west leederville community garden manual part 1 · it has the benefits of killing weed seeds and...

West Leederville Community Garden Inc

Bringingth

eDream

toLife

WestLeede

rvilleCo

ityGarde

2018-2019

WelcometotheWestLeedervilleCommunityGarden!TheWestLeedervilleCommunityGardenopenedinJune2007andcontinuestoflourish.Thisguideprovideslotsofgeneralgardeninginformation,adviceandideasaswellashowthisGardenoperates.Wehopeyoufindthisguidehelpful!

WestLeedervilleCommunityGardenInc

1. DefinitionofCommunity.................................................................................................................5

2. GARDENATOZ................................................................................................................................6

Awareness.......................................................................................................................................................................6CombinationLocks...........................................................................................................................................................6CommunalGardenAreas.................................................................................................................................................6CompostBays..................................................................................................................................................................6Diary.................................................................................................................................................................................7Dogs.................................................................................................................................................................................7EquipmentStorageandMaintenancePolicy...................................................................................................................7Emails/WebSite/Facebook..............................................................................................................................................8Fees..................................................................................................................................................................................8FirstAid............................................................................................................................................................................8FrogHabitat.....................................................................................................................................................................8FruitTrees/Shrubs/Vines.................................................................................................................................................8GardenShed....................................................................................................................................................................9Hydration.........................................................................................................................................................................9Induction..........................................................................................................................................................................9LiftingandManualHandling............................................................................................................................................9Meetings..........................................................................................................................................................................9Newsletters......................................................................................................................................................................9Networking......................................................................................................................................................................9PersonalProtectiveClothing.........................................................................................................................................10PlotHolders...................................................................................................................................................................10PlotSitting.....................................................................................................................................................................10Reticulation....................................................................................................................................................................10ToolsandEquipment.....................................................................................................................................................10TownofCambridge........................................................................................................................................................10VisitingChildren.............................................................................................................................................................10Workshops.....................................................................................................................................................................10

3. HOWTOMAKEA….........................................................................................................................12

1. CompostHeap..........................................................................................................................................12

2. Compostheapusing“hotcomposting”techniques.................................................................................12

3. Sheet-mulchedinstantgardenbed..........................................................................................................13

4. RaisedGardenBed...................................................................................................................................14

5. WickingBed..............................................................................................................................................14

6. WormFarm..............................................................................................................................................15

4. THEANSWERLIESININTHESOIL...................................................................................................16

AboutSoil…......................................................................................................................................................16

AboutManure…................................................................................................................................................16

AboutPlanting…................................................................................................................................................17

AboutPlantPropagation…................................................................................................................................19

AboutPlantPests..............................................................................................................................................20

Home-madePestRepellents.............................................................................................................................20

1. Definition of Community

Aselforganisedgroupofpeoplewithacommonagenda,causeorinterestwhocollaboratebysharingideas,informationandotherresources. What’sexpectedofmeinacommunitygarden?Whetheryou’reaplotholderorassociatemember,contributiontoawholerangeoftasksisgreatlyappreciated.Thingswhichmakeadifference:

• Keepingthewormfarminhabitantsaliveandhappy• Compostmakingandkeepingtheheapsdamp• Comingalongtoworkingbeesandgettogethers• Mindinganeighbour’splotswhensomeoneisawayortemporarilyunabletolookafterthem• Fertilisiing/mulching/managingfruittrees,bushesandvines• Pullingoutweedsalongpathways,drivewayandgeneralareas• Keepingthebirdbathcleanandfilledwithwater• Rakingupfallenleaves,throwingthemontothecompostrubbishheap

Doyouhaveanyofthefollowingskills,experienceandknowledge?(We’dlovetohearfromyouifyoudo!)

• Lookingafteroccasionallyreticulationsystems• Bricklaying,carpentry,generalconstruction• Usingawhippersnipper,mulcherorhedgetrimmer• Plantpropagation• Toolandwheelbarrowmaintenance

Tasksandmaintenance.WeexpectgardenerstospendsometimemaintainingcommunityareasintheGardenandtoparticipateinsomeoftheWorkingBees.Youcanrecordwhatyou’veachievedintheGardeningDiary,inthemainshed.There’susuallyalistoftasksontheblackboardoutsideandanotherinsidethisshedforplotsitting.Recordingfruittree/shrub/vinemanagementactivities–seeyellowtopboxfileonthebenchinthisshed.

WorkingBees.WorkingBeesareveryenjoyableandareanopportunityformemberstogettoknoweachother.Thereareabout4eachyear.TheyprovideameansofdealingwithtaskswhicharetimecriticalegavergeclearanceorsocialeventoratchangeofseasonegclearingwinterweedsorplantingSpringvegetables.Thecupoftea,hunkofhomemadecake(therearesomewonderfulcooks)andunwindingchatafterwardsmakestheeffortsoworthwhile.

2. GARDEN A TO Z Awareness

Awarenessofsurroundingsmattersforgardenersandvisitorsalike.Arangeofhazardslurks:rakes,forks,spadesleftlyingaround,sharpedges,awkwardsteps,unevenpathwayspartlyhiddenbyvegetation.Awarenessofsurroundingsimpliesknowledgeofwhichcommitteememberstocontact,firstaidservices,transport,parking,nearbymedicalfacilitiesandentryandexitpoints.Keepingnoiseandstrongsmells(suchas

manure)toaminimumwhileworkingatthegardenhelpscordialrelationswithournearneighbours.

CombinationLocks

• Padlocksneedtobeinthe“daisychain”positionwhenthemaingateislocked.• Allpadlockshavethesamecodewhichisusuallychangedonceayear.• Ifthereareproblemswithalock(sometimestheyjam),contactdetailsforassistanceareontheblackboardoutsidethebigshed,aswellaslistedinside.

CommunalGardenAreas

There’sacontractualrequirementthatallgardenersspendtimeworkinginthecommunalareas,weeding,buildingupsoilwithcompost,lookingafterfruittreesandremovingcouchornutgrass.Pathsbetweenplotsandthedrivewayarealsocommunalareasandneedtobekeptnotonlyweed-freebutreasonablyclearofsummersprawlerssuchaswatermelon,pumpkin,butternut,tomatoesandcucumber.

CompostBays

COMPOSTisprocessedallyearround.BuiltlikealayercakewithrepeatedlayersofGardenrubbish/manure/shreddedpaper/grassclippings/straw,therearesome6-7setsoflayerstoeachcompostbay.Oncefull,baysarecoveredwithblackplastic,wateredevery2-3weeksandlefttomaturefor4-6months.SpendingtimemakingorwateringcompostisagreatcontributiontotheGarden’ssuccessandhelpstokeepyouphysicallyfit!

• HOWDOIKNOWWHENCOMPOSTISREADYTOUSE?Maturecompostbaysarelabelled“CompostReadytoUse”and“PleaseKeepCompostCovered”There’sacompostbaychartintheshedwhichliststheirindividualstatus:thosereadyforuseorunderconstructionorsimplygentlycooking.

• GREENCOMPOSTBINSpositionedaroundtheGardenareveryhandyifgardeningnearby.

• BIGGARDENRUBBISHwhichistooclumpyandawkwardformakingcompostgoesintotheMulchbay.Whenbrokenupintosmaller,moremanageablepiecesitisfurtherreducedinsizeintheGarden’smulcherandaddedtothecompostheaps.

• Someofourcompostismadewiththe“hotcomposting”techniquewhichproducescompostinamuchshortertime.Ithasthebenefitsofkillingweedseedsandpathogens(diseases),andbreakingdownthematerialintoveryfinecompost.SeeHowto…..hotcompost

• NUTGRASSisthemostpersistentanddifficulttoeradicateofallinvasiveweedsintheGardenandwhenuprootedneedstobeDUMPED

NEXTTOTHEGREENWASTEBINANDWHENDRIEDOUTPUTINTOTHE

BINORpiledupnearbyforvergecollection.NUTGRASSISNOTTOBETURNEDINOCOMPOSTastherootsandseedsreadilysurvivethecompostingprocess.

• GRASSCLIPPINGS.ThebayjustoutsidetherearGardengateisgenerouslysuppliedwithclippingsfromtheBowlingClubandlawnmowingcontractors.Theclippingsareagreatadditiontocompost.

• STRAWANDMANUREhavebeenboughttomakecompostorforthegeneralgardenareasandarenotintendedforindividualplots.

• COMPOST-MAKINGtechniques–seeHowTo….inthismanual.

• MULCH.AstheGardenusesoverheadwateringitisessentialthatthewatercanpenetratethemulch.Useeitherthefreewoodchipmulchprovided(occasionally!)orbuyyourownmulchorstraw.

Adiarytorecordcommunalactivitiessuchweedingcommunalareasandthedriveway,composting,mulching,wateringplantsneartheshed,keepingthebirdbathcleanandfilledwithcleanwater,ortoleavegeneralinformationisonthebenchintheshed.

• DOGMANAGEMENT:Dogsmustbekeptundercontrolatalltimes.Keepingthemonaleashortiedupisrequestedasnotallgardenerslikedogs.• DOGPOO:There’saspecialgreenwastebinfordogpoonexttothebananatrees.Ifplasticdogpoobagsareused,theseshouldbedeposited(minustheircontents!)inthegarbagebinnexttothefrontgate.Dogownersareexpectedtocleanupaftertheirpets.

EquipmentStorageandMaintenancePolicyINTRODUCTION

TheWestLeedervilleCommunityGardenInc.(“theGarden”)hasbeenoperatingsincemid-2007.Regularcleaningandmaintenanceoftools,equipmentandstoragefacilitiesarecarriedoutbyvolunteergardenmembers.

SecurityismaintainedattheGardenthroughcombinationlockingofbothfrontandreargateswithonlycurrentgardenmembershipknowingthecodewhichischangedannually.Therearetwosheds(“largeshed”and“smallshed”)ontheproperty,bothofwhicharecombinationlocked.TheGarden’ssecurityiscomplementedbyhighfencingsurroundingtheproperty.

EQUIPMENTSTORAGE

Thefollowingprinciplesapplytothestorageofequipmentandpreventionoflossordamage:

• Gardenpowertoolsareinthesmallshed.• Earmuffs,safetygogglesandservicetoolslocatedinthesmallshed.

Seamus

• Instructionsforsafeuseandmaintenanceofgardenpowertoolslocatedprominentlyinthesmallshed.

• Otherequipmentsuchaseskies,gazebos,foldingtables,gardenumbrellasinsmallshed.• Barbecuesnearsheds• Gardenforks,spades,gloves,handtools,rakes,brushes,wateringcansinlargeshed.• Electricalitems(microwaveovenandbarfridge)inlargeshed.• Bothlargeandsmallshedsarecombinationlockedwhennotinuse.

EQUIPMENTMAINTENANCE

• Electricalandpowerequipmenttobecoveredbypurchaseguaranteeswhereavailable.• Damagedelectricalandpowerequipmentnotcoveredbypurchaseguaranteesaretoberepairedby

servicetechnicianswherepractical,attheGarden’sexpense.• RepairorreplacementofgeneralequipmentwillbeattheGarden’sexpense.• Allequipmentistobestoredappropriately.• Gardenmembersareresponsibleforensuringequipmentiskeptingoodworkingconditionbyregular

cleaning,servicingandmaintenance.

Emails/WebSite/Facebook

Asmostmembercommunicationisthroughemail,correctcontactdetailsareimportantwhensigningtheGardenAgreement.TheGardenwebsite(http://www.wlra.org.au/?cat=4)isavaluableforumandourFacebookpageistheWestLeedervilleCommunityGarden.

Currentfeestructure:

• $130.00annualfee,$60.00bondfora2x4mplot

• $70.00annualfee,$30.00bondfora2x2mplot

• GeneralGardenmembershipfee$40.00(nobond).

FirstAid

Ifminorfirstaidisrequiredthere’saFirstAidKitintheshed,alsoemergencynumbers.

FrogHabitat

Thisareaisn’treticulatedsoitisimportanttocheckduringsummermonthswhetherthebathtubsneedtoppingupandifsurroundingplantsarethirstyandneedadrink.

FruitTrees/Shrubs/Vines

Lookingafterfruittrees,shrubsandvinesissharedamongmemberswho“adopt”fruitbearingplantsandcheckcareandmaintenancedetailsfromadedicatedfileintheshedorbysimplygooglingquestions.Whenevermulching,fertilising,pruningorpesttreatmentiscarriedout,thedateanddetailsneedtobenotedonthe8x5cardsintheFruitTrees,ShrubsandVinescardindexbox.

GardenShed

• Thedoorissecuredbylatchingtheattachedchaintothehookontherightofthedoor.

• Toolsneedtobecleanedbeforebeingreturnedafteruseandputinappropriateplaces.

• Boththeexternalblackboardandinternalwhiteboardshavelistsoftasks.

• Theshedshouldbekeptcleanandtidy.

Hydration

Itisimportanttostayhydratedwhengardeninginhotconditionsandtorememberthatborewaterisnotdrinkableandwaterfromthetanktotheleftoftheshedisnotrecommendedunlessboiled.Theshedfridgeistheperfectplacetokeepyourcold,refreshingdrinks.

InductionSeeAppendix1–InductionNotesforNewGardeners

LiftingandManualHandling

Gardenersneedtousecommonsensewhenliftingheavyitemsandbeawareoftheweightandsizerelativetopersonalcapacity.Asageneralguidetolifting,gardenersshouldrememberto:

• Liftwithyourknees• Maintainastraightback• Notoverextendpersonalcapacity• Askforassistance• Notoverreachwhileliftingitems.• Useappropriateequipmentsuchasthefridgetrolleyorawheelbarrow.

Meetings

MembermeetingstodiscusstheGarden,raiseissues,planfutureeventsandsocialiseareheldthroughouttheyear.Advancenoticeisgiveninregularnewslettersandontheshednoticeboard.

Newsletters

Theseissuedatleastquarterlyandmorefrequentlyifspecialeventsarecomingup.Membercontributionsofarticles,recipes,comment,plantinformation,gardeningstoriesandphotosareverywelcome.

Networking

AconstantlyevolvingnetworkincludesmanyofWA’scommunitygardeners,theirwebsites,Facebookpages,communitygroupssuchasEarthcarersandotherswithapassionforgardening.ThebestcommunitygardenwebsiteistheWACommunityGardensNetworkonhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/wacgn/

PersonalProtectiveClothing

Clothingsuitableforworkinginagardenenvironment:

• Closedinshoes(boots,sneakersetc)• Longpantsandlongsleevedshirtforsunprotectionand30+ratedsunscreenorzinc• Broadbrimmedhat

• Sunglasses• Gloves• Facemaskwhenmulchingtopreventinhalingparticles.

PlotHolders

Aplotholdermapisoutsidethesmallshedaswellasalistofgeneralgardeners.

PlotSitting

Plotholderscanrequestvolunteerplotsittingwhenawayorifunavailableforawhile.Fromwateringseedlings,weedingandremovingdeadplantstofullplotmanagement,it’sagreatwaytopreventaneglectedplot,particularlyduringthelongmonthsofsummer.

Reticulation

Ifthereareproblemswithreticulationorconcernsaboutwatering,there’salistofcontactsintheshed.Sometimesinhotweatherplotsmaylookdryhoweverthesoilisprobablylovelyanddampjustbelowthesurface.

ToolsandEquipment

• PriorwrittenpermissionbytheTownofCambridgemustbesoughtbeforeanypetrolorelectricpoweredmachinerycanbeusedattheGarden.

• Allequipmentismaintainedaccordingtoserviceinstructionsandstoredsafelywhileonandoffsite.• Toolusersareexpectedtolookafteritemsbycleaningandstoringthemtidily.

TownofCambridge.

TheGardenisonTownofCambridgepropertyandwe’reexpectedtomeettheTown’sguidelinesandruleswhichareintegratedintothissectionofthemanual.

VisitingChildren

ChildrenaretobesupervisedwhileattheGarden.

Workshops

Mostcommunitygardenshavearangeofpresentations/workshops/fairsandopendays.Toexpandourpoolofexpertiseandgatherideas,wemakeeveryefforttovisitothergardenevents.IdeasforworkshopsattheWestLeedervilleCommunityGardenarealwayswelcome!

3. HOW TO MAKE A…. 1. Compost Heap

ThefollowingsequenceisusedintheCommunityGarden’scompostbaysandishighlyrecommended(itworks!)forhomeuse:

1.GARDENRUBBISH:stalks,leaves,uprootedveggies,leavesetc.

2.NEWSPAPER:Shreddednewspaper(aloosecovering)

3.GRASSCLIPPINGS:Wheelbarrowload(ortwoorthree)ofgrassclippings

4.STRAW:¼baleofstraw

5.MANURE:Wheelbarrowload(ortwo)ofmanure

WaterEachLayerThoroughlyROCKDUST: Whenthebayisfull,addalightsprinklingofRockDust.Thiscontainsessentialvitaminsandmineralswhichimprovethequalityofyourcompost.Itisnotamanureandtakesalongtimetobreakdown.

Notes:

• Minimumarea:1cubicmetreforcomposttogenerateheatandbreakdownmorequickly.

• Thebaysarenotusuallydugoverand“turned”,howeverifyou’rebuildingcompostathome,theprocessofdecompositionacceleratesifyouturnitoveraboutonceamonth.

• Avoidaddingbread,meatordairyproductsastheyattractvermin.ConsiderBokashitechniquesforbreadandmeat.

• Keepcompostmoistbywateringevery2-3weeksandkeepingbayscovered.

2. Compost heap using “hot composting” techniques

Onehotcompostingmethod,theBerkeleymethod,developedbytheUniversityofCalifornia,Berkley,isafast,efficient,high-temperature,compostingtechniquewhichwillproducehighqualitycompostin18days.TherequirementsforhotcompostingusingtheBerkleymethodareasfollows:

1. Composttemperatureismaintainedbetween55-65degreesCelsius2. TheC:N(carbon:nitrogen)balanceinthecompostingmaterialsisapproximately25-30:13. Thecompostheapneedstoberoughly1.5mhigh4. Ifcompostingmaterialishighincarbon,suchastreebranches,theyneedtobebrokenup,suchaswitha

mulcher5. Compostisturnedfromoutsidetoinsideandviceversatomixitthoroughly

Withthe18dayBerkleymethod,theprocedureisquitestraightforward:1. Buildcompostheap2. 4days–noturning3. Thenturnevery2nddayfor14daysInthehotcompostingmethod,theratioofcarbontonitrogeninthecompostmaterialsneedstobebetween25to30partscarbontoone-partnitrogenbyweight.Thisisbecausethebacteriaresponsibleforthecompostingprocessrequirethesetwoelements,intheseproportions,asnutrientstoconstructtheirbodiesastheyreproduceandmultiply.

3. Sheet-mulched instant garden bed (Size:2x1railwaysleepers)YourGardenbedshouldbepreparedinthefollowinglayers:1.NEWSPAPER:Soaknewspapers–layathicklayerofnewspaper(theequivalentofacopyoftheSundayTimes),orcarpetunderlayongardenbed,overlappingandstaggeringedges.2.MANURE:Spread3wheelbarrowloadsofmanure.3.STRAW:Evenlyspreadafullbaleofstraw4.COMPOST:Add6–7wheelbarrowsofcompost5.GRASSCLIPPINGS:Add6wheelbarrowsofgrassclippingsor2wheelbarrowsofmanure.

6:MULCH.Addthicklayerofwoodchipmulch40mm–50mmthick.7.ROCKDUST.Adda lightsprinklingofRockDustontopof final layerofmulch. (RememberthatRockDustcontainsessentialvitaminsandminerals,isnotamanureandtakesalongtimetobreakdown.)

WaterEachLayerThoroughlyTheGardenbednowneedstimetomature.Whenyoubeginplanting,useamixtureofcompost/sand(noweeds!)manureandanyrecommendedsoiladditives.Gardenbedshouldbecontinuallytoppedupwithacombinationofmulch,straw,compostandrecommendedsoiladditives.

4. Raised Garden Bed Perfectforgardenerswhohavebackorkneeproblems.Thethreecorrugatedtinraisedgardenbeds(RGBs)attheGardenarecurrentlyplantedwithamixofgojiberries,blueberries,beeattractingfloweringshrubsandbushfoodssuchasmidgenberriesbutcanbemadeavailableforanygardenerswithphysicaldifficulties.TheraisedGardenbedfurthestfromthegatewasoriginallyhalffilledwithemptyplasticbottles.Thenextlayer(blackplastic)wascoveredwithathicklayerofsoilthenafurtherlayerofwoodchiporstraw/hayadded.ThisraisedGardenbedisfullyreticulated.TheothertworaisedGardenbedshaveadifferentinternaldesignandarebuiltaccordingtowickingbedprinciples.Sturdywoodenplatformbaseswereinsertedabout35cmbelowthetopedge,toppedwithroofingtinandalayerofpondliner.Reticulationpipingwasnestedinalayerofbluemetal(waterinthisreservoiristoppedupviatheinletpipe).Nextcameafurtherlayerofblackplasticandfinally,athicklayerofrichsoil/composttoppedbywoodchipmulchandstraw.

5. Wicking Bed (madefromarecycledborebox)

• Holesdrilledalongoutsideofwickingbed(bothsides)toallowdrainageatlevelofpebbles/weedmat• Holesdrilledinpipe(seeblackdots).Weedmatting-stopsseedlingrootsgoingintolayerofpebbles• Waterwickingbedsbyfillinguppipe.Capontopofpipingpreventsmosquitoesbreeding• Reservoirofwaterreducesneedforfrequentwateringandsoilremainsmoistallthetime.

6. Worm Farm

Thinklikeaworm!!REMEMBERwormsdonothaveteethsoneedfoodreasonablychoppeduptomakeabigimpact.Theywilleatonionandcitrusbutnotexclusively.Agoodquantityofroughagekeepsitallmobile–youendupwithmorecastings.Ifwormfarmstartstosmell–addsomefinelytornupnewspaperorshreddednewspaperandasprinklingofdolomiteorlime. Whenplantingoutsmallseedlingsusethecastingswithsomecompost/soilconditioner.Wormcastingsdon’t“burn”plants.Thequalityofwormpoodependsonwhatwormsarefed.Whiletheyneedcellulose,atotaldietofnewspaperdoesn’tgivehighqualitycastings.Wormsdon’tswim–sowatchthe“waterlevel”CastingscanbeusedonGardenbeds–simplysprinklearoundtheplantsandwaterin,ormixsomeinawateringcan(about1:25ratio)andsprayontherootarea.Castingsarefullofgoodnessandcontainbeneficialsoilbacteriaforplantstosurvive.WormcapsulesinthecastingswilladdmorelivewormstotheGardenbed!

MasterWormTaster

4. THE ANSWER LIES IN IN THE SOIL About Soil …. • Therearetwoschoolsofthoughtwhenpreparinggroundforplantingvegetables.There’sthe“Dig”

schoolthatpreferstothoroughlyturnsoilover,diggingincompostetcandremovinganyrootsthattendtosuckmoistureandnutrientsfromthesoil.Thenthere’sthe“Don’tDig”schoolofgardeners,howeverthisgroup,everprotectiveofsoilmicroorganisms,stillneedstooccasionallycheckforhungry,invasivetreerootsystemsnearthesurface.

• MostGardenplotshaveareasonablybalancedsoilpHbutit’shelpfultocheckthiswithatestingkitfromtimetotime.Soilshouldbebetween6(slightlyacidic)and7(neutral).NutrientsaremorereadilyavailableinthesoilatthispHrange.Soilswhicharetooacidic(belowpH5.5)shouldbelimedandsulphurtosoilwhichistooalkaline(morethanpH7.5).

• Tohelpavoiddisease,vegetableplantingsshouldbeplannedtoavoidsuccessivecropsofcloselyrelatedplantsinthesamepatch.Tomatoesshouldbeatleasttwoyearsapartifusingthesamepatchofsoil.

• Exceptforareaswhereplantssuchascarrotsandparsnips(unhappyinwellcompostedsoil)areplanted,agenerous50/50mixofcompostandsoilconditioneratthebeginningofsummerandwhentheweathercoolsdowngreatlybenefitthesoil.

• Ifplantingispostponedforatleastafortnightafteraddingcompost,wormshaveanopportunitytoworktheirmagic.

• Wormcastingsmakeawonderfuldifferencetosoil.

• Dilutedwormweeisasuperbplanttonic.

• Wettingagent:theadditionofacommercialwettingagentoraclay-basedadditivesuchasBentonitehelpstokeepsoilmoist.Catlitterhasahighpercentageofclay.

About Manure…

Gardenersarerequestedtoavoidapplyingmanuredirectlyontoplots.ManureisthemostexpensiveongoingitemintheGarden’sbudgetandevenifpurchasedelsewherebyindividualgardeners, itactsasashortterm“sugarfix”forplants.Anessentialingredientofgoodcompost,ashovelfulofcompostaddsmorenutritiontosoilthanashovelfulofmanure.

Applyingmanuredirectlytosoilcanhavenegativeconsequences:

Health:PathogenssuchasE.colimaybepresentinfreshmanurewhichifapplieddirectlyontosoil,havethepotentialtocauseillnessinindividualseatingfreshproduce.Thisriskisreducedwhenmanureisappliedonlyincompostbaysandbrokendownwithlayersofstraw,grassclippings,gardenclippings/rubbishandshreddednewspaper.Whenmaturingcompostheatsup,problembacteriaaredestroyed.

WaterEvaporation:Manureholdswaterandisdarksowillwickthemoistureupfromthesoilandholditclosetotheairforrapidevaporation.

About Planting… • Seedsorseedlings?Directsowingofseedandthinningoutyoungseedlingsisidealformanycrops,

suchasradish,turnips,parsnipandcarrots.Forothercropsitismoreconvenienttobuyseedlingsortogerminatefromseed.

• Onion,leekandbeetrootseedlingsdobetterifseparatedwhenplantedout.

• Ifsettingupclimbingframes,aneast/westorientationisbest.

• Ifstarpicketsareusedtosetupshadeclothsheltersorframesforclimbingplants,thelocationofundergroundreticulationmustbecheckedbeforehand.

• ThebesttimetoplantsummercropsisbetweenlateOctoberandmid-Decemberasthisgivesthemanexcellentchancetobecomeestablishedbeforethehotweathersettlesin.

• Thebesttimetoplantwintercropsiswhenthesoilisstillwarmattheendofsummer,fromearlyMarchtomid-May.

• Greatwaystoprotectplantsduringsummerinclude:

o Pilingmulcharoundplantstoreducesoilexposuretothesun.o Overheadshadecloth.

o Denseplanting(includingflowers)toreducesoilexposure

• Flowerssuchasnasturtium,dianthus,gerbera,verbena,snapdragons,petunias,shastadaisies,marigolds,phloxandcelosiaaregreatforattractingbeesandotherbeneficialinsectsandhelptomaketheGardenlookgreat.

• Agreenmanurecropattheendofsummeraddslifeandlovetoatiredoverworkedpatch.Trycowpea,mungbean,soybeanormillet.

• Tomakethemostofpreciouswaterresources:

o Thinkaboutthetypeofcropbeingplanted.Forexample,ifplantingseedsandtheweatherishot,aonceadaywateringfromthereticulationsystemmaynotbeenough.

o Checkthepotentialsizeandlocationofplantstoensuretallorbulkyplants(sweetcorn,broccoliorrhubarb,artichokeetc)arenotdirectlyinfrontofsprinklers. You’dbesurprisedhowoftenthisbecomesaproblem.

o Conservewateronyourplotbydiggingminitrenches(about10cmdeep)andplantseedsorseedlingsinthehollow.Coverlightlywithmulchtohelpretainwater.

o Anotherusefultechniqueforkeepingzucchini,pumpkin,melons,butternutsandothersprawlingsummerplantsmoistinhotweatheristobuildsmallmounds(200-250mmhigh)ofcompostandsoilconditionermixedwithexistingsoil.Makingahollowinthecentreofeachmoundandplantingtherecommendednumberofseedsinthemiddleisthenextstepfollowedbycoveringthehollowswithalightcoveringofmulch.

o Shadingbyotherplantsreducesthesun’sblessinganditmakespracticalsensetoavoidplantingtallandshortvegetablecropssidebysideifashortcropislikelytobeshaded.

• Contaminationfrominvasivecouch,nutgrass,sweetpotatoes,weeds,mintwillputaplot“atrisk”,aswilluncontrolledoutbreaksofwhiteflyandothertinypestswhich,ifunchecked,spreadquicklyto

otherplots.

• Allplantsbenefitfromweeklywateringwithliquidplanttonics/fertilizerssuchasdilutedwormwee,Powerfeed,Thrive,Seasoletc.

• Weedingisatediousbutrewardingjobatanytimeoftheyear,reducingcompetitionbetweenlovinglynurturedvegetablesandspace-hungryinvaders.

• Companionplanting:Truecompanionplantingmeansmixingspecieswhicharesaidtogrowbetterineachother’scompanythanalone–andavoidingmixingthosewhichadverselyinfluenceeachother.o Onionsandrelatedplantsgrowwellwithcarrotswhichinturnalsogrowwellwithlettuce,broad

beans,peasandradishes.

o Cabbagesgrowwellwithpotatoesandcucumbers.

o Potatoespreferbeans,peasandceleryandcabbagebutdon’treactwellwithtomatoes.

o Tomatoesgrowwellwithasparagus,parsleyandbasil.

o Peasgrowwellwithturnips,carrots,cucumbers,potatoesandsweetcorn. o Lettucegrowswellwithradishesandcarrots.

o Celeryandcauliflowergrowwelltogetherandceleryalsogrowswellwithleeksandtomatoes

See What to Plant and When

About Plant Propagation… BasedonatalkbySandraMaynardofHortitalkon1May2016

Materials:• Secateurs• Sharpeningstones• Sandpaper• Bleach• Clonexpurplehormonegel(keepinfridge

whenopened)

• Smallblockofcocopeatsoakedbeforehandinalargetub,binorwheelbarrow

• Traysandpots• Freshplantmaterialfortakingcuttings• Perlite• Anyseedsyouwanttogerminate

• SecateursUsetopqualityEachoorFelcoandcleansharpedgewithsandpaper.OiljointswithWD40.Asvirusesanddiseasescanbereadilytransferred,cleanbladeswithmetholatedspiritsorbleach.

• PotsCleanwitha2%bleachsolution.

• Pottingmix

Don’tusefertiliserwhenpropogatingplantsascarbohydratesarenaturallystoredinthestem.Useperlite,asterilemix(notvermiculite)andwearamaskwhenopeningthebagasyoumayinhaleperlitedust.

Wintermix:1partofcocopeat,4partsperliteandkeepwet.Youcanusesand(white,orange)insteadofperlitebutbuilders’sandisveryalkaline.Summermixisabout50:50.

• Cuttings

Whendoingyourowncuttingsgetaclonefromagoodqualityparent.Allfruittreesaregraftedwhichmakesthemresistanttonematodesetc.Itisn’tworthplantingnon-graftedfruittreessuchasmango,citrus,avocado(eveniftheydosproutinthebackyardcompost!)astheoutcomeisunpredictable.Ifpottingatwig,sayanolivetree,takeoffmostleavesstartingatthelowerend.Youcanusesideshootsifthickenoughandyoucandofigsormulberriesfromhardwood.Choptopsoffleaves.Usepurpleclonex(bestformosttypesofhomegardeningbutdon’tputanybackintothebottleasyoumaycontaminatethecontents)todipthetwig’stip–thisgeneratesrootinitiation.Someorganicgrowersusehoney.Pokelittleholesintothepropogatingmix(gibber)andinsertthecutting.Thetimeoftheyearisagreatvariable.Figslikewinter,someplantslikeautumnanditisbesttostrikecuttingsafterfloweringorfruiting.Eucalyptsmostlygrowfromseed.Don’tforgettolabelanddatethepots!

• Germinating

Ideasforstoringpots/trayswiththeirlittlecuttingsincludeaplastictunnelhouse,oldaquarium,plasticlinedmilkcrateorpossumtrap.Coverduringwinterandfacenorth,capturingmorning/afternoonsun.Leaveforabout10weeksinwinter,6weeksinsummer.Thetwigsmaydropleavesbutchecktip.

• Roots

Tocheckrootgrowth,gentlyspoonoutthelittletwigsbutbecarefulastherootsareveryfragile.Whenrootsappearyoucanthenusefertilizer.

Keepnotesandkeepexperimenting!

About Plant Pests

See also Plant Pests and Diseases in Part 3 Someplants,particularlyherbs,areveryeffectiveatdiscouraginginsectpestsfromattackingnearbyvegetables.

o MarigoldsoftheTagetesspecies,knownasFrenchorAfricanmarigolds,reducenematodeinfestations.

o Southernwood,alsoknownas‘ladslove’,repelsaphidsandcabbagemoth.

o Fennelrepelsfliesandfleas.

o Thymeanddillrepelcabbagemoth.

o Rosemaryrepelsleafhoppers,aphidsandcaterpillars.

o Mintisvulnerabletocaterpillarattackbutrepelsmanyotherinsects.

o Wormwoodrepelsfruitfly.

o Tarragonhelpsrepelsnails.

o Garlicrepelsmanyinsects.

Home-made Pest Repellents

Problem: Aphids,mealybugs,mites,scales,andthrips

Spray: AmmoniaRecipe: Todeteraphids,mealybugs,mites,scales,andthrips,spraywithamixofoneparthousehold

ammoniawithsevenpartswater.

Problem: Cutwormswirewormswhiteflies(slugstoo)

Spray: Garlic

Recipe: Here’sarecipeforagarlicspraythatfightsslugstoo.Tomakethissmellyspray,usetheseingredients:

• 1garlicbulb• 1quartofwater• 1mediumonion• 1tablespoonofcayennepepper• 1tablespoonliquiddishsoap

Crushthegarlic,mincingitfine,addfinelychoppedonion,andrestoftheingredientsexceptthesoap.Waitanhourbeforeaddingthesoaptothemixture.Thespicyingredientsmustsortofsteworsteep,almostliketea.Afteranhour,addthesoapandyournon-toxicsprayisreadytouse!Thiscanbestoredinthefridgeforaweek.

AnotherGarlicSprayrecipe.1pintofwater1/4cupofdishliquid2teaspoonsofparaffin6tablespoonsofchoppedgarlic

Soakthewholegarlicintheliquidparaffinforatleast24hours.Afteraday,addthedishliquidandwatertothemixture.Remembertoshakeitverywell.Strainthesolutionandstoreitinaglassjar.Thislastsaroundaweek.

Problem: FruitFlyBaitRecipe: Asmallemptybottle.

Anchors-spicedmaltedvinegar,availablefromanyfoodstore.1teaspoonofrawsugar.2dropsofanydishwashingdetergent.Alengthofwire.

Drillholesinbottleandusingafunnelpourinsugar,addvinegartoslightlylessthanhalf

waypointonbottle.Addthedetergent,replacelidputonwireandhangintree.Placebaitsinfruittreesandtreesthatdonotbearfruittodrawfliesawayfromthefruitingones.Thebaitworksbyluringtheflyinwiththearoma,thedetergentbreaksthesurfacetensionofthewatersowhentheflylandsonthewaterinsteadofbeingabletorestontop,itwilldropintothewaterandeventuallydrown.Checkbaitsregularlytoseewhatsortoffliesyouareattractingandemptyorrefillasrequired.Keeptheholesonthebottlesmalltoavoidhavinggeckoscrawlinastheywilldrownaswell.

Problem: Insectswithattitude Spray: Chilli Recipe: 8–10redchillies,finelysliced

1tblspnofsoapflakesorgratedbarsoap1litreboiledwaterCombineingredientsinajugorjarandsetasidefor24hours.Strainandpourintoaspraybottleandoffyougo.Thesoapflakesinthissolutionassiststhespraytosticktotheplantsbutyoumustwashyourproducecarefullywhenharvesting

Problem: MoreaboutinsectswithattitudeSpray: Garlic&hotpeppers

Recipe: Useamixtureofgarlicandhotpepperstomakeapestrepellent.Chopupandmixtogethersomegarlicclovesandjalapenoorotherhotpeppers(orhotpeppersauce).Putinaspraybottleandaddwater.Spraytopsandundersidesofleavestocreateabarrierforallkindsofdestructivepests.

Problem: Leafspot,scab,blackspotandmildew

Spray: CiderVinegarRecipe: Forproblemswithleafspot,scab,blackspotandmildew,mix3tablespoonsofcidervinegar

withagallonofwater.Sprayinfestedplants(besttimeisinthemorning).

Problem: MildewSpray: Milkandwater

Recipe: A50/50mixtureofmilkandwaterisagreatmildewpreventativeandtreatment.Sprayweeklytopreventmildeworthoroughlysprayatthefirstsignandevery3daysastreatment.

Problem: Mould,mildewandfungusSpray: Bakingsoda

Recipe: Bakingsodacanbeusedtomakeaneffectivetreatmentformould,mildewandfungus.Ifyouhaveanyoftheseproblems,mixatablespoonofbakingsoda,1gallonofwaterand3tablespoonsofvegetableoil.Fillaspraybottlewiththismixtureandsprayplants,makingsuretocovercompletelybecausesomeoftheseproblemscanexistwhereyoucan'tseethem.

Problem: Pathogensincludingblight

Spray: Compost

Recipe: Thesecanhelpkeeppathogens(includingblight)awayfromplants.Justfilla5gallonbucketwithwaterandletstandfor24hourstoremoveadditives.Addaquartor2ofgoodcompostormanureandletsitfor1or2days,stirringoccasionly.Strainanddrenchtheplantareasorthoroughlysprayleavesincludingtheundersides.Thisalsogivesplantsasafenaturalfeeding.

Problem: Slugs&Snails

Spray: Soap

Recipe: Agoodwaytostoptheslugsiswithsoapywater.That'sright,youcanjustuseyourold,dirtydishwater!Putsomeinawateringcanorevenuseapitchertopouritovertheplants..Manybugsdon’tliketheirlunchspoiledbyasoapyaftertaste!Forastrongersolution,mix3tablespoonsofliquiddetergentintoagallonofwater-useweekly.

Mixonetablespoondishwashingsoap,suchasIvoryLiquidorShaklee’sBasicH,inonegallonofwater.Testsprayafewleavesoftheaffectedplant;ifnodamageresults,spraythewholeplant.

Beer.Tokeepsnailsandslugsawayfromyourplants,sinkasaucerorothershallowcontaineruntiltherimislevelwiththegroundandfillwithbeer.Theslugsandsnailsareattractedtothebeerandwillcrawlinanddrown.Changethebeereveryfewdayssothatitremainseffective.

Stironetablespoonofliquiddishwashingsoapintoonecupofvegetableoil(peanut,safflower,corn,soybean,orsunflower).Mix1to2teaspoonsofthesoapandoilblendwithonecupwater,andapplytoaffectedplants.

OrGarlicSpray(seeabove).

Ifmakingapestrepellenthomebrewdoesn’tappeal,there’sagreatrangeofpyrethrum/garlic/chillicombinationsavailableinnurseriesandhardwareoutlets.Cautionisrequiredwhenbuyingspraysassomemanufacturersaddtinyamountsoftoxinstomaketheirproductsevenmoreeffective.

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