Chooks, Worms & Veges...

I am just so pleased with the amount of light that we now get in our yard. We have masses of light flooding into our yard, and even our home, and the removal of that tree couldn't have come soon enough. :0)

It really will make a vege patch and some backyard chickens possible. I have been wanting to do this for a couple of years now, and now that Chiara is getting bigger, I have a little more time to tend to plants and now the horses are gone, some chickens too.

The race is now on. I need to get the vege patch set up as quickly as possible. I need to give it time to settle and compost down a little before I can plant some seedlings in. I do have access to some ready compost, which I can use as a top layer, however as it has a high level of grass seed, some of which may not be gone, I am reluctant to use it as a top layer and sow straight into it. I might have some success at that IF I cover the entire garden with a layer of newspaper and cut small holes to plant the seed and put sugar cane mulch over the whole thing. This may stop enough weeds until the companion ground cover plants get going and their foliage prohibits growth of weeds.

I am also having difficulty deciding on the type of border I will use on my no-dig garden. Cypress pine is my first choice, as it is native to South East Queensland, and thus is naturally termite and pest resistant.

Another option is chicken-wire doubled or tripled, lined with hay. A cheaper and easier to install alternative, which can also keep inquisitive chicks & bush-turkeys out. And, if I cover it with netting at night, it will keep the possums out too.
Any advice, hints, or anecdotes are welcome!

I am having success with my worm farm. I rescued two poor worms that had a strand of hair wound around them both, essentially tying them together. I took the risk & gently tugged them apart. They both slid free & wriggled away to digest another day. I have ordered a worm bomb.

Yep, that's right, Australia Post will bring 1000 worms and eggs to my door. Who would have thought you could post worms! They're called a worm bomb because the numbers will explode before our eyes... It's the wrong time of year to expect our worm farm's current population to expand at a fast enough rate to meet demand. And 30 worms just aren't cutting it (although they're giving it a good go).

They're coming from Kookaburra Worm Farm, and there's a large mix of types of worms included, which is fantastic, because some are both garden and compost worms & hopefully they will make the journey to my garden when the bed has matured.
There are up to 5 worms species in the compost worm mix. They are reds, tigers, blues, Africans and Gardeners Friend worms. They are costing $20 including postage. A real bargain!

Happy Gardening!

Oleander Minimised & Strawberry Hanging Baskets

Another recent change in the garden... The Oleander has been cut back dramatically & I have bought some strawberries which I am planting into pretty pots and hanging baskets.

I'm very excited by this... I LOVE strawberries. I wont be happy if the possums have a go... I'll be hanging them under our steps & possum proofing if that happens. I am hoping there'll be enough to go around. I dont mind if the caterpillars and the possums take one or two strawberries or lettuce leaves... it's if the whole thing gets decimated that I'll get a little peeved.

Needless to say I'm looking forward to a bumper harvest of strawberries from my 5 strawberry plants - A Pink (m), a Sumo (xl), an Imagine(l), a Sweetheart(s) and a Shizam (l). All different sizes, and some, as you can see, have started flowering already, and the flowers are turning into perfect (albeit still green) little berries. I've had them for about 4 weeks now, and have planted three out (two into hanging baskets and one into a pot), and thanks to Mum giving me another couple of hanging baskets today, the other two will be potted out tomorrow. Two of the ones potted out have already started to have massive growth spurts, and the others I assume will soon follow suit.

More pics to come - Until then...
Happy Gardening!

The Huge Tree - Before It Goes...

This is the magnitude of the Chinese Elm that has recently been removed. I will post pictures of the removal soon. As you can see by the fact it takes 3 photos to show it's entirety, it was massive, extended well into our yard, and it blocked a massive amount of light - and our lawn had turned to weed as a consequence. Perhaps now our grass will regrow & my vege-patch-to-be will be blooming fantastic!
Happy Gardening!

The Salad Box - Update

A little update - look how big these lettuces have become!!! They're delicious - no bitterness at all! There are some more photos to come - pics of a salad or two made with the leaves are to come. :0)
Happy Gardening!