tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post982435943663142576..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Growing food for the non-gardenerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85843212363979080672014-04-24T16:50:24.011+10:002014-04-24T16:50:24.011+10:00I would also really recommend finding a mandarine ...I would also really recommend finding a mandarine tree that suits your local climate. They're no more difficult to manage than an orange tree, fruit fly tend to leave them alone and they're amazingly prolific. <br /><br />Also, kids love them! Even really picky kids don't demand special preparation of a mandarine; they're happy to peel and eat them without any grizzling. <br /><br />Kids love mandarines and they're one of the most convenient fruit out there; no chopping or packaging, just cart them around in their skin. <br /><br />GemAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88654647126765096862014-04-24T08:47:36.441+10:002014-04-24T08:47:36.441+10:00I lost my entire crop of peaches to fruit fly last...I lost my entire crop of peaches to fruit fly last summer however I am now armed with some homemade traps for next summer, and will try again. I have 3 citrus trees, I freeze lemon juice in ice cube trays perfect size for cooking and lemon water/tea. I use the citrus skins to make fabric softener. There are a couple who blog from Brisbane where these ideas came.The leaves of citrus trees are idea to use for decorating the dinning table for special occasions too. I saw the chef Jaime Oliver do this once and I just had to try it. All these things have been a great success. Miirihhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401026593814444316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50899951636144804572014-04-24T05:38:35.963+10:002014-04-24T05:38:35.963+10:00Sadly orange trees will not grow where I live so i...Sadly orange trees will not grow where I live so it is not one I will be planting anytime soon! I always recommend to people to grow herbs as they are so easy to grow in pots and taste so much better than the best dried ones. You can freeze any surplus for use over the winter if it is too cold for them to continue growing. Herbs are the only plants I grew when we were renting, they moved several times with me. When I finally moved into my current house the plants were all planted in the ground and are still growing strong now :)sustainablemumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04099701194160334671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-10810319055329319592014-04-23T14:49:36.925+10:002014-04-23T14:49:36.925+10:00We have just purchased 48acres. It was an old farm...We have just purchased 48acres. It was an old farm that has been broken up into approximately 20-30acre blocks. We are lucky enough that we could afford 2 of them, one being the top of a hill, which is home to two of the most amazing wedge-taled eagles. The second block adjacent is the old farm house paddock and it has the oldest mulberry tree I have ever seen, blackberries (that we need to tame), 3 enormous pear trees, 3 orange trees and a walnut tree. The pears are delicious, the oranges aren't ripe yet but they look like they will be great. I also thought walnuts were horrible bitter nuts, until I tasted them straight from the tree. And we are far enough away from town that we don't have a fruit fly problem. Everytime I go out there I feel both at peace and invigorated.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11117746640222917511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90992541840979089672014-04-23T04:24:26.477+10:002014-04-23T04:24:26.477+10:00Gina, the forum is down at the moment. I hope it i...Gina, the forum is down at the moment. I hope it is back this morning.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36390526857240840062014-04-23T00:27:49.910+10:002014-04-23T00:27:49.910+10:00A very motivating post Rhonda. You might remember...A very motivating post Rhonda. You might remember me grizzling about our soil and health issues that prevent us doing much gardening, but reading all these makes me realise that I'm just procrastinating, and as soon as we get those chooky vandals fenced in, I'll have another go at gardening!<br />Off topic, but I can't access the forum...is there a problem or just routine maintenance?Gina E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07532527261977368083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66184256839203042662014-04-22T08:25:23.565+10:002014-04-22T08:25:23.565+10:00Love this post Rhonda - totally agree. I'd add...Love this post Rhonda - totally agree. I'd add for those with limited space, to try growing microgreens in plastic punnets or trays on a sunny window sill/balcony. You have nutrient-dense food in 7-14 days (they are bigger than sprouts and the younger cousins of the mini lettuce salad greens you have pictured here). Dwarf fruit trees are available in most varieties, grafted onto shorter stock. I underplant all my potted fruit trees with edible flowers like nasturtiums, violas and pansies to bring in pollinators as well as food, without wasting space. I'd also suggest a simple basket or pot with the culinary herbs you most use. Chives & spring onions take up no room at all and can be planted in the centre with other herbs like oregano, marjoram & thyme around the edge.Anne, The Micro Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13254551269858854321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43549086978136117952014-04-22T06:30:26.515+10:002014-04-22T06:30:26.515+10:00Such an inspiring post! It's still to early to...Such an inspiring post! It's still to early to plant most things here, but I am ordering seeds! I mostly garden on the deck, now, but it's surprising what I can produce that way.......Thickethouse.wordpresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17187303460677067276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4814497521266518742014-04-22T03:26:35.401+10:002014-04-22T03:26:35.401+10:00Hi Rhonda! I just wanted you to know that I recen...Hi Rhonda! I just wanted you to know that I recently purchased your book Down to Earth on Kindle and am enjoying it very much! We live on a farm in Missouri. We are working to pay off our debt so that in 8 years we will be debt free and able to retire. We are also trying to hone in on our gardening skills so that we can preserve more of our foods. I garden mostly for fresh foond right now. I work full time and just can't get to canning it all up yet. One thing each season I put up for the winter months. <br />Thank you for inspiring me to work harder towards our goal!Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17659675759066363838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84988561477798631212014-04-21T23:51:51.816+10:002014-04-21T23:51:51.816+10:00I don't know how long you had your peach tree ...I don't know how long you had your peach tree Rhonda, but they are the shortest lived trees of all the fruit. At most they last about 15 years or so; no 100 year old peaches like with apple or pears! But they can produce amazing fruit. I think growing the fruits and vegetables that suit your climate best is the key. Watering is a problem in some areas though, I vie in northern California and we are going through drought. This happens every so often but it gets to the point that water-wise gardens are the way to go or get water rationing. But we should all do what we can, at the very least support our LOCAL farmers, and not those overseas so much.hopflowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14808010877609649152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-54616130298764180132014-04-21T17:36:13.992+10:002014-04-21T17:36:13.992+10:00Lovely post! Container gardening is so rewarding, ...Lovely post! Container gardening is so rewarding, too. I find companion planting (herbs and flowers, too) helps in both stimulating plant growth and controlling/preventing pest and disease problems. Trellising allows you to choose plants you might not otherwise think of growing. Soil is very important, followed by sun/water/temperatures. csaugusthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03437819681801225936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76116053004510213882014-04-21T12:24:40.704+10:002014-04-21T12:24:40.704+10:00One of the best and easiest things I have grown is...One of the best and easiest things I have grown is basil. I planted it in a window box and set it on the water collection tank by the hen house. I watered just a little every day when I changed the hen's water. We had a bumper crop of basil! And it was so easy! I could just toss a little water every day while doing another chore and then pick it when I collected eggs! We ate so much pesto! Yum! mattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06749881104429358524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-52397150918241896772014-04-21T11:46:44.524+10:002014-04-21T11:46:44.524+10:00The ones with lids are like gold up here. There...The ones with lids are like gold up here. There'll be no stopping you now, Phil. Happy gardening.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29242141127931147822014-04-21T11:33:22.815+10:002014-04-21T11:33:22.815+10:00Just got 12 styrofoam boxes with lids from Coles t...Just got 12 styrofoam boxes with lids from Coles this morning for free....woo hoo! Mrs suggested she might like to have some herbs too ...... Family warming to the subject. poggeauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00754636457782658089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2393332630944675022014-04-21T10:18:58.315+10:002014-04-21T10:18:58.315+10:00"You can't buy freshness - you have to gr..."You can't buy freshness - you have to grow it yourself" Bingo!Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14751315680374413649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71255399579878535252014-04-21T09:18:31.713+10:002014-04-21T09:18:31.713+10:00One point for renters is that there are small frui...One point for renters is that there are small fruit trees available- sometimes called patio fruit trees- that do not grow very tall and are happy to stay in a suitably-sized container so they can take the trees with them when they move. Placed by a sunny window, on a patio, or out in your garden/yard, they'll grow happily with minimal care. <br /><br />Growing your own produce can be such a satisfying experience. I still get a child-like glee when I see the first signs of life after I've planted seeds. Let the growing adventures begin!Mrs T-Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14973434792733226692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72440694981679433262014-04-21T09:05:26.992+10:002014-04-21T09:05:26.992+10:00I am clearing off our north facing deck so I can t...I am clearing off our north facing deck so I can try and grow some winter veggies in old tomato boxes. Today I am on the hunt for some styrofoam boxes from supermarkets. I am also armed with an excellent plan for a balcony worm farm kindly given out on the forum! As we rent an apartment I cannot have chooks, so the worm farm will become a source of fertiliser for the balcony veggies instead.......will keep you posted in how we go. Philpoggeauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00754636457782658089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29483421816141371452014-04-21T08:51:27.637+10:002014-04-21T08:51:27.637+10:00I don't have room to plant big trees so bought...I don't have room to plant big trees so bought a Washington navel dwarf tree and a lemon and mandarin dwarfs. The lemon tree has produced lemons two years in a row and the others we are still waiting. Regards Kathy A, BrisbaneKathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13278810299840471966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6004266556885457652014-04-21T07:44:46.133+10:002014-04-21T07:44:46.133+10:00Rhonda, we have a couple of orange trees but not a...Rhonda, we have a couple of orange trees but not a navel orange tree which is my all time favourite and I can't wait for them to appear in the shops each autumn. We have enough land so I really should just go and buy our own tree as it would save me lots in the long run as I have one every day when they are available. Nanna Chelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07500527266771727074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4504953088335533562014-04-21T06:22:34.487+10:002014-04-21T06:22:34.487+10:00Having a lovely time looking through your blog, I&...Having a lovely time looking through your blog, I'll have to continue tomorrow now but thank you for such an interesting journey xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06597069824333007603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-21098766746037489482014-04-21T05:48:51.814+10:002014-04-21T05:48:51.814+10:00This is a lovely post!
Unfortunately, I don't ...This is a lovely post!<br />Unfortunately, I don't have a garden so I don't have enough space to grow large produce. I am moving in a couple of weeks though, and I think I might just start growing some herbs of my own, I love surrounding myself with livings things, plants, animals and humans alike :) Brightens up your day!<br />Have you made any posts before about growing things indoors?<br />I hope you are enjoying your weekend, here in Glasgow the weather has been amazing over the last few days, I cannot believe it! x <br /><br />http://julesthenorweegie.blogspot.co.uk/JulesTheNorweegiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18232705655797385196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26650501337330573592014-04-21T05:34:21.172+10:002014-04-21T05:34:21.172+10:00Growing herbs on windowsills, and learning to grow...Growing herbs on windowsills, and learning to grown sprouts of lentils, onions or mung beans and Arafat for salads.Urban Homestead South Africahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15744814544809179491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-53526616036660477882014-04-21T04:53:39.581+10:002014-04-21T04:53:39.581+10:00Here in the UK I have an orange tree in the greenh...Here in the UK I have an orange tree in the greenhouse although it gets moved outside in the summer, at the moment it has 5 fruits on it and they are just starting to ripen, it is also just coming back into flower, this will be the first year we have had fruit off it, after reading your post i cant wait to try it, I also have a lemon a lime and a satsuma tree, last year I got 16 satsumas and they were the best I have ever tried so sweet and juicy.Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05213759909336433460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91554090591145107262014-04-21T04:29:02.831+10:002014-04-21T04:29:02.831+10:00I think this is a great article to encourage peopl...I think this is a great article to encourage people to grow something, no matter how simple or small. Most anything can be grown in pots, if actual garden space isn't available. It will be worth the effort when the plants produce fresh, chemical-free stuff to eat. :D<br /><br />We just planted some peas, beans, squashes and okra a few minutes ago, and more things will be ready soon. We (my three sons and I) are lucky enough to have some land, and with my parents next door there's a bit more. I'm putting in a small salad garden in the front yard. Between the chickens and gardens, we're going to have a busy year! Can't wait for harvest time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02654921759319855048noreply@blogger.com