Cutting Flowers for a Vase
Flowers can say it all – ‘Get Well’, ‘Thank you’, ‘I’m sorry’, ‘Thinking of you’ etc etc these sentiments are expressed eloquently just by extending a blooming bundle of flowers. In this post there will be mention of cutting, preparation, storing and day-to-day care of cut flowers. If we grow these flowers it is a […]
Caring for Soil as Building Relations
An another lesson from Garden Clubs of Australia’s John Kitt – this time on soil.
Common Citrus Problems
A few guidelines for good citrus health with some organic remedies: Keep an eye out for Bronze Orange Bugs – they often give away their presence by their foul smell. The young pale green nymphs appear in winter, their colour changing through orange to bronze as they grow into adults. They can be serious pests […]
Crop Rotation
Garden Clubs of Australia Committee Member, John Kitt has sent an informative and educational ‘lesson’ on crop rotation in our veggie patches.
Composting & Worm Bin Building
Garden Clubs of Australia Committee Member John Kitt has sent some interesting and educational information to share with our members.
Organic Approach to Pest Control Part 5 – Pyrethrum
Pyrethrum is an extract from chrysanthemum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium). It is one of the oldest pesticides known, and is also the strongest insecticide allowed under organic standards guidelines. Made from died flowers, pyrethrum insecticides are known for their fast knock-down of unwanted insects. Insects are typically paralyzed as soon as they come into contact so it is often […]
Hollow Stem
Ever seen hollow stems in your brassicas? Hollow stem is a physiological disorder which affects most brassica crops and often leads to the stem rotting by secondary pathogens. To identify symptoms of hollow stem you will notice small, elliptical cracks in the inner stem tissue of susceptible crops. These cracks enlarge and merge together as […]
Salvia
Salvia was the flower of the month for January 2021. Some further information can be seen below: There are over 700 species within the genus Salvia. Salvia officinalis is common sage that we love so much with chicken and salvia spendens is that red Bunnings annual salvia that self seeds so well you only ever […]
DIY Critter Sprays
Grasshoppers – Use a wide container to attract a lot of grasshoppers, in this container (a yellow one is good as they are attracted to that colour) fill 1/3 full with water, add canola oil to prevent mozzies, add maple syrup to attract the grasshoppers. The theory is the grasshoppers are attracted to the maple syrup […]
Acalypha Wilkesiana
Acalypha is a genus consisting of shrubs and ground covers with colourful leaves which are mostly heart-shaped, while some species are pale green. They are native to most tropical and sub-tropical regions of the World. Acalypha Wilkesiana (Tricolour) is native to Vanuatu and a few other Pacific Islands. It is a shrub which grows to about 3 metres […]
