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!