Category: Fertiliser

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Barbie's garden Do it yourself Fertiliser Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

Keep on Growing

I am proud to say that I am a Seed Gatherer! I have grown Heirloom seeds with some success and with the rewards, I am collecting the next seasons crop! The two tomato variations I have grown are Blondkofchen and Amish Salad Tomato.

Blondkopfchen

An heirloom tomato from eastern Germany. The name of this adorable heirloom cherry tomato means “little blonde girl”.
These tomato seeds produce big, leafy, indeterminate, regular-leaf tomato plants that yield a phenomenal amount of  grape-sized, brilliant yellow/gold, cherry tomatoes in clusters of 20-30. The vines are large and sprawling, so give them plenty of space. Blondkopfchen is undoubtedly one of the best tasting cherry tomatoes. Deliciously sweet with a slight citrusy tart finish. A Non-cracking, disease resistant tomato variety that grows well in most climates including cooler growing regions.

Amish Salad Tomato

These small, red oval Heirloom open-polinated cherries seem to last forever on the vine without rotting or losing flavour. The flesh is very firm, mild and sweet, perfect for sauces, salads and for drying. There are up to 6 blemish-free tomatoes per cluster and are well-suited to both fresh market and home garden. A real advantage in the garden. They are still around during early winter!

Other seeds to gather….

Peppadew Chilli and Paprika-type Pepper

Peppadew

Paprika Pepper

New Heirloom seeds

[one_half]Organic Seeds[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Some freebies[/one_half_last]

[one_half]These going into the ground this week[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Direct sowing in raised beds[/one_half_last]

To keep the new seedlings well fed and watered – I have worm tea ready and rain water in a bucket. By using rainwater (or let the water stand so the chlorine can evaporate out) you don’t kill the beneficial micro-organisms, which is the point of municipal chlorine. I use the mixture of  1 Tablespoon to 1 litre of water.

[one_half]Worm Leachate – drains out of bin[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Rain water[/one_half_last]

Some of the benefits of the worm tea include:

  • a natural repellent for scale, mites, white flies, and aphids
  • natural fungicide in soil and on plant surfaces
  • increase in plant stem size and foliage
  • acts as a soil conditioner
  • will not burn plants
  • creates healthy soil for healthy plants
  • aides in the creation of colloidal humus
  • grows healthier fruits and vegetables than those treated with chemical fertilizers
  • improves water retention in soil
  • reduces the amount of waste going to the landfill, because worms eat our garbage

I really enjoy the idea of everything I use or re-use comes from my home – the worms eat the kitchen scraps, they make healthy compost and tea (homemade fertilizer), which helps my garden to grow!!

And so goes the circle of life!

Happy gardening xxxxxx

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Christine's garden Fertiliser Gardening Home page features Perenniels

The Rookie Rose Grower

Beautiful Iceberg rose

My first roses which I planted were three Iceberg standard roses. I blogged about them when they first started blooming here and of course when they were first planted in March this year here. They’ve produced lovely blooms throughout the year but I’ve never been overly impressed with the actual plants since day one. They were not particularly good looking specimens, but once they were in the garden they were mine and I resolved to care for them and make it work.

Here is how the newly planted roses looked in March 2011 (not great, huh?)

March 2011

According to all the South African literature on roses, the last week in July is the final date for hard pruning roses. I educated myself as best I could, reading books, magazine articles, blogs and I even watched a few videos on how best to prune roses. Suitably intimidated, I nonetheless did the big chop, as I was told to at the end of July. They looked pretty pathetic after the pruning – three sticks with a few twigs – and I was very apprehensive about my “prune job”, to say the least.

So how did I do?

Here is how they look right now, October 2011:

October 2011

There are plenty of buds on the roses, lots of growth and, if I say so myself, they look about one hundred times better than the plants I was sold back in March (see first photo above), so I’m quite happy. I’ve subsequently done some finger pruning (which I read about) and removed some extra buds, so I’m hoping over the next few weeks my roses will continue to flourish.

[one_half]First bloom of the seasonFirst bloom of the season[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Love how pure the white looksLove how pure the white looks[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lots of new budsLots of new buds[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Beautiful Iceberg roseBeautiful Iceberg rose[/one_half_last]

[one_third]All the new growthAll the new growth[/one_third]

[one_third]From 5 twigs to thisFrom 5 twigs to this[/one_third]

[one_third_last]I think its looking goodLooking good[/one_third_last]

[one_half]Another beauty about to unfurlAnother beauty[/one_half]

[one_half_last]I like them best at this stageI like them best at this stage[/one_half_last]

Today I’ve mulched, fed, finger pruned and watered and I’m hoping for good growth and lots more blooms over the next few months. I’m even contemplating buying a few new rose bushes – pink this time, and not standards.

How are your roses doing?
xxx

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Christine's garden Fertiliser Gardening Home page features

Progress in the compost mixer

First load of compost

You might remember I invested in a compost mixer in June and set it up with its first “load” of material to compost on 2nd June. It’s been three months so I thought it might be time to get my first load of compost. Not quite … but I don’t think its due to the compost mixer. I had bags of leaf materials and “garden debris” which a garden helper collected for me. I should have told him leaves only, no branches and sticks! The compost is looking good but for all the large sticks in it.

[one_half]The compost mixerThe compost mixer[/one_half]

[one_half_last]First load of almost compostFirst load of compost[/one_half_last]

[one_half]A closer lookA closer look[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lots of black stuffLots of black stuff[/one_half_last]

So I guess I’ll be sifting twigs and sticks out of my first home-made compost.

I’m amazed actually at how well everything has broken down. About 70% of the material was garden debris, the rest was what we collect from the kitchen (scraps, egg shells, fruit skins, veggie scraps etc.). I haven’t been very good about turning the compost mixer regularly. I do it when I remember, but I’m wondering how long it should take to be usable?

Happy gardening
xxx

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Barbie's garden Fertiliser Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous Products

Neutrog in my garden

I had the pleasure of meeting Julie Velosa from Neutrog. She came across our blog and we met for coffee, here in my village of Philadelphia, and she offered us product to try out in our gardens. Well, I was totally keen to do this, because I know that Neutrog is certified organic and I have been looking at what to add to my winter garden in preparing for my spring planting. She came just in the nick of time. I was blown away when a week later, as promised,  they delivered bags and bags of Bounce Back and Blade Runner.

Julie gave me an interesting introduction to the product and the company. Here is what she had to say…

“To give you a bit of background – all products in the Neutrog range are chicken-manure based (I’m sure as gardeners, we are well aware of the long-known benefits of chicken manure as a fertiliser!). The distinction with the Neutrog brand however is that the raw materials undergo a unique 8-10 week composting process and are subjected to steam treatment. These processes stabilise the nutrients, maximise nutrient availability and ensure the product is free of any parasites, pathogens and weed seeds, which you definitely don’t want to put into your garden.  Most importantly, the resulting product retains the microbiology necessary to provide a ‘living’ fertiliser, which feeds the soil slowly once applied. We believe fully in feeding the soil, as opposed to force-feeding the plant, which is often how chemical products work.

Neutrog is granted organic certification by ECOCERT for our organic range, which includes Bounce Back, Rapid Raiser and Blade Runner. Bounce Back is probably our most well-known general garden product and forms the base of the rest of the range. It is pelletised so it is easy to apply and releases nutrients slowly – this way they are not flushed away. We then have Blade Runner which comes in a crumble form, this is designed for lawns as the crumbles make it easier to spread on a large surface area. Rapid Raiser has added soft rock phosphate which helps with root development and is therefore perfect for planting and means you don’t need to add bone meal.  We are also releasing a new product in the next few months which we are hugely excited about, the product is called Seamungus and is has added fishmeal, seaweed extracts and humic acid – it’s a wonderful health tonic for your garden. It has been used in the commercial market and is due for release into the retail market towards the end of the year.”

Well, I have added all my bags to the front garden, the front lawn and my fruit trees in the back. I will keep you all posted with updates!

Thanks to Julie and Neutrog!

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Christine's garden Do it yourself Fertiliser Gardening Home page features Products

Composting confessions and a solution

Keter Composter

Composting … I know it’s the “right thing to do”. I know it saves money. I know it would be great for my plants … bla bla bla.

So I ordered a compost bin. When it arrived it was one of those that needs to be ‘planted’ in the garden and couldn’t just be put in the space I’d specifically allocated for it, being in a concrete alley way down the side of the house where the trash bin lives (and a few other things). I didn’t want to ‘plant’ a plastic green container in my garden. Sorry, but it doesn’t fit in with my gardening plan. I don’t consider an upside down plastic green thingy-amy-bin an appropriate garden feature. And I have no hidden places in the garden – with my penchant for impulse buying of plants, every nook and cranny in my garden is reserved for something pretty … so out with the unused green plastic monstrosity!

But I am still “into” the idea of composting. We have been collecting the leaves and debris from gutters etc (branches and twigs from the trees are used as kindling for our indoor fireplaces so there is never any surplus of those) but we now have 8 11 large green bags in the alley way full of leaves in various stages of ‘mulchiness’. But still no real compost solution here at Number 13! Egg shells and greens from the kitchen are still going to waste here. Not good …

What I wanted is an easy solution for adding and mixing compost. I did lots of research and came to the conclusion that a free standing bin or box is not a good idea for me – I honestly don’t have the time, inclination or strength to mix compost myself on a regular basis and the result would be a neglected compost heap and resultant mess! I like working with dirt in the garden – my hands can take it, but climbing into a pile of it and turning it with a fork on a regular basis … well I just know thats not going to happen. Compost mixers (with handles that you crank) looked like a solution but I’ve never found one here. Until I discovered the Compost Mixer by Keter online.

So I bought one on Saturday! It was darn pricey, a whole lot more than I ever intended to pay for such a thing but it looks great and ticks all my requirements. It is well constructed, very sturdy and offers a number of other benefits and I believe that given the quality of this compost mixer it will last a very long time. I can stand it in the alley way – in fact, it is a requirement that it stands on a sturdy, level surface in the sun – and I have the perfect full sun position for it right in the alley. I really think this is the right composting solution for me.

[one_half]The mounting bags of leavesLeaf mulch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Vacant spot perfect for my new compost mixerThe Perfect spot![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Its a VERY large box!A big box![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Complete with instuctions etc.The Compost Mixer[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Compost Mixer by Keter (photo © Keter)Keter Composter[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Compost Mixer by Keter (photo © Keter)Keter Composter[/one_half_last]

Some of the features & benefits of it are:

  • Innovative gear allows effortless tumbling even with a full load
  • Extra large mixing fins for faster decomposition (increases compost cycles per season)
  • Controlled ventilation improves composting
  • Positive locking latch secures door closed
  • You can collect compost tea via the drippy thingy
  • You get a load of compost about every 8 – 12 weeks (depending on the season and what you put in there of course).
  • It holds 230 litres or 60 gallons at a time

Right now I’m sitting with the instruction book and it looks rather intimidating to me – I think I need some help with it. There are scary warnings that say “incorrect use can lead to death …” Yikes! Hows that for a warning? I will take photographs of the whole process and do a post on the set up of my new composter and show it in action over the next few months. Hopefully it does exactly what it promises. Then I will finally be able to do a post entiled “Admissions of an ardent composter”, or something similar 🙂 🙂

Please note that this is not a product endorsement or some sort of paid review. In fact, when I enquired via their website about where to purchase one of these in South Africa, I received such a curt response that I almost didn’t want to purchase it. In this instance the actual product sold me, certainly not their PR! #Just so you know!

Easy-go gardening cartNext on my “wish list”:

Can you believe I don’t have a wheel barrow? Seriously … I lug everything around by hand. And its very tedious. So this is a little hint for my family that may or may not read this! For my next birthday I would LOVE one of these – its also by Keter, its call an Easy Go gardening cart and it looks perfect for me! I would be so, so happy to get one of these!

Features include that it is a lightweight, heavy-duty work wagon that allows you to load and move heavy loads “with the greatest of ease”, its multipurpose use is ideal for garage, basement, recycling, and yard maintenance and it won’t rust, dent, stain, or peel which is great, so I can leave it outside overnight – which I often do with gardening tools and things when I don’t feel like packing up after gardening! I’d also love one of these … its called a “Planteo“, it’s like a little green house! Maybe one day … Right now I first have to get the composter out the box and set up before I start thinking about more things!

Happy Gardening
xxxx

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Christine's garden Fertiliser Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous Products

Thank you very Mulch

After mulching close up

Hi Barbie – I wanted to thank you again for the ten bags of apricot kernel / pip shell mulch you brought for me and thought you might like to see the results. I decided to tackle the two front beds first as I am waiting for the tree fellers to come on 6 June before I create the walkway at the back (which is what the apricot pip shells were actually intended for).

But you know me … I couldn’t wait to experiment so the two front beds got “mulched”. I used up two bags doing the Rose Bed and one in the Gardenia Bed so I might need to get hold of your contact to get a few more as I would like to do this everywhere … if you think it looks nice?

Here are a few photographs I took of the new “Rose Bed” which I did this morning. I took a few “before” and “after” photos so you can see the results.

[one_half]Close up of beforeBefore mulching close up[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Close up of afterAfter mulching close up[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Large view beforeBefore[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Large view afterAfter[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Another close up viewCloser view[/one_half]

[one_half_last]And another closer lookCloser view[/one_half_last]

So what do you think? I really like it …

Happy Gardening
xxx

 

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Christine's garden Fertiliser Gardening Home page features

Christine’s Soil Experiment Result

Soil Test Result

So I’ve learnt two things doing this “Great Soil Expirement”. The first thing is that I think I have good soil but have no idea how to actually read the result and the second is that I have a lot to learn about photographing glass containers that reflect light. Lots of reading up on the internet and the best I can do is a photograph of a jar of dirt and water reflecting me in my pyjamas taking a photograph of it!

[one_half]Soil Test Result[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Soil Test Result[/one_half_last]

The result of my Soil Test: Hanni from Sweet Bean Gardening says that the sand will sink to the bottom, the silt stays in the middle and the clay rises to the top. Looks like I have a fair amount of sand and silt and not too much clay.

According to Wikipedia: Loam is soil composed of sand, silt, and clay in relatively even concentration (about 40-40-20% concentration respectively). Loam soils generally contain more nutrients and humus than sandy soils, have better infiltration and drainage than silty soils, and are easier to till than clay soils. Loams are gritty, moist, and retain water easily.

Am I correct in assuming I have pretty good soil?

Visit Sweet Bean Gardening to see other results “Dirt Cheap: Free Soil Composition Test“ at The Great Soil Experiment Meme.

 

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Barbie's garden Fertiliser Gardening Miscellaneous Products

Worm Farming

Worm Bin Farming
Worm Bin Farming

I have always wanted to start a worm farm – ever since I saw the first worm farm bins at the Organics Expo 2 years ago. I do, however, find that R800+ is a bit steep for the initial set up. I have a good friend of mine (actually one of my authors) that started up a worm farm business called Worm Wisdom.

Worm farming as a hobby will not only produce excellent compost for your garden but it is also therapeutic and fun! It is an easy system to set up and the costs involved are minimal. The main advantage of worm farming is that the worms will break down your organic waste quicker than traditional methods of composting.

To start up a Worm Farm, follow the instructions on the Worm Wisdom website – www.wormwisdom.co.za where you can also purchase a ready-made worm farm – like I did.

Happy Gardening ….with worms!

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Barbie's garden Fertiliser Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous Products

What is Organic Gardening?

Compost

Through my research I found out that for hundreds of years we have grown plants without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides. Today there is a growing concern for the environment and how important it is to us and the dangers of the pollution to air, water and animal life and food crops and its degradation, by the world-wide use of chemical products. We have not paid attention to the harm this has done.

I want to make a difference. So I want to highlight Organic Gardening – a method of gardening and growing plants and vegetables using only organic products such as manures, composts and organic fertilizers to improve and retain soil fertility, natural substances to control pests and diseases and growing insect repellent plants and companion plants which are beneficial to each other. It takes a lot of research and it is easy to find out what plants help each other to grow and flourish. Let’s leave out the Crude Oil Waste Products, like chemical fertilizers and pesticides. I use seaweed!!

[one_half]CompostStart with a good organic compost[/one_half]

[one_half_last]KelpakKelpak liquid fertilizer[/one_half_last] 

KELPAK

 Kelpak, derived from the seaweed species Ecklonia Maxima (Kelp), is a natural and unique source of Auxins and Cytokinins, a group of plant growth bioregulators that have been proven to have a number of beneficial physiological effects on plants.

Ongoing research and trial data from around the globe have proven Kelpak’s ability to significantly increase the health, quality and yield in a wide variety of crops, benefiting farmers around the world for over 30 years.

In 1975 The brown seaweed, Ecklonia maxima, is identified as having beneficial effects on plant growth and the quest begins to develop a cellular level extraction technology.

Auxins are natural plant hormones produced in a plant’s shoot tips and translocate downwards. One of its effects is to signal a plant to increase its root growth.

Cytokinins are natural plant hormones produced in the root tips and translocate upwards. One of its effects is to signal a plant to produce more and larger foliage.

While most plant growth stimulants make use of high Cytokinin levels to temporarily promote top growth, this does little to improve the roots of the crop, often resulting in an unbalanced plant.

Kelpak, through its unique extraction process, contains a very high Auxin to Cytokinin ratio. This auxin domination stimulates vigorous primary and secondary root development in the plant, thus enhancing the plant’s hormone production with a resultant improved crop output.

 Research information from –  http://www.kelpak.com/

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Fertilizers or Compost?

Swiss chard

Swiss chardA mistake which people often make is to assume that if they use artificial fertilizers, they do not need to use compost or any other organic matter. IF you have to use artificial fertilizers they must always be used in conjuction with compost otherwise the soil will deteriorate in its organic content with a resulting poor structure.  Bulky manures and organic products will steadily improve the quality of the soil so that fewer artificial fertilizers need to be used. Good quality food crops can be successfully produced without  any artificial fertilizers and this is the basis for organic gardening.