Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Tidied up the rose arch

From untidy new growth everywhere (photos taken 26 April)




to tidied up. Woven and tied within itself, this morning 30 April.






It was two years ago that I planted it, and I'm very happy with it. It has thickened up nicely, although not as much as I would like. I think the drought set it back some, as well as the fact that I should have been fertilising it more often. 






Use coffee grounds in compost

Here are 7 ways how to use coffee grounds in your garden. You may be amazed at how versatile this item is!

1. Composting
Add coffee grounds to your composting bin. They’re a valuable source of nitrogen.

2. Pest Control
A barrier of coffee grounds around the plants may protect them from slugs and snails.

3. Cat Repellent
Put coffee grounds in the soil to keep cats away from digging in your garden.

4. Acid-Loving Plants
Place coffee grounds around the soil of your acid-loving plants such as roses, rhododendrons, fothergillas, holly, gardenias and so on. Coffee grounds increase acidity and nutrients in the soil.

5. Easy Fertilizer
Add 2 cups of coffee grounds to a 5 gallon bucket of water and allow it to steep overnight. Mixing these two ingredients is one of the simplest ways to make your own homemade fertilizer.

6. Mulch
Using coffee grounds as a mulch can help controlling weeds and keep your vegetable plants more hydrated during the heat of the day.

7. Boost Carrot & Radish Harvest
Double your harvest of carrot and radish, mixing your carrot and radish seeds liberally with coffee grounds.

TIP: If you personally don’t drink coffee, you can get the grounds for free from Starbucks. You could also ask any coffee shop or restaurant for their grounds. They probably would be very happy to give them to you on a regular basis.

Monday, April 29, 2019

Feng Shui door colours

https://www.thespruce.com/best-colors-for-northwest-front-door-1274985

Grey and earth elements

Square foot gardening


When it comes to planting, the formula is simple: one extra-large plant per 1x1-foot square; four large plants per square; nine medium plants per square; and 16 small plants per square.
Here’s an idea of what you can fit in each square: 
one vine tomatopepper plant, or eggplant
four bush tomatoes, heads of cabbage, or heads of lettuce
nine onions or beets; or 16 radishes
Zucchini needs nine of the 16 squares for just one specimen, but you can plant other vegetables in the remaining seven squares. 
Vegetables or fruits that spread (such as watermelonsrequire a separate bed.


Composting how to

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/compost/how-to-compost/

Plant nutrition


Basic Nutrition in Plants
Plants need a balance of soil nutrients for healthy growth. Fertilizers, or complete plant foods, contain all of the basic macronutrients in soil: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Each chemical plays a vital role in plant development. For example, nitrogen promotes leaf and stem growth. Phosphorus encourages root growth, disease resistance, and flower color. Potassium assists in fruit and seed production. These nutrients are listed on packaged plant foods in percentages of N-P-K. If your soil is low in nutrients, don't fret. The following organic fertilizers, when added to soil, supply specific nutrients needed by plants.
Soil Nutrients: Nitrogen (N) Sources
  • Alfalfa meal
  • Blood meal (blood and bone)
  • Composted manure
  • Cottonseed meal
  • Feather meal
  • Fish meal or emulsion (Seasol)
  • Mushroom compost
  • Rice hulls
Soil Nutrients: Phosphorus (P) Sources
  • Bat guano
  • Bonemeal (blood and bone)
  • Rock phosphate
Soil Nutrients: Potassium (K) Sources
  • Dolomite lime
  • Greensand
  • Kelp meal
  • Oyster-shell lime
  • Rock dust
  • Seaweed
  • Wood ashes

Ugly post support

Since the extra lattice went up a short while ago, (16 March 2019) the extra 'leg' part which supports one of the posts has looked an eye-sore. I decided to paint it a 'Rivergum' colour (now called Pale Eucalyptus by Dulux).
It blends in somewhat better now, although still not a great look. It will go eventually when the frame for the carport goes up.


Before: