Posts Tagged ‘garden’

A Tale of Woe

Gardening, Herb, Fruit and Vegetables | Posted by Dean
Jan 08 2008

As I have written numerous times I like the taste of zucchini. In fact on Saturday I cooked a rather safe beef stir fry that had an entire home grown Lebanese zucchini sliced up and quartered. However, this article is a tale of woe, not a celebration of my culinary successes. After another attempt to grow Blackjack zucchini I have lost another four seedlings.

The Blackjack zucchini seedlings showed positive early signs and went into a growth phase. I thought finally I have some success and could look forward to some long, slender standard zucchini. However, all have subsequently perished. I simply do not understand what it is that I am doing wrong with these plants. They are getting the exact care and growing conditions that the Lebanese zucchini receives, and that plant is absolutely flourishing in the conditions. In fact it is currently full of flower.

I am now shelving the Blackjack zucchini dream for a while. I will concentrate my zucchini growing efforts on the Lebanese variety that is giving bearing great success. Perhaps I will give the Blackjack variety another crack once we have moved to Wollongong. A move that will be happening soon as we are all ready for a change of scenery due to no small part the cats next door. Another dedicated post coming on that soon.

Location, Location, Location

Gardening, Herb, Fruit and Vegetables | Posted by Dean
Jan 07 2008

As with real estate success in the garden often has a lot to do with location. In my garden I have noticed that some plants are thriving, yet sister plants in a different location are struggling to continue. So I have relocated several plants in the last few days. The reason is to encourage increased growth and to ensure the plants are all getting a fair share of the conditions.

On the chilli front I moved the producing mystery chilli forward slightly to an even more sun drenched location. I have also turned about 90 degress to hopefully encourage the jalapeno into action. I have also moved the ebony fire with these chilli’s. So now all my chilli plants are together and overseen by the Mexican Guitar Playing Burrow Rider looking from above.

I also clustered the grape tomatoes with the beefsteak and grosse lisse tomatoes. This just looks better to my mind, and has not changed the conditions the plant was already experiencing very much indeed.

My sisters lavendar has been moved to a more sunny position to encourage further growth. It is right next to our flowering dwarf lavendar that is thriving. Given that both lavendars require the same conditions it should really thrive in the new location.

Finally, I managed to repot our pink rosemary. The plant was seriously constrained in a little pot and was becoming root bound. It is now in a converted stainless steel cooking pot that was simply sitting near the barbecue for the past six to twelve months. I have now put it to a good productive use. In its new surrounds the pink rosemary should thrive.

Will keep you all posted.

Easy Peesy Snail Traps

Cat and Pest Control, Gardening, Nifty Thrifty Ideas | Posted by Dean
Jan 06 2008

Yesterday it rained a bit in New South Wales. Thankfully, it did not rain as much in Sydney as it did in the Northern Rivers area, check out (Flooding in the Northern Rivers). However, rain is a double edged sword for us gardening types. The pro’s are that we get a day off watering the plants and we get to capture some rainwater. The cons are the critters that surface during rain, most notably the snails and slugs of the world.

Snails are one of the many not so friendly visitors to the garden. If left alone they will destroy an otherwise healthy harvest. So yesterday during the rain I decided to build some defences the easy peesy way. The steps and requirements are below.

The Weapons of Snail Destruction
Like the ingredients in the Weapons of Maggot Destruction the requirements for snail traps are quite humble and common place. All that is needed is a beer and a liquid proof container. In my case I used and used aluminium drip tray and a bottle of Hahn Premium Light (not pictured).

Weapons of Snail Destruction

How it Works
The trap works by luring the snails to the beer. The snail then drinks, gets drunk, and drowns. Simple as that.

Process

  1. Dig the container into the ground a little. This means the snails are more likely to travel into the trap as they are not climbing materials they may otherwise avoid. Do not get too pendantic about having the trap 100% level, its not a beauty statement after all.
  2. Laying The Trap

  3. Bait the trap by pouring in your chosen beer. Do not waste a premium ale here, a standard cheap variety is just as effective for snails. Simply fill the container two thirds full with your chosen amber liquid.
  4. Baiting the Trap

  5. Walk away and check it the next day. Fish out the dead snails and walk away again. When the beer finally evaporates simply sacrifice another bottle of beer and its away again

I love this trap as it is simple, effective and cheaper than using a commercial snail repellent solution. It is also better for the environment.

Big Bad Bertha

Gardening | Posted by Dean
Jan 05 2008

Big Bad Bertha is a comical Christmas present. She is quite a voluptuous garden gnome and now lives in with the Grosse Lisse and Beefsteak Tomato bushes. I hope her melons inspire large juicy tomatoes.

Big Bad Bertha

Beans Are Sprouting

Gardening, Herb, Fruit and Vegetables | Posted by Dean
Jan 02 2008

Today I took a look down the beanstalk tower and noted the presence of sprouts. The beans are looking good, which is a little unexpected as I was dubious about the possibility of their success in tubs. I am now salivating at the prospects of some pucker tucker from the garden more and more every day.

Looking Down The Beanstalk

Bean Sprouts