6. Good Organic Gardening - November-December 2016 AvxHome.in
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6. Good Organic Gardening - November-December 2016 AvxHome.in

6. Good Organic Gardening - November-December 2016 AvxHome.in 6. Good Organic Gardening - November-December 2016 AvxHome.in

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23.10.2016 Views

SHORT SHOOTS | Earthy ideas 10 Top Tips Clever ideas for your garden Words Erina Starkey 1 2 Grilled onions If you’ve pulled your barbecue out of the shed to find it caked in grime from last year’s feasting, it’s probably time for a heavy-duty scrub-down. Instead of using harsh chemicals, which can end up on your lawn and in your steak sandwich, try rubbing it down with half an onion. Simply turn your barbecue onto the highest setting, then spear the onion with a fork and rub it over the grill plates. Not only will it shift your grease and grime, it will also leave a delicious taste and smell next time you fire up. 3 Inside out If you’re stuck for garden space, there are plenty of fruits and vegetables that will happily grow indoors. Consider moving your carrots, chillies, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, sprouts, ginger and spring onions out of the garden and onto your windowsills. If you intend to grow these plants from seed, cover the containers in plastic wrap to create a cosy climate for germination. 4 Get swapping Saving seeds allows you to develop plant varieties that are better adapted to your climate, soil conditions and growing practices and which resist local pests and disease. If you live in a community of avid gardeners, consider hosting a seed-swapping event where everyone trades their extra seeds from the previous season. A seed swap is a great excuse to get together with fellow gardeners and glean some local wisdom on what works and what doesn’t in your shared gardening microclimate. 5 Busy bees Backyard beekeeping makes a fantastic hobby. As well as securing yourself a fresh supply of honey, you’ll also enhance your fruit and vegetable production and support pollination in your local community. By-products from beehives such as beeswax, propolis, royal jelly and pollen can be used in organic crafts to make candles, soap, lip balm, skincare products and furniture polish. If you’re worried about bee stings, consider the many native stingless varieties. 6 A third wheel Make a portable garden in minutes by attaching caster wheels to the bottom of your planters. This allows you to shift your plants around based on their sunlight and shade needs and create little microclimates. Also, it gives you the flexibility to move plants out of the way if you plan on entertaining, or simply to rearrange them whenever you feel inspired. 7 Bottled up No need to ask your neighbour for a favour; create your own water bottle irrigator to look after the garden in your absence. Simply fill an empty wine bottle with water up to the three-quarter mark and overturn it quickly, plunging the neck of the bottle deep into the soil. Your wine bottle will gradually release water as the soil regains the capacity to take in more. 8 The waiting game While you may be excited to try your first home-grown orange, it pays to hold out a little while longer. As painful as it may be, it’s important to systematically pinch off your citrus fruit for the first three years. This will direct energy into producing lots of strong branches so your citrus tree will be able to support an abundant crop down the track. 9 Shelling out Oyster shells contain around 95 per cent calcium carbonate, 1 Hang in there Keep cherry tomatoes off the ground and away from pests with an upside-down hanging planter. To make your own, cut away the bottom from a 2L soft-drink bottle. Gently push a cherry tomato seedling through the neck of the bottle, leaving the root ball still inside. Carefully fill the bottle with soil. Punch a few holes around the plastic rim and string it up like a hanging planter. You can also add a second plant, such as strawberry or herb, to the top. For a sturdier version, simply drill a 3cm hole in the bottom of a bucket, tin or planter. 5 Kathy Kimpel, Canstockphoto 76 | Good Organic Gardening

Earthy ideas | SHORT SHOOTS 10 9 which makes them an excellent fertiliser and amendment for acidic soils. To crush oyster shells, place them in a zip-lock bag, carefully sealing out all the air, then cover with a tea towel and start hammering. If you have chickens, grind the oyster shells down further in a mortar and pestle and feed it to them. Laying hens require large amounts of calcium to create their eggshells and if they are fed mainly fresh foods, they will require a calcium supplement. 10 Foolproof flora We all have that one herbicidal friend who manages to kill every pot plant ever given to them. Help them grow their confidence by introducing them to one of these ultra-hardy varieties that can handle a dimly lit apartment and irregular watering. Plants such as aloe, snake (pictured), ZZ, jade and pothos are not just easy to care for, they’re also downright difficult to kill. (Leppington) Pty Ltd ABN 36 001 123 726 1675 The Northern Road Bringelly NSW 2556 Phone: (02) 4773 4291 Fax: (02) 4773 4104 Email: sales@lpcmilk.com www.organicfertilisers.com.au Suppliers of certified poultry and cow manures. Fresh or composted delivered in bulk. Great for all types of agriculture industries. Poultry manure which can be spread in residential areas, golf courses, sporting ovals and parks. Also ask us about our reduced low odour. Member of Australian Organic Association Good Organic Gardening | 77

Earthy ideas | SHORT SHOOTS<br />

10<br />

9<br />

which makes them an excellent fertiliser<br />

and amendment for acidic soils. To crush<br />

oyster shells, place them <strong>in</strong> a zip-lock bag,<br />

carefully seal<strong>in</strong>g out all the air, then cover<br />

with a tea towel and start hammer<strong>in</strong>g. If you<br />

have chickens, gr<strong>in</strong>d the oyster shells down<br />

further <strong>in</strong> a mortar and pestle and feed it to<br />

them. Lay<strong>in</strong>g hens require large amounts of<br />

calcium to create their eggshells and if they<br />

are fed ma<strong>in</strong>ly fresh foods, they will require a<br />

calcium supplement.<br />

10 Foolproof<br />

flora<br />

We all have that one herbicidal<br />

friend who manages to kill every pot plant<br />

ever given to them. Help them grow their<br />

confidence by <strong>in</strong>troduc<strong>in</strong>g them to one of<br />

these ultra-hardy varieties that can handle<br />

a dimly lit apartment and irregular water<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

Plants such as aloe, snake (pictured), ZZ,<br />

jade and pothos are not just easy to care for,<br />

they’re also downright difficult to kill.<br />

(Lepp<strong>in</strong>gton) Pty Ltd<br />

ABN 36 001 123 726<br />

1675 The Northern Road Br<strong>in</strong>gelly NSW 2556<br />

Phone: (02) 4773 4291 Fax: (02) 4773 4104 Email: sales@lpcmilk.com<br />

www.organicfertilisers.com.au<br />

Suppliers of certified poultry and cow manures.<br />

Fresh or composted delivered <strong>in</strong> bulk.<br />

Great for all types of agriculture <strong>in</strong>dustries.<br />

Poultry manure which can be spread <strong>in</strong> residential<br />

areas, golf courses, sport<strong>in</strong>g ovals and parks.<br />

Also ask us about our reduced low odour.<br />

Member of Australian <strong>Organic</strong> Association<br />

<strong>Good</strong> <strong>Organic</strong> <strong>Garden<strong>in</strong>g</strong> | 77

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