Monday, January 21, 2013
Exceptional Toontrack
My son has an enthusiastic interest in music and we like to encourage him in whatever he does in life. Apart from the grueling music classes he has to attend he also gets a lot of help from the exceptional Toontrack products he asked us to purchase for him. These products have made a significant improvement in his skill and its money well spent, I think.
Kniphofias
Kniphofias bring colour and drama to the garden and have a special style with their sensational flowers and foliage. Although not native themselves, native birds like honeyeaters love them.
The genus Kniphopia was named after Johannes Kniphof, the professor of medicine at Erfot University in Germany in the 18th century. Like many doctors of this time, he was also interested in botany and wrote a 10 volume book called Botanica in Originale containing plant illustrations created by inking plants. This was the first instance of nature printing to be used in nature publication.
There are about 70 species of kniphofia in the wild, most of which are native to southern and eastern Africa, but there is one species from Yemen and one from Madagascar. In their native environment they tend to grow in boggy, wet environments, some even growing in creek lines. However, in the garden they will tolerate a range of conditions and need little supplementary watering except in summer to promote increased flowering. In the wild, the different species are usually separated geographically, making hybrids rare. However, in the garden they hybridise readily and it is possible for people to collect the seed from their own gardens, grow it and look for new hybrids. After flowering, green seed capsules are produced and when they dry, the black seeds can be collected.
The genus Kniphopia was named after Johannes Kniphof, the professor of medicine at Erfot University in Germany in the 18th century. Like many doctors of this time, he was also interested in botany and wrote a 10 volume book called Botanica in Originale containing plant illustrations created by inking plants. This was the first instance of nature printing to be used in nature publication.
There are about 70 species of kniphofia in the wild, most of which are native to southern and eastern Africa, but there is one species from Yemen and one from Madagascar. In their native environment they tend to grow in boggy, wet environments, some even growing in creek lines. However, in the garden they will tolerate a range of conditions and need little supplementary watering except in summer to promote increased flowering. In the wild, the different species are usually separated geographically, making hybrids rare. However, in the garden they hybridise readily and it is possible for people to collect the seed from their own gardens, grow it and look for new hybrids. After flowering, green seed capsules are produced and when they dry, the black seeds can be collected.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Jandy pool light
We’ve just had our pool put in last week. Everything is pretty much done so now it’s just landscaping and safety railings as per the law. For landscaping we need some jandy pool light to light up the area during the night. It’s going to look great for backyard pool party during the warmer months. No more dipping in the public pool with the whole neighborhood anymore this summer!
Mallee Trees
There are between 700 and 900 species of Eucalyptus endemic to Australia. Amazingly, over 50 per cent of them are known as mallees. Instead of just a single trunk, mallees have many stems that rise from a large bulbous woody structure called a lignotuber, or mallee root. Most mallees are slow growing, tough trees which originate from arid and semi arid regions. But they're found from Tasmania to the Tropics and so are iconic Australian trees well worth a closer look.
Built in adulterants
We all accept that drug is a major issue in our schools. Though we have tried so many ways to prevent drugs from infiltrating our schoolyards the battle seems to be on the losing side. We may have to take draconian measures to combat this problem like having armed guards with sniffle dogs and possibly random drug testing with built in adulterants test strips. It seems over board but drastic measures need to be taken now.
Seaweed Fertiliser
Seaweed is a wonderful fertiliser, a great soil builder and an excellent compost activator. All in all, seaweed is terrific stuff for the garden. There's a long tradition of seaweed being used as a fertiliser to improve crop production. For example Celtic and Scandinavian farmers have put it onto their fields for centuries.
Kelp is one of many different types of seaweed. One type is powdered kelp. It is convenient for adding to the garden. And what is it about seaweed that makes it such a good fertiliser? Seaweed contains complex carbohydrates and these really get the soil humming with life. This has two really important functions for the garden. Firstly, it stimulates the microbial fungi in the soil and these assist plants in their uptake of nutrients. They also assist in defending plants from soil borne diseases. So adding seaweed fertiliser helps crop protection, and plant nutrition
Kelp is one of many different types of seaweed. One type is powdered kelp. It is convenient for adding to the garden. And what is it about seaweed that makes it such a good fertiliser? Seaweed contains complex carbohydrates and these really get the soil humming with life. This has two really important functions for the garden. Firstly, it stimulates the microbial fungi in the soil and these assist plants in their uptake of nutrients. They also assist in defending plants from soil borne diseases. So adding seaweed fertiliser helps crop protection, and plant nutrition
Monday, December 10, 2012
C clamps
I’m building a new raised bed for my vegie garden. I thought I got everything ready to go; I have the timber, brackets and bolts and nuts but then I need some c clamps to hold the timber together so I can drill holes for the bolts. So it’s back to the hardware store again for me. I want to do it properly so it has to be perfect.
Asian vegetables
Over the last two decades our strong and growing connection with Asia has had a large influence on the food we eat today. A huge variety of Asian vegetables are available in the marketplace and are helping us to expand our culinary exploits. Their distinctive flavours combine well more traditional Australian foods. Many of the plants originate from tropical parts of Asia, particularly China where they have been cultivated and used for centuries.
\Many of these plants have strong and distinctive flavours and are often quick growing, tender and have a variety of parts of the plant that can be used. Like many ingredients in Asian cuisine, nothing is wasted. Many of the plants have parts (leaves, flower heads) that can be periodically plucked without disturbing the whole plant. Some of these varieties are ready to harvest in as little as six weeks from sowing and many can be cut and a used throughout the growing season
\Many of these plants have strong and distinctive flavours and are often quick growing, tender and have a variety of parts of the plant that can be used. Like many ingredients in Asian cuisine, nothing is wasted. Many of the plants have parts (leaves, flower heads) that can be periodically plucked without disturbing the whole plant. Some of these varieties are ready to harvest in as little as six weeks from sowing and many can be cut and a used throughout the growing season
www.peterglenn.com
The problem with shopping online is that it can cost more than if you were shopping in the country of the shop just because of your geographical location. Plus the shipping cost can also make it un-worth it. Go to www.peterglenn.com and you could find online shopping worth your while again. They can buy items for you and ship them directly to you at a low cost so you can enjoy online shopping again.
Seaweed concentrate
Seaweed concentrate is an excellent soil conditioner. It contains alginates and thus improves the soil structure. Use seaweed concentrate in a very dilute form, no more than a couple of tablespoons in a full watering can. Remember it is not a fertiliser but it does contain lots of trace elements. You can use this solution to water seeds which will absorb all the trace elements.
You can make a spray of seaweed concentrate plus a teaspoon of the trace elements zinc sulphate, iron chelate, magnesium nitrate and boron. Spray it on to the leaves and stems where it will be absorbed by the plant. The liquid will also drip on to the soil where it will improve the soil structure.
You can make a spray of seaweed concentrate plus a teaspoon of the trace elements zinc sulphate, iron chelate, magnesium nitrate and boron. Spray it on to the leaves and stems where it will be absorbed by the plant. The liquid will also drip on to the soil where it will improve the soil structure.
Flying pig statue
I love my garden and I have lots of flowers and shrubs growing in it. I also like to decorate it with statues and other ornamental. Recently I bought a flying pig statue to set as a focal point at the end of a long passage way leading to the pond. It’s lovely, I’m always striving to improve my garden and it’s never too much work for me. Maybe I should get a fountain next? Yeah right, when pigs fly!
Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets are wonderful for utilising spaces that would otherwise be wasted. They are literally hanging gardens of foliage or flowers and can be inside or outside.
Finding the right basket for the purpose and plants is the first step. There are a multitude of different baskets. The two basic types are wire ones made from galvanised steel or iron and plastic ones with attached drip trays that are excellent for indoors. You can water baskets with drip trays quite a lot without worrying about over-watering, as long as the drip tray isn’t full. They are also useful because they can be watered directly into the drip tray.
The wire ones are relatively cheap and cost costs around $10. These baskets need to be lined in order to hold soil. You can buy liners or make your own out of shade cloth cut to size and pushed into the basket. To remove the folds, make slits in the cloth at intervals. The cloth will then overlap neatly in the basket. Use about 3-4 layers of cloth. Half fill the basket with potting soil and trim any edges of cloth that hang over. Hanging baskets can get very heavy, so it is advisable to hang them up while planting.
Finding the right basket for the purpose and plants is the first step. There are a multitude of different baskets. The two basic types are wire ones made from galvanised steel or iron and plastic ones with attached drip trays that are excellent for indoors. You can water baskets with drip trays quite a lot without worrying about over-watering, as long as the drip tray isn’t full. They are also useful because they can be watered directly into the drip tray.
The wire ones are relatively cheap and cost costs around $10. These baskets need to be lined in order to hold soil. You can buy liners or make your own out of shade cloth cut to size and pushed into the basket. To remove the folds, make slits in the cloth at intervals. The cloth will then overlap neatly in the basket. Use about 3-4 layers of cloth. Half fill the basket with potting soil and trim any edges of cloth that hang over. Hanging baskets can get very heavy, so it is advisable to hang them up while planting.
Monday, December 03, 2012
Snackwarehouse for stacy's pita chips
Teenage kids are like hungry monsters; they could eat a horse if you let them. I have to make sure there’s plenty of food and snacks in the pantry when they come home. I don’t mind as long as they eat healthy and occasionally a snack here and there is fine too. That’s why I go to snackwarehouse for stacy's pita chips. My kids love them and so do I.
Organic Fungicide
Discovering a disease in the garden is often a trigger for a gardener to use a chemical, such as a fungicide to get rid of the powdery mildew. But chemicals often cause other problems. They can affect beneficial micro organisms in the soil, and can kill pollinators, like bees, and without those there probably wouldn’t be many tomatoes.
As an organic gardener, I believe pests and diseases should be kept in their place, so all the remedies used in my garden are safe. They're safe for pets, for wildlife and for kids. The ingredients for some favourite organic remedies are hiding in full view, probably in every kitchen. They include milk, coffee, bicarbonate of soda, vegetable oils, detergent and white vinegar. Let’s see how to mix these up to make some effective controls for a range of plant problems.
Smallfower special on taylor of old bond street
I’ve been using products of taylor of old bond street for years now. This brand name has grown on me and I’ve recommended to most of my friends. As a bonus to myself I’ve found some smallfower special on taylor of old bond street that will save me a bundle. This really helps because this month coming up to Christmas is not too healthy on my wallet!
Sprayer Care
Fungicides are important for controlling a range of diseases. In my Brisbane garden, I use solutions of milk, wettable sulphur and copper based fungicides.
Sprayers are important pieces of equipment, which should always be ready for action and so it’s essential that they are properly maintained.
When you’ve finished spraying, it’s time to service the equipment. Use fresh water to thoroughly rinse the whole device and empty the rinsing water into the garden – don’t put it down the drain.
Certain chemical fungicides can actually corrode the brass nozzle. Others can block the nozzle. But just use a sewing needle to unblock it.
Rinse three times. This might sound fussy, but it’s important to ensure there’s no residue in the tank and not in the pipe. Sometimes fungicides form a lime scale that might be similar to what you get in your kettle.
It’s important to rinse and clean because any residue from a previous spray may chemically react with future sprays. And the result might be harmful to plants, which undermines the reason for spraying.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Cheap brochure printing at zooprinting.com
While we’re talking about my business which is starting to do really well, I need to get some brochures done for my next project. I can get some cheap brochure printing at zooprinting.com where I save a bundle and still have professional printing done that will promote my business in the next few months. No time to waste, lots of work to do while business is good.
Easy Use Tools
Whether you are digging a hole or pruning, the job is always easier when you are working with the right equipment, and today there is a huge range of ergonomically designed, easy to use tools to get gardeners of all ages back into the garden. What is common to all of these cutting tools is that they are:
- sharp,
- lightweight
- comfortable to use and
- require very little effort to produce first class results.
- sharp,
- lightweight
- comfortable to use and
- require very little effort to produce first class results.
Employment screening at easy back ground
My small business is doing well. Looks like we are going to need some help so we’re thinking of hiring but we’ve never hired anyone before and worry about hiring the wrong people. A friend of mine suggested I use my employment screening at easy back ground website. They can make sure the people I hire are genuine and trustworthy. Then I can concentrate my energy on the business.
Weed tea
In a large plastic bin combine a layer of organic pellets or chicken manure, which will help to start the decomposing process of the added weeds. Add water and put on the lid. Weeds will breakdown in two or three weeks in summer, but in winter it may take two or three months. It can be then used as a nutrient tea on productive or ornamental plants.
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