5 things to know about the TOMATO
July 12, 2014
1. Cooked tomatoes are better for you than raw ones: the heat causes more of the antioxidant properties to be released.
2. Don’t store tomatoes in the fridge!The cold damages their delicate cell membranes. Instead leave at room temperature and to keep them from rotting to quickly – put them stem down.
3. The leaves of tomato plant can actually add a vibrant “fresh tomatoaroma” to pasta sauces.e Use like fresh basil.
4. Eating cooked tomatoes may act as a kind of internal sunscreen. They help block UV rays, but don’t toss the sunscreen, tomatoes are only a supplement not a replacement.
5. When tomatoes arrived in Italy in the mid-1500’s they were originally grown not to eat but for a garden decoration.
(Glad that idea didn’t last, aren’t you?)
Tamarillo Tree….. Cyphomandra betacea
Tamarillo Tree….. Cyphomandra Betacea
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PERUVIAN HERB OCOPA HUACATAY WAKATAYA MARIGOLD YERBA BUENA KHAKI PESTO MINT
Hardy edible Peruvian herb, aquired years and years ago. Self seeds prolifically.
Just sprinkle the seed in the right spot and let nature take over.
That is exactly what I did!
Flavour is like a blend of Basil, Mint, Citrus, Tarragon. Very good on chicken and fish!
Makes a great pesto, and goes equally good just sprinkled fresh on top of pasta dishes.
Doesn’t loose its flavour/aroma as quickly as other herbs can when dried and is easily stored in a jar or resealable packet in the cupboard.
Red spider mite and root knot nematode are often serious pests on many plants, indoor and out 😉 but the unique properties of this interesting herb repel and in some cases even kill them!
Awesome addition to salads and I can’t see why its not as common here in Australia, as in Chile, Bolivia, Equador and Peru.
Also good for an aromatic tea that’s “anti fungal“, “antibacterial” “liver cleansing” and “vitality boosting” and bloody delicious!
WIKI SAYS ….The leaves when dried may be used as a seasoning.
Huacatay paste is used to make the popular Peruvian potato dish called OCOPA‘. (I would love to try an “authentic” Ocopa recipe if you have one….)
For some time people have used it as a flavour full TEA for medical benefits such as a remedy for the colds, respiratory inflammations, or stomach problems.”
Companion plant with just about everything.(Basil, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, gourds, kale, potatoes, squash, tomatoes, melons, pineapple and pepper etc etc etc
!!!)
I’ve had real trouble with NEMATODES in our soil. Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips and radish have all been a drama but I have seen a DEFINATE improvement in crops with Black mint planted as well.
I will be now rotating between a crop of Black mint then a root crop as the results are really good!!!
Can be planted closely to smother out pest species and as it grows very straight and tall we use it as stakes for beans and tomato pyramid/trellis/triangles!
NOW HERE IS SOMETHING YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW>>>>>>>>>You know all those experts saying “maod!ruse it as stakes for beans and tomato pyramid/trellis/triangles!igold” is proven good for insect repellant in the garden, well, they have their facts a little bit skewed.
Marigold is “Tagets Patula” but it was “Tagetes Minuta” that all the studies were done on back in the day!(check it out for yourself)
They are right saying its a “type of Marigold” that is great for companion planting and repelling pest insects, but not when they say its that pretty little orange one!!!
It amazes me how many people spread the misinformation as FACT, even so called “expert” gardeners on TV and the like.Tagetes Minuta/Huacatay/Black mint are all the same plant. Tagetes patula is the small orange flowered herb(we also sell it, but this is MUCH better at insect killing/removal!)
HERE IS A LINK TO THE RECIPE FOR HUACATAY OR BLACK MINT SPRAY>>> http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.432219286845300.97137.263727033694527&type=1
Forget all those other recipes, I have tried them all, and some are mildly effective, these ones just WORK!
BUT, only used sprays, on the plant that needs it and only when it needs it.
For example, Aphids only attack the flower of the radish, just before seeding, but the damage they cause, means there will be no seed production.
I spray twice with this stuff, about 6 weeks before harvest, AFTER seeing large numbers starting to arrive, and remove the problem, before it gets too serious.
To spray through out the whole growing season, would only kill the good guys!
What a waste of time and effort!!
Till next time folks, the Old Fart wishes you all, … HAPPY GARDENING.
TOMATO – MORTGAGE LIFTER (Lycopersicon esculentum)
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TOMATO – MORTGAGE LIFTER (Lycopersicon esculentum) Here we go folks, yet another beauty for ones garden’s collection
This Item is Not on the Australian Nox Weeds list
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(Mahonia Repens) …. CREEPING OREGON GRAPE
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CREEPING OREGON GRAPE (Mahonia Repens) THERE YOU GO FOLKS, ANOTHER BEAUTY FOR MY COLLECTION. I just bought 10 seeds – for only $2.70 AU.
This item is also, NOT on the Aust Nox weed list
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CHIA – Superfood (Salvia rhyacophila) HERB
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SAFFLOWER ! …DROUGHT TOLERANT, EDIBLE, DESERT, ALTERNATIVE FOR SAFFRON???
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This beauty was sent to me as LUCKY FREE BONUS ++, for buying 4 packets of seeds…And I AM IMPRESSED with it.
When someone I know bought some seeds, at first they were sure they bought SAFFRON.
They had a picture of the purple flowered bulb and everything on the packet, so they become quite disappointed when this fella came up instead……….
It was only after they did a bit of research that they realised it’s the SAFFLOWER plant, and it’s quite useful in its own right!
Its petals are used the same way as traditional ” SAFFRON “, the seeds are eaten as a snack (like sunflowers, but heaps easier to pop our of the shell intact).
The seeds are pressed for oil, which is the basis for everything from margarines, make-ups, and most “vegetable oil” blends, and processed foods.
Used in traditional Chinese medicine to alleviate pain, increase circulation, and reduce bruising.
The dried flowers are included in various herbal remedies for menstrual pain and minor physical trauma and in India, the flowers are used for their laxative and diaphoretic properties, measels, fevers and eruptive skin conditions.
It was known as “Carthamine” in the 19th Century and analysis of ancient Egyptian textiles the 12th dynasty, identified dyes made from safflower, and garlands made from safflowers were found in the tomb of the pharaoh “Tutankhamen”.
About 600,000 tons of it are grown commercially in more than sixty countries worldwide each year and the number is rising due to the drought tolerance of the plant, and rising temperatures.
Really cool looking flower, and with all those spikes its almost critter proof!
Easy to harvest the petals, just pull them out and leave them in a bowl to dry.
The seeds are even easier to harvest and clean.
Just cut off the pods when dry. Put them in a bucket with a lid, and a stone about as big as a golf ball(actually a golf ball should work good too!).
Put the lid on and shake. The seeds sink to the bottom and the dried pods make good compost.
Great for a snack. Just chuck a handful in you pocket and you can munch them all day.
Meant to be an appetite suppressant too, but HEY ??..Will I note any difference?
We shall see .
Till next time folks, HAPPY GARDENING.
Bellow is an picture of an CROCUS SAFFRON BULB PLANT
~~PEPINO MELON FRUIT~~EXOTIC~~SHRUB~~~~WILL GROW IN MELBOURNE~~
GREAT GIFT FOR THE SELF SUFFICIENT GARDENER
Yup, I bought it…am trilled, excited and jumping up and down already like a big kid…..he he he
Wowwwww, …Yayyyyy….It is coming next week on Wednesday via special night fast delivery.
It is an good healthy cut, + some 15 to 20 seeds ( Just in case I loose it in Frost here )…Price you ask ?? ….WORTHLESS, just $15 Au, Free delivery included….How’s that for an BARGAIN ??
THE PEPINO
Solanum muricatum.
This one is well worth a try.
Fruit tastes like golden honeydew x rock melon and yes, it will grow in cold climate but frost intolerant.
Pictures are of fruit from mature Pepino plants.
This is the best crop I have had seen with each fruit weighing
aprox 460 grams and several just over 1/2 a kilo.
This bush is growing out of two car tyres.
What I will try this year is plant new cuttings in the middle of the well fertilised
veggie patch instead of beside it
or in my usual spot of this old bath tub.
Fast growing,exotic,satin like fruit streaked with purple stripes and varying in colour
from golden-yellow to apricot.
The pale yellowish-green flesh has a juicy melon-like texture.
It is a delicious subtle flavoured fruit similar to a Honeydew or Rockmelon.
This plant is a consistent fruiter.
This is the size of the fruit you can expect from a plant aprox 2 years old
The biggest fruit ( like one in next pic) are from new plants.
Pepino flower
This small bush that resembles a tomato vine and grows to approximately
three feet in height certainly is a MUST HAVE in any vege garden.
Once planted and fertilised you will reap the rewards in no time.
My Pepino story.. ( From an Old Fart Farmer )
Worth a read.
Once upon a time while visiting relatives one Christmas
I was offered a taste of an unusual fruit which was proudly plucked from an ordinary looking bush by my sister in law.
I really liked the fruity taste as I ate a slice …skin and all, and I said
“I gotta get one of them plants”
That’s coming from someone who has to have
everything that is different and unusual
WELL!!!……..the second I blurted that out ,my excited sister in law took me out to the back of the house and to my surprise
just reafed out a piece of a Pepino plant with little Pepino’s dangling off it every where.
“Here! give this a go”…she said
I took it home and just cut it up into several pieces and planted it to the side of the vege patch
.I really didn’t expect it to live as it was a bit of a mess when I got it home.
Well!… within a few weeks it was starting to look like a plant again.
After 2 months I could see fruit developing.
At about 3 months we were eating this yummy fruit in our fruit salads .
It just doesn’t stop fruiting.
* I like start a new Pepino patch every year so I use fresh cuttings from the previous 1 year old plant *
Thank you for looking ….Louise
HORNED MELON …( Cucumis metuliferus )…UNIQUE AFRICAN CUCUMBER And Very RARE
Have I confessed of my sins yet ?..Okay, I have sinned again ..Bought this seeds also yesterday.
I’l bet I will need new Diapers after a kilo of this beauties ..lol
Small vine producing heaps of delicious fruit!
Not NOXIOUS or prohibited in any state of Australia!!! 🙂
Really now, this is a very hardy plant that is 100% edible…( Try it your self )
It is the origin of all melons, the original one that they all grew from!
Cool looking fruits that start of green, then ripen to a golden yellow then vivid Orange.
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Serious looking thorns, that do a pretty good job of protecting the juicy pulp from predation.
Watching the neighbours cows try to eat them is pretty amusing(they are growing wild in his corner block).
I will have a heap on my place down near the dam, they are great to munch on while having a dip.
No pests or diseases that I have noticed.
Stores for months after picking,…. Yellow/orange ones taste of banana/melon/something good…..
If you scoop out the flesh and boil with sugar and water then strain the seed out.
You can pour the “jelly” back in and set in the fridge for a cool Bright Green desert!
Great for the kiddies!….Just like me, since I still, am and feel like a kid ..Yayyyyyy
Well there you have it. Another cool and very versitile plant for the collection!
Till next time I will buy something new for my projects, I wish you all folks, …HAPPY GARDENING
Akka Old Fart….lol
GROWN YOUR OWN PEANUTS… KIDS FUN and D.I.Y. EASY.
Well folks, I LOVE NUTS…All kinds ..lol
Just bought some 20 Virginia Peanuts seeds the other night on e-bay again..Can’t help my self, but change my whole back yard crops this year.
Something new is always welcome, and like the old saying, VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE …Yup .
Originally I intend to plant them as a bit of a novelty/experiment. I have been told that they thrive with the spuds and sweet potatoes best, so I will just keep replanting the odd nut when I harvested a handful as i go by seasons, and B.T.W., there is no season/s with nuts in my back yard …ha ha ha .
As with the spuds and sweet potato, I just root around for the biggest ones as needed, then replant the runners and the odd seed.
I’m sure that’s not how the pros grow it but it will do the trick and works for me!…Well, so I have been told.
Pretty cool plant! Not a nut at all, it’s a legume and the shells and dried stems/stalk add lots of goodies to the soil.
Well see ?? there you have it….Nuts and more nuts as I go …LOL
Another cool and very versatile plant for the collection!
Till next time I buy something new, HAPPY GARDENING FOLKS.
MORINGA!!!…FOR HEALTH… HORSERADISH DRUMSTICK TREE
Well, let the childish nature come out of me LOL,
I just bought 10 seeds for $4 FREE delivery, last night from my favourite store and an HAPPY not GRUMPY old QUEENSLANDER mate…Yayyyy
http://stores.ebay.com.au/fairdinkumseeds
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“Miracle tree” or Moringa Oleifera” Has more than 90 nutrients and 46 different types of Antioxidants!
It has 7x the Vitamin C in Oranges, 4x the Calcium in Milk, 4x the Vitamin A in Carrots, 3x the Potassium in Bananas and even 2x the Protein in Milk!
“It helps reduce the bad Cholesterols and Triglycerides, control blood sugars and contains many anti-aging and anti-inflammitaory substances many of them have anti-cancer properties”
Bloody good stuff, just Google it if you are interested in it’s other health benefits.
I just like to eat it in stir fries and the leaves in salads.
The root makes a good horseradish/wasabi type sauce the leaves are just like any other leafy green and the pod is like a big bean.
Looks cool with it’s Jacaranda style leaf.
Well there you have it. Another cool and very versitile plant for the collection!
Am going to be busy this Spring, that’s for sure, but I feel am going to be bad also, as it will get worst with me, already I am on to 6 more kind of diferent seeds to buy….Keep watching the AUNTIE DOGMA ….he he he
HAPPY GARDENING FOLKS, and most of all, TO HEALTH …LOL
SUPER RARE ♥♥ ARCTIC PATAGUA ♥♥ EXOTIC TROPICAL FRUIT ♥ SNOW OKAY ♥ MINI ♥ ORGANIC HEIRLOOM
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This is the rarest and very much sought after FROST-hardy variety
(tolerates brief frost down to -8C even with snow ) of already very rare
Native Patagonian Patagua (Andean Highlands).
Lilac-Velvet – Mini tree.
Amazing fuzzy blooms in hues from
Abundant Bright golden fruits
boast Unparalleled MOST EXOTIC TROPICAL flavours all blended in luminescent golden pulp.
In South America the wonderful mixture of
Maracuya, Starfruit, Guanabana, Pineapple and Mangosteen in it’s flavour
made it a highly valued – and Expensive!-Delicacy.
Just make sure it has plenty of water, good drainage, full sun or part shade and Exotic Delicious Harvest, 2-3 times a year in (sub) tropics is guaranteed!
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CULTIVATION
- Bushy Shrub, averaging 1.5 mtrs and up to 2.3 mtrs tall.
- Perennial, average life span 5-7 yrs.
- Germination for Arctic Patagua can be expected between 20 and 40 days, sometimes up to 6 months, depending on germination conditions. Best germination temperatures: 15-25C.
- Growth is rapid. Under favourable conditions, flowers and fruit set occurs about 6 months from planting out.
- Spacing in the field would need to be 1.8m each way.
- Frost tolerant, due to it’s native range of high reaches of Patagonean Andes – up to 2000 mtrs over sea level.Established plants can tolerate brief frost/snow down to -8C. Does well during shortened Light days. (e.g. Subarctic winters in greenhouse) Deciduous – looses leaves during winter. Should be covered with plastic/cloth/hay if periods of heavy frost are expected.
- Fruiting temperatures: +8 to +32C, prefers humid constant temperatures between 10 to 25°C throughout the year.
- Does well in pots.
- Soil: any with good drainage. Sandy, stony, limey OK, but not clay.Likes organic matter (e.g. compost) and can handle aged manure fertilizing.
- Sun: (sub)Tropics: filtered direct or semi-shade. Cooler zones: direct.
- Needs stalking? – No.
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Water: medium to large demands. Keep moist at all times but do not over-water.
- Typical concerns: Root nematodes. Solution: Mexican Vitality Grass or at least True French Marigolds are a must nearby; Root rot due to overwatering in cool months. Solution: ensure good drainage. Reduce watering in winter. If soil heavy/clay/poorly drained, plant in Raised Garden Bed minimum 30 cm high over surface.
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Plants exhibit colour variations from one individual to another.Particularly blooms can open Chrystal white to royal blue, on the same plant in different seasons.However Arctic Patagua can always be easily recognized by the characteristic bright purple colour of new growth, veins, undersides of adult leaves and buds.
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Fruits are velvety-fuzzy when unripe.Upon full ripeness, the fuzz is easily wiped off.gently wash fruit with a cloth under running water. Ripe fruit is bright orange in colour.
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Fruit is sensational in jams, jellies, chutneys, sorbets, and fruit salsas. Other parts of the plant should not be eaten.
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SEED PROPAGATION TIPS..( Any type of seeds that is )
Especially for BEGINNER GARDENERS, I strongly recommend the following :
1. Pre-Soaking in weak black tea. All seeds germinate better when soaked for 24 hours in a saucer with weak black tea (to kill off possible fungus or micro pest larvae). The tea should be changed in 12 hours for a fresh one.
If you can, use rain water and just add a few drops of your tea into it. Tap water is often too hard for seeds.
2. Keep them WARM (not hot!) in MINI-GREENHOUSE box. Most seeds require warm temperatures to germinate.
You can use a 10 ltr , or better yet, 60 ltr (less chance of fungus) TRANSPARENT plastic box as a mini-greenhouse.
A great place for your germination box is on top of your fridge’s “warm spot” – touch the upper surface of the fridge, usually by the door – it is warmed up a few times a day bu running engine.
Any other spot that is constantly reliably warm, is a great choice, too.
3. Avoid tranplantation shock by never disturbing the roots. Seed in empty egg cases (make a hole at the bottom of each cell for drainage),
fill with a few teaspoons of a good organic potting mix and on top a spoonful of seed raising mix.
Link to Picture of how to make egg case punnet is in “Need advice?” section or can be viewed/downloaded here: (click on the link)
( Click Here )Making an Egg-Case Propagation Punnet
Wet the soil so that it’s moist but not soaking, close the box and
normally you do not need to water again until germination.
Still check every few days and if the soil does not stick to your finger when you tap it – add a few drops of water. If yor carton punnet seems to get fungus, it is a good indicatior you are overwatering. Take the lid of in a warm environment for a few hours, and try to put the drops of water in the centre of punnet, where the seed is, not on the carton sides. Does not hurt to lightly spray with eco-fungicide (if no gemination yet – young sdeedlings too tender for the spray yet).
Once germination occurred (at least for majority of punnets) – put the germination box into a light spot, but not direct sunlight.
Young seedlings are very delicate, so transparent walls of your 60 L box will
protect them from winds and sudden changes of temperatures.
Keep the lid loosely on for a few days and then take it off.
Most plants at the 4 true leaf stage are ready to be transplanted
(right with the carton punnet: when slightly wetted a few minutes before planting they are easily detachable)
4. Most seeds DO NOT need light to germinate.
(Exception: strawberries, passion fruit)
A no-direct-sun corner of your patio is a perfect spot for your germination box.
NEVER put germination punnets or young seedlings into direct sun – they will just cook.
If you want to harden seedlings before planting into garden bed,
do it about a week before transplant and read more on the web of how to do it correctly.
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Happy Gardening Folks 😀
Unusual, Adorable, Unique ….”Western Teaberry”…Gaultheria ovatifolia
Western Teaberry..Gaultheria ovatifolia..
Family: Ericaceae Species: Gaultheria ovatifolia.
Perennial groundcover shrub with bell shaped flowers bearing light minty flavoured bright red edible fruits in Autumn
after Spring/Summer flowering. Leaves and branches are used in herbal tea.
Surface sowing Autumn in moist well drained part shaded acidic soil. Height 10-15cm by 30cm spread.
Vegetables and Herbs to Plant in July
Despite what many people think, July is definitely not too late to start planting vegetables. July is also a good month to put in a second (or third) sowing of certain crops, such as carrots. It is also the perfect time to start planning the fall vegetable garden — fall will be here before you know it!
Below are lists, by U.S. region, of which vegetables and herbs you can plant in July. Unless specifically listed as “transplants” the items in this list can be direct-sown in your garden this month.
More Here
http://organicgardening.about.com
Growing Onions Vertically On The Windowsill
You can do a lot of dishes with onions, but even if you aren’t a fan of this vegetable, there is always room for a thin piece of onion to add a bit of flavor to the meal you just prepared for your family or friends. And most of the times, you have some onions in the kitchen but it’s not as fresh as you would want. A nice solution to this is growing your own onions. Don’t panic, you won’t need a garden, because you are growing it vertically on the windowsill. This way, you’ll save space and be green! Here is what you’ll need:
See more at: https://www.goodshomedesign.com/grow-onions-vertically-windowsill/
Thank goodness someone kept my original source 😊🍅
Making Mushroom Compost
For my Green Handed friends at Auntie Dogma’s Garden Spot.
Got it by luck, finally here it is….My way of doing mushroom compost in the past.
Haven’t done it for so long, I’m thinking of it again…Yayyyyy
Mushrooms are one of my little peccadilloes – so it was great to come across a good article over at Food from the Garden on creating mushroom compost and using it to grow your own mushrooms – a much more resilient solution than depending on bought Mushroom-growing kits. So that I have a copy in case the original page goes missing I have also reproduced parts of it below the fold, but go here to read the article while it is still there.
View original post 412 more words
LOVE TEA ??…Be WISE
Story at-a-glance
- Some tea bags are made with plastic, such as nylon, thermoplastic, PVC or polypropylene. While these plastics have high melting points, the temperature at which the molecules in polymers begin to break down is always lower than the melting point, which could allow the bags to leach compounds of unknown health hazards into your tea when steeped in boiling water
- Paper tea bags are frequently treated with epichlorophydrin, which hydrolyzes to 3-MCPD when contact with water occurs. 3-MCPD is a carcinogen associated with food processing that has also been implicated in infertility and suppressed immune function
- I recommend purchasing tea from manufacturers who can certify that their tea bags do not contain epichlorophydrin, and avoid plastic tea bags. Your best option is to opt for loose tea. Instructions for brewing tea using loose tea leaves are included
- When selecting tea of any kind, it should preferably be organic (to avoid pesticides) and grown in a pristine environment (tea is known to accumulate fluoride, heavy metals and other toxins from soil and water, so a clean growing environment is essential to producing a pure, high-quality tea)
Spring time
Amateur photography- private garden 😀
Not much but enough to cover our family needs
pomegranate tree
potato plant in container
white radishes
strawberry plant in container
beetroot
white radish
lettuce
peach tree blossoms
fig tree new leaves
What’s on in Paul’s garden this week ???.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 10:38:05 PM
Howdy folks, welcome to my world, AND LET’S SEE WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK in Paul’s garden, were they say that,
“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”HOW GRATEFUL I AM, I HAVE BOTH. Today in fact, I went out to get my self some unions, cucumbers, and some yummy cherry tomatoes for cooking and of course, a damn good fresh salad, also, to see ( check out ), how my young baby onions, shallots, melons & rock melons and other fruits are doing. As always, my miss little piggy she is a sleep under my young cherry tree. Lazy little piggy she is…..he he
Awwwwww, just see how beautiful my Radicchio salad ” ” Palla Rosso ” among some young radishes, young vines of Turkish cucumbers, and some young shooting shallots, looks when in flower. Isn’t she beautiful ??
I guess my sweet sugar melons and rocky melons are doing it fine….Yayyyy…he he
Oh my, oh my, look who is guarding my huge zucchini left for next year’s seeds…A Black Ant. Do you folks know, that black ants protect your house from invaders like the White Ants and eat them or kill the white ants then take them to theirs nest for dinner later ( The ones who invade and eat the frames of a house in a year if they get on to it ), they also knows the owner of the place, in particular if you feed them, or help them to start a new nest ( By making a hole in the ground with a pipe and let them do the rest ), and that a bait of an black ant can give a very big swallow, and a very very painful feel, even put a child in hospital ? ..But I love these guardian angels, I walk around when I see them, never crash them, and they knows that also. ( Learned this from an old native local friend of mine.) That is an female Black Ant,…Long legs and slim…SEXY LITTLE THING Isn’t ??..LOL
Well, I got my self some young unions out, but couldn’t find my veggies basket, ( Dull moment when becoming an Old Fart, forget things in a rush ), but never bothers me much, I AM A PROBLEM SOLVER….ha ha ha.
See ???..EASY DONE…Problem solved, USE THE HAT or POCKETS, tho, ( Never put grape tomatoes in pockets, TRUST ME )…he he
Ouch, my Rhodesian zucchini I grow on the rope , was so full of fruits and got so heavy, that broke my nylon rope, yes, them hay bales ropes….Pewwww .
Looks like my Jerusalem Artichokes are doing well, and in September will be ready for harvest ..Yummmmmm.
And my Dill & Shallots are doing well also.
Yes, my compost corner is almost full and ready for autumn rain.
My pot with young runners of Dill & coriander is looking great too.
And so is the Sage plant.
Wowwwww, look at the flowers and fruits on my Guava tree…Cant wait for these yummy beauties ( Best ), full of Vitamin C, sweet juice and flavor….I recommend everyone should have a Guava tree in his/her backyard..
My Tahitian Lime HAS FRUITS Also…Still young, and very slow grower.
Them 2 weird plants below ?? he he… They doing well too, have beautiful flowers, and thrive with Oregano around the roots..Ouch LOL
..Now, …For those who will say Oh my he grows Tobacco plants too ??, TeeeeeHeeeee, ….I ask you not to panic or jump to conclusions, I don’t smoke these bloody weed, ( I have not time to process the thing ), I use the DRY leaves as my Alternative NATURAL SPRAY for Aphids, White flies and other pests in the garden….Oh, B.T.W., the one on the left is the female plant the other is the male…Notice the difference ???…The FEMALE HAS BIGGER LEAVES….Similar to VOLUPTUOUS BABES TODAY….LOL
Next to my Tobacco plants I have some young plants of Purple Basil, some Lemon Scented Mint, and of course, my Garlic crop for summer which have to dry a bit more before I mince it, and freeze some. Oh, and some union waiting to dry a bit also.
THE first PIC IS MY OLD BOY ( Jack ),and his friend ( Liza ), the big Lizard, HOLDING SOME PORCH LIGHT FOR ME… LOL
Now that will be all for today folks, I can’t wait to show you next week my Lemon tree in flowers, bees and all while still bearing some beautiful lemons …Very good lemon tree for any garden, have 3 crops per year, that is NON STOP…The species is called Eureka Lemon.
Quote:
“The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground.”
“It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere”
Unquote:
….HOW TRUE.
SHALOM to all.
In my “SELF SUFFICIENT” own world.
Sunday, March 31, 2013 10:14:22 PM
HOWDY ALL, and,… Welcome to my world. 
That is what I call Enjoyment, Fun, Freedom & Self Sufficiency and being Independent. Come on, FOLLOW ME in my little back yard please, get your gloves and boots on. I do Hope you will like it. Oh, I took the photos with my cell phone, since I am about to buy my self a new camera specially made to fit my new telescope in about 3 weeks from now… Sowy folks.
And YES, all the pics are fresh as hot bred, all taken today, except the last one of Jack the Russel dog.
That’s just my gnome poor bugger, couldn’t hold no more LOL
That’s my new porch addition to the old cottage. I built it some 5 years ago? Take a look at my few other garden patches ( garden lots ), you will see more later bellow… Oh the blue drum on the stand next to the shed you ask ?…That’s my new practical, simple & cheap design of my smoke house, for winter when I smoke my pork & garlic sausages, ribs, bacon and the rest ..JEWISH ARCHITECT HERE for all projects at this address……ha ha ha
As you all can see here, that’s just a part of my veggies patches. Now I remember that I RUMBLE sometime ego, in fact few times by my old memory, about my SOLAR PROJECT which I built a year and a half ego now…. Here are some bits of it, Let’s take a good look…..Oh, it works beauty and wonders, and save me an average of at least $150 to $200 a quarter on my bill.
What you think ?? Good ?? Let’s take a look at my batteries bank box, fuses box, power points,and my other power outlets for the outside lights, rain water tanks pumps, or any thing to do with FREE POWER FROM THE SUN for tools or radio, insects zapper etc, etc.That box is also my workbench he he he
Now folks, some of you which knows me, knows that I AM NOT DESPERATE FOR A COMPANIONSHIP, yet, still looking…L.M.B.O. …Mean time, JUST TO LET You ALL KNOW, I am not alone …. Here comes my lady in white, AND ME DA KING…Wowwww.
Okay now, let’s take another look of some other veggies patches, my other 2 rain water tanks, my young Cherry, Eureka Lemon, Garrya Elliptica ( Catkin Shrub ), few native Aussie “CALLISTEMONS” ( WHITE AND PURPLE ) Flowering trees & shrubs ( Bees & birds attracting ), Pomegranate, Tahitian Lime, Tangelo Seminole and Guava tree (Veggies lots), from a different angle.
Followed by more pots and many more pots all with herbs …LOL
Okay now ENOUGH pots and herbs, let’s go have a closer look at the flowers and fruits bearing on my garden eh ?? ?? Follow me close then….Wowwwww, lots of them he he he.
Here I like to show you how my cherry tomatoes plants just love to climb up the tree and down on it …He he he
View of my young Cherry tree from my hide away spot….LOL
Now back to take a look at some fruits of Eggplants, Water Melons, Rock melons, Zoukiny’s, Garlic & lots of young baby Shallots, etc.
That’s my second rain water tank pump ( All pipes are 3 quarter inch, all under ground , my climbing corner of cherry tomatoes and some timed taps.The second pic, shows you my fave PURPLE BASIL HERB, and my resting garden bench…LOL…
SO YOU SEE FOLKS ?? YOU WILL BE AMASSED OF WHAT YOU CAN DO ON A SMALL SUBURB BLOC. And just to show you that an Old Fart never stop being active, I have more projects in mind, ready to start…Ops, NOT TODAY, PERHAPS NEXT WEEK….…THAT WILL BE AN ADDITION OF EXTRA 800 Watts ( 8 MORE SOLAR PANELS ) meaning, FREE POWER from the sun, and less on my power bill, but most exciting part of it being, I WILL BE MORE CLOSER TO BECOME FREE OF THESE BIG CORPORATION SERPENTS BREEDING IN SEWERS and INBREED BASTARDS RIPPING ME OFF.
With that being said, I will walk you now to the back of my backyard, behind the sheds on my custom made alley, and show you again my autumn crocuses and DAMN little gnome I SEE THAT STILL HAVE HIS PANTS DOWN, WANTING TO POOP…. L.M.B.O.
That is it from me folks, time to do lots of other things, many places to go and see, till next time remember, GOD IS IN THE GARDEN…. PS:…. Please don’t tell me I SHOULD HAVE MOW THE LAWN Yes I know I SHOULD HAVE DONE IT, but hey WHY DO IT ALL TODAY, WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH TIME TO INFINITY ??? NEXT TIME, I WILL WAIT TILL I MOW MY FRONT YARD, TAKE some PICTURES WITH MY NEW CAMERA, AND SHOW YOU HOW TO LOOK THE BEST HOUSE ON THE STREET. SHALOM from ME, and PEACE from HIM. In memory of 1 year since he is gone ( My beloved boy Jack, the one I LOVED SO MUCH, now GONE after 17 years together. Rest in peace MATE )… May your soul be with angels……….. Jack’s pic bellow.
Starting a Garden ~ Dogma Garden Spot
Starting a Garden ~ Dogma Garden Spot
Vegetable gardening is an empowering activity for people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you have a few containers, a community garden plot, or a large “country” garden, you can supply your family and friends with nutritious vegetables for 6 to 9 months of the year. Vegetable gardening is terrific exercise and can help reduce household food expenses, plus the added bonus of knowing what you are eating 
Planning and preparation are essential to a good gardening experience. A vegetable garden is not created in a day. Before you run out to the garden center and buy plants, think about these 5 basic steps:
We’re going to help you with some gardening planning and tips for all locations and garden sizes … enjoy and feel free to contribute !
Auntie Dogma's Garden Spot 
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