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Archives for March 2016

Back in the Saddle and a New Business Venture

March 30, 2016 @ 13:10 By Gavin Webber 6 Comments

Well friends, we’re back!

Kim and I have been out of action for the last few weeks due to both coming down with the flu at the same time.  It knocked the stuffing out of us and had to spend a bit of time recovering.

The veggie patch has been sorely neglected, with just enough energy each morning to feed the chooks, and collect the eggs.  Then it was back into bed for the day!  This was our routine for about a week.

About two weeks after first being quarantined, We ventured out and taught a cold process soap making course a couple of weekends back.  We struggled through the session, but got there in the end.

Six wonderful students walked away with 1 kg blocks of soap ready for curing and use in about 4 weeks.  Normally we teach two classes in one day, but we had the foresight to transfer those student to term 2.  Unfortunately we also had to cancel a Bath, Soak, and Scrub course as well.  We just didn’t have the strength.

Gavin and Kim

All better now!

Anyway, we have fully recovered and have been getting our strength back now over the last couple of weeks.  Just in time for an Easter break of a week where we tried to catch up with pressing Little Green Workshops business requirements and fulfilling customer orders.  The only problem with being your own boss is that getting sick is something you just have to deal with.

We have also turned our renewed energy to plan the launch of a new business venture that we’ve been working on since January, but more about that in a future post.  We are nearly ready to reveal what we have been working on.  It has something to do with green gift boxes.

Little Green Gift Box

Our new business venture, Little Green Gift Box

Anyway, besides working on that venture over Easter, Ben and I demolished the small chicken house, partly because the chooks don’t use it anymore as they have Cluckingham Palace to roam around in and I wanted to free up some space, and partly because I needed to get to the old Blood Plum tree.

You see, the old tree, which we estimate to have been planted in the early 1970’s, is now full of borer beetles.  There is a cavity in the main trunk that I can put my hand into which goes about ¾ of the way in.  I have also found sawdust in some of the main limbs, which is probably why this old tree has not been fruiting very well over the past couple of years.

Demolished Chook house

Where the Old Chook House used to be.

We’ve made the decision to cut it down, use the big bits for firewood in the clay oven after six months of seasoning, and replace it with an apple, another blood plum, and probably a pear or cherry.  We have a golden delicious apple and a blood plum in the front orchard that we’re going to transplant because they are too close to a deciduous tree that is fully mature.  The big tree is robbing the smaller ones of water and stunting their growth.

It will be sad to see the old plum tree go, but at least we will be able to replace it with three espalier trees against the front of Cluckingham Palace.  We just have to remove the old tree, and wait until the existing trees go dormant so I can dig them up and transplant.  Best to wait until mid winter to do that.

One thing I have been pondering is the future of the Greening of Gavin podcast.  We haven’t recorded an episode since the Christmas Special, and feel that a three-month hiatus is probably not too long a break before starting up again.  There have been longer breaks in between episodes, so we’ll just have get back into the studio and record a few episodes to get things rolling again!

Anyway, that’s whats been going on around here since I last posted.  Sick, slow then go, go, go.

I’ll let you all know when the launch of the new e-commerce site occurs.  We’re very excited.

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Filed Under: Chickens, Health, Little Green Workshops, Sustainable Living

Autumn Garden Update 2016

March 17, 2016 @ 21:46 By Gavin Webber 9 Comments

I’ve managed to put some time aside for one of life’s simple pleasures; Food gardening.  I also thought it was about time I gave you an Autumn garden update about the state of my food growing efforts.

Autumn Garden 2016

So here is a series of photos that I took on Monday to show you what is growing and what we are harvesting in the Autumn garden.

We’ve had very hot weather during March, but starting to get a little rain now after a very dry summer.  All three of my rainwater were running low as I had to water every day to keep it all alive.  Thankfully we’ve had about 15mm of rain in the last couple of weeks to fill them half way.

With climate records broken in January and February, who knows what the future will bring?

VegTrug with lettuce

VegTrug with lettuce

The two VegTrug that I fixed with shade cloth are allowing the soil within them to stay moist, which helps the pick-again lettuce to grow strong and not bolt to seed too early.  I find that this method of mostly shade for lettuce really slows down their natural tendency to bolt and turn bitter.  These plants only receive about 3 hours direct sunlight a day, but are doing well.  We pick the leaves every other day.

Tommy Toe Tomatoes

Tommy Toe Tomatoes

One of my favourite varieties of tomato are Tommy Toe, which is an heirloom variety.  Bigger than a cherry tomatoes and more flavoursome.  I planted four seedlings in early January (succession planting) to ensure a continued crop until mid Autumn.

Garlic Chives in flower

Garlic Chives in flower

The Garlic chives, which are a perennial here, are going through their yearly flowering.  I’ve had them in this pot for about five years and still growing well.

Bee pollinating a lemon flower

Bee pollinating a Eureka lemon flower

Because the citrus trees are confused by this very warm start to Autumn, they are beginning to flower again.  Luckily there are still lots of bees around willing to pollinate them for me.

Tomatoes

Broad Ripple Yellow Currant Tomatoes

This variety of tomato is a weed around here.  The birds spread the seeds everywhere and each year they grow in the most amazing places.  These should ripen in the next week or two.

Thankfully they are growing in a bed that they were planted in two years ago and these plants are nice and healthy and getting lots of water.  Growing tomatoes in the same soil year after year makes them prone to diseases like blight.

Bed 3

Various Tomatoes, Eggplant, Pumpkins, and Spring Onions

This bed is a bit of a mixed bag.  I planted a few Eggplants (Aubergines), and spring onions bunches in early January, but also got some tomato varieties and massive Australian Butter Pumpkin!  More about the pumpkin later.

Eggplant flower

Eggplant flower

Even if I didn’t like eggplants in Indian cuisine, I would still grow them just for their beautiful flowers.  I love the colour and the little spikes around the top of each one.

Eggplant

Eggplant

Thankfully though, I do get some amazing eggplants growing in the well composted soil that I maintain in each garden bed.  This one is nearly ready for harvest, and there are a few smaller ones on the other two plants.  Might even have enough to make my famous Brinjal Pickle!

Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Patch

This bed is a mixed bag as I previously mentioned.  The pumpkin has all but taken over the entire yard, but I have been pinching off the runners so that the laterals grow and produce more pumpkins.  We should be harvesting them in mid April.

Eggplants long

Eggplants long

This is bed #2 in which I have some Long Finger Eggplants.  Hopefully there will be enough warm days for the eggplants to grow to harvest, but not to worry if they don’t.  I have plenty of the larger eggplants, so these were just contingency.

Leeks

Leeks

Next to the Long Finger Eggplants I have Leeks growing.  These are last years leeks that didn’t grow so well during our dry winter last year.  I let them die back and they are now growing strong.  I am very pleased that we may get a crop of Leeks so Kim can make some Anglesey Eggs.

Cauliflower and salad greens

Cauliflower and salad greens

I have started off one of the winter beds early.  I grew some Cauliflower seedlings and took a punt that they would survive the early autumn.  So far so good, and once the lettuce next to them are used up, I will plant a few cabbages in this bed as well.

I also planted some Cherry Belle Radishes in between the rows as they are quick-growing and it would be nice to have a bit of crunch and hotness to accompany our regular salads.

Australian Butter Pumpkin

Australian Butter Pumpkin

This is one of a few pumpkins that set from the single pumpkin plant that is taking over my garden.  The tip for this runner was pinched off weeks ago and the pumpkin is loving the extra nutrients.  I will place a piece of cardboard under the pumpkin soon to prevent the rocks from denting the skin.

Cucumber patch

Cucumber patch

We’ve been harvesting cucumbers for about a month and still not tired of them yet.  There is always a ripe one lurking under the leaves, and you just have to keep an eye on this patch to ensure that no monsters grow.  If they do grow to large, the native birds make good work of disposing of them for me.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers

I planted 8 seedlings this year, which seemed to be just enough to keep up with all the salads we’ve been eating.

 

NZ Spinach

NZ Spinach

And lastly, here is one of the many NZ Spinach (aka Warragul Greens) that are self seeding around here.  Just about every bed has one or two of these growing, and they keep us in leafy spinach greens during most of the warmer months.  You just have to blanch them for a minute or two before eating them like normal English spinach.

So that is the current state of the Autumn garden.  In the next few weeks I will remove the tomato plants and put in some Broad Beans and Garlic.  I will plant some onions in the front garden beds as well as a few more Brassica like Sprouting Broccoli and Cabbages.

How is your food garden growing?  Are you getting enough rain to keep them growing well?

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Filed Under: Gardening, No Dig Garden, vegetables

Wholesome Home Grown Dinners

March 3, 2016 @ 17:39 By Gavin Webber 4 Comments

We’ve been eating simple fare of late, all unprocessed, wholesome, and mostly home grown dinners.

Due to the crazy heat we’re having in March (which is actually supposed to be autumn), we have been serving salads from the newly repaired Vegtrug, with organic or free-range meats.

However, last night was a special treat.

During a lovely day trip showing our friend Cheryl around, we stopped off at the Pastry King Bakery in Daylesford and picked up some delicious wholemeal rolls.  We then swung by Ballan to visit Jessie (aka Rabid Little Hippy) to drop off some wooden picture frames and to collect a bag of tomatoes.

As we were travelling home to Melton, we stopped off in Bacchus Marsh (Fruits of Life) to collect some BioDynamic milk ( I can feel a cheese coming on).

I had an abundance of home-grown Basil, so I picked a bunch and with Cheryl’s assistance began to prepare dinner.

Firstly I made quick Mozzarella with the milk.  If you want to learn how to make that, then check out my Quick Mozzarella video tutorial.


Then we sliced up the ripest tomatoes, washed all the basil leaves, and cut the bread into slices.  The Mozzarella was left to chill in the fridge for a few hours before I cut it up.

Fresh Mozzarella

Fresh Bio-Dynamic Mozzarella

This was the basis of our dinner.

Home grown dinners - Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, and Tomato

Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, and Tomato

All this was served with the wholemeal bread, basil infused extra virgin olive oil, and freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt.  Oh, and with a little drizzle of balsamic vinegar on top to add a little sharpness.

It was delicious.  Cheryl had never tasted such amazing flavours, especially heirloom tomatoes and fresh Mozzarella.  No pictures of the final serving, because we ate it so fast!

We also washed it down with a bottle or two of delicious cider from Daylesford Cider Company.

Local Map - 160 km radius

Local Map – 160 km radius

And just to think that all these ingredients came from within 160 km (100 miles) of where we live!  Not only does locally grown produce taste great, but it also has a lot less food miles, which means less carbon emissions.

Who can argue with that!

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Filed Under: 160km Diet, Cheese, food, Food miles, Locavore

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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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