyme Sage Mint French Tarragon Sage Thyme Parsley Lemon […]
What is pH? pH is the measure of how acid or alkaline something is. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral, less than 7 is acid (sour), higher than 7 is alkaline (sweet). Some examples: Lemon juice has a pH of 2, Baking Soda however has a […]
Things to consider: Ventilation – Plants don’t grow well above 30 degrees C. Ensure ventalation on the roof (hot air rises) As well as neas the bottom to draw in cooler air Temperature – But a max/min thermomenter so you can monitor overnight temperatures Light – Wash greenhouse to remove […]
Organic Made from plant and animal waste: seaweek, fish food, sheep pellets, chicken manure, blood and bone* Tend to be low in NPK but lots of organic matter that is a good soil conditioner. Need to be broken down to work. Inorganic Syntetics: Urea, nitrate of soda, sulphare of […]
Best veges for containers Beans Tomatoes Silverbeet lettuce peppers Aubergine Potatoes Sprin Onions Shallots Carrots Beetroot Rdishes herbs
There are three main forms of dealing with food waste and green waste. These are: Bokashi Composting (Hot and Cold) Worm Farming Which one (or ones) will work for you will depend on your type of waste, the amount, how much you want to spend, how much effort you […]
Divide garden into four plots for rotation. Rotate based on nutrient requirements and watering needs Brassicas – Broccoli Cabbage cauliflower, radish (all need a nitrogen rich soil) legumes – Beans, Peas, Fixes atmospheric nitrogen in their roots Alliums – Onions, Leeks, garlic, shallots. Like a rich soil Umbellifers – […]
Only eat flowers you are 100% sure of avoid anything growing on the road side etc that may have been sprayed dont eat flowers from a florest dont eat in excess remove pistils and stamens before eating Some plants have edible flowers but the rest of the plant is poisonious […]
Chicory Cicorium intybus Identified by its blue flowers. Drought resistant and nutritious. Fresh leaves can be used all year round. Add to salad or steam lightly. Chickweed Stellaria media Nutty flavoured. Goes well with scrambled eggs. Use instead of parsley, High in potash and copper. Great as a green-crop in […]
Plants for Aquaponics Basil Chard Chillies Coriander Lettuce Mint Silverbeet Spinach Tomato Plants for Hydroponics Capsicums Cherry Tomato Lettuce Rocket Silverbeet Spinach Herbs – Chives, Basil, Dill, Thyme, Catnip, Oregano, Marjoram, Parsley, Mint Plants for Small Spots Blueberry Coffee Figs Inga Tree Japanese Raisin Tree Limequat Orangeberry Pepino Seaside […]
Aphids Birds Slugs and Snails White Cabbage Butterflies We all know the feeling: You plant brassicas and your old friend Pieris rapae, or White Cabbage Butterfly crashes the party and want’s to eat all the snacks! Accidentally introduced to New Zealand in the summer of 1929-1930. Like most of us the adults […]
Location, Location, Location Choose a sunny spot that you can easily get to. For hot composting you really need an area at least a 1m3 What/How to add Aim for a mix of 30/70 green waste and brown waste (see list below). Hurry up and Wait It takes nine to […]
The importance of worms has been noted as far back as 51BC when Cleopatra made exporting worms from Egypt a crime punishable by death. Wormfarming, also known as vermiculture or vermicomposting has only really been around since the 1970’s. Worm farms produce vermicast (worm castings) and worm wee (also known […]
Ants Fungus Snails Mint Catmint Tansy Garlic Pennyroyal Spearmint Stinging Nettle Sage Horseradish Garlic Aphids Mice Thrips Orange Nasturtiums Tomato leaves Basil Spearmint Onions Stinging Nettle Garlic Wormwood Spearmint Mint Pyrethrum Cabbage Butterfly Mildew Tomato Worm Rosemary Mint Dill Sage Hyssop Garlic Oregano Spearmint Tansy Thyme Chamomile Chives Dried Sage […]
Companion planting has been has been practised by gardeners for a long time and works in several ways. Part of the aim is to plant a diversity of plants (Polyculture rather than monoculture) this helps to confuse pests, provide homes and food for a range of beneficial insects and allows […]
According to Iroquois legend, corn, beans, and pumpkin are three inseparable sisters who only grow and thrive together. This tradition of inter-planting corn, beans and pumpkin in the same mounds is a sophisticated, sustainable system that provides long-term soil fertility and a healthy diet to generations. Corn provides a natural […]
Soil And Organisms Legionnaires Disease – Legionella bacteria is found in moist conditions including commercial compost. It is a form of pneumonia. To avoid: Open bags of potting mix/compost in a ventilated area. Avoid breathing in when opening (hold your breath or turn your face away). Wash hands well after […]
High in antioxidents and phytonutrients. Concentrated vitamins and minerals Red Cabbage – Brassica oleracea. Mild cabbage flavour, ved veins, purple stems. Germinates rapidly. Easy to grow. Will loose colour if grown too long. Sweeter and more tender when harvested young. Amaranth ‘Mekong Red’ – Amaranthus tricolour. Seeds prefer heat and […]
Before using any plant ensure it has been properly identified and is spray free Methods Hot Compress 1 teaspoon fresh or 2 teaspoons dried herb. Place in a non metal bowl. Pour over two cups of boiling water. Allow to cool enough so a cloth can be soaked. Squeeze out. […]
‘Permaculture’ from the words ‘permanent’ and ‘culture’ was coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 1970s. From their observations of natural systems they came up with a group of ethics and principals for designing communities and landscapes that would allow us to live in a truly sustainable way. […]