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How to Plant Garlic

June 26, 2016 @ 12:58 By Gavin Webber Leave a Comment

Planting garlic is also easy that it’s criminal if you don’t give it a go.  So in this post let’s learn how to plant garlic!

In my climate zone, (heat zone 4, cold zone 10), I plant just after the first full moon in May or June.  I find that the soil is still just cool enough so that the garlic shoots quickly and gets a good start.

When I plant garlic, I source the bulbs from a good seed supplier, in my case, the Diggers Club.  This year I bought a variety pack of three types of garlic;  Tassie Purple, Dunganski, and Lokalen.

When preparing the bed for planting, don’t add any fertiliser to the bed if you did so in the summer. You will get more leaves and smaller bulbs. Plant the garlic in a bed that you had a very hungry crop before hand, like Brassica or tomatoes.  But make sure that you add some organic fertilizer as a top-dressing in spring to give them a boost.

Check out the video I made to show you how to plant garlic; https://youtu.be/-Oe3-ABuD6M


Make a hole with your dibber (I use a bit of old sawn off broom handle or my index finger) about 2″ deep (5 cm) and then place each clove in the hold pointy end facing upwards. Plant them about 6″ (15 cm) apart, so that you get good-sized bulbs. The closer they are to each other the smaller the bulbs.

How to plant garlic; Planting Australian Purple Garlic

Don’t backfill until all your garlic cloves are in the soil. You will lose sight of where you planted them otherwise!

Backfill the holes and water well. Within about 4-6 days they will send up the first green shoots through the soil. All you need to do is keep the soil moist for the rest of the season, and keep the bed weed free.

Easy peasy!  If you haven’t grown garlic before, why not try it this year.  It’s not too late!

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Filed Under: Gardening, Gardening Videos, How To, Organic, vegetables

Suburban Food Bowl – Growing in Small Spaces

November 4, 2015 @ 09:04 By Gavin Webber 3 Comments

We all have tight spaces around our yards. You know the ones. It’s the little nook or cranny that gets some sunlight during the day that is lying dormant, overgrown with weeds. Others may just have a little space that has been allocated for an outdoor living area.

Believe it or not, these areas are perfect for growing a large range of food, mostly in containers, or in existing landscaped garden beds.

Not all vegetables need full sunlight, in fact some actually suffer or bolt to see when they get too much. Lettuce varieties are a good example. They love partial sun and a couple of hours are all they need.

But, I am getting ahead of myself.  Here are three ways to start growing in small spaces.

Growing in Containers

Just about anything that can hold soil can be used to grow food as long as you can ensure adequate drainage. You can reuse some of the most unlikely items such as old buckets, laundry tubs, Bathtubs, or make your own portable planter boxes. Of course you can buy large pots as well but sometimes cost is an issue. I tend to stay away from plastic pots because they don’t biodegrade, and exposure to UV light makes them brittle and break. I have many glazed clay pots of various sizes, the larger the better. The larger the pot, the less likely the soil will go dry in between watering.

While we are talking about soil, the nutrients in potting mix tend to become exhausted after each season, so before replanting, I refresh it with a couple of handfuls of homemade compost and a handful of blood and bone or pelletised chicken manure then dampen with water. I ensure that it is well mixed and rested for a week before planting in seeds or seedlings. By using this method we have healthy potted herbs or vegetables every year.

Herbs in a row

Herbs in a row

We also grow citrus in large pots, but I will cover that in part 5 of the series when I cover fruit trees.

Mini wicking beds

Wicking beds are becoming increasingly necessary in our hot dry climate. With little spring rains, we have to use methods that preserve and minimise water usage, all the while keeping crop yield steady. Portable wicking beds are very simple to make, and prevent your soil medium from drying out.

A wicking bed can be as simple as getting a plastic tub or large wooden planter and lining it with pond liner or builders plastic sheeting, then laying in a watering pipe and overflow pipe, half filling with scoria or gravel or even sand, adding a non-degradable textile layer, then filling with compost or good potting mix.  I’ve even seen polystyrene boxes used as mini wicking beds, though I haven’t used these myself as they’re not recyclable.

Stapling the liner to the wicking bed

Stapling the liner to the wicking bed

You can see an example of in this post titled “Building a Wicking Bed on Concrete“.  Just scale it down to container size and you get the general idea.  It works really well and is shaded for half the day, so salad greens thrive in this bed because there is a continuous supply of water.  Veggies planted in this bed tend to be slow when bolting to seed so you get longer cropping.

Wooden Pallets

Using wooden shipping pallets is a great way to upcycle and grow some food.  I’ve seen excellent examples in small gardens of these being used for planting out herbs and salad greens.

These pallets just need to be stood vertically, have a bottom placed across each section of board and have a few drainage holes drilled, and it’s ready to plant out with good potting mix or compost.

Pallet Garden for Vegetables

Pallet Garden for Vegetables.  Source; Growing a Greener World

Here are some fantastic step-by-step instructions for a Pallet Garden from a TV show, Growing a Greener World, that I follow via the web.  definitely a great idea for those who are pressed for space around their garden.

I’ve also seen wooden pallets laid down on the ground, filled with soil, and used as a raised garden bed.  Just make sure that the pallet is not made of treated pine (CCA) or otherwise you risk copper and arsenic leaching into your soil.

Give it a go

So there are three methods of growing vegetables in tight spaces that are cheap to implement and easy to maintain.  The only thing I have to add is that you need to ensure that the soil is kept moist otherwise your plants will struggle to draw up nutrients.  Oh, and keep them close by so that you will remember to pick your produce often.  Think of this type of gardening as Zone 0 in your suburban permaculture garden!

Can you think of any other ways to grow veg in tight spaces?

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Filed Under: Gardening, How To, reuse, Suburbs, Sustainable Living, wicking

Staycations Are The New Green Holiday

June 11, 2015 @ 22:20 By Gavin Webber 14 Comments

Staycations are the new green holiday that you have when you spend your annual vacation at home.  I think that staycations are often overlooked for the preference of the next exciting holiday or overseas trip.  Someone asked me the other day why I don’t go away much, so I thought long and hard about the benefits of a travelling holiday vs a staycation.

And do you know what?  I personally prefer them for a few reasons.  They are much better for the environment and for you as well.  Let me list a few for you.

No Emissions

When you have a staycation instead of taking a long trip either by car or plane, you don’t emit any additional GHG in the process.  It is an unfortunate fact that if you do take any sort of trip by car, train, or plane either domestic or international you usually blow a whole lot of carbon emissions into the atmosphere.  That’s no good for anyone.

Yes, you can carbon offset, but how many people actually take this additional step.  Not many I would think.

Gavs Bike

Whilst you’re home, why not jump on your bike and go for a ride?  You may even discover some places around your town or city that you didn’t know existed!

No Stress

I don’t know about you, but I am stress-less when I am here at home.  Pottering around in the veggie patch, pruning fruit trees, or even cleaning out the chooks are pleasurable experiences when on a staycation.  But look out when I fire up the backyard clay oven!  That’s when the fun really starts and any stress from work just melts away.

Staycations are cool

Pizza topped with home-grown garlic, with a little sea salt, and lashings of homemade mozzarella.  Now that’s a good time!  Throw in some home-brew beer and the staycation is completely stress free.

No Cost

A good staycation is very cheap indeed.  You are already paying for rent or a mortgage on your home.  So there is no massive budget blowout, no cost for accommodation, no cost for car hire or taxis, none for visiting theme parks, and of course no debt when you return home.

I know of so many people who save a small fortune each year to go on their annual or even six monthly holiday, which could probably be better served paying down debt and helping them to retire much earlier.  I also know of people who get into massive debt just to go abroad each year.  Crazy stuff.

Gavin Webber

In my bountiful veggie patch.

Do a bit of gardening at home with your own saved seed to get instant gratification with no costs at all.  It certainly beats going to the gym or any other holiday distractions.

No Disappointment

Sure you can visit the latest fancy pants eco-resort, but you still have to pay for it and travel there and back.  Long haul travel is just so tiring and boring.

How many times have you been on holiday only to be relieved to get home again wishing that you never went away in the first place?  Save the disappointment and just enjoy the company of your own home.  There is nothing quite as nice as sleeping in your own bed!

Other cool things you could do on your staycation is to visit the local library and catch up on a few books that you’ve been meaning to read.  Most people read a good book when they are on holiday, so instead of travelling thousands of kilometres, read it at home!  Simple really.

Preserving for dummies

Nothing like a bit of light reading on the daybed whilst on staycation!

Disagree or Agree

So now that I have listed some of the reasons why I think that staycations are the new green holiday, it’s your turn to chime in.  Have I convinced you yet?

Let me know about your latest staycation in the comments, and why you prefer them.  If you don’t agree, let me know why you think they are better for you and the environment than a staycation.

Free holidays don’t count by the way.  I would love to read your thoughts.

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Filed Under: How To, Sustainable Living

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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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