Everything about used coffee grounds for compost and fertilizer
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The First Tomato
There is no better sign of a plant’s health as when that first fruit appears. In the case of my tomato vines, those little green fruit balls are emerging from dried yellow flowers. Not entirely sure what kind of tomatoes are in these shots, and will find out soon enough. I’ve planted out some cherry and sweet…
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Nasturtium Flowers – Patient Spider!
Just one of those regular sort of days, wandering around the garden and not looking for anything in particular. I am fond of the Nasturtium growing in Plot 1 – Lovely cherry red flowers all Spring and Summer, great for reducing weed growth, and a magnet for aphids and other nasties that would otherwise be…
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Ladybugs Eat Aphids
I was admiring one of my apple trees, as you do. The flowers, a little apple (this tree’s first!), the leaves, the ladybug. One of the more frustrating things I have found in the garden has been the absence of ladybugs. But no longer. The Ladybug But wait… what’s up here then? Quick aphids run!…
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Survey – Where Do You Get Your Used Coffee Grounds?
Time to publish results of the first survey posted onto Ground to Ground. The question is – Where do you get your used coffee grounds? 52% at the coffee shop / cafe 18% at the office 25% from your own espresso machine or plunger 4% from friends or family And if you have not yet…
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Ground to Ground on Earth Garden Magazine!
What a great way to finish off 2011 – with a Ground to Ground article on the well respected Earth Garden magazine (Summer, No 158). Among the many other excellent articles, I discuss why collecting coffee grounds is a good thing to be doing, what you can do with them, and why you should join…
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How To: Build a Compost Bin
Making your own compost is a must-do for the enterprising gardener. When it comes to getting bulky, organic material that’ll benefit your growing world, whether on expansive or modest plots, creating your own mulch is the way to go. Easy to do, costs nothing, environmentally friendly and hugely beneficial to your garden, there are plenty…
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Apple Tree – First Fruit
My first apple… ever! This is from the Gala, with the Pink Lady in heavy flower I’m sure she is about to follow.
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The Herb Garden
Herbs bring their own something special to the garden. Many act as an effective ground cover, a home for bugs, garnish for a salad. All those things and more… One of their best traits is to be admired? The photo below is from the West side of the garden, at the base of a brick…
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Benefits of Shade Grown, Organic and Fair Trade Coffee Beans
Shade Grown Coffee Beans Shade grown is the old school way to make coffee that goes back to the basics. Thirty years ago hybrid varieties of coffee plants were developed. These new plants could withstand direct sunlight and at the same time produced a greater yield of beans. It was a farmers dream except for…
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Natural Aphid Control in Your Garden: A Visual Guide
Life in the garden is a fascinating cycle of predator and prey. Insects are eaten by larger insects, which are then hunted by spiders, frogs, birds, and lizards. Maintaining a natural balance is crucial, as pesticides can disrupt this delicate ecosystem. Organic methods like hand-picking aphids or using water sprays can help control garden pests…
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DIY Micro-Greenhouses: Frugal & Fun Ways to Start Seeds Indoors
Ever had a packet of seeds you just wanted to get started on but couldn’t because of cold weather? I want the real plant, not some picture of it! I’ve found that there are only so many months of the year you can get most seeds going outdoors. Melbourne means September is about as early…
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Bees with Broad Beans
You see how they use their third pair of legs to pull open these Broad Bean flowers? If not then put your cursor over the photos and click the right hand arrow to speed things up. Just one of the many wonders I’ve noticed this Spring.