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Marnie's Garden

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25.01.2022 What to sow in September: artichoke-globe,artichoke-jerusalem, climbing beans,bush beans,beetroot, broccoli, cabbage,capsicum (heat mat),carrots,celery, Chinese cabbage, choko, cucumber, eggplant, kale, lettuce,okra,onion,spring onions,parsnip,climbing peas,dwarf peas, potatoes,pumpkin,rhubarb-crown,radish, rockmelon, silverbeet, spinach, squash, sweetcorn, sweet potato, tomato, watermelon, zucchini

24.01.2022 To remove the salt deposits that form on terracotta and clay pots, combine equal parts white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture to the pot and scrub with a plastic brush. Let the pot dry before you plant anything in it.

24.01.2022 Over the last 10 years we have been experimenting with growing media for our wicking beds and have been asked many times what do we think works best. At the moment the best mix we have come up with and is growing excellent quality vegetables is the following recipe: mix all the following and wet thoroughly before putting it in your beds... 1. 4 parts Compost 2. 1-2 parts coconut coir and 0.5 shovel course sand 3. inoculated biochar (about 1kg/sq metre) 4. fish emulsion... 5. seaweed emulsion 6. worm castings (no limit) 7. blood and bone 8. chicken manure 9. rock phosphate 10. wood vinegar 11. ++++ beneficial bacteria (something like go go juice) Adjust the inputs to suit your preferences and quantity of mix required See more

22.01.2022 We are delivering zucchini, cucumber, rockmelon (pel de sapo & Hales Best), watermelon (Charleston grey), tomato (various) and other seedlings this week to Ladybug shop. The weather is warm enough to start planting. Our zucchini are starting to develop flowers and fruit and the tomatoes are powering ahead.

21.01.2022 Native Lemongrass (Cymbopogon ambiguus), a type of grass native to Central Australia, has recently been scientifically proven to be as effective as Aspirin in the treatment of migraines, headaches, muscular pains and inflammation. Native Lemon Grass is an important medicinal plant for aboriginal groups in central Australia. The leaves are crushed and inhaled for chest complaints. The leaves and roots are crushed and infused in water and drunk in small amounts or rubbed on the... body to treat most forms of aches, pains and inflammation. Now a team of researchers from the Institute for Glycomics at Griffith University in New South Wales, Australia, has confirmed that Native Lemongrass is in fact as potent as aspirin for treating headaches and inflammations. The team, led by Dr Darren Grice, have just published their findings of a 5 year research project into Native Lemongrass in the academic journal Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine in early 2010 See more

21.01.2022 It's that time of year as winter is coming to an end and those unwanted plants start to emerge after hibernating...WEEDS . Don't think of them as pests, rather they are potential mulch, nutrient and soil improvers for your garden. One technique which we extensively use is chop and drop. Many weeds produce a lot of biomass, which can be periodically pruned, pulled or coppiced (cutting the plant down to a stump), the organic matter is then left on the ground as a layer of mulc...h. We also use it to build up soil on bare patches and tracks. This method is a cheap and relatively easy (although sometimes messy looking) way that helps to create well-balanced, nutritionally rich earth in which we can easily cultivate other plants. Over the years we have produced most of our soil using this method. Just remember as plants decompose they use up large amounts of nitrogen so it is recommended that you add nitrogenous fertilisers to the mulch. See more

21.01.2022 Use leftover tea and coffee grounds to acidify the soil of acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, gardenias and even blueberries. A light sprinkling of about one-quarter of an inch applied once a month will keep the pH of the soil on the acidic side.

18.01.2022 A few people have asked for a copy of - when to sow -. Here it is. I will be upgrading it next month (I hope) as well as adding more vegetables and herbs so keep an eye out for the upgrade .

18.01.2022 A great grassy plant for landscaping and for the home garden, Australian lemon grass is very easy care and hardy. It grows to around 2 metres high and wide, with whispy seed heads. The leaves have a strong lemon scent when crushed, and can be used to make tea and for inhalation. Traditionally used in Aboriginal medicine to treat flu symptoms, chest infections and skin sores. It is one of 1,300 different types of Australian grasses and very adaptable to a variety of soils. Thi...s plant is found widely throughout Australia except in the cool temperate regions. The stalks and leaves may be used in tea or as a fragrant flavouring ingredient in soups, curries, sauces, marinades and cakes. Their essential oils may be found in a variety of skincare and beauty products like shampoos, soaps, scrubs and moisturisers. As a medical herb, the leaves and roots of the Native Lemongrass can be combined with hot water as a steam inhalation remedy for colds and chest congestion. Source: Tucker Bush 2020

16.01.2022 For me any method of making compost is good so long as you make it!!!. If you want to make a HOT compost here is an easy way you can calculate the ratios of green to brown matter in your mix. The trick is to get the carbon:nitrogen ratio close to 30:1. I have posted a chart to help you calculate the carbon value of some common and easily sourced materials. Example 1: If I mixed equal amounts of grass clippings, food scraps and leaves their carbon scores are about 17, 15 and... 60. Add them up = 92 and then divide by the number of materials 92/3. This gives a ratio of 31:1. This is a good balance and should make a hot compost Example 2: If I used equal amounts of aged chicken manure, leaves and shredded paper that would be (7+60 +175)/3 = 81:1. This is too much carbon in relation to nitrogen so the compost would be cold. To adjust it I could reduce the amount of paper by 75% now the calculation is (7+60+44)/3 = 37:1 which is much closer to the desired 30:1 ratio. Experiment to find your own preferences and mixes. There is no limit to how many different materials you use. You just need to balance the amounts to achieve that 30:1 ratio (C:N) Any organic matter that has a C:N ratio generally smaller than 30:1 is considered a GREEN. Any organic matter that has a C:N ratio generally larger than 30:1 is considered a BROWN. **** it is not the colour of the material used, it is the amount of carbon in the material.****

15.01.2022 Basils are warm-climate annuals or short-lived perennials. In temperate regions, grow them from seed planted in containers protected from frost in early spring, or purchase plants in late spring. Basils do not thrive in temperate regions until it has really started to warm up in late spring or early summer. The mistake most commonly made in these regions is to plant basil into the garden too early in the season when the cold and damp quickly kills it. To protect young basil p...lants from unexpected cold snaps, cut the top and bottom from a plastic drink bottle and leave it around the plant until it is well established. In tropical regions, grow basil from seed or the perennial forms can be grown from tip cuttings taken in spring. Basil grows best in well-drained, composty soil with plenty of added nutrients. The ideal place for smaller growing annual forms is in the vegetable garden near the tomatoes, as basil helps to keep tomato plants healthy and to repel pests. Perennial basils grow into medium sized bushes so need more room. In temperate regions, plant perennial basil in a sheltered warm spot where there is no chance of frost and preferably where they won’t get too wet during cold weather. Even with these precautions it is hard to keep them alive through the winter. It they do survive then cut back by about one third in early spring. In the tropics, cut them back in late autumn. Some suppliers are currently marketing a basil scented mint as perennial basil, check the botanical name and if it is Mentha rather than Ocimum then it is not a true basil and can’t be used in the same ways. In temperate regions, all basils need to be grown in full sun, but in the tropics and sub-tropics they will tolerate shade for much of the day. Basil also needs moisture during hot weather and it will not tolerate frost. Protect young seedlings from slugs and snails. As annual plants begin to come into flower, nip out the buds to encourage more leaf growth but towards the end of summer let at least one plant go to seed and then collect the seed for next year’s crop. All basils grow well in pots but the dwarf varieties lend themselves particularly to pot culture where they are not only beautiful but also useful. Source:https://www.pennywoodward.com.au/fragrant-basil/#more-645

14.01.2022 Here is a list of Basil Types: Lettuce Leaf Basil, Dark Opal Basil ,Lemon Basil, Licorice Basil, Cinnamon Basil, French Basil ,American Basil, Egyptian Basil, Bush Basil, Thai Basil, Red Basil, Genovese Basil, Magical Michael Basil, Holy Basil, Nufar Basil, Purple Ruffles Basil, Red Rubin Basil, Siam Queen Basil, Spicy Globe Basil, Sweet Dani Basil, Amethyst Improved Basil, Mrs. Burns’ Lemon Basil, Pistou Basil, Lime Basil, Superbo Basil, Queenette Basil ,Napoletano Basil, Serata Basil, Blue Spice Basil, Osmin Purple Basil, Fino Verde Basil, Marseille Basil, Minette Basil, Queen Of Sheba Basil, Greek Basil.

13.01.2022 What to sow in August: artichoke-globe, artichoke-jerusalem, broad beans, beetroot, cabbage, Chinese cabbage,carrots,capsicum (heat mat or solar),celery, choko, kale, lettuce,onions,onions spring,parsnip, peas climbing,peas dwarf, potatoes, radish, rhubarb crown, silverbeet, spinach, tomato (heat mat or solar).

13.01.2022 Five Tips for a Bee-Friendly Garden: 1. Select plants that flower right through the year. 2. Select flowers with a variety of colours and shapes. 3. Plant a group of each flower species. 4. Select plants that provide nesting materials for the bees too.... 5. Avoid insecticides in your Bee-Friendly Garden. visit https://www.aussiebee.com.au/bee-friendly-garden.html for more details See more

12.01.2022 Ten Favourite Flowers Loved by Australian Native Bees: 1.Abelia x grandiflora -- Abelia 2.Buddleja -- Butterfly Archer Bushell 3.Callistemon -- Bottlebrush 4.Daisies... 5. Eucalyptus and Angophora -- Gum Tree 6.Grevillea -- Spider Flower 7.Lavandula -- Lavender 8.Leptospermum -- Tea Tree 9.Melaleuca -- Honey Myrtle 10.Westringia -- Native Rosemary See more

11.01.2022 What is a scape? The scape is the flowering stalk at the tip of the plant. If left to bloom, the plant’s growing energy goes into the flower, and not the bulb. Scapes of scallions, chives, garlic chives, and garlic are used as vegetables and are full of flavor. When do you harvest scapes? Harvest both stalk and scape and add them to your meal plan. Onion scapes are harvested in late Spring. Scapes of garlic, chives are harvest both Spring and mid-June. Harvest when your oni...ons start sending up a stalk from the center of the plant. Not all of your onion scapes will come at once, revisit your patch weekly until all the scapes have been removed. Onion scapes have a mild onion flavor that makes an excellent substitute in any dish that you use green onion or shallots. Onion scapes are unique and only come in late spring due to rapid temperature fluctuations from warm to cold. See more

10.01.2022 We are delivering the first of the new season's seedlings tomorrow to Ladybug shop at Gloucester. There are zucchini, capsicum, tomatoes, beans and eggplants. We are currently germinating watermelon, rockmelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, artichokes, celery, celeriac and many more open pollinated and heritage varieties. There is still time to get your vegetable beds ready for spring and summer plantings so you can enjoy the wonderful taste of fresh home grown vegetables, herbs, berries and fruit.

09.01.2022 You can control aphids with a strong blast of water from the hose or with insecticidal soap. Here's another suggestion, get some tape! Wrap a wide strip of tape around your hand, sticky side out, and pat the leaves of plants infested with aphids. Concentrate on the undersides of leaves, because that's where the little devils like to hide.

04.01.2022 If I could only grow green stuff in my garden like I can in my refrigerator!

03.01.2022 A dry July likely, but wetter months to follow BOM: Issued: 2 July 2020 The fortnight of 6 to 19 July is likely to be drier than average for most of Australia (mostly 6080% chance). However, there are close to equal chances of a wetter or drier fortnight in much of southeastern WA, western Tasmania, and parts of the eastern seaboard. There is an increased chance of a wetter than average fortnight for parts of east coast Queensland (greater than 65% chance for the North Tropi...cal Coast, lower elsewhere). However, looking longer-term, August to October is likely to be wetter than average for most of the eastern two thirds of Australia, and parts of the Gascoyne and Pilbara coast in WA (mostly 6075% chance, greater than 80% chance in parts of northwestern NSW and southwest Queensland). The northern Australian dry season spans May through September. Tropical northern Australia typically has very low rainfall totals during the dry season, and only a small amount of rainfall is needed to exceed the median. See more

03.01.2022 What to sow in July: artichoke-globe, artichoke-jerusalem, broad beans, asparagus-crown, beetroot, cabbage, carrots, chinese cabbage, lettuce,onion, climbing peas, dwarf peas, potatoes, radish, rhubarb-crown, silverbeet, spinach, tomato (indoors).

02.01.2022 We have many varieties of advanced organic tomato plants ready for sale. At present we have grosse lisse, yellow tommy toe, oxheart, roma, black cherry, moneymaker, yellow perfection, Chadwick cherry, Riesentube, Scoresby dwarf (great for container growing), Italian flat and many more. They are available at Ladybug shop Gloucester or you can contact us direct and arrange for pickup in Gloucester. They are $2 ea or 2 for $3 direct from Misty Ridge.

02.01.2022 Nothing is wasted in Marnies Garden. The neighbours chooks enjoying their feast :)

01.01.2022 Basil as a Pest-repellent Since basil repels a range of problem insects, including flies and mosquitoes, a pot of basil can be moved around to wherever it is most needed. Italian fishermen and sailors often have a pot of basil growing in the wheelhouse or galley to keep problem pests away. Tests on sacred basil oil have shown it to have insecticidal activity and in Asia it is rubbed on the skin to repel mosquitoes. In the vegetable garden basil will help protect nearby plants of cabbages, beans and tomatoes and, if planted near cucurbits , will help prevent downy mildew.

01.01.2022 Garlic Scapes: How to use them! There are many ways to use scapes in your cooking Chop into pieces and sauteé in butter or oil for about 5 - 6 minutes and serve like a green bean or add to salads and stir fries. Roast or BBQ the scapes whole and serve like garlicky asparagus with an ailoli dip or just some balsamic and olive oil. You can eat the whole stem and flower head. Make a garlicky pesto using scapes in place of basil.... Stir into risotto dishes. Make a tempura batter and deep fry them. Serve with sweet chilli dipping sauce. Chop and blanch them and stir them into mash potato. Make a scape hummus replacing or mixing in with the chickpeas. Garlic scape soup. Chop into pieces and sautée or steam the scapes then add them to omelettes, quiches and tarts See more