tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post4562117156080634019..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Still in the summer gardenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-45897545551636050582009-01-08T03:49:00.000+10:002009-01-08T03:49:00.000+10:00You have such a lovely garden. I have enjoyed vis...You have such a lovely garden. I have enjoyed visiting your blog for quite some time. Thank you for all the wonderful ideas and the sharing of your knowledge. I am planning to put 1/2 my garden in raised beds this year very much inspired by your gardens. Thank you!<BR/>Blessings,<BR/><BR/>KathKath Mattushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13367130236949213342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74832316479718121702009-01-08T02:50:00.000+10:002009-01-08T02:50:00.000+10:00Thank you, Rhonda and Judy!Harmony, I like your li...Thank you, Rhonda and Judy!<BR/>Harmony, I like your little patch! I bit off more than I could chew the first year I planted veggies, and was dissapointed with the results. Yours looks like a good start!<BR/>-MelanieMelaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08321634357908771759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-650569899185735652009-01-07T22:43:00.000+10:002009-01-07T22:43:00.000+10:00Hi RhondaLove the photo of your chooks. A few m...Hi Rhonda<BR/>Love the photo of your chooks. A few months ago I was lucky enough to purchase Lyn's book at a second hand book shop. I have started my first vegie garden, and I have gained so much information from her book. The book is well written and set out in an easy format.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-23189769250952797372009-01-07T19:33:00.000+10:002009-01-07T19:33:00.000+10:00Hello again Rhonda, Just a quick note (you needn't...Hello again Rhonda, <BR/><BR/>Just a quick note (you needn't post unless you choose); Abraham Lincoln tomatoes are a heirloom variety. They grow (here in SW Virginia) beautifully ~ no splitting, perfectly round. Great slicers, meaty and the flavor is exceptional. At least, I think so. I'm sure everyone has their favorites when it comes to tomatoes and these are mine. I was introduced by a neighbor/co-worker several years back. He starts all his plants from seed and this year I'm going to give it a whirl. I've not been successful in the past, but I am determined ~ in large part because of you and your blog. <BR/><BR/>I love how you write and I love that we all gather 'round and share. Bless you.<BR/><BR/>MindyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-16860802425030346982009-01-07T14:27:00.000+10:002009-01-07T14:27:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda :) Your garden is so beautiful and NEAT!...Hi Rhonda :) Your garden is so beautiful and NEAT! I love it. <BR/><BR/>I've only just started planting vegetables this year and really enjoy it, I have a very tiny and messy patch - http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/abby2060/15dec2008_garden1.jpg<BR/><BR/>For my next patch I would like to try the no-dig gardening method where you just lay down newspaper and straw - have you tried that yourself, and if yes does it actually work?<BR/><BR/>Also how is your book coming along? I can't wait to buy and read it :)<BR/><BR/>Take care<BR/>Harmony<BR/><BR/>Tarragindi, BrisbaneThe Smart Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17024313259098761747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-24736758229896625652009-01-07T13:59:00.000+10:002009-01-07T13:59:00.000+10:00@MelanieCongratulations Melanie on your upcoming m...@Melanie<BR/>Congratulations Melanie on your upcoming move to your new house! Hope all goes smoothly for you<BR/>All the best<BR/>Judy in AdelaideAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-10459228682831043052009-01-07T13:19:00.000+10:002009-01-07T13:19:00.000+10:00Thank you, Your girls are so pretty.Say one of the...Thank you, Your girls are so pretty.<BR/><BR/>Say one of the hens is not laying. I have found two large dungs that look as if perhaps they might be an egg that was not formed. <BR/>If a hen is doing this is there something I should do for her?<BR/>perhaps it is re absorption?Donettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530145585581721795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67553681738720268602009-01-07T11:43:00.000+10:002009-01-07T11:43:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,I am always amazed at the wealth of info...Hi Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>I am always amazed at the wealth of information on your site and your generosity to share it - you have built a true community here.<BR/><BR/>I didn't realize that about tomatoes but it sure explains a lot. <BR/><BR/>I have removed the tomatoes that are just beginning to ripen and brought them into the kitchen.<BR/><BR/>Next week when it s a bit cooler I am going to get into the kitchen and make a green tomato chutney with any green tomatoes left.<BR/><BR/>Thanks<BR/>EmmaEmmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15506410582063678418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-25627670140813106452009-01-07T11:12:00.000+10:002009-01-07T11:12:00.000+10:00thanks Coleen, I've added those ideas to the list....thanks Coleen, I've added those ideas to the list.<BR/><BR/>Stormie, I've tried companion planting and found it to work for some things and not for others. But with everything in your garden, you should try it yourself, just because it doesn't work here, doesn't mean it won't work for you. I firmly believe in planting flowers in the garden to attract certain insects - I regularly plant marigolds, nasturtiums, cosmos, yarrow etc.<BR/><BR/>Margaret, get some chickens. I've kept chickens for over 25 years and have never been over run with seniors. LOL!<BR/><BR/>Sue, I haven't read the square foot gardening book so I can't comment on it. I have to say though that enriching your soil, not once but in between EVERY planting, is the secret to healthy vegetables.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for that Bel. I thought that might happen because, as you can see in the pineapple photo, there is a large new shoot coming up. I think if I told Hanno that plant should stay in another year, he'd keel over. ;- ) I hope it's able to be transplanted after I cut off THE pineapple because I'll take it out the front with the others and see if it gives me a second one.<BR/><BR/>Chookie: grass is kept out of the garden by constant weeding and by the brick edging. We let the chooks into the garden when it's almost empty, mainly for them to eat up all the insect eggs and bugs. We use their manure in our quick compost. When Hanno mows the lawn, he throws the clippings into the fenced off chook house yard. The chooks scratch through the clippings for a few weeks, we keep the clippings wet, they poo on them and it turns the clippings into a very nice compost in about 4 - 6 weeks. That is loaded into the wheelbarrow and dug into the garden.<BR/><BR/>Melanie, that's wonderful, congratulations! I send my best to you and your husband. I hope the move is everything you want it to be.Rhonda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91719337778271567612009-01-07T10:49:00.000+10:002009-01-07T10:49:00.000+10:00I think that's the best look of your yard I've had...I think that's the best look of your yard I've had yet!! It is very beautiful!!<BR/>Our house offer has been accepted :) So I've spent the day dreaming about my gardens (although none of my seed catalogues have arrived yet), and the house, and the animals we plan to get! I'm beyond excited, as it's our first house! It will be a busy spring between moving, renovating, gardening, and having a baby...but I'm sooo excited to be able to live more of the lifestyle we've only been dreaming (and reading!) about.<BR/>I'll be referencing your blog a lot over the next few months, I'm sure!! Thanks for providing such a wonderful resource!Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08321634357908771759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-48152168135192546682009-01-07T10:26:00.000+10:002009-01-07T10:26:00.000+10:00Rhonda, I have a few more questions:1. How do you...Rhonda, I have a few more questions:<BR/>1. How do you keep the grass out of your garden beds?<BR/>2. Do you pen your chooks on top of fallow beds? I have the impression you are carting manure instead.Chookiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07230973711859964063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66668600149019309782009-01-07T10:14:00.000+10:002009-01-07T10:14:00.000+10:00Rhonda, if you leave your pineapple plant in the g...Rhonda, if you leave your pineapple plant in the ground, it will produce a smaller pineapple the next year!Belhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269898358066713252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81265556093829006582009-01-07T10:02:00.000+10:002009-01-07T10:02:00.000+10:00Rhonda,I just love your shady doodads.Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>I just love your shady doodads.shulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349989043861777133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38884981856527257112009-01-07T09:06:00.000+10:002009-01-07T09:06:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda, I have a question. I just bought the ...Hi Rhonda, I have a question. I just bought the book Square Foot Gardening. What do you think of sfg? I see you can control your soil as he has a "recipe" in there so you don't need to worry about your particular soil. Since we've moved here six years ago, we can't get back the beautiful garden we left at the old house. I thought sfg would help. Any thoughts?Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08927451102683785258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60129358062011701682009-01-07T08:51:00.000+10:002009-01-07T08:51:00.000+10:00I have to admit I'm a little jelous as I read your...I have to admit I'm a little jelous as I read your post with windy, dark and rainy weather outside. I got three gardening books for Christmas and I'm busy making decisions about my garden. I'm excited to put in a new bed this year, I should have tilled the new veggie bed in the fall but didn't get around to it. Well better late than never I guess.<BR/>You have also inspired me to get chickens this year. I'm a little scared about killing the darn things when they get too old but I'll deal with that later. I have a great fear of my yard being overun with senior chickens...and me running behind them making sure they are all right.<BR/>Love your blog.<BR/><BR/>MargaretMargarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03593728147751269710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11892819219495728672009-01-07T08:13:00.000+10:002009-01-07T08:13:00.000+10:00It is funny because I never post comments - except...It is funny because I never post comments - except on your website! It just seems like a friendly open forum. Anyways, have you had any experience with companion planting? I found a book about it at our local library and since I garden in a small space I'm going to intensively plant and intermix certain herbs and flowers to attract beneficial insects. This is the first year I am trying this so I hope it does well. Your yard is very cute especially with your chickens, and I am glad someone asked the question about the pots on top of the stakes. Great idea! I'm going to start buying up small pots at yard sales just for that reason. I can't wait for the kitchen table forum b/c I have lots of questions about your chickens. Thanks again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90607014935217349502009-01-07T07:56:00.000+10:002009-01-07T07:56:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,Another great lot of info. I didn't real...Hi Rhonda,<BR/>Another great lot of info. I didn't realize that the tomatoes didn't set fruit after 35 degrees. I've been wondering why we have only been getting a few.I like your bit of whimsey, it makes it all look very homely. I don't like gardens to look to sterile.<BR/><BR/>Blessings Gailgailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474172270399240621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60293351175777432422009-01-07T07:54:00.001+10:002009-01-07T07:54:00.001+10:00Hi Rhonda, Its donna from W'Gong. Thanks for all...Hi Rhonda, Its donna from W'Gong. Thanks for all your great work. I really love what you are doing. you have inspired me in many ways and also to start my own blog. Im not sure how to add you on there yet but i will learn shortly and put u your blog on there as a link.<BR/><BR/>here is my blog with my very first post. <BR/><BR/>Regards Donna. <BR/><BR/>http://casafamiglia-thefamilyhouse.blogspot.com/HI I'M DONNAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09048775787535094565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67787548829493479632009-01-07T07:54:00.000+10:002009-01-07T07:54:00.000+10:00I have serious news which has nothing to do with g...I have serious news which has nothing to do with gardening, unfortunately... BurdaStyle now charge for most of their patterns - even those that used to be free. Sad news. They need to make their living, sure. But it was all of a sudden, without a preceding warning of any kind, which seems... odd. http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/show/782Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-63521366741718176292009-01-07T07:36:00.000+10:002009-01-07T07:36:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,Its cool and dreary here, so looking at ...Hi Rhonda,<BR/>Its cool and dreary here, so looking at your garden brightens up my day!<BR/>Are you going to do another swap? I have an idea...what about reusable gift bags or lunch bags?<BR/><BR/>ColeenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com