tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70063393428835272962024-03-14T15:30:58.225+11:00Picking from "the patch"This is a 365 day journal of our harvest from our aquaponics system.
We want to use this so we can see and show just what can be harvested from 'the patch".Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-49679177183202814312010-12-31T17:30:00.001+11:002010-12-31T17:31:41.304+11:00Day 365<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">365 days of aquaponics gardening. It's been an amazing journey of discovery for our little family. We've grown some amazing produce and fish and had some great times in amongst it all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TRw6utu7-oI/AAAAAAAAAks/dzeOLxFUgZg/s1600/IMG_1797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TRw6utu7-oI/AAAAAAAAAks/dzeOLxFUgZg/s320/IMG_1797.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We've tried many different methods including seedlings, seeds, mixing them all up, keeping them separate.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TRw7GTeknAI/AAAAAAAAAkw/xDNtOfNtDTI/s1600/IMG_1801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TRw7GTeknAI/AAAAAAAAAkw/xDNtOfNtDTI/s320/IMG_1801.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've done everything from root vegetables, leafy vegetables, pumpkins, herbs and everything in between. We've shared our crop, and preserved many bottles and jars full of chutneys and sauces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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To those who have taken the time to read, share and enjoy our rantings, Thank you. It's been a pleasure to have you along for the ride. We hope we've shown you something and inspired you to try aquaponics. <br />
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<div style="text-align: auto;">We thought it only fitting to end were we started. The first strawberry for season 2010 but definitely not the last.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">THE END. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br />
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</span></div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-72421663548412385782010-12-14T19:14:00.006+11:002010-12-15T20:17:29.796+11:00Day 348<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first delicious, crisp, fresh salad of the season. Nothing could be better. Mixing fresh herbs into a variety of lettuce leaves and I'm in heaven. I just wish my pictures were better. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TQh55Cd-mwI/AAAAAAAAAkk/l3OogTJHG1Y/s1600/first+salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TQh55Cd-mwI/AAAAAAAAAkk/l3OogTJHG1Y/s320/first+salad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-75491443549146862382010-12-12T18:24:00.010+11:002010-12-13T18:31:32.344+11:00Day 346Just today we had the good fortune to have a visit from a family who come from the town I grew up in. Rohan, his wife Kim and their two daughters came down to have a look at the AP system and also do a spot of fishing. <br />
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It was a great afternoon and Rohan took some amazing images.<br />
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You have to check out his blog but most importantly check out the images of the AP system. <br />
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<a href="http://daybookexchange.com/2010/12/13/urban-oasis-aquaponics/">urban oasis aquaponics</a><br />
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I just wish I could do images like that.Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-15034444247399634242010-12-11T15:15:00.000+11:002010-12-11T15:15:59.148+11:00Day 345<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today was an exciting day. We smoked some of our trout. They have only just come out of the smoker so we haven't tried them yet. The are in the refrigerator to cool down. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's great to have another food source in our own backyard. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I stumbled across this little beauty and now that I have used it I know that I could smoke around 12 trout at once. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TQL3I31Y49I/AAAAAAAAAkM/8FZZnn84nhM/s1600/DSC_1529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TQL3I31Y49I/AAAAAAAAAkM/8FZZnn84nhM/s320/DSC_1529.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
Here you can see just one level that has 5 trout on it very comfortably. <br />
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And here is the result. They smoked for around two and a half hours<br />
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And we cryovaced them to store them for the coming months.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TQL5mkl07CI/AAAAAAAAAkY/TQoE3Ib698w/s1600/DSC_1534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TQL5mkl07CI/AAAAAAAAAkY/TQoE3Ib698w/s320/DSC_1534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-33140897115785446412010-12-09T18:41:00.000+11:002010-12-09T18:41:55.985+11:00Day 343<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you remember back to Day 276 you may be as amazed as what we are of the difference. What you see in these pictures is all the seeds we planted now growing strong. Its amazing though just how fast things grow once they are moved into the AP system. It is truly a growing machine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It wont be long and we'll be eating some of these. </div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-23314876231887949182010-12-08T19:27:00.000+11:002010-12-08T19:27:03.553+11:00Day 342It really is that time of year. So much going on and it seems no time for the little things which most often are the most important. We have also been experiencing the craziest weather in about 14 years. It truly is over the top. Rain, rain and more rain. We can't complain though as we can certainly do with it.<br />
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We added 150 Silver perch into the tank this last weekend. Our summer fish. It's a completely new breed for us and we are really looking forward to seeing how they go. They have settled in extremely well and for the first time ever we haven't lost one fish in the transition.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TP9Ad65zzkI/AAAAAAAAAjk/VB3c0ybQbIg/s1600/Silver-perch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TP9Ad65zzkI/AAAAAAAAAjk/VB3c0ybQbIg/s320/Silver-perch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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We planted out recently our seedling into the grow beds and the growth is once again truly amazing. I'll get some pics o n the weekend and show just how its all going.<br />
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We'll also be fishing out the last of the trout before we get some hot weather. We have bought a smoker and plan to smoke them.Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-75665407410875545872010-11-28T17:51:00.000+11:002010-11-28T17:51:35.718+11:00Day 332<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weather here in Australia is warming up and just last week we had 3 days in a row above 30oC. It's time to start harvesting some trout. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We invited some friends over and set about doing a spot fishing. We caught around 60-70 and there is about that many left in the tank. Here is a shot of the average size. We cooked one up in the wood fired oven and they tasted great.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TPH4Q6ynK9I/AAAAAAAAAjY/rQRbPyENp0A/s1600/Fish+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TPH4Q6ynK9I/AAAAAAAAAjY/rQRbPyENp0A/s320/Fish+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is Grace catching a rainbow trout.</div><br />
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This is our friend April. This is a great pic and I'm not sure who is more scared. Her or the fish. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TPH435rPU4I/AAAAAAAAAjg/KHLm0OrbEvg/s1600/Fish+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TPH435rPU4I/AAAAAAAAAjg/KHLm0OrbEvg/s320/Fish+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-46857905526890886742010-11-24T19:04:00.000+11:002010-11-24T19:04:49.501+11:00Day 328<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today we had the good fortune of having one of Australia's top gardeners and a presenter from <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/default.htm">Gardening Australia</a> come to visit and have a look at our backyard. She was accompanied by the Mayor of Wyndham Vale, Heather Marcus. I unfortunately had to work but from all reports the backyard was well received. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TOzDpMs1xFI/AAAAAAAAAjU/IO1nPy5g06o/s1600/Jane+Visit+2010sm+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TOzDpMs1xFI/AAAAAAAAAjU/IO1nPy5g06o/s320/Jane+Visit+2010sm+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's great to know that we are getting interest in all the hard work we have invested and now starting to enjoy. Who knows maybe one day we will make it on to an episode of the TV show.</div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-68114911280374811702010-11-23T19:27:00.003+11:002010-11-23T19:27:00.200+11:00Day 327<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well we've been a little slack in posting for awhile... but we've been busy pulling out all the old winter veggies and planting for spring/summer. Just today we celebrated the arrival of the first strawberry and Grace was thrilled. She hasn't been feeling the best lately and this perked her up.. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's to all the new and yummy crops we'll be enjoying in the coming months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-75992746444804678712010-11-07T18:30:00.011+11:002010-11-24T19:13:49.430+11:00Day 311<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today we decided it was time to remove the old and plant the new. What this also meant though was we had a huge harvest of many things. Herbs and spinach to name a few so we decided to dry the herbs and make our own dried herbs to enjoy over the coming months. If you haven't done it before which we hadn't then get some fresh herbs from your garden and dry them and crush them up. The flavour and aroma is so intense. Nothing at all like the supermarket bought jars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TNZhekiRKOI/AAAAAAAAAi4/4b-kmHqBzHM/s1600/DSC_1356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TNZhekiRKOI/AAAAAAAAAi4/4b-kmHqBzHM/s320/DSC_1356.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also had more spinach and silver beet than we could carry and filled two laundry baskets. We blanched, finely chopped, sealed in bags and froze 200gm portions of these beautiful greens and it now means we'll be able to have quiches and omelettes and all sorts of delicious things over summer without the hassle. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TNZhMeZWSoI/AAAAAAAAAi0/WOTnd_Vw9fY/s1600/DSC_1350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TNZhMeZWSoI/AAAAAAAAAi0/WOTnd_Vw9fY/s320/DSC_1350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-57968841753606962762010-11-01T10:47:00.012+11:002010-11-02T10:58:21.824+11:00Day 305<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1st of November and a huge harvest of Broad beans. They are everywhere now and Grace managed to fill her pink wheelbarrow with the delicious crop. Now the fun part is to double pod them and eat them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TM9TOt0BYHI/AAAAAAAAAiw/RqQbdkvuD6c/s1600/DSC_1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TM9TOt0BYHI/AAAAAAAAAiw/RqQbdkvuD6c/s320/DSC_1310.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div>We'll pull most of the broad beans out soon as some of our seeds are ready to go into the AP and we need some space. So looking forward to watermelon, pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchini and corn just to mention a few.</div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-21275862882509412812010-10-26T19:09:00.000+11:002010-10-26T19:09:56.535+11:00Day 299<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally we can enjoy some broad beans and the girls loved picking them. They are very slow growing but so worth the wait. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Matilda snagged herself a big basketful of silver beet, purple peas, broad beans and herbs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TMaLSTgHGLI/AAAAAAAAAio/sUl-pa8o-Kg/s1600/DSC_1269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TMaLSTgHGLI/AAAAAAAAAio/sUl-pa8o-Kg/s320/DSC_1269.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It makes us very proud when we see the girls enjoying the backyard and all its yummy treasures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TMaL4rX84nI/AAAAAAAAAis/sTgwKYQKD3Q/s1600/DSC_1263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TMaL4rX84nI/AAAAAAAAAis/sTgwKYQKD3Q/s320/DSC_1263.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-41389346716571640502010-10-16T20:26:00.000+11:002010-10-17T20:31:37.115+11:00Day 289<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Argh... the winter crop is slow and boring. I came so close to pulling out a couple of the grow beds today but stopped myself. Our seeds are growing and are just about ready to be put in the AP system and I have no room because I have so many winter veggies in there. It's a great situation to be in, but bring on the yummy summer veggies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We did get an awesome rainbow over the patch today though. Something nice out of all the rain we've been having and the tank is now over half full. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TLrBq1T6r3I/AAAAAAAAAig/UeV6ZDjc7cQ/s1600/DSC_1239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TLrBq1T6r3I/AAAAAAAAAig/UeV6ZDjc7cQ/s320/DSC_1239.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-81651791940985706052010-10-13T19:38:00.000+11:002010-10-13T19:38:07.991+11:00Day 286<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the best parts of having you own veggie patch is being able to pick only want you will eat at that time. Why buy a whole head of broccoli, huge bunches of spring onions, celery etc that you wont use. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tonight I went in search of some broad beans but unfortunately they are still stretching out and growing but I did find some beautiful purple snow peas and about a small head of broccoli. Adding some spinach that is growing like a forest and we had the perfect sized veggie portions for our night meal and the rest is still in the patch growing not sitting in the fridge dying. FRESH IS BEST!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TLVt0s9j3uI/AAAAAAAAAic/5d5oZ48-Wdk/s1600/DSC_1237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TLVt0s9j3uI/AAAAAAAAAic/5d5oZ48-Wdk/s320/DSC_1237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-74541073146451349762010-10-09T10:57:00.002+11:002010-10-13T19:38:32.642+11:00Day 282I spent this morning in the backyard with the girls cleaning the chook pen, chasing the chooks, feeding the trout, looking for broad beans, purple beans and Grace found a "broccoli" which was actually a cauliflower. Such an amazing way to spend the morning with the girls. Some of the seeds we planted a few weeks back are ready to be transplanted to the AP. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TK-tQx19uEI/AAAAAAAAAiE/6sN1G0Rl_ig/s1600/DSC_1218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TK-tQx19uEI/AAAAAAAAAiE/6sN1G0Rl_ig/s1600/DSC_1218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TK-tQx19uEI/AAAAAAAAAiE/6sN1G0Rl_ig/s320/DSC_1218.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We needed to clear and area so pulled out these leeks and planted about a dozen pumpkin seeds. Tonight we'll enjoy these leeks. Just need to decide what we'll cook.</div></div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-34094555483557893642010-10-07T20:23:00.001+11:002010-10-07T20:23:29.503+11:00Day 280It's time to admit that with broad beans I have no idea. Zilch, nada, nil. Tonight we were transferring all the trout from the smallest tank into the large one in preparation for getting some Silver perch or similar for the summer months when we decided to take a look at the broad beans to see if there was anything growing. I noticed something weird and went to look and realised it was a small bean.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TK2QNkM-BwI/AAAAAAAAAiA/Xpz3pD5zuwg/s1600/IMG_1471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TK2QNkM-BwI/AAAAAAAAAiA/Xpz3pD5zuwg/s320/IMG_1471.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Thats when it twigged. The beans start growing down low. We found numerous beans and so we picked a few to try. The small tiny ones when double podded and eaten raw were buttery and sweet. Oh it's going to be great times ahead. I just hope I can resist and let them grow out. </div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-85311188598314213632010-10-06T19:20:00.000+11:002010-10-06T19:20:03.348+11:00Day 279<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today is an exciting day. We finally had our Solar Panel System installed. It is a 2.88kW system comprising 35 panels. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This will more than offset any power our aquaponics system uses and hopefully close to all the electricity we use. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just another part of us doing our bit to become as sustainable as possible. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKwv11ypycI/AAAAAAAAAh4/6Get8kxR-y8/s1600/IMG_1461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKwv11ypycI/AAAAAAAAAh4/6Get8kxR-y8/s320/IMG_1461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-79729125020967260472010-10-05T22:31:00.002+11:002010-10-06T09:16:49.579+11:00Day 278And another slight adjournment. <br />
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I thought I'd show you what's on the other side of the post and rail fence that separates the AP system from the rest of the backyard. <br />
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It's our other passion in the garden and another part of our sustainable back yard. The Australian bush is a great place to take time out in. What we have done here is start to recreate a part of that. An area we can come into at the end of the day and wind down. The nearby AP system with the sound of water makes it feel as if we have a small river running by as well. <br />
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This whole garden is just now gone two years old. If you want to see a video of the day we planted the garden you can see it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg5Dy0KUxXg">here</a>. You'll see just how much its grown from day one.<br />
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Here it is 2 years ago.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKsNG023eqI/AAAAAAAAAh0/HZkhBor3iFM/s1600/backyard170808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKsNG023eqI/AAAAAAAAAh0/HZkhBor3iFM/s320/backyard170808.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>And the same perspective today. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKr2pNaazEI/AAAAAAAAAgo/oprYPRo_hZ4/s1600/DSC_1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKr2pNaazEI/AAAAAAAAAgo/oprYPRo_hZ4/s320/DSC_1180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKr1Hvnh2MI/AAAAAAAAAgk/e-VYJjgaLKo/s320/DSC_1177.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKr6pHEIXaI/AAAAAAAAAg0/wQk8scLV_l0/s1600/DSC_1183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKr6pHEIXaI/AAAAAAAAAg0/wQk8scLV_l0/s320/DSC_1183.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKr3_rwXPRI/AAAAAAAAAgs/22AeM3JObP4/s1600/DSC_1182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKr3_rwXPRI/AAAAAAAAAgs/22AeM3JObP4/s320/DSC_1182.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKr8GhKFUYI/AAAAAAAAAg4/A83X547VudU/s1600/DSC_1190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKr8GhKFUYI/AAAAAAAAAg4/A83X547VudU/s320/DSC_1190.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKr-rcIWIsI/AAAAAAAAAhA/AF8751MtEvM/s1600/DSC_1195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKr-rcIWIsI/AAAAAAAAAhA/AF8751MtEvM/s320/DSC_1195.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKsHBk2nAYI/AAAAAAAAAhY/qlwiTuYPiAQ/s1600/DSC_1203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKsHBk2nAYI/AAAAAAAAAhY/qlwiTuYPiAQ/s320/DSC_1203.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKsICL4-t4I/AAAAAAAAAhc/c8ZsG-41GD0/s1600/DSC_1208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKsICL4-t4I/AAAAAAAAAhc/c8ZsG-41GD0/s320/DSC_1208.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A couple of pics I played with in photoshop.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKsIr4EfYZI/AAAAAAAAAhg/Zd8I6MCSK0M/s1600/DSC_1207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKsIr4EfYZI/AAAAAAAAAhg/Zd8I6MCSK0M/s320/DSC_1207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKsKKrdLgoI/AAAAAAAAAhk/ugMtHunbrd8/s1600/DSC_1181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKsKKrdLgoI/AAAAAAAAAhk/ugMtHunbrd8/s320/DSC_1181.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKsLQPtXFwI/AAAAAAAAAho/bLgmhJ2sN-g/s1600/DSC_1189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKsLQPtXFwI/AAAAAAAAAho/bLgmhJ2sN-g/s320/DSC_1189.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-85795588279508211762010-10-04T19:07:00.021+11:002010-10-05T19:48:42.373+11:00Day 277<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today I want to tell you all about Dirtgirl World. I know there are many people who read this blog from all over the world who have kids or grandkids. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dirtgirl is a great Australian character who is aimed at young kids. The blurb about this show I have added below but if you can get your hands on this our find it on TV some where make sure you watch it. It's is so good for kids to learn about their gardens. They will be busting to get out in the garden.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh and her website is here. <a href="http://dirtgirlworld.com/">Dirtgirl World.</a></span><br />
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<b><blockquote><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i>dirtgirl is a gumboot-wearing girl who grows awesome tomatoes, knows cloud names and drives a big orange tractor.</i></span></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i>dirtgirl's backyard is full of friends. There's scrapboy, her best friend, who's a whiz with junk,grubby with her grub’s eye view, ken the weevil, a super stunt star with a healthy fear of heights,roger the rooster and the chicks, hayman, the monosyllabic scarecrow and thegreenthumbs...real kids in real gardens having unreal fun.</i></span></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i>dirtgirlworld is a celebration of life outside.</i></span></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i>It's a place of bizarre insects, underground tunnels, vaudevillian trained chickens and performing stunt bugs.</i></span></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i>Funky pop songs, guitars with attitude, beats, grooves and loops all blended with a tractor, make up the infectiously cool music in dirtgirlworld.</i></span></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i>This musicentric series explores the natural world and invites the audience to 'go get grubby' in the big world outside.</i></span></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i>dirtgirlworld is a place where we find out that we protect what we love.</i></span></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i>As dirtgirl says...'it's all about balance'.</i></span></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i>Made for 4 - 7 year olds, dirtgirlworld takes this audience to a world where real and unreal hang out together.</i></span></div></blockquote><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mememe.com.au/images/dgw-slideshow-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://www.mememe.com.au/images/dgw-slideshow-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></b>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-89249069834189093142010-10-03T17:12:00.000+11:002010-10-03T17:12:09.848+11:00Day 276Its been a fair bit of time since I've posted and the only reason is that it's been a busy couple of weeks. Spring has sprung though and the patch is getting very full. We are still waiting for those broad beans to appear though. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKgZtSK_cxI/AAAAAAAAAgU/bXqjIXRTZx4/s1600/DSC_1156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKgZtSK_cxI/AAAAAAAAAgU/bXqjIXRTZx4/s320/DSC_1156.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKgcTVU-uMI/AAAAAAAAAgg/Gn69vmpbVhM/s1600/DSC_1164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKgcTVU-uMI/AAAAAAAAAgg/Gn69vmpbVhM/s320/DSC_1164.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKga2PsmN2I/AAAAAAAAAgY/8VU4TYBihno/s1600/DSC_1161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKga2PsmN2I/AAAAAAAAAgY/8VU4TYBihno/s320/DSC_1161.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKga2PsmN2I/AAAAAAAAAgY/8VU4TYBihno/s1600/DSC_1161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKgbU14aVsI/AAAAAAAAAgc/IdTqYOOisVQ/s1600/DSC_1163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKgbU14aVsI/AAAAAAAAAgc/IdTqYOOisVQ/s320/DSC_1163.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are in full swing planting seeds in soil ready to plant seedlings in the next few weeks. </div>We have planted so many different varieties of seeds that we should have a massive abundance of produce this coming season. <br />
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Grace helping me choose the seeds.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKgWTVuuCXI/AAAAAAAAAgI/Xq9L4qmQni4/s1600/IMG_1429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKgWTVuuCXI/AAAAAAAAAgI/Xq9L4qmQni4/s320/IMG_1429.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Matilda (the Destructor) "helping" me empty the pots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKgX_Ui4zhI/AAAAAAAAAgM/J3uY0tOn5PM/s1600/IMG_1430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKgX_Ui4zhI/AAAAAAAAAgM/J3uY0tOn5PM/s320/IMG_1430.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ready for a top layer and some water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKgZOqOKcVI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/2M78tklOig8/s1600/DSC_1153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TKgZOqOKcVI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/2M78tklOig8/s320/DSC_1153.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-16877503552631419222010-09-19T20:05:00.013+10:002010-09-20T20:16:17.691+10:00Day 262<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can tell its spring when the colours start appearing. All this and more is growing in the patch and we are starting to plant seeds in potting mix to grow seedlings for transplant into the AP in the coming months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our plan is to pack it so full it will be bursting for the spring/summer seasons and harvest as much as we can. Exciting times.</div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-49167720542143895802010-09-15T21:33:00.000+10:002010-09-15T21:33:21.746+10:00Day 258<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here it is. Our new 3400lt rain water tank. We purchased this with the money we received for winning the Sustainable Gardens competition last Sunday. Its going to help us be even more sustainable and will be used to catch rain water to top up the AP system. It gives us the capacity to basically store enough water to fill the entire AP tanks once over. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TJCt7C1te1I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/rukJ6pvgNsQ/s1600/tank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TJCt7C1te1I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/rukJ6pvgNsQ/s320/tank.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It will be great in summer which is when the most evaporation occurs in the AP system. So now we just need a bit of rainfall in the next couple of months to fill it up. Here's hoping we can get it full. </div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-53296447128939329462010-09-14T20:20:00.001+10:002010-09-14T20:33:03.458+10:00Day 257<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've just realised that we are nearly into the last 100 days of Harvest 365. Its amazing to think just how much we have grown of our own food. I haven't posted every day as I didn't want to bore you all with another "bunch of spinach" post but we have picked a significant component of our daily food. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have come along way and learning every day. We have won the award and hopefully shown others what can come from an AP system. The best part is it's only the start of the most productive season of the year so it can only go uphill from here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today we ordered a 3400ltr rain water tank. We used the $500 form the sustainability competition to buy the tank so we'll always have a reminder and we are going another step toward bringing the system to a self sufficient one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway enough of my rant. Here's todays pick. All that fresh coriander torn up and tossed through the stir fry.... I can still smell it on my hands... Bliss.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TI9PJmoq62I/AAAAAAAAAfA/S8sAFgqREeY/s1600/leek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TI9PJmoq62I/AAAAAAAAAfA/S8sAFgqREeY/s320/leek.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-52759885927829239852010-09-13T18:35:00.010+10:002010-09-14T20:11:45.664+10:00Day 256<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another long day at work and we wanted to get something on the table fast for dinner. My wife asked me to pick as much as I could and came up with this fantastic "frittata" style dish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TI80yurPpZI/AAAAAAAAAew/ioQexbKmPDo/s1600/IMG_1354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TI80yurPpZI/AAAAAAAAAew/ioQexbKmPDo/s320/IMG_1354.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once again the flavours are just amazing. Even if you have just a pot and some soil, try growing some fresh herbs. You'll get hooked.</div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006339342883527296.post-53189705142683527682010-09-12T19:35:00.000+10:002010-09-12T19:35:06.387+10:00Day 255<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We did it. We were awarded today with the First Prize in the Sustainable Garden Competition at the Wyndham Sustainability Festival. It's a great achievement for us and one we greatly appreciate receiving. It makes all our work over the last couple of years in the garden worthwhile and one that will keep us aiming to be even more conscious of what we are doing with our block. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hopefully it will also help get the word about aquaponics out there as well as others discover the different elements that bring our sustainable garden together.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TIyVCfHdQAI/AAAAAAAAAeo/f3KP_vGz0Eo/s1600/L1030296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yk9ubHIfGFA/TIyVCfHdQAI/AAAAAAAAAeo/f3KP_vGz0Eo/s320/L1030296.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Part of the award was $500 and we are going to use that money to purchase a larger rain water tank to harvest rainfall to keep the AP fish tanks topped up over summer. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So a HUGE thanks to the Wyndham City Council and the sponsors of the competition. It's great to see organisations getting behind a great cause and bringing sustainability to the forefront. </div>Picking from "the patch"http://www.blogger.com/profile/18249043582144269924noreply@blogger.com8