Friday, 30 April 2010
Weekly Podcast - Affluenza
This week, Adam and I talk about how people have caught Affluenza, about consumption and the pursuit of happiness.
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Flowers, Beans, a Halo and Fun
On Monday, Kim got a bit camera happy, so I thought I would share a few nice photos of what we have been up to around the garden and about town.
Firstly, the flowers currently in my garden.
Our pink bougianvillea that we growing in a pot. After it flowers, it needs a good trim to keep it in shape.
My lovely marigolds which is one of my favourite flowers. This variety has been self seeding in the same pot for three years running and is now sprouting seedlings for a fourth season. A sprinkle of blood and bone each spring, and they go crazy and bloom for most of the year.
Kim's favourite flower, the cyclamen. I usually buy a few each year, but have managed to keep the flowers I bought her from three years running alive and they bloom again each autumn. A little TLC and organic fertilizer, and they keep coming back time and time again.
Then as I was preparing a bed for broad beans, we notice an ice ring around the Sun. I knew what it was, but Kim and Ben had never seen one before. It is the sunlight reflecting off of ice crystals in very high Cirrus clouds. It is called an Atmospheric Halo. Pretty cool and I gave it a big thumbs up!
Here is my self seeded curly parsley. I had a two year old plant in a pot that went to seed and these ones just grew in the stones without any water. I think they receive overflow from the pots around them.
Closely followed by the flat leafed parsley that I planted from seed. It has really come on well in the last month.
The rosemary is in flower and the bees love it.
After just one month, the garlic is growing like wildfire. I am very impressed with this years crop so far, however the proof will be in the pulling in late November.
Now for the beans. I planted two varieties of broad (fava) beans in the same bed. Aquadulce and Early Long pod. I have had success with both varieties, with the Auqadulce being a slightly sweeter bean.
The greenhouse still stands and is filling up. Notice the massive spring onions on the stool. I used them in some yummy cream of celery soup that I whipped up for dinner.
My tomatoes, chillies and capsicums are going well inside the greenhouse. Just warm enough for them to keep growing.
I now have two shelving units in the greenhouse, and all the seeds sprout so fast! I will be planting out the brown onions, leeks and red onions this weekend into the remaining bed that has been dormant for a month. I also have broccoli, spinach and oregano sprouting and will soon be looking for a home! Kim wants me to plant more summer crops as an experiment. I will give it a go after the next New Moon.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. So in the afternoon, we drove up to Gisborne and visited the playground. Here is Ben and I having fun.
Then we had a go on the swings!
I haven't had so much fun in ages. Playgrounds are very green, because they are a shared community resource. A bit like a library!
Anyway, that was our Monday. It was sunny, productive and fun.
Firstly, the flowers currently in my garden.
Our pink bougianvillea that we growing in a pot. After it flowers, it needs a good trim to keep it in shape.
My lovely marigolds which is one of my favourite flowers. This variety has been self seeding in the same pot for three years running and is now sprouting seedlings for a fourth season. A sprinkle of blood and bone each spring, and they go crazy and bloom for most of the year.
Kim's favourite flower, the cyclamen. I usually buy a few each year, but have managed to keep the flowers I bought her from three years running alive and they bloom again each autumn. A little TLC and organic fertilizer, and they keep coming back time and time again.
Then as I was preparing a bed for broad beans, we notice an ice ring around the Sun. I knew what it was, but Kim and Ben had never seen one before. It is the sunlight reflecting off of ice crystals in very high Cirrus clouds. It is called an Atmospheric Halo. Pretty cool and I gave it a big thumbs up!
Here is my self seeded curly parsley. I had a two year old plant in a pot that went to seed and these ones just grew in the stones without any water. I think they receive overflow from the pots around them.
Closely followed by the flat leafed parsley that I planted from seed. It has really come on well in the last month.
The rosemary is in flower and the bees love it.
After just one month, the garlic is growing like wildfire. I am very impressed with this years crop so far, however the proof will be in the pulling in late November.
Now for the beans. I planted two varieties of broad (fava) beans in the same bed. Aquadulce and Early Long pod. I have had success with both varieties, with the Auqadulce being a slightly sweeter bean.
The greenhouse still stands and is filling up. Notice the massive spring onions on the stool. I used them in some yummy cream of celery soup that I whipped up for dinner.
My tomatoes, chillies and capsicums are going well inside the greenhouse. Just warm enough for them to keep growing.
I now have two shelving units in the greenhouse, and all the seeds sprout so fast! I will be planting out the brown onions, leeks and red onions this weekend into the remaining bed that has been dormant for a month. I also have broccoli, spinach and oregano sprouting and will soon be looking for a home! Kim wants me to plant more summer crops as an experiment. I will give it a go after the next New Moon.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. So in the afternoon, we drove up to Gisborne and visited the playground. Here is Ben and I having fun.
Then we had a go on the swings!
I haven't had so much fun in ages. Playgrounds are very green, because they are a shared community resource. A bit like a library!
Anyway, that was our Monday. It was sunny, productive and fun.
Labels:
Family,
Gardening,
vegetables
Absolute Political Cowardice
Our Prime Minister's own words. In the same speech, he said "....When you strip away all the political rhetoric, all the political excuses, there are two stark choices - action or inaction."
Well, thanks Mr Rudd. Inaction is what you have given us in the form of a useless and delayed ETS. Thanks for putting climate change in the too hard basket. Last time your words of action was an election winner, so I dare say that your inaction will become and election looser!
Well, thanks Mr Rudd. Inaction is what you have given us in the form of a useless and delayed ETS. Thanks for putting climate change in the too hard basket. Last time your words of action was an election winner, so I dare say that your inaction will become and election looser!
Labels:
activisim,
climate change,
Government
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Gardening Tips with Vasili
Tonight, I attended a community presentation held by the Melton Garden Club and the Melton Shire Council about Organic Veggie Gardening. Both Michael (my veggie gardening mate) and I had a great time. The guest speakers were Vasili Kanidiadis from SBS and CH31's Vasili's Garden, and Vox Bandicoot who are a comedy duo/trio. The garden club are mainly into ornamentals, so Michael and I came into our element.
The hall was packed, which just goes to show how popular veggie gardening has become of late. Mind you, just about every third question was about lemon trees! There were are few questions about organic pest control and I told everyone about my world famous earwig catching method, and Vasili asked Michael and I about growing veggies in raised beds. The Q&A went on for about an hour and was very interesting.
Then he showed the episode of Vasili's Garden that featured Michael and his family. Everyone loved it, but it was cut short because Vasili talked too much at the start. For those readers in town, the show is available on DVD at the Melton Library.
After some hijinks from Vox Bandicoot, who were a hoot, Vasili talked about how the green waste collected by the council gets turned into mulch, compost and soil and how it is a good alternative to making your own.
The evening ended with a plug for the ACF GreenHome Community workshops at Caroline Springs being held in May and June, and I handed out flyers for it. We then went to say thanks to the President of the garden club and picked up a voucher for a free bag of compost/mulch.
Of course, not being one to miss out on a photo opportunity, Michael captured this happy snap for me.
Vasili then mentioned that he had finished the article that we did together for his new magazine, Good Garden. He delayed publication because K-mart and Woolworths have taken it up, so it will now be out in July. He even mentioned that we should set up an episode of his show at my house with all of the sustainable living group. I will organise that very soon.
As I mentioned before, we had a great time, and catch up again when I help out the ACF GreenHome team. As Vasili would say, MARESI!!!
P.S. Sorry about not posting the podcast for this week. Adam and I will be working on part two tomorrow night.
The hall was packed, which just goes to show how popular veggie gardening has become of late. Mind you, just about every third question was about lemon trees! There were are few questions about organic pest control and I told everyone about my world famous earwig catching method, and Vasili asked Michael and I about growing veggies in raised beds. The Q&A went on for about an hour and was very interesting.
Then he showed the episode of Vasili's Garden that featured Michael and his family. Everyone loved it, but it was cut short because Vasili talked too much at the start. For those readers in town, the show is available on DVD at the Melton Library.
After some hijinks from Vox Bandicoot, who were a hoot, Vasili talked about how the green waste collected by the council gets turned into mulch, compost and soil and how it is a good alternative to making your own.
The evening ended with a plug for the ACF GreenHome Community workshops at Caroline Springs being held in May and June, and I handed out flyers for it. We then went to say thanks to the President of the garden club and picked up a voucher for a free bag of compost/mulch.
Of course, not being one to miss out on a photo opportunity, Michael captured this happy snap for me.
Vasili then mentioned that he had finished the article that we did together for his new magazine, Good Garden. He delayed publication because K-mart and Woolworths have taken it up, so it will now be out in July. He even mentioned that we should set up an episode of his show at my house with all of the sustainable living group. I will organise that very soon.
As I mentioned before, we had a great time, and catch up again when I help out the ACF GreenHome team. As Vasili would say, MARESI!!!
P.S. Sorry about not posting the podcast for this week. Adam and I will be working on part two tomorrow night.
Labels:
Gardening,
Organic,
vegetables
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Australian ETS Shelved
Well, I am not surprised that this scheme has been shelved. It was effectively a licence for big polluters to keep increasing emissions without any financial penalty.
You can see the full story at ABC Online titled "Labor puts ETS on the backburner"..
I can see that Climate Change will continue to be an election issue in the up coming Australian federal election, and that this about face by Labor could quite definately do them damage. All talk, no action, and absolutely no legislation.
I am disappointed to say the least, but even more determined to seek a positive outcome for life on Earth.
Garlic at the Co-op
Today's main post is over at the Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op, and is about how to plant and harvest garlic.
I hope you will pop over and visit and learn how easy it is to grow this wonderful and versatile vegetable.
Gav
Labels:
Simple Green Frugal Co-op,
vegetables
Sunday, 25 April 2010
My ANZAC Day
I attended the Dawn Service at Melton today with most of my children and my friend David and his son. This is a tradition that I have upheld since I left the Royal Australian Navy in 2000, which I believe to be important. It was a fantastic turn out, and is growing in numbers every year. Even our local Federal member, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard attended and gave a moving oration.
I served in the first Gulf War onboard HMAS Adelaide 1990-1991, as part of the Coalition forces who removed the Iraqis from Kuwait. We were patrolling the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf enforcing UN sanctions. Not a lot of action, but certainly scary times, and certainly not a something I would wish upon my kids. Try sleeping at night, on a warship, below the waterline, when you know that the enemy had placed sea mines in your vicinity. It doesn't make for a good nights sleep. Not even close to full blown combat, but your adrenaline pumps hard and fast quite a bit of the time.
Peace is something to be well respected in this day and age, but life is lived without a thought about this sacrifice except on this day, ANZAC Day. This day is one of remembrance, not the glorification of war.
I believe that by upholding this tradition, it sends a message to our children that sending anyone to fight in any conflict is not something to be rushed into and any decisions to do so should be thought about hard and long. They are the future, and it is up to us to show them the way.
Blessed are the Peacemakers, for sometimes they pay the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live in freedom.
I served in the first Gulf War onboard HMAS Adelaide 1990-1991, as part of the Coalition forces who removed the Iraqis from Kuwait. We were patrolling the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf enforcing UN sanctions. Not a lot of action, but certainly scary times, and certainly not a something I would wish upon my kids. Try sleeping at night, on a warship, below the waterline, when you know that the enemy had placed sea mines in your vicinity. It doesn't make for a good nights sleep. Not even close to full blown combat, but your adrenaline pumps hard and fast quite a bit of the time.
Peace is something to be well respected in this day and age, but life is lived without a thought about this sacrifice except on this day, ANZAC Day. This day is one of remembrance, not the glorification of war.
I believe that by upholding this tradition, it sends a message to our children that sending anyone to fight in any conflict is not something to be rushed into and any decisions to do so should be thought about hard and long. They are the future, and it is up to us to show them the way.
Blessed are the Peacemakers, for sometimes they pay the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live in freedom.
Labels:
ANZAC Day
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Gardeners Are The Future
Gardeners are on the frontline of climate change. They are actually experiencing it on a day to day level. Here is the reason why;
If you get up in the morning in your airconditioned house, and get into your airconditioned car, go to your airconditioned office, and then eat your junk food sandwich which is filled with genetically modified cornstarch and canola oil, and then go home and continue the cycle over again until you go to bed and awaken to start all again, you are not going to see a problem. No problem at all! You are not experiencing anything other than your own little bubble which is hermetically sealed from the real world.
Whereas, even if you lead the same sort of life, but additionally you spend one or two hours of your time outside with your hands in the soil growing things, you are going to notice that it is wetter, dryer, cold, warm or that the plants are flowering earlier or latter, as the seasons and climate patterns change. Gardeners have been noticing these trends for years.
Knowledge is about noticing, knowledge is joining the dots. That is real knowledge gardeners possess through experience and observation, so in a very domestic and modest way, gardeners have real radical power. Case in point, you only have to look at an old gardening book to realise, based on your experience, that the climate is changing. Garlic is said to be planted before the shortest day and harvested on the longest day. I believe that if you plant and harvest at the equinox, then you will actually get a crop worth harvesting. The tomato season is getting longer and longer due to a longer spring and warmer autumn, as are the growing season of other warm loving plants. Who had zucchini's produce for much longer this year and last? Also as the colder seasons get shorter, cold loving plants bolt to seed much quicker.
However, as our plants adapt to this new paradigm, so does the genetic code in their seeds. It is this genetic material that we save that make us invaluable in the period of change that is rapidly approaching us. In society this knowledge is lost, and it is up to us to educate family, friends and the community around us in these skills so that they do have a snowball's chance in the Sahara to adapt to food shortages.
So my final words of wisdom, are to cherish your garden. Learn and nurture it as it nurtures you, and take the time to congratulate yourself for gathering that fountain of knowledge, for all gardeners will be indispensable in the very near future!
Labels:
Change,
Gardening,
Peak Everything
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Weekly Podcast - Adam
In this weeks podcast we hear from Adam, who shares his thoughts on sustainable living. He is quite the comedian.
Don't forget that you can subscribe to these podcasts via the iTunes icon on the left sidebar, or you can listen to all episodes by visiting the archive.
Don't forget that you can subscribe to these podcasts via the iTunes icon on the left sidebar, or you can listen to all episodes by visiting the archive.
Labels:
Podcast,
Sustainable Living
Monday, 19 April 2010
Nestle and the Apes
Remenicent out of a scene from the movie Planet of the Apes, Greenpeace stepped up their campaign against Nestle's use of palm oil in their chocolate bars like Kit Kats. Essentially Greenpeace did what they do best, and crashed the shareholder meeting with a mass of Orangutangs!
Quite effective, don't you think? Nestle have since stopped directly using palm oil sourced from Indonesian supplier Sinar Mas, but are now indirectly buying it via other multi nationals.
Quite effective, don't you think? Nestle have since stopped directly using palm oil sourced from Indonesian supplier Sinar Mas, but are now indirectly buying it via other multi nationals.
Even though Nestle have pledged to only buy sustainable sourced palm oil by 2015, it will be too late for the majority of the Orangutangs and their habitat, with deforestation expected to continue and ape populations declining rapidly.
I hope Greenpeace and others who care about this species and other affected by deforestation continue to campaign to stop the rot!
I hope Greenpeace and others who care about this species and other affected by deforestation continue to campaign to stop the rot!
Source: Treehugger
Labels:
Environment,
Palm Oil
ACF GreenHome Workshops
You’re invited to four FREE workshops
You’ll be able to:
• learn from energy & gardening experts
• meet your neighbours
• tackle climate change and sustainability in new and creative ways with your community.
The Australian Conservation Foundation GreenHome program will help you reduce your environmental impact and take practical steps to save water and energy, produce less waste and grow local food.
Tuesday 11th May
Greening your home - part 1: Becoming energy efficient
Learn more about energy efficiency, workshop ideas and hear from energy experts.
Tuesday 18th May
Greening your home - part 2:
Gardening towards a sustainable future
Special guest: Vasili Kanidiadis – presenter of Vasili’s Garden SBS.
Hear form Vasili and other gardening guru’s about having a water efficient veggie patch, composting and
worm farming.
Tuesday 25th May
Community actions for tackling climate change - part 1
Hear from inspiring speakers and tackle climate change in new and creative ways with your community.
Tuesday 1st June
Community actions for tackling climate change - part 2
Network with your friends and neighbours and discover how your actions can make your neighbourhood a happier, healthier and more sustainable place to live.
All sessions run from 6.30 – 9.15pm
Come to all four workshops for your chance to win a worm farm, compost bin and great energy prizes
Where:
Caroline Springs Civic Centre & Library
193-201 Caroline Springs Blvd (Corner of Lake St)
Caroline Springs. Melways Ref. 356 G10
Light refreshments will be provided at each workshop.
Cost: FREE
Book online at www.acfonline.org.au/carolinesprings or call
Australian Conservation Foundation on 1800 223 669
RSVP by Friday 7th May as places are limited
Please forward to anyone else that may be interested.
Everyone attending will receive a free GreenHome guide and other giveaways.
For more information and ideas on sustainable living visit
www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome
P.S. I will be in attendance at all four workshops as part of his GreenHome Community Leaders commitment. If you would like to meet me, please come along if you live in the area!
Labels:
ACF,
GreenHome,
Sustainable Living
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Still Not Right
Sorry for not posting for a while, but my condition has been taking its toll.
The relief that I found after my hospital visit was short lived, with the abdominal pain returning about 3 days after discharge. It got so bad that on Wednesday, I called my Gastroenterologist and asked what else could be done. He said that he could do nothing further except recommend a Colorectal Surgeon to further treat this condition. Wonderful, I thought.
So back to my GP, who I told my story to from the beginning, told him that the pain had returned and that I would like a referral and some pain relief. My doctor even gave me some more anti-biotics, two types in fact to try and settle down the pain. This would now be the 6th course of antibiotics that I have been on in five weeks. That can't be healthy in itself. On my way out of the clinic I gave him a jar of fig jam and told him it came from the fig tree out the front of the building. He was well impressed and started showing the other doctors.
Anyway, I managed to get an appointment with the Surgeon for the 22nd April, so hope to get a few more answers from him. I met him when I was in hospital, and he has a great bedside manner and explained everything the the nth degree. At least I will be in good hands.
So, as expected, the antibiotics have not worked at all, but the pain relief has been welcome. I have been feeling horrible all week, and have not done as much gardening this weekend as I had hoped. I have found that I have had to have a rest in the afternoon, or I just don't make it through the day. At least I managed to get some snow peas and two types of cabbages in the ground where the old pumpkin patch had once been. I had lots of help from the chooks and Ben, who as promised helped me remove the old bean stalks, and planted the seeds and seedlings. He is so looking forward to helping himself to the snow peas, as are all of us.
Hopefully, this week will shed some more light on the road to recovery. I can definitely say that I am well over diverticulitis! At least I can still manage a podcast each week, which keeps the creative juices flowing. Oh, and of course there is my day job. Who could forget that.
The relief that I found after my hospital visit was short lived, with the abdominal pain returning about 3 days after discharge. It got so bad that on Wednesday, I called my Gastroenterologist and asked what else could be done. He said that he could do nothing further except recommend a Colorectal Surgeon to further treat this condition. Wonderful, I thought.
So back to my GP, who I told my story to from the beginning, told him that the pain had returned and that I would like a referral and some pain relief. My doctor even gave me some more anti-biotics, two types in fact to try and settle down the pain. This would now be the 6th course of antibiotics that I have been on in five weeks. That can't be healthy in itself. On my way out of the clinic I gave him a jar of fig jam and told him it came from the fig tree out the front of the building. He was well impressed and started showing the other doctors.
Anyway, I managed to get an appointment with the Surgeon for the 22nd April, so hope to get a few more answers from him. I met him when I was in hospital, and he has a great bedside manner and explained everything the the nth degree. At least I will be in good hands.
So, as expected, the antibiotics have not worked at all, but the pain relief has been welcome. I have been feeling horrible all week, and have not done as much gardening this weekend as I had hoped. I have found that I have had to have a rest in the afternoon, or I just don't make it through the day. At least I managed to get some snow peas and two types of cabbages in the ground where the old pumpkin patch had once been. I had lots of help from the chooks and Ben, who as promised helped me remove the old bean stalks, and planted the seeds and seedlings. He is so looking forward to helping himself to the snow peas, as are all of us.
Hopefully, this week will shed some more light on the road to recovery. I can definitely say that I am well over diverticulitis! At least I can still manage a podcast each week, which keeps the creative juices flowing. Oh, and of course there is my day job. Who could forget that.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Weekly Podcast - Ben
This weeks podcast is a candid interview with my 10 year old son Ben, who explains about his favourite parts about living sustainably!
Don't forget that you can subscribe to these podcasts via the iTunes icon on the left sidebar, or you can listen to all episodes by visiting the archive.
Don't forget that you can subscribe to these podcasts via the iTunes icon on the left sidebar, or you can listen to all episodes by visiting the archive.
Labels:
Family,
Podcast,
Sustainable Living
Monday, 12 April 2010
Feed-in Tariff Credits
The verdict is in. The Solar PV feed-in tariff was certainly worth all of the pain that I went through to sign up for it. Since the 21st of January, when our new meter was installed we have utilised the following;
Imported from the national grid (100% GreenPower) = 1242.7 kWh @ 24.88c per kWh = $309.18 debit.
Exported to the national grid (my solar PV) = 488.3 kWh @ 66c per kWh = $322.28 credit.
Not taking into account the network connection fee of about $50 for the quarter, that is a grand total profit or credit of $13.09! As the meter has been read today, I should receive the bill in the next week. Fingers crossed that my calculations are the same as the electricity retailers.
Not bad for the hottest Summer on record, and the longest warm spell of days over 20C ever in Melbourne. The air-conditioner got a workout for a fair bit of the billing period due to Kim's MS as we tried to keep her cool and reduce the fatigue. Not very energy efficient, but that is just the way it is.
I am going to monitor our electricity usage weekly for this quarter so that I can determine whether we will remain in the black. This billing period is usually our best season for energy efficiency, due to cooler weather, and with mainly sunny days, there is a good chance that we will export a fair bit of electricity during the day.
Solar PV is definitely worth the investment if you can afford it. Now that most states in Australia have some sort of feed-in tariff, the payback period for your investment will be even shorter.
Labels:
feed-in tariffs,
Photovoltaic,
Solar Power
Friday, 9 April 2010
Discharged
After 3 days and 2 nights in hospital, I am now home again. The antibiotics settled down the infection and the colonoscopy revealed a minor infection with a few diverticulum present in the lower bowel. Nothing too much to worry about at this stage, I just have to make sure I have plenty of fibre in my diet. Good as gold.
As the old saying goes, there is no place like home. So true, and it is good to be back. A few tears of joy upon my return by Kim, a big hug and I felt complete.
I spent the afternoon pottering around the garden and observing. The only real work I did, was clean out the chook house which only took about 30 minutes. The rest of the time has been spent resting watching the chooks free range for about three hours.
The garlic is up, as are all of the onion, leek and beetroot. I found some rather sturdy tomato plants that had self seeded and potted them up and put them in the greenhouse. I will plant some more tomato seeds in the greenhouse when the moon is right.
So for the rest of the day, I rested. More gardening tomorrow though. I will be preparing some new beds, pulling out the rest of the old pumpkin vines and turning through some more manure. All ready for the broccoli and some cabbages in a few weeks time.
I love growing my own food. The garden is what I missed the most when I was laid up, and of course Kim and the kids! There is nothing quite like it.
As the old saying goes, there is no place like home. So true, and it is good to be back. A few tears of joy upon my return by Kim, a big hug and I felt complete.
I spent the afternoon pottering around the garden and observing. The only real work I did, was clean out the chook house which only took about 30 minutes. The rest of the time has been spent resting watching the chooks free range for about three hours.
The garlic is up, as are all of the onion, leek and beetroot. I found some rather sturdy tomato plants that had self seeded and potted them up and put them in the greenhouse. I will plant some more tomato seeds in the greenhouse when the moon is right.
So for the rest of the day, I rested. More gardening tomorrow though. I will be preparing some new beds, pulling out the rest of the old pumpkin vines and turning through some more manure. All ready for the broccoli and some cabbages in a few weeks time.
I love growing my own food. The garden is what I missed the most when I was laid up, and of course Kim and the kids! There is nothing quite like it.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Hospital
So, unexpectedly, here I lay in hospital getting treated for my condition. I feel privilaged and thankful that I have my own room, cable TV, wireless Internet, nice food and great doctors and staff to look after me. Many people in the world could be so lucky.
I should be in here for about 2-3 days, so if I am a bit scarce then I know you will understand. Somehow I think that with all this time on my hands, the blogging will increase! You will get sick of my ramblings, I am sure.
Kim is worried (of course), but I know that I am in good hands, and that they will sort it out very soon.
Take care everyone, and keep it green
Gav
I should be in here for about 2-3 days, so if I am a bit scarce then I know you will understand. Somehow I think that with all this time on my hands, the blogging will increase! You will get sick of my ramblings, I am sure.
Kim is worried (of course), but I know that I am in good hands, and that they will sort it out very soon.
Take care everyone, and keep it green
Gav
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Weekly Podcast - An Interview with Kim
Here is this week's podcast. Kim and I discuss why and how she joined me on the sustainable living journey.
Labels:
Kim,
Podcast,
Sustainable Living
Stop...
.. and think of the others on this planet that we are harming. I will let you be the judge about the message that this video is trying to get across. I personally think it works.
Please note: some viewers may find this video disturbing.
It is hard hitting, and emotional. Just the sort of message to make you think about what can be done about this big issue and then actually go and do something about it.
Please note: some viewers may find this video disturbing.
It is hard hitting, and emotional. Just the sort of message to make you think about what can be done about this big issue and then actually go and do something about it.
Labels:
climate change
Monday, 5 April 2010
Fruits 'R' Us
Today I planted four more fruit trees. That takes the tally up to 19 fruit trees on our 779 sqm block! We have 10 in pots and 9 in the ground.
The four that we planted today are two navel oranges (centre), one mandarin (left) and one blood orange (right). Here is a picture of them across the back of the fence.
This took Adam and I the good part of an hour. We used a good organic soil mix that drains well and I added about 3 handfuls of worm castings over the top of each pot as citrus has roots close to the surface and feeds well by a top application of organic fertiliser.
After lunch, I spent some time pottering around the new greenhouse. I set up a 210 litre water butt that captured rain from the greenhouse so that I can water the plants inside.
I used left over grey water pipe that I had in the shed and connected it to the gutter with clamps.
I tested it with the hose, however all the water drained to the front of the gutter where I had blocked up the holes. So a few bangs with the rubber mallet on the back of the frame soon sorted that problem out. It now drains towards the pipe, and into the water butt.
I then put the frames of the old seed raising tents into the greenhouse so that I could stack the seedling trays on.
Over the next few weeks there should be many more trays of seedlings including some capsicums that I have in a pot about to flower and I will plant out a few pots of tomatoes.
It was quite hot in there at midday. It got to about 37C on a 26C day. A little too hot for most seedlings except for tropical fare. I opened up the top window and the doors and it still only got down to 32C. Trial and error will get the temperature control right.
Kim set up a nice arrangement with the cyclamins that I bought her today. We found an old chair in the pool area and she set it up like this.
Very nice female touch I thought.
Tomorrow, as I am on holidays for a week, I will put a couple of pavers in front of the door and clean up the rest of the garage area. I will also be up at the crack of dawn to clean out the chook house so that I can use the bedding in the fallow bed. I will also add some coconut mulch to each of the new citrus tree pots to keep the moisture in the soil.
It should be another eventful day!
The four that we planted today are two navel oranges (centre), one mandarin (left) and one blood orange (right). Here is a picture of them across the back of the fence.
This took Adam and I the good part of an hour. We used a good organic soil mix that drains well and I added about 3 handfuls of worm castings over the top of each pot as citrus has roots close to the surface and feeds well by a top application of organic fertiliser.
After lunch, I spent some time pottering around the new greenhouse. I set up a 210 litre water butt that captured rain from the greenhouse so that I can water the plants inside.
I used left over grey water pipe that I had in the shed and connected it to the gutter with clamps.
I tested it with the hose, however all the water drained to the front of the gutter where I had blocked up the holes. So a few bangs with the rubber mallet on the back of the frame soon sorted that problem out. It now drains towards the pipe, and into the water butt.
I then put the frames of the old seed raising tents into the greenhouse so that I could stack the seedling trays on.
Over the next few weeks there should be many more trays of seedlings including some capsicums that I have in a pot about to flower and I will plant out a few pots of tomatoes.
It was quite hot in there at midday. It got to about 37C on a 26C day. A little too hot for most seedlings except for tropical fare. I opened up the top window and the doors and it still only got down to 32C. Trial and error will get the temperature control right.
Kim set up a nice arrangement with the cyclamins that I bought her today. We found an old chair in the pool area and she set it up like this.
Very nice female touch I thought.
Tomorrow, as I am on holidays for a week, I will put a couple of pavers in front of the door and clean up the rest of the garage area. I will also be up at the crack of dawn to clean out the chook house so that I can use the bedding in the fallow bed. I will also add some coconut mulch to each of the new citrus tree pots to keep the moisture in the soil.
It should be another eventful day!
Labels:
fruit,
Greenhouse,
Sustainable Living
My Greenhouse
What a momentous day! The greenhouse raising was tiring, yet fun. What a great way to spend my little part of the Plasma Bonus curtsey of the Australian Government. We bought the kit in November, but have only just got around to putting it together. It took us a total of six hours to construct, including about 30 minutes of breaks. The Sun was fading fast as we put the finishing touches on it, but we managed to get it all completed before sunset. Everyone pitched in and no-one complained at all. Well done team TGOG.
I can't wait to plant my first tomatoes over winter! Please enjoy the little panorama of images that captures the days events.
I can't wait to plant my first tomatoes over winter! Please enjoy the little panorama of images that captures the days events.
Labels:
Greenhouse
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Autumn Garden
I love this time of year. The weather has cooled down to the low 20's, but the ground is still a nice warm 18C. Just right for planting the winter crop. Top cap it off, my fatigue is abating, and the anti-biotics are starting to finally work.
As the moon is just right for root crops, I have been busy in the garden putting in about 50 cloves of garlic, about 50 beetroot, both Detroit Red Globe and Chioggia. I also planted Elephant leek, Hunter River brown onions, and red onions into punnets. I will plant them out in about 4 weeks time.
However, before I could put anything into the beds, I had to prep them first. Two weeks ago, I removed all the spent tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplants and just left the beds for a week to rest. Then I applied blood and bone, and some dolomite lime and watered it in. Then this week, I removed the mulch from the summer crop and put it in the compost bins to rot down. After a light rake to level the soil, and not wanting to disturb the soil much more than that, I started to build the irrigation system for each bed. This took me quite a while because I had to ensure even coverage with drippers, but could not achieve this with out putting in a few micro-sprays that seem to work okay under low pressure.
Once I had confirmed that the entire bed had adequate irrigation, I got out my trusty dibber made from the end of an old broom handle, and made a hole about 7cm deep next to every drip head. I had kept the largest bulbs of garlic from my last harvest, and pulled off the largest cloves and planted them pointy end up into each hole. I backfilled and watered well. They should show their green tips in about a week, if last year is anything to go by. Here is the finished bed. You will notice that I have used bits of irrigation system that I had on hand. Whatever works I reckon.
The irrigation for the beetroot bed was much easier after the first practice, and I planted two rows of each type into the bed. I left a bit of space for some of the leeks that I will plant right next to the drip heads. Hopefully I will get a bigger crop than last year! There were already some leeks sprouting from last year so I transplanted them next to a dripper. They should do alright, as I did the same thing last year and got some massive leeks.
Here is the rest of the garden. First, bed #4 that still has some large spring onions, celery and cayenne peppers growing in it. We are slowly harvesting the celery and the spring onions, and I am waiting for the peppers to ripen. This bed will have broad beans planted in it towards the end of the month.
The final bed is laid fallow at the moment, waiting for the onions and leeks that I planted in punnets. I will have to fix up the irrigation in this bed before I put in the seedlings. Note the seedlings in front of the bed, and the plate of peppers drying in the sun!
Here is the view of the garden looking towards the front of the house. Lots of herbs in pots.
Once I had planted everything I need to, I noticed that the pumpkin vines were beginning to die off, so I decided to harvest the remaining pumpkins. Firstly, two butternuts that grew from compost that I had spread in the bed I just prepared for the garlic.
On the other side of the house the large pumpkin patch had come to an end, so I harvested these beauties.
Two Queensland Blue and two Australian Butter pumpkins. That makes a grand total of 12 pumpkins for the season. We certainly will not be short of pumpkin soup or roast pumpkin this year. Think of all those yummy pumpkin seeds ready for roasting as well!
Now all the while that I was in the garden, Kim was whipping up a treat. It wouldn't be Good Friday without the traditional hot cross buns, so she made a batch of 16 buns. The glace is made from cinnamon, mixed spice, icing sugar and water.
Being very hungry, I ate three with butter while they were still piping hot! Delicious. What a great treat after a hard days work.
Over the course of the Easter break, we are erecting a 6' x 8' greenhouse. There will be a post about it on Monday. We should be well knackered by then!
As the moon is just right for root crops, I have been busy in the garden putting in about 50 cloves of garlic, about 50 beetroot, both Detroit Red Globe and Chioggia. I also planted Elephant leek, Hunter River brown onions, and red onions into punnets. I will plant them out in about 4 weeks time.
However, before I could put anything into the beds, I had to prep them first. Two weeks ago, I removed all the spent tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplants and just left the beds for a week to rest. Then I applied blood and bone, and some dolomite lime and watered it in. Then this week, I removed the mulch from the summer crop and put it in the compost bins to rot down. After a light rake to level the soil, and not wanting to disturb the soil much more than that, I started to build the irrigation system for each bed. This took me quite a while because I had to ensure even coverage with drippers, but could not achieve this with out putting in a few micro-sprays that seem to work okay under low pressure.
Once I had confirmed that the entire bed had adequate irrigation, I got out my trusty dibber made from the end of an old broom handle, and made a hole about 7cm deep next to every drip head. I had kept the largest bulbs of garlic from my last harvest, and pulled off the largest cloves and planted them pointy end up into each hole. I backfilled and watered well. They should show their green tips in about a week, if last year is anything to go by. Here is the finished bed. You will notice that I have used bits of irrigation system that I had on hand. Whatever works I reckon.
The irrigation for the beetroot bed was much easier after the first practice, and I planted two rows of each type into the bed. I left a bit of space for some of the leeks that I will plant right next to the drip heads. Hopefully I will get a bigger crop than last year! There were already some leeks sprouting from last year so I transplanted them next to a dripper. They should do alright, as I did the same thing last year and got some massive leeks.
Here is the rest of the garden. First, bed #4 that still has some large spring onions, celery and cayenne peppers growing in it. We are slowly harvesting the celery and the spring onions, and I am waiting for the peppers to ripen. This bed will have broad beans planted in it towards the end of the month.
The final bed is laid fallow at the moment, waiting for the onions and leeks that I planted in punnets. I will have to fix up the irrigation in this bed before I put in the seedlings. Note the seedlings in front of the bed, and the plate of peppers drying in the sun!
Here is the view of the garden looking towards the front of the house. Lots of herbs in pots.
Once I had planted everything I need to, I noticed that the pumpkin vines were beginning to die off, so I decided to harvest the remaining pumpkins. Firstly, two butternuts that grew from compost that I had spread in the bed I just prepared for the garlic.
On the other side of the house the large pumpkin patch had come to an end, so I harvested these beauties.
Two Queensland Blue and two Australian Butter pumpkins. That makes a grand total of 12 pumpkins for the season. We certainly will not be short of pumpkin soup or roast pumpkin this year. Think of all those yummy pumpkin seeds ready for roasting as well!
Now all the while that I was in the garden, Kim was whipping up a treat. It wouldn't be Good Friday without the traditional hot cross buns, so she made a batch of 16 buns. The glace is made from cinnamon, mixed spice, icing sugar and water.
Being very hungry, I ate three with butter while they were still piping hot! Delicious. What a great treat after a hard days work.
Over the course of the Easter break, we are erecting a 6' x 8' greenhouse. There will be a post about it on Monday. We should be well knackered by then!
Labels:
160km Diet,
Gardening,
vegetables
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Fig Jam
I could start off with a joke about the title, but I won't. I am too modest for that.
I was waiting at the Station Medical Centre on Monday, and always on the look out for local food, I spied a decent sized fig tree that was laden with fruit. It was a grand tree, and quite possibly I was the only person around that actually knew what it was, and what delights that could be made from the humble fig.
I remembered a conversation that I had a few months back with my GP and I asked if anyone had claims to the fruit that was growing around the surgery. He told me to help myself, so never one to pass up an opportunity for a good scrump, I grabbed a bag out of the boot of the car and proceed to pick as many figs as I could.
The birds were having a right go of the higher up fruit, but thankfully most of the figs that were within my reach were unharmed. I picked about 1.5 kilograms and put the bag back into the car. Kim could see me from inside the clinic and thought I was up to something naughty. Even Ben went inside to tell on me! Kim, who was too honest for her own good, just confirmed with her GP if it was okay if I could help myself to the figs. He also confirmed that it was alright to lighten the trees burden! That gives me a bit two GP thumbs up for scrumping!
When I got home, I washed the figs in cold water to remove anything the birds may have left behind, and then put about a kilo into a big bowl and poured boiling water over them. This was to soften them up and to make them easier to peel for the jam making. Here is the recipe that I invented for my bread-maker. It reminds me of the fig jam that my mum made when I was growing up on the dairy farm.
It is so good that Kim has already managed to sell a jar for $5 to her friend! I was impressed with her entrepreneurial skills. Well done love, but this stuff is like gold, so lets keep the rest for us please. I think I will give a jar to our Doctors as a big thank you for the figs. I bet it won't last very long!
I will continue to be on the lookout for neglected fruit trees that need my special kind of TLC.
I was waiting at the Station Medical Centre on Monday, and always on the look out for local food, I spied a decent sized fig tree that was laden with fruit. It was a grand tree, and quite possibly I was the only person around that actually knew what it was, and what delights that could be made from the humble fig.
I remembered a conversation that I had a few months back with my GP and I asked if anyone had claims to the fruit that was growing around the surgery. He told me to help myself, so never one to pass up an opportunity for a good scrump, I grabbed a bag out of the boot of the car and proceed to pick as many figs as I could.
The birds were having a right go of the higher up fruit, but thankfully most of the figs that were within my reach were unharmed. I picked about 1.5 kilograms and put the bag back into the car. Kim could see me from inside the clinic and thought I was up to something naughty. Even Ben went inside to tell on me! Kim, who was too honest for her own good, just confirmed with her GP if it was okay if I could help myself to the figs. He also confirmed that it was alright to lighten the trees burden! That gives me a bit two GP thumbs up for scrumping!
When I got home, I washed the figs in cold water to remove anything the birds may have left behind, and then put about a kilo into a big bowl and poured boiling water over them. This was to soften them up and to make them easier to peel for the jam making. Here is the recipe that I invented for my bread-maker. It reminds me of the fig jam that my mum made when I was growing up on the dairy farm.
Fig Jam
makes 6 cups
800gm peeled figs
500gm white sugar
2 tablespoons Jamsetta
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Place all ingredients into the bread-maker and select the JAM setting, press start and wait until it finishes.
Sterilise jars, and pour hot jam into them. Seal with pop-button lids and button will pop down as jam cools indicating a vacuum and proper seal.
This jam is wonderful on scones with cream, and nice served with a cheese platter. You can just taste the hint of ginger that really complements the figs.
It is so good that Kim has already managed to sell a jar for $5 to her friend! I was impressed with her entrepreneurial skills. Well done love, but this stuff is like gold, so lets keep the rest for us please. I think I will give a jar to our Doctors as a big thank you for the figs. I bet it won't last very long!
I will continue to be on the lookout for neglected fruit trees that need my special kind of TLC.
Labels:
160km Diet,
Locavore,
Preserving
Friday, 2 April 2010
Pickled!
As is normal for autumn, it is time for pickling chillies.
This last year in spring I planted 6 jalapeños seedlings, and have reaped a bumper harvest. I also still had a jalapeño bush that is now three years old and still going strong, but I am leaving all of the pods on it to ripen to red so I can make some more hot chilli chutney.
I also had a handful of red onions that were too small to do much with, so I decided to take them out of storage and make my usual pickled onions with them.
Here is the result.
This last year in spring I planted 6 jalapeños seedlings, and have reaped a bumper harvest. I also still had a jalapeño bush that is now three years old and still going strong, but I am leaving all of the pods on it to ripen to red so I can make some more hot chilli chutney.
I also had a handful of red onions that were too small to do much with, so I decided to take them out of storage and make my usual pickled onions with them.
Here is the result.
I think they look great, and they will be ready in about a month. I am not sure what I am going to do with them all, but they do keep for up to a year. The chillies are great in cooking and on pizzas, and anything else you would use raw chilli in. The flavour remains intact however the Scoville rating is reduced because of the pickling vinegar preparation. It took me about two hours from picking to bottling, mainly because you have to wait until the pickling vinegar is at room temperature until you add it to the peppers and onions.
I am looking forward to trying them out in a months time.
Labels:
160km Diet,
Organic,
Preserving,
vegetables
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