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Question and Answer Time – Part 1

April 7, 2011 @ 21:11 By Gavin Webber Leave a Comment

Over the last few weeks I have received quite a few emails that contained questions that the owners have had no objection with me sharing with you all.  So here goes;

Jo writes

“Hi,
I recently made a batch of Camembert, they were aging nicely in my “cheese cave”, then suddenly developed blue spots on them. Someone said it was probably too humid, which the weather has been lately, so i removed the blue spots and the rind hasn’t grown back yet. I have put them in the fridge, which I know is way too cold. The blue mould hasn’t come back, but I think I may have removed too much rind. The cheeses still smell like Camembert.”

Hi to you Jo,

With mold cheeses, I find it best if you put it into its own container with a little bowl of water. This way, no foreign molds can infect your cheese. Have a look at how I did it in the post. I don’t think that your Camembert rind will grow back as it sounds like you scraped off the rind which contains the Penicillium Candidum.  Best to try again and keep the cheese separate.

Gav

Jennifer writes,

“Hi Gavin,

I think that my chickens have Roost mites.
I’ll I know about this subject I learnt from googling around, but I believe I have to treat the coop.
Do you know any organic treatments?

Sincerly, Jennifer”

Hi Jennifer,

You can tell if you have mites in the hen house if you sometimes see little
black spots moving on the eggs. Upon closer inspection the little beasties
will be everywhere. I have used a method that was quite successful.

Mix up Tea Tree Oil at a ratio of [1:10]0 with water, 10ml oil to 1 litre of
hot water, and spray that all around the inside of the chicken coop.
Repeat in about 4 to 5 days with another dose.

To fumigate the birds, add a couple of handfuls of dolomite lime to their
dust bath area, and around the bottom of their living/play area.

These methods are harmless to the birds and also to you.

Gav

And finally,  Lou writes;

“Hi there Gavin,

I have been reading your blog for a while you are a champion with all your new-found green skills.

I want to be more green/self sufficient for environmental and financial reasons but feel a bit overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.

Do you have any suggestions or recommended reading on how to get started?

Thanks Gavin.

Lou xox”

Well Lou, a big question indeed.

May I recommend that you start by tackling a small project first, and then once successful, work on another small project, and then another.  I am sure you get the idea.  Every great journey begins with one small step, so go ahead and take that step, and you will probably look back in 6 months time and think, “Hey.  I did that!” and feel very proud of yourself.  I know I did when I first started out. 

Pick a project that you know you will have a fair amount of success.  It maybe something as simple as growing some herbs, or monitoring you electricity meter each week and trying to make small efficiencies.  If you have read a chunk of this blog, you will soon come to the conclusion that at first I didn’t know all the answers and just gave it a go through trial and error.  However, I only have one real sage piece of advice.  Do your research before you start!  Borrow some library books about the project you want to attempt, and learn a few tips and tricks from the authors.  They have done it before and will probably be able to articulate the pitfalls much better than I.  I believe this is the main reason that I have such a high success rate with my projects.

I wish you every success, Gav x

That is the lot for now.  If anyone else has any burning questions, please send them through to the email address listed on the left hand sidebar, and I will be happy to answer them publicly or privately if you really insist.

Hope you enjoyed that as much as I did.  Until next time remember this little quote;

“You must do the things you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

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Filed Under: Sustainable Living

← TGoG Podcast 012 – Missing Mojo TGoG Podcast 013 – An Interview with Kate (Vegetable Vagabond) →

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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