BACKGROUND

Over the last 13 weeks Costa has transformed the Tembeleski’s backyard into a beautiful sustainable yard that will provide the family with an array of fruit, vegetables, eggs and even fish. And although the garden has been created with a minimum of maintenance required into the future, there are still a few things you need to know to keep the garden healthy and abundant.

TIPS

Aquaponics

• Remember when installing a new system you need to wait about six weeks before introducing fingerlings, or baby fish to the tank, and then in about nine months fish should be on the menu. The reason for the delay is to give the biological filtration system a chance to get established.
• Once the fish have been introduced remember to feed them on a daily basis.
• Check the water level daily.
• On a weekly basis check the pH level of the water to make sure it is at around 7.
• Good things do take a little bit of time, but once the biology is happy, then nature is on your side.

Chooks

• Remember to clean out the coop or pen every week to keep it as hygienic as possible.
• Sprinkle some lice powder over the floor and then replace the straw or Lucerne.
• Every 3 or 4 days replace the water and top up the food. Make sure that the food container is hung just off the ground.


Worm Farm

• Each week add a couple of hand fulls of finely cut green waste to the feeding tray.
• Then add a couple of handfuls of compost.
• Add some water to keep it moist.
• Replace the cover or blanket and moisten it.
• Once a week flood the worm farm with water to entice the worms to come up to the feeding tray to digest the scraps.
• Remember to dilute your worm juice 1 part to 5 parts water and you will be able to enjoy the benefits of your worm farm by simply watering it straight onto your garden.



Compost system

• On a daily basis place your food scraps into an easy to manage container.
• Ensure your food scraps are finely cut.
• Place the food scraps into the compost bin when convenient or when household container gets full.
• Add a layer of dried leaves and twigs.
• Add some water.
• On top of that add some broken down green waste, then some healthy garden soil, and chicken poo or pellets.
• Add another good spray of water and your compost will have all the nutrients it needs to start breaking down food scraps.
• As a general rule anything organic can be added to compost, but avoid adding meat that will smell and attract pests.
• Remember to keep an eye on your bin to ensure the balance between the green and brown materials is right. Too many kitchen scraps and it might become smelly, so if this happens add some drier ingredients. If it’s too dry, nothing will happen, so add some green materials and or some water.
• Keep your compost bin well aerated, plenty of air will help the breaking down process. A good rule of thumb is to turn the compost every time you add scraps to it.
• You can always add compost activators such as comfrey and yarrow to help what’s inside break down more quickly.
• Once the compost bin is full give the compost a turn every week and after about 8 – 10 weeks you will have compost to spread all over your garden.
• Once your first bin is full and maturing, you will need to get a second bin to deal with your ongoing scraps. This way there is always somewhere for your scraps to go, and you will now be making compost in stereo…let the addiction begin.


Water Tanks

• Ensure that the first flush diverter is cleaned on a regular basis. Just unscrew the cap, remove the ball and give both the filter and ball a good rinse.
• Remove the strainer on top of the tank, remove any leaves or other foreign objects, give it a rinse & replace.


Pruning


Vegie Garden