The easiest way to keep pests under control is to let their predators do it for you. I’ve got a team of lizards patrolling both front and back gardens, cleaning up snails, slugs and other pests. All they seem to want in return is a steady water supply and a few rocks to bask on… Continue reading Blue-Tongued Lizard
Month: November 2001
Grace Is Born
Our first child, Grace Anne, was born at 12:11pm on the 27th of December 2001 at the Royal Hospital For Women, Randwick. She weighed 3.340kg (7lb 5oz), and measured 51cm (just over 20 inches). I had a great sleep last night. Unfortunately Megan can’t say the same thing — she started getting contractions around midnight,… Continue reading Grace Is Born
Banksia Harpin
The common name is Banksia Harpin (botanic name Banksia Spinulosa). I’m planning to plant it halfway along the back fence to help screen out the neighbours’ house. Kiama Council (seedling) Banksia Harpin (banksia spinulosa). Red-orange flowers in Autumn to Spring. Grows to 1-4 metres. 11 Nov 2001: Kiama Council gives away free trees to ratepayers.… Continue reading Banksia Harpin
Salad Alfalfa
Buying seed in the small Yates packets turns out to be expensive – you need to use at least a couple of teaspoons of seed to get a useful quantity of sprouts. I’m going to try and get a larger seed packet from a health food shop or a nursery. I’ve found that when you… Continue reading Salad Alfalfa
Beetroot ‘Derwent Globe’
Beetroot are excellent steamed for about an hour with their skin on – it peels off easily once they’re cooked. If you’ve only ever tasted canned beetroot, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the flavour of the fresh stuff. Yates (seed) Beetroot ‘Derwent Globe’. A rich red, globe-shaped root. Flesh is tender and sweet. Ideal Summer… Continue reading Beetroot ‘Derwent Globe’
Sweet Corn ‘Honeysweet’
Yates (seed) Sweet Corn ‘Honeysweet’. An early maturing variety of the popular new super-sweet corn. Large, even cobs with extremely sweet golden kernels. Very easy to grow. Sow: When the soil is warm and all danger of frosts is over. Sow seeds in pairs in damp soil. No further watering is needed until seedlings appear.… Continue reading Sweet Corn ‘Honeysweet’
Basil ‘Sweet Genovese’
Basil is a handy herb to have growing in the garden. You can knock up a pesto sauce at a moment’s notice, toss it through some pasta, and be eating dinner 15 minutes after walking in the door. Mr Fothergill’s (seed) Basil ‘Sweet Genovese’. This is an aromatic herb which has many culinary uses, and… Continue reading Basil ‘Sweet Genovese’
Bay Tree
Norwood Industries (seedling) Bay Tree (laurus nobilis). Slow growing evergreen small tree 9-15 metres. Warm position in sun or partial shade. Dark aromatic leaves, tree can be pruned to shape and size. Dried leaves added to spaghetti, soups and stews. Will happily grow in a large tub. 4 Nov 2001: I planted this small bay… Continue reading Bay Tree
Roma Tomato
I chose Roma tomatoes this year because they’re resistant to fruit fly and other pests, and have heaps of flavour. The shade cloth and wire you can see in the photo below gives the seedlings some shade and protection from wind. 9 Dec 2001: Staked up the plants, as they were getting a bit big.… Continue reading Roma Tomato