All articles on: Propagation
Book Launch and Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop!

Book Launch and Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop!

With Author Jade Miles and Graftsman Charlie Showers at ORTO Farm, Blampied. An exciting event with these wonderful humans! From Black Barn Farm in Stanley, Victoria. Charlie and Jade at their Black Barn Farm fruit orchard. Jade’s recently published book “Future...

Greenhouse and Propagation

Greenhouse and Propagation

All year round our greenhouse keeps our household protected and in comfort. It serves multiple functions: a place for drying clothes all year round. A pocket of warm air to heat the passive areas of our house such as the lounge room and bathroom. It’s where I...

Seasonal rhythms

Seasonal rhythms

It is spring and Madeline is here from Canada. And working with her is a dream. Her pace is calm and focused. Together we are working through various projects on our 15 acres of volcanic soil. In the morning we visit the hens. We place clean water in their heavy cast...

Soap – Season Two

Soap – Season Two

I made soap again, this time with Maria. Maria from Veneto Italy. Maria who makes excellent gnocchi and really simple, delicious pasta dishes. Maria the fantastic pizzica/bio-dancer. Maria who corrected my Italian when I made mistakes. Maria who got a bit impatient...

Salt, garlic, strawberry trees, pizzica

Salt, garlic, strawberry trees, pizzica

All the garlic, minus a few heads have been planted. I hope to double my harvest this year. Ralf moved some of the rich top soil mounds and spread them to create a second kitchen garden. At first I kept thinking, how am I going to manage so much space...how will I...

Adventitious  roots

Adventitious roots

These tomato seedlings from October, had grown a little big as my 'plant tomatoes before the end of October' deadline had not been met. To ensure their survival at transplant, I: hardened them off outside for a week placed them in a bucket of water for about ten...

The greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect

The greenhouse makes growing my own seedlings a huge pleasure. Once the seedlings have established and are ready to be taken out into the garden, I open up the bi fold doors of the greenhouse to harden off the seedlings before planting them out. Over the past three...

Seeds sown in August are now ready to plant out into the garden.

Seeds sown in August are now ready to plant out into the garden.

Back in August I began to sow lettuce, Bok Choy, Kale, basil, tomato and eggplant seeds, as well as some flowers, Holly Hocks, Snap Dragons and Zinnias.  Most of the seeds are now established seedlings chattering in the greenhouse about their pending departure from...

Sprinter Seed Sowing

Sprinter Seed Sowing

I love this time of the year. The garden is vibrating with life and with blossoms now on many of the fruit trees. While the perennial deciduous plants are awakening, I am preparing a feast of food producing annuals. In the greenhouse that Ralf and I built about five...

From 6 cuttings Sage

From 6 cuttings Sage

I planted  sage 10 years ago and it looked beautiful in it's second year. I pruned and pruned every year or two, but eventually it became woody and with less and less foliage. Last year I took 6 cuttings from the parent plant and re-potted them and this is the result....

Greenhouse

Greenhouse

The greenhouse, was added to the north facing facade of our home to bring warmth to the living areas, the study and front bedroom. It does this beautifully and has alleviated the need to have a heater in our bedroom and study and diminished heating needs in the living...