dl's trials and tribulations in the garden

Moved

2009-11-05T02:13:00.000-08:00

Sorry to those couple of people following me. I've moved over to here:

http://insatiableinsomnia.blogspot.com/

I'm finding it easier to squeeze everything into one blog. I've been neglecting this one and soap-art so if you could remove these accounts and if you like add the other then you won't have this non active account on your lists :)

Recipes that make the grade.

2009-02-04T02:10:00.000-08:00

So I'm going to start keeping a record of recipes that will become regular meals for the house.

The criteria is obviously something we think is yummy. And hopefully it will be quiet cheap to make. Nothing too fancy or expensive involved. And I would also like it to be something that can be made in a bulk batch to it can feed us for a couple of nights, or be frozen or modified into a different meal.

So this is one we had this week. We had half as a Shepard's pie, and the second half was frozen as a beef and veg lasagna. It was very very yummy as the pie. That half of it also fed the 2 of us for 2 nights (with veg) and I was able to steal a little for lunch with bread too.

Savoury Mince Ragout

Serves 6

prep 20 mins

cooking 30 mins

1 tbs oil
2 onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1kg beef mince
2 carrots, diced
1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)
1 celery stalk, trimmed, diced
2 x 400g can diced toms
1/2 cup of water, stock or red wine
1/4 cup tomato paste

Heat the oil in a large pan on medium heat. Saute' onion and garlic until tender.
Add mince and break it up as it cooks. Cook for 5-10 mins until browned.
Add veggies and cook for 5 mins, stirring.
Add toms, tomato paste and water then season to taste. Bring to the boil.
Simmer for 10 mins or until veggies are tender. Serve with pasta, rice or on toast.

This is a double batch so you can freeze half to make something else with. Eg lasagna, Pie, Spaghetti, Shepard's Pie or Moussaka.

This is also a cheap desert I was rather impressed with.

Chocolate Self-Saucing Pudding

serves 6

prep 20 mins

cooking 45 mins

60g butter
1/2 cup (125ml) milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup (165g) caster sugar
1 cup (150g) s-r flour
1 tbs cocoa powder
3/4 cup (165g) firmly packed brown sugar
1tbs cocoa powder, extra
2 cups (500ml) boiling water

Pre-heat oven 180 deg C / 160 deg C fan-forced. Grease 1.5ltr (6-cup) ovenproof dish.
Melt butter with milk in med saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in extract and caster sugar and then sifted flour and cocoa. Spread into dish.
Sift brown sugar and extra cocoa over mixture and then gently pout boiling water over the mixture. Bake for 40 mins or until center is firm. Stand for 5 mins before serving.

This was very nice with some whipped cream, or would be great with vanilla ice-cream. Yum! Sometimes I crave that kind of thing. And used to get the crappy pre-mix packs from woolies. No more!

2009-02-02T22:38:00.001-08:00

Well tonight I am going to sew a few seeds for the end of summer. I will try some of the new tomatoes I got today.

Jaune Flammee Tomato

Purple Russian Egg Tomato

Some of the capsicums I had laying around. I only got a couple to germinate and they didn't really progress, and I neglected them.

I am planning to do some beans along the chicken fence, Once I work out exactly what I am doing with that and how to fence them in. Either Blue Lake or Madagascar Beans.

I should do a couple of Jap pumpkins. But I should mow the backyard first, and just do some no dig plantings.

Herbs, Italian Parsley, Basil and Coriander.

Potatoes will need to go in soon too.

I have some Kumera (orange sweet potato) Sprouting too. The one I had was the purple with white flesh.

The white eggplants out the front are looking good, and so are the tropic tomatoes. T gave me these from a guy who sells them at one-mile markets.

I don't think I will put to much effort into the brassicas, I just don't have the time to keep the moths and caterpillars off of them :(

I will do some lettuce at the end of feb, and I would also like to make sure I have some of the large pigeon Pea growing. I think the ones I have might all be the small ones.

I will need to start clearing out my eggplants and such from the back door garden, the plastic is cracking over the treated pine sleepers. I will start that garden again, with them covered better or painted.

That reminds me to get some sage rooting too.

Well my plans didn't happen :P

Meal Planning

2009-01-29T15:07:00.001-08:00

So since getting a couple of decent cook books and the like I have been starting to get more organised with making our dinners.

But on further reading of Rhonda's blog http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com and reading about her home journal and all of her planning details, in particular meal plans I have become even more inspired.

I'm still at the very start, trying to figure out what we can get within the budget ect, but over time this will even out and I will have a proper idea.

But for starters this week, I have chosen 6 meals, which I am hoping to spread over the fortnight really (but I doubt it), if we can manage it. But that will include a couple of ring in nights of baked beans on toast, or toasted sandwiches, omelet or veg pasta.

I am working around these meals:

Vegetable Fritatta with salad (no meat so cheap)
Savory Mince Ragout with veg (double serve so will also be made into a Shepard's pie or lasagna, I will see how far we can stretch this one as technically if it is just the 2 of us we might be able to get 3 serves each out of it )
Chickpea Curry (no meat again, rice and maybe naan bread will be good fillers)
Cauliflower soup (no meat. I hope we like it :/, this one may just be for lunches, not sure yet)
Beef and Beer stew (this one was nice!, and its a big hearty meal we can spread over 2 nights and have some for little oliver)
Hot dogs. (yes we are cheep enough to eat these :P)

I will settle with that to make sure I can stay under the budget, and trial things a little.

So the food shopping list this week (not that you care, but just for my own reference):

1kg beef mince
500g stewing beef
12 frankfurts
bananas
8 onions
2kg carrots
2 zucchini
1/2 pumpkin
1kg potatoes
1 bunch celery
1 cauliflower
salad ingredients, lettuce, cuc, cap, red onion
1kg cheese
rice, pasta,
baked beans
olive oil
milk, bread
6x diced tom cans
2x chick pea cans
garam masala spice
coriander seeds
500ml ale
mayo
dog food
chicken food
ham

So we will see how much that comes to, and how long it feeds us for. But if I am organised, and know what I will be cooking, and what meals will best uses up the perishables ect we should, in theory, save money and avoid take away. Which we are guilty of resorting too often, when things just get too hard or disorganised.

Now I just need to stay committed. I'm sure the benefits will make it worthwhile, as long as hubby and I are on the same page.

We do have some things available at home like eggs, beans, eggplant the odd bit of home grown stuff, but I'll get into more detail about that the more sorted I get :)

P.S We got these things and a few extra things like dog food, nappies, cat food and cerial for $163. Not too bad. It was worse when I was getting the things needed in the pantry. I still don't have it all but as I need it I am getting it. I have the stuff for curries and pies at least.

Sat: Porridge, Noodles, Hot dogs
Sun: Cereal, nibbles, Hot dogs (I find the weekends hardest to be organised or have the motivation to do much cooking so I thought I would use this to my advantage. Mind you the bread rolls aren't lasting well.
Mon: I think I will make the savory mince and also use it in a Shepard's pie or lasagna. (this was Shepard's pie with veggies)
Tues: Shepard's Pie/or Lasagna (I froze the Lasagna for next week. the rest of the mince tonight, with some salad or veggies) Also made a banana cake today.
Wed: Veg Fritatta and Salad. I might make potato salad. (Was a hit!)
Thurs: Baked beans on toast, or toasted sandwiches. The rest of the fritatta if there are leftovers.
Fri: Chick Pea Curry with rice.

Photo Tag

2009-01-24T13:29:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged by mountainwildlife at http://waratahsinthemist.blogspot.com/ to do a photo meme so here is mine :)

Instructions are -
Go to your sixth picture folder in your picture file on your computer

Pick your sixth picture
Try to remember the details

Post it on your blog

This was a wallpaper I made for my husband for when he is at work. It is my son, who had decidede to join the circus and begin climbing on absolutly everything he could find. Hence many things were taken out of the loungeroom. It is constantly in a state of evolution.

I just can't get over the look on his face in the second pic, back off mum, I'm my own man, I can look after myself. Cry! It starts already.

Now my turn to tag..

Mall at http://nnayam.blogspot.com/
She has incredibly beautiful illustraions. Please check her out!

Also I would like to tag Kirst at http://gobblersrun.blogspot.com/

Beautiful soap!

It's HOT!

2009-01-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

So it is now 2009. We are in the end of summer and I'm actually feeling that Autumn cannot come fast enough. This has just been rediculas.

I got a good lot of corn from the hedge like planting along the fence. I do think next time I will take the time to hand pollinate. Many of them did well, but we could probably have doubled our harvest. And now that we have CHICKENS!! they would appreciate some of the "excess" if there is such a word.

I saved seed from 3 cobs, aparrently you should do from 10 for diversity. But it is a good start for me anyway. I have another group in the middle compost bay, will see if it happens before it gets too cold.

Colliegirl from ALS was kind enough to let me grab 4 of her Lohman chickens that she is looking to rehome to make room for a new breed.

There house came together very well, we were in a bit of a panic trying to work this out, but we were overthinking it. We managed to pull together enough bits and pieces from the parents place nect door to do it without spending a cent. Thankfully :)

I will try to remember to take some photos of it and the girls. We do need to refine some things but for now it is a good space for 4 chickens. But I need to work out screen from some of the dogs around, including our own little Boofy.

My potates seem to be being eaten by bugs along the stems, they are all very very sad. I dont think we will get a crop :( But Kirsty (ALS) has agreed to send me a couple of her seeds spuds as her went great guns :D So I might be able to try again in feb, like Steve (ALS) suggests.

He says in Boonah the farmers plant in August and Feb to try avoid the heat of summer.

I'm dissapointed but by now have succumbed to the fact that they arent happening. I used so much of my compost and mulch there too, I'll have to make sure I reclain most of it. But the bloody nutgrass has grown through everything.

Next house we get I am scouring the yard for nutgrass!!

I managed to get a couple of caps to germinate, but then they stopped growing and stayed small and stunted so just havent bothered with them.

I have 3 cuttings of white mulberry which have struck nicely. And this was done in summer so the whole winter dmant thing doesn't matter.

I took some more black cuttings from Danielle, hoping to replace the weedy one I struck.

I have also taken lots from my pink camelia that I would love to make a hedge out of. So hopefully a couple of them work out, they have plently of nice little buds on them so fingers crossed. I have wanted them since we moved here 2 years ago. The one I have is in a silly spot.

I grew 3 measly golden nuggest pumpks. I've kept the seed but they really didn't do well at all. I may need to try localised seed next time.

I've chucked in a couple more zuchs out the front, I would like to save seed from one of those too, then I will have checked a few things off the list.

I have read a few threads about bush tucker plants and have decided I want finger lime and round lime :D

There are several other things too, but I need to calm down and give it all time rather then diving in and not being able to work out where to put stuff or keep them watered :)

I have the rest of my life to collect these things!

Slowly I am checking things off.

I mean I have chickens for godsake, I'm running out of things I "want".

Now I just need to commit myself to art stuffs and get it together :P

I have an art and craft blog now too.

http://soap-art.blogspot.com/

A quick update

2008-12-14T19:25:00.000-08:00

So we have survived a few huge storms, the heat is getting dreadful and it has been very windy. But things are still powering on.

The potatoes are flowering and looking like they may be starting to die off.
The corn has flowered and we are already picking a few fresh cobs here and there. I will try to save some to aclimatise it.
My Lost Seed zucchinies are doing terribly. I don't know if it is where I put them, or all the wet weather. But the non-open pollinated ones were doing great, but I was stupid and pulled them out to make room for the new ones.
My pair of Golden nugget pumpkins are fruitung. I had pollinated a couple to try make seed saving 100%
I have had cucumbers coming out of the wazoo
Am just now starting to get a few small tomatoes forming. Absolutly no luck with them this year!
Lemon tree is getting lots of folliage.
Picked 2 garlick corms, but they have been very slow to form, I may try the elephant one that is meant to do well up here.
Beans have done great, but they are quiet tough and dry. They are fine for cooking but not that great fresh. But Oliver doesn't seem to mind too much :) He happily walks up and picks and eats them.
I've added a few more herbs. Choc Mint, Lemon Basil, Tarragon. Got some Lollo Rosso Lettuce Seedlings from bunnines, but they are so bitter, and I made sure to keep them watered and fed. They look like they might instantly bolt to see also.
Mulberry cuttings have struck.

I'm thinking I will plant another batch of corn, the Small blue popcorn doesn't seem to be sprouting. They can fill the compost bays. Otherwise the weeds are trying to take over.

The yard is a mess, all the rain has made everything take over.

2008-11-11T16:49:00.000-08:00

So a couple of months have gone by. I have kind of lost track of all my "keeping orgainised" plans. But things are growing well and recovering after the hail.

I have planted out some Black Russian Tomatoes in the front yard. With all the rain I managed to dig a pretty deep strip of garden. The problem is the neighbour thinks its ok to pick my chillie there so he will likely go for the toms too. I'll have to grow some balls and tell him what I think about that when/if it happens.

There are some lebanese cucumbers along there too.

I'm hoping the black russians are suitable for seed saving. I'm not sure of the source, but they were seeds that had been saved onto paper towl so I would think so.

The beans along the front wall are going good guns. My little cane trellases are a bit ugly but I'm trying to teach myself not to care.

There are 3kg of potato seed planted up the back. I'm having trouble keeping them mounded and mulched. They are powering on. The Zucchs are awesome and have been keeping us fed. It is great to find one up there ready to go right when you realise you didn't have anything to have with your steak.

The corn is recovering from being trampled by the dog. Its going great after being mounded with compost. I'm glas I went with the corn.

Only three of my golden nugget pumpkins germinated. It seems I rotted them with too much water. :( I know for next time atleast. Hopefully I manage to save some seed.

I have several eggpland seedlings now. I was worried they werent germinating.

I also have some awesome sweet chocolate and goleden calwonder capsicums sprouting. I so love swapping seeds. It is really excting to me. And I'm learning to to be ashamed of the things I am interested in.

The boys finally put up a 6foot pine fence we salvaged. It did half of the back yard up to the house. the old fence was horrible and useless. This will also help keep the pervy neighbour at bay.

Would you believe he told my husband and father he had been admiring our fish for 15 mins the other night... through our loungeroom window..

My pics ect are all over the place but I just can't be bothered trying to make it perfect. It's good enough for me to keep track of things to it will do :)

2008-10-21T01:40:00.000-07:00

Everything was flourishing and was beautiful up until today.

I had harvested my first zucch yesterday and had it grilled for tea :)

Had been having cucumbers, and everything was looking lush. Everything was bigger and better then in those photos.

I got my potatoes from lost seed along with some radish and rockmellin that I resowed today. Boof got to a few pots :(

We had a huge hail storm this after noon. Everything looks trashed :( I just can't believe it. It was all going sooo well :(

not much I can say. Im running out of compost, I need more mulch and hail netting?

I'll re sow what I can tonight. I might just start again with the tomatoes. At leat then I can use the digger seed.

Sigh.

Photo Updates

2008-10-08T03:49:00.001-07:00

So here are the updates. The first 2 shots are of my 2 lots of zucchini. They will be replaced with ones that I will save seed from, and potatoes.

There is a shot of my compost bays husband put together for me. Nice and big. They were great for when we chipped a few unwanted trees. (stupid spots and grapefruit to boot :'()

Tou can see the back fence which I am so desperatly trying to screen out. I m

owed the grass today to make sure it was all pretty :P

There is my chocko, beans, corn Arties and other bits and bobs. My tubs that I am trying to decide the best use for and my comfrey.

The last shot of of my cucumbers. They are going great guns and there are a couple about ready to pick. There are a couple of pigeon peas in between there. I will decide what to do with them as they grow. I thought they might make a little bit of shade and soemthing to support the cucs.

So that is about it. I am still waiting for ym pumpkins to sprout. Looking forward to getting them in. Not looking forward to making a bed to put them in :(

Getting Somewhere!

2008-10-07T03:30:00.000-07:00

So today I got Granny to watch the little one for an hour or so so that I could run around and do a couple of things to save my sanity.

I finally got those Jerusalem Artichokes into the ground! I have put them near the back fence hoping they will help do some screen while being pretty and edible. I am aware that they can act like weed tho, I I kept them about 1 mtr out from their fencline and I will just have to make sure I'm a good girl and keep them thinned out. I'm sure I will work something out.

The lemongrass went down there too, and tonight I ran down there to give them another drink and popped some Nasturtium seeds in for good measure. There is a good corner of the yar that should be pretty well free of grass and weeds now.

I have been using cardboard and grass clippings because I am cheep :) I want to keep my good mulch for garden beds, not just for choking out grasses.

I got some seeds from a swap in the mail today too:)! Very happy about that.

seeds: Lettuce 'cos verdi' Greenpatch exp Jun 2009

Sweet Basil Greenpatch exp Dec 2009

Tomato 'tommy toe' Greenpatch exp Jun 2010

Tomato 'grosse lisse' Diggers exp - bought sept 2008

These were in exchange for some eggplant and zucchs that I got from lost seed.

On the weekend I also went to the local council nursery and got my 8 free plants! wee.

I got a Gardenia 'florida, 2x coastal rosemary, peaflower, hovea, hairy bush tree, texas sage and a tarragon. Not bad for free!

So I have been spending my nights (the hour or so before the boy wakes up again ;'() out the front digging in the dark putting in some of these shrubs. They should look very pretty when they flower :) I am pretty excited about watching them grow and fill the yard.

I think I will draw a little map of things to keep track of where I am at and take a few photos. I keep saying that but lets see if/when I get around to it.

The Lost Seed

2008-10-02T03:55:00.000-07:00

Lots of things have happened since I last recorded things.

I have planted out a few Pigeon Peas. Both the small and large ones are sprouting. I also planted out the eggplants and Madagascar beans. It seems only 2 are going to survive, of the 3 which sprouted.

Some of the Echinacia has sprouted, I think I need to move them into the sun, they seem to be refusing to get any bigger. Along with 2 of the First Fleet lettuces.

My cucumbers are flowering and getting little cucs on them. The zucchinies seem to be doing the same.

I put some of Judy's triffid schalotts into the main herb bed. And the chard and greens are looking happy.

The tomatoes have recovered from the hail.

Mors comfrey seems to be sprouting in the pot I took the last lot of cuttings from so that is good. Can't have too much I would say.

Oh I have some lemongrass and Jerusalem artichokes still waiting for me to decide where to put them :)

That is the problem with having the space but not actualy garden beds prepared. I'm doing what I can when I can but everything grows so fast.

Anyways..... All of those zucchs, eggplants and possibly tomatoes that are doing so well will probably be replaced as I finally have some open pollinated seed from The Lost seed shop, and a few more coming from a swap. So I would prefer to have the ones I can save seed from going. But I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

On the 30th of Sep I got my batch of seeds.

Some Climbing Beans, Black Beauty Zucchs, Golden Nugget pumpkin (BUSH VARIETY!!) some corn and snow peas.

I have sewn some corn out along the back fence to act as a screen, and also put some beans around the area to grow up the corn and fence. But the corn is meant to get very tall so I hope that doesn't become a problem and someone complains. If I have to I will trim it but we will see.

I have been on a seed sewing frenzy, I couldnt resist.

Done some pumpkins, zucchs, eggplant, more first fleet lettuce, Marigolds and tonight I did some chilli and capsicums.

I did some dwarf sweet corn out the front, not to save seed from, so I will decide whats happening when I see how my new corn goes. Beans are likley to go out the front too, I'll put them wherever I can as they will be easy to keep frozen.

I have noticed we have a little green tree frog frequenting my yard, he must be happy with my progress :)

I'll take some photos to keep track of my changes, things are still all over the place but I am getting somewhere !!

I think that is just about everything. I will be getting some more stuff in the mail as I have shared some of my package around to others :)

It is looking to be an exciting spring/summer.

Bonus

2008-09-10T03:38:00.000-07:00

Today I mowed the front yard and the neighbours/parents ;). Started digging the spot where I plan to plant my comfrey. And then recieved a nice package of plants and cuttings (thanks T :) )

So I have a few little chard seedlings. See how they go. Looking a bit sad :) Maybe they will pull through.

Some Jasmine (a fav) , Choko (good screener :)) And a few other bits and bobs. Some things that might make the dog keep his nose out of my gardens.

I got a few tips from a Mulberry tree. You are meant to propogate them in winter, but I'll give it a shot in spring. I'm always a bit slow :P

So next few opportunities I get I will be preparing some spots for everthing!

Looking forward to it.

More seeds

2008-09-05T03:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I recieved some pigeon peas, sowed then after soaking them with some of their original soil hoping to inoculate them, and then decided to throw in a few more things too.

I chucked in some of the packet of Yates Capsicums I had lying around. Some more marigolds, the Madagascar beans and some Echinacea (purple cone flowers) I'm hoping the sprout, the look so pretty :)

So today because I was sick to death of the dog up the back, and my dogs barking while they play, I decided to fence off the back quarter of the backyard and claim it as my planting area. This will save me having to have my gardens in a jail to protect them from the dog.

So hopefully on the weekend I will get to sorting the back out better, and making some little spots for all the zucchinis and such I wish to grow. It will be so much easier this way!!

I also got a nice package of spring onions today :) I will be potting them up tonight before bed :D

I

Small Things..

2008-09-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

Today I was so happy to recieve a package in the mail. Well nearly in the mail, the posty delivered it to the wrong street, but the lady came and delivered it to me herself. I'm just a bit worried she though my seeds may have been something else... I hope not :( I met her out the front with my little boy. Not a good look.

Anyways I had recently contacted a seedsaver group that is positioned about 70k away (what I thought was the closest one) And discussed scavanging any extra seeds they may have. And boy did I score.
It was from the Beelarong Community Farm btw. Situated at morningside.

So I opened it to find :

First Fleet Lettuce
Verigated Marrigold
Masagascar Climbing Beans
Large Tuber Pumpkin
Italian Parsley
Cellery
Corriander

All saved from their little farm :D

It really really made my day considering I only really have seeds I have bought from bunnings ect. I really wanted to get started in collecting open pollinated, organic and heirloom varieties. So I have a big boost now :)

Now just to find the perfect spot for them all. I am most excited about the beautiful beans. And the Lettuce that I had seem Forest save seeds from on Aussies Living Simply.

What a day :D

Planting Out

2008-09-01T02:43:00.000-07:00

Today I dug out one of my compost bays to plan zucchinis in. Unfortunately I need to keep everything protected from my dog so I though this was a temporary fix. So I will be doing the same with the second bay soon. All the scraps and cuttings are now in the one bay.

We had a heaps of bark and remains of trees we got a chipper in for about 8 months ago. And alot of it is now lovely compost. The rest is bark mulch. So everything is useful.

I spread some of the bark into the front garden. I will be doing some more of that with the second bay.

I kept some of the compost asside to make tea or to add to beds and the rest was used for the zuchs. I cracked open my cane mulch I got on the weekend.

I also planted out my leb cucumbers into my addition to our little garden.

I'm thining tonight I might try to plant some more seedlings. Try to get some of these bloody beans to germinate and not rot (too much water :() And maybe some capsicums. And Bok Choi.

I'm trying to keep this bit of momentum going. It is spring afterall :)

Here is a Gardening Australia Fact Sheet on Compost Tea

http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s2002063.htm

I've got a little bit of comfrey tea brewing out the front.

Wiki info on comfrey as fertilizer.

"

Fertilizer uses

Comfrey is a particularly valuable source of fertility to the organic gardener. It is very deep rooted and acts as a dynamic accumulator, mining a host of nutrients from the soil. These are then made available through its fast growing leaves (up to 4-5 pounds per plant per cut) which, lacking fibre, quickly break down to a thick black liquid. There is also no risk of nitrogen robbery when comfrey is dug into the soil as the C:N ratio of the leaves is lower than that of well-rotted compost. Comfrey is an excellent source of potassium, an essential plant nutrient needed for flower, seeds and fruit production. Its leaves contain 2-3 times more potassium than farmyard manure, mined from deep in the subsoil, tapping into reserves that would not normally be available to plants.

There are various ways in which comfrey can be utilised as a fertiliser, these include:

Comfrey for potatoes - freshly cut comfrey should be wilted for a day or two, then laid along potato trenches about 2 inches deep. Avoid using flowering stems as these can root. The leaves will rapidly break down and supply potassium rich fertiliser for the developing potato plants.
Comfrey as a compost activator- include 2-3 inch deep layers of comfrey in the compost heap to encourage bacterial activity and help to heat the heap. Comfrey should not be added in quantity as it will quickly break down into a dark sludgey liquid that needs to be balanced with more fibrous, carbon rich material.
Comfrey liquid fertiliser- can be produced by either rotting leaves down in rainwater for 4-5 weeks to produce a ready to use ‘comfrey tea’, or by stacking dry leaves under a weight in a container with a hole in the base. When the leaves decompose a thick black comfrey concentrate is collected. This must be diluted at 15:1 before use.
Comfrey as a mulch- a 2 inch layer of comfrey leaves placed around a crop will slowly break down and release plant nutrients. it is especially useful for crops that need extra potassium, such as tomatoes, and also fruit bushes like gooseberries and currants.
Comfrey potting mixture- originally devised using peat, environmental awareness has led to a leaf mold-based alternative being adopted instead. Two year old, well decayed leaf mold should be used, this will absorb the nutrient-rich liquid released by the decaying comfrey.
In a black plastic sack alternate 3-4 inch layers of leaf mould and chopped comfrey leaves. Add a little dolomitic limestone to slightly raise pH. Leave for between 2-5 months depending on the season, checking that it does not dry out or become too wet. The mixture is ready when the comfrey leaves have rotted and are no longer visible. Use as a general potting compost, although it is too strong for seedlings."

2008-08-30T05:13:00.000-07:00

Tonight I went through and divided up the Comfrey I had growing in a big pot for ages while it waited for me to find the perfect place. I understand It is difficult to get rid of if you plant it somewhere and want to move it, hence my reluctance.

Anyways I broke it down to 6 pieces and potted them up in small containers hoping they will be happy and can go to an allocated spot in the yard that wont be too big a deal if it gets overrun.

I also planted out my new daylilly I got from the local garden club expo I went to have a look at today. It's an Elizabeth Hay. Which I of course chose for its stunning flower:)

I also got some wormwood, seeing as the slip said it is good to use as a pest repelant when mixed with chilli. I think I had also heard that it was good to deter pests on chickens?

While I was feeling all productive I took a few Azalea cuttings. I think you are actually meant to do that in Autumn but oh well we will see if I have any luck. some were soft heel cuttings, some were from bud and some were tips. I thought I would try a few different things. I used some of that clonex purple to try up my chances. I'll have a looksy to see how long they generaly take.

Propagation notes from the web:

"Azaleas can be difficult to propagate, so be sure you take several cuttings. Azalea's root well in winter, but you can also give it a goin late summer or early fall.

A tried-and-true method espoused by rhododendron and azalea experts
(and one that I've used successfully) is the following:

1. Take part of this year's growth and cut it off; it should be 3 to 4
inches long. The bottom should be cut at an angle.

2. Pull all the leaves upward with one hand and cut them to half their
original length.

3. If the cutting has a bud, pinch it off.

4. On each side of the stem, shave off about one inch of the hard
outer layer, exposing the soft inner layer.

5. Dip the cutting into rooting hormone.

6. Take a clear plastic disposable cup and punch 3 or 4 holes in the
bottom (from the inside out) with a pencil or icepick.

7. Fill the cup with half peat and half perlite. (This mixture must be
moist, but shouldn't drip water when squeezed.) Place the cutting in
the cup.

8. Place the end of one drinking straw into the mixture, on either
side of the cutting. Place the cutting inside a plastic zip-lock bag,
and seal it. (The straws help keep the plastic above the plant
itself.)

9. Place the cutting where it will get lots of light, but no direct
sun. When you can no longer see moisture on the side of the bag, add"
just a little water. (Don't over water, or you'll rot the cutting.)

Rooting Dormant Azalea Cuttings
by Donald W. Hyatt

"Winter's ice and snow can often lead to broken branches on your azaleas. Don't despair, those branches can be rooted with relative ease during the winter months. Here is the procedure I use to start azaleas and rhododendrons from dormant cuttings. Even if the branch is quite desiccated, there is still a good chance of success at this time of year.

Procedure:

For containers, I use cut-off gallon milk jugs. I make slits in the bottom for eventual drainage.
Make short cuttings of a single whirl of leaves. Cuttings should be 2 inches long, or less. Sections of stems without leaves can also be used with some degree of success.
Remove any flower buds from the cuttings since the plant's attempt to produce flowers will sap energy from new growth and root formation.
Dip the end of the cutting in a rooting hormone such as Rootone or Dip 'N Grow.
Insert the bottom inch of the cutting into a container filled with a porous potting medium ( I use � Peat, � Sand, � Perlite). The medium should be moist but not wet since excess moisture is the leading cause of failure due to fungal rot.
If cuttings have evidence of insect or disease problems, they may be sprayed with an insecticide / fungicide mixture at this time and allowed to dry. (standard Rose Spray).
Enclose containers in clear plastic bags to create a mini-greenhouse effect. Glad Gallon Food Storage bags fit the gallon milk jugs perfectly.
Sometimes I will spray the foliage with a very dilute fertilizer mixture before enclosing the bags, but be careful to not make things too wet.
Place under fluorescent lights with "long day" conditions (16 to 24 hours of light each day), or in a north window with good light but not too much strong sun.
Cuttings should break dormancy and begin to grow in a month or so. At this time, they are usually forming new roots, too. Remove any cuttings that rot, or leaves that turn brown, but keep containers on the dry side since it will encourage root growth.
Keep under lights during the winter months, and wait for warm humid weather to repot in late spring. The new foliage has been used to 100% humidity for many weeks, so open bags slowly at first and allow them to harden off before transplanting.
Grow plants in pots during the summer, and allow them to harden off before frost in the fall. Cold frame protection is helpful during the first winter to protect from bark split, but plants rooted during the winter are often large enough by fall to make it on their own.

Note: Azaleas and rhododendrons can be raised from seed, too. The same basic approach is used, but no rooting hormone is needed. The seed is very small and should be sown directly on top of the medium. Germination will usually occur in just a few weeks, and plants will be ready for transplanting in a month or so. "

I'm Starting a Garden Blog :)

2008-08-30T02:26:00.000-07:00

I desperately need to remember what I do and when I do it! I am pathetic. I've lost so many brain cells and the only reasoning is giving birth. I rarely drink I don't do drugs... I think my son stole half of my brain. Alas he is a smart kid.

So if anytime is the time to start thinking about keeping proper records it is now, because I can only go down hill from here. I'll take a few picks to show where things are at here now.

We moved in here Oct 2006. We have bought our first house, started renovating then found about 2 weeks after moving in I was up the duff :) There must be something about getting your own place. A friend of mine fell pregnant around the same time, just as they moved into their place they had been building.

So that now leaves my son at 13mths. Me at home, playing stay at home mum, and trying to find some time to do the things I enjoy. Luckily for me he likes the outdoors and even follows me around with his little plastic watering can :)

I will start to take proper photos so I can see some progress. Sometimes I forget I am actually getting somewhere.

What I want is to grow as many productive fruits and veggies as I can maintain and afford. And to throw in a few pretty bee attracting ornamental's and keep the place somewhat presentable.

I want chickens and worms and compost and happiness :) We are doing good so far. Husband constructed 3 good sized compost bays out of corrugated iron. We cut down all the old grapefruit trees that we filling up all of the backyard. Don't worry (I hear those gasps) they will be replaced with things a little more appropriate to us. The trees were lovely but I don't eat them, don't have many friends who do and my god they made a mess.

I have jazzied up the front yard a bit with some bits and pieces taken from cuttings from my neighbor Stella. Who unfortunately passed away last week :( But at least for now I have her lovely garden across the street to look at and remind me of her.

Nothing is really organized. I figure most of that stuff I can change later if I wish.

From our wedding money husband got a playstation3 (which I use too :) ) and I scored a trip to bunnings where we got together enough stuff to build one good sized patch which so far seems allocated for a heap of tomatoes this season.

I don't eat tomatoes but I'm bitten by the tomato bug. They are just so useful. There is always someone who would like to be handed a nice fresh homegrown tomato.

I have a small water tank of 200lts out the front. It actually proves quiet useful for its small size. So far so good :)

So that's a pretty general overview of where I am at :)

Now I will leave you hanging waiting for the next gripping installment of dl's trials and tribulations in the garden.

Happy thieving.