Forums and discussions

To store or not to store

Myer Lemon Flowers Eaten

Hello

I keep losing the flowers from my lemon and I'm at a bit of a loss as to why. I've got rid of 2 rats and possums aren't a problem as I have a Pingg-String electric fence which keeps them out without causing any problems. Does anybody have any ot

Winter solstice garden by Dave Riley

Click here for a discussion on the 

Winter solstice garden by Dave on Facebook 

Turmeric

My turmeric had died down, and I was concerned that it may be starting to rot with all the rain.  So I decided to dig it up.  Originally I planted just 4 small rhizomes, but harvested about a kilo, so I was very happy.

How do people like to use turme

This discussion by Dave about home grown food has turned into a fantastic food preserving one

If you were wondering whether to invest more energy into your outback horticultural labours, retail prices are on your side.  See article.

While the pandemic has savaged supply lines, the recent floods have devastated crops and shortages have led to p

Vetiver 'rain garden' for flooding yards.

 The size is up to you.

The pit I dug is two wheelbarrow loads deep. 

This is the schematic plan. A hole layered with mulch with Vetiver planted on three sides to capture the water as it drains.

The Vetiver slips are planted fist length apart -- 10 cm -

Yard Drainage

The water rose in our back yard for the first time in our residential experience. At our neigh bye offsprings' place, the downstairs flooded.

Given that we are on sand, this tells us how much rain the ground had to absorb before it spilled over -- as

Pinkerton Dwarf Avocado

Hi Everybody,

I have a question about the pinkerton avocado, when do I know when they are ready to pick, I have viewed a few video's on youtube and there are various conflicting stories, I don't want to cut any off my tree as this is the first harvest

BANANA GLUT

Hello Everyone, we have survived the downpours and found a little creek flowing right through under the house.  All the rain made our Cavandish and Blue Java bunches weaken and had to be cut and so we have been busy busy dehydrating the banana fruit

Can you identify this epiphyte?

Quite a few years ago, I collected some pieces of an epiphytic cactus from a fallen tree.  I think I hoped back then it was a dragonfruit.

Yesterday I ventured out into the yard to discover that during my rain-enforced confinement, I'd had a flower on

Syntropic Farming for the backyard

When you garden, it is the done thing to find a 'system' you can hang your hat on.So I had a think, reviewed my habits and perspective and decided that in summary I am of the Syntropic persuasion.

As base principles,  Syntropy is very straightforward.

Living on a 1/8th acre site that receives 11 inches of rain per year.

One day when you have nothing to do, sit down and look at this video. it goes for a while. HERE 

See if you could live like this. It's hard to compare as we have more rainfall.  I wish I could organise his washing machine setup.  The garden shower set

Pepino sought

Hi all I'm new here so hope this is where I write this. 

I've been trying to get a Pepino plant or three but without any luck. Bunnings lists them online but no store I've been to has them or can tell me any stores that do. Does anyone know where I ma

How to Divide Vetiver Grass

Since we have just harvested a few plants, I shot this short video on how to divide a Vetiver clump for planting out.

The DIY is straightforward and since I've divided thousands of clumps I kinda have the knack of it sorted.

Cooling the Homestead against the Summer heat with shade, ecology and frangipanis.

As it warms further I always do a check list of the property outdoors for cooling elements. I've already noted that as I return from walkabout  and enter through the front gate I am  wrapped in an air con effect as my planted ecology kicks in to cool

HOW MUCH RAIN DID YOU GET AT YOUR PLACE?

Well, did we get some rain yesterday. Our rain gauge, here in Zillmere, had 90ml in it. So we have 4 full tanks and the gound is soaking it in.  How did you go in your suburb,? 

Everything is growing well, I suppose the mozzies will increase as well.

Just asking: Quail vs Pigeon.

Thanks to a donation from Doug, I'm not so keen on quail meat...and besides, the missus won't eat it.

However, by coincidence I came upon the fact that pigeon is one of the most popular meats in Cairo. So I got thinking and Googling.

Those quail wrangl

What to plant now: December

Given the opportunity of the weather, what are people planting in November and December?

soil, soil and soil?

Hi Everyone,

I need your advice. We are thinking to move. One thing we want to take into consideration for choosing the place to move is if the soil is good for gardening. I hope to grow avocado and all other good fruit trees and vegetable. So how ca

Wicking beds of awesomeness

Hi again.

I thought I should share my good success with a DIY wicking bed design. 

I bought spotted gum (durable), galvanised fencing/ retaining wall stakes, extra thick builder's plastic, compost, sulfur to correct the very alkaline compost (boo),