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Archives for March 2014

Our Home-grown Jonathan Apples

March 31, 2014 @ 20:45 By Gavin Webber 16 Comments

Home grown Jonathan apple circa 2009

Home grown Jonathan apple circa 2009

It’s apple season at the house of GoG!  I have three apple trees, however only one is doing well, the Jonathan apple.  The other two (granny smith and cox orange pipin) will be moved from the front yards during winter as they are being starved of water and nutrients from a large tree quite close to them.

We planted this tree back in 2007, so it is now seven years old.  I have been using organics methods to grow it.  That means no pesticide sprays, no artificial fertiliser, and lots of love.  I purchased it as a grafted tree from Diggers Club, then planted it about four metres from an ANZAC Peach tree, also on dwarf root-stock.

It has grown well in this position next to the small chicken house.  It has found lots of moisture from the downpipe that is near it, and fertilizer from chooks.

The tree has reached a height of around 3 metres, and a diameter of about 2 metres.  During the last few years, I have been shaping it so that it stays like this.

The chickens keep the codling moth away from the base, with their scratching antics, which limits damage via this pest.  However, the biggest pest are these rainbow lorikeets.  They bring all their friends and have a party in the tree during the height of summer, when food is scarce, and when the fruit is still developing.  They take bites out of as many of the small green apples as they can, not happy with a single fruit.  If you let them, they would eat the entire crop.

Rainbow Lorikeet

 What we have to do is bag each individual apple to protect it from the birds.  I use simple cloth sacks that you can tie with a bit of cloth around each piece of fruit.  You can read about it in this post titled Pest Control for Apples.

Home grown Jonathan Apple with protective bag

Home grown Jonathan Apple with protective bag picked in 2012

So what do the apples look like this year?

Well, the photo below is a sample fresh off the tree yesterday and compared to a commercially grown Jonathan apple.  My apple is the one on the left.  Not much of a contest really, is there?

Home grown Jonathan apple compared to commercially grown Jonathan

Home grown Jonathan apple (L) compared to commercially grown Jonathan (R)

They are absolutely massive!  We have been eating one a night, sharing it among four people.  They are deliciously juicy, and crunchy.  Who needs sprayed and waxed piddly little apples, when you can have your very own home-grown Jonathan apples!

Do you grow apples where you live, and what sort of success have you had with your crop?

 

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Filed Under: fruit, Gardening, Organic, Sustainable Living

TGoG Podcast 056 – Soap Making at Home

March 26, 2014 @ 22:08 By Gavin Webber 7 Comments

The Greening of Gavin PodcastThis episode was all about soap making at home, and I was lucky to have Kim on the show today as my co-host.

We talk about how we got into soap making, the basic process, some early failures and successes, safety suggestions, and some advanced soap making techniques that we use.

Listen to the Episode Below (00:21:42)
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I also mentioned a few links during the show;

  • We bought our first kit at Simply Natural Soap Making Supplies
  • We make our own wooden soap moulds; read about them at this post – Making My Soap Box
  • Our recipe and soap making video tutorial,
  • and our upcoming soap making workshops over at Little Green Workshops

Soap Making at Home

We have been using our own soap now for over four years, and I even wash my hair with it as well.  It is a great moisturising bar that doesn’t tighten your skin after washing.

Kim and I love our natural soap, with no added nasties.  We always source sustainable ingredients, and only use vegetable oils in our soap.  Not only is it good for us, but it is good for the environment.

Don’t forget that you can leave a comment if you would like to hear anything in particular or have any questions about soap making at home that you would like answered on the show.

You can subscribe to the show via RSS or iTunes or Stitcher.  Just use the subscription buttons below.

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Now if you really like this episode or the podcast in general, then I would really appreciate your help by leaving a review within iTunes or Stitcher.  This would draw attention to the podcast and therefore promote the benefits of living a more sustainable lifestyle to many others who otherwise would miss out on the fun!

Until next time, stay keen and keep it green.  As always, feedback is welcome via comment.  I have to convince Kim to appear on the show more often somehow!

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Filed Under: Podcast, Soap Making, Sustainable Living, TGOG Podcast

Green Quick Tips – Bikes and Vegetables for Newbie Gardeners

March 25, 2014 @ 21:30 By Gavin Webber Leave a Comment

Green Quick Tips podcastThis weeks Green Quick Tips podcast episodes are simple and easy to achieve.  Less than 5 minutes long, and easy on the ears!

Firstly we have tips about moving around under your own steam, and then two episodes for the newbie food gardener.

GQT 18 – Green Quick Tip for Getting on Your Bike.  Taking your bike for a spin has many benefits.  Not only do you reduce fuel costs, you maintain fitness, reduce the chance of heart disease, and you get to see things you otherwise wouldn’t see in a car.

Now here are some tips for some of the easiest and most abundant vegetables that a newbie gardener can grow.  I have had such great success with these vegetables, that I plant them all as staples every season.

GQT 19 – Green Quick Tips for Garlic, Silverbeet, and radishes.  Tips for the newbie food gardener to help your get growing delicious fare in no time.

GQT 20 – Green Quick Tips for Pumpkins, Zucchini, and Beans.  Tips for the newbie food gardener to help your get growing delicious fare in no time.

So there you have it.  Another exciting week of Green Quick Tips.  If you enjoyed the episode, please feel free to leave a comment, or leave a question that you think others would benefit from and I will include the topic in a future episode.  I love answering your questions, so don’t be shy.  Oh, and there is no such thing as a dumb question.  We all have various skill levels, so who better to ask than someone with experience and who gives freely.

If you want to subscribe to this podcast in your podcatcher, you can use the native RSS feed.

Alternatively, you can now subscribe using the buttons below if you use these services.
Let me know if you are enjoying this podcast series.  I enjoy producing them, so if you like them, I will keep going with more green quick tips each week.
Until next time, stay keen and go green!

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Filed Under: bicycle, Green Quick Tips, Podcast, Transport, vegetables

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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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