|
Post by rowan on Aug 8, 2012 21:55:26 GMT -5
I'll tell you my secret. I get my land for free for my market garden. I live in a town and asked people around town that have empty 1/4 acre houseblocks if I could use them for growing my vegetables, just for the cost of the extra water. Every one said yes so they don't have to bother with slashing and keeping the weeds down.
Now I have been able to start my market garden for very little cost and what I save will go towards leasing a single block on the edge of town next year.
It is a bit of a bother going around to six different block around town to do my stuff but that is balanced out with not having to worry about cross pollination when I save seed - some of my blocks are a kilometer from each other.
I have a written agreement so the land owners and myself are secure in our rights - putting up temporary shadehouses, guaranteed 6 month notice to vacate, and they get security knowing that I will keep the blocks clean, me paying for the extra water, and get a bag of fresh vegies every couple of weeks.
It is working very well so far.
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Aug 8, 2012 15:05:27 GMT -5
I was looking forward to my red kiwis (A. melandra) to flower and fruit this year but we had such a severe summer that one of my three died and the others arn't looking too good so it might be another year before they do, of course now that I only have two left it is a good chance that they are both the same sex Got some more seeds so I will put them in and wait another three or four years to get them fruiting. While I was at it I also bought some kolomitka and other seeds. I don't know where I am going to put them all. Ahhh, the price of seed addiction.
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Aug 4, 2012 0:48:28 GMT -5
Oca does tend to rot in a number of circumstances - too wet or too much manure in the soil are the main ones.
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Jul 31, 2012 23:43:06 GMT -5
How about a clumping bamboo. Fast growing as well as useful, and the clumping ones are not a pest. Not sure if you can get it here, but please don't plant Kudzu - the stories of its pest nature are frightening, check this site: www.kudzuworld.com/Kudzu/index.EN.aspx
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Jul 30, 2012 0:21:24 GMT -5
My perennial leeks produce top bulbils as well as seeds, you want some?
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Jul 26, 2012 23:28:27 GMT -5
Aw, c'mon
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Jul 18, 2012 0:38:54 GMT -5
I am growing some young ugnis. My only one to fruit has three berries on it and I am still waiting for them to ripen so I can taste them. They are soo slow that I am wondering if they are going to ripen at all.
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Jul 16, 2012 3:21:53 GMT -5
I have always used the seed fresh. I don't really know but most seeds from fleshy fruits have to be planted fresh so I haven't tried drying them.
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Jul 16, 2012 0:38:27 GMT -5
Don't worry Templeton, they grow like weeds from seed, just squeeze the seed out and immediately plant it in pots or trays, not too deep. No need to do anything extra to the seed. I have never got them to grow from cuttings either, maybe I will give it another go.
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Jul 14, 2012 15:09:06 GMT -5
It is not much, but I always have something special and unusual behind the counter and only available for those who ask for it, it makes customers feel special that they have insider knowledge, this month it is oca, next month it will be rat-tailed radish. It just keeps some customers coming back just to see what is new.
I have thought of trying a 'pick your own' stand where customers pay to fill a basket and can put what they like in it, so rather than having to buy a kilo bag of potatoes, they can just pop in one or two, and a bit of this and a bit of that. I sell quite a few things in pre-prepared bags and that can be a bit much for those on their own.
I put a big vase of sorghum stalks out the front of my stall a few months ago for bird seed and that went well and attracted people over. People just paid per stalk.
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Jul 9, 2012 1:31:46 GMT -5
I have bought so many seeds from them that I can't keep count. I personally have never had any problems with their germination which have always been better or equal to any other seed company that I have used, but I have to say that my own saved seeds always out do any seed company in the germination stakes including BC.
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Jul 6, 2012 21:21:29 GMT -5
Hmmm, this might be an interesting advertsing idea for my market stall. Could also be a good way to stop accidental mix-ups between my seed saving and selling melons.
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Jul 4, 2012 4:40:22 GMT -5
I've decided to try growing water chestnuts and lotus in large plastic tubs.
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Jun 28, 2012 15:00:15 GMT -5
I'm dehybridising 'Deep Purple' carrot for my own use, and I have a small sideline of developing a purple parisian type carrot because a couple of friends like small, round carrots.
Trying for a dwarf pak choy that doesn't bolt as easily.
|
|
|
Post by rowan on Jun 24, 2012 2:11:12 GMT -5
With all teh dams around here with reeds in them, I doubt that anyone would be able to tell water chestnuts from the other.
|
|