Tag Archives: Plants

Jetto’s Patch visit in March

If you were ever looking for inspiration, or just wondering what might be possible on an average suburban block, Jetto’s Patch in Maida Vale has much to make you think.

Dario in the front yard, which they converted from lawn only 18 months ago!

Dario in the front yard, which they converted from lawn only 18 months ago!

Starting in 1989, but with the newest parts only 18 months old, Dario and Michelle grow something in the region of 500 edible species on their 1482 sq m block.

The Kitchen Gardeners were delighted to accept an invitation from Dario and Michelle to hold their March workshop at Jetto’s Patch.  Some of us opted for the advertised potting seeds workshop, where we used some of our collected and donated pots, and made some out of newspaper following Debra’s expert instructions.

Most of us wandered about the verdant paradise admiring just how many plants and the amazing variety of edible plants it is possible to grow in Perth.  There are the obvious ones like figs and grapes along with some very interesting ones that you would not expect to find thriving in Perth: arabica coffee, pineapples, cherries, raspberries.

Touring the chook pen and garden

Touring the chook pen and garden

It was a hot day, but the garden was lovely and cool

It was a hot day, but the garden was lovely and cool

Lots of us took home a little piece of Jetto’s – sugarcane, perpetual pumpkin seeds and a renewed zeal for growing our own food.

If you missed out, Dario and Michelle love visitors – you can contact them via their Facebook page – JettosPatch

Dario's raised beds made of left over concrete slabs and a metal frame

Dario’s raised beds made of left over concrete slabs and a metal frame

Calico fruit bags to protect fruit from birds and bugs

Calico fruit bags to protect fruit from birds and bugs

Happy chooks

Happy chooks

Transition Town Guildford’s Kitchen Gardeners’ Society Launches!

The best way to learn how to do something is from others. With the TTG Kitchen Gardeners’ Society, you can see and hear first hand how people  developed their back yard garden. And you can always get your hands dirty if you want.

The first monthly meet was a great success: veggies planted, hot-house installed, bed dug and all with delicious wood fired pizza! Thanks to Debra & Peter for sharing their place.

Next gathering, Sunday 1st of July, stay tuned for details

Photos courtesy Emma & Kerrin

Plant your Garlic!

Ever been frustrated that all the garlic in the shops seems to come from China and Argentina?! Well, it’s the time of year to plant, and it’s super easy, here’s how I do it….

Get some garlic (preferably local)

Prepare a veggie bed, loosen the soil, and mix in some compost or manure if handy

Push the cloves into the ground so the top of the clove is below the soil (2-5 cm)

Repeat with ~10-15 cm between cloves and ~15-30 cm between rows

Water well

Care instructions:

Keep weeds under control, garlic don’t like competition

Winter rain does much of the watering, but they will need watering during dry periods

Harvesting:

As summer approaches, the garlic leaves will begin to brown off

Pull up the garlic when a few green leaves are still left (these create the tissue cover for the bulb)

Hang up in a shed to dry, then store in a cool, dry, dark place and enjoy :)

Other tips:

I heard Sabrina Hahn on the radio say that putting the garlic in the fridge for a week helps it to germinate.

You don’t need veggie beds, just plant some garlic between the roses or around the garden

Reduce and stop watering the week before harvesting to avoid mould

Try to avoid the super white garlic in the shops from China, it’s usually bleached

Garlic grows well with many other plants, but may inhibit peas, beans and parsley, so grow separately from these

Garlic can deter ants, aphids, caterpillars, slugs and other soft-bodied pests

Got more tips on growing garlic, please post!