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Eight Acres
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25.01.2022 I made a little video about saving seeds... Are you saving seeds? Any tips?
24.01.2022 MAX Fortunately he has now learnt "don't touch" when we don't need him to herd the cattle, but any other time, he would really like to herd cattle. He also chases cars and hunts for mice. It's pretty handy to have two little cattle dogs when we want to move cattle. Neither have had any training, they just really want all the cattle to stand closer together. (Taz used to heard the chickens when she was little). Do you have a good dog? #cattledog #workingdog #kelpie #silverkelpie #naturaltalent #southburnett #eightacresblog
23.01.2022 TOO MANY ZUCCHINIS Came home from weekend away to find a few sneaky giant zucchini and squash. Swipe to see what I did with these and some of the two doz eggs. How's your veggie garden? Any gluts? #growyourownfood #eatyourveggies #eighacresblog #southburnett @ Kumbia, Queensland
22.01.2022 We extracted honey, the chicks have moved in with Grandma Bantam, I wrote a blog about our removal house experience and I share my thoughts on a simple Christmas season - https://mailchi.mp/d83fce62ed30/let-me-help-you-7998701
21.01.2022 Queen Bee We don't always see the queen bee when we check our hives. She is one of thousands of bees in the hive and is usually pretty shy. We look for evidence of a queen - tiny fresh eggs in cells tells us that she is there somewhere. The queen is the only bee in the give that can lay eggs. She is the mother of every bee in the hive. She is longer then the worker bees and thinner than a drone bee, so easy to spot if she is on a frame that you pull out. If we think the hiv...e has no queen (and there are other signs, they are usually very aggressive without a queen), we will put a frame of brood with fresh eggs from another hive and let the bees raise a new queen. The workers choose to raise a queen when they can't detect her pheromones (ie if the queen is missing or getting old or there are simply too many bees in the hive). They just feed that cell differently and it goes into a queen. The queen may go missing if the hive swarms (half the bees leave with the queen to start a new hive). They would normally have raised a replacement queen but she may not have returned from her mating flight. We had a go at queen rearing once - trying to mimic the natural process to breed multiple queens at once. It is very time consuming but interesting. It really makes you think about how the bees work. Once you start beekeeping there is a lot to learn, they are fascinating creatures. Have you seen a queen bee,? #honeybees #naturalbeekeeping #queenbee #beekeeping #eightacresblog #southburnett See more
21.01.2022 Zone 5 In permaculture we use zones to define how we use different areas. For example Zone 1 is closest to the house where we visit several times a day - eg veggie gardens, chickens etc. Zone 2 less often - fruit trees. Zone 3 - less often again - pasture... You get the idea! Zone 5 is the wild habitat zone where we make space for native plants and animals and generally encourage biodiversity. We see the benefits of a healthy ecosystem, fertility cycles and the occasional sighting of a koala Do you use permaculture zones? #permaculture #koala #zones #southburnett #eightacresblog
20.01.2022 Shampoo Bars One of the reasons I use soap is to reduce our plastic rubbish. First I replaced bottles of body wash and face cleansers with soap. I actually tried a few alternatives to shampoo before settling on soap. I tried just not washing my hair at all for a few months - I just rinsed it in water. Interestingly it gets to a certain amount of grease and just stays like that. It looked fine but it wasn't great with my lifestyle of gardening and farming, my hair gets di...rt in it that didn't rinse out. So then I tried baking soda for a while. With the apple cider vinegar rinse. It was ok but kind of annoying to prepare the baking soda. Then I made a few different soaps until I got the recipe just right. This soap has goats milk and honey with rosemary and lavender essential oils. I've been using it for a couple of years. I've read negative info about soap pH being too high. But my hair is long (I need a hair cut!) with no split ends, and very healthy, so I'm not worried. I use a commercial conditioner because there is really no natural alternative. You can buy a conditioner bar but it's the same ingredients in a solid form and it's expensive and annoying to use. You only need a TINY bit of conditioner. I have had the same bottle for over a year. It has a pump action so you can make sure you don't use too much. Lately I've also be using an apple cider vinegar rinse from when I used to do the baking soda. I infused it with rosemary, so on I thought I better use it up. I think it helps stop frizzy hair. Do you use a shampoo bar? Or shampoo alternative? #naturalsoap #handmadesoap #shampoosoap #tallowsoap #eightacresblog #southburnett See more
20.01.2022 fresh eggs Our new hens are laying and our old hens are laying, so we have so many eggs... eggs for breakfast. The dogs have eggs with their meals. We give away eggs. We're going to hatch some in spring. I love having fresh eggs. Our hens are on grass so the yolks are bright orange and so tasty. If I am away from home the main thing I miss is fresh eggs. Are your hens laying yet? #freerangechickens #fresheggs #nestingbox #chickentractor #chickentractorebook #growyourownfood #backyardchickens #eightacresblog #southburnett
20.01.2022 SMART DOGS I'm Max. I'm smart enough to know what you want me to do and then decide if I feel like doing it or not Do you have a smart dog? #workingdog #kelpiedog #eightacresblog #southburnett
19.01.2022 succulents for the veranda I've been collecting these succulents at our community share, they are so easy to propagate and it's fun to see all the different colours and shapes. I'm starting to put some plants out on the veranda so I finally have a spot for these. #succulents #houseplants #eightacresblog #southburnett
19.01.2022 sunflowers I bought a scoop of sunflower seeds this time last year from a market stall with organic seedings. I planted some seeds with my corn and zucchinis but they never came up. I left the little bag of seeds in my jeans pocket and they went through the wash. So I thought they were ruined and I put them in the worm farm. I few months ago I noticed some weeds coming up in my garden where I had put some worm farm compost. I pulled some out but left some to grow "just in... case". And now I have sunflowers! Just goes to show that seeds are hardy and tricky and worm farms are amazing. I'm looking forward to saving some seeds and feeding some to the chickens and wild birds. Do you have any seed survival stories? #sunflower #grownfromseed #growyourownfood #backyardveggies #permaculture #eightacresblog #southburnett See more
18.01.2022 SPRING EQUINOX And my plum tree is blossoming right on time longer, warmer days, garden full of flowers, bees everywhere Do you see the seasons changing? #springtime #blossom #foodforest #eightacresblog #southburnett
17.01.2022 GRASS FED BEEF After months of eating hay, these cows are happy to have some green grass for a change and I'm happy that we're not putting out hay every week! We had another storm today, so hoping it stays green for a while. Two new calves on the ground this week but I didn't get a photo yet! How the weather at your place? #greengrass #grassfedbeef #eightacresblog #southburnett
16.01.2022 ROSELLA The best thing about gardening in the sub-tropics is all the unusual for plants I can grow here. These rosella plants self-seeded and are nearly ready to harvest. Hibiscus sabdariffa has edible leaves, but I grow it for the calyx - the outer layer protecting the seed pod. It can be used to make jam, but I prefer to dry them and use them to make delicious herbal infusion. The plants will die of over winter but I'm hoping they self-seed again next year. Do you grow rosella? Our anything else unusual? #subtropics #growyourownfood #rosella #herbgarden #eightacresblog #southburnett @ Kumbia, Queensland
16.01.2022 HEAT WAVE First heat wave of the summer has started. 36degC today yesterday I made sure that everyone has extra water and shade. I haven't inspected my garden yet I think I have opposite seasonal affective disorder where I find the hot weather more difficult than winter... How's the weather where you are? #heatwave #toohot #eightacresblog #southburnett
15.01.2022 nearly spring It's starting to feel like spring... Still cold but higher temps in the middle of the day. Dry wind (everything is static from the dry!). And flowers everywhere. I'll let a few plants go to seed so I can collect some seed. I keep some, give some away and put the rest back on the garden to grow next season. This one is a dill flower. Are you seeing the season change yet? #springtime #springishere #flower #herbgarden #honeybeefood #eightacresblog #southburnett
13.01.2022 Its nearly spring! - I've been knitting a sock, picking calendula flowers, saving seeds and finishing the veranda... read more here https://mailchi.mp/59243560012d/let-me-help-you-7989381
10.01.2022 CHOOKS So many things to say about this photo... 1) I pruned the geranium again because it's too close to the pear tree that I thought might have died but now is sprouting leaves 2) the spring weather here is warm and dry with wind, so the grass is mostly dry. The chooks were happy to have some green geranium to forage. 3) these chooks are in a feathernet electric fence so they can free-range other their chicken tractor.... How's the weather at your place? How are your chooks? #backyardchickens #chickentractor #freerangechickens #eightacresblog #southburnett See more
09.01.2022 Blog Post: Removal house advice - where to start? Eight Acres - the blog https://ift.tt/3kZhFFn
08.01.2022 WALKIES Afternoon walkies with these three. There's always something to sniff, to chase, to wee on. If not, they just start a wrestling game. Max only chased one of the three cars that passed on the road (good dog). Taz found a stick for me to throw but Gus took it and crunched it up. Taz found remains of a dead animal on the way back to the house. Overall walks are so much more interesting with three doggos for entertainment Do you go on walkies? #dogperson #farmdog #walkies #eightacresblog #southburnett
08.01.2022 HOUSEPLANTS I've never had much success with houseplants in the house, but I've got a few on the veranda now. They seem to go well outside in the shade as long as I remember to water then I painted a few of the pots to match the house too. Do you have success with houseplants? #houseplants #eightacresblog #southburnett @ Kumbia, Queensland
07.01.2022 eggplants at last About 12 months ago I planted four eggplant seedlings and for capsicum seedlings. I've harvested a few capsicums, but not yet an eggplant. However, now I have three eggplants on one of the plants! It is not unusual for "annuals" to grow more than one season in the subtropics if we manage to avoid frost. I'm glad I was patient as I nearly pulled out these plants when they didn't look well a few months ago. Looking forward to fresh eggplant! So you grow eggplant? How do you cook it? #eggplant #subtropics #backyardveggies #growyourownfood #eatyourveggies #eightacresblog #southburnett
07.01.2022 International Dog Day Gus just wanted to wish you all a happy International Dog Day. He celebrated with sunbathing and swimming and a spot of doggy wrestling with his friends. He is always so happy to see humans Do you love his big grin? How to are your dogs on International Dog Day? #internationaldogday #bigdog #greatdane #bigsmile #eightacresblog #southburnett
06.01.2022 ZUCCHINIS AND BEANS I planted out seedlings of zucchini, button squash and bush beans + snake beans a few weeks ago. They are so slooooow. I've been picking from the bush beans while I wait for the rest. They've had a good start with our relatively cool weather so far but next week we have temps forecast What are you growing? #backyardveggies #zucchini #greenbeans #veggiegarden #growyourownfood #eightacresblog #southburnett
05.01.2022 WEEKEND AWAY We just spent a long weekend at Carnarvon Gorge National Park. It's a 6 hour drive, but so worth it to see the outback looking GREEN and do a few walks (main one was closed due to heavy rain the previous week). Back to reality and farm chores now though #carnarvongorge #outbackaustralia #weekendaway #eightacresblog #southburnett @ Carnarvon Gorge
05.01.2022 which are you?
05.01.2022 coffee table I asked Pete to make me a coffee table for the veranda using a piece of bench top that was cut out for the stove. We brainstormed leg ideas and came up with this design. It's just steel rod that he spray painted gold. Pete's trade is metal fabrication and he has made so many things around the house and farm. From chicken tractors to stick rakes to the patio shade... But this is currently my favourite! I LOVE it we have another larger piece of bench from the sink area and I have more ideas... What do you think? #veranda #renovation #queenslanderhouse #coffeetable #upcycle #eightacresblog #southburnett @ Kumbia
05.01.2022 I love this article and I need to find out more about the local Wakka Wakka people and their seasons. "Many of the seasons kick off not on a certain date, but rather due to observations of the land and the creatures upon it. So, the next minor season in the Tiwis will be Milikitorinari and that will start when the soles of your feet are burnt by the hot ground."
05.01.2022 good bugs and seed heads We've had a couple of warm days and many of the cold-weather veggies are now going to seed - parsley, dill, celery, and broccoli are all finished until next autumn. The tomatoes, capsicums, beans and zucchini are thriving so far. I'm hoping it doesn't stay too hot (37 degC yesterday ) and I'm hoping for more rain. This is a promising start to summer, previous years were too hot to even get summer veggies started. What's growing in your garden? #backyardveggies #heatwave #newseason #eightacresblog #southburnett
05.01.2022 This is why I avoid all horse racing. No animal should suffer simply to entertain humans.
04.01.2022 This series was good. The free webinar will give you more information if you want to learn how to reduce your footprint
04.01.2022 Happy Father's Day To all the dads with their children today, dads missing children or hoping for children and everyone who is missing their dad today, much love and hope you have a good day #fathersday #rooster #eightacresblog #southburnett
04.01.2022 TWO NEW CALFIES One boy (white socks), one girl (pirate eye patch). Both with bright white faces. The mamas didn't let me get any closer I could watch them all day. How cute are new calfies? #calf #newcalf #eightacresblog #southburnett
01.01.2022 YARROW My yarrow (Achillea millefolium) plant is flowering. Yarrow is a perennial that I've had in my food forest for a few years. This is the first time it's flowered. In the past I've had a pink yarrow. It seems to be pretty hardy as it doesn't get much water and it's in partial shade. Yarrow can be propagated by division or from seed. When it does grow well it can be a vigorous ground cover. In the garden, yarrow's flowers attract beneficial insects and the plant is u...sed as a compost activator, and inbiodynamic preparations The plant contains volatile oils (linalool, camphor, sabinene, azulene), flavonoids, bitter alkaloid (achilleine), and tannins It has medicinal uses as a diaphoretic (inducing sweat), and is therefore, good for fevers, cold and flue It also stimulates digestion, lowers blood pressure, is good for circulation and can regulate the menstrual cycle And applied topically it aids in healing wounds, having an anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effect For topical application I like to add it to a salve by infusing olive oil with yarrow leaves (and usually other skin herbs such as chickweed, calendula, borage and comfrey). I also add dried leaves to a herbal mixture which I drink regularly. Do you grow yarrow? #yarrow #herbgarden #growyourownfood #eightacresblog #southburnett
01.01.2022 Integrated Pest Management The Lady Bugs have arrived to eat my aphid colony. Just in time! If I'd sprayed the aphids the Lady Bugs wouldn't have come and I would have had to keep spraying. So it's best to be patient and plant lots of flowers to feed the predator bugs in between aphid infestations. Let nature take care of the imbalance How do you manage bugs? #permaculture #ladybug eat #aphids #dillflower #eightacresblog #southburnett
01.01.2022 Another perspective on weeds
