tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post3093994564693782148..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Starting a vegetable gardenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81704941161095899562008-07-31T14:50:00.000+10:002008-07-31T14:50:00.000+10:00I have a goal! Thank you so much for the time and ...I have a goal! Thank you so much for the time and effort in sharing your knowledge. Sounds like a have a season of composting and worm raising to accomplish. Could you talk about your worms one post. Thank you.<BR/>dDonettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530145585581721795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81980072262261914452008-07-30T17:14:00.000+10:002008-07-30T17:14:00.000+10:00I am paying a lot of attention to your vegetable g...I am paying a lot of attention to your vegetable garden posts. :-) <BR/><BR/>I think I mentioned in a previous comment that I really want to start my own - we have some space out back that would do the trick but have yet to build any kind of beds to plant in - I am not sure what type of soil we have, all I know is that it is very hard to dig! I think it is because it has never been worked - its just grass, and always has been.<BR/><BR/>Also I am getting myself confused as to what to plant at what time. Its summer (apparently) here in Scotland now - is it too late to be planting anything now? Or is there crops that will do well over a scottish autumn and winter? I am trying to find out all this information and am just getting myself confused. lol.<BR/><BR/>One thing I have going for me is that we have compost on the go! I think it may be a little on the wet side though - we have a lot of grass clippings in there. Will have to add some dryer stuff to it I think.<BR/><BR/>Will have to get the OH to help me dig the beds, even if I can't plant anything right now - it can't hurt to have the beds ready, right?<BR/><BR/>We eat loads of cherry tomatoes and cucumbers - would I need some type of green house to grow these? I imagine I would.<BR/><BR/>Nikki (from Scotland)mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10392313720998923113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3317695252628715832008-07-30T07:10:00.000+10:002008-07-30T07:10:00.000+10:00Leanne, it's a Google Earth photo. Google Earth c...Leanne, it's a Google Earth photo. Google Earth covers NZ as well, you should check it out and find your place.<BR/><BR/>Linda, here is Lyn's blog and a link to buy her book: http://aussieorganicgardening.com/blog/?page_id=2<BR/><BR/>Wendy, my email is rhondahetzel at gmail dot com I am quite busy but could probably manage to rewrite something from a post here. <BR/><BR/>Thanks Kim and Rabbit!<BR/><BR/>Anon, the blocks aren't cemented in. Hanno set them into the soil and packed it back in tightly to keep them in place. They have been fairly stable so far. Yes, they hold heat and I've planted herbs in some of them.<BR/><BR/>Kym, I buy them from Green Harvest - the link is on my side bar but you could also get some from your local seed savers group.Rhonda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-10892731601661476142008-07-30T05:55:00.000+10:002008-07-30T05:55:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda Jean, I have just started our vegie ga...Hi Rhonda Jean,<BR/> I have just started our vegie garden and wanted to know, where you get your heritage seeds from? <BR/>I am interested in trying these. They sound very inertesting.<BR/>I hope Rosie is okay,<BR/>KymAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-23982486888511745672008-07-30T02:52:00.000+10:002008-07-30T02:52:00.000+10:00just sending my good wishes hopes and some positiv...just sending my good wishes hopes and some positive thoughts for Rosie,I hope she is on the mend Rhonda<BR/><BR/>CB<BR/>xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76489522876812437782008-07-30T01:27:00.000+10:002008-07-30T01:27:00.000+10:00Hi RhondaWe live in South Africa and I'm sure our ...Hi Rhonda<BR/><BR/>We live in South Africa and I'm sure our climate is similar to yours. I would really like to buy the book by Lynn Bagnall, but can't find it anywhere, tried Amazon but it's not avaliable. Any suggestions? Thank you so much for your wonderful blog, I try to read it every day!<BR/>Linda<BR/>www.naturalsuburbia.blogspot.comLindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08585956094647636047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42298840046365704322008-07-30T00:46:00.000+10:002008-07-30T00:46:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda! I've passed an award along to you - ht...Hi Rhonda! I've passed an award along to you - http://a-skip-in-my-step.blogspot.com/2008/07/arte-y-pico-award.html<BR/><BR/>Thanks for all the wonderful information you are equipping everyone with!flmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12781812205765728149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-63683293903666122262008-07-30T00:33:00.000+10:002008-07-30T00:33:00.000+10:00Great advice! I think I have to wait until next y...Great advice! I think I have to wait until next year to start, but I'm very excited to start planning.<BR/><BR/>I hope Rosie is ok!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-87393523707063568502008-07-30T00:09:00.000+10:002008-07-30T00:09:00.000+10:00Good morning from Michigan. Do you anchor the cem...Good morning from Michigan. Do you anchor the cement blocks for your raised gardens? Everything I've read so far on using cement blocks says you need to anchor them. Do you find they hold heat? Do you plant anything in the holes of the blocks?<BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing your life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61260521308077909982008-07-29T21:30:00.000+10:002008-07-29T21:30:00.000+10:00Excellent advice as always Rhonda. My greenhouse ...Excellent advice as always Rhonda. My greenhouse is doing well so far. I have tomatoes, courgettes (zucchini) and cucumbers in there, and there are little versions of every one of them growing merrily away!<BR/><BR/>Don't forget that if you live in a colder climate and have a greenhouse, you can grow more tropical stuff in the greenhouse than you could grow in the vege patch. You just need to make sure you're growing in pots or the soil in the greenhouse could get diseased, and in any case would quickly be depleted of nutrients.<BR/><BR/>I'm looking forward to the composting lesson. I made my own compost bin a few years ago, and all the kitchen waste goes on there. However I've never gotten to using any of it, but the compost at the bottom looks cracking! I shall have to use it on the designated future vege patch area I'm going to prepare for next year's growing season.<BR/><BR/>Looking forward to tomorrow :-)<BR/><BR/>Love to you all, FiFiFiFihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09525757684048252596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44898141944812478972008-07-29T19:49:00.000+10:002008-07-29T19:49:00.000+10:00Oh, I forgot to add to my last comment that I do h...Oh, I forgot to add to my last comment that I do hope all will be OK for Rosie the airdaleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-59783740507301360702008-07-29T19:42:00.000+10:002008-07-29T19:42:00.000+10:00Great post about starting a veg. garden. I agree w...Great post about starting a veg. garden. I agree wholeheartedly -the taste of what you grow yourself, pick fresh and then eat is always so much better than bought veg. We picked the last of the redcurrants yesterday evening -I wonder if you have those in AustraliaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12448425247020781882008-07-29T16:47:00.000+10:002008-07-29T16:47:00.000+10:00Hi RhondaWe have just taken on an allotment (90ft ...Hi Rhonda<BR/>We have just taken on an allotment (90ft x 30ft). They are new allotments on old pasture land and have not been cultivated. <BR/>We are in the far SW point of the UK and our temps are mild. Summer 14-22c, winter 5-14c. Rough guide.<BR/><BR/>These posts are going to be so helpfull to us in our new venture. Thankyou so much for all your advice and encouragement.<BR/><BR/>Hope Rosie is feeling better.<BR/><BR/>Pippa xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61879797103631195502008-07-29T15:33:00.000+10:002008-07-29T15:33:00.000+10:00I am of those friends who do not comment, so I tho...I am of those friends who do not comment, so I thought I should do so since I have been mentioned in a previous posting. The reason I don't comment is because I am a very fortunate woman and have the inspirational Rhonda as a colleague at my work place, therefore I see Rhonda 3 days a week when she comes into the Centre.We get to share stories, and I get to pick up great ideas for bringing more joy into my life by a living a simple life. So I know that you will all be incredibly envious of me now, knowing that I have this fabulous woman on tap. It's a great blog and what a wonderful gift to all her readers, allowing us into their home and life. Wendy McCaloundra City Family Support Programhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07504070195250911309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85169820031273913512008-07-29T15:00:00.000+10:002008-07-29T15:00:00.000+10:00Rhonda, an excellenty written article!!very good a...Rhonda, an excellenty written article!!very good advice.<BR/>enjoyed reading it.<BR/>will have the new issue of Small Town Living available soon..will send you notice..I think I have your email address?<BR/> If not just check the website the first of the month.Would like for you to consider writing an article at some point if you'd be interested.<BR/>TinaTina Leavyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50009116833654685622008-07-29T14:26:00.000+10:002008-07-29T14:26:00.000+10:00{{{hugs}}}} for Rosie - hope she will be okay and ...{{{hugs}}}} for Rosie - hope she will be okay and that it is nothing serious. <BR/>We are freezing our butts off down in the SE of South Australia, ice on our cars this morning, overcast skies, wind coming off the Southern ocean and I don't think it's much more than 8 degrees!! But I did brave it and go for my 5km walk at 6am with my friend. My husband thinks I'm nuts!! :)<BR/>Brrrrr!!! Mmmm, what sort of casserole can I knock up for dinner?? I must say, I love this time of year when we get those bleak days then a sun shiney day which means Spring is just around the corner. Bring it on!<BR/>Thanks for the gardening post.<BR/><BR/>Cheers - Julie, Millicent SAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-68778086539966185612008-07-29T13:02:00.000+10:002008-07-29T13:02:00.000+10:00Some handy links with info on Keeping what you rea...Some handy links with info on Keeping what you reap or buy<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.motherearthnews.com/print-article.aspx?id=135876" REL="nofollow">How to Dry & Freeze Tomatoes</A><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.motherearthnews.com/print-article.aspx?id=135754" REL="nofollow">Reap the Garden & Market Bounty: How to Dry Food</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4294717693998521552008-07-29T13:00:00.000+10:002008-07-29T13:00:00.000+10:00I was lucky enough to move into a house that had p...I was lucky enough to move into a house that had previously had a composter in it. You can definately tell by the veges that are growing. Bring on the compost. I have three composting systems going. Regular, worm and chook compost. It means I can compost anything and not worry, just have to sorthan_ysichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07183560511843774235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6911928275792776412008-07-29T11:36:00.000+10:002008-07-29T11:36:00.000+10:00WHAT is a pokeko????!!!WHAT is a pokeko????!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50778517036596411322008-07-29T10:47:00.000+10:002008-07-29T10:47:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,Now that is what I call a vege garden!!!...Hi Rhonda,<BR/>Now that is what I call a vege garden!!!! I have lways tended to grow my veges in with my flowers (compaion planting)but I am running out of room in the house yard, and am in the process of fencing of some of the cows paddock next door and turning this in my vege garden.Looking forward to learning about compost as I can never get it right.<BR/>I hope you can get Rosie into the vet today,good luck.<BR/>MandyThe Old Dairyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10806470355969512482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29059339618057461922008-07-29T09:48:00.000+10:002008-07-29T09:48:00.000+10:00Dear Rhonda,I've just eaten a chickpea burger, mad...Dear Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>I've just eaten a chickpea burger, made from your recipe and it was scr-r-r-rumptious! <BR/><BR/>We grow mostly perennial flowers now because of my health problems (the veggies were always ready when I wasn't and a lot ended up being composted and cried over). I have been asked for gardening advice and one of the things I always tell people is to check what others are growing in your neighbourhood. This is a good place to start. Try to strike up a conversation with a good gardener in your neighbourhood. Although there are always exceptions, most gardeners are tickled pink to show someone their garden and give advice... and often give seeds and plants, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-32388008247643089752008-07-29T08:55:00.000+10:002008-07-29T08:55:00.000+10:00Every area has its own challenges when it comes to...Every area has its own challenges when it comes to vegetable gardening. It has been a slow year for us in Southern Ontario, as we have had a heck of a lot of rain this July. However I am generally happy with what my little patch provides.<BR/><BR/>Gill from CanadaGill - That British Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17456247587052149765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-21118796930154568642008-07-29T08:36:00.000+10:002008-07-29T08:36:00.000+10:00HiHow did you get the Ariel view map??????? I wan...Hi<BR/>How did you get the Ariel view map??????? I want one too!! It was soo fun to look at. I reakon it's awesome how you are in your 60's and keeping up with technology.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing the types of seeds you plant I've kept some in mind for my order from www.kingseeds.co.nz - If you get a chance go look at their 30th Anniversary edition (Picture on their website above). - It reminded me of you - the saying on the quilt is embroidered with <BR/>"Tickle the Earth with a hoe and she laughs a harvest" <BR/>I thought you might like it.<BR/><BR/>Love Leanne NZ - whose winter garden only has silverbeet & broad beans. The pukeko's dealt to my garden. My dh is going tocage my next garden to stop these protected NZ pests!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4575294186034435062008-07-29T08:23:00.000+10:002008-07-29T08:23:00.000+10:00Your blog is very inspirational and I find myself ...Your blog is very inspirational and I find myself checking in each day. I have a tomato plant, some strawberries and a blueberry bush in a pot - that's it for this year, but my husband and I are planning for a small garden next spring. We'll work on a compost pile though to get ready.<BR/>How's Rosie? I hope all is well.JoAnnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08540884978535488880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9077076193773127002008-07-29T08:12:00.000+10:002008-07-29T08:12:00.000+10:00The first time I ever grew potatoes was by acciden...The first time I ever grew potatoes was by accident - potato peels in the compost pile! I didn't know what the plant was until I dug it up. <BR/><BR/>You have such good advice, Rhonda, on starting a garden and figuring out what to plant. I love the idea of all of us planting and nurturing things and depending less and less on the corporate farms. In one of your earlier posts you spoke of expanding the edible garden to your front yard. I've been inspired to move out of just the garden plot since that post. My stepdad always said, "If you can't eat it, it isn't worth growing!" But, I like flowers, too:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com