Small garden and greens all winter. Silverbeet (chard to some) are perpetual if planted about mid summer is just huge before the winter stops it growing but before it bolts into seed. The leaves are so big that on leaf feeds one person for greens. And continuous picking lettuce also lasts all winter if planted […]
We have just moved into a rental in Auckland and heard from our neighbours that last summer the landlady charged the last tenants a lot for ‘summer water rates.’ We want to avoid any drama with unexpected unaffordable fees and have arranged with the landlady to attach a big plastic drum under the vertical spouting […]
We have a decent sized vegetable patch, with raspberries, strawberries and blackcurrants under netting. We have a row of coppicing gum trees (which means they regrow after being cut at the base) for firewood, lemons, apples, plums, walnuts (which we trade for hazel nuts and almonds), sweet chestnuts, feijoas and peaches all help, and our […]
On my 1/8th acre section I have a feijoa hedge, raspberries at the borders, and apple, nectarine and lemon trees. Herbs in a small above ground garden by the back door beans and peas climb up fences on wire mesh. Asparagus in a plot and yams in an old barrel as they spread into anything. […]
After years of dirty nails and hands after gardening I recently discovered that if I put disposable vinyl gloves on then the knit type gloves on top – my hands remained wonderfully clean, and the disposable gloves lasted a considerable time.
I’m into aquaponics its growing fish and plants together the fish will feed the plants and the plants feed the fish.
Here’s an old trick I use to keep ‘possums away from my fruit trees. I fill up a small stocking with dog hair and hang it from the tree. The ‘possums smell the dog and keep well clear. A more permanent and better solution is to trap them, but this will at least keep them […]
I have been enjoying a good fruit harvest from my dwarf fruit trees this year. When they all seem to ripen at once I slice nectarines and peaches and simmer them in some honey and cinnamon for five minutes then cool and freeze. Handy for whipping up a quick fruit tart or fruit cobbler when […]
Set aside part of your garden to grow flowers with long stems. This could save you a fortune in florist bills.
Don’t throw away your plastic milk bottles. When they are empty fill with cold water. Place lid on and shake. There is a good milky residue. Use the contents to water your pot plants. It acts like a pick me up. My African daises thrive as do my many other indoor plants. It saves you […]